Cycling Tours are a great way to see a new location and get up close and personal with the towns and country side, but you do not have to be an avid biker to participate.  That being said, I wouldn’t show up having never ridden a bike in preparation.  Work at your own pace and make sure that you know how to handle a bike well and can sit without discomfort for up to 2 hours at a time.

For our first tour, we started riding casually about 2 months ahead finding some time on Saturday or Sunday.  As it got closer, we would go out for a ride after dinner.  The distances were never long, but by putting a few days in every week, we were comfortable and capable.  If you are capable of riding 30 KM (20 Miles) at a time, your ride will be fun

On the tours we have been on, some people have brought a seat cover for extra cushion.  I have never seen the need for that (perhaps I have too much cushion there already!) but some like it.  I do ride in comfort, however, with proper cycling shorts (they do have padding), a cycling shirt (I love the pockets in the back), gloves and a helmet (that is a requirement!).  Personally, I also wear cycling shoes, but most people on the tours have worn running shoes.  Some have used clips, some just the plain pedals.  There is no right or wrong way - it is how comfortable you feel to ensure that you enjoy your ride.