A bicycle touring trip is one adventure every bicycle owner should take at least once or twice in their lifetime. A bicycle tour can become more of a lifestyle than a sport and is an amazing way to rediscover our planet and also access your role on it. It’s never too fast nor too slow and lets you take in every breath that slaps your face.
When some people hear bicycle touring they begin to overthink. They think it is such a big deal and will need a whole lot on the trip. Because they have a lot of things they think they need in their house, and when they are going on a road trip with their cars they park a lot of things they think they are going to use and later don’t even use half of it. But then, there are a few things you will need for your trip and can easily carry with you. They include;
- Your bike
- A bag to carry your essentials
- Choose a route
- Tyre pump
- Inner tubes
- Chain oil
- Patch kit
- Helmet
- Bike lock
- Tail lights
- Cycling shorts
- Polos
- Non-cycling pants
- Long sleeve layer
- Jumper/Fleece
- Waterproof jacket
- Gloves
- Sun hat
- Sandals
- Shoes
- Underwear
- Socks
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Travel pillow
- Gas cylinder
- Plates/cutlery
- Lighter
- Head torch
- Passport
- Wallet and money
- Refillable water bottle
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Soap & shampoo
- Toothbrush & paste
- Deodorant
- Hairbrush & hair ties
- Travel towel
- Maps
Read also: How To Choose The Right Bike Fenders For Your Needs
I know you may think “But what if I need this or that on my trip?” Don’t worry dear, you will soon realize on this trip after you embark that you can survive without all those and that you want them, doesn’t mean that they are your basic needs.
When choosing a bike for your tour, you also need to realize that you may need a bike stronger than your grocery shopping bike for this trip. So bear these in mind when choosing your tour bike;
- The duration of your trip so that you can get a more durable bike.
- Bear in mind the location. If you are touring in a less exposed place you need to know about some basic bike repairs and tools to help you if necessary on your trip.
- The terrain you will be cycling at. Because using a bike meant for only flat surfaces on gravel can be a disaster.
Ok, it may not be as simple as it is painted to be here for you as a beginner, so this article will be showing you easy tips and tricks to help you plan a bicycle touring adventure as a beginner.
1. Avoid Getting Stressed Out
While there may be many things you need to note for a successful trip, you need to chill out. Don’t rush yourself unnecessarily and take your time to prepare everything. This is because you are going on a trip where you will engage in strenuous riding most of the time, so you need to take care of and prepare your mental health for this trip. Just take a relaxed approach and go with the flow of things, don’t push yourself too hard, especially if it’s your first trip and opt for more quiet roads.
2. Plan Your Trip Before You Set Out
Someone once said, if you fail to plan, you have planned to fail, and this is the truth. No matter how excited you are to get on the trip, bicycle touring is something that you need to take your time and plan and not rush it.
- Go for a test run of all your equipment and make sure they are working at full capacity so that you don’t get stranded or disappointed.
- Ensure to check the weather forecasts for the period you will be on the road as this will also help you pack the right clothes.
- Think about your navigation, GPS, map and the routes you will go through.
- Test your sleeping tent in the rain to make sure it is waterproof.
- Double-check your packing list and don’t make it longer than necessary.
- Decide your schedule before leaving.
- Make sure to have an idea of where you will sleep
3. Ensure Your Gears Are On Point
Trust me, you don’t want to set out on the road feeling all giddy and then have your spirit dampened because one of your gears decided to misbehave at the wrong time.
- Be sure that your panniers are watertight. The last thing you want is to pedal through the rain and realize your pannier contents are soaked through.
- Get tight clothing as it helps prevent wind drag while cycling.
- Protect your eyes, safety always comes first.
- Your sunhat will come in handy, so always keep it on you.
- Carry a zip cable with you to fix camping/outdoor issues.
- Carry the right tools.
- Carry your lights, and backup batteries too.
Read also: How To Choose The Right Bike Lock For Your Needs
4. Your Bike And Setup
When going on bike tours, comfortability is key. You need to be comfortable while spending long periods on your saddle.
- Adjust your saddle, seat height, and angle.
- Adjust your peddles and toe clips.
- Your handlebar height, stem length, and handlebar style should also be of utmost importance.
- Compartmentalize your gear by making sure your gear is organized in your bags and easy to get to.
- Make sure all your essentials are easily stored and quick to get to.
5. Your Nutrition Is Important
What you eat and drink can determine how your whole trip can go, and you don’t want to eat anything that will leave you feeling shitty and restless, and also making you cut short your trip.
- Maintain energy by eating a little and often.
- Replenish all salt lost through sweating at the end of the day.
- Ensure you can carry enough food and water
6. A Little Extra Won’t Hurt
While we’ve mentioned the most important above, doing this bit will only help make your ride even smoother and fun.
- Ensure you maintain your bike before your trip.
- Chafing can be bothersome, don’t joke with your Vaseline.
- Be friendly and nice to the locals you meet on your way as they can be of help to you in a lot of ways.
- Respect local customs and cultures.
Gone through all these and ticked them off your preparation list? That’s good, now get on your bike tour and have the time of your life!
Read also: How To Choose The Right Bicycle Suspension For Your Needs