Bike touring: how to prepare your cycling trip
A successful cycling trip starts with good preparation! Here's our guide with our top tips to help you make your trip a success, and get the most out of the benefits and joy of cycle touring.
Which bike traveller are you?
There are two ways to travel by bike touring: you can travel semi-autonomously (for those who don't want to camp) or completely autonomously, with all your camping gear. The latter option offers total freedom, since you don't have to impose fixed schedules or itineraries on yourself, or make sleeping arrangements... provided you can find a campsite for the night! This is also the least expensive way to travel, but whatever your preference, cycle touring gives you the chance to see, feel and immerse yourself in the region you're visiting, its people and its terroir.
The organized bike travels
This is the "turnkey" formula. All you have to do is pack your suitcase and get your bike into a box. This way of traveling is generally more expensive, but everything is taken care of: transport, accommodation, meals and itineraries. Briefings are held before departure, and you're given a detailed itinerary, daily schedule, list of services offered and things to bring. Your contribution is limited to getting on your bike and pedaling. For some, it's the ideal formula: peace of mind is guaranteed! For others, having to stick to daily schedules (departures, arrivals, meals) can be restrictive. Some tour operators, such as Vélo Québec Voyages , have understood this and now offer flexible packages for independent cyclists. These include route planning, flights and accommodation, but not supervision. So there's an ideal package for every cyclist!
Travel with your kids
If you're planning a family cycling trip, you'll need to plan an itinerary suited to your children's physical abilities. Make frequent stops - every 10 kilometers - and don't be over-ambitious: swallowing 60 kilometers of bike paths with children is surely exaggerated. Setting a target of 25 to 30 kilometers per day between stops (campsite or hotel) is more realistic... and your children will enjoy their vacation as much as you do! In addition, wearing bright clothing (a fluorescent bib, for example) is recommended for all family members. As always with children, safety is paramount! In fact, a little before you set off, remember to take the time to explain or re-explain the rules of bicycle safety to your children, especially if you're planning to ride on the side of the road.
Our 5 tips to make your trip a success:
1: Chose the right bike
Your bike is your best friend. So make sure it's in perfect working order before you set off. Have everything checked : wheel alignment, brakes, derailleur, tires, and lubricate your chain. The type of bike you choose can make all the difference. Choose bikes with a wide range of gears. Remember that your lowest gear should help you bear the weight of your luggage on the steepest climbs. Like an office chair, handlebars that can be adjusted to several positions will add comfort to your trip. Tires that grip the surface well, smooth and narrow, will also give you the energy to pedal longer.
2: Bring the right tools
LBasic tools and an inner-tube repair kit will save you a lot of trouble, especially if you get a puncture on a deserted road. But you still need to know how to use them. Before you set off, learn the basics of bike mechanics, including how to fix the most common mechanical problems: changing an inner tube, adjusting brakes and gears, and repairing a broken chain.
3: Equip yourself with good clothes
Now is not the time to drag out your wardrobe! Go for the essentials: cycling shorts and jerseys, cuffs and leggings (easy to put on and take off when the weather changes), hard-soled shoes, a warm long-sleeved sweater, a waterproof windbreaker, socks, underwear, a swimsuit and evening wear. Choose clothes that dry quickly and store them in waterproof bags.
4: Instal the right bags
The lightest and most economical solution is to install luggage racks or panniers and balance them properly. A word of advice: place the panniers as close to the ground as possible. The bulkiest items should be in the back and the heaviest in the front, at the very bottom of your pannier.
5: Chose carefully your camping equipment
If you're traveling independently, make sure you're equipped with everything you need: a tent, ground sheet, sleeping bag, headlamp, gas stove, lighter, saucepan, glass, basic utensils and, above all, a multi-purpose pocketknife. Whether you're looking to get fit in the spring, extend the season in the fall, take a family vacation or face the challenge of a lifetime, there's a trip to suit you. All that's left is to choose the destination, plan it.
Now you're ready to embark on a cycling adventure, solo, in pairs or with the whole family!
Shop your bike on our online store and prepare all the equipment for your future cycling trips by shopping our accessories ;)
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