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WOOW.BIKE

CYCLINGHOLIDAYS

GUIDE

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Touring by bike is perhaps the best way to truly experience the landscape and culture of a region—the unique features of the terrain, the smell of flowers or ripening grapes, the sounds of wildlife, or the people and hidden treasures of small towns.

“It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.”

Ernest Hemingway

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Why a bike tour?

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Planning your cycle trip in less densely populated regions”

Geography

The gradient of the trip will reduce your range, in exceptional circumstances with uphill gradients to as little as 20km a day. Watch the altitude lines on your map closely, both for individual gradients and total altitude differences.

Gradients of more than about 5% are difficult to overcome on a laden touring bike. A rule of thumb is that for every 100 metres of altitude you climb, you should add an extra 15 minutes to your

journey time. In hilly or mountainous regions, the easiest routes for cycling are downstream along major rivers, as overall they will be downhill. A long, roundabout route along a river will usually be easier than a short, direct route over a hill or mountain pass. However, it is worth bearing in mind that the most scenic routes often come from hilly terrain. If you are feeling up for a challenge, try some hillier routes. Start small, your legs will get used to it and the views will be worth the effort.

Motor traffic is often worth avoiding as much as possible, for example by planning your cycle trip in less densely populated regions (unless it is in a country that offers exceptionally good cycling facilities, such as The Netherlands

One good compromise is to buy a road atlas of the country or countries you are planning to visit, tear out (copy) the necessary pages and only take those. You’ll often find you can get a good 1:100000 map fairly cheaply, but still showing minor roads, campsites and marking out any steep hills.

Another alternative is a GPS with topographic maps loaded, or a Smartphone (possibly also combined with a GPS) which you can load topographic maps into. Even a scanned atlas map onto your mobile is better than nothing. There are several GPS devices available with bicycle mountings (see other equipment) below.

Other Information

It’s best not to take advice from non-cyclists too seriously, whether given in person, on-line or in print. Often they will overestimate the difficulties, and underestimate the pleasures. This is particularly true

in the case of distance, traffic situations (especially in developing countries) and road conditions.

Equipment

Cycling for extended periods requires somewhat more than a basic set of wheels, and both comfort and convenience can be

improved with a few standard add-ons, however every piece of extra weight you pack is going to require extra energy

to move around.

ITINERARYMaps

Ideally you will have maps showing the contours of the region you are visiting, along with tourist attractions, accommodation, campsites and other useful places. However, these maps tend to be quite detailed and only cover small regions, and if you are covering any kind of distance you will find yourself buying rather a lot of them, which can prove expensive and heavy.

Distance

On level terrain, without a headwind, a cyclist of average fitness on a touring bike can comfortably cover 60-120 km a day, depending on the number and length of stops. Distances of up to 250 km a day are feasible, but anything much beyond 120 km will require considerable physical strain and not allow many stops to enjoy the things on the way. For many, 80-100 km a day will be the optimal distance to aim for, as it will give a sense of achievement and also leave plenty of time to stop for meals and activities.

Be aware that a full load will slow you down. You may average 25 km/h on your unladen bike, but being loaded up with panniers can reduce that to 15 km/h or less.

For a seven day itinerary, aim to cover about 400-500 km. It is a good idea to ease into a longer trip, do short days to start with, and take a break on the third or fourth day, to allow sore buttocks and leg muscles to recover, perhaps stopping in a city or engaging in a different outdoor activity, such as kayaking or swimming.

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With self-contained tours, you take care of everything on your own: research your route, bring your bike, carry your gear, perhaps store your suitcases, plan your meals, and camp or stay in hostels or hotels, which you have to find or book on your own. While self-contained tours are generally the least expensive—and can be a good option for bicycle tourists who like adventure—this type of tour lacks the outside support and “safety net” that many bike travelers want.

If you enjoy traveling with a large group, meeting new people, and having a guide and structured schedule throughout the day, then a guided group tour is probably the best fit for you. On most tours, one guide rides with the group while a second guide drives a support van. Everything is planned: hotels, routes, meals, luggage transfers, sightseeing tours and more. The guides point out places of interest, organize excursions and activities, and are available in case of breakdowns (mechanical or human).

While guided group tours have many benefits, it is important to consider your riding style. On most guided tours the group typically stays together throughout the day, so if you are a rider who prefers to ride at your own pace, or a family who needs more flexibility for stops along the way, a self-guided tour may be a better option.

If you prefer to be independent and to choose your traveling companions and daily schedule, consider a self-guided individual tour. They’re a money-saving alternative to guided tours, and many people find them preferable to traveling with a group. Self-guided does NOT mean self-contained. You are NOT totally on your own. With self-guided tours, the tour operator still organizes the hotel reservations and the luggage transfers from hotel to hotel.

Benefits of Guided Cycling Tours

- You won’t get lost!

- On a guided cycling tour, you won’t have to fix your bike, including punctures.

- You will learn more about the region if the guide is any good, or a local.

- Being part of a group cycling tour will often get you little extras (wine tastings/tutorials, extra’s in lunch servings).

- Group guided cycling tours are great for single travellers, as they are inherently more secure and potentially cost effective.

- Finally, the obvious one is that being in a group is more social.

Benefits of Self Guided Cycling Tours

- You can ride at your own pace, so it’s a lot more flexible.

- You’re possibly more inclined to meet the locals as you’re almost forced to converse with people

- It’s a lot more romantic (possibly!), or private at least. Some travellers just don’t like groups.

- It can be cheaper, but not always, as economies of scale in groups can make up for the cost of guides.

The accommodations are often the same as on guided tours. You often follow the same routes. Most tour operators provide you with a comprehensive information package with the marked route, a detailed route description, and tips on sights, cultural highlights, scenic stops, and recommended restaurants. Many tour operators offer a hotline in case of emergencies or problems. Some even provide handlebar-mounted GPS systems with the route pre-programmed into the unit.

But also consider your comfort level with a foreign language (if your tour takes you overseas), reading maps and signs, ordering food, and dealing with breakdowns and minor emergencies. Since some self- guided tours have a minimum of just two travelers—or even one—you should not count on riding with a group. You should also be prepared to do research on the region’s sights and attractions on your own, since you won’t have a guide available to point them out along the route. For some people, this is part of what makes traveling fun..

Self-contained tours are generally the least expensive”

TYPE OF TOURS

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CYCLING ROUTESSOME OF OUR TOP

National Highway 1 | Vietnam

Renowned for its natural beauty, cool temperatures and quiet roads, Hokkaido has

some of the best cycling routes in Japan.

Although it is the second largest of the four main islands, it has only 5% of the country’s population with many vast areas of untouched beauty. This land’s geography is different from other land of Japan and has less influence of Typhoon and Rainy Season.

June to August is the best season for traveling. They have the best seafood anywhere in the world and hot springs everywhere to relax after a day of riding.

There are many budget lodging for budget traveler and easy to find the place to pitch a tent (for free). People in Hokkaido greatly respect cyclists.

There are plenty of back-roads to get away from cars. All Hokkaido roads are immaculately maintained and have incredibly smooth asphalt surfaces. All of this and very little traffic.

Island of Hokkaido | Japan

East coast Tasmania | Australia

Perhaps the most popular cycle touring route in Australia, leaving from Launceston or Hobart and pedalling along Tasmania’s beautiful east coast.

It’s a journey from beach to beach and towns are frequent, providing plenty of stops.

The Tasman Highway is fairly quiet and you can veer out to Freycinet Peninsula to see Wineglass Bay, and detour up into the Bay of Fires from St Helens.

This coast is Tasmania’s flatter edge, but expect some challenging hills on the section between Launceston and St Helens. Allow about a week to cycle from Launceston to Hobart.

There are good accommodation options along the length of the coast.

A long but immensely rewarding trip along the best parts of Vietnam’s coastline. This iconic road runs the length of the narrow country from north to south. It is the most popular cycling route in Vietnam.

The route connects the major cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. Spanning roughly 1,100 kilometers, it can be done in two weeks, though stretching it to three is recommended.

It’s possible to skip segments by hopping a bus or train. A small fee will be levied for the bike, but the cost is negligible when time is of the essence.

Many locals get around by bicycle themselves, so the infrastructure is set up to accommodate two-wheeled travelers. Highway 1 provides generous shoulders, making it arguably safer than less-traveled roads that have none.

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Loire Valley | France

Carretera austral | ChileFast flowing rivers, incredible mountain vistas, glaciers, sleepy villages, fjords, shimmering lakes. In short, perfect cycling.

Cyclists come from all over the world to experience it. For bicycle touring enthusiasts, riding Ruta Austral is like seeing the Taj Mahal. It’s a must do.

Mostly surfaced with graded but unpaved gravel, the route runs for more than 1,300km from Puerto Montt in central Chile, south through Caleta Yungay to Villa O’Higgins in northern Patagonia, with numerous ferryboat transfers along the way. You pass through wild and beautiful landscapes, including Queulat and Cerro Castillo national parks. Large stretches of native forest and enormous ferns surround Puyuhuapi Hot Springs, near Queulat.

Villages are conveniently spaced every 50km or so, meaning you won’t need to stock up on supplies. Just pop in to the tiny general store and graba packet of pasta and a can of tomato sauce. There’s even fresh bread along the way.

Garden Route to Cape Town | South Africa

Discover the landscapes, unspoiled nature, beautiful gardens and breathtaking castles of the Loire Valley on your bike.Bike the most scenic routes in this region beloved for its elegance and natural beauty

For many visitors, the Loire Valley conjures images from the fairy tales of childhood

The valleys of the Loire, Cher and Indre rivers are a harmonious combination of non navigated rivers, rich vineyards and vast forests. The terrain is wonderful for bicycle riding -mostly flat to rolling- and is filled with rivers, trees, and colors.

Gracious castle-hotels provide the perfect setting each evening.

Discover the most beautiful places along the Indian Ocean and the Karoo Savannah on this cycling tour in South Africa.Staring in Port Elizabeth, pedal along the white beaches of the Indian Ocean, through evergreen forests and the desolate Karoo, under the wild solitude of the Swartberg Mountains, into the Wine lands of the Cape, and further on to Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Experience South Africa’s mountain passes, solitary gorges, and breathtaking coastline; all from the seat of your bike. The best season is November to March, the South African summer, which means, particularly for the Cape Province, cycling with lots of sun and warm weather.

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La Route Verte | Canada

Land s End to John O´Groats | Great Britain

European Valley Circuit | Brazil

Located in southern Brazil, it is the country’s top bike touring route and it was created for people to escape from the busy roads and enjoy some peaceful riding away from it all.

It was designed so that its distances, hills and cultural and

environmental landmarks would allow bike tourers to really

make the most of riding it.

The Circuit is in the state of Santa Catarina, one of the

most beautiful and best preserved areas of the country,

with hugely varied landscapes and where the spirit of the

European colonisers can still be felt in its architecture,

music, cu stoms and cuisine.

The tradition of cycling is also very much present in the

local culture, so it’s easy to find places to ride.

You will cover roughly 1,450 kilometers, passing through some of the most stunning and remote countryside in the British Isles.

Starting at Land’s End on the south-westerly tip of England, pedal your

way through Cornwall, over Dartmoor and north along the Welsh border,

skirting the Lake District into Scotland, via lochs and the Highlands to the

North Coast and John O’Groats.

This is a tough challenge but a fabulous way to see the country, and one

of the most rewarding things you will ever do!

Since the 1960’s the End to End has become a firm favourite with the

British people. Every year, walkers, cyclists, joggers and runners navigate

the length of the British Isles.

Take the time along the way to gaze at networks of lush rice fields blanketing the hidden valleys below; fish, snorkel or dive the turquoise waters of the coast; and soak up the atmosphere of delightful rural hamlets.smooth asphalt surfaces. All of this and very little traffic.

Hailed as the Number 1 Bicycle Route in the World by the National Geographic Society

The newly completed Route Verte in Canada (Green Route) crosses the province of Quebec from east to west, running for more

than 4,000km.

It runs along carefully selected rights-of-way and rural roads. It is easy to follow and includes directions to interesting sites. The

terrain and vistas vary from the infinite expanses along the shores of the St Lawrence River to the spectacular panoramas of the

Laurentian Mountains. The 256 km cycling circuit provides a waterfront view and attractions like the cheddar museum, a caving

adventure, historic villages, a zoo, and Pointe-Taillon national park, where you can end your day’s ride by catching a stunning

sunset on its fine, sandy beaches.

Great Divide Mountain Bike Route | Canada, United States

Known as the longest off-pavement bike route in the World, the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route is also probably the most challenging bike trail.

Extending from Banff to the Mexican border, the complete route

is 4,418 kilometers long.

The GDMBR is routed through a cross-section of the American

West defined by spectacular scenery, a variety of landscapes,

historic mountain towns, and boundless remote wilderness.

Highlights include the Flathead Valley in Alberta, Grand Teton

National Park, the Great Divide Basin in Wyoming, South Park,

Boreas Pass in Colorado, Polvadera Mesa, and the Gila Wilderness

in New Mexico. Colorado’s Indiana Pass, at 3,630 meters) is the

highest point on the route.

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Safe StorageYou shouldn’t worry about your bike when you are out. Bikes should be safe in a special locked area, reserved only for hotel guests.

Garage/WorkshopAn area to work on bikes fully-equipped with tools and a bike stand for general mechanical repairs.

Bike WashAccess to an outdoor hose with good drainage, a rack to stand up bikes while washing and cleaning supplies is important to keep bikes in top riding condition after each days ride.

Knowledgeable StaffAn expert on staff (or at least one that can point to the local experts) can be invaluable in helping you with your plans and itinerary.

Bicycle Maps and ItinerariesLodging facilities should stock the most current maps of the area and trails with technical descriptions and difficulty levels.

Laundry for Sports/Technical GearDaily laundry service or a washer/dryer room for sports apparel is a common amenity that cyclists need.

Meals/Energy FoodsEasy access to a variety of energy foods, pre and post ride beverages and balanced, healthy meals suited to guests’ athletic needs. Options for guests to order a packed lunch that can fit in a daypack is a plus.

Medical Assistance and Physical TherapyEasy access to M.D. and/or physical therapists to take care of minor injuries or muscular problems.

Work-Out, Medical and MassageAfter a long day riding, nothing better than access to a sauna, hot tub or on-call massage treatment (in the hotel or in an affiliated gym, spa or swimming pool).

Affiliated Specialty Bike/Outdoor ShopsIn the event of unexpected mechanical problems or other needs, ask for a list of local bike shops, places to buy gear and expert mechanics who can help.

ACCOMMODATIONFOR CYCLISTS

There is a wide variety of accommodation for cyclists: hotels, pensions, B&Bs, youth hostels, campsites.

Couchsurfing and Warm Showers are also both websites offering free of charge overnight accommodation on a reciprocal basis. Warm Showers is a site for touring cyclists. Apart from the financial aspects these give a link into the local community, which is invaluable.

When searching for accomodation, take into account certain facilities.

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Cycling Holidays…why not? SELF-GUIDED BIKE TOURS OR GUIDE BIKE TOURS

People generally think that cycling is for champions of the bike, and nothing is

further from reality. Cycling can be defined as a way to travel by bike visiting the

sites so slow enough, to inmerse into its authenticity, and at the same time, so

quickly to explore the place and find new adventures along the way.

The healthy mix of physical effort, with the practice of tourism, is a combination that

virtually one hundred percent of the cases end, in a smile at bedtime.

The planning stages of the journey is a very personal matter, according to

their physical conditions, and can be from 20 km a day to 150 km a day. What is

important, and everyone agrees on this, it is not appease the hunger to do many

miles, but the urge to make the most of each one.

Top 10 Countries with most bycicles per Capita

Netherlands Denmark Germany Sweden FinlandNorway

99% 88,1%75%

63,7%61%

60%

Year 2015

Year 2010

Bike production climbed to over 100 million per year.There are more than a billion bicycles in the world, twice as many as automobiles.

Bicycles were introduced in the 19th century and since when have been and are employed for many uses: recreation, work, military, show, sport etc. For example in the USA, people use bikes for slimming and better feeling because cycling burns 600 calories an hour, but in China or other countries people use bikes mostly for transportation needs. For these reasons in some countries bikes are especially popular.

Although bicycles are produced in dozens of countries, the top five producers - China, India, the European Union, Taiwan, and Japan - are responsible for 87% of global production. China alone had some 58 percent of the global market in 2014.

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Find a saddle you feel comfortable with it before you leave

When spending long hours in the saddle it’s important that the bicycle is comfortable for you. Some things that make it more comfortable are tire choice, handlebar choice, and saddle choice. Tires should be smooth, for lower rolling resistance, wider than road (racing) tires, and narrower than most mountain bike tires. Something in the rage of 32 to 40mm if using 700C, or 1.25” to 1.75” if using 26” is ideal. The important thing with handlebars is for them to offer a variety of hand positions, this can be achieved in a variety of ways. One option is the “drop” bars as found on road racing bicycles, these are normally mounted higher on a touring bike, to put less pressure on the hands, they provide the most numerous hand positions. Ideally wider drop bars would be chosen for touring than racing, 44cm for example. The other common way to get multiple hand positions is to put bar ends (horn-style handlebar extensions) on “flat bars” (mountain bike style bars). This is cheap and easy, but only provides one or two additional positions. Other, less common, but excellent options are moustache bars or butterfly bars. A good saddle can really help reduce saddle-soreness, and is worth spending a little extra money on. Don’t go for the biggest, squishiest gel saddle you can find - often the soft seats can rub a lot more against your delicate parts. It’s best to go for the “sculpted” saddles that are designed to support your sit-bones. It’s a very personal choice, and hard to know what you’ll find comfortable until trying it out, so find a saddle you’re happy with well before you leave.

Carrying capacity

The most basic part of being able to carry lots of stuff on your bike

is simply being able to bolt a rack (or two) on. It’s important to have bolt holes near the rear axle to for the rack, and it’s nice to have them near the saddle too. Ability to use a front rack is also good. They allow you to balance the weight out more evenly over both wheels, and the bicycle handles better as a result. Ability

to bolt on water bottle cages, is also very good. A longer wheel base will make the bicycle more stable when loaded, and provide a more comfortable ride when loaded up. Of course having a bike that’s strong enough to handle the weight is also important.assit in perum inciuribus,

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Confort

THE

EQUIPMENTThe Bicycle

Hotly debated among cycle tourists is what makes a good touring bicycle. Much of the choice depends on what style of touring you plan to do. Someone doing a short supported tour in a developed country will have vastly different needs from someone doing a long distance self-supported tour in a developing country. While the former will do very well with a light weight road bike, the latter will be better with a dedicated touring bike.Almost any bicycle can be used for a tour, but some will enable you to travel farther and more comfortably, with fewer mechanical problems.

Here we assume you will be carrying at least a moderate amount of baggage.

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As a rule of thumb don’t use the latest technology, stick to tried and trusted systems

StrengthOverall the bicycle should be stronger than a bike not designed to carry loads for long distances. When carrying 10-20kg it’s worth having a bike that’s a few kg heavier and much stronger. One very important part of this is the choice of wheels. Wheels with 36 or 32 spokes are stronger, and double walled wheels are mandatory for any touring. Light weight wheels popular with road sports cyclists are to be avoided.

ServiceabilityNothing lasts forever. Check, or have a professional check, your bike before you leave. Let them know that you plan to do a tour on it and you don’t want mechanical problems messing it up -- don’t let them try to save you money at the cost of a problem on your tour. When choosing a bike (or adapting a bike) look for parts that are as mechanically simple as possible, as they will be more reliable and easier to service when eventually something wears out. Avoid proprietary parts entirely (like the Cannondale “Headshock”) as they can only be serviced by authorized dealers. Other details depend where you are travelling, but as a rule of thumb don’t use the latest technology, stick to tried and trusted systems. If traveling in the developing world a good rule of thumb is to try to keep your bike as compatible as possible with department store mountain bikes. Bikes like these have penetrated many developing markets, and replacement parts are more commonly available in many countries. It would be unwise to try for compatibility with the Chinese/Indian roadster that is even more common in many developing countries. The parts would be hard to find in the developed world, and would not be high quality anywhere.

FrameSteel is a good choice for the frame. It comes in a number of forms for bike use: quality Cromoly steel is a bit heavier than aluminum, and Hi-Ten steel significantly so, but both more than make up by being more durable, safer to ride with crash damage, and may be possible to improvise some sort of repair if damaged. Lugged frames may be stronger than welded because of the additional material at the joints, but only if well made. Titanium is the strongest, and lightest, most weather resistant, but impossible to repair (without very very very specialized equipment) and out of most peoples budgets.Dedicated touring bikes, like the Surly Long Haul Trucker, Trek 520, Thorn Sherpa, or similar, are ideal; but not the only option.Many older (90’s) mountain bikes fit the characteristics of a good touring bike, with some modifications made, most importantly removing suspension forks if present, putting slick tires on, and adding bar ends (or putting drop bars on).

Shifters: Many modern bicycles have very complex shifters that are not possible to service, changing to bar-end shifters is a good choice for bars that will fit them (drop or moustache) as they are very robust. Old (80’s or 90’s) mountain bike “thumbie” shifters are a good choice if using flat bars, but are hard to come by, and are only compatible with the number of gears they were designed to be used with at the time. If you are willing to spend the money Paul Components makes an adapter to mount bar end shifters as a thumbie on flat bars. This is an excellent robust solution.

More gears is not always better; while it is important to have a good range of gears, especially a very low option, 9 or 10 speed rear cogsets wear faster, and come out of adjustment more easily than 7 or 8; and usually do not give wider range then 7 or 8. A cassette with 8 gears on it is probably the best choice as reasonable quality and selection of cassettes is still available.

Rear Hub: The rear hub is a part of the bike that is under a lot of stress. The older standard of rear hub was designed for a threaded freewheel, the new one is called a freehub and is used with a cassette. More info The newer freehub is stronger, and more reliable, and the gears come off more easily to replace a broken spoke if needed. While replacement parts are harder to find in some parts of the developing world, it would be a good choice there too. It would be far less likely to need replacement than a freewheel hub, and if for some reason it did, it could be replaced with a freewheel hub and freewheel at that time.

Headsets: Threadless 1 1/8th inch is a good choice. While threaded 1 inch have been around for longer, they require large tools to adjust, and are not as strong. Avoid integrated Headsets as it can be difficult to find parts for this in the developed world and worse in the developing one.

Bottom-brackets: Square taper Bottom-brackets are the most common, and the easiest to find replacement parts for, they make a good choice. The only disadvantage is they are a few dozen grams heavier, not a worry on a touring bike. Avoid the many different splined standards. Unfortunately square taper BBs are coming on very few new bikes these days -- though you can still buy quality ones. It would be worth swapping to a square taper BB and crank if you are planing an extended tour in the developing world.

Wheel Size:In many developing countries the 26” decimal wheel size (aka ISO 559) is more common than the 700C size (ISO 622). (But other sizes that are now discontinued in most of the developed world may be even more common) It’s probably safest to stick with 26” if possible. Be aware that the naming conventions for tire sizes are convoluted and far from self evident. For example there are 6 different incompatible sizes all known as 26” see this list for more info.

Component Choices

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The choice of tools depends on where you are going, how self sufficient you need to be, and what repairs you are capable of.

A Basic kit would include:

a fully featured multitool (allen keys with some other basic tools), pump, patch kit, chain tool (and replacement rivets if using a Shimano chain, or masterlink if using a SRAM) and one or more spare inner tubes.

Cable ties (zip ties), duct tape (gaffer tape) and locktight are extremely useful and with a little ingenuity can be used to fix all sorts of things.

Some spare bolts could save the day, 5mm is the most useful, it’s used on almost all bikes for the racks, and various other things. If you don’t have them, in a pinch a less important bolt (eg for the water bottle) can be borrowed to replace a more important one (eg for the rack).

An Advanced kit is good if you need (or want) to be more self reliant,

Spare cables (brake, and derailleur).

Spokes of the length needed by your wheels. Either temporary Kevlar ones, or permanent stainless steel ones with a way to take the cogset off (eg Mini Cassette Lock or similar) to remove the cogset.

Brake small parts: V-brake “noodles” and hanger if using V-brakes. Cross over cable and hanger if using cantilever brakes.

The type of pads needed by your brakes.

A spare derailleur hanger, the part that attaches the derailleur to the frame of the bicycle, on aluminium bicycles they are removable, and designed to bend easily to prevent damage to the frame and/or derailleur. They are very specific to the model of bicycle so finding one on the road would be difficult, even in a developed country. One that fits all bikes is made, and works adequately in a pinch.

Leatherman or similar non-bicycle specific multitool, could be useful, but only in addition to a bicycle specific one. (Using the wrong tool is a great way to round bolts, and generally mess up your bike.

Long distance tours in developing countries or isolated areas may take a spare set of tires with them. Ones with a folding bead will pack up reasonably small.

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Don’t bother taking anything you don’t know how to use, it will just be dead weight.

REPAIRKIT

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Clothing

There is a variety of cycling-specific clothing that can make your trip much more comfortable and/or safe:

Helmet - required by law in some jurisdictions. They are widely recommended as

an important safety precaution. They also offer some protection from the sun.

Jacket - wind- and water-proof layer for protection from precipitation and cooler

temperatures.

Cycling shorts - special shorts with padding around the crotch to increase

comfort and reduce chafing, also can be worn under looser fitting clothing for more

modest people, or when in more modest countries.

Tights - for cooler weather than shorts; more comfortable than pants and less likely

to get caught in the chain. Usually come with reflective markings at the ankle.

Gloves - Wearing padded gloves to minimize vibration and pressure on the hands

during long rides makes a huge difference to your comfort. Use cut-off style for

warmer temperatures, full-finger for cooler.

Eye protection - UV protection is better for the long term health of your eyes and

makes for a more comfortable ride. Detachable lenses allow you to use the best lens

colour for different conditions (such as yellow for cloud cover or clear for nocturnal

riding).

Camping gear

Tent, sleeping bag, and bedroll - if you’re not intending to stay in a town each night, and/or want to minimize costs.

Cooking equipment (stove, pots, utensils) is used by some to avoid restaurant eating, although it is common to buy ready-to-eat groceries.

Stay SafeThere are some simple and important precautions you should take when planning a bicycle trip:

Familiarize yourself with basic repairs, especially puncture repairs. Neither is a substitute for good hands on experience though.

Make sure you’re carrying enough fluids: you may consume around 1 litre per hour of cycling.

Even when cycling under cloud cover, sunscreen is essential to protect your skin in the short term (sunburn) and long term (skin cancer).

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Riding your bike from home is the easiest and cheapest way to start your trip.

EAT“I LIKE REALITY THAT TASTES LIKE RUSTIC INGREDIENTS”

Getting your bicycle to the start of your intended cycle route can be an adventure in itself. You will need to do some research in advance about which carriers let you take your bicycle on board.

Riding:your bike from home is the easiest and cheapest way to start your trip, if you are willing to start in the area you live.

Airlines may require any or all of the following: that you fix the pedals in position; that you lower the pressure in your tires (emptying them entirely leaves the rims will little protection). To give your bike good protection it’s best to pack your bicycle in a special box (most bike shops are happy to give you the sturdy cardboard box bicycles are delivered to them in), and the airlines often require this. Airlines vary about permitting a bicycle as a free item of checked baggage: some allow this, some require that you pay an extra fee. Shop around before buying a ticket. In almost all cases you need to inform the airline in advance that you wish to check a bicycle. Read the regulations yourself before checking in, as the airline’s staff may attempt to charge you when the bicycle should be carried for free. To pack a bicycle back into a shop-box you will need to remove the pedals, the front wheel and the

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Food choice depends largely where you are in the world, see respective sections for more info about foods.

As you will be working hard, and burning lots of calories, it’s important to get enough energy in your food. Consuming foods high in carbohydrates and fats is a good source.

- Call your friends and family and tell them your fears and motivations for touring.

- Research the route you would like to take.

- Figure out your budget.

- Choose how you want to ride. Alone? With a couple of friends? Organised tour?

- Pick your bicycle. It will be your mobile home every day, your best friend and your worst enemy.

- Learn a little bit about bicycle repair and be prepared in case of an emergency.

- Get used to your bike. In the time before you start your tour, take your bike out for a spin. Make sure

you feel comfortable with your saddle.

- Purchase your gear.

- Go on a trial run with all yo ur equipment.

- Pack clothing accordingly.

- Estimate de milage you want to cover each day. Measure twice, bike once. Extra time to rest as well

as for thighs like unexpected wind, flat tyres, terrible weather…

- Take a deep breath and have fun!

STEP BY STEP

HOW TO PREPARE

A LONGDISTANCE

ROUTE

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