For adventure seekers, traveling by bike is one way to enjoy the ride, from weeklong guided tours through rolling hills to serious self-contained treks with panniers full of gear.
Regardless of what type of cycling adventure you're planning this summer, you'll want to be prepared. Bike travel online resource Bicycle Touring Pro recommends always following this basic principle: less is more. The less weight you're hauling on your bike, the more fun you're likely to have.
The essentials
Bring lightweight clothing: packable, versatile, and appropriate for your expected conditions, advises Adventure Cycling, a website for bike touring enthusiasts. Also, bring along a few pairs of cycling shorts, cycling shoes, a helmet, rain gear, tights, and cycling gloves. Plus a good rain jacket and pants are ideal. For mountain riding, pack along a wool sweater or fleece jacket for chilly evenings, adds Adventure Cycling. Bike Rental Plus, a company that offers both guided tours and rentals for self-guided ones in Europe and Costa Rica, suggests also packing along a pair of shorts for non-cycling days, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Check your panniers
When touring with panniers, keep your total weight to around 15 and 45 pounds (around 6 to 20 kilos). Adventure Cycling adds that your bike will be most stable if you put more weight in your front panniers--roughly 60 percent of weight in front and 40 percent in back.
Other smart tricks
When starting off your trip, leave some extra room in your panniers for items you purchase along the way, advises Adventure Cycling. Also, keep your wallet, camera, and other important items in a small backpack, and be sure to have tools for fixing flats handy and easily within reach.
Test Run
Before heading out on your self-contained adventure, always take your bike and gear for a test run. For longer trips, it's ideal to test your gear with an overnight.
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