Long-distance cycle tours are a cheap, challenging and entirely unforgettable way to see the world. But are you willing to swap planes and hotel beds for a tent, two wheels and the open road?
Here are 10 top bike tour hacks to get you off the couch and onto the saddle.
Save the date and start planning
Deciding to go really is the hardest part. Setting the date (and having a rough idea of duration) helps concrete your trip, giving you a deadline to work towards. First-timers should head off during the warmer months and – unless you’re keen to channel Sir Ranulph Fiennes – pick an easy route for the first week or two. Training before your tour helps, but it’s not imperative – you’ll get fit on the road.
For tried-and-tested planning, tips check out bike touring blogs and websites such as Travelling Two and Facebook’s Bicycle Touring & Bikepacking group.
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Buy the right kit
Invest in the essentials: a good free-standing tent, a decent touring bike, waterproof panniers (bike bags) and a cooking stove. Opt for a sturdy, steel-framed touring bike with steel front and rear racks to hold your panniers. Your bags should be hard-wearing as they'll carry everything you need such as the tent, stove, sleeping bag and mat, electronics and clothing.
Every gram and inch counts. Opt for lightweight gear and use dry bags to compress your clothes. Resist the urge to overdo it and blow your budget on gear that might not last; real kit gems, such as baby wipes, mosquito spray and chlorine tablets, often cost virtually nothing.
Plan the right route for you
Wherever you’re planning to cycle, consider ditching main roads as they’re busy and often uninspiring. Countries such as the Netherlands are renowned for their flat and bike-friendly trails, while thrill-seekers tend to make a beeline for the likes of Tajikistan and Patagonia.
Tap into regional resources and infrastructure such as Europe’s Eurovelo bike routes which offer excellent off-road rides. The USA’s Adventure Cycling Association and England’s Sustrans network print terrific maps with alternative routes and amenity lists.
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Avoid unnecessary detours
Once upon a time, a wrinkled, dog-eared, hard-copy map was the ultimate bike tour companion. Now, it’s a reliable GPS or navigation app. Opt for a durable and multi-use GPS product designed with adventurers in mind.
Smartphones are also a fantastic option if you’re likely to have regular access to electricity and the internet. You can download maps that don’t just show you the best roads, but the best off-the-beaten-track routes for cycle touring. The Maps.me app is detailed, easy to use and now shows the route elevation on the bike option in most countries.
Create a budget and start saving
Bike tours can cost very little; if you’re willing to live on rice and porridge and wild-camp at every opportunity, then an incredibly lean budget is achievable.
Visas, hotel stays and restaurant visits add up, but if you’re hoping for a happy medium (a tight food budget and plenty of low-cost or free accommodation with occasional splurges) then you could keep daily costs quite low, depending on the country. However, it's important to factor in travel insurance and emergency money for bike repairs and kit replacements.
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Set your own personal goals
World cyclist Jonathan Kambsgaro-Bennett says the question he gets asked most is how far he pedals in a day. His answer? "It depends on the hills, the wind, the road and about a million other things… Especially the wind."
Setting daily distances can be tough but having a rough idea of what you want (and are able) to achieve will help you plot an itinerary. Many bike tourers average between 60km and 80km per day, depending on conditions, while those just starting out may aim for much less. Besides the weather and quality of the roads, your personal goals should also influence the decisions you make along the way – and will often push you to keep going.
Become a camping pro
Pitching a tent in the wild after a long day in the saddle can be stressful. Fortunately, fatigue often overrides fear – and the more you do it, the easier it gets. Some places welcome wild camping as long as you're out of sight (Scotland, Iran, Japan) while others forbid it which makes things much tougher (Switzerland, Australia and the USA) – it’s worth being aware of the laws wherever you choose to cycle.
While a nice, secluded, flat piece of turf near a river is the goal, anything can make a fine camp spot and the key to overriding those initial fears is to keep off private property, or to simply ask the landowners for permission to camp. Locals are often keen to help – and if you have their blessings, you’ll sleep like a baby. Check out world cyclist Tom Allen’s top tips on how to wild camp.
Become familiar with cyclist resources
If you like Couchsurfing, then Warmshowers – a tight-knit international community of cycling enthusiasts catering to pedal-powered travelers – will be your best friend on tour.
While it’s tough to find hosts in Central Asia, Africa and parts of the Middle East, Warmshowers has a huge network throughout Europe, Iran and the Americas. Many hosts will do more than give you a place to rest your head after a day on the bike, often feeding you dinner and sharing their own tales of adventure.
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Learn how to cook on a camp stove
Unless you’re happy with a two-minute noodle diet, spend some time getting to know your stove. Most small camp stoves have just one setting and few bike travelers carry more than two small pots, but with a little creativity you can whip up a delicious meal after a tough day of pedaling.
Pasta, rice and porridge are great value staples. To make your meals more exciting, throw some chili, garlic salt, pepper and curry powder in light, plastic containers. Peanut butter turns even the worst meals into a satay delight and soup mixes make for lightweight yet delicious sauce bases.
Overcome your fears
"What if someone steals your bike? What if you get attacked while camping? What if you get hit by a truck?" These aren’t just the questions people might ask you – they’re the ones you’ll ask yourself repeatedly before setting off.
To deal with those recurring fears, expect the best but prepare for the worst. Commit to reading the fine print and get insurance with a comprehensive cover that will replace your kit if it’s stolen. Keep a personal alarm or bear spray in an accessible place and consider carrying a SPOT tracker; these devices (when turned on) emit your location to allow friends and family to keep an eye on where you are. Stay vigilant and you’ll be fine. The majority of cyclists report overwhelming generosity and kindness from the road.
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