Summary
Riding a bike around the world seems like such a romantic way to travel. Just you, your bike, and the open road, tackling whatever comes your way. However true that may be, cycle touring has its challenges, the dark, cold, wet side, where discomfort can lurk.
“When cycle touring, it’s almost impossible to have the smooth without the crunchy.”
When you’re sitting in your office, dreaming of adventure, that open road can look awfully enticing. However, the rough side of touring may seem a little intimidating.
Is Cycle Touring Right For You?
Before I left home, I was filled with doubts and fears. I honestly wasn’t sure if I’d last more than a couple of weeks on the road.
Spoiler alert: Our tour ended up lasting almost two years and we pedaled 16,000 km through 22 countries.
I pictured myself on the side of the highway in the pouring rain, with a broken bike and no way to fix it.
I imagined massive, earth-shattering fights with my husband Stephen, who was planning the trip with me.
I worried about bone-numbing boredom, terrifying nights in the tent, and bandits in the hills.
Nevertheless, there were times when my fears cleared, and I envisioned a different picture—perfect days lounging on the beach, cozy campsites in the middle of an unknown forest, and discussions about life, love, and politics with people all over the world…
If you’re experiencing similar doubts and dreams, let’s tackle them together and address this one burning question:
Cycle Touring Questions to Ask
Will My Butt Hurt?
This is one of the most common questions we receive about cycle touring.
What people are really questioning is whether their bodies can handle the journey.
It’s almost inconceivable that your regular body, the one that gets winded going for a simple walk up a steep hill, could handle riding the vast distances involved in a bike trip.
The truth is, our bodies are capable of so much more than we ever thought possible.
At the end of long riding days, Stephen and I often felt tired, sore, and irritable.
Sometimes I believed it would be impossible to get out of bed the next morning, let alone back on the bike.
However, after a hearty meal and a good night’s sleep, I almost always felt rejuvenated and ready to tackle whatever the new day had in store.
Of course, a basic level of fitness is required, but you don’t need to be a fitness guru or an avid cyclist.
The beauty of cycle touring is that you become stronger and more coordinated each day, and you will return home far more fit than you ever imagined.
We started with short daily rides of 30 km, taking frequent rest days. By the end, we occasionally cycled over 600 km in a week.
Yes, sometimes your butt will hurt, along with your shoulders, back, legs, arms, and head. When discomfort strikes, it’s time to take a break.
Cycle touring is for you if you have a basic level of fitness and don’t mind breaking a sweat. It’s not for you if exercise makes you want to cry.
Is Cycle Touring Even Fun?
Before we embarked on our tour, I often questioned whether cycle touring could indeed be enjoyable.
All that pedaling initially seemed like a recipe for boredom. I was right about this one: some days on the bike feel dreadfully dull.
After cycling through 60 km of pine forests (hello Latvia!) in a day, trees can start to lose their enchantment.
However, the tedium pales in comparison to the excitement of pedaling through villages where few tourists roam, meeting locals, and noticing the beauty of nature that often goes unseen from a car.
Almost every day on a cycle tour presents a new unexpected challenge.
Whether it’s a flat tire, a washed-out road, or getting hopelessly lost, these challenges keep you alert and keep boredom at bay.
Cycle touring suits you if you appreciate quiet time with your thoughts and aren’t bothered by monotony. It’s not for you if you require constant stimulation to get through the day.
Will I Get to See the Sights?
Museums, temples, and waterfalls often dominate a typical traveler’s itinerary.
A typical cycle tour focuses on the small things: the quaint villages you pedal through, the unique (sometimes questionable) meals enjoyed in a remote shack, and the natural splendor of our world.
This doesn’t mean you will miss out on the famous attractions.
Our journey included monumental cities like Budapest, Stockholm, Beijing, and Kuala Lumpur, where we explored popular landmarks.
However, many renowned locations lie just 10 or 20 km off your path.
Once on a bike, you truly need motivation to detour for 20 km to visit a site, especially since the roundtrip demands more riding.
You will inevitably miss out on some of the attractions that every other traveler captures.
Cycle touring is for you if you wish to experience a place as the locals do, rather than through a tourist’s lens. It’s not for you if you aim to check off every point in your guidebook.
Is Cycle Touring Dangerous?
On a bike, you’re completely exposed to the world you traverse.
This lack of protective barriers can seem risky; however, cycle touring can be far less perilous than conventional vacation travel.
Because a bike tour frequently takes you away from tourist traps, it steers you clear of professional thieves and hustlers lurking in those hotspots.
During our travels through countryside locations in Italy, Lithuania, China, or Indonesia, we never faced theft or felt physically endangered—a remarkable feat for nearly two years on the road!
Of course, like all travel, it greatly depends on your route. If you venture through countries like Pakistan or the USA, special precautions are advisable, which aren’t necessary in places like China or Sweden.
In urban areas, increased caution is warranted; safe indoor storage for your bike is essential when you’re not riding, as is vigilance over your belongings.
However, most days are spent in quieter areas, where people are simply surprised and delighted to see you.
Generally, locals are eager to assist you and help you feel welcomed in their country, rather than pose any threat to you.
Cycle touring is for you if you’re willing to overcome irrational fears and trust people. It’s not for you if you believe everyone is out to harm you.
Will I Have to Cycle in Traffic?
Before embarking, I imagined we would exclusively navigate tranquil country roads, with minimal traffic and wildlife greeting us at every turn (yes, I envisioned a Disney film).
While it’s true that much of your journey will be spent on empty roads or dedicated bike paths, it’s nearly impossible to avoid busy highways or city streets altogether during your travels.
As with any facet of cycle touring, riding amidst traffic gets easier with experience. Start in quieter locations and gradually approach busier areas.
We mistakenly began our adventure in Italy, where drivers are notoriously reckless. It would have been easier had we selected a more serene, bike-friendly destination like Sweden.
If riding in certain areas makes you uneasy, there’s no shame in utilizing a bus or train to maneuver through the more challenging spots.
We opted for this to escape Rome and to enter Kuala Lumpur. For us, taking a bit of public transportation was far better than battling through those cities’ notoriously dangerous traffic.
Cycle touring is for you if you can maintain your composure amid honking horns and nearby vehicles. It’s not for you if panic leads to poor decision-making in stressful situations.
Do I Have to Ride in Rain, Sleet, and Snow?
The charm of cycle touring is that you are daily immersed in the great outdoors. Yet, being exposed comes with its own set of challenges.
It’s virtually impossible to evade extreme weather during a bike tour.
Even the most meticulous plans won’t shield you from sudden storms or sweltering heat that makes the world feel like it’s melting.
We were numb from the cold on numerous occasions, rode with frostbitten feet, and sweltered through days drenched in sweat.
Afterward, we dried off, warmed up, and emerged without any harm from the experience. In fact, we often found ourselves stronger for enduring it.
Cycle touring is for you if you believe that discomfort is temporary. It’s not for you if slight discomfort can ruin your entire week.
Do I Really Have to Camp?
Most cycle tourists opt to camp along their route for cost efficiency and convenience.
Carrying your home allows you to have a place to sleep, no matter where you find yourself at the end of the day. However, many cyclists prefer hotels or guesthouses each night, as we did during our travels in Asia.
This approach is known as Credit Card Touring, which enables you to lighten your load and enjoy daily showers.
Credit Card Touring requires more organization as you’ll need to secure accommodation every night, and while it can be pricier, it doesn’t mandate that you must camp on your journey.
Cycle touring is for you if you enjoy camping or have the resources to invest in occasional lodging. It’s not for you if you need to stay in budget hostels every night.
Cycle touring undeniably presents its ups and downs (pun intended), and a degree of discomfort is unavoidable on the journey.
For us, the joys and victories of traveling by bicycle significantly outweighed the inconveniences, but that doesn’t imply that every day was idyllic.
If you’re eager to challenge and push your boundaries—and desire the rewards that accompany those challenges—then cycle touring is undoubtedly right for you.
What do you think? Is cycle touring right for you? Can you envision yourself embarking on the road on two wheels?
