Top Bike Tour Hacks for Adventurers

Long-distance cycle tours are a budget-friendly, challenging, and unforgettable way to explore the world. However, are you ready to trade planes and hotels for a tent, two wheels, and open roads? Here are ten essential bike tour hacks that can help you transition from the couch to the saddle.

Save the Date and Start Planning

Deciding to go is often the most challenging aspect. Establishing a date and a rough idea of the duration will help solidify your trip, giving you a deadline to work toward. For first-timers, embarking on your journey during warmer months is recommended, and unless you’re channeling Sir Ranulph Fiennes, it’s wise to select an easier route for the initial week or two. Training is beneficial, but it’s not a requirement—many find they get fit on the road.

For reliable planning insights, refer to bike touring blogs and websites like Travelling Two and Facebook’s Bicycle Touring & Bikepacking group.

Buy the Right Kit

Invest in the essentials: a good free-standing tent, a reliable touring bike, waterproof panniers, and a cooking stove. Preferably select a sturdy, steel-framed touring bike equipped with front and rear racks for your panniers. Ensure your bags are durable enough to carry essential items, including the tent, stove, sleeping bag, and electronics.

Remember, every gram and inch counts. Opt for lightweight gear and use dry bags to compress your clothes. It’s advisable to resist the temptation of overspending on high-end gear; often, items like baby wipes and mosquito spray prove to be invaluable and low-cost aids.

Plan the Right Route for You

Whatever your cycling destination, consider avoiding main roads, as they tend to be busy and less picturesque. Countries known for their flat, bike-friendly trails, like the Netherlands, are favorites, while adventurous souls often flock to destinations such as Tajikistan and Patagonia.

Utilize regional resources and infrastructure, such as Europe’s Eurovelo bike routes, offering fantastic off-road rides. The USA’s Adventure Cycling Association and England’s Sustrans network provide excellent maps featuring alternative routes and amenities.

Avoid Unnecessary Detours

Once, a worn-out paper map was the go-to guide for bikers. Today, a reliable GPS or navigation app is essential. Opt for a durable, multi-use GPS device designed specifically for adventurers.

If you regularly have access to electricity and the internet, smartphones can serve as fantastic navigation aids. Download offline maps that not only showcase the best mainstream roads but also reveal hidden routes ideal for cycle touring. The Maps.me app offers detailed features, including elevation profiles for most countries.

Create a Budget and Start Saving

Bike tours can be exceptionally budget-friendly; if you’re willing to live simply and camp outdoors, you can achieve significant savings. However, visa fees, lodging costs, and dining out can accumulate, so aiming for a balanced approach—like maintaining a tight food budget while seeking low-cost or free lodging—will keep daily expenses manageable, contingent on your destination. Nevertheless, remember to account for travel insurance and emergency funds for bike repairs and equipment replacements.

Set Your Own Personal Goals

World cyclist Jonathan Kambsgaro-Bennett states that the most common question he encounters is how far he cycles each day. His response? “It depends on the hills, the wind, the road, and numerous other variables… especially the wind.” Setting daily distance goals can be challenging, yet having a general sense of your capabilities will assist in itinerary planning. Many bike tourers typically cover 60km to 80km daily, influenced by road conditions and weather. Your personal objectives should inform the decisions you make along your journey, encouraging motivation to push on.

Become a Camping Pro

Setting up a tent in the wilderness after a long day may feel daunting. Fortunately, fatigue often triumphs over fear; the more you camp, the more adept you become. Some locations allow wild camping if you remain out of sight (such as Scotland, Iran, and Japan), while others strictly prohibit it, making procedures more complex (notably Switzerland, Australia, and the USA). It’s crucial to understand local regulations wherever you cycle.

While seeking a secluded, flat spot near water is ideal, any suitable space can serve as an acceptable camp area. Respect private property, or simply ask landowners for permission to camp—most people are eager to assist, and their approval can greatly enhance your peace of mind at night. Explore world cyclist Tom Allen’s guidance on how to camp discreetly.

Become Familiar with Cyclist Resources

If you enjoy Couchsurfing, then you’ll likely find Warmshowers—a welcoming community for cycling enthusiasts—indispensable on your journey. Although it might be more difficult to connect with hosts in certain regions such as Central Asia, Africa, and parts of the Middle East, Warmshowers boasts a substantial network across Europe, Iran, and the Americas. Many hosts not only provide a place to rest but often offer meals and share their own adventures.

Learn How to Cook on a Camp Stove

Unless you’re content with a monotonous diet of instant noodles, take the time to familiarize yourself with your camp stove. Most portable stoves have just one setting, but with creativity, you can prepare satisfying meals after a challenging day. Affordable staples like pasta, rice, and porridge will serve you well. To elevate your cooking, bring along lightweight spice containers filled with chili, garlic salt, pepper, and curry powder. Peanut butter can enhance even the simplest meals, while soup mixes work nicely as lightweight sauce bases.

Overcome Your Fears

Questions such as, “What if someone steals my bike? What if I get attacked while camping? What if I get hit by a truck?” may frequently cross your mind before embarking on your journey. To tackle these concerns, anticipate the best outcomes but prepare for potential challenges. Invest in comprehensive travel insurance that covers lost or stolen gear, carry a personal alarm or bear spray for peace of mind, and consider using a SPOT tracker—these devices, when activated, share your location with family and friends, enabling them to keep abreast of your whereabouts. Remaining vigilant typically pays off; most cyclists experience extraordinary generosity and kindness from strangers along their routes.