Relax and Challenge: prepare and start a long cycling tour!

Have you ever been to somewhere that is far away from your home or hometown with two wheels? Cycling to travel is an ambitious thing, especially long distance cycling, which must do much preparation. Leave off the previous post on the magazines, the following is several main points that you should know before your touring. Of course, the particulars of the different tour should do different preparation, depending on what kind of journey you choose.

Route

Different equipment you ultimately choose will depend on the type of trip you are going to take. So determining the route is the first thing you should do before you set out. The most important factor of one tour is the climate and terrain of the destination you select. Duration should be also concerned, for which you expect to ride.



For instance, you will be pedaling on a snowy or sandy terrain, unlike riding on a plain road, it is better to prepare the fat tires. Or you will ride on a dirt road, your needs will be quite different from the former. You may want knobby tires, forks with shocks, etc. Generally, what you need in your travel should be purchased for its durability and designed specifically for your trip. Besides, if your journey is long enough, you might need a high-volume backpack to bring food and water and some camping equipment. If convenient, you can also buy the food and drinks in the stores in the town or cities.



Bicycle component

Frame: A bicycle frame is the main component of a bike. Wheels and other component are fitted onto it. So your frame should fit and it should be made of rigid steel. Some aluminum frames are likely to crack and if it does, you will be in danger. Actually, you are more likely to find somebody who can weld steel frame rather than aluminum.

Forks: As the part of a bicycle that holds the front wheel, the forks you choose should be strong and a fork should be laterally stiff because it can reduce vibration from the road. With the long distance cycling, vibration from the road can make your hands and arms sore.

Seats: As more comfortable as possible! The most time is sitting on the saddle during your cycling tour. Preparing a good seat is necessary. You should purchase some soft seat. The hard saddle may hurt your ass and the much friction may cause saddle sores if you ride for a long time. Adding some pad in the seat can be also a good idea.

Handlebars: The bar should be adjusted to a comfortable height. Someone may think that the higher handlebar will be more comfortable. But it is not correct. Actually, if your handlebars are too high, most of your body weight will shift to the seat and it will raise the possibility of saddle soreness. What’s more, high bars will stimulate lower-back pain because of jolts from the wheel. Ideally, the suitable handlebar height should be at a comfortable riding position which can balance the pressure on the body’s contact points so no part suffers, and your hands, arms, shoulders, back, and neck should feel relaxed rather than tired and stressful when you’re biking.

Gears: Avoiding getting injured, you should have functioning gears. The number of gears is up to your trip. But preparing at least 8 is advisable. Maybe eight will not be used during your tour, but the unpredictable situation is possible to happen.

Tools

Allen Wrenches: General bicycle problem can be dealt by Allen wrenches. There are 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm, etc. Allen wrenches usually include from small size to large size.
Crescent wrenches: A 15mm crescent wrenches may be the most common size necessary tool for cyclists. Holding a 15mm and one adjustable wrench will be sufficient unless your bike components are different from the common bicycle.

Hauling equipment

Handlebar bag: A handlebar bag is a great thing for bringing your water, snacks, and cameras. Some of them have a clear lining at the top so you can insert a map of your route on the front.

Saddle bags: It is a simple equipment for many cyclists. Just make sure they are waterproof and can carry all your things.

Sleeping equipment

Tents: If you need to sleep in the wild or on the mountain, you should prepare tents. You should consider that tents must be lightweight and easy to carry rather than increase your burden. Moreover, your tents should be also waterproof, though it can find an actually waterproof tent.

Sleeping bags: If your trip is referred little rain, you can select a down bag. Down bags are not only light but also comfortable and warm. You don’t need to worry about you will cold at midnight. If you want more comfort, you can add a sleeping pad. The sleeping pads can separate your body and ground, so it can keep you warmer. Usually, a simple foam pad is sufficient and cheap. It is also lightweight enough. The inflatable sleeping pads can be used but it may be punctured by some sharp rock.

Food and drinks

Food: For a long distance cycling travel, you can buy food in the stores in towns or cities, of course. If you want a special experience, you can bring some cooking equipment, like backpacking stove, knife, spork and some useful accessories

Drinks: make sure your water bottles are filled. Don’t use water bottles and bladders, but use a Platypus for its convenience. You can just drink when you’re riding rather than stop to twist-off closure. What’s more, it’s more lightweight to carry a platypus than a water bottle.