Rough mountain roads can often loosen bike screws, so regular checks are necessary
With spring in full bloom and the weather just right, now is the perfect time for outdoor travel, and biking is a great way to enjoy it—cruising through the open fields in the spring breeze, feeling the wind on your face and the flowers blooming all around, can make you feel especially youthful and energized.
Nowadays, from suburban areas near cities to major tourist destinations across the country, including those in Europe and America, biking has become a mainstream travel option, with well-established supporting facilities. However, for non-professional cyclists, whether embarking on a long or short trip, there are still some important things to keep in mind.
1. Before the Trip
Physical Training for Long-Distance Cycling
Even if you don’t dream of cycling around the world, if you’re planning to bike in places with excellent conditions like Taiwan, the Netherlands, or Canada, some preparation is essential. The most important part is planned physical training, which not only helps build your fitness but also strengthens your mental resilience to handle unexpected situations during the trip.
Start at least two months before your departure, setting aside about an hour each day to train near your home. It’s a good idea to consult with a professional bike shop owner or an experienced long-distance cyclist to get a preliminary understanding of your fitness level, familiarize yourself with your bike’s performance and gear adjustments, and ideally create a targeted training plan focusing on improving cardiovascular endurance and muscle stamina.
Buying or Renting a Bike
For bike travel, you can choose to buy a bike that suits you and bring it along. Many major airlines now offer bike shipping services. If that seems too troublesome, you can also rent a bike when you arrive at your destination. It’s worth mentioning that if you’re cycling the Sichuan-Tibet route in China, it’s highly recommended to buy a high-quality mid-to-high-end bike. However, after purchasing a new bike, it’s best to take it for a test ride for a while before the trip to understand its performance and identify any potential issues, so you can make timely repairs during the journey.
Designing Your Cycling Route
Bike touring isn’t something you can successfully pull off on a whim. First, you must have a genuine interest in cycling, enjoying the feeling of riding and stopping to take in the scenery. Otherwise, after the initial excitement wears off, you might quickly find it boring and exhausting. Only after that should you design your cycling route based on your travel goals, physical condition, budget, and the length of your holiday.
Bike touring can be an adventurous expedition for outdoor enthusiasts challenging the wilderness, or a casual and relaxing trip with a few close friends. You can go solo or travel with companions or even your whole family. Different starting points mean different factors to consider when designing your route. Additionally, different countries and regions have varying road conditions and scenery, so the choice of destination, the number of days, and the distance you’ll cycle all determine the difficulty level of your route planning.
Generally, places like Taiwan, Canada, New Zealand, and the Netherlands are ideal destinations for first-time overseas bike travelers. Before heading to these places, besides professional travel guides, the most important thing is to plan your route using local maps. The maps you refer to should at least include road networks and mileage markers, and ideally also elevation and road gradient information. In short, the more professional and detailed your map, the more concrete your journey planning will be.
After planning the tourist spots and routes you’ll pass through, you can roughly calculate the total distance you’ll cycle, then set your daily travel distance based on your physical condition. Typically, covering 60–100 kilometers per day is a good target.
Packing for the Trip
For long-distance bike travel, keep your luggage as light as possible. Since you’ll be carrying everything on your bike, weight, volume, practicality, and frequency of use all need to be considered. Depending on the length of your trip, accommodation conditions, budget, and climate, prepare appropriate daily necessities, including a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cooking utensils, stove, rainproof clothing, etc. Once all your gear is ready, pack it into saddlebags.
Bike Shipping
If you’re bringing your own bike abroad, you can disassemble it and pack it into a cardboard box to prevent damage during transport. The packed bike can then be checked in as luggage, usually as long as it doesn’t exceed the airline’s weight limit. Upon arrival at your destination airport, discard the box and assemble the bike before hitting the road.
2. During the Ride
Bike Repairs and Essential Tools
The most common issues during bike travel are flat tires, followed by broken spoke wires and other component failures, many of which are due to the product’s lifespan or mileage limits. Therefore, before you depart, it’s best to replace important parts and carry enough spare components. Especially when traveling to underdeveloped areas, where road conditions are often poor and supplies are hard to come by, it’s a good idea to have your bike professionally inspected beforehand to eliminate potential problems.
Essential tools for road bike travel include screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, hex keys, tire repair kits, pumps, and spare inner tubes. Opt for multi-tools whenever possible to reduce weight. Additionally, it’s helpful to have one or two companions who are skilled in bike repairs to handle any tricky emergencies.
Food and Supplies
Biking consumes a lot of energy, so eating is crucial. On long trips, you can usually restock food at supermarkets along the way, and large supermarkets often have nearby restaurants or fast-food outlets. If you’re traveling with a group, you can also cook your own meals, in which case your stove and cookware should be sturdy, durable, and lightweight. Make sure to replenish fresh fruits and vegetables along the way.
Additionally, keep snacks like chocolate and beef jerky in your backpack to replenish energy when needed. When cycling at a speed of about 20 kilometers per hour, you should drink water approximately every 15 minutes. If you feel fatigued, sucking on sour snacks like plum candies or dried tangerine peel can help alleviate tiredness to some extent.
Pay attention to staying properly hydrated during the ride
Clothing and Equipment
Regardless of the season, long-sleeved cycling jerseys are preferable. If wearing short-sleeved jerseys, remember to add arm warmers, and pair them with long cycling pants. Use a headscarf to cover your face. Typically, professional cycling jerseys are form-fitting to reduce wind resistance and minimize friction with the bicycle. For other clothing, opt for minimal, quick-drying, moisture-wicking shirts and pants. In winter or when traveling through high-altitude areas, bring high-quality cold-weather clothing, which can also be purchased locally. Cycling gloves are essential—they enhance hand comfort during the ride and provide hand protection in case of a fall.
Helmets and cycling glasses are also important. A helmet is the primary safety gear for cyclists, and those produced by reputable manufacturers will meet relevant quality certification standards. Cycling glasses must offer UV protection, be shatterproof, breathable, and have a snug fit.
Shoes should preferably be hard-soled hiking or outdoor sports shoes for better pedaling efficiency, and it’s a good idea to bring a pair of sandals to switch to when crossing water.
Accommodation
It’s recommended to plan your accommodation in advance before departure. Youth hostels in big cities often fill up quickly. Upon arrival, you can visit the local tourist center for information on accommodations along your route. Options include local homestays or motels. In North America, New Zealand, Australia, and Europe, there are also many affordable and well-equipped camping sites where you can bring a tent and sleeping bag to enjoy camping and save on travel expenses.
[Safety Tips]
In general, avoid riding at night, during thunderstorms, or in heavy fog to prevent accidents. Female travelers should try to avoid riding alone. When cycling abroad, if you encounter emergencies or difficulties during your trip, you can seek help from local police stations or your country’s embassy or consulate.
If planning an overseas cycling trip lasting more than three months, it’s best to have a medical check-up before departure and carry common medications such as cold medicine and digestive aids.
Other recommendations include:
1. Rough mountain roads can often loosen bike screws, so check and tighten them regularly.
2. Pay attention to any unusual noises from your bike. If you notice anything abnormal, stop immediately to inspect it to avoid accidents.
3. Schedule rest stops appropriately during your journey. Besides recovering your energy, these breaks are a great opportunity to learn more about the local culture.
4. During the ride, you’re bound to encounter various changes that differ from your expectations. Be flexible and adjust your plans accordingly. In addition to referring to maps and travel guides, keep asking locals along the way, compare their advice, and make informed decisions.
5. Prepare in advance to adapt to possible high-altitude sickness and dry, hot climates in certain regions.
6. After each day’s ride, take appropriate supplements such as multivitamins and calcium tablets. Before bed, be sure to stretch and massage your calves to prevent cramps and lactic acid buildup.