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Cyclists around Qinghai Lake are another scenic highlight of the area.
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When choosing a bicycle helmet, prioritize safety while also considering breathability and comfort.
For someone who has just fallen in love with cycling trips, before preparing for a ride, they might, like other independent travelers, put a lot of effort into planning the entire cycling route and thoroughly researching the cultural and geographical conditions along the way. However, they might overlook the essential gear for long-distance cycling, thinking that having an expensive "good bike" is enough. Experienced cycling travelers warn that the importance of cycling gear must not be ignored, as these items serve as crucial protection in case of danger. So, what are the essential items for long-distance cycling trips?
1
It’s Best to Wear a Helmet When Cycling
Although current national laws and regulations do not require cyclists to wear helmets, wearing one is essential for protecting the cyclist's head. Prioritize ventilation when selecting a helmet, and also consider factors like fit, absorbent material, and adjustable strap angles.
Additionally, cycling pants are essential for long rides, primarily for preventing chafing and providing breathability. Keep in mind that, like regular pants, cycling pants come in men’s and women’s styles and can be categorized by length and purpose, such as long pants, shorts, three-quarter pants, underwear, summer models, and winter models. Cycling gloves are also a must-have—they absorb sweat, provide grip, ensure breathability, and protect the palms and wrists. At the same time, adding a soft handlebar grip can reduce wrist strain caused by road bumps.
Don’t forget to wear cycling glasses to shield your eyes from wind and small insects. Clear lenses are suitable for overcast days, while tinted ones block direct sunlight. Choose glasses with a curved frame that fits your facial contours to reduce wind resistance and glare, and ensure they have anti-fog features. If you need prescription lenses, get used to them in advance. If possible, bring a set of dedicated cycling rain gear, or failing that, military-style rain gear works well for rainy-day cycling.
2
For Cycling Tours, Mountain Bikes Are the Best Fit
Currently, the most commonly used bikes for cycling trips in China include: mountain bikes, road bikes, folding bikes, and regular bikes. Experienced cyclists suggest, “Choose different bikes based on road conditions and trip distances.”
For example, regular bikes are suitable for short, leisurely rides; road bikes are more “picky” about road conditions and are prone to flats on rough roads, making them only suitable for urban areas, city outskirts, and well-paved routes; folding bikes demand higher road quality, ideal for short trips, leisure rides, or combining cycling with hitchhiking; mountain bikes, designed for various terrains, feature sturdy frames and thick tires, making them the most suitable for cycling tours.
Experienced cyclists recommend: for long-distance cycling, an entry-level mountain bike with a quick-release function is sufficient, and bikes with rear suspension should be avoided. If your budget is around 2,000 yuan, buy a complete bike; if you have a larger budget, opt for a titanium alloy bike with excellent shock absorption, ideal for long trips.
3
Specialized Saddle Bags Are Highly Useful
For long-distance cycling, it’s best to use specialized bicycle saddle bags, secured with elastic cords that have hooks on both ends. If traveling through rainy areas during the wet season, waterproof saddle bags are also recommended. Inside the saddle bag, you can store personal medications. Experienced cyclists suggest packing: one small bottle of iodine tincture, one small bottle of red medicine, 20 adhesive bandages, two packs of sterile cotton swabs, one small roll of sterile medical bandages, one roll of medical adhesive tape, 20 A.P.C tablets (mainly aspirin), 10 vials of gentamicin sulfate injection, four packs of compound sulfamethoxazole tablets, one tube of erythromycin ointment, and one bottle of chloramphenicol eye drops. Of course, in case of serious illness or injury, seek medical help immediately and get to a hospital as quickly as possible.
Also essential for long-distance cycling are a sleeping bag, tent, knives, utensils, water bottles, and fire-starting tools. For knives, a combination kit is ideal, including a large knife, small knife, corkscrew, can opener, small screwdriver, bottle opener, nail clipper, tweezers, toothpicks, scissors, and multi-purpose hook—consider adding a small sewing kit. Always keep the knife in an easily accessible spot. Don’t forget to pack tea, instant coffee, fruit juice powder, instant soup mix, energy bars, peanuts, and protein bars. If traveling through sparsely populated areas, bring compressed biscuits for emergencies and to vary your diet.
Additionally, a set of bicycle repair tools is a must for long rides. Include a spare tire, pump, tire levers, patch kit, hex keys, adjustable wrench, scissors, tube cutter, multi-tool, brake pads, and brake cables. This is essential because you never know where the next bike shop will be.
You can also equip a handlebar bag, which can double as a shoulder bag for carrying valuables like IDs.