How to Rock Your Long-distance Cycling Trip?

While a lot of people use a bicycle as a mean of urban commute, not a lot of people would dare to go on a long-distance cycling trip. Still, this kind of challenge can be extremely rewarding. First, it gives you something to brag about, seeing how not many people can boast with such an accomplishment. Second, it tests your physical prowess by pushing your stamina to its limits and in this way gives your self-confidence a considerable boost upon successful completion. Finally, it gives you a completely new and unforgettable experience, which you won’t be able to comprehend otherwise. Nonetheless, seeing how this is an arduous job, here are few ways in which you can prepare for your long-distance cycling trip.

1.    Getting the right bike

The first thing you need to do here is – choose an adequate bike. Each bike type fits a certain purpose and has a certain set of traits and characteristics. Road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrid bikes and BMX bikes all give you completely different cycling experiences, which is definitely something to keep in mind. Therefore, the choice of the right bike for you depends on both personal preference, the distance and the type of terrain you are expecting to encounter. Ideally, you should test all of them before setting your mind on the right one but seeing how this probably won’t be the case, you can go one of two ways.

2.    Boost your stamina

The next thing you need to realize is that this kind of endeavor requires an insane amount of stamina, which is something you need to think of well ahead of time. Even with regular stops and breaks, cycling for miles and miles is a daunting task. This is why it might be a good idea to start preparing yourself months in advance. Start making short rounds around your city block and then start raising the bar each week. Another thing that could help you out is reading a bit about road cycling techniques and ways in which you could improve. Not everything is related to physical strength and endurance.

3.    Prepare for the hazards of the road

Another thing you need to keep in mind is that even though a bicycle is a much simpler vehicle than a car, it isn’t immune to breakdowns and malfunctions. Luckily, its simplicity allows you to fix more of these inconveniences on your own. On the other hand, no matter how intuitive these fixes and repairs may seem, they aren’t 100 percent intuitive. This is why it might be worth your while to do some research on the topic of the most common bicycle repairs and get the general impression what to do if you find yourself in a similar situation. Aside from this knowledge, you also need some basic tools, most of which you can buy fromonline retailers specialized in cycling gear such as Topeak.

4.    Packing for the trip

Finally, like with any other trip, you need to pack properly. Even though every travel guide will advise you to pack light, here, this idea takes even greater paramount. You see, the more you bring, the more physical encumbrance you will have to endure, which in turn means that you will get tired more quickly. Still, there are some basics without which you should not embark on this trip like a change of clothes, water, snacks and a first aid kit. Depending on the season you decide to travel on, you might also want to bring a sunblock and an insect repellant.

Conclusion

Even though this preparation process may seem as tedious, sometimes even as too much of a hassle, keep in mind that the end reward usually turns out to be more than worth it. Both as a self-confidence enhancer and an adventure, long-distance cycling is second to none, not to mention that this is also one of the healthiest and most planet-friendly ways for you to travel. To make the long story short, aside from physical hardship and potential unfortunate weather occurrences, it really is hard to find a downside to this amazing idea.