What to Look Out for when Touring by Bike

Go touring

If you can ride a bike to the shops, you can ride it across counties, countries or even continents.

Anyone can tour by bicycle. There's no minimum or maximum speed, duration or distance; no age limit; no particular abilities or equipment required; and no rules. All you need is a bike and the desire to travel.


Not so fast

Bombing down dual carriageways is for motorists. Touring is best on minor roads the smaller the better. Since the shortest point between two places will often be linked by the biggest road, this will mean taking a more roundabout route. But that's the essence of touring: enjoying the journey, not minimizing the journey time, ft's not that minor roads are more scenic - though they often are - it's that they carry less traffic.

Busy roads make touring like commuting, and even an hour spent on one can spoil your whole day. If there's no suitable lane, what about a bridleway or canal towpath? If you're deliberately not getting there the fastest way you can, it makes no sense to use the fastest bike either. Wider tyres offer greater shock absorption and won't pinch flat under loads. A more upright riding position reduces strain on your back, shoulders and hands - and it lets you look at your surroundings instead of down at the tarmac. Plus you may want a different saddle, given that more of your weight will be resting on it. As for gears, it doesn't matter how many you've got as long as they go low enough for you.

A cycle tour offers the perfect opportunity to explore some of Britain's most unspoiled regions, from National Parks, to lakes and moorlands. Touring is a chance to get out of the towns and cities and you're in charge. Don't be put off by the fact that the most famously grueling cycle race in the world is, perhaps disingenuously, known as the Tour de France; a cycle tour can be tailored to suit everyone. As long as you have checked your equipment thoroughly, set yourself realistic targets in terms of distance and difficulty, and are prepared for inclement weather touring can be one of the most enjoyable ways to cycle.

Touring essentials

A few simple tools - a multi-tool kit, pump, tyre levers and patches, for example -and the knowledge to use them are recommended. Learning maintenance is much easier if you're shown, so why not enroll in a cycle maintenance class before you go. Since you can't prepare for all eventualities, you should also have enough money (or a credit card) to get you home by other means. Personal identification may not be needed often but is worth carrying (if you're in an accident, for example). On any but the shortest rides, take a shower proof jacket; you can get cold very quickly when you get wet.

Likewise, always take at least one water bottle plus a high energy snack, like an energy bar or flapjack. Hunger knock ('the bonk') is a sudden empty-tank feeling of utter weakness that has to be felt to be believed. Avoid it. Front and rear lights are essential, even if you're planning to ride only in daytime, as you could get delayed. A good bar bag is handy so you can keep snacks, camera, a first aid kit, mobile phone, etc., in there and you don't need to stop to get anything out of it. A map trap is also very useful on any ride. Lastly, take at least a dozen zip ties. Loose mudguards and racks are just the start of the long list of things these can fix.