If you want to begin bicycle touring, bikepacking, or world travel for days, weeks, months, or years but don’t know where to begin, this post is for you!
What is Bicycle Touring Exactly?
Bicycle touring, also known as bike touring, bikepacking and cycle touring in Singapore, is the act of riding a bicycle for days, weeks, months, or even years at a time while traversing entire cities, states, and countries without the aid of a motor.
A bicycle tour can either be a long single-day bike ride or a multi-day event where your gear, food, and clothing are carried for you in a vehicle that will meet you at various checkpoints along the route; or a solo or group adventure where all necessary clothing, equipment, food, and tools are carried on your bicycle.
Can Anyone Engage in Bike Touring?
In nearly all cases, absolutely! Bicycle touring is a relatively accessible activity. People of all ages, nationalities, religions, and gender are present. Those who have never ridden a bicycle before can engage in bicycle touring with some learning.
Obtain a Quality Touring Bicycle
The bicycle is the most essential piece of equipment you will need for any type of bicycle tour.
While it is possible to rent a bike in some cases, and it may also be possible to use a bike that you already own, many people who are new to bicycle touring will need to do some research on the best bike for them and the type of bicycle touring they intend to do.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Repeatedly, first-time bicycle travellers make several significant errors. Here are some things you should avoid doing.
Waiting Too Long
Do not delay for decades to begin bicycle touring. As soon as you possibly can, go bicycle touring! Too many individuals wait until they are too elderly or sick to embark on a bicycle tour. Get out there while you are still in excellent health and spirit.
Utilising A Poor Bike
Although it is possible to use almost any type of bicycle for a bicycle tour, investing in a quality touring bicycle is worthwhile, particularly if your tour will last two weeks or more. Having a high-quality bicycle will significantly improve your journey’s overall comfort and success.
Waiting On Other Individuals
While having someone accompany you on your bike tour is certainly nice, you shouldn’t wait around. If you must ride alone, consider joining an organised cycle tour with other cyclists who share your interests. If you wait for others, you may spend the rest of your existence waiting.
Lack of Knowledge of How your Bicycle Operates
In order to conduct a bicycle tour, you need only a few rudimentary repair and maintenance skills. Still, it would help if you spent time learning the fundamentals of bicycle ownership during the tour’s planning stages.
Travelling with the Incorrect People
Your touring partner influences your success or failure more than you may realise. If you choose the perfect person to travel with on your bike tour, you will return home with unforgettable memories. But if you choose the incorrect touring companion, your bicycle tour could be doomed from the start.
Not Appreciating Every Second
Touring by bicycle is not always simple or pleasurable. Sometimes you are exhausted, hungry, thirsty, dirty, wet, or in pain. There may be periods when you want to leave and return home. However, remember that the difficulty, the struggle, and the occasional anguish are part of the reason you’re doing this in the first place. The difficulties you’ll encounter on your cycle tour will contribute to the unique nature of the experience.
