Have you officially planned for your first bicycle tour? Congratulations! You’ve taken the first step to enjoy an adventure you’ll never forget: pedaling through some of the most beautiful scenery, immersing yourself in places with rich culture, and seeing things off the beaten path that only bike tours offer. You’ll have an excellent time as you challenge yourself to bike on varying terrains and experience new places, cultures, and cuisines.
Whether you booked an Appalachian or Pacific Northwest cycling tour, you’ll need to ensure you have everything prepped and ready to go to have the most enjoyable experience. If you’re unsure what to pack or how to prepare your body for a vigorous trip of pedaling hundreds of miles, you’ve come to the right place! Keep reading as we discuss how to prepare for your first bicycle tour so you can be ready to go the day your trip starts.
Bicycle Tour Prep
From packing your essentials and just-in-case items to ensuring you have the right gear for your tour, preparing yourself for your upcoming trip is essential to having the best experience possible. Below are our tips for preparing for your first bicycle tour so you can check some things off your to-do list:
Packing
Like packing for any trip, you’ll want to ensure you have everything in your suitcase and backpack for any weather condition, plenty of water, snacks to keep you nourished, and the right gear for cycling hundreds of miles. Below is a list of things to pack before you start your cycling tour:
- Comfortable shorts
- Cycling shoes
- Helmet
- Versatile clothing
- Long-sleeved and short-sleeved t-shirts or jerseys
- Rain gear (rain jacket, rain pants)
- Outfits/shoes for non-cycling activities
- Extra socks
- First-aid supplies
- Bandages, antiseptics, insect repellent, chafing salve, sunscreen, medications
- Tools and spare parts for your bike
- A rear blinking red light that’s visible from 300 ft is required
- Frame pump, tire irons, spare tube, patch kit, spare tire
- Toe clips
- Cycling gloves
- Lock
- Water bottles
- Cell phone/charger
- Sunglasses
- Rear rack pack
- Toiletries
- Health insurance card/travel insurance card (if needed)
- Camera
- Binoculars
- National Parks Pass if you already have one
Again, the above is a general bike tour packing guide – you may require more or less depending on your specific needs. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to pack lightweight, quick-dry clothing ideal for biking. We’ll be biking hundreds of miles during the trip, some days with 30 miles and others with 60+ miles.
We offer rental bikes that come equipped with rear rack packs. From men’s and women’s bikes available in many sizes and models, we have great rentals that work well on and off pavement and gravel, and can help you select the best rental option for your upcoming tour.
Body Prep
Conditioning your body before a cycling trip is your best bet at getting your body physically ready for long cycling days. You’ll be pedaling on varying terrain from gravel paths to dirt roads and up and down hills. You’ll want to ensure you have the stamina for riding long distances and that your legs are strong. Below are some tips for prepping your body for a cycling tour:
- Slowly build up your endurance (gradually increase riding distance)
- Focus on strength training your legs, hamstrings, quads, and calves
- Implement stretching to improve flexibility
- Practice on varying terrain
- Learn to shift gears, brake, and make turns at different speeds
Mental preparation is just as necessary as physical; train yourself to stay focused on long bike rides with a positive attitude. You can accomplish anything with the right mindset!
Ready to Plan Your Next Bike Tour? Plan Your Cycling Tour Today with Timberline Adventures!
If you’re ready to plan your next bike tour, look no further than Timberline Adventures! From experiencing scenic routes and immersing yourself in a different culture, a cycle tour with Timberline Adventures offers much to be discovered. We offer guided tours and support vehicles to assist, so you’re in great hands. We’ve been planning fully supported cycling trips throughout the US and Canada since 1982. We have the following upcoming cycling tours:
- Santa Barbara cycling tour – May 3-8
- Kentucky Bluegrass cycling tour – May 12-18
- New Mexico cycling tour – May 29-June 5
- Northwest Passage cycling tour – June 6-11
- Coast of Maine cycling tour – July 13-20
- Selkirk – Kootenay Mountains cycling tour – July 29-August 6
- Crater Lake and Oregon cycling tour – August 7-12
- Mesa Verde National Park and Southwest Colorado cycling tour – August 16-23
We have many more cycling tours available – look at our trip calendar to plan your next cycling tour (or hiking tour!). When planning a guided cycling tour with Timberline Adventures, you can expect meticulous routes to ensure the safety of our cyclists. Every bike tour includes a sag wagon to help carry bikes, luggage, and guests, offering support, snacks, first aid, and rescue, weather permitting. We encourage all cyclists to ride at their own pace and are always there if anyone needs assistance at any point during the bike tour.
Our team at Timberline Adventures has been planning bike tours for over 43 years and knows the best routes to create the most memorable and rewarding bike tours you’ll ever experience. We plan detailed itineraries so you know what to expect each day and plan to visit the most off-the-beaten-path, local places that only cyclists can experience. We offer competitive pricing with double-booking deals and roommate rebates. Contact us today with questions and to book your bike tour!
