5 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Bike Touring

Going on your first bike tour can be both exciting and a bit intimidating. So today I want to talk about some things I wish I knew when I first started out bike touring about 7 years ago.

Things I mention in the video:

DISCLAIMER: This description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! This helps support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for your support!

[bruiser]

Good advice Mike. The important thing to remember is that you are on holidays. The whole point of the exercise is to enjoy the experience.

[wesleywright]

Good advice to go with what you already have. I planned my epic bike tour for three years. Had the perfect bike and the perfect gear. Quit my job, sold everything, then 3 months later Covid happened and it all ended. Should have just did it 3 years ago with what I already had.

[richardcheatham]

Be sure to do the pointer Mike mentioned RE: testing out your equipment on a more local ride. I, too, had an old hybrid. I installed rear panniers, loaded the rear rack, front panniers and did a ride here in north Georgia (U.S.). I cut that trip short because I had not anticipated wind loading on all that 'sail' area. So when I took my first trip in Europe all I took was what would fit atop the rear rack and a small handlebar bag. That turned out to be ideal. Start with what you have and pare down from there.

[antoniocruz]

Contrary to what many do on a tour, the idea is not to do as many kms as possible but to do as little as possible without getting bored. If within 15km there is lots to see then be it, otherwise keep going. Once I started doing this I began enjoying bicicle touring.

[MTMiser]

Great advice, Mike. I've made all of those mistakes and then some. I did a few things right though, at least initially. My first bike tour was 26 years ago. This was before most people had internet at home so the extent of our planning was to get a paper road map and plan a route from Phoenix to Tucson, Arizona. We had no idea of how high or steep the hills were or what the road was like. It turned out that the climbs were very steep and there were many of them. It was only a 225 mile tour, but all the climbing destroyed my knees (temporarily). I couldn't ride for 6 months after I got home. Despite that, I had the time of my life and became a big fan of bicycle touring. I really loved the "discovery" aspect of it. Because we knew so little about the route, everything was a surprise, and it felt like a real adventure. All the tours I've done since then have been well planned out, and I'm now realizing how much I miss that "discovery" thing. I think my next tour might have to be one with very little planning. Thanks for the video.

[garymitchell]

Yeah good advice. After three big tours all I've really changed is some lighter gear and less of it, but not a massive saving. Comfort is more important than weight, so don't go too ultra light.
The extra weight of the bike is a big issue and it changes the geometry, especially on the front wheel. That takes some getting used to and needs a different riding style.
I do plan to do 100k a day but flexible. The first few days are tough so build up the distance. And yes, it's a holiday so enjoy yourself.

[psocretes]

Going on local test runs is a great idea. I used to cycle to the local forest and other such places to test my gear before using it 'in earnest'. So you might like to go out and test a tent or camping hammock for instance. You can go out when you know the weather is going to be bad to test the gear. If push comes to shove you can always go home. It's the little things you learn like: If the weather is a bit cold, find a spot so that the sun hits the tent first thing in the morning rather than being in shadow. It makes all the difference. If it's in summer you might want to seek out shadows.

[graham-kirby]

Some top tips Mike, thanks for that. We are planning our first UK staycation bike tour this year to celebrate being 60 years young.

[kdstoffel]

All great points, but I gotta echo #4. COMFORT IS KING. Sleeping on crappy gear is like wearing a pair of ill fitting shoes. Sure, it can be done, but it gets old quick. I always enjoy my riding when I wake up refreshed and well rested. Good sleep = good days.

[colletjulien]

Coming from road cycling, I was surprised actually how “easy” it is to match the same number of km on a touring bike. It made me realize how road bike is inefficient when it comes to distance, it is about the effort / sport, and driving at a “casual” pace on a touring bike makes you go way further with the same effort. And it is easier to go daily 6 hours at maybe 15 km/h average, than 3 hours at 27 km/h average.

[WheelsonaBike]

Great tips, Mike. I 100% agree with taking it slow the first few days, I learned the hard way.

[ingeleonora-denouden]

Because wild camping here in the Netherlands is not allowed, I need to plan my camping spots in advance. But I plan them at a not too far distance (never over 70 km). The 'Natuurkampeerterreinen' (Nature Camping Grounds) always have place for bicycle touring people (at least for 1 night).

[tonydean]

For such a short video, thats the best touring advice ive seen on you tube. Well done, and i totally agree with all of it. Subscribed to you channel👍

[vincentssoul]

most valuable tips to beginner is advising from experienced beginner, thank you very much

[s]

I just had a racingbike rainjacket which performed well I thought. But this summer in Europe it was raining and raining all over the place and I was cold, wet and had to stop 1 weak early. I will buy a good rain jacket now....

[whatsupwithrichard]

All good points especially the sleeping pad. I have a thinner pad and find it difficult to sleep sometimes. Nothing worse even on the short tours I ride. One item worth every cent you spend.

[HermannKerr]

Yep Yep Yep
1. Just Go.
2. Plan Little and I say, be where you are not where you are not, just be. "Happiness is in the journey not at the destination" a random thought that came into my head on my first really major multi-month cycle tour, while cycling through the Catlins in New Zealand. One of my biggies is never pass up an opportunity to connect with people along the way.
3. Time enough to train on tour, so start easy. or "Satis est tempus instituendi dum in itinere." (yes my Latin is shyte but it looks really good in a blog title) - Ya practice mini tours for those who have never toured as it gives you time to see that you really didn't need to bring along a cast iron frying pan or two pairs of shoes.
4. Treat yourself well - always. (I might look at one of those fancy pillows and given the chance I will stay in a fancy hotel).
5. Merino is King.
6. *** Bonus *** Don't eat crap food, eat well (drop all that sugar in the garbage). Add just hydration salts to your drinking water. Eat before you are hungry and drink before you are thirsty.

[GrizzlyOutdoorAdventures]

Hello Mike, You are right in what you say.
You only learn in practice how everything works.

[donaguitar]

About the planning, I like to sleep at places which are listed in "vrienden op de fiets", this is a Dutch organisation, people propose a room, a accomodation in an upgraded garden shed, a studio they made and so on, you pay 20 eur per night including the breakfast. And so I plan shorter trip so we can enjoy scenery, and have time to chat with the persons so they give us tips for things to do or see. Of course this is in the Netherlands, but we love to cycle there, for example we stayed 3 times in Amsterdam and there where 3 different types, one time a house and the lady left so we had it for our own, once a room in a residence for elderly people, there was a room where they could invite family or friends, and we slept in a small appartment from an american he was so kind and we had a wonderfull time. I could tell you more of those trips, but it would take too long.

[bob-nykn]

I mark approximate one-hour (10mi/15km) points toward my destination which lets me adjust stop points easily (for water, food, interest, sleep).

AND I always make a crude, paper map. High-tech always fails at the worst time.