Feel the spirit of adventure cycling

Bicycle Touring, Adventure Cycling — the Spirit of the Open Road

Adventure cycling is among one of the most popular non-conformist ways of spending a holiday. Some people go for a hike, some others choose tracking, mountain climbing or lying on a sunny beach, but how many do you really think will actually spend dozens of hours in the saddle, carrying all their gear on the bike?  It is my personal, FAVORITE way to travel!

Adventure cycling is more than an afternoon bike ride in a natural reserve for instance, where you possibly camp and make a nice picnic or a barbecue. For anyone interested in seeing new places, and feel adventurous at the same time, cycling may just be the solution.

Bicycle touring puts you close to the road, to the people and places you are passing through.

It doesn’t take too much money, but it definitely requires some planning, and though many people will insist that you don’t have to be super fit, adventure cycling requires a basic level of good physical shape. However, there is NO way to truly train to be on the road every day riding 60-120 miles, other than being on the road every day — riding!

Besides the great freedom such tours give, they are also great opportunities of getting the local feeling, as you come to know a place by the immediate and direct contact with the local people and their life style. No one can complain about not experiencing the unexpected since it is everywhere: not knowing what to expect from the journey is definitely a thrill.

Adventure cycling will burn down lots of calories and help you get into perfect physical shape!  When we would ride with our kids, touring…. our chant was — “Why do we ride?” “ICE CREAM!!” You can pretty much eat as much as you like, and you will still lose some weight.

During the period of intense effort you should actually have foods with a high caloric level since they ensure the energy necessary for pedaling. Always, always carry food in your bags.  Keep protein bars and powdered drinks to give you energy.

The worst feeling is hitting the proverbial WALL.  I’ve done it. I’ve done it with kids on the back, in the woods with no one around…. and it is NOT recommended.

Moreover, besides the health benefits you get to feel by taking part to cycling tours, you also have the chance of making a statement on the pollution level and the environmental advantages that come together with an ecological kind of trip.

Sometimes, people feel a bit hesitant about starting a cycling adventure,. The most common reasons that stop one from such an experience include age, health and confidence.

“I’m too old to start a cycling adventure”
“I am not at all fit for pedaling miles or kilometers on end”
“I’ve got too many things to do at work to take a vacation”
“I have never done something like that in my life”
and the list could go on…

What people actually fail to realize from the beginning is that such statements are merely excuses that should not stop you from doing what you want. Your head is in your way!

Decide if an adventure cycling tour is what you want and go for it. Have fun on the journey! And always remember — it is about the journey not the destination!!

find some great trails with Rails to Trails or check out the East Coast Greenway Trail or the Canadian cross country trail {The Great Trail} or the Great Allegheny Passage or….

Where are your favorite rides?