{"id":17987,"date":"2018-12-04T16:55:09","date_gmt":"2018-12-04T15:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/?p=17987"},"modified":"2019-04-11T13:02:55","modified_gmt":"2019-04-11T12:02:55","slug":"training-for-a-long-distance-bike-ride","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/training-for-a-long-distance-bike-ride\/","title":{"rendered":"Training for a Long Distance Bike Ride: Everything You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Adventure travellers and adrenaline junkies alike have made one travel trend boom with popularity in the last few years: cycling tours. From week-long trips through the French countryside to weekend expeditions across stretches of Route 66, bicycle travel seems to be on the rise. And for great reason!<\/span><\/p>\n

Travelling a country by bike allows you to connect more deeply with the country: the landscape, the locals, and the culture, as well as with yourself. It takes commitment, adaptability, and a love for physical endeavours that leaves you feeling nothing but pride and accomplishment. Of course, some bicycle trips are harder than others, but they all present unique challenges and moments of awe that you\u2019ll remember for a lifetime. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re considering a cross-country bike trip, there\u2019s a lot to consider. From destination to training, you\u2019ll come to learn that there\u2019s a lot more to think about than you likely thought.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Travel on: <\/em>a cycling tour <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n

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How to prepare for a cross-country bike trip<\/b><\/h2>\n

Once you know where you want to go, it\u2019s important to train your body and mind for your upcoming cross-country bicycle tour. Unfortunately, unlike other tours or travel styles, a bicycle tour requires training. Some require more training than others, but you’ll likely have to train at least a little bit regardless of your destination. The last thing you want is to get on the bike and have a miserable time because your body wasn\u2019t prepared, so don\u2019t take it lightly and get yourself in shape. <\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to preparing for a cross-country bike tour, here\u2019s what you need to do:<\/span><\/p>\n

Ride your bike<\/b><\/h3>\n

This should be the most obvious point of training for a bike tour. Riding your bike is crucial for ensuring a successful bicycle tour and, unfortunately, trying to prepare without a bike will be extremely difficult. The more you ride, the more prepared you are for long distance biking; it\u2019s really as simple as that.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ride with gear<\/b><\/h3>\n

Some cross-country biking trips will require you to come with heavy gear, such as camping bags, extra water and snacks, and your luggage. Needless to say, it all adds up in terms of weight. So, remember to practise biking with the heavy gear on board so your body can adjust to the added baggage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ride in the rain<\/b><\/h3>\n

Weather isn\u2019t always cooperative. Unfortunately, there\u2019s always the possibility of rain, heavy winds, fog, and extreme temperatures. Of course, if the conditions are very treacherous you shouldn\u2019t be on the road biking, but it is a good idea to bike in sub-par conditions so you\u2019re not caught off-guard if it does start to rain. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ride on various terrains <\/b><\/h3>\n

Not all bike tours are on perfect roads 100% of the time. Perhaps one day you\u2019re on a nicely paved road, and the next you\u2019re on a bumpy trail through farm country in the middle of the Irish coast. Regardless of where you\u2019re cycling, you\u2019ll want to be prepared for different terrains. Compliment your road training with some off-roading and you\u2019ll be more confident if things do get a bit bumpy.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Get to know your bike inside and out before you embark on your journey | \u00a9 Vadim Misyuchenko\/Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Take a spin class<\/b><\/h3>\n

If you\u2019ve got a busy schedule or the weather isn\u2019t cooperating, a spin class can be a great way to stay on track with your training. Of course, a cross-country bike tour and a spin class are two different levels of activity, but the practise in physical endurance remains the same. Both activities work the same core muscle groups, along with your mental endurance, so no excuses – if you can\u2019t bike outdoors, get to a spin class.<\/span><\/p>\n

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See Also: <\/em>Is Travelling Solo Fun?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n

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Review your itinerary<\/b><\/h3>\n

Knowing your itinerary can help you develop a more accurate and helpful training routine. You should know how far you\u2019ll be biking each day, when you\u2019re going uphill, and a rough idea of what the terrain will be like. It\u2019s also a good idea to know what altitudes you\u2019ll be biking at. Once you know these elements you can put together a training routine that will help you reach your goals and limit surprises during the actual bike tour.<\/span><\/p>\n

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With some simple training, you’ll be on the road in no time! | \u00a9 Victor Xok\/Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What to pack for a cross-country bike trip<\/b><\/h2>\n

As mentioned earlier, all bike tours are different. Some involve nighttime campsites, pitching a tent, and cooking your own food. Others include hotels, nightly dinners, and backup transport. But regardless of where you\u2019re going or what type of bike tour it is, there are a few essentials you should always bring:<\/span><\/p>\n