This article focus on 5 main factors to consider while planning a bicycle vacation. The tips go from equipment to itinerary planning to foods and bike set-up.
HOW TO TRANSPORT THE BICYCLE
Before deciding where to travel, it's important to establish how to transfer the bike. The possibilities to transfer the bicycle depend on your destination.
If You travel in Europe by bike, the train is your best friend.
Many cyclists in other European countries are accustomed to travel by train with his bicycle. This is possible from a few years, even in Italy.
- You can buy a special ticket, (cost nearly 5 Euros) usable on most trains in the same day. The ticket has included instructions for use.
- The bicycle should be charged and discharged by the traveler in the same carriage marked.
By train with the bag door-bike.
Although as bags are bulky, are generally tolerated by the controllers.
Shipping by rail.
The bicycle must be sent by the first few days empowered stations, properly packaged.
Shipper.
Addressing a courier is generally a system that ensures safety and punctuality. In addition to cost, the only problem is finding the shipper that has a corresponding precisely in the area that interested.
Airplane.
For some destinations is necessary to use the plane.
In this case, the bicycle may be transported for free as personal baggage (usually between exchanges and a half we must not exceed 20 kg.).
Compacts.
It is not, in our opinion, the most "green" with which to move.
- On a car needed to mount the appropriate carrier now widespread.
- The car can be left at campsites or car parks.
- If the trip is not circular, you can return to starting point using the train.
Rent or travel agency.
And, finally, for those who want to avoid the problem transporting the bike there are other possibilities
The rental is very widespread in several countries, especially in tourist areas most suitable to the holiday by bicycle.
Speaking to specialized travel agencies can, over the hiring, use of combinations or participate in guided cycling trips.
HOW TO SET UP THE BICYCLE
Surely a mechanic of trust is able to advise that better responds to different specific needs. We then simply provide some indications drawn from the experience of cycling tourists.
The chassis must provide housing for luggage racks, fenders, lights, etc..
The wheels must be sufficiently robust and equipped with at least 36 rays of section not less than 2 mm. From discard without delay the tubular, too vulnerable and not very practical; preferable tires with an inner tube.
The transmission system must provide at least one double or triple multiplies.
More functional brakes are those like "cantilever" derived from mountain biking.
The handlebar can be of different types: the "touring", the most widespread, allows a more comfortable; that "racing" is more suitable for long distances (it should be adjusted to the saddle); one from mountain bike, "with special arrangements" represents an intermediate solution.
The saddle must be comfortable but not too cumbersome and spring.
The carrier, which is indispensable, must be robust and well anchored to the frame. In the long journeys also bear considerable weight.
Mudguards are recommended, lighter and resistant to adverse weather.
Lanterns and reflectors are required by law in Italy and all European countries and necessary for its security.
Even mountain-biking can be easily used to round-trips, especially on routes more rugged. In cycling trips you should provide it with the tires lighter.
LUGGAGE AND EQUIPMENT
The list that follows cannot, and will not be quite comprehensive.
Each one could adapt these recommendations to the type and length of the journey to be undertaken.
Grants must have the following characteristics: comfort transported in hand, good waterproofing. In the market there are bags front and rear possibly equipped with capable bag higher.
The handbag to be applied on the handlebars, as well as make it possible to consult during the trip the topographic map, is easily detachable and then used to storage money, documents, camera. etc...
The clothing for the cycle-hiker may be that of a normal walk. Who takes a more demanding trip needs of specific garments. Most useful are certainly shorts with inner lining. The T-shirt cycling, for those who prefer, offers the advantage of back pockets and tissue.
Indispensable have a cape or other waterproof garments.
For emergencies cannot miss a gear bag and a briefcase first aid (include at least: an inner tube in stock, repair kit, the key fixed or Allen, brake wire, pliers and a small screwdriver).
FOOD AND NIGHT
Who pedal for several days I'd recommended:
A hearty breakfast in the morning (milk, butter bread and jam, biscuits, honey, cereals, etc...).
When travel is advisable to keep light energy consuming (eg dried fruit, muesli, etc.)..
Halfway through the day a small snack (eg: a stuffed sandwich and fruit).
The evening meal must be also psychological. And good relying on the local gastronomy, without going beyond, especially in alcohol.
In the summer should drink to integrate minerals (better fruit juices). You can also dissolve one sachet of integrator in its bottle. Still better, however, not to exceed with these products.
For the night, You should be informed with precision on tourist facilities in the countries where you travel and planning stages in order to arrive in mid-afternoon.
Bed and Breakfast: are, in general, families that offer lodging and breakfast. If traveling abroad is that in many European countries (eg Netherlands, Austria) this solution is cheaper and better organized. Just go in the tourist offices or follow the signs.
Hotels: in some countries if they find enough economic (e.g.: France, Austria) in others are very expensive (e.g. Netherlands).
HOW TO PROGRAM STAGES IN A JOURNEY OF SEVERAL DAYS
First, we must have all the material necessary: guides and tourist brochures and indications of possible paths for cycle-tourism.
Essentials road maps as detailed as possible (at least 1:200.000, the ideal 1: 100,000 not always available). Some provide ancillary news very useful. i.e. In the Italian Touring maps are marked the profiles and the climbs, those French Michelin the number of roads. There are German and Dutch papers that report all existing cycle-paths, etc...
Keep count of the time available and their medium kilometers per daily, You must decide in broad terms what path you want to do.
It may be useful to highlight locations where stop for a visit.
Example:
1 ° stage Passau-Ashach: distance partial total distance
Passau-Obernzell 17 km. 17 km.
Obernzell-Schlogen 24 km. 41 km.
Schlogen-Aschach 26 km. 67 km.
Of course, this scheme can be much more detailed, with notes on places to visit, roads to be taken, etc...
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