Touring Tips

In many ways, bicycle touring is just like regular bike riding—it involves the same basic motions and the same basic skills. After a few hours on the road, though, some differences become apparent.

Know the Difference

With touring, the added load and extended time in the saddle require an adjustment in your riding style. Keep the following facts in mind each time you tour:

Weight Differences

Loaded touring bikes weigh more than unloaded bikes and they tend to be less aerodynamic. This makes them harder to pedal and usually results in a slower pace.
Heavier bikes take longer to stop than non-loaded bikes. You may have to start braking earlier than normal, especially on downhills and in rainy conditions.
Heavier bikes are also harder to get up hills. You'll have to shift down earlier (and to a lower gear) than you would with an unloaded bike to keep your momentum and pedal speed going.

Control Differences

Loaded bicycles tend to have higher centers of gravity than unloaded bikes, which can make them less stable in turns.
Loaded bikes can be less responsive than unloaded bikes, especially when gear is stored on the front wheel.
Loaded bicycles create more wind resistance than unloaded bikes. They're also more susceptible to sudden gusts and side winds.
Loaded bikes are more susceptible to damage from bumps and jolts than unloaded bikes. To protect your wheels from impact damage, lift off the saddle when you hit bumps or potholes (standing up slightly will allow you to absorb some of the downward force with your knees).

Basic Touring Hints

Starting Out

From a full stop, start in a low gear (you'll have to remember to downshift each time you come to a stop). Starting in too high a gear will waste energy and may lead to strained muscles. Shift to higher gears smoothly and quickly as you gain momentum. Shifting up slowly can waste energy.

Maintain an Efficient Cadence

The rate at which you spin your pedals can affect your riding performance. Pedaling with a quick rhythm, or "cadence," is usually easier on a rider's legs and lungs than pushing harder on the pedals in a higher gear. "Spinning" (riding with a slightly higher cadence) takes a period of adjustment for most cyclists. But in the long run, it makes cycling easier, especially on your knees.

The key to spinning effectively is practice. Try it in short doses at first, shifting down one gear as you ride along, then spinning faster to maintain your speed for a minute or two before shifting back up. It may feel awkward at first, but with practice it becomes much more natural. Keep in mind that it's possible to spin too fast (though for most people this is not a problem). If you find yourself bouncing up and down on your saddle as you pedal, shift up one gear and continue.

Maintain a Constant Pace

It takes less energy to pedal at a constant speed over a given distance than it does to vary your speed over the same distance. This is why cars get better gas mileage on the highway than they do in the city. Find (and stick to) a speed that you can maintain comfortably for as long as you plan to ride each day. Some change in speed is unavoidable due to terrain and other riding conditions. But in general, try to avoid speeding up and slowing down.

Staying Comfortable

The key to riding comfortably mile after mile, day after day, is to keep up with your body's basic needs. The easiest approach: Address them frequently throughout the day.

Water

To stay comfortable and energized while you ride, stay well hydrated. It's much easier to maintain a hydrated state than it is to rehydrate, so drink prior to starting out in the morning and frequently throughout each ride (roughly every 20 minutes). Thirst is a poor indicator of dehydration, so don't wait for it. Most cyclists prefer to drink water, but electrolyte replacement drinks are also popular since they replenish vital electrolytes and cut down on your body's recovery time.

Food

Bike touring can burn calories quickly. To stay energized, keep your internal engines fueled while touring. Eat healthy, well-balanced meals. On long pedaling days, snack often to keep fuel reserves up. The best cycling snacks? High-energy, low-bulk foods high in carbohydrates such as energy bars, dried fruits and chocolate.

Rest

Stick to a moderate pace with frequent rest breaks. If you're new to touring, stop every couple of hours for a few minutes to stretch out and take a breather. Keep your rest breaks short (five minutes or so) to avoid lactic acid build up. Rest after all major meals to let food digest properly.

Protection From Exposure

React promptly to temperature changes, both internal and external. Alter your clothing layers throughout the day to stay comfortable while you ride. Protect exposed areas like your head, eyes and hands, especially on chilly downhills or in cold/windy weather. Wear sunscreen and some form of eye protection to guard against debris and sun exposure, especially in high elevations where the sun is strong and the air is thin.