Bicycle Touring: An Adventurous Way to Travel

Bicycle touring is an adventurous activity in which the rider travels long distances on a bicycle for pleasure and endurance testing. A bicycle tour may extend to several days, weeks or months. Riders often carry equipment, clothes, food and other indispensables with them.

Bicycle touring enables a person to become fitter and more active. A reasonably fit rider can cover a distance of thirty to eighty miles a day. The popularity of bicycle tours have only increased, given the increasing prices of travel packages.

Most adventurous riders prefer mountain biking trips, given the excitement of riding on uneven terrains and enjoying the scenic mountain sights. However, going on such trips require some amount of expertise.

Bicycle Touring: Types

Bicycle touring can be of different types. While some are organized and sponsored by commercial holiday companies, others are self-planned and organized. The self-supported trips may be cheaper and allows you to enjoy the trip at your own pace. Here are some popular types of bicycle tours:

* Self- Supported: It is also known as fully-loaded touring, because the rider carries along food items, cooking equipment, tools and camping equipment. However, some riders may carry only the minimum load, which include food, lightweight tent and bivouac sack.

* Expedition Tours: These involve cyclists traveling through rural and remote areas. It is usually self supported, and the cyclist carries food, clothes and camping equipment along with him.

* Light Weight Touring: Also known as credit card touring, the cyclist carries minimum tools and equipment; however, they carry a large amount of money. They eat at restaurants and cafes and stays in hotels, hostels or motels at night.

* Supported Touring: Cyclists are usually followed by a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle carries the required equipment and other indispensables. These tours are organized by groups of cyclists or cycle touring companies. These companies may also offer booked lodging, luggage transfer facility, meals, route planning and bicycles on rent.

* Day Tours: These are recommended for amateur cyclists. An expert cyclist, however, may opt for long trips. These trips can be undertaken by solo cyclists or in groups. Such events are often organized to raise money for charity purposes.

By : Manga_Malinga