Designing a Specific Route
Once you've decided on the people you want to ride with and the type of tour you
want to enjoy, narrow down your search to a general geographic region or two
(based on the interests and skills of your touring companions). Then you'll be
ready to search for a specific route within that area.
A Note on Detail
Touring cyclists disagree on how much route planning should be done prior to the
beginning of a tour. Some believe that plans should be as detailed as possible
(to cut down on confusion and hassles along the way). Others prefer the freedom
of making some decisions as they ride.
Neither approach is more "correct" than the other. But if you're just getting
started in bike touring, develop relatively detailed route plans for your first
several tours. This will cut down on problems out on the road and let you develop
basic touring skills without having to make a lot of extra decisions along the
way. Street-by-street, turn-by-turn plans are rarely necessary, especially on
short tours in familiar surroundings.
Deciding on an Overall Length
One of the first things you should decide on is the overall length of your tour
route. If you're a beginner, start out with short, easy trips close to home.
This will help you get used to the basic challenges of touring in relative
safety, and decide if you really enjoy it before you plan any major excursions or
spend too much money. Remember -- you'll have plenty of time to get more
adventurous after you have a few tours under your belt.
Mileage
A number of things can affect how fast you and your riding companions can travel
during a tour -- the wind, the weather, the terrain and the road conditions are
just a few. Cyclists ride at different speeds, too. So coming up with a specific
number of miles to cover during a trip can be difficult.
To avoid mileage problems, plan conservatively. Base your daily distance
estimates on the skills and the physical abilities of the group's least
experienced cyclist(s). Include time for rest and relaxation in your plans (both
are important for safe, comfortable touring) as well as time for non-cycling
activities like exploring, sightseeing, eating and so on.
Long trips can be great fun, as long as everyone knows their own limitations and
stays within them. But remember -- attempting to cover too much ground can
result in sore muscles, bad moods and missed opportunities along the way.
Deciding on a Basic Route Shape
Bike touring routes typically fall into one of 3 different "shape" categories.
The shape of a bike touring route can have a significant effect on how long a
tour takes, how much it costs and how much logistical effort it requires.
Cyclists typically choose between the 3 options based on the amount of time they
have and the transportation they have access to.
- Point to Point
These tours start at Point A and end at Point B. Positives: They allow
riders to cover new terrain during their entire trip. Negatives: They
require transportation -- either back from the end of a tour that started at home
or out to the starting point for a tour that ends at home. Cars can either be
shuttled into position before the ride, or a driver who's not riding can drop
riders off or pick them up.
- Out and Back
This type of tour starts at Point A, travels to Point B, then returns along the
same route. Positives: No additional transportation is needed, since
riders start and finish in the same place. Negatives: Most or all of the
route is repeated on the return trip. Don't forget -- downhills and tailwinds in
one direction become uphills and headwinds in the other.
- Loop
Loop routes start at Point A and end at Point A, but they do not overlap during
the trip. Positives: Loop routes combine the positives of the two types
listed above. Negatives: Good loop routes are usually harder to plan
than other types.
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