Touring: Where to Stay

Touring: Where to Stay o sleep or not to sleep: It's not even a question. After a day of touring, you're going to want to get horizontal and sink into dreamland. Where you rest your head will determine the kinds of equipment you carry, the amount of money you spend and the destinations you visit. You have two options: You can either sleep inside or sleep outside. Indoor accommodations may be best for novice tourists. Outdoor accommodations offer more versatility. Either way, research multiple options along your route to give you an "out" when you need one.

Indoor Accommodations

Positives: For the most part, sleeping indoors is less complicated than sleeping outdoors. It requires less gear, fewer skills and less unpacking time. It's usually more comfortable as well, though specific amenities vary from place to place. Typical indoor options include hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts and friends' houses. Negatives: Sleeping indoors usually costs more than camping outside. It also limits where you can stop for the night. In remote areas, finding an acceptable place to sleep inside may be difficult. Finding a Good Room When deciding on a place to spend the night inside, consider: Safety: Are there individual rooms or communal rooms? Is there a safe place to store your bicycles and gear? Is there a history of theft or other problems in the area? Comfort: Are there basic amenities—hot water, showers, kitchen areas and phones? Convenience: Are the accommodations close to your tour route? Are there additional facilities like laundry machines and grocery stores nearby? (These may not be needed every night, but they can come in handy from time to time.) Cost: Different cyclists have different budgets. Maximize the factors listed above while staying within your spending limits. A Note on Reservations Factors that affect the pace of your group—weather, equipment breakdowns and injuries—make it difficult to estimate exactly where you'll be at the end of each day. On longer tours, especially, you may not be able to stick to a rigid schedule of reservations night after night. To avoid reservation problems, keep your options open. Plan routes that include lots of accommodation alternatives. Also, consider bringing camping gear along on trips in less developed areas. If you find yourself in a spot with no indoor accommodations, you can still stop for the night.

Outdoor Accommodations

Positives: Camping is inexpensive, adventurous and can be done in a wide variety of locations. It can be enjoyed just about anywhere open space exists, either in public camping areas, private camping areas or on private land—as long as you first ask and receive permission. Negatives: Sleeping outside requires more gear, more skills and (usually) more effort than sleeping inside. It also offers fewer comforts than indoor accommodations. The Importance of Experience The amount of camping experience you'll need depends on where you choose to set up camp. The more facilities a site has—running water, showers, established campsites and fire pits—the less camping experience you'll likely need. As you get further away from civilization, you'll need more camping skills. The best way to gain camping experience is to start out with an overnight shakedown tour close to home. Short trips and test runs will allow you to learn and practice basic skills in relative safety, without ruining longer trips. As you gain experience, you'll be able to plan longer trips in progressively less developed areas. Try this: Load up your bike for a long tour. Now, park your bike in your backyard and live out of it for a few days. Eat the meals you've brought along; sleep in the tent. Make a list of the things you need or can do without. NOTE: For a great introduction to the challenges and rewards of camping, check out our article, Backpacking for Beginners. Outdoor Alternatives Campsites vary widely in terms of the amenities they offer. It's possible to spend the night in the middle of nowhere with no crowds, no distractions and no facilities. Or you can camp in a busy campground, talk to other travelers, take a shower, listen to the radio and do some laundry. National Parks—National parks tend to have developed facilities and well-established campsites. They're usually pleasant to camp in, but sites fill up quickly and can be noisy. The roads going in and out of national parks (especially during busy tourist seasons) can be full of traffic, wide vehicles and distracted drivers. Most national parks charge site fees, and many require reservations (which can cause problems on long tours). State and County Parks—Many state and county parks offer established sites, well-developed facilities, and the crowds that come with them. But in less traveled areas, state and county parks are often less developed and less populated. Most state parks require some sort of use fee for overnight campers. Not all county parks do. City Parks—In some small cities and towns, camping is allowed (for free or for a small fee) in city parks. If you're unsure about the rules (and safety) of a given area, contact the local police department before setting up camp. Use fees will depend upon the rules of the specific city or town. Private Campgrounds—Private campgrounds located close to popular tourist destinations (and travel routes) tend to be well-developed and full of amenities. Many have special areas reserved for touring cyclists away from motor homes, RVs and other auto traffic. Some also have special rates for touring cyclists. The available facilities and the cost to spend the night will depend upon the specific campground. Private Land—When established sites are full or unavailable, or when budgets are tight, you may choose to ask private landowners for permission to camp on their land. In rural areas this is seldom a problem if you're polite and promise to keep your impact to a minimum. Don't camp on private land without permission, and never overstay your welcome. NOTE: No matter what type of camping you choose to do, start looking for a campsite early in the afternoon to avoid being stuck out on the road after dark. This is especially true in popular tourist areas.