Preparing for a bicycle trip: what should I bring?

What do I need to know before starting a bicycle trip?

Preparing for a bicycle trip is essential before planning any route. To make a trip by bicycle, much less things are needed than one might think. With a bike in good condition, a few tools, time and, above all, the desire to pedal, you can get almost anywhere.

The best thing is to use a mountain bike that will serve you both by paths and roads. You can do 30-60 kilometers a day depending on your physical condition and the slopes. In my opinion, I prefer to go a little slower and enjoy the scenery and not just do miles like crazy because you can end up burned.

It is advisable to train before, but not essential. If you train, your body will surely appreciate it, especially because of the stiffness of the first few days and because so many hours sitting on the saddle can cause itching if you’re not a little used to it.

It is essential to take installed GPS applications on your mobile like Google Maps or Here Maps, where you can search for the best routes and locate you at all times in case you get lost. There are also specific applications to track your route such as My Route.

Yunnan - Preparing for a bicycle trip
Yunnan – Preparing for a bicycle trip

Preparing for a bicycle trip – What to take on a cycling trip?

Essential materials

What you decide to take with you may vary depending on how much time you have to be traveling. My recommendation is to take only what is necessary. Whether you like it or not, every weight counts. Therefore, here is a list of essential materials:

  1. Some saddlebags
  2. One front and one rear light
  3. A set of tools
  4. Spare Chambers and Patches
  5. An air pump
  6. A helmet
  7. A raincoat
  8. Sun cream
  9. First aid kit
  10. Mobile phone holder
Bicycle travel luggage
Bicycle travel luggage

Recommended materials:

Apart from these materials, there are also others that are not essential, but that are recommended materials:

  1. Sunglasses
  2. Cap
  3. Gloves
  4. Culot
  5. A multipurpose knife
  6. Elastic cord (if you want to tie more things over the saddlebags)
  7. Toilet paper (in case you feel the need in the middle of nowhere)

And last but not least, during your preparations for a bicycle trip, don’t forget to bring: a bottle of water, bananas and nuts that will give you the energy you need to reach the end of the world.

You should also check your bike a little to make sure everything is in place, that the changes are going well and that it brakes well. With all this we will have enough to embark on a new adventure.

Here I leave the link to the video of an Argentine friend who traveled through China with a bicycle and here the link to the post where I tell my experience traveling by bicycle through the Chinese province of Yunnan.

If this article on Preparing for a Bicycle Trip has been useful to you, please remember to comment, value and/or share. Thank you!

I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads.

Preparations for a bicycle trip - Traveling with panniers
Preparations for a bicycle trip – Traveling with panniers

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