9 Questions Newbies Often Have About Cycling

Many people have dreamed of going on a bicycle to travel around the world. For experienced veterans, riding a bicycle to play may be a matter of walking away, but newbies don’t think so, they will have before making a decision. There are many questions, so let’s talk about 9 questions that newbies often ask.

1. What kind of people can ride a bicycle to travel?

Cycling is irrespective of occupation, age, gender and region. The only difference is whether you really want to go. There are also many ways to travel by bike, be it alone, with friends, or on a business tour. For example, if you ride the 318 Sichuan-Tibet South Line, along the way, you will meet riders from all over the world, with various professional backgrounds and personalities. Admire beautiful scenery, meet interesting travelers, breathe fresh air, experience different cultures... these are the charms of cycling.

2. How can I tell if I am eligible to travel by bike?

It's not like you have to be as fit as an athlete to qualify for cycling. However, proper exercise is still required before cycling. Seek truth from facts and set an achievable exercise goal, such as stipulating that you have to ride XX kilometers with weight each time. If you have a big plan to travel for more than 15 days in a row, you should do at least 1-2 2-day weight-bearing riding training within three months before departure, and find your own shortcomings and improve them in the actual riding. . One of the charms of cycling is that the more you ride, the better you get. (not come to me)

3. How do I know how far I can ride in a day?

How far you can ride in a day depends on your riding style (credit card travel/self-service travel/backed travel/group ride), road conditions, and how far you want to ride yourself.

The ideal state is this: I can carry 20 pounds of equipment, ride about 100km on a smooth road in one day, and take a selfie in my spare time, sniffing roadside wildflowers.

If the load of equipment is between 20-45 pounds, the daily riding distance target can be further reduced to about 80km.

If there are many mountains along the way, there are endless climbs, or the road conditions are not very good, or you are riding a mountain bike/small folding... The target riding distance can be reduced a little bit, in short, according to the time and local conditions.

Of course, experienced travelers can ride farther, even 200km a day on flat roads is not a problem. But for most people, don't be too hard on yourself.

◎Every 10 days, there is a day off without cycling.

◎The weight-bearing equipment should not exceed 45 pounds as much as possible.

◎Don’t bury your head and ride foolishly on the road, and occasionally raise your head to say hello to the mountains and rivers.

◎ Reserve a rest day for the journey.

4. Which bike is better for me to ride?

While there are touring bikes that are designed for long-distance riding, or can be specially customized for bike touring, there are actually many types of bikes that can be used to travel, such as folding bikes, mountain bikes, recumbent bikes, road vehicles……

No matter what kind of bike you ride, it is recommended to choose one that is reliable and durable, comfortable to ride, and can be shifted to suit climbing roads. If it is a long-distance ride of more than 1000km, it can install shelves, have fenders, and be compatible with wide tires above 32mm.

5. I don't know where to ride?

Sometimes you are so willful, want to ride a bike but don’t know where to go—everything is ready, only the destination is owed, what should I do?

◎If it is the first time to ride a tour, and you are self-help, it is best to choose a mature route with good road conditions, convenient supplies, and not too much traffic. Cozy countryside not more than 500km away from the place of residence can be given priority.

◎Depends on whether you like the sea or mountain climbing. If possible, go to Taiwan to see the sea. If you have the ability, go ride the 318 Sichuan-Tibet South Line.

6. What is the point of carrying equipment?

The most common way of carrying (carrying equipment) is a shelf + a pannier. (The way of carrying a trailer is also popular abroad, but it is not very popular in our country.) Speaking of the easy-to-buy packs in China, the brands with moving prices include Ward, Cheerful, and the cheaper ones are Doit and Gao Dawei. . If you have a wide range of local tyrants, please turn right when you go out, there are brands such as Ortlieb and Arkel waiting for you. If the riding distance is not too long and the equipment is not too much, you can consider any combination of the first bag + frame bag + seat cushion bag.

7. Where do you spend the night?

Generally, there are three ways of camping, being a sofa guest, and staying in a hotel.

8. Is it safe to ride a bike alone?

According to the riding experience in this edition, domestically speaking, the safety factor of riding outside is not much different from the environment of daily life, and it is easier to feel the friendliness of strangers. Of course, just like you may encounter robbery on the road on weekdays, you must have basic precautions when riding outside. It is not recommended for beginners to travel alone for the first time.

9. How much does a bike tour cost?

If you set up tents for camping and cook your own meals, you can save a lot of money. But it is difficult to have a unified answer. Some riders ride the US Route 66 this year, and the average daily cost is less than 20 US dollars, mainly for meals, and the accommodation is mainly camping + sofa guests. Cycling Hainan Island and staying in hotels throughout the journey cost an average of about 200 yuan per day.

Therefore, when making a budget, you must first confirm the consumption level along the way, as well as your own accommodation plan.