This document provides information and guidance for planning bicycle touring holidays and cycling routes. It discusses factors to consider such as terrain, distance, maps, and types of tours. The main types of tours are self-contained, guided group tours, and self-guided individual tours. Guided tours offer support but less flexibility, while self-guided tours give more independence. The document also highlights some top cycling routes around the world and considerations for bicycle-friendly accommodations.

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WOOW.BIKE
CYCLING
HOLIDAYS
GUIDE

2. 2 3
Touring by bike is perhaps the best way to truly experience the landscape and culture of a region—the unique
features of the terrain, the smell of flowers or ripening grapes, the sounds of wildlife, or the people and hidden
treasures of small towns.
“It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you
have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as
they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you
have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as
you gain by riding a bicycle.”
Ernest Hemingway
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new routes
every day
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Planning your cycle trip in less densely
populated regions”
Geography
The gradient of the trip will reduce your range, in exceptional circumstances with uphill gradients to as little as 20km
a day. Watch the altitude lines on your map closely, both for individual gradients and total altitude differences.
Gradients of more than about 5% are difficult to overcome on a laden touring bike. A rule of thumb is that for every
100 metres of altitude you climb, you should add an extra 15 minutes to your
journey time. In hilly or mountainous regions, the easiest routes for cycling are downstream along major rivers, as
overall they will be downhill. A long, roundabout route along a river will usually be easier than a short, direct route
over a hill or mountain pass. However, it is worth bearing in mind that the most scenic routes often come from hilly
terrain. If you are feeling up for a challenge, try some hillier routes. Start small, your legs will get used to it and the
views will be worth the effort.
Motor traffic is often worth avoiding as much as possible, for example by planning your cycle trip in less densely
populated regions (unless it is in a country that offers exceptionally good cycling facilities, such as The Netherlands
One good compromise is to buy a road atlas of the country or countries you are planning to visit, tear out
(copy) the necessary pages and only take those. You’ll often find you can get a good 1:100000 map fairly
cheaply, but still showing minor roads, campsites and marking out any steep hills.
Another alternative is a GPS with topographic maps loaded, or a Smartphone (possibly also combined with
a GPS) which you can load topographic maps into. Even a scanned atlas map onto your mobile is better than
nothing. There are several GPS devices available with bicycle mountings (see other equipment) below.
Other Information
It’s best not to take advice from non-cyclists too seriously, whether given in person, on-line or in print.
Often they will overestimate the difficulties, and underestimate the pleasures. This is particularly true
in the case of distance, traffic situations (especially in developing countries) and road
conditions.
Equipment
Cycling for extended periods requires somewhat more than a
basic set of wheels, and both comfort and convenience can be
improved with a few standard add-ons, however every piece
of extra weight you pack is going to require extra energy
to move around.
ITINERARY
Maps
Ideally you will have maps
showing the contours of
the region you are visiting,
along with tourist attractions,
accommodation, campsites and
other useful places. However,
these maps tend to be quite
detailed and only cover small
regions, and if you are covering
any kind of distance you will find
yourself buying rather a lot of
them, which can prove expensive
and heavy.
Distance
On level terrain, without a headwind, a cyclist of average fitness on a touring bike can comfortably cover 60-120 km
a day, depending on the number and length of stops. Distances of up to 250 km a day are feasible,
but anything much beyond 120 km will require considerable physical strain and
not allow many stops to enjoy the things on the way. For many, 80-100 km a day
will be the optimal distance to aim for, as it will give a sense of achievement and
also leave plenty of time to stop for meals and activities.
Be aware that a full load will slow you down. You may average 25 km/h on your unladen
bike, but being loaded up with panniers can reduce that to 15 km/h or less.
For a seven day itinerary, aim to cover about 400-500 km. It is a good idea to ease into a longer trip,
do short days to start with, and take a break on the third or fourth day, to allow sore buttocks and leg
muscles to recover, perhaps stopping in a city or engaging in a different outdoor activity, such as
kayaking or swimming.

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With self-contained tours, you take care of everything on your own: research your route, bring your bike, carry
your gear, perhaps store your suitcases, plan your meals, and camp or stay in hostels or hotels, which you
have to find or book on your own. While self-contained tours are generally the least expensive—and can be
a good option for bicycle tourists who like adventure—this type of tour lacks the outside support and “safety
net” that many bike travelers want.
If you enjoy traveling with a large group, meeting new people, and having a guide and structured schedule
throughout the day, then a guided group tour is probably the best fit for you. On most tours, one guide
rides with the group while a second guide drives a support van. Everything is planned: hotels, routes, meals,
luggage transfers, sightseeing tours and more. The guides point out places of interest, organize excursions
and activities, and are available in case of breakdowns (mechanical or human).
While guided group tours have many benefits, it is important to consider your riding style. On most guided
tours the group typically stays together throughout the day, so if you are a rider who prefers to ride at your
own pace, or a family who needs more flexibility for stops along the way, a self-guided tour may be a better
option.
If you prefer to be independent and to choose your traveling companions and daily schedule, consider a
self-guided individual tour. They’re a money-saving alternative to guided tours, and many people find them
preferable to traveling with a group. Self-guided does NOT mean self-contained. You are NOT totally on your
own. With self-guided tours, the tour operator still organizes the hotel reservations and the luggage transfers
from hotel to hotel.
Benefits of Guided Cycling Tours
- You won’t get lost!
- On a guided cycling tour, you won’t have to fix your bike,
including punctures.
- You will learn more about the region if the guide is any
good, or a local.
- Being part of a group cycling tour will often get you little
extras (wine tastings/tutorials, extra’s in lunch servings).
- Group guided cycling tours are great for single travellers,
as they are inherently more secure and potentially cost
effective.
- Finally, the obvious one is that being in a group is more
social.
Benefits of Self Guided Cycling Tours
- You can ride at your own pace, so it’s a lot more flexible.
- You’re possibly more inclined to meet the locals as you’re
almost forced to converse with people
- It’s a lot more romantic (possibly!), or private at least. Some
travellers just don’t like groups.
- It can be cheaper, but not always, as economies of scale in
groups can make up for the cost of guides.
The accommodations are often the same as on guided tours. You often follow the same routes. Most tour operators
provide you with a comprehensive information package with the marked route, a detailed route description, and
tips on sights, cultural highlights, scenic stops, and recommended restaurants. Many tour operators offer a hotline
in case of emergencies or problems. Some even provide handlebar-mounted GPS systems with the route pre-
programmed into the unit.
But also consider your comfort level with a foreign language (if your tour takes you overseas), reading maps and
signs, ordering food, and dealing with breakdowns and minor emergencies. Since some self- guided tours have a
minimum of just two travelers—or even one—you should not count on riding with a group. You should also be
prepared to do research on the region’s sights and attractions on your own, since you won’t have a guide available
to point them out along the route. For some people, this is part of what makes traveling fun..
Self-contained tours are generally
the least expensive”
TYPE OF TOURS

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CYCLING ROUTES
SOME OF OUR TOP
National Highway 1 | Vietnam
Renowned for its natural beauty, cool temperatures and quiet roads, Hokkaido has
some of the best cycling routes in Japan.
Although it is the second largest of the four main islands, it has only 5%
of the country’s population with many vast areas of untouched beauty.
This land’s geography is different from other land of Japan and has less
influence of Typhoon and Rainy Season.
June to August is the best season for traveling. They have the best seafood
anywhere in the world and hot springs everywhere to relax after a day of
riding.
There are many budget lodging for budget traveler and easy to find the
place to pitch a tent (for free). People in Hokkaido greatly respect cyclists.
There are plenty of back-roads to get away from cars. All Hokkaido roads
are immaculately maintained and have incredibly smooth asphalt surfaces.
All of this and very little traffic.
Island of Hokkaido | Japan
East coast Tasmania | Australia
Perhaps the most popular cycle
touring route in Australia, leaving from
Launceston or Hobart and pedalling
along Tasmania’s beautiful east coast.
It’s a journey from beach to beach and towns are frequent,
providing plenty of stops.
The Tasman Highway is fairly quiet and you can veer out
to Freycinet Peninsula to see Wineglass Bay, and detour up
into the Bay of Fires from St Helens.
This coast is Tasmania’s flatter edge, but expect some
challenging hills on the section between Launceston and
St Helens. Allow about a week to cycle from Launceston to
Hobart.
There are good accommodation options along the length
of the coast.
A long but immensely rewarding trip along the
best parts of Vietnam’s coastline. This iconic road
runs the length of the narrow country from north
to south. It is the most popular cycling route in
Vietnam.
The route connects the major cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. Spanning
roughly 1,100 kilometers, it can be done in two weeks, though stretching
it to three is recommended.
It’s possible to skip segments by hopping a bus or train. A small fee will be
levied for the bike, but the cost is negligible when time is of the essence.
Many locals get around by bicycle themselves, so the infrastructure is
set up to accommodate two-wheeled travelers. Highway 1 provides
generous shoulders, making it arguably safer than less-traveled roads
that have none.

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Loire Valley | France
Carretera austral | Chile
Fast flowing rivers, incredible mountain vistas,
glaciers, sleepy villages, fjords, shimmering lakes.
In short, perfect cycling.
Cyclists come from all over the world to experience it. For bicycle touring
enthusiasts, riding Ruta Austral is like seeing the Taj Mahal. It’s a must do.
Mostly surfaced with graded but unpaved gravel, the route runs for more
than 1,300km from Puerto Montt in central Chile, south through Caleta
Yungay to Villa O’Higgins in northern Patagonia, with numerous ferryboat
transfers along the way. You pass through wild and beautiful landscapes,
including Queulat and Cerro Castillo national parks. Large stretches of native
forest and enormous ferns surround Puyuhuapi Hot Springs, near Queulat.
Villages are conveniently spaced every 50km or so, meaning you won’t
need to stock up on supplies. Just pop in to the tiny general store and graba
packet of pasta and a can of tomato sauce. There’s even fresh bread along
the way.
Garden Route to Cape Town | South Africa
Discover the landscapes, unspoiled nature, beautiful gardens and breathtaking castles of
the Loire Valley on your bike.
Bike the most scenic routes in this region beloved for its elegance and natural beauty
For many visitors, the Loire Valley conjures images from the fairy tales of childhood
The valleys of the Loire, Cher and Indre rivers are a harmonious combination of non navigated rivers, rich vineyards and vast forests.
The terrain is wonderful for bicycle riding -mostly flat to rolling- and is filled with rivers, trees, and colors.
Gracious castle-hotels provide the perfect setting each
evening.
Discover the most beautiful places along the Indian Ocean and the Karoo Savannah on
this cycling tour in South Africa.
Staring in Port Elizabeth, pedal along the white beaches of the Indian Ocean, through evergreen forests and the desolate Karoo,
under the wild solitude of the Swartberg Mountains, into the Wine lands of the Cape, and further on to Cape Town, one of the most
beautiful cities in the world.
Experience South Africa’s mountain passes, solitary gorges, and breathtaking coastline; all from the seat of your bike. The best
season is November to March, the South African summer, which means, particularly for the Cape Province, cycling with lots of sun
and warm weather.

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La Route Verte | Canada
Land´s End to John O´Groats | Great Britain
European Valley Circuit | Brazil
Located in southern Brazil, it is the
country’s top bike touring route and it
was created for people to escape from
the busy roads and enjoy some peaceful
riding away from it all.
It was designed so that its distances, hills and cultural and
environmental landmarks would allow bike tourers to really
make the most of riding it.
The Circuit is in the state of Santa Catarina, one of the
most beautiful and best preserved areas of the country,
with hugely varied landscapes and where the spirit of the
European colonisers can still be felt in its architecture,
music, cu stoms and cuisine.
The tradition of cycling is also very much present in the
local culture, so it’s easy to find places to ride.
You will cover roughly 1,450 kilometers, passing
through some of the most stunning and remote
countryside in the British Isles.
Starting at Land’s End on the south-westerly tip of England, pedal your
way through Cornwall, over Dartmoor and north along the Welsh border,
skirting the Lake District into Scotland, via lochs and the Highlands to the
North Coast and John O’Groats.
This is a tough challenge but a fabulous way to see the country, and one
of the most rewarding things you will ever do!
Since the 1960’s the End to End has become a firm favourite with the
British people. Every year, walkers, cyclists, joggers and runners navigate
the length of the British Isles.
Take the time along the way to gaze at networks of lush rice fields
blanketing the hidden valleys below; fish, snorkel or dive the turquoise
waters of the coast; and soak up the atmosphere of delightful rural
hamlets.smooth asphalt surfaces. All of this and very little traffic.
Hailed as the Number 1 Bicycle Route in the World by the National Geographic Society
The newly completed Route Verte in Canada (Green Route) crosses the province of Quebec from east to west, running for more
than 4,000km.
It runs along carefully selected rights-of-way and rural roads. It is easy to follow and includes directions to interesting sites. The
terrain and vistas vary from the infinite expanses along the shores of the St Lawrence River to the spectacular panoramas of the
Laurentian Mountains. The 256 km cycling circuit provides a waterfront view and attractions like the cheddar museum, a caving
adventure, historic villages, a zoo, and Pointe-Taillon national park, where you can end your day’s ride by catching a stunning
sunset on its fine, sandy beaches.
Great Divide Mountain Bike Route | Canada, United States
Known as the longest off-pavement
bike route in the World, the Great Divide
Mountain Bike Route is also probably the
most challenging bike trail.
Extending from Banff to the Mexican border, the complete route
is 4,418 kilometers long.
The GDMBR is routed through a cross-section of the American
West defined by spectacular scenery, a variety of landscapes,
historic mountain towns, and boundless remote wilderness.
Highlights include the Flathead Valley in Alberta, Grand Teton
National Park, the Great Divide Basin in Wyoming, South Park,
Boreas Pass in Colorado, Polvadera Mesa, and the Gila Wilderness
in New Mexico. Colorado’s Indiana Pass, at 3,630 meters) is the
highest point on the route.

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Safe Storage
You shouldn’t worry about your bike when you are out.
Bikes should be safe in a special locked area, reserved
only for hotel guests.
Garage/Workshop
An area to work on bikes fully-equipped with tools and
a bike stand for general mechanical repairs.
Bike Wash
Access to an outdoor hose with good drainage, a rack
to stand up bikes while washing and cleaning
supplies is important to keep bikes in top riding
condition after each days ride.
Knowledgeable Staff
An expert on staff (or at least one that can point
to the local experts) can be invaluable in helping
you with your plans and itinerary.
Bicycle Maps and Itineraries
Lodging facilities should stock the most current maps
of the area and trails with technical descriptions and
difficulty levels.
Laundry for Sports/Technical
Gear
Daily laundry service or a washer/dryer room for sports
apparel is a common amenity that cyclists need.
Meals/Energy Foods
Easy access to a variety of energy foods, pre and post
ride beverages and balanced, healthy meals suited to
guests’ athletic needs. Options for guests to order a
packed lunch that can fit in a daypack is a plus.
Medical Assistance and Physical
Therapy
Easy access to M.D. and/or physical therapists to take
care of minor injuries or muscular problems.
Work-Out,MedicalandMassage
After a long day riding, nothing better than access to
a sauna, hot tub or on-call massage treatment (in the
hotel or in an affiliated gym, spa or swimming pool).
Affiliated Specialty Bike/
Outdoor Shops
In the event of unexpected mechanical problems or
other needs, ask for a list of local bike shops, places to
buy gear and expert mechanics who can help.
ACCOMMODATION
FOR CYCLISTS
There is a wide variety of accommodation for cyclists: hotels, pensions, B&Bs,
youth hostels, campsites.
Couchsurfing and Warm Showers are also both websites
offering free of charge overnight accommodation on a
reciprocal basis. Warm Showers is a site for touring cyclists.
Apart from the financial aspects these give a link into the local
community, which is invaluable.
When searching for accomodation, take into account certain facilities.

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Cycling Holidays…why not?
SELF-GUIDED BIKE TOURS OR GUIDE BIKE TOURS
People generally think that cycling is for champions of the bike, and nothing is
further from reality. Cycling can be defined as a way to travel by bike visiting the
sites so slow enough, to inmerse into its authenticity, and at the same time, so
quickly to explore the place and find new adventures along the way.
The healthy mix of physical effort, with the practice of tourism, is a combination that
virtually one hundred percent of the cases end, in a smile at bedtime.
The planning stages of the journey is a very personal matter, according to
their physical conditions, and can be from 20 km a day to 150 km a day. What is
important, and everyone agrees on this, it is not appease the hunger to do many
miles, but the urge to make the most of each one.
Top 10 Countries with most bycicles per
Capita
Netherlands Denmark Germany Sweden FinlandNorway
99% 88,1%
75%
63,7%
61%
60%
Year 2015
Year 2010
Bike production climbed to over 100
million per year.
There are more than a billion bicycles in the world, twice as many as
automobiles.
Bicycles were introduced in the 19th century and since when have been
and are employed for many uses: recreation, work, military, show, sport etc.
For example in the USA, people use bikes for slimming and better feeling
because cycling burns 600 calories an hour, but in China or other countries
people use bikes mostly for transportation needs. For these reasons in some
countries bikes are especially popular.
Although bicycles are produced in dozens of countries, the top five
producers - China, India, the European Union, Taiwan, and Japan - are
responsible for 87% of global production. China alone had some 58 percent
of the global market in 2014.

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Find a saddle
you feel
comfortable
with it before
you leave
When spending long hours in the saddle it’s important that the bicycle is
comfortable for you. Some things that make it more comfortable are tire
choice, handlebar choice, and saddle choice. Tires should be smooth, for
lower rolling resistance, wider than road (racing) tires, and narrower than
most mountain bike tires. Something in the rage of 32 to 40mm if using 700C,
or 1.25” to 1.75” if using 26” is ideal. The important thing with handlebars is
for them to offer a variety of hand positions, this can be achieved in a variety
of ways. One option is the “drop” bars as found on road racing bicycles, these
are normally mounted higher on a touring bike, to put less pressure on the
hands, they provide the most numerous hand positions. Ideally wider drop
bars would be chosen for touring than racing, 44cm for example. The other
common way to get multiple hand positions is to put bar ends (horn-style
handlebar extensions) on “flat bars” (mountain bike style bars). This is cheap
and easy, but only provides one or two additional positions. Other, less
common, but excellent options are moustache bars or butterfly bars. A good
saddle can really help reduce saddle-soreness, and is worth spending a little
extra money on. Don’t go for the biggest, squishiest gel saddle you can find -
often the soft seats can rub a lot more against your delicate parts. It’s best to
go for the “sculpted” saddles that are designed to support your sit-bones. It’s
a very personal choice, and hard to know what you’ll find comfortable until
trying it out, so find a saddle you’re happy with well before you leave.
Carrying capacity
The most basic part of being able
to carry lots of stuff on your bike
is simply being able to bolt a rack (or
two) on. It’s important to have bolt
holes near the rear axle to for the
rack, and it’s nice to have them near
the saddle too. Ability to use a front
rack is also good. They allow you to
balance the weight out more evenly
over both wheels, and the bicycle
handles better as a result. Ability
to bolt on water bottle cages, is also
very good. A longer wheel base
will make the bicycle more stable
when loaded, and provide a more
comfortable ride when loaded up.
Of course having a bike that’s strong
enough to handle the weight is also
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Confort
THE
EQUIPMENT
The Bicycle
Hotly debated among cycle tourists is what makes a good touring bicycle. Much of the choice depends on what style
of touring you plan to do. Someone doing a short supported tour in a developed country will have vastly different
needs from someone doing a long distance self-supported tour in a developing country. While the former will do
very well with a light weight road bike, the latter will be better with a dedicated touring bike.
Almost any bicycle can be used for a tour, but some will enable you to travel farther and more comfortably, with
fewer mechanical problems.
Here we assume you will be carrying at least a moderate amount of baggage.

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As a rule of
thumb don’t
use the latest
technology,
stick to tried
and trusted
systems
Strength
Overall the bicycle should be stronger than a bike not designed to carry loads for long distances. When carrying 10-
20kg it’s worth having a bike that’s a few kg heavier and much stronger. One very important part of this is the choice
of wheels. Wheels with 36 or 32 spokes are stronger, and double walled wheels are mandatory for any touring. Light
weight wheels popular with road sports cyclists are to be avoided.
Serviceability
Nothing lasts forever. Check, or have a professional check,
your bike before you leave. Let them know that you plan
to do a tour on it and you don’t want mechanical problems
messing it up -- don’t let them try to save you money at the
cost of a problem on your tour. When choosing a bike (or
adapting a bike) look for parts that are as mechanically simple
as possible, as they will be more reliable and easier to service
when eventually something wears out. Avoid proprietary
parts entirely (like the Cannondale “Headshock”) as they can
only be serviced by authorized dealers. Other details depend
where you are travelling, but as a rule of thumb don’t use
the latest technology, stick to tried and trusted systems. If
traveling in the developing world a good rule of thumb is to try
to keep your bike as compatible as possible with department
store mountain bikes. Bikes like these have penetrated
many developing markets, and replacement parts are more
commonly available in many countries. It would be unwise to
try for compatibility with the Chinese/Indian roadster that is
even more common in many developing countries. The parts
would be hard to find in the developed world, and would not
be high quality anywhere.
Frame
Steel is a good choice for the frame. It comes in a number of forms for bike use: quality Cromoly steel is a bit
heavier than aluminum, and Hi-Ten steel significantly so, but both more than make up by being more durable,
safer to ride with crash damage, and may be possible to improvise some sort of repair if damaged. Lugged frames
may be stronger than welded because of the additional material at the joints, but only if well made. Titanium is
the strongest, and lightest, most weather resistant, but impossible to repair (without very very very specialized
equipment) and out of most peoples budgets.
Dedicated touring bikes, like the Surly Long Haul Trucker, Trek 520, Thorn Sherpa, or similar, are ideal; but not the
only option.
Many older (90’s) mountain bikes fit the characteristics of a good touring bike, with some modifications made, most
importantly removing suspension forks if present, putting slick tires on, and adding bar ends (or putting drop bars
on).
Shifters: Many modern bicycles have very complex shifters that are not possible to service, changing to bar-end
shifters is a good choice for bars that will fit them (drop or moustache) as they are very robust. Old (80’s or 90’s)
mountain bike “thumbie” shifters are a good choice if using flat bars, but are hard to come by, and are only compatible
with the number of gears they were designed to be used with at the time. If you are willing to spend the money
Paul Components makes an adapter to mount bar end shifters as a thumbie on flat bars. This is an excellent robust
solution.
More gears is not always better; while it is important to have a good range of gears, especially a very low option, 9
or 10 speed rear cogsets wear faster, and come out of adjustment more easily than 7 or 8; and usually do not give
wider range then 7 or 8. A cassette with 8 gears on it is probably the best choice as reasonable quality and selection
of cassettes is still available.
Rear Hub: The rear hub is a part of the bike that is under a lot of stress. The older standard of rear hub was designed
for a threaded freewheel, the new one is called a freehub and is used with a cassette. More info The newer freehub
is stronger, and more reliable, and the gears come off more easily to replace a broken spoke if needed. While
replacement parts are harder to find in some parts of the developing world, it would be a good choice there too.
It would be far less likely to need replacement than a freewheel hub, and if for some reason it did, it could
be replaced with a freewheel hub and freewheel at that time.
Headsets: Threadless 1 1/8th inch is a good choice. While threaded 1 inch have been around for
longer, they require large tools to adjust, and are not as strong. Avoid integrated Headsets as it
can be difficult to find parts for this in the developed world and worse in the developing one.
Bottom-brackets: Square taper Bottom-brackets are the most common, and the easiest to
find replacement parts for, they make a good choice. The only disadvantage is they are
a few dozen grams heavier, not a worry on a touring bike. Avoid the many different
splined standards. Unfortunately square taper BBs are coming on very few new bikes
these days -- though you can still buy quality ones. It would be worth swapping to
a square taper BB and crank if you are planing an extended tour in the developing
world.
Wheel Size:In many developing countries the 26” decimal wheel size (aka
ISO 559) is more common than the 700C size (ISO 622). (But other sizes that
are now discontinued in most of the developed world may be even more
common) It’s probably safest to stick with 26” if possible. Be aware that the
naming conventions for tire sizes are convoluted and far from self evident.
For example there are 6 different incompatible sizes all known as 26” see
this list for more info.
Component Choices

12. 22 23
The choice of tools depends on where you are
going, how self sufficient you need to be, and
what repairs you are capable of.
A Basic kit would include:
a fully featured multitool (allen keys with some other basic tools), pump, patch kit, chain tool (and replacement rivets
if using a Shimano chain, or masterlink if using a SRAM) and one or more spare inner tubes.
Cable ties (zip ties), duct tape (gaffer tape) and locktight are extremely useful and with a little ingenuity can be used
to fix all sorts of things.
Some spare bolts could save the day, 5mm is the most useful, it’s used on almost all bikes for the racks, and various
other things. If you don’t have them, in a pinch a less important bolt (eg for the water bottle) can be borrowed to
replace a more important one (eg for the rack).
An Advanced kit is good if you need (or want) to be more self reliant,
Spare cables (brake, and derailleur).
Spokes of the length needed by your wheels. Either temporary Kevlar ones, or permanent stainless steel ones with
a way to take the cogset off (eg Mini Cassette Lock or similar) to remove the cogset.
Brake small parts: V-brake “noodles” and hanger if using V-brakes. Cross over cable and hanger if using cantilever
brakes.
The type of pads needed by your brakes.
A spare derailleur hanger, the part that attaches the derailleur to the frame of the bicycle, on aluminium bicycles
they are removable, and designed to bend easily to prevent damage to the frame and/or derailleur. They are very
specific to the model of bicycle so finding one on the road would be difficult, even in a developed country. One
that fits all bikes is made, and works adequately in a pinch.
Leatherman or similar non-bicycle specific multitool, could be useful, but only in addition to a bicycle specific one.
(Using the wrong tool is a great way to round bolts, and generally mess up your bike.
Long distance tours in developing countries or isolated areas may take a spare set of tires with them. Ones with a
folding bead will pack up reasonably small.
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Don’t bother taking anything you don’t know
how to use, it will just be dead weight.
REPAIR
KIT

13. 24 25
Clothing
Thereisavarietyofcycling-specificclothing
that can make your trip much more
comfortable and/or safe:
Helmet - required by law in some jurisdictions. They are widely recommended as
an important safety precaution. They also offer some protection from the sun.
Jacket - wind- and water-proof layer for protection from precipitation and cooler
temperatures.
Cycling shorts - special shorts with padding around the crotch to increase
comfort and reduce chafing, also can be worn under looser fitting clothing for more
modest people, or when in more modest countries.
Tights -for cooler weather than shorts; more comfortable than pants and less likely
to get caught in the chain. Usually come with reflective markings at the ankle.
Gloves - Wearing padded gloves to minimize vibration and pressure on the hands
during long rides makes a huge difference to your comfort. Use cut-off style for
warmer temperatures, full-finger for cooler.
Eye protection- UV protection is better for the long term health of your eyes and
makes for a more comfortable ride. Detachable lenses allow you to use the best lens
colour for different conditions (such as yellow for cloud cover or clear for nocturnal
riding).
Camping gear
Tent, sleeping bag, and bedroll - if you’re not intending to stay in a town each night, and/or want to
minimize costs.
Cooking equipment (stove, pots, utensils) is used by some to avoid restaurant eating, although it is
common to buy ready-to-eat groceries.
Stay Safe
There are some simple and important precautions you should take when
planning a bicycle trip:
Familiarize yourself with basic repairs, especially puncture repairs. Neither
is a substitute for good hands on experience though.
Make sure you’re carrying enough fluids: you may consume around 1 litre
per hour of cycling.
Even when cycling under cloud cover, sunscreen is essential to protect your
skin in the short term (sunburn) and long term (skin cancer).

14. 26 27
Riding your
bike from
home is the
easiest and
cheapest
way to start
your trip.
EAT
“I LIKE REALITY THAT TASTES LIKE RUSTIC INGREDIENTS”
Getting your bicycle to the start of your intended cycle route can be an
adventure in itself. You will need to do some research in advance about
which carriers let you take your bicycle on board.
Riding:your bike from home is the easiest and cheapest way to start your
trip, if you are willing to start in the area you live.
Airlines may require any or all of the following: that you fix the pedals in
position; that you lower the pressure in your tires (emptying them entirely
leaves the rims will little protection). To give your bike good protection it’s
best to pack your bicycle in a special box (most bike shops are happy to
give you the sturdy cardboard box bicycles are delivered to them in), and
the airlines often require this. Airlines vary about permitting a bicycle as a
free item of checked baggage: some allow this, some require that you pay an
extra fee. Shop around before buying a ticket. In almost all cases you need
to inform the airline in advance that you wish to check a bicycle. Read the
regulations yourself before checking in, as the airline’s staff may attempt to
charge you when the bicycle should be carried for free. To pack a bicycle back
into a shop-box you will need to remove the pedals, the front wheel and the
GET IN
Food choice depends largely where you
are in the world, see respective sections
for more info about foods.
As you will be working hard, and
burning lots of calories, it’s important
to get enough energy in your food.
Consuming foods high in carbohydrates
and fats is a good source.
- Call your friends and family and tell them your fears and motivations for touring.
- Research the route you would like to take.
- Figure out your budget.
- Choose how you want to ride. Alone? With a couple of friends? Organised tour?
- Pick your bicycle. It will be your mobile home every day, your best friend and your worst enemy.
- Learn a little bit about bicycle repair and be prepared in case of an emergency.
- Get used to your bike. In the time before you start your tour, take your bike out for a spin. Make sure
you feel comfortable with your saddle.
- Purchase your gear.
- Go on a trial run with all yo ur equipment.
- Pack clothing accordingly.
- Estimate de milage you want to cover each day. Measure twice, bike once. Extra time to rest as well
as for thighs like unexpected wind, flat tyres, terrible weather…
- Take a deep breath and have fun!
STEP BY STEP
HOW TO PREPARE
A LONG
DISTANCE
ROUTE

15. 28
www.WOOW.BIKE
Cycle routes, bikes &
much more.