All about bike travel

In the modern world, there are a huge variety of ways to spend leisure time, among them the most popular activity is tourism. You might think that traveling is about taking a train, taking a trip to an unfamiliar city, taking a lot of photos and returning, but in reality, everything can be much more interesting. The concept of "tourism" hides a large number of unusual ways of exciting walks, for example, hiking on a pre-paved path, moving along the river by boat or kayak, and cycling. The latter activity is one of the most popular among modern adventurers, so in this article we will tell you what cycling tourism is and how to organize it yourself.

Cycling is a separate type of sports tourism, the essence of entertainment is to overcome a certain route. Cycling includes public routes, specific roads and obstacle courses. Cycling is a way to actively and cheerfully spend leisure time with family, friends and even alone.

Cycling tourism is attractive for both ordinary amateurs and sportsmen, because travel on the "steel horse" is classified according to the difficulty of the route. There are six categories in total, where the first is fairly simple, and the sixth is the most difficult. The difficulty level of the chosen path is determined by a special research methodology for cycling routes.

The simplest sports bike trip involves overcoming 300 kilometers, this distance increases depending on the category. Among other types of outdoor activities, movement on the "steel horse" is in the lead in terms of the length of the route and the speed of movement. It is important not to confuse sports cycling and cycling, their main difference is that the second option is for competition and receiving awards.

In cycling, a complicated route is chosen in advance for the most interesting competition. And sports bike tours involve the most simplified passage of difficult landscape zones in order to observe beautiful landscapes. Cycling also has its pros and cons that must be considered in advance. Let's consider the advantages and disadvantages of cycling in more detail in order to avoid unpleasant situations in the future.

Pros of traveling by bike:

• by purchasing a bicycle once, you open up the possibility of traveling on it for an infinite amount of time, because, unlike a ticket for transport, the "iron horse" has no expiration date;
• Cycling tourism reveals the beauty of nature to a person, allows you to feel like a discoverer of secret mountain trails, as well as breathe deeply pure forest oxygen;
• Having once invested in two-wheeled vehicles and equipment, you will allow yourself to abandon hotels, rent tents and sleeping bags and be able to immerse yourself in the magic of nature with your head;
• cycling is good for health, so many people purchase this type of transport not only for entertainment, but also for constant use;
• if in the store you opt for a mountain bike, then the list of routes can be made up of a wide variety of interesting and extreme roads, because this type of transport is universal.

The positive aspects of cycling tourism can be listed for quite a long time, but there is another side to this active vacation. Before you go cycling, familiarize yourself with their disadvantages.

Cons of cycling:

• every long hike requires good physical training, uniforms and drawing up a detailed plan; a beginner will not be able to pedal for a long time to overcome tens of kilometers of the route;
• there are age restrictions for cyclists who are too young, and it is also not recommended to travel long distances for unprepared elderly people;
• no one is protected from changes in the weather: during the adventure, it may rain or a strong wind may blow, which, at best, will simply ruin the overall impression of the walk, and at worst, it threatens to break down the bicycle transport and to catch a cold of its owner;
• you can go on a trip with the whole family only on a tandem bike, because adults and children have too different physical characteristics - such a pleasure will be very expensive.

Travel on a "steel horse" can be varied - in a company or alone, on the track or rough terrain, civilized or extreme, and these are not all types of cycling tourism. Biking adventures are the healthiest and most environmentally friendly for the planet. Cycling can also be family-friendly - the route is difficult through the nearest parks or alleys, and leisurely walks are perfect for young cyclists.

There is another extreme - extreme cycling, which was invented after the advent of MTB (mountain bike or mountain bike). Brave gangs of tourists on such "steel horses" conquer the most intricate routes, for example, swamps, mountains, dense forests and other off-road. Such an adventure always lasts for several days with an overnight stay in a tent.Among all types of travel, several especially outstanding can be distinguished: classic, civilized, educational, adventure and sports tourism. Let's consider each category of cycling in more detail.

This kind of cycling adventure is that a group of travelers overcomes a pre-arranged route. Classic tourism usually lasts several days with an overnight stay in nature, so the company will be able to feel freedom from civilization: light a fire, cook food over an open fire, adapt to the lack of communications such as electricity, running water and a toilet.

There is also an extremely daring type of hike - when cyclists break through the wild forest on their bike bikes, overcome rivers and swamps, striving for adventure. But in this case, it is necessary to discuss in advance a difficult route with the forester or take with you a person who knows a safe road.

Sometimes people, full of enthusiasm, drag their vehicles to the tops of the mountains - they are ready for such crazy actions to make their dreams come true. Traveling to the mountains by bike is still not an easy task, but such an activity will definitely give an ocean of positive emotions to all participants. The landscapes opening along the road will cheer up a gang of enthusiasts on the way to the top, and the cherished photograph with your favorite vehicle at the very top of the mountain will be the best decoration for your home photo album.

The hike is intended for those companies who like to go outdoors, but are not ready to spend the night in the open air. A civilized cycling trip is planned in advance: a route is laid, a list of necessary accessories is drawn up, and places for an overnight stay are booked. The last point is the main difference between a civilized walk and a classic hike: participants spend the night in hotels, guest houses or campgrounds. Tourists eat in passing cafes or bistros, and on the road they take ready-made food from supermarkets with them.

There are quite a few positive qualities in a civilized adventure, but despite this, so far such tourism has not become widespread among the inhabitants of our country. The advantages of such a bike trip can be attributed to several points: thanks to stops in settlements, you can move light and not worry about food; you can, on the contrary, take more load with you and slowly move towards the goal, creating a lot of pleasant memories along the way; an overnight stay under the roof allows you to travel with children.

Basically, it's just a long bike ride, the route of which is laid through those places of the city that you have long wanted to visit... Also, an educational type of trips can take place near various attractions, located not too far from the point of departure. Sometimes the trip may include one night in nature, for example, when a group of bicycles travels to a quiet place in nature, far from the city.

The hike is organized by professional travel companies, thanks to which the route is thought out as much as possible and includes many beautiful views and attractions. The company assumes responsibility for the travelers, therefore, tourists are usually accompanied by representatives of the company traveling by car.

The most difficult type of cycling adventure, it is not suitable for all lovers of cycling. The sports journey consists in high-speed traffic on the track, while the participants must be dressed in the most comfortable suits made of elastic, breathable fabrics. Athletes should not take too much load with them - the inventory is limited to the most necessary things. In addition, not every bicycle is suitable for this hike, the "steel horse" should be chosen carefully, taking into account the peculiarities of the route.

There is also a cross-country sports hike - a real test for extreme lovers. The requirements for inventory and uniforms are the same, but the bike must be strong enough to withstand all the delights of off-road. Cycling through the wilderness, hikers enter a real competition in which the main focus is the crossing of hills, ditches, forest streams and small rivers.

Cycling is the basis of cycling tourism, therefore his choice must be taken as responsibly as possible. While traveling, you will not come across bicycle workshops; in case of a breakdown, you will have to repair the vehicle on your own. In the wild, far from civilization and with a minimum of tools, it will not be easy to return it to working condition, therefore the main criterion for choosing an "iron horse" is its reliability.

If reliability is the most important factor in the selection, the appropriate appointment may be different for each person. Some cyclists argue that vehicles need to have multilevel gear shifting in order to overcome various obstacles as efficiently as possible. The disadvantages of such a mechanism are a large number of parts and a high probability of breakage.

The choice of a bike largely depends on the requirements of the future owner: some people like light modern bikes made of plastic with many mechanisms, but these types of transport often do not protect the owner from dirt, which covers the entire back after the hike. Other travelers like heavy "iron horses", which are quite easy to repair, but on such a mechanism, dirt accumulates and in the end does not allow the bike to ride at all.

To make it easier for you to choose the appropriate bike option, we have prepared a rating of modern popular bicycles.

• Road... One of the most expensive two-wheeled vehicles, they are designed for road travel, because they are equipped with narrow tires. Off-road riding on a road bike will not work, you will get stuck in the nearest sand.

• Tourist... This model is very similar to a road bike, but at the same time it has a greater load capacity. A touring bike is not very maneuverable and therefore not suitable for extreme riding.

• Road... Modern versions of old classic bicycles. Road bikes are made of durable, reliable materials, the mechanism can be conventional or high-speed - for every taste. The model may not look cool and fashionable, but it has an affordable price and comfort.

• Mountain... Transport is the latest in fashion - it has a solid frame, lots of speeds and shock absorbers. But the choice of a bike in this category should be taken especially responsibly, because inexpensive models are too bulky and heavy.If you want to buy a quality, lightweight mountain bike, look among the expensive models.

When preparing for cycling tourism, it is necessary to take into account all the features of the route, prepare uniforms, technical equipment and provisions. To simplify the process of assembling the backpack, we will describe all the necessary uniforms and cycling equipment.

For a comfortable and successful trip, a tourist needs to take a short list of necessary things with him.

• Pump... You should think about it first of all, because you won't go far on flat tires. Most bikes have a convenient frame mount for the pump.

• Lantern... Even if your trip does not include spending the night under the sky, it is better to play it safe and take a flashlight, because situations are different.

• Instruments... Tourists should be ready to repair their "iron horse", because staying away from civilization with a broken bike is not the best situation. Most essential tools: spare nuts, wrench, hex wrench, spoke wrench, glue, tire patches and a spare inner tube.

• Bottle for water. It is wise to choose a bottle that can be conveniently attached to the vehicle.

• Trunk... When your vehicle is equipped with a trunk, you can load the bulk of your belongings onto it, and carry only the most necessary items in your backpack.

The cyclist should think over and prepare his equipment in advance, as comfort during the entire trip depends on it. Let's consider the most essential things for a traveler.

• clothing... If you are looking for the ultimate in comfort, you can purchase a special cycling suit, but this is not necessary. For cycling, ordinary walking clothes, such as a tracksuit, are suitable. If you are going for a walk during the hot season, then you can opt for a comfortable T-shirt and shorts.

• Glasses... They will provide protection from debris in the eyes and strong winds.

• Shoes... Choose a shoe that won't slide over the pedals.

• Gloves... Cyclists do not wear gloves to look stylish - the fabric protects the skin of the hands from chafing and chapping.

• Backpack... The main attribute of any traveler is a backpack, it is needed for convenient storage of many necessary things, if necessary, it is attached to the trunk of the "iron horse".

• First aid kit... This is the item that needs to be placed in the backpack first. The first aid kit should contain a set of first aid items: cotton wool, bandage, tourniquet, iodine, ammonia, plaster, as well as pills for headaches and indigestion.

To plan a new, interesting active vacation, you can consider ready-made bike tours, which were made by experienced tourists. The city of Belgorod can boast of a large number of cycling routes - there are as many as 3 interesting options with different levels of difficulty. There are many interesting routes not only in Russia, but also in many other countries, such as Austria, Mongolia, Italy or France.

Consider a few popular bike tours.

• Gold ring of Russia. The route through the cities of the Golden Ring allows you to simultaneously admire the sights and wildlife. This trip across Russia is one of the most popular, because you can choose a large number of route options.

• Tour near Lake Baikal. Traditionally, travelers spend time on Olkhon Island: they cross the rocky terrain by bicycle and spend the night in tents. But you can expand the route and get to Lake Khubsugul - in this case, part of the trip will pass through the territory of Mongolia.

• Laura Valley in France... The route runs near picturesque old castles surrounded by well-tended gardens.

• Liguria in Italy. Cycling tours take place along the Ligurian Sea and close to the old graceful towns.

• Rallarvegen in Norway. This country is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque - paths among the rocks, green forests, clean rivers, lakes and waterfalls will surround you throughout the trip.

When you have set the date for your trip, prepared the necessary equipment and chosen the route, you need to familiarize yourself with the safety precautions.

• If you are planning a solo trip, be sure to share your route with one of your friends - in an unforeseen situation it will save your life.
• When a group of tourists is moving, it is necessary to choose a leader who will be responsible for the route and communication with random passers-by.

Before you start your bike trip, you can check blogs of famous cycling tourists... They will tell you about interesting routes, reveal the nuances and subtleties of spending the night in nature, and also help prevent some unpleasant situations. Many cyclists write informative articles. Before traveling, you can read texts by Nikolai Kuznetsov, Sergei Tolstikhin or Nikolai Lazitsky.