So, you are dreaming about travelling by bicycle. You already asked your friends, family and even that neighbour who always pedals in lycra if they want to join you, but everybody says no. How do you find a companion for a bicycle trip?
Not everyone wants to travel alone. And even those who love it, like me, sometimes prefer to cycle with someone for a change. There are many reasons for that.
Why consider teaming up with another cyclist for your trip?
Two people can do more than one.
I love touring solo, but it takes much more energy and effort than travelling with someone. I realised that when, after long months of cycling alone, I went on a trip with my sister.
There was always someone to look after the bikes when I went grocery shopping. While I was setting up a camp, my sister was already cooking. Making decisions felt easier as well, as I could always do a quick sanity check with her.
Alone, you also have to be more cautious and can take fewer risks. Having a cycling buddy you can rely on, you can take more challenging trails or visit countries you wouldn’t visit solo.
I don’t think I would dare to travel to Kyrgyzstan if I haven’t found Pashmina – a girl from Malaysia who decided to go there with me.
(Pashmina’s life story is fascinating, as she only learned how to ride a bike in her 20s. She’s an amazing inspiration, so you should check out her blog and my interview with her).
You can learn from each other.
Every time I meet another cyclist, I learn something new. Everyone has a different cycling style, and we can take the best out of each other’s knowledge and philosophy.
For example in Albania, I met Nathan, a guy from the Netherlands whose background was road cycling. Every time he noticed an obstacle on the road, he would signal it with signs road cyclists use while racing or doing group rides. Since then, I have tried to do the same to improve my safety on the road.
(If you want to start doing it, check out this article for signals and gestures commonly used in road cycling.)
You get additional motivation.
I love biking solo, but I frequently run low on motivation. I struggle to get up from my tent and start feeling discouraged and bored. Having a cycling buddy means having someone you’re accountable to and someone who can motivate you in moments of doubt.
Where to find a companion for bicycle touring
Not many people are fortunate to have family or friends who share their passion for travelling by bike and want to embark on a long trip together. And forcing your significant other to cycle through the Alps with you is pointless if they’re not into long hours on a bike.
Luckily, there are many other ways to find a companion for bicycle touring. The community has seen fast growth in the last few years. There is a good chance that someone dreams of cycling the same route as you.
But where to find them?
Facebook groups about bicycle touring
Facebook groups are my favourite places to discuss bicycle touring-related topics. That’s also where I found a cycling buddy for my Kyrgyzstan trip and connected with some cyclists while cycling the Balkans.
Here are some Facebook groups I can recommend for a search for your bicycle touring companion:
Bicycle Travelling Women and Women’s Bikepacking & Bike Touring– these group focus on advice but from time to time, girls post that they are going somewhere and looking for a buddy. Great if you’re a woman and prefer a girl’s team.
Cycle Touring Companions – a smaller group dedicated to finding a cycling buddy.
Specific groups for countries/areas where you want to travel to., for example, Cycling in Kyrgyzstan, Silk Road Cycling, Cycling Tajikistan Pamir Highway 41, Cycling from Alaska to Patagonia or Bicycle Touring UK and Mainland Europe.
Long Distance Cyclists – a large group with 70 000 people regularly posting about different subjects related to bikepacking, bike touring and long-distance cycling. Sometimes people look for trip companions there.
Bicycle Travellers – big community, sometimes people look for bicycle touring companions.
Bicycle Touring for Beginners – if you’re new to bike touring and want to join forces with another rookie.
On r/bicycletouring, Reddit users regularly post advice about bicycle touring and inquiries for a cycle travel buddy.
Websites about bicycle touring
There are many blogs and websites with tips and knowledge on bicycle touring. There are also a few forums or notice boards where you can post your advertisement about looking for a travel buddy.
The website of Adventure Cycling Association has a special section – Companions Wanted: You describe your idea for a trip, and people can contact you via a contact form.
Crazyguyonabike Forum – Crazy Guy On A Bike looks like it is from the early 2000s, but it’s an enormous repository of knowledge, travelogues and tips about bicycle touring. They also have a forum where you can post info about your trip and look for a companion.
On the road
Many times, I travelled alone but met other cyclists on the way, and we biked together for a few days. If you’re a more independent type, just head out on your bicycle alone and be open to finding touring companions on the way.
Be aware not everywhere it’s easy to find other travellers, so this will only work on certain routes. Look for hostels that are popular among bicycle travellers and keep your eyes open. Don’t shy away from chatting and small talking with other folks with panniers on their luggage racks, and you might end up finding a great cycling buddy.
If you’re on Insta, try finding other cycling accounts, and you’ll be surprised how many people travel in the same area! Even if you don’t meet IRL, you’ll be able to exchange information and experiences and bond.
Things you should do before choosing your bicycle touring partner
- Discuss the rules and preferences beforehand. If you need some space for yourself from time to time, tell it your partner before so that they know you won’t always be up to chatting and having a beer in the evening. Tell them what irritates you the most and if you have any specific quirks (so they know it’s not about them). Open communication is the key (like with any relationship).
- Can you meet up beforehand? Then do it to check if you have chemistry. If not, at least a video call!
- Safety verification. Try to get to know the person as well as possible, especially if you find them online.
- If you have a vibe or distinct feeling that something is off, try to verify it or just let it go (it’s better to go alone than go with someone you don’t click with).
- Safety verification. Try to get to know the person as well as possible, especially if you find them online.
- Discuss how you’re going to split the responsibilities. Are you going to plan the route together? If yes, what if you disagree on something? Maybe one of you loves camping cooking while the other one hates it? In this case, you can decide that the other person will be in charge of cleaning or setting up the camp.
- Inform your partner about any health problems that might occur during the trip so that they know how to help you if something happens.
Questions to ask yourself and your potential bike touring partner
Do you want a group or just one companion?
The more the merrier but also more compromises and disagreements. This depends mostly on your temperament and character. For example, I am more independent and prefer 1-1 interactions rather than doing something as a group. If everyone in a group has different habits and preferences, the decision-making is just so complicated. I get overwhelmed by it. If you decide to join a group, it’s also crucial to determine who will be “the leader” and talk about the dynamics between people.
What kind of bike do you ride?
The bikes you and your partner ride determine your route choices. I had a small preview of that in Kyrgyzstan, where I was on a mountain bike and Pashmina on a fitness bike with sleeker tires. She struggled a lot on bumpy trails in the mountains and would prefer to stick to the asphalt, which didn’t 100 % satisfy me, as I was having fun on the rocky and muddy dirt roads.
The same if you have a fancy bike and your companion travels on a Walmart bike – unless they’re in great shape, they will struggle much more than you.
This is of course not a deal-breaker but a factor to take into consideration.
How fit and experienced in bicycle touring are you?
Discuss the mileage and how good you both are at climbs etc. Some people must cycle with someone on a similar level of stamina while others have a bit bigger tolerance to travelling with a slower partner. But remember: even if it’s fine with you to wait for your companion now and then, they might feel under pressure and like they’re always running behind.
Travel experience is also a crucial factor. If you’re a seasoned traveller who teams up with a rookie, you need to be prepared for mentoring them and explaining them things that seem obvious to you. It’s not necessarily a bad thing: if you have this teacher/coach spark in you, you might find it gratifying. But if you don’t, it will feel like a drag.
What’s your budget?
How much do you plan to spend on a trip? What things are you ok with spending money on? If you’re counting every penny and your partner wants to treat themselves to a nice hotel frequently, you’re not going to be a good match. Unless you decide you’re a flexible team that sometimes parts ways to do what each of you enjoys the most.
Do you want to cycle together and rely on each other all the time, or are you free to part ways at any time?
In my travels, I like to have some freedom and independence. When looking for a partner, I always ensure they are independent travellers too. We agree that if one of us needs some space or wants to do something else, they are free to go, and we decide when and where we meet again.
If you decide to be independent, remember that each of you has to carry your tent and camping gear or figure out alternative accommodation.
Some people prefer to form a team that is fully responsible for each other and does the whole thing together. If you don’t want to travel alone at all, you need to make sure you find someone with alike expectations.
Are you spontaneous or structured?
On my bicycle tours, I change my plans and decisions every other day. If you like to have a rigid itinerary and stick to it, I wouldn’t be a good match for you.
Are you more in this for travel or cycling? More into nature or sightseeing?
Someone who loves spending hours in museums or socialising with the locals won’t probably get along with a goal-driven cyclist obsessed with the stats on Strava and getting a physical challenge.
What are your views on important things in life?
This varies largely from person to person, but I don’t think I could travel with someone with completely different political views and opinions I very much disagree. At least not long term.
I mean, I love that we are all different and I enjoy an opportunity to question my beliefs and assumptions but if someone is racist or sexist, I will just get too irritated every time we try to have a meaningful conversation. And I cannot imagine travelling with someone for a week or two and sticking to small talk to avoid risky topics.
Do you like type 2 fun or want to stick to type 1 fun?
This considers the daily distance you’re planning to cover, the kind of trail you’re going to take and the adventures you say yes to. Some people enjoy type 2 fun: cycling in the snow and cold, pushing your bike through rocky trails and testing your limits with long rides in harsh conditions. Others treat bicycle touring more like a nice vacation and don’t want to deal with too much discomfort.
You need to talk about it before the trip to avoid a situation where your partner wants to stay in for the whole day in the rain, while you’d love to move push forward.
What is your daily rhythm on a bicycle tour?
If you’re determined to start cycling at sparrow’s fart and your partner likes to sleep in, it probably won’t work. If you enjoy staying up late with a beer and your partner is all about having an early night and an early start of the day, you’re not compatible too.
Do we have chemistry?
That’s the vaguest and, at the same time, most underrated factor on my list. Going on a bicycle tour with someone, you’ll have to tolerate that person almost 24/7. It would be even better if you properly enjoy your time together.
Before travelling with someone, it’s good to see if a conversation with them feels forced and awkward or if you somehow understand each other. Sometimes a person is a good match for you on paper – they have the same travelling goals, love the same music and have similar views – but for some reason, you find them annoying. That’s why chemistry is crucial.
What are your no-goes?
You might have a strong aversion to alcohol or hate when people post everything on Instagram stories. Be upfront about things that annoy you when looking for a travel buddy.
How long are you planning to travel by bike together?
Finding someone for a 2-year-long cycle trip around the world will be arduous. It’s a big commitment, so I’d be realistic here. If your goal is a long trip for many months, look for companions for short parts of your journey rather than someone for the whole tour.
Last but not least: what matters to you?
Check the list above and decide which aspects you’re willing to compromise on and what are absolute deal-breaker. Keep realistic expectations: no cycling buddy will be ideal. There will always be disagreements and problems. But you need to be aware of your values so that your bike trip is not ruined by doing it with someone who’s completely incompatible with you.
What are your criteria for choosing a bicycle touring companion? Do you have experience with finding a cycle travel buddy online? Share it in the comments!
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