Finding an inspiring and supportive community of fellow bicycle tourers has never been easier than in today’s digital age. Thanks to the internet, there are countless opportunities to connect with people who have traversed continents, conquered mountains and pedalled the world. Facebook groups, WhatsApp chats, Reddit threads and old-school forums about bicycle touring are a virtual meeting space for adventurers to connect, share experiences, find inspiration and exchange valuable insights.
In this article, I will describe my experience with bicycle touring groups and forums and share links to help you find cycle travellers with interests close to yours.
If you’re here just for the links to the best groups and chats, just scroll down.
What can you find on bicycle touring groups and forums?
Online communities like Facebook groups, forums, WhatsApp chats or Reddit threads offer a wealth of knowledge, companionship, and inspiration, making them an invaluable resource for every cycling enthusiast. Joining these groups has various benefits, from finding a companion for your next adventure to gathering advice on gear, routes, and destinations.
Finding a tour companion
Nobody in your friend cycle is excited about exploring the world by bike? Online forums and bicycle touring groups are great platforms to find bicycle touring companions.
Whether you want to find cycle buddies for the entire tour you planned for next summer or connect with cyclists following the same route as you, social media and internet forums are invaluable. I found a cycling buddy for my trip to Kirgistan on a bicycle-touring Facebook group, and last year got in touch with several cyclists travelling the Balkans at the same time as me.
If you want to read more about finding a bike-touring buddy, read this article.
Finding authentic gear reviews and opinions
You can read all the blog posts and articles about the panniers or a new sleeping bag you plan to buy, but asking for gear recommendations on the forums or groups can give you much more information.
First, it allows you to get an opinion from a whole group of people who have used this product. Secondly, there is a good chance that people will recommend some alternatives you wouldn’t find much press about. And last but not least, you can expect these opinions to be genuine.
Many blog posts or even renowned press articles are built to include affiliate links and make money. Of course, many bloggers and writers value integrity and won’t recommend something they didn’t test or are not convinced about. But on Facebook groups or web forums, you can be much more sure people recommending you some cycling gear don’t have ulterior motives.
Asking for route recommendations
Thanks to the online bicycle touring community, you can effortlessly get priceless insights about the routes and trails. It is especially useful if you plan to embark on an adventure through remote and wild areas or cross borders of countries where the political situation changes rapidly. Thanks to WhatsApp chats and Facebook groups, you can find up-to-date information from people who cycled your route recently.
It is also a great way to find alternative route suggestions and receive advice from locals.
Finding inspiration
The bicycle touring groups are a perfect place to find inspiration. People share pictures from their trips, detailed route descriptions and stories about challenges they met. If you need an extra push to embark on your first journey by bike, joining these online communities is the best way to get started! You will find answers to your rookie questions and encouragement from people who’ve already cycled thousands of kilometres.
WhatsApp chats about bicycle touring
Facebook Groups about bicycle touring and bikepacking
Reddit bicycle touring threads
Forums
Good old-school internet forums are not dead and here are some of the best ones dedicated to travelling by bike.
Do you know other groups and forums about bicycle touring? Share the links in the comments!
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