Bike touring 101 – Everything you need to know about travelling by bicycle

Are you new to bike touring? Want to travel by bicycle but don’t know where to start? Here are some answers to some bicycle touring-related questions. 

If you wonder about something else, don’t be shy and leave a comment with your questions, I’d be happy to help!

What is bicycle touring?

Bicycle touring is simply using your bike to travel and see the world. Rather than focusing on performance and fitness, bicycle tourers enjoy the freedom and joy of being outside and slow travel.  

How is bikepacking different from bike touring?

Bikepacking and bike touring are quite similar activities. Bike touring refers to longer adventures on a fully-loaded bicycle with panniers or a trailer. Bikepackers prefer to travel light and off-road, with all their luggage stuffed in bags attached to the frame, handlebar or saddle. 

How many kilometres a day can you travel by bicycle?

It depends on the terrain, your stamina and your bicycle. Most bicycle tourers cover from 40 to 130 kilometres a day. When planning your first tour, plan shorter distances for your first days and steadily increase the mileage. Remember that rest days are essential! 

What is a touring bike? 

A touring bike is designed for long rides and carrying your stuff. Most touring bikes have a comfortable upright position, solid frame and pre-installed luggage racks. They are robust and have a simple construction, enabling you to cover long distances in difficult conditions.

Do I need a touring bike to travel, or can I use my road bike/mountain bike / folding bike/city bike?

You don’t need to have a touring bike to travel by bicycle. Many people tour on gravel, road, mountain, hybrid, or even folding bikes. Each bicycle type has its pros and cons. If you’re travelling only on asphalt roads and like to ride fast, a road bike will do just fine. Are you adventurous and fancy going off-road and exploring true wilderness? Then you might prefer riding a mountain bike. Folding bikes are compact and easier to pack and carry if you plan to take trains, buses or flights between different sections of your trip. 

What are the best countries to travel to by bicycle? 

It depends on your skills, fitness level and expectations. 

If you’re new to cycling and want to travel bike touring in a safe environment and avoid strenuous climbs and busy roads, you’ll love cycling in the Netherlands, Denmark or Belgium. 

Looking for a great adventure, desolate landscapes and a mental and physical challenge? You’ll love cycling in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Chile and Albania. 

If you love conquering mountain roads but don’t want to deal with too many logistical challenges, you should try cycling in the Alps. Switzerland, France, Italy, Austria, and Slovenia are the perfect countries for bicycle touring. 

How to travel by plane with a bicycle?

Have you ever wondered how those bicycle travellers brought their bikes to another continent? It’s possible to transport your bicycle on a plane. Dismantling your bike for a flight is a hassle and takes some time, but it’s not as difficult as you might think. I’ve done it multiple times, and screws and bolts are certainly not my strength! If you want to learn more about it, read my article about preparing your bicycle for the flight. 

What to eat on a bicycle tour? 

Cycling for hours every day burns a lot of energy. Proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining endurance on a bicycle tour. But feeding yourself can be challenging, especially when travelling in areas with few shops or restaurants. If you need some easy nutrition tips for bicycle tours, read this article, where I share my experiences and some advice from other cyclists. 

What do I need to pack for a bicycle tour?

Packing for a bicycle tour is a real challenge: you want to ensure you have everything you need, but you don’t want to carry too much weight. It’s an endless game of Tetris. Check my bicycle tour packing list to see what is in my bags and panniers. 

What is the best navigation for bicycle touring?

Do you wonder how I plan my cycling routes and navigate during my trips? It’s all on my phone! Forget Google Maps – other apps like Mapy.cz or Komoot are much better for bicycle touring. I describe them and other alternatives in this article. 

How to prepare for your first bicycle tour? 

If you’re a relatively fit person who rides a bike regularly, you don’t need to prepare too much physically. Bicycle touring is not as hard as it looks! 

Before your first big tour, it’s good to do an overnight trip somewhere in your neighbourhood to test your gear and see if you feel comfortable. 

As a beginner, you probably have plenty of questions and doubts. Luckily, there are many Facebook groups for bicycle tourers (for example, Bicycle Touring for Beginners, Bicycle Travellers, or Bicycle Travelling Women. Drop your questions there, and more experienced travellers will gladly share their experiences with you! 

Check out also my article 10 Things You Need to Know Before Your First Bicycle Tour.