How to Plan a Short Bike Tour

Want to see more on your vacation? One of the most healthy, invigorating and flat-out fun ways is on a bike.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Padded Bicycle Shorts
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• All-purpose Bike Tools
• Bike Helmets
• Bike Rain Gear
• Bike Water Bottle/cage
• Panniers
• Short-sleeved Bike Jerseys
• Touring Bike

1. Set realistic goals: Consider the overall distance, hills and weather along your route. Keep plans simple, particularly if this is your first bike tour.
2. Plan a loop or point-to-point route that favors beautiful scenery and avoids traffic. In other words, go around cities unless you're ready to ride among cars.
3. Try to ride on roads that have substantial shoulders, particularly in heavily trafficked areas.
4. Look at small-scale maps that show campgrounds along the way, and call ahead of time, either to make reservations (in the high season) or to make sure they're open (in the off season).
5. Put your tax dollars to work by calling (or surfing the Web sites of) the relevant state or national tourism bureaus, which can be a great help in pointing out some attractions that even the best state maps leave off.
6. Find out as much as you can about the weather in the area you're traveling through. Pack accordingly.
7. Try to ride at least once in the conditions the tour area is most noted for, such as rain, wind or heat, to get an idea of what to expect on the road.

Tips & Warnings

• 14 days of riding at an average of 50 miles a day gives you a theoretical one-way range of 700 miles.
• If you're going one-way (that is, point-to-point), put some thought into how you'll get yourself and your bike back home, whether by bus, car or even plane.
• Having a loved one pick you up at the other end can be a major incentive to finishing, or even keeping up a specific pace.
• If you have any condition that would impair or limit your ability to engage in physical activity, please consult a physician before attempting this activity.