One of the first things that comes to many people’s mind when they think of bicycle touring is discomfort. Perched on a tiny bike seat all day… cooking on a tiny camp stove in the evening… sleeping in an uncomfortable tent at night… But bike touring does not have to be uncomfortable at all – you just have to figure out what you will need to be comfortable.

Throughout the years, bike tourists have carried just about anything you can imagine – guitars, lawn chairs, even a surfboard! The trick is to figure out what you need and make sure those items find a place on your bike. Your comfort items won’t be the same as your partner’s, so be sure to consider what you need.

Think of your days in three parts: while you are biking during the day, in the campsite in the evening, and at night.

On the bike: Be sure your clothes are comfortable. There is nothing worse than spending the whole day cycling in clothes that rub the wrong way. By the time you reach the campground, your skin could be rubbed raw in places and hurt! Some people know of one type of bicycle shorts that are tried and true so take multiple pairs of that type. Others find a variety work better in order to vary the pressure points.

The other major consideration is making sure your bike fits well. If your seat is too high in relation to your handlebars, you’ll be standing on your hands all day. If your handlebars are too close to your seat, you’ll be bunched up; too far and you’re reaching way out. The best thing is to take your bike to a good bike shop who knows touring and have them watch you ride your bike. They will be able to give you some pointers on getting your bike to fit.

In the campsite: Cyclists are an interesting bunch – we all like different things. Some of us are comfortable sitting on the ground, while others carry a chair of some sort. Some of us cook dinner in one big pot; others want a variety of pots. Some continue to wear their cycling clothes all evening; others need to change as soon as they get off the bike. Some cyclists are OK to hang around shooting the breeze all evening, while others need a book or some craft to keep their hands busy.

After a tough day of cycling, you’ll be tired and need to rest. What are your needs? Make sure those items get stashed on your bike somewhere.

Sleeping: Consider your tent carefully. Are you OK being crammed in or do you require more space for sleeping? Will you feel claustrophobic if the tent is down low over your face or will you need a higher profile tent? What a pillow? Some cyclists carry down pillows, while others simply stuff clothing into a stuff sack. Big thick inflatable pad or thin closed cell foam?

A good night’s sleep is essential to good performance the next day. Make sure you’ve arranged for comfort while you sleep.

Bicycle touring should not be an uncomfortable, miserable experience. With a bit of planning you will be able to be comfortable and have a fantastic experience!

Nancy Sathre-Vogel discovered the joys of traveling by bicycle nearly 30 years ago and has watched the changes in gear and equipment through the years. For help planning your own bicycle tour, check out www.familyonbikes.org.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,