Comfort While Bicycle Touring

Does the thought of bike touring make you squirm in your seat? The idea of sitting on a bike seat all day, crouching around a tiny stove in the evening, and then being crammed into a teeny tiny tent all night sound uncomfortable? Then don't live that way! With proper planning and attention to your needs, your next bike tour can be a fantastic, comfortable experience.

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.

As you're planning, it will help to think of your touring day in three distinct parts: during the day when you are biking, evenings in the campsite, and sleeping 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.

The evening hours are the hardest for many people. They are tired and want to rest, but can't rest unless they are comfortably set up. Consider what you will need and make sure you pack it on your bike.

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?

If you don't sleep well at night, you won't function well during the day. Make sure you take enough comfort items to allow you to sleep.

Bicycle touring doesn't have to be an uncomfortable experience - in fact, it shouldn't be. Plan out what you will carry so that your needs are met, and it'll be a fantastic experience!

Nancy Sathre-Vogel started bike touring 30 years ago. Later she toured with her husband, and now travels with their two kids and is an expert on bicycling with children. For tips on planning your own family bike tour, check out www.familyonbikes.org.

Tags: bicycle, bicycle travel, bike touring, Cycling, equipment, health, recreation, Sports, travel