8 mistakes everyone makes when starting bicycle touring

Traveling by bike is an alternative, somewhat anarchic act. Cycle touring and bikepacking are extraordinary adventures, a way to discover the world by immersing yourself in nature and local culture. Precisely for this reason, there are no right or wrong ways to practice them. In my small way, however, after over 25 years of travel, I realized that in the early trips I did things that I wouldn't do today and I would like to talk to you about this, to give you the tools to decide. For you they could be mistakes to avoid or insignificant details to overlook: it will in any case be your job to decide.

As I already told you, the absolute freedom that a bike trip grants also implies that what I consider a mistake, for you could be an advantage or a negligible detail. As always in my writings, in this case too a premise is due: read the following with a critical spirit and evaluate based on your experience or your sensitivity whether to follow the advice you find.

Everything written here is based on a personal experience that could be profoundly different from yours!

That said, let's go back to the topic of this article: the mistakes that I suggest you avoid and that many make. Even the most experienced cyclist can make mistakes that risk turning a dream trip into a nightmare. For this, I have collected the eight most common mistakes to avoid, the result of my experience.

Bringing too much clothing

Excess zeal can make you think you need many clothes to be able to travel. Much depends on the period and place you are traveling, but in any condition, remember that every extra garment means extra weight and volume that your legs will have to carry.

Choose possibly technical, light and versatile clothing, that dries quickly and can be used in different situations. Think that a spare is not always necessary and you might have the opportunity to wash your clothes. A good trick is to plan the clothes in 'onion' layers and depending on the climate, bring a garment for each layer, so as to be ready for any climate change.

Starting with new/untested components or accessories

A bike trip is not the right time to test the latest novelty on the market.

Before leaving, make sure that every component of your bike is working perfectly and that you are familiar with its use. You would never want to have a problem for which you don't know what to do, perhaps in the middle of a remote trail in the Caucasus or the Andes. This also applies to accessories: try the bags, the navigator, the tent and everything you decide to bring.

Special mention must, of course, go to the saddle: make sure your 'butt' has tested and deepened its knowledge well otherwise it could really ruin your vacation!

Planning trips/stages that are too long

Enthusiasm can play tricks, leading you to plan stages like the Tour de France. Remember that cycle touring is an experience to savor, not a race. Calculate realistic distances, taking into account the elevation gain, the type of terrain and your physical condition. Give yourself time to enjoy the landscape and visit the places you encounter along the way.

A good method that I have adopted for years now is to plan slightly shorter stages (about 10 km and 300-400 m less elevation gain) than what my current training would allow me to do: lengthening is always easy, having to chase instead can be stressful!

Not checking your bike before departure

Before each departure, carry out a complete check of your bike: do a test ride at least a week before leaving, checking that everything is in order: gears, brakes, various screws and bolts. Make sure everything is in order and if you have any doubts and you are not the one doing the ordinary maintenance of the bike, take it to your trusted dealer and test it again as soon as he returns it to you.

A small mechanical problem can turn into a problem if it is not identified in time.

Being stopped by the fear of not knowing everything

The best part of a bike trip, the most memorable memories are always those that hide in the meanders of the unexpected, of what goes wrong. The beauty of a bike trip lies in the adventure. Don't be paralyzed by the fear of not knowing every detail of the route. Be open to surprises, ask the locals for information and let yourself be guided by curiosity.

You will be amazed by the kindness of people and your ability to adapt.

Not checking the weather

The most inflated phrase of those who love the outdoors is: "There is no good or bad weather but good or bad equipment". True, very true but if you go on a weekend trip and it rains for two days it can be fine once, twice but the third time I assure you that you curse even against the walls. If instead you leave for a round the world trip, who cares if you get rain for 1 month!

In short, personally I love the heat and before leaving for a trip I check the weather of a country or region to understand both what my trip might be like, and what equipment I should consider bringing.

Then it is clear that Murphy's law is always valid and therefore always carry waterproof and windproof clothing with you, and be flexible with your itinerary if weather conditions require it.

Not allowing yourself breaks

Those who travel by bike do so for the most varied reasons and with the most diverse motivations: there are those who seek performance, those who want to challenge themselves, those who aim to beat records or records. My vision of cycle touring is at the opposite extreme. I travel by bike to slow down, not to speed up. I travel by bike to stop to chat with people, to be amazed by a sunset or an architectural work that appears before me.

I stop, listen to my body and my will, without chasing anything. Breaks are the most important part of a bicycle trip, the bike is only the most suitable means to unite the moments that are between two of them.

Chi viaggia in bici lo fa per i motivi più svariati e con le motivazioni più diverse: c'è chi cerca la performance, chi vuole sfidare se stesso, chi punta a battere record o primati. La mia visione di cicloturismo è all'estremo opposto. Viaggio in bici per rallentare, non per accelerare. Viaggio in bici per fermarmi a chiacchierare con la gente, per stupirmi di un tramonto o di un'opera architettonica che mi si para davanti.

Mi fermo, ascolto il mio fisico e la mia volontà, senza rincorrere alcunché. Le pause sono la parte più importante di un viaggio in bicicletta, la bici è solo il mezzo più adatto per unire i momenti che stanno tra due di esse.

Don't Be Inflexible

Having a schedule is fine. Being tied to it is not. Even referring back to some of the errors mentioned earlier, you can understand that a lack of flexibility on a bike trip can turn it into unwanted and unnecessary stress. Being open to the unexpected, allowing yourself breaks, accepting changes along the way will only enrich the trip, not ruin it.

Be prepared to change your plans according to the circumstances: an unexpected event, an interesting encounter, a place that fascinates you. Flexibility is the key to having an authentic and unforgettable experience.

Other Mistakes to Avoid

 There are other mistakes you might want to avoid, although I personally consider them less significant:

• Underestimating the importance of food and hydration.
• Not carrying a repair kit and the necessary tools for minor repairs.
• Not respecting the environment and local communities.
• Not having planned a method of orientation, whether with paper maps or GPS.
• Not having planned a method for charging electronic devices.

Conclusions

Bike touring and bikepacking are a wonderful way to travel, and everyone has the right and duty to interpret the journey as they see fit, making mistakes and correcting them. This short list is only meant to be an invitation to reflection and perhaps a starting point to help you avoid unpleasant inconveniences during your trip or before your departure.

In any case, should you make one of these mistakes or even all of them, starting with the right spirit and an open mind, they will not ruin the pleasure of discovery in the saddle.