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A Practice Tour Can Give You Valuable Experience
By spokesman | May 20, 2009
If you are planning to do a self supported bicycle tour, it pays to do a practice tour. This is especially true if you are an inexperienced bicycle tourist and you are planning on doing a long tour. For those of you who have been following my friend Ibti on her tour (A Bikeable Feast); a practice tour would have helped her avoid some of the difficulties that she has encountered. Here is how a short practice tour can help.
Riding a loaded bike - A loaded bike (with panniers) does not handle the same as an unloaded bike. It takes time to get the feel for how the bike with handles when you climb, descend or squeeze through tight spots. A loaded bike is also wider and you need to get a feel for it.
Become familiar with new equipment- It pays to get practical experience with new equipment. Ibti began her tour with several new pieces of equipment including clipless pedals, a camping stove and her bike. Some practice with this equipment on a short tour would have helped.
Learn to ride on consecutive days - You may be training for your long tour, but the only way to see how your body will react to consecutive days on the bike is to get out there and ride.
A practice tour only has to be a few days. A short 2-3 day tour will keep you close enough to your home that a friend of relative can easily pick you up if you get in a jam.
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Topics: Touring Tips |