A bike trip is a unique adventure, blending freedom, discovery (of places and people) and physical challenge. Yet, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced bike traveler, a bit of planning is essential.
In this article, we’ll cover the main aspects to consider when defining and planning your bike trip to ensure you feel comfortable and prepared on the big day.
Table of Contents
1. What’s your travel style ?
Before diving into preparations, it’s crucial to determine what kind of traveler you are. Your priorities in terms of comfort, budget, discovery, and performance will greatly shape how you structure your adventure.
Why are you embarking on this journey ?
Adventure, cultural and culinary discovery, sporting challenge, meeting locals, etc. What is the primary goal of the trip? This first point can help decide whether you prioritize a destination or an itinerary.
L’important sera de prendre le guidon et de vous laisser pédaler avec votre envie brûlante de parcourir les routes du monde et ce qu’elles ont à vous offrir de meilleur.
What is your budget ?
The budget greatly influences how you travel. For example, a bike trip in Norway will be more expensive than one in Eastern Europe. It’s important to set a realistic budget margin, considering accommodations, meals, activities, and unforeseen expenses. Of course, this remains an adaptable range, as adventurers aren’t typically fixated on precise numbers.
When evaluating your budget, I think there are two approaches:
- Plan your budget upfront and stick to it as much as possible when making choices.
- Determine your budget afterward by considering the points we’ll cover next. You can adjust it realistically based on your priorities later.
Make your choice.
Are you seeking adventure, comfort, or performance ?
An adventurous bike traveler might look to save by camping regularly and cooking for themselves, while a comfort-focused traveler may opt for hotels or guesthouses each night.
- Wild camping: total freedom but requires more equipment.
- Staying with locals, hostels, hotels: for more comfort and security.
- Hybrid method: Mix comfort and adventure by alternating between outdoor camping and paid accommodations for more flexibility. You might even try staying with locals if you’re lucky.
Some bike travelers aim to cover as much distance as possible each day, while others prioritize discovery and longer breaks. Knowing where you fall on this spectrum will help you plan stops that match your expectations.
Traveling solo or in a group ?
Traveling solo offers more freedom, while traveling with others provides safety and companionship.
Will you need to adjust distances and shared activities? Will everyone be on the same page? Will you effectively share organizational tasks? With others, you’ll have someone to rely on when motivation dips.
Or will you be the sole captain onboard ? While solo travel offers organizational freedom, it also requires confronting solitude and self-reliance (although solo travel doesn’t mean you’ll always be alone, there will be moments of solitude that can be real challenges).
Trip duration
Long expedition (several months) vs. short trip (a few days). The impact of duration on planning with your personal (and especially professional) life is critical. Taking a vacation or professional/school break isn’t something decided overnight!
2. Choosing the ideal destination: Climate, terrain, and personal interest
Choosing your destination is crucial, as it will influence both preparation and the equipment you’ll need. Here are some things to consider :
Climate and terrain type
- Will you be traveling in summer or winter? Do you prefer hot or cold climates? For example, an autumn trip in Japan will require different preparation than a journey in Norway at the same time of year.
- Will you stick to paved and marked roads, or will you need equipment for rougher, off-road terrain? Weather and season can also impact any type of path.
Terrain and distances
Do you prefer flat terrain or mountain challenges?
Also, consider the average distance you want to cover per day, and make sure the route matches your physical abilities.
Safety and accessibility
Do you want to stick to well-maintained bike paths or venture off the beaten path? Road safety and traveler security may also be slightly affected by this choice. Road users differ around the world, let’s just say!
Cultural and personal interests
Finally, it’s important to choose a destination that excites you or sparks your curiosity about the unknown. Local culture, landscapes, and available activities can greatly influence your enjoyment. You may want to use a language you already know or discover a new one, along with the customs tied to the local culture.
3. Gear and equipment: Bring what’s necessary
The equipment you choose will depend on the type of trip you’re planning, but here are some general tips:
Avoid overpacking
Only bring what’s necessary for your destination, climate, and conditions. Lighter equipment will make your journey easier and prevent physical discomfort.
Si vous avez un doute, vérifiez si l’équipement peut-être obtenu facilement et rapidement dans les pays que vous visiterez. Si oui, nul besoin d’emmener un accessoire secondaire pour juste, au cas où et contentez vous de l’acheter sur place quand le besoin se fera sentir.
Prioritize quality
Choose durable gear without breaking the bank. For instance, a good sleeping bag and a lightweight tent can make all the difference for bivouac nights.
- See my Gear and Preparation section for more details.
4. Route planning and flexibility : Stay open to surprises
Planning a bike trip shouldn’t be rigid. Of course, it’s important to define an overall route, but leave room for flexibility to adjust your path based on discoveries and encounters.
Plan the big picture
Identify key places to visit or important stages, but don’t schedule every kilometer. This will allow you to adapt to the positive or negative surprises this kind of trip can bring.
Stay flexible
Unexpected events are part of the charm of travel. A meeting with a local, an event, unexpected weather, or simply a desire to enjoy a place longer can influence your route. Be open to these opportunities !
An example? On the right, you can see this hellish route from Matsumoto to the Norikura Skyline (Japan’s highest public road). I’d never thought about this way. And yet, meeting my Australian friend along the way made me realize that this challenge would be “fun” (rest in peace my cramped calves). And despite the physical pain, every pedal stroke was worth it, all the more so with a comrade as positive and determined as Vincent the kangaroo.
I’d have plenty of other similar anecdotes, but this one seems telling enough to justify letting yourself go with the unknown moments to enjoy and surprise yourself. And look at that magnificent sunrise we were able to enjoy. What luck! It was worth it!
Daily distance
How to adjust distance to your fitness level, trip goals, or elevation (you’ll cover fewer kilometers on beautiful 300 km mountain routes in the Alps compared to a 1,000 km flat route).
Etablissez une sorte de moyenne (80km par jour en sachant que vous aurez quelques petites journées à 50km ou moins et d’autres plus grosses performances à plus de 100km par jour, c’est ma moyenne par exemple)
Bonus : Resupply points
How to identify places to restock water, food, and supplies based on your chosen destination. Desert destinations may require additional planning.
5. Logistics and paperwork
Budget for travel and transportation
- Estimate transport costs based on the gear you’ve chosen, accommodation type, and food. A flight across the world will undoubtedly strain your wallet more than a train ride for a few hundred kilometers on your continent.
- If you need a plane or train, research how to transport your bike (bag, large box, rigid case, etc.).
Insurance and documents
Do you need travel insurance, vaccinations, or important documents (passport, visas)? Check embassy websites (like France Diplomacy in Japan) or sites like Sherpa for information.
Conclusion
Defining your bike trip is an exciting stage that requires thinking about your priorities, desires, and travel style. Whether you seek adventure or comfort, the key is to prepare well in advance while remaining flexible to fully enjoy the experience. Your project will mature, and this reflection will give you more confidence for the adventure, helping you appreciate the freedom of the journey on the big day.
In this article, I’ve aimed to be as thorough as possible. I certainly don’t think everything should be planned (this would contradict the spirit of this type of trip). The goal is to give you as many points to consider, in varying levels of detail, depending on your traveler profile and experience.
In a future article, I’ll share my own bike travel style. You can draw inspiration from it, comment, or make adjustments. I encourage you to start preparing and share your thoughts and feedback in the comments. Thank you.