When Thomas Stevens in 1884 began a three-year and 22, 000-kilometer journey that made him the first person to travel around the world in velocipede - the ancestor of the bicycle -, there were no rubber wheels and the velocipedes were iron, heavy and bulky.
Many things have changed since Stevens' business, and above all in recent decades, thanks to technological innovations, the number of people who use this vehicle has increased, not only to travel daily, but also to travel.
Whether alone or with family and friends, in the countryside of your region or in the Australian desert, cycling is an experience that pays for every effort on the road and gives us happiness because it puts us in the here and now, makes us appreciate all the elements that contribute to our well-being, like a hot dish and a shower at the end of the day.
Despite the surprise and the unexpected are the ingredients of the trip by bicycle, you can not rely completely on the case, on the contrary you have to make a series of choices before departure to ensure that the adventure is lived pleasantly. Here are some elements to consider.
Before starting the bicycle bicycling: training
In case you are not used to riding a bicycle, it is advised to dedicate the month before the start to training to ensure that the physicist gradually prepares himself for the type of activity that he will have to face daily during the trip.
It is important to work on endurance, strength and breathing (especially uphill). Furthermore the pre-departure training is a good opportunity to regain confidence with your bike or to get to know the new and get used to its characteristics, such as speed, the shape of the saddle and handlebar and the sensitivity of the brakes.
Travel route by bicycle
To correctly choose the area and the route of travel or, in addition to your tastes and naturalistic-cultural interests, you will have to take into consideration a series of factors, such as the physical conditions, the climatic and meteorological conditions of the area and the time available.
In this regard, if you plan to make your trip to Europe, but have not identified the routes available, you can take a look at the EuroVelo project run by the European Cyclist Federation which is creating, together with local governments and associations, a network of 14 bike routes distributed in 43 European countries, for a total of about 70, 000 km.
10 routes for cycling without haste in Europe
The choice of the bicycle
The choice of the type of bicycle suitable for your journey depends above all on the type of route you will take. Currently there are dozens of bicycle models designed for cycle tourism, but the essential distinction continues to be between two very different types in terms of characteristics and use.
If you prefer rural and mountain routes and off the beaten track, the type of bike that suits you is obviously a mountain bike, while if you are planning an asphalt route, your best traveling companion will be a racing bike .
There are also a series of innovative models, such as the hybrid bicycle, which includes some features of mountain biking and racing bikes, and others such as the pedal assisted bicycle and the recumbent bicycle.
Alternative mobility by bicycle, interview with Francesco Benetti
Travel equipment
Your equipment must be as light and essential as possible in order to fit comfortably in the travel bags to be fixed on the luggage rack.
The objects you can't do without are very few: helmet, water bottle, maps, a couple of gearboxes, sleeping bag, repair equipment. After all, you will have to do without if you want to be able to keep your breath until the end of your day.
Community of bike travelers
For most cyclists, traveling by bicycle is not a time-limited experience that ends with a return home, but is part of a lifestyle that builds communities based on the feeling of belonging and sharing.
A community of very popular cyclists is Warmshower, which since 1993 has consisted of a hospitality interchange - from a hot shower and a mattress to a space to set up a tent - among bicycle travelers from all over the world.
With regards to technical and specific indications on the trip you want to make, the advice is to consult the numerous books, blogs, > "comunity, and more experienced bike-pilots' tutorials that have the pleasure of sharing what they have experienced and learned in the realized paths.
However, only the first-person experience will provide you with all the necessary elements to improve during the journey and above all to realize if the spirit of the cyclist dwells in you. You just have to try!
