How Do I know I’m Ready for a Long-distance Bike Trip?
Dear Looking to Go the Distance,
It’s one thing to dream about a big bicycling trip and another thing to actually go out and do it. Your question seems to indicate that you’re somewhere between these two extremes, but let’s start from the beginning and define what “long distance” even means for a bike trip. Everyone defines it differently, but for the purposes of this discussion, let’s assume it’s at least three weeks or 1,000 miles. Now that we’ve got that settled, here are a few key readiness indicators:
Motivation
There are a lot of epic adventures you can tackle in life, so what is it about a long-distance bike trip that speaks to you? Is it an inspiring travelogue you read? Do you know someone who travels by bike and revel in their tales from the road? I ask because the more realistic you are about what you’re getting yourself into, the better. Being able to articulate your “why” could be the difference between pedalling onward and abandoning your trip when you bump up against the inevitable challenges.
Training
You can pedal at any pace you want, but averaging 50 to 60 miles a day is fairly typical when folks talk about completing a long-distance ride. Maybe you’ve heard about someone who “pedaled into shape” on a big journey, but a lot could go wrong with that strategy. In addition to increasing the risk of injuries that could cause you to abandon your trip altogether, it will be much more difficult to enjoy yourself if you’re completely wiped out or in pain by the time you reach your destination each day. Everyone’s training plan looks a bit different, but it’s a good idea to tackle several multi-day rides to get your body accustomed to all that time in the saddle. If this is a self-supported ride, make sure your training rides include your loaded panniers.
For more specifics, Adventure Cycling has several training guides, including ones for road touring, bikepacking, and what not to do.
There’s no reason to put off a big adventure until everything feels perfect.
Logistics
Preparing for a long-distance ride takes many forms, and while something you didn’t plan for could happen, that’s just part of the adventure. Still, the planning stage is a good time to “control the controllables” and make sure you are comfortable with all of your gear. For example, if you’re planning to camp, you’ll want to know how your tent holds up in the wind and rain. If you’ll use a bike computer or an app for navigation, get familiar with how it works, how long its battery lasts, and what you’ll do if it stops working. Even an overnight shakedown ride can be a big help in this regard. As a starting point, check out Adventure Cycling’s bikepacking and bike touring packing guides and this handy packing checklist.
And while you don’t need to be a bike mechanic to set out on an epic adventure, you should know how to deal with the most common repairs and adjustments. This includes fixing a flat, adjusting your brakes and derailleur, and mending a broken chain. Having your bike serviced before a long trip can also help prevent a lot of problems on the road. Since many bike parts are specific to the manufacturer or model, it’s also smart to carry some spares of key parts like spokes, brake pads, and a derailleur hanger. If you can’t fix the issue yourself, having the parts on hand can mean a quicker visit to the bike shop since it won’t have to source the parts.
Environmental Challenges
I’ve heard this referred to as “the dark side of bike touring” or the “5 Hs” — heat, humidity, hills, headwinds, and hounds. Whatever you call them, you’re going to face environmental challenges that are out of your control on any long-distance ride. Some you can mitigate. Others you can’t. So while we can talk about preparing for heat and how to deal with off-leash dogs, you’ll also need a willingness and a certain amount of grit to deal with the unexpected. There will be times that are not fun. Learn to dig in during those tough times. If it was easy, everyone would do it.
In addition to those 5 Hs, let’s add vehicle traffic. Unless you’re on a gravel route, a bike tour of any substantial length will likely take you on some busy roads at some point. If you’re used to club rides that maximize bike-friendly roads or even a curated week-long bike touring route, that traffic can be a shock. Try slowly and safely building up your traffic tolerance and skill before you head out by seeking out and riding the types of roads you might encounter on your epic ride around your homwtown. And don’t forget your high-vis apparel, lights, and safety triangle, and I consider a rear-view mirror a necessity for bike touring. I can’t recommend it enough.
Don’t forgo an epic trip just because it doesn’t fit your ideal vision.
Time
For many, just finding the time for a long-distance ride is a huge challenge. If you work a typical 40-hour a week job, would your employer consider an unpaid sabbatical? Are you ready to make a job change, and could you schedule a long-distance ride for the time between your end and start dates? Your family or other people you live with might also have feelings about you being away that long. Maybe you have pets to care for or community obligations that would need to be put on hold.
While it would be wonderful to ride across the country all in one go, it might be more realistic to break your trip into segments. That’s okay, too; Don’t forgo an epic trip just because it doesn’t fit your ideal vision. On the other hand, if you find yourself with the time, don’t let the opportunity pass you by.
Hit the Road
If you’ve been nodding your head to everything on this list, you’re probably ready. You’ll still have lots of decisions to make, such as where you’re going, what to pack, and who, if anyone, will go with you. But there’s no reason to put off a big adventure until everything feels perfect. Even the most experienced cyclists learn something new on each journey, and you will, too. If you’re in search of a bike buddy, check out the Companions Wanted section of the Adventure Cycling website or consider signing up for an epic tour in 2026. See you out there!
The post Ask an Adventure Cycling Tour Leader: How Do I know I’m Ready for a Long-distance Bike Trip appeared first on Adventure Cycling Association.
