Getting ready to tackle the asphalt on two wheels? Here are a few ideas on how to make your trip memorable, enjoyable and safe!

1.Prepare your bike. Having your bike serviced by a professional will save you potential headaches during your vacation. Doing it yourself is a viable option but only if you are very familiar with bikes and there many intricacies.

2.Plan your route. Day trips from one location is a fun way to change up the scenery each day, but if you are planning a one way trip to a specific destination, be sure you know the lay of the land. Too many hills can drain you, and not enough variety can bore you. Checking on-line for possible bike routes is a great way to plan the course that would best suit you.

3.Pack light. Everyone knows how heavy a backpack can become after it's been resting on your shoulders for a few hours. If you are traveling from a base camp each day, simply pack the essentials: a first aid kit, a tire repair kit, some energy bars, a light change of clothes, a long sleeve shirt and of course, water. These same guidelines apply to the longer one way bike trips, however, because you're packing more, take several rests during the trip to stretch your back, hamstrings and shoulders.

4.Prep your body. No amount of good planning will substitute for an unconditioned body. Several sites provide a one, two, three or six month training program to get you into bicycling shape. Strength training your legs and lower back will prepare them for the repetitive action of pedaling and endurance training will boost your lung support giving you the upper hand on those dreaded hills!

All of these tips are simply recommendations and should be taken as such. If followed, however, they will aid in making your bicycling vacation one of the best.

Learn more about this author, Rienna Nagel.
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