Tip for Your Trip: Travel With Your Bicycles
- Nov 9
- 11 min read
TRAVEL WITH YOUR BICYCLES
On the Road
Cycling around your own hometown has always been very popular for many people. It's a form of travel, commuting and exercise. But, it can also be a way to sightsee your town. In fact, it's an excellent method to sightsee your town. It doesn't matter where you live: rural, suburb, city, there's plenty to see and do.
Before you mount up, even if you have lived in your region all your live, do some homework first. If it exists, get a bike map of your town. Many bike shops give them out for free. If there is no map, look at an online app, you can set the filters for cycling for many of them. There are some cycling (and hiking) apps available, but many of them charge a fee for full access. They are nice, but the map app on your phone will work very well.
Map out a route of what you want to see. You may want to drive around or even walk some of the route to determine how safe it is for a bicycle. This is important if the mapped route does not contain bike lanes. Also, while you are previewing the route, take note of the mileage. Remember, for the most part, this will be a roundtrip adventure, although one way trips can exist. Finally, for the most part, bicycles are not permitted on parkways, freeways or interstate highways.
For one way trips, you will need a way back home (or to your car). You can ask someone to meet you (they will need a bike rack to transport your bicycle). Or, you can use public transportation if your supports this option. Some buses have bike racks on the front, but you will have to wait for a bus with an empty rack. Other cities have train service. Make sure you can bring your bike on the train at the time you need to go. Many systems do not allow bikes, electronic scooters, or other such vehicles on some types of public transportation during busy times. Don't forget to consider ferries: many of those are very friendly towards bikes and may even have bike racks. Last, some systems may charge a fee for the bike.
Safety is your first priority and then means knowing the rules of the road and traffic. For some routes, particularly in public parks, you may even see a speed limit for bicycles, since you will be sharing with walkers, runners, skateboards, and most importantly, children. If speed is important to you or you are training for something, you should be in shared areas earlier or later in the day, when it is less crowded. Everyone is responsible for following traffic laws. This means you ride with the traffic, yield to pedestrians, obey traffic signs and lights.
Some people only ride in protected areas such as parks or bike trails, often called rail trails. Check to see what type of surface the route is and make sure your bike can handle it. Some public parks have mountain bike trails, which takes a special type of bike (and rider) to navigate. Other trails have gravel or dirt, so you need tires that can handle that. There are even bikes for sand, with large tires that can go ride safely on a beach. Serious cyclists may have more than one bicycle.
Cycle around your hometown or your local public parks to become accustomed to riding regularly. When you're ready, it's time to explore beyond your own region. It's time to travel with your bikes.
You've probably seen travelers hauling anything and everything to enhance their vacation. What I see most often are bicycles. There's nothing like having your own bicycle, when you travel, if possible. But, sometimes you may want to cycle when you're far from home. Many cities have bike rentals or bike sharing systems. Some of them require that you have an account with the company, you may need to download an app. A few require a deposit to start the account. Before you decide to use bike sharing or rent a bike, do your research just in case. You wouldn't want to disappoint yourself for an excursion, if you had planned to rent a bike while you are traveling.
So, if you're new to cycling or if you're new to traveling with your bicycles, here's what you may need to know:
1. Consider your travel lifestyle when you purchase a bike. Also, consider where you go the most: off-road (gravel), road, mountain and even on sand. Be mindful of the weight of your bicycle, you may have to haul it up stairs. Know how to maintain and make minor repairs: the chain, rust-proofing, changing a tire. Talk to bike shop owners or workers in a store that specializes in sporting goods. With all due respect to some store, general department stores are not the best place to buy a bicycle. There are usually no knowledgable salespersons and the brands are not always the best. The prices may be low but with a bicycle, you certainly get what you pay for.
At the bicycle shop, explain to them what type of cycling you probably will do most and they will recommend the best bicycle for your lifestyle within your budget. If you decide to venture out more, you can consider a second bike. Bicycles are just like any other purchase: there are brands that some will consider are better than others. And within each brand, there are levels of bike models. A very good brand's lowest level bike will still be good enough. In fact, the best brand's lowest model may cost more than the highest level of another brand.
Many people will need a bicycle that has several speeds. Adjust the gear will change
There are two main gears: 2-3 on one side, 3-10 on the other side. When you multiply the highest first gear by the highest number of the second gear, that's how many "speeds" the bicycle has. My bike has 3 on one side and 7 on the other, so I have a 21 speed bike. Anyway, you should only change gears when you are riding and moving along. If you play around with the gears while it is still, you could pop the chain when you try to ride it. When you transport your bike, make sure the chain is on the gears (front and back) and get on slowly to adjust the gears while you warm up.
The more gears the better is not quite the best thing to have. You only need a few gears for most of the situations you will ride in and today's bikes may have less gears.
So what do you use them for? Many people need the bike to pedal with less tension when going up hills. Adjusting the gears will allow you to pedal with less effort so that you can make it up the incline. When you reach level ground again, you adjust the gears for a different tension. If you are not familiar with riding with gears on a bike, ask the bike store for a demonstration. If you have never ridden a bicycle with gears, move the gear with the lowest amount of numbers to 2. Then, practice changing gears with the other side with only 3, 4, and 5. All gear combos are not always the best for your bike and you can either make the chain fall of the gear or break it altogether. Again, a bike shop can help you.
Some people want totally manual bikes and will use their own power for hills or may even walk the bike up, especially if they do not plan to ride in places with many inclines.
A bicycle is an investment; with proper care and maintenance, you can enjoy your bicycle for many years. In fact, many people do. Since bike shops know that you may not purchase a bicycle again but you will probably be back for accessories and maintenance, they don't mind if you don't choose the most expensive model. The other items you need will more than make up for it. And speaking of maintenance, do it. If you ride regularly, put your bike in for a diagnostic check up either every 6 months. Otherwise, get it checked out once a year. Brakes, tires, alignment, rims, handlebars, etc. all need to be looked at so that you will be safe on the road.
2. Protect your vehicle and your bicycles. Get the bike rack that's the best for your car that you can afford. There are several styles: those that go on the roof, the trunk or a hitch on your vehicle. The bike racks that attach to car trunks can be complicated and may damage your paint if you're not careful. Many times, you will see smaller cars use this option. When the bike is on that type of bike rack, you may not have access to the trunk of your car with taking everything off.
The bike racks go on the roof usually require you to remove the front tire. Remember, the chain is on the back tire, so that's not the one to remove. When you reach your destination, you put your bike back together.
Many people use a bike rack that inserts into a hitch. If a hitch needs to be installed on your car explain to the mechanic what you will be hauling. They will help you to select an appropriate hitch. Hitches come in different sizes. If your vehicle already came with a hitch, you will need to know what the size is. The part of the bike rack that goes into the hitch is called the shank or hitch bar. The specifications of the rack should list the size of the hitch bar. If the bar is too small, they make collars to adjust it so that it fits into your hitch.
There are several styles of bike racks that go on a hitch. Some go straight in and do not adjust. These types do not allow access to the back of your car. Instead, try to get one that will allow you to get into the trunk or hatch back. When the bikes are not on the rack, there are some racks that swing down. Still others brag about being able to move the bike rack while the bicycles are on the rack so that you can get into the back of your car (swing away). Be very careful if you have one of these, they might be more trouble than they are worth.
Bikes can either hang from a bar on the rack or stand up on a rack. Either way, make sure your bicycles are securely on the rack which is securely on the car. You can't imagine the disaster when the system is not secure.
Make sure you lock your bikes to each other and to the rack. If you have children, make sure their bikes fit on the rack as well.
3. Remember that it rains on the road. Your bikes will get wet. Covers are hard to find and hard to attach. They don't always stay on. When you arrive, if you can, store your bikes indoors and wipe them down. By the way, you may also get caught in a surprise storm while cycling. Be prepared and cycle near civilization in case you have to find an alternate route back to your origin location. Needless to say, if a surprise storm pops up, you may have to stop cycling and start walking. Check your favorite weather app before venturing out. Even if the forecast says 10% chance of rain, that 10% chance might happen. Lubricate the gears of your bicycle if it gets caught in the rain.
Bicycles that are on the back of a vehicle may block the license plate and a bike cover will almost certainly block the license plate. Check out local laws before you drive.
4. Logistics: Consider your lodging and if you can bring your bikes inside or if they will stay on your vehicle the entire trip. This means you're hauling them everywhere: to eat, shop and sightsee. Investigate parking. Some parking garages are tight. (If you have cargo on top, you have to be able to have height clearance for a garage or find a parking lot). If your hotel has a bike rack, lock everything: the bike frames and the tires. There is even a kit that helps to secure your seat.
Bicycles are a target for thieves. Even if you are hauling them on a hitch rack, consider removing the tires, and accessories from your bicycle when you park. If the street doesn't look safe, it probably isn't. All hotel parking lots are not safe either. But the right locks will help you to secure your investment. Be prepared to spend a pretty penny for bike locks but it is worth it. When you ride your bike and if you are going to stop, you will have to lock it up. This means you are carrying the locks with you when you ride; you're hauling that weight as well. But don't skimp on the locks. It will be the best thing to keeping your bike to be yours.
5. Don't forget your clothing, helmets, gloves and any bags or gear, backpack beach chairs, saddlebags, etc. Some people wear the full gear, while others just wear comfortable clothing that doesn't get in the way of the gears, pedals, brakes or other parts of the bicycle. It's your personal preference.
If you have the pedals for bike shoes, then you have to wear those. Otherwise, you need secure footwear that will grip the pedals, particularly when you may be riding with a little speed.
Helmets may be required in some areas; check the local laws. For children, helmets and knee pads may be the law. For adults, they might not be. Our advice, always wear a helmet. Choose one that has a visor and wear sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun shining to brightly and preventing you from seeing the road clearly.
It's tempting to get every accessory for your bicycle, but it there are a few things you might consider. A red flashing light for the back of the bike will be helpful if you ride at dusk or night or even on the road with cars. Ditto for the front, except the light should be white. Like cars, don't put the beam too high so that it is shines in someone's eyes.
If you the GPS on your phone, you will need a secure holder. Some people attach a holder to the handlebars, some people use a small bike bag with a clear pouch. Make sure the pouch can handle a touch screen through the plastic.
Some people like to carry a bicycle bag attached to a rack on the back of their bicycle. I use one. Snacks, tissues, sunscreen, insect repellent and maybe a spare jacket can all go in the trunk style bag. There are bags for the front as well. If you don't want attach bags, you can carry a lightweight back pack or fanny pack.
Finally, when you travel, stop at the visitors center and get information for bike routes and trails. You can use the apps, but chatting with welcome center people may give you local info the apps don't give. If you have kids, bear in mind the safety of the trail, the length and any activities, rest areas and dining along the way. Cycling with the family is an excellent way to encourage life-long lovers of physical exercise.
There are plenty of accessories we did not get a chance to mention, so check out our store for more ideas
So, mount up, and enjoy!
The NYC Traveler Presents Tips for Your Trips
Subscribe to our blog
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
All photos and videos created and copyrighted by Marcia Crayton, unless otherwise noted.
Comments