Tip for Your Trip: Travel With Your Bicycles
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
TRAVEL WITH YOUR BICYCLES
On the Road
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, if possible. 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.
2. Protect your vehicle and your bicycles. Get the bike rack that's best for your car that you can afford. The bike racks that attach to car trunks can be complicated and may damage your paint if you're not careful. If it goes into a hitch, you should be able to lock your rack to your car. Consider racks that swing down (to access the trunk area) or swing away (the entire assembly, bikes and all, can swing like a door) so that you can load and unload the car without taking the bikes off. Make sure you lock your bikes to each other and to the rack.
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.
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. 5. Stop at the visitors center and get information for bike routes and trails. Also, there are apps that will give directions by bicycle. Cycling on vacation is sightseeing on wheels. Don't forget your clothing, helmets, gloves and any bags or gear, backpack beach chairs, saddlebags, etc.
So, mount up, and enjoy!
The NYC Traveler Presents Tips for Your Trips
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All photos and videos created and copyrighted by Marcia Crayton, unless otherwise noted.
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