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"Bob's Tips" or
"What I wish I had known before I started!" (Click on the tip to see Bob's advice) |
Don't buy a new bicycle just before a long trip. Two days before I left for Magog, Canada,I went to Bloomfield Bicycle Shop with the idea of buying paniers for my DiamondBack. On impulse, purchased a brand new Trek touring bike. It's a great bike, but I should have put several hundred miles on it before taking it on the Magog, Canada trip. I purchased the Trek 520 Touring Series bike from Bloomfield Bike Shop. They were very helpful with my selection, customizing my new bike for my specific needs, and outfitting the bike with panniers. I selected Trek panniers that worked great for me. They have great features that include easy-access pockets and a pull over rain cover. I had visited several bike shops and decided on the Trek for its excellent reputation and warrantee.
I chose Bloomfield Bike Shop for its excellent service and reputation. The bike worked flawlessly
for this trip, however, I will consider further modifications before another trip. I've been told since
that all new bikes need some adjustments after riding them for a little while.
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Plan your nightly destination before you get tired in the late afternoon. The evenings were the best time to ride. Just when I began to start thinking about finding a place to stay for the night, the afternoon would cool off and I would feel like riding for another hour or two. Then, before I knew it, it was starting to get dark and I had to find a place in a hurry! It left me without much choice about where to stay at night. I like bed & breakfast inns the best. It's nice to chat with people in the evening instead of
locking yourself into a motel room with the TV.
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If you are planning a long, multiple-day trip, get in shape FIRST! Make sure you are physically prepared for your trip. My job involves lots of walking and physical
effort, but I found that on my Magog trip, I could have been in better cycling shape. I bought a
device that I use that turns my bicycle into a stationary excercise bike. I use it build up my bicycling
stamina when I can't get out on the road.
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Wear your bicycle helmet!!! I am a volunteer EMT with Suffield Volunteer Ambulance Association. Bike helmets make a tremendous difference in the severity of injuries caused by bicycle accidents. Buy a good one, fit it correctly according to the instructions that come with it and wear it when you
ride ALWAYS. Enough said.
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Cycle Toward home, not away! Give yourself the psychological advantage of riding toward home instead of riding
away from home. Travel to your starting destination then ride home. This may seem
like a trivial thing, but take my word for it, its a big deal.
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Eat Well and Eat Often!!! One day while on my Magog trip, I felt sick. I skipped breakfast, ate a few snacks during the day and paid for it by feeling sick. Enjoy being able to eat LOTS of good food!
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Drink lots of good fluids I drank lots of water, iced tea and some sports drinks to replenish fluids and electrolytes. Although I love i, I avoided soda pop. I didn't want the spikes in my blood-sugar.
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Plan long mid-day breaks I found it to be the best riding in the morning, late afternoon and evening.
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The amount of weight you carry really matters. The lighter the load, the easier the trip.
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Stop at locally-owned establishments Rural towns have lots of little stores and restaurants. People there will be interested in talking with you
about what you are doing and where you are going. If you stop at large chain-stores, people don't seem to
notice you much.
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Carry good maps There are many information booths sprinkled around. Their maps are all current and often include
local places of interest. It helps to know exactly where you are and how far away the next town.
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