Cycling: jumping into the water

Whether you dream of going around Lac Saint-Jean, going to Gaspésie via a panoply of paved roads or crossing the Andes mountain range, your concerns are probably the same as those of most cyclotravellers: having the right equipment , be in good enough shape, know your way around and know where to stop. Here are some tips to make your preparation easier.

This article first appeared in the excellent magazine Vélo Mag, August 2020 edition.

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Pedal regardless of the mount

More than ever, families of bikes seem to be multiplying for each activity. It can be very easy to imagine that you don't have the right bike for the dream adventure. Yet I have met cyclists from all over the world pedaling on every mount imaginable. Some had no budget limit with their titanium frames, others rode on becyks which I would not have taken to go to the barn! South Americans in particular can go on an adventure with the first two-wheeler found. This money saved often allows them to leave faster and longer.

Jimmy Alexander Cuellar Bonilla, from Colombia, met in Santa Rosa, Peru.

Different materials have the reputation of offering more or less comfort or lightness. In practice, the difference between steel, aluminum, titanium or carbon is quite negligible when dragging several kilos of luggage with you. The grips, the saddle and its post will all have a much greater influence than the frame.

It is, however, possible to modify a bike you already own to make it a bit more travel-friendly. The stem of a road can be changed or turned around so as to raise the riding position. The suspension fork of a mountain bike could also be replaced by a rigid one in order to conserve its energy and to allow the installation of panniers in the front. A carbon bike could also be used for road trips by attaching a trailer that attaches to the quick release or the thru-axle of the rear wheel.

The recent offer of gravel bikes is also particularly interesting. Due to their wider tires and their ability to overcome most obstacles, these are versatile enough to roll quickly close to home, but also allow you to load them with luggage to go on an adventure.

If you have straight handlebars, consider installing grips that provide good support for your palms as well as lugs on the ends. This will give you more support points and ensure more comfort over long distances. In the case of road handlebars, you can add padded pads under the handlebar tape for the same reason, or wrap an extra thickness of it.

No matter the destination, the main thing is to get started. Here, around the cliffs after Entre Rios in Bolivia.

Choose the right bags

Who says bicycle trip generally says luggage transport. By far the most common method is a rear rack on which you hang two panniers. The trailer is a more cumbersome option that I would recommend if you are going completely self-sufficient for several days without refueling, or if you have a carbon bike without an anchor point for a luggage rack.

The choice of panniers is in my opinion even more important than that of the bike. There is (almost) nothing worse than finding your sleeping bag and clothes wet at the end of a long day. An all-weather waterproof fabric will be better than a cover that has to be added and removed with every drop of rain, and will also protect much more. Test this waterproofness with a garden hose or in the shower before heading out. For added protection, bring along a few garbage bags. A water-repellent spray can help, but it won't work miracles.

If you plan to leave the asphalt, even temporarily, or go longer with heavier panniers, a higher quality rack will be worth its weight in gold. It may be a little heavier but will give you peace of mind and will last you almost your life.

Arkel saddlebags

I recently completed an article and a video where I compare the popular Ortlieb and Arkel saddlebags. Although I drove tens of thousands of kilometers on the first ones, I now recommend the Quebec company more for most trips.

If you are interested in getting Arkel I have some affiliate links for Orca 25, Orca 35 et Orca 45.

Dress as you like

When traveling, with a slightly wider and cushioned saddle, I found that I preferred to wear simple sports shorts rather than bib shorts. I appreciate how quickly it dries, the less “sporty” smell at the end of the day and the fact that I can go on a sightseeing tour without having to change clothes. I also put on a slightly loose cycling sweater, for its practical back pockets and front zipper.

That said, I've seen on the road as many cyclists dressed entirely in Lycra as others wearing only cotton.

With my brother, Sacha, in Bulgaria.

Invite friends

If the fact of leaving alone worries you or interests you less, talk about it to those around you. You might be surprised how many friends would like to go with you!

Slow down and explore

Meeting with road workers in Cruce Culta, Bolivia.

Just because you can ride 100 km in a peloton on the weekend doesn't mean you should do the same when traveling. Especially with the weight of the luggage. It is also more pleasant to have time in the schedule to stop, eat, talk and visit. Unlike a run, the leisurely pace of the journey requires virtually no prior training.

By bike, almost any road can be interesting. Although it is cliché, it is true that the important thing is rarely the point of arrival but rather the way to get there. So plan for shorter distances and allow yourself the freedom to change your plans.

Enjoy the present moment. Force yourself to look around in order to find beautiful viewpoints to photograph. Take pictures of your food, of your moments of pain and euphoria, of the people you meet.

My shortest distance in one day was less than 2 km after accepting an invitation to eat and then sleep with an Argentinian pastor, father of 7 children! The best memories are rarely plannable.

Sunset in Colón, Argentina.

Learn basic mechanics

Repairing a puncture in Caetano Mendes, Brazil.

No need to get your bike technician level 48 before leaving. However, knowing a few basic mechanics will prove useful. Knowing how to change a puncture is probably the most important. Bring a spare tube or two with you, as well as a packet of self-adhesive patches. These take a few minutes longer to locate the hole and then fix it, but take up a fraction of the space and weight in a pannier. You can also stick one inside the tire for added protection during the repair.

A few tools and items will allow you to do other small repairs yourself: a multi-tool that includes hex keys, a tire lever, a small pump, an extra chain link and a spoke or two ( the right length!) just in case.

Pitch your tent

One of the best ways to appreciate nature and the territories crossed is to camp, in the evening, on official land or not. I have many times asked farmers or simply owners who were outside their homes if I could settle on their land. Finding out before setting up your pickets takes the worry out of both sides and avoids a police visit in the middle of the night. The authorization is even often followed by a meal!

Fire stations or police stations, community halls, even church grounds, are all places where it is possible to talk and stop. Because it's different, traveling by bike arouses the curiosity of people who see us arrive in their daily lives. We are generally quiet, non-threatening and represent freedom. You will be surprised how many doors will open to you.

Camping under the Milky Way on the Carretera Austral, Chile.

Don't lose the North

For directions, I use a combination of the Google Maps and Maps.me apps. In both cases, it is possible to download the maps in advance, which makes it possible to limit the use of the Internet or to troubleshoot when there is no network.

You could also create a location share with a friend or family member as an added precaution.

Leave now

All these tips really have only one goal: to make you realize that a cycling trip is much easier than you think.

No matter the gear or the preparation, just get up, cycle, eat, and start again.

The destination is not so important either. Whether exploring the trails around home or on the other side of the world, discovering the landscape on the other side of a climb, the culinary reward at the end (or in the middle!) of the day as well as the many meetings of people attracted by our saddlebags offer the same pleasure.

All the fears or worries that you may feel before the start generally disappear in the joy and freedom of the first pedal strokes. In a nutshell as in an article: the best time to have adventures is now.

You have to know when to stop for a snack. Here, at the Machaoamaroa restaurant, in Bolivia.