6 Reasons You’re Ready For An Epic Bike Journey Today
Tags: Cycling, Travel, Adventure

6 Reasons You’re Ready For An Epic Bike Journey Today

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If you’ve followed my wanderings and adventures on Instagram, then you know I’m all about bike travel. Whether you’re trekking across a state, or across the country, a bike trip opens up a whole world of badass discovery and adventure. I’m also a believer that traveling long distances by bike is something that just about anyone who wants to, can do. My bike touring philosophy is based on the idea that you don’t need a lot of money or expensive gear to have an incredible journey. So if you’ve ever considered taking a bike trip of your own, but haven’t taken the plunge, I’ve got six reasons why you might already have everything you need to set off on a bike adventure right now.

1. The Bike

This is where conventional wisdom starts to creep in and ruin the party. Don’t be fooled, an epic bike trip doesn’t require flashy, new bicycles. I purchase all of my bikes through Craigslist. The last two major trips I cycled were down the Pacific Coast and from Saint Louis, MO to Brooklyn, NY via Canada. Both of these trips were done with two different bikes priced at a whopping $40 each. Thanks, Craigslist! Obviously, If the latest and greatest bicycle works for your budget (or you already own one), more power to you! For everybody else, keep in mind that it’s not necessary at all.

2. Gear/Equipment/Camping

We live in an exciting world saturated with sexy, new technology, bike gear, and space age camping accessories. These are all nice (like, really nice), but you can do without these; especially if that sweet, new solar charger from REI is going to break the bank. There are all kinds of ways to support your tour without forking over all of your adventure cash. After my first set of panniers began falling apart, I opted to incorporate discarded things instead of buying a new pair. I began using milk crates and oil cans to carry my stuff. This is a much cheaper (read: free) and recycle-friendly way to travel compared to traditional panniers. You’re bike won’t win any beauty contests, but that’s not why we’re here, is it? Besides, I actually prefer the DIY Mad Max-ian look and feel of a touring bike put together from reclaimed and recycled objects.

For shelter, I suggest a tent (more on this later). I’m currently using a tent I purchased from a thrift store for $15. Additionally, I’ve used sleeping bags that ranged in price from $0 to $5. Just about anything you need for camping and bike travel can be found in mom and dad’s garage or your local thrift stores. However, If I do spend a little extra cash on anything, it usually goes to a solid rear and/or front rack.

3. Fitness

I know some cyclists out there that have pre-tour training regiments; the idea being that you need to be in shape, or at the very least, train hard before going on a bike trip. While I understand the reasoning behind this, I’d like to challenge this notion. Sure, you could train for hours every day, or you could simply just… go. The beauty of a bike trip is that it is YOUR journey. YOU get to decide how fast and far you want to travel every day. Remember, It’s not a race. Your body will have plenty of time to adapt to life on the road. No training needed. None. Seriously, all you need is a bit of time in the saddle, and you’re ready to bike across the country. I Promise :)

4. Accommodation

While biking from Saint Louis, MO to Brooklyn, NY I didn’t pay a single dime for accommodation. How? I spent the majority of my nights either bundled up in my tent, or sleeping under the stars in my sleeping bag. Where? Anywhere and everywhere. All it takes is a bit of imagination and some common sense. I found plenty of space behind stores, parking lots, fields, playgrounds, churches, schools, abandoned buildings, and even on an interstate construction site. And no, I was never mugged, attacked, followed or feared for my safety at any time. In fact, I’ve met some really incredible people during my urban camping experiences, including a homeless fisherman who insisted that I put my tent up next to his truck so he could watch over me and my stuff while I slept on the docks.

5. Food and Water

If you’re biking in the USA, this is easy. Food and water are EVERYWHERE. Most of the food I eat comes from dollar stores and discount shops. This means a lot of bootleg peanut butter sandwiches and off-brand cookies. If the cardboard-esque taste of name brand-less oreos doesn’t quite do it for you, there are the classic alternatives: gas stations, supermarkets and other chain grocery stores. For the more hardcore cyclists among us, dumpster diving is an easy option. And it’s probably a lot healthier than my own touring diet. For more info on dumpster diving and bike travel, check out this dude → Rob Greenfield.

As for hydration, water is clean and free all over North America, and can be found just about anywhere: libraries, gas station bathrooms, parks… anywhere. Drink up!

6. Lycra/Spandex

Completely unnecessary

There it is

I’ll end by saying that none of this is gospel. Adopt all of these ideas, some of these ideas, or none of these ideas. Use whatever bike you’d like, stay in hotels or slum it in a tent, eat whatever you want, and if you look hella fabulous in spandex, then by all means go for it! For me, travelling by bike isn’t about living a life with rigid rules designed by someone else, it’s about freedom and living an adventure on your own terms.

Agree? Disagree? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Do you have any questions or comments about bike touring? Please leave a comment or tweet a brother up at @JoshTk_