Tips of the Trade

By TOM COPPOCK | BIKE TOUR GUIDE, DUVINE ADVENTURES

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Planning your route

For trips longer than two weeks, don't expect to stick to an itinerary. Mechanical failures, weather, getting lost and the desire to spend more time in the best places will delay you. Schedule some flexibility and a rest day every 7-10 days.

On the other hand, don't go without any plans. You may think that camping in farmers' fields will be fine, but after your first run-in with an angry landowner or a week without a shower, a real campground will seem like heaven. Before leaving, locate as many campgrounds, hostels and cheap hotels along your route as possible, so you will have options every day.

Get some detailed maps ahead of time that show mileages between towns.

Be realistic about how far you can go in one day (50-70 miles for a fit person and only 1/2 to 2/3 as far in mountainous terrain). You'll be able to ride farther as you get stronger.

If you're going with other people, make sure you all have the same expectations: Is this trip primarily about biking, sightseeing, drinking? Everyone should agree on the proposed route and be in similar physical condition.

Avoid urban areas if possible: traffic and the multitude of wrong turn options really slows you down.

What to Bring

A touring bike is always the best option (they have thicker tires than road bikes and a stiffer frame designed to handle the added weight). That being said, you can put bigger tires on your road bike or smaller ones on your mountain bike.

Don't rely on buying your bike when you get there. It costs only $80 to put it on the plane, and you should do some test rides with your loaded bike before setting out.

Waterproof panniers (bags that attach to the racks on your bike) or a small trailer provide the best ways to carry your gear. Biking while wearing a heavy backpack is brutal!

Pack light: one change of clothes, one pair of shoes.

Tools: learn to fix a flat, put a broken chain back together and replace spokes. Bring the necessary tools; you don't want to search for a bike shop for these minor repairs.

Bring anti-chafing cream (the aptly-named Assos Chamois Cream is the best). Hours of sweating and rubbing can be really painful. I once rode 30 miles standing up because I couldn't sit on the seat any longer. And I was once photographed in a compromising position by a car full of Japanese tourists as I was applying Assos to my er ... assos in the rain.