First cycling holiday

Do you think the bike is good for a walk in the center or to stretch your legs in the park near your home? Or are you a lover of two wheels, have you chosen this vehicle for your daily training but not to accompany you on vacation? for the first time it is not trivial ... here are some suggestions that will allow you to better enjoy the experience of your first bike trip ... do not worry, it will be fantastic and I am sure you will not be able to anymore Do without it !!!

When to go?

Establishing when to leave is crucial. The bike trip cannot be improvised: leaving in September or August is not the same thing, the period strongly affects the choice of clothing to bring, in fact you will have to consider the climate, the stages you intend to ride

Which route?

To begin with, organize a simple route, to avoid turning your trip into an odyssey: without the right training, too many km, too many climbs, they will ruin an otherwise wonderful experience (... let me tell you who I fell for it: taken by enthusiasm, I exaggerated, overestimating my possibilities and expecting to tackle a 2,700 km itinerary as a first experience ... I came out unscathed, luckily, but only realizing 1 / 5 of the journey and with a waste of energy, even economic, not indifferent :( ...)

The first time

you could also rely on cycling tourism experts and join an organized trip, or if you prefer do-it-yourself, take advantage some advice from those who passed before you; visit the site ruotesagge.com, I can help you in your choice, write me an e-mail, info@ruotesagge.com it will be a pleasure to discuss it together

• check for the altimetry to understand well also what are the possible criticalities that you will have
• to overcome choose a route that is mostly linear and with few sloping sections, reduce any prolonged efforts to a minimum.
• get road maps that are as detailed as possible. Consult the maps online, do you know KOMOOT?, where you can download classic itineraries but also plan new ones ... There are many easy itineraries, visit ruotesagge.com and let yourself be inspired.
• choose well-marked paths that run along a river or a lake so that you can fully enjoy the landscape and, at the same time, always have contact with the world. 

Needs to be trained?

cycling holiday certainly does not require a great athletic preparation, but as anticipated, before your adventure it will be necessary to do some physical activity that could be decisive for the success of your trip. In the months preceding your departure, you could go on small trips of 1 hour at least twice a week; but taking long walks can also be useful; you have to become familiar with your means of transport, with the weight management that you will take with you, but above all you have to get used to the idea that during the journey, your body will be sitting in the saddle for at least 4 hours a day.

The bike!

If you don't have one yet, start with a sturdy trekking bike, touring bike or classic mountain bike. Do not spend too much to follow the fashion, later in time you can change your bike and if you are passionate it goes without saying that you will refine your cycling

tastes by yourself. Prefer a light and solid frame, preferably with a suspension fork; remember that it must be prepared for the

Rear rack & bags

Whether short or long, the journey requires one piece of luggage; it is certainly not advisable to carry weight on your shoulders, for trips lasting several days, travel bags to be anchored to the rear rack are essential; they will contain clothing and food, small tools and spare parts; an easy-access handlebar bag, it will be used to hold smaller things such as the camera, personal documents, mobile phone, map, etc .; don't forget your helmet and at least 2 water bottles.

Diet!

You are on vacation! Eat like locals! Eat what you like especially when it comes to quiet day hikes. If you ride for more days, the advice is to have a good and rich breakfast based on fruit, bread or rusks, cereals, jam, eggs if you prefer, some salty, of course coffee or tea; after 1 hour we leave! During the

trip it is good and right to drink plenty of water, a snack every 2 hours from departure based on bread and cheese or bread and ham. At the end of the stage it replenishes liquids and sugars with fruit, bananas are a precious help that must never be lacking.

Dinner must be used to replenish proteins, therefore meat or fish or seitan for vegetarians and vegetables; but also a good pizza can go well, don't forget that you are on vacation, enjoy it without excess if you still have to pedal tomorrow, but don't be too late!

Transporting the bicycle

The ideal is a large car that you allows you to insert your 'two-wheeled companion' directly into the trunk ... (I am privileged: my DACIA LOGAN is better than a van and allows me to transport my bikes by removing only the front wheel: D .. Alternatively, travel by train: reach your destination after loading the bike in the special wagon (the number of trains with wagons designed to transport bikes is increasing, fortunately); you pay a supplement of a few euros, in some If you are leaving by plane,

you must pack your bike and luggage according to the airline's provisions on bike transport; you will have to partially disassemble the bike and pack it safely. If you are returning from the same airport, you will need it for the return trip. The time has come, what are you waiting for? Your adventure can begin ... have a nice trip !!!