U.S. has diverse landscapes which are beautiful, ranging from sub-soaked coastlines, deserts to mountain ranges. Cycling about is by far the best practice for appreciating American outdoors. It may lead to journey beyond unplanned tracks.Many companies' offer structured cycling tours all around US, but may be expensive for some. Starting you private tour does not require being a fanatic cyclist, and the essentials include own biking kit. Start off by planning your cycling route. Research can be done at Adventure Cycling Associations. The ACA has multiple routes tailored for cyclists, with all round coverage for central as a well as Southern states and more.
You can customize your own cycling routes from cycling resources provided by state transport office. The roads that are off limits are interstates. Highways can be cycled on. Most state department for transport have detailed cycling map paths. Cyclists have different preferences where some prefer isolated roads while some prefer highway shoulder routes. Google Streets View maps can give a visual indication of shoulder size, traffic conditions and other issues. One can also look up cycling clubs run by local communities for advice.US is home to diver landscapes. Before starting your journey, one must plan ahead for terrain and weather conditions. The rule of thumb is starting from south in early year and finish north. Be sure to monitor the average temperatures. Ensure that you fitness level is appropriate for the cycling trip. Mountain ranges are especially tough which require reasonable fitness levels. Full day cycling may hurt the butt cheeks.
Travel light during the cycling tour. Important must have items include padded shorts as well as gloves. Gloves are vital for getting a firm grip on the brakes. Padded shorts are to protect from numb sensation. Wear a jacket for protection against chilly winds, or consider getting a waterproof jacket. Always have a small basic toolkit on standby for minor fixes should it arise. Learn a course on simple repairs for contingencies. Always bring along an extra bike tyre for unexpected punctures. Warm Showers, an online cycling platform offers couch surfing services hosted by local cyclists. It can save you a great deal of money while meeting people who share similar interests. One may consider camping but it may get burdensome if organized in large groups. Heavy equipment needs to be carried around (think gas cooker, canned food) on your cycling tour if you do consider the camping option. Be sure to bring along a lightweight bag for sleeping. It is more economical to own a bike, rather than renting. Having your private bike makes lengthy trips smoother. Touring bikes are suitable for heavy duty tours. Nevertheless road bike is sufficient for any tour types. Virgin Atlantic as well as Emirates are 2 airlines that provide bike courier service to US at no extra cost. Other airlines typically slap an additional charge. There are limited train service between biking routes, hence consider getting a car for moving around.
Look out for potential danger situations on the road. US drivers are generally courteous and make space for your cycles. However their large vehicles may be a bit obstructing to the view. Look out for freight Lorries as they can be terrifying. Make sure rear view mirrors are working perfectly with complete unblocked vision. Be wary of dogs as they may start chasing you especially if they are unbound. They may knock the rider off. Stopping temporarily and chase them away instead may solve the problem. Insects are ever present at cycling routes and terrains and make sure to not sit on an ant's nest.
U.S. is huge and you may not encounter one single petrol station after a long full day. Be sure to carry ample supplies to tide through. Solo cyclists may feel isolated, and having a travel companion may be suitable. Update you plans with your loved ones. Cycling roads may be unkempt and accidents may happen. Be sure to have adequate insurance coverage for any cycling mishaps. Study the insurance covers in details and purchase additional coverage in order to be safe and fully protected.