A philosophy for bicycle touring
Twenty-six tidbits of knowledge I learned to make your time on the bike more enjoyable and fulfilling.
I am in Western Ohio working at the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure (GOBA) as the Camp Services Director. I set up and manage the logistics of the campsites where the 900 cyclists call home this coming week. It’s a good time to recycle a favorite post from the past given the limited free time in my days.
I was the new marketing chair on the Ohio to Erie Trail board of directors in 2020. The plan for the year was to visit local bike shops and talk about exploring the state of Ohio by bike. Blimp City Bike and Hike in Akron hosted my first talk in January. Two months later the pandemic upended the plan for the remainder of the year.
It was a full house on that January day. The cyclists came with all levels of cycling and touring experience. The shop sits on the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Akron’s Merriman Valley. They were familiar with the trail at their door and were eager to see what the Ohio to Erie Trail offers beyond the miles of the towpath.
My talk ended with a lively Q&A session, with fellow bike tourists offering their experiences alongside mine. I reflected on the conversation in the following days and captured the essence and wisdom of the day.
Smiles before miles. Choose to take time to meet people and explore their towns over racking up the miles on the Garmin to make the most of the day.
The worst can be the best. Challenging situations question, “Why am I doing this?” Those times linger on to become some of the best memories.
Grab a stool. The best way to get to know people is to share a meal. Nothing beats taking a seat at a diner’s counter. This immediately leads to laughter and conversations.
What’s the hurry? Touring by bike is escaping from life’s responsibilities. Set a target time to cycle but be flexible. It’s surprising how relaxed you are at the end of the day.
Lost can be found. There will certainly be lost time on a tour. An unintentional turn can lead to interesting unplanned experiences to an otherwise often over-planned route.
Know where you’re going. This joy of freedom on a bike sours when you are lost. Spend the evening reviewing the next day’s route and check the map regularly on the bike.
We tend to be material girls. We have more possessions than are needed in life. Strive not to carry that excess baggage with you on the bike. Over time, the number of things carried lessens to the necessities.
Most people are good. You meet many good people on the bike who share generosity and kindness. It’s uplifting. Pay it forward.
Laugh at yourself. Awkward things, mishaps, and mistakes are bound to happen on tour. Don’t have a temper tantrum (maybe sometimes). Keep rolling and think, “Damn that was stupid.”
Heads up! Never forget you are on a tour. Watch the road but let your eyes explore the worlds around you. Don’t answer your mobile phone. Be more aware of tour surroundings.
If it goes up, it may go down. I hate hills. Hills challenge me. I love hills as I coast down after a climb. Climbs are a reminder that like life a challenging hill yields rewards in the end.
The wind beneath my wings. Wind, I hate wind. Wind, I love wind. Like hills, wind mostly challenges me. Why are there never tailwinds? Just keep moving and cursing it.
Singing in the rain. Rain is mostly a downside, especially after a soaking day. It’s welcome on a 95-degree humid summer day. Life isn’t always a sunny day.
It’s about the drink. Be mindful of water. Dehydration is real and can unpleasantly stop your tour. Overcompensate by carrying more water and trying to be mindful of staying hydrated.
Make your own kind of music. There is no single blueprint for bicycle touring. I made my touring style over the years. I have evolved and continue to evolve as I change and age. Celebrate your flair!
Embrace being alone. Society celebrates togetherness and looks down on being a loner. Touring solo builds confidence and gives you time to dream, reflect on life, and sing out of tune.
Resist killing friends, if possible. Touring with friends is enjoyable and at the same time challenging. Take a deep breath. Embrace differences. Cycle ahead or behind. Chill out. It’s only a ride.
Trust your instincts. You can find yourself in uncomfortable situations with no clear direction. It’s better to trust yourself to move forward. If you are wrong, you can change course later.
Hit the brakes. We all need to do this more. I often regret not stopping and exploring something interesting I passed. When I turn back, I discover that it enhances my day.
Sprecher see Deutsch? Take the time to learn basic vocabulary when traveling in foreign lands. People appreciate any efforts to greet them in a less-than-stellar version of their language.
Be kind. Be considerate. Kindness is a door-opener and an eye-opener. Act as a good human and your actions will be returned a thousandfold. Remember and practice this more than any of the above.
Age matters. I am enjoying shorter days on the bike as the years pass. My philosophy shifted from a cyclist who tours to a tourist who cycles. I found a happy medium that weighs a little heavier on the tourist side.
Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death! Auntie Mame in Mame! made that observation. Don’t kill your dreams by not taking on a challenging tour. The most difficult challenges are overcome, not necessarily the most elegantly.
It’s electric! I added an e-bike to my bike stable a few years back. I continue to tour on my trusty Kona Sutra which I love dearly. I am ready to embark on a tour by e-bike and lean a little more to the tourist side.
Dream through others' eyes. I became an avid reader of bicycle-touring books over the past four years. The best authors put you behind their handlebars through their words. Visit faraway lands in your reads.
Touring by bicycle is a constant education. Each journey reveals new things through the people and places encountered. Expand your horizons from behind your handlebars.
There’s always time for coffee and cake! A morning stop for a second breakfast of coffee and cake immerses you in the journey. An afternoon beer is the perfect end for the ride.