Ever since the bicycle was first invented people have toured. In the 1880s, weekly newspapers and journals carried reports of derringdo cyclists who circumnavigated the world. To begin with they went on penny-farthings with only handlebar bags for luggage. Since then cyclists have been everywhere, and on every type of machine: there's not a desert or mountain valley in the world that hasn't seen the tyre marks of a British cyclist.
The bicycle is a very common means of transportation, accessible to all and enjoyable equally by all. In urban areas a bike provides an efficient yet pleasant means of transportation, friendly both to the user and to the environment.
Regular cycling will keep us in good shape and in good spirit while, at the same time, as an alternative to motor vehicles in urban areas it reduces the level of air pollution and noise.
In many locations, both urban and rural, the bicycle is considered a favorite means of touring transportation. Unlike the closed vehicle, the bicycle offers the rider an opportunity to merge with the surroundings. Cycling speed is optimal for making the most of a tour, not too slow, as it might be for the pedestrian, and yet not too fast, as it might be when motor transportation is used.
Bicycle touring is a leisure travel activity which involves touring, exploring or sightseeing by bicycle. Bicycle tourism can be likened to backpacking on a bicycle.
Bicycles provide the best means of seeing regions and countries. In a car or a bus you see life through a window. On a bike you feel the wind, smell the air and really see the sights.
Bicycle touring distances vary considerably. Depending on fitness, speed and the number of stops, the rider usually covers between 50 to 150km per day. (30 to 90 miles per day) A short tour over a few days may cover as little as 200km (120 miles) and a long tour may go right across the country or around the world.
It takes time to build up to completing a major cycle expedition. You have to learn the ropes by doing short day-tours, week-end tours and then week-long tours. However, if you've neither the time nor the inclination for long tours of any sort, day or weekend tours can be compact adventures in their own right.
A moderately fit cyclist can easily manage 60-70 road miles in a day. And that's with tea-shop stoppages and site-seeing breaks included. Off-road, the limit is perhaps 30-40 miles. But even if you just do twenty miles, you will see more on a bike than you ever would in a car.
Leisurely day touring can be managed by everybody: you're not limited by age, sex or fitness. Cycle touring beyond the range of a day trip may need a bike capable of carrying heavy loads. Although many different bicycles can be used, most cycle tourists prefer a touring bike built for the loads and which can be ridden more comfortably over long distances.
When you've mastered the day tour you can extend your enjoyment by spending a whole weekend pedalling around. If you B+B there's no need to carry much gear, but if you camp you'll need to fit pannier racks and bags. Cycling for anything longer than a weekend is a full-blown cycle tour, an expedition if you like.
A typical bicycle would have a longer wheelbase for stability and heel clearance, frame fittings for front and rear pannier racks, additional water bottle mounts, frame fittings for front and rear mudguards/fenders, a broader range of gearing to cope with the increased weight, and touring tires which are wider and more puncture-resistant.
A bicycle is a load-carrying platform. It carries you, of course, but with pannier racks fitted it can also comfortably carry a great deal of luggage. Quite apart from actual weight the distribution of this weight in the pannier bags is quite important. It's common sense to put the heaviest gear such as tent, tool kit and cooking gear at the bottom of the bags, close to the front and rear hubs. The front bags should be kept for light gear such as clothing.
There are lots of fancy pannier bags out there. A set of bags for expedition use must first of all be bomb proof. It's no good having a pair of Chinese-made panniers that have loads of features and look the business, and cost £20 less than other bags, but which rip after just a few knocks.
