Preparing for a long bike trip
What's so special about bikepacking and bike touring is that the experience isn't just about pedaling: you also have to think about refuelling, where to sleep and what kind of terrain to cover.
All these aspects come into play when it comes to planning your itinerary. One thing's for sure: the unexpected is part of travel, and that's what makes it so charming!
Each journey, whether lasting two days or several weeks, will teach you a little more about yourself, and will certainly leave you with a great sense of pride. And don't forget: travelling by bike is often addictive, and every little journey will make you want to go a little further next time!
Start by dreaming a little! What kind of adventure would you like to experience? A great wilderness crossing, a tour of a region on a bike path, exploring the mountains or a loop in the countryside near your home?
Then determine the number of days you have available and the pace you want to adopt. This will directly influence the daily distance, the type of surface and the level of autonomy you need.
Draw inspiration from existing itineraries
People who travel by bike often take inspiration from existing routes and adapt them to their needs.
There are many, many sites that list tested and approved routes, including all essential points of interest, such as refuelling points, accommodation or camping options and water points. These resources are perfect for a stress-free first adventure.
First, it's best to determine the area you want to explore. Look on the Internet, or in communities of practice, for existing itineraries in that area. You can use these public itineraries as they are, or modify them to suit your own wishes (shorten them, start from another location, etc.).
Knowing the wildlife and the environment means bringing the right equipment. For example, in a region where bears are common, it's essential to have repellent on hand and to understand best practices for avoiding unwanted encounters. In Quebec, the summer season also calls for heightened vigilance against ticks. Incorporating a tick remover into your first-aid kit is a simple gesture that facilitates rapid intervention in the event of a bite.
Use planning tools
Apps like Komoot, RideWithGPS, Strava or Garmin Connect are excellent tools for plotting and personalizing your route.
- Create your route by defining a starting point and an end point.
- Manual adjustment by adding crossing points, avoiding roads with heavy traffic and favouring surfaces compatible with your bike and your level of comfort.
- Identify points of interest: water sources, grocery stores, bike stores, campsites, bivouac sites, etc.
Respect for private property is the golden rule. Take the time to check your itineraries:
- Cross-reference information from several maps to check that you are not passing through private land.
- Check with local communities or cycling clubs.
- Identify the zones you will be crossing, and provide a means of payment to cover access fees, if applicable.
- Find out about hunting seasons and adapt your itinerary accordingly.
Analyze the route
Once you've decided on your route, take the time to study it and assess its potential difficulties. Distance and altitude difference are, of course, important indicators, but so are the type of surface, distance, environment and time of year.
- The difference in altitude: analyze the elevation profile to estimate ascents and descents. This will help you better plan your efforts and stages.
- Type of surface: Asphalt, gravel, forest trails... Each surface affects your speed and comfort.
- The actual distance: don't always rely on kilometers. A 60 km route on rough roads can be more demanding than a 100 km route on the open road.
Off the marked trails, some sections may be technical or difficult to ride (sand, mud, rocks, off-road vehicle tracks), requiring you to walk or push your bike. These stretches can be physically demanding, slowing progress considerably.
Most itineraries are well documented. Do your research and don't hesitate to ask questions in social networking groups or communities. The more you know about what lies ahead, the better you'll be able to assess the skills and abilities required to complete your journey.
Depending on your context, there's still time to adapt your itinerary or expectations.
Choosing your hosting options
Depending on your preferences and the experience you're aiming for, there are several options available, all of which have a direct impact on the amount of luggage you'll need to pack and distribute on your bike. In Quebec, the Bienvenue cyclistes! is a valuable resource when it comes to accommodation: these places offer services adapted to cyclists (shelter, tools, washing areas, space to lock the bike).
- Inn, hotel or B&BCheck accommodation options on your route and, if possible, book in advance.
- Community welcomeSome apps and websites identify hosts who welcome cyclists for a shower, a night indoors or a tent in their garden.
- Camping facilitiesTo get the most out of your stay: find the official campsites in advance and, if possible, make a reservation.
- Backcountry campingAlways check local regulations. Some regions allow bivouacs, others do not. Identify areas where bivouacking is permitted, in order to respect legislation and the natural environment.
Sleeping outside is certainly the ultimate experience that every apprentice adventurer aspires to. Of course, this choice comes with its share of extra baggage. Before you leave, take the time to assemble and disassemble camping equipment to check that it's complete and in good condition, to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Preparing your outing and planning your itinerary are already part of the journey, because adventure isn't limited to time spent in the saddle. It's also all about preparation, making adjustments as you go, and getting home. So many moments to savor, all part of the experience.
Anticipating refuelling
The further your itinerary is from the center, the more important it is to have enough food to last the duration of your trip. Good food management allows you to live the unexpected to the full... without unnecessary stress.
- Find out before you leave about available refreshment points (grocery stores, water sources). Check opening hours and days, especially in rural areas.
- Plan alternative solutions in case a business closes.
- Plan to carry an extra day's worth of food in your luggage when refuelling points are uncertain.
- Have at least one method of water purification on hand if you have to take water from a lake or river: tablets or a filter, whichever you prefer.
Tip: note the distances between refreshment points. This will help you avoid unpleasant surprises.
Preparing for the unexpected
Hazards are part of the adventure, but they're more manageable when they're taken into account in advance!
- Exit plan: anticipate all possible scenarios (breakdown, injury, bad weather) and how to deal with them.
- Offline navigation: download your route in GPX format to your phone and, ideally, your GPS, so you can access it on two different devices. In some cases, a paper map may also be useful.
- Communication: share your route and stops with someone you trust.
