Biking across America can be both exciting and challenging. If you plan to ride your bike with a group, there are some things that you’ll want to do beforehand to prepare for your journey. Here are four preparations that you should make for your cross-country cycling adventure.
Commit to Your Plans
You’ll want to make sure that you’re fully committed to your goal of riding across the U.S. As National Geographic states, you should commit to the journey even before you feel fully ready.
Making a solid commitment in advance is a great way to prevent yourself from changing your mind. If you think about every detail before making the commitment, you may be more inclined to cancel your plans. It’s also important to be realistic about the fact that you’ll never feel fully prepared for the journey.
Bring the Proper Fuel for Your Body
Even though you won’t have to worry about fueling your bicycle, you’ll still need the proper fuel for your body to meet the everyday physical demands. Your riding group may supply some food and water, but you should still bring some of your own nourishment to give your body the right amount of energy.
Water will be needed to keep your body hydrated, and you can also choose to consume some sports drinks for additional hydration. Dried fruit, trail mix and beef jerky are some of the best snacks for long-distance cycling. Energy gel packs are also good to have on hand for extra fuel.
Pack Light
You don’t want to be bogged down by a lot of heavy items while on your journey. By packing light, you will have an easier time maneuvering and won’t have to waste a lot of energy.
Bringing along only a few T-shirts or biking jerseys is recommended for a cross-country cycling adventure. DHDWear and other clothing manufacturers produce shirts that are particularly ideal for biking. It’s also a good idea to bring a few pairs of cycling shorts or pants along with some clean socks and underwear.
Take First Aid Supplies
Your cycling group will likely already have first aid supplies on hand, but it will be to your benefit to bring some of your own items if supplies run low. There are first aid kits on the market that are lightweight and ideal for long-distance biking.
The kit that you purchase should include items like adhesive bandages and antibiotic ointment. Some kits also come with scissors, tweezers and disposable gloves. A kit that includes precut moleskin pieces will be great for treating blisters.
Doing everything that’s required to ready yourself for your cycling journey will make your endeavor easier to manage. Taking the right precautions can ensure good health and fun times throughout your adventure.