Bicycle
Camping – An Introduction For Beginners
Bicycle camping can be one
of the most affordable, interesting ways to go camping. There
are no high gasoline prices to pay, since you'll be using a human-powered
vehicle to get to your camping base and for exploring during your
camping trip.
There are some important points
to keep in mind before your first bicycle camping trip. Take a
long, hard look at your physical fitness so you can decide if
this type of camping is right for you. Your fitness level will
also help you decide how far you can travel to get to your camp
site. You goal may be to eventually camp far from home, but beginners
should choose a camp site within a few miles of their home for
their first bicycle camping experience.
When planning your first bicycle
camping trip, select a camping location within a short distance
of your home. Learn how many miles the camp ground you want to
visit is from your home or starting point. Ride your bicycle that
same distance on any route you choose. For example, let's say
you select a camp that is 20 miles away from your home. You must
learn if you easily ride 20 miles, taking a few breaks along the
way to rest and drink water for hydration, without exhausting
your body. If you can not travel the distance, then you must choose
a camp closer to your starting point or physically train to increase
your fitness level before you begin your first bicycle camping
trip.
To keep your bicycle camping trip
fun, you need to be able to ride the required distance to your
destination without experiencing aching muscles and soreness.
Once you reach a fitness level that allows you to travel the required
distance easily, begin carrying some weight in a backpack along
on your training rides, just as if you were carrying along camping
gear. After all, you'll have to carry all your supplies with you
on your bicycle. It is much harder to ride with a loaded backpack
and you must develop the physical fitness to travel with your
load of camping gear to the base camp site.
Bicycle campers need light-weight
camping gear. Choose a small, light-weight, nylon tent rather
than a heavy canvas tent. Choose your bedding carefully also.
You may not even need a sleeping bag if the weather is warm. During
the summer, bed sheets are all the bedding you need in many climates.
All most all of your camping gear
must be carried in your backpack, so select a well-designed, light-weight
but strong backpack that is comfortable for you when filled and
positioned properly on your back. Smaller bags that attach to
your bicycle on various part of the frame, handle bars or under
the saddle are great optional equipment that can hold a few items,
but the bulk of your equipment must fit into your backpack and
still allow you to move with ease and comfort on your bicycle.
Advanced bicycle campers sometimes buy small carts that can be
pulled behind their bikes, but this is not a wise investment for
beginning campers because they can be expensive.
The best camp sites for bicycle
camping provide outdoor grills and have supply stores on-site
that sell food, paper products, and personal care items. By shopping
for food and other needs once you arrive at your camp ground,
you avoid the need to carry along plenty of food, preparation
equipment, and other bulky or heavy supplies. Purchase food and
supplies after you arrive at camp and buy only as much as you
will use during your visit. Your goal is to keep your load of
gear as light as possible.
Most camp grounds provide fresh,
potable water at each camp site. If this is the case where you
are planning to set up your base camp, take only enough drinking
water for your bicycle trip to the camp. If you wish to take along
solid food items, choose special made freeze dried items to avoid
adding weight to your gear.
If you are camping for only a
few days, you need few clothes and personal items. Remember, you
can wash clothing and wear it again, so do not carry an outfit
for every single day. Lay out the clothes you think you need to
take , then reduce the amount by one-half or more. A swim suit,
a change or two of clothes, a towel that you can use for swimming
and showering, a pair of shower shoes that can also be worn on
the beach and during water sports, plus some clean undergarments
are all you really need. A nylon cooler that can fold flat is
a good idea so you can keep left-overs and soft drinks cool using
ice bought from the camp site supply store. These coolers are
inexpensive and very light-weight.
You'll need to bring personal
items such as shampoo, toothpaste, and any medications you take
regularly. Place small amounts into travel bottles and do not
carry the weight of full-sized packages. Be sure, however, that
all medications are clearly labeled so you do not become confused
about your dosage.
You do not need to have lots of
special equipment for a short weekend bicycle camping trip. Your
bicycle should be the right type for the route you plan to travel.
If you are traveling along flat roadways with safe bicycle paths,
a standard balloon-tire bike can work well, either single speed
or multi-speed. For hilly terrain, you'll want a bicycle that
has multiple gears, at least 10 or more, and is made for riding
easily up inclines and hills.
If bike paths are not available
over parts of your planned route, your bicycle must have reflectors,
a head lamp, a tail lamp and other safety equipment. It is not
too expensive to investment in a bicycle seat that has flashing
lights across the rear so you can be seen more easily by vehicles
on the road. Many areas require use of a headlight after sunset
or you can get a traffic ticket. Be sure to check the laws in
the area you plan to visit.
A first aid kit is must for your
trip. It should include, as a minimum, band-aids, alcohol wipes,
gauze, tweezer, and antibiotic ointment. You must also include
insect repellant and sunscreen in your gear. Make room for these
items, even if it means leaving something else at home.
Be sure your bicycle is in tip-top
working condition before you start your trip. Perform basic maintenance
such as oiling the chain, adjusting the seat, and checking tire
condition and pressure. You may want an under-the-saddle tool
bag in which you carry a few standard tools; or you can store
these items in your backpack. Just don't forget to take basic
tools with you, no matter where you choose to place them. Your
tool kit must have and small and large slot and Phillips screw
drivers, small adjustable wrench, air gauge for checking tires,
and other items you use often. An inner tube patch kit is also
a good item to include .These items can be important for making
you first bicycle camping trip successful and fun.
Once you have reserved your camping
spot, packed your gear and prepared drinking water for the trip,
you are ready to place your backpack on your back and leave on
your adventure in bicycle camping. You'll find that bicycle travel
is so much more relaxed and pleasant than the hectic pace of automobile
travel. You'll arrive at your camping location feeling tired but
invigorated.
Once you arrive and check into
your camp site, take a few minutes to relax; then check your camp
site for snakes and other pests before you pitch your tent. Go
to the on-site supply store and buy food for a meal and a few
staples you'll use during your camping such as canned drinks,
bottled water, paper plates and plastic tableware. You'll also
need to purchase charcoal for grilling or gather wood for a campfire.
About now, it will probably be
time to build your cooking fire, prepare food, sit back and relax,
and enjoy your time camping. Get a good night's rest and the next
day, use your bicycle to venture into the surrounding areas and
explore. Remember to avoid heavy exercise during the hottest times
of day if the temperatures are soaring. Anytime you ride your
bicycle, be sure to have drinking water with you to avoid dehydration.
At the end of your trip, get rid
of unnecessary items, perhaps sharing extra paper goods and other
items you don't wish to haul home with other campers. Pack your
gear, remembering to clean up your camp area so it’s ready
for the next camper, and head for home. Do not leave any trash
such as plastic bags, plastic rings from multiple-can drink packages,
or any other items that could allow wildlife to become entangled
or injured.
You'll arrive at your home with
have fond memories of your first bicycle camping trip. If you
loved your first bicycle camping trip, you may want to begin training
for a longer bike camping adventure in the near future.
Contributed
By Nora
Caterino
