Do you like biking? Do you like traveling? Why not bring your bicycle along on your next trip? You’ll have more freedom on your next vacation, regardless of location. Check out the following reasons to bring your bike along!
Great Exercise
Cycling combines the outdoors with exercising, plus has the bonus of getting to go where you want to go. Bicycling has several physical and mental health benefits. Riding a bicycle uses many of your major muscles and can increase your cardiovascular fitness. Riding a bike also releases adrenalin and endorphins, which decrease stress levels and reduce anxiety and depression.
Cycling can also be as intense as you want. Whether you’re taking a leisurely ride on the boardwalk or off-roading on a mountain, you’re still participating in some great exercise.
5cycling shared more about this.
Flexible
A bicycle can get you into tight alleyways and crowded markets that cars can’t get into. There are some areas that can only be explored by foot or by bicycle. If you are planning a biking trip in the mountains you will need to take your bikes by car or van or truck to your destination. If the going is rough then investing in the best tailgate bike pad you can afford is definitely a good idea and will protect your ride. Walking everywhere can hurt your feet, so having a bicycle helps when your feet need a break. You’ll also get places more quickly on a bicycle than you would with walking.
Also, if you’re in a city where you don’t have your own car, having your own bicycle gives you another option for when you don’t want to wait around for public transportation.
Cheap
If you want to explore all areas of a city, bringing your own bicycle can save you money because you won’t need to pay for gas for your vehicle or pay for public transportation. Renting a bicycle is also an option, but renting can be expensive. Rental bikes can also be uncomfortable and not built for your specific needs. If you’re riding on unfamiliar trails, you’ll be more comfortable on your own bike.
Transporting your bike is easy. Most airlines will allow you to add a bike to your checked luggage for an additional fee, though policies vary. You’ll want to contact your airline to let them know you’re planning on bringing a bicycle.
If you’re driving yourself, all you need is a bike rack. Dedicating an area inside your car or RV for bicycles can be challenging because of limited space, so a bike rack is a perfect solution. Camperism has a great guide for those that are looking for RV bike racks.
Environmentally Friendly
Bicycles do not use fossil fuels, which helps cut down on carbon dioxide emissions and reduces smog. You can ride a bicycle around the location you’re exploring without the fear of adding pollution to the air.
There are many cities across the globe that encourage bicycle riding because of the environmental benefits. In the United States alone, some of the major cities that you’ll find popular with cyclists include Portland in Oregon, Boulder in Colorado, and Austin in Texas.
Different View
You’ll experience places in brand new ways when exploring them on a bicycle rather than in a car. You’ll be able to venture down small paths and get closer to nature.
Another benefit to a bicycle over a car is that you can easily stop and explore. For example, imagine you’re driving down a crowded street in a car and see a shop you want to explore – you’d have to find a place to park the car before going into the shop. With a bicycle, you could park right outside the shop and head right inside.
Tips to remember
So, you’ve decided to take your bicycle along on your travels. Great! Here are a few more quick tips to keep in mind.
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Follow the rules of the road. Chances are, you’ll be sharing roads or trails with other cyclists, cars, or people. Knowing how to ride around others will help keep you safe and prevent unwanted accidents. Now is a good time to look up the guidelines for cyclists in the location you’re traveling to. If you’re still not sure what the guidelines are, watch other cyclists and follow their lead.
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Bring the proper gear. You’ll want a helmet that fits properly, reflective lights, and safety gear. Having these items can prevent unwanted accidents. To avoid the possibility of your bike getting stolen, you’ll also want to invest in a bike lock.
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Plan ahead. Before you begin traveling, investigate possible routes and locations where you can ride your bicycle. For example, if you don’t have experience biking uphill, you don’t want to get to a location and discover that all the routes are on hills.
