If you enjoy cycling, you’re probably considering a longer bike trip? Should you go independently or join a larger organized group event for a cycling tour?
I asked experienced cyclists, twin brothers Rain and Ain Soone, nicknamed “Cycling Knights,” which type of bike trip they prefer. How thorough does the preparation need to be? What should you consider for the trip and what should you take with you?
Should you undertake a cycling trip independently or …
The twin brothers prefer participating in organized cycling trips and have been doing so for many years. These trips have many advantages—like having a predetermined route and accommodations.
Suitable for both experienced cyclists and beginners: the daily distance may seem relatively long, but you can ride at a pace that suits you.
Typically, the daily distance ranges from 40 to 75 km. Riding in a group is also much more fun, and there are entertaining events in the evenings.
Advantages of an organized cycling trip
A significant advantage of an organized cycling trip is that you don’t have to carry all your gear in a backpack; it can be placed on a transport vehicle. In other words, you can fully enjoy the ride and the surroundings without worrying about accommodation.
On these trips, the following are usually organized:
- medical and technical assistance
- hot meals
- luggage transport by support vehicle
- guided excursions
- well-chosen camping spots (sometimes with a sauna)
- joint events
Since most things are organized, you only need to consider what personal items to bring. You can place your bags, tents, and other equipment on the transport vehicle, so you don’t have to worry about the weight and size of your bags.
Recommendations for going on a cycling trip
Generally, people fear that a cycling trip requires thorough preparation and that they must pack half of their belongings, but this is not the case.
- the most important: don’t forget your bike and check it before the trip! Inspect the tires, brakes, chain, and other moving parts
- clothes + change of clothes according to weather conditions
- rain jacket or poncho
- sleeping bag and tent
- water bottle should definitely be within reach
- insect repellent and snacks are always helpful
- it’s worth checking the weather forecast
- it’s also a good idea to look at the map to see if there are any shops along the route; if there are shops, you can buy snacks there—no need to carry them all yourself
The Cycling Knights tested city bikes on the trail. What were the results?
In August 2018, the “Cycling Knights” Ain and Rain participated in the cycling trip “We Can’t Get Through Without Latvia” and tested whether a city bike could manage on such a long trip or if a mountain bike was necessary.
The “Cycling Knights” chose to test the Electra city bikes Cruiser Tiger Shark and Townie Commute.
First, the Cruiser Tiger Shark impressed with its excellent rolling capabilities. You could even say that this trip literally offered a new perspective—since the riding position was upright, it was very comfortable to look around during the trip. Thanks to the bike’s cool appearance, Rain attracted quite a bit of attention in the town of Ludza.
Going uphill was a bit easier on the Townie Commute because it has 7 gears. Snacks and jackets could be placed on the front and rear racks. If needed, a backpack and tent could also fit on the racks. Very practical.
Fenders save a rainy day
It should be noted that both bikes had very good fenders. One day, it rained for several hours. The riders and their clothes remained completely clean, and even the bikes didn’t get muddy thanks to the fenders. Many sport cyclists ended up with long mud stripes on their backs.
The riding position saved the cyclists’ knees
One more thing the Cycling Knights noticed: typically, on the first day of a trip, their knees would feel a bit sore, but this time they only felt mild fatigue in their knees. The slightly forward pedaling position created less tension in their knees compared to regular cycling.
Thus, the fun test was successfully completed, and the “Cycling Knights” can confidently say that city bikes can be taken on a cycling trip.
Would you like to participate in such a cycling trip?
Larger cycling trips with more participants are organized by MTÜ Roheliste Rattaretked and Matkaklubi Lõunamatkad.
Roheliste rattaretkedel usually have around 1500-2000 participants. The participant limit for the 2018 Lõunamatkade organized trip “We Can’t Get Through Without Latvia” was 150. The event is popular, and there are usually fewer spots than interested participants.
If you prefer a smaller group and want to cycle outside of Estonia, it’s worth checking out the cycling trips organized by Loodusretked OÜ. They organize exciting cycling trips to places like Gotland, Åland, and Poland.
So grab the handlebars of your bike and go on a cycling trip. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy nature and have fun with company.
