Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25256
planning a road tour Road biking is like life: you choose your path. Every steep ascent and each smooth downhill are part of the beautiful journey. Each intersection provides expertise in navigating the proverbial fork in the road. It's a crash course on getting back to your instincts and allowing them to guide you. The physical challenge and inde- pendent exploration will take you to new levels of pushing boundaries. Your concept of what is possible has just been enhanced. The feeling is complete exhilaration. Biking is a unique mode of travel in that it allows you to feel the surrounding environment up close, while covering enough ground to keep you entertained. Whether it's a 2-3 day quickie that shows you a fair amount of one area, or a week-plus ride where you can cover a wide variety of terrain, you will feel like a local at the end of your ride. With road biking you are on the ground, exposed to flora/fauna, interacting with the local people as you pass them, satisfying survival needs along the way such as finding food and pit stops from roadside cafes to Michelin-rated restaurants. You are the star of the movie instead of just filming it. You feel, taste, touch, smell, hear everything as you move along vast distances each day. The rush from the speed and elevated heart rate com- plements the quiet moments you have to sink into the flavor of a place. Road biking is at once riveting and peaceful. Stop where you like, at a scenic hilltop or a kangaroo crossing. Follow a lit- tle path off the road to a waterfall, or push pedals enjoying the wind from your speed. Road cycling tours offer a complete range of trips from do-it-yourself to highly pampered. In areas of the world accustomed to cyclists (US, Canada and Europe) you can arrive with your bike, a little research, and lead your own expedition. This is a great option for the person with time on their hands who loves to wake up each day and plan the day's adventures. Keep in mind that while independent travel options are often the most cost-effective, this is not always the case with cycling, as outfitters can benefit from group pricing. There is something to be said for trusting in those who have gone before and 32 done a little preplanning for you. They give you options and you can then pick your route and explore, knowing that you have been informed of the best roadside papaya vendor or secret cheese tasting opportunity or even an invitation to view the workings of a top vineyard, and most importantly instruc- t ions on how to strap to your bike what you have found along the way. Outfitters range from those who give you a map and suggested stops to those who provide a fully outfitted bike and luggage transport. The barebones outfitters can give you the feeling of accomplishment of a do-it-yourself, while the more inclusive ones allow you to sail through the trip with no time spent on preplanning. Either way, once on the road, it is just you and two wheels navigating the terrain. Whether you choose the do-it-yourself or the outfitter route, you will return home with an urge to push pedals. Road touring requires awareness of road rules. Fitness requirements will vary depending on your intended journey. There are plenty of organized trips requiring only mod- erate levels of fitness and biking experience, and will plan easy-going rides. The most high end outfitters will provide vehicle support which may better accomodate a cyclist more interested in the route than their own endurance. If you are on your own, doing research cannot be overemphasized. If you are with an outfitter they are likely to inform you of most major things. If you are biking solo, you should be able to change a flat and be familiar with the basics of bike repair. For complex problems you are not prepared to handle, scout out local bike shops (research bike part terms in any foreign language you may be cycling in, in advance). If you are traveling with a highend outfitter, you will have technical road support, but knowing the basics can save you time in continuing your journey. Mastering the added technical bike aspect is 100 percent worthwhile when you experience the thrill of the ride instead of watching it from a car window. -Daphne Howard