As for other things about your life, you're going to get what you put in. As a result, you'll need to do some physical training in order to be ready. It's also vital to worry about what clothes and gear you'll need for your journey. Your riding experience would be much more fun if you are properly trained.

 

To help you plan, we've consulted our in-house cycling specialists and bike addicts to compile the latest tips and tricks on the training and gear you need to make sure you're relaxed and secure in your bike adventure.

 

11 Helpful Training Tips

1. Consider your trip grading

It's very important to be aware of your trip ranking and to read your trip notes well in advance so that you know what kind of bike you're going to meet on your trip. There are a variety of reasons to consider planning to help make the tour more enjoyable. Will you have a big day climbing the hill? Is the weather going to be pretty hot at the time of the year you're traveling?

Understanding the itinerary and the grade of your trip will help shape your training sessions and give you feedback on how much training you can undergo on your trip.

If you're new to cycling and still uncertain about it, don't be put off! It's natural to feel a little anxious about it. Please note, this isn't a race. Go at a pace that makes you relaxed so you can soak up your surroundings along the way.

In addition, all of our activity providers offer necessary support, so if you don't feel like traveling one day, there's still a chance to have a break. There is also an opportunity to use an e-bike for the extra boost of pedaling.

1. Get miles on your legs

It might sound simple, but the trick to keeping 'cycling fit' is to spend as much time on your bike as possible. Don't make the error of assuming that running or swimming is going to be more than enough.

“Although it's nice to combine your workouts with cardio and weight-bearing activities, it's important to include some riding time in your weekly workouts. Cycling can cause various muscle groups on a daily basis, as well as being used to staying in your seat (or saddle) for a long time”.

1. Train consistently

Try to keep up with a regular amount of exercise every week, particularly in the weeks leading up to your tour. Consistency and repetition are important for the fitness of cycling.

To keep up with consistent workouts, it's a smart idea to schedule them at the same time every week and incorporate them into your everyday schedule. Often, eliminate as many obstacles as you can, because you can't come up with reasons not to exercise. For e.g., plan your gym clothes the night before, place a note on your phone, and maintain an exercise schedule.

 

1. Practice the Climbing of Hills

Let's face it, not a lot of people enjoy riding the hills, but the more you ride them, the more comfortable you will be for them on your journey.

“Basically, the trick is to pick the "right" gear that helps you to pedal at an optimal velocity. Choose a gear that is too low, and you'll spin the pedals too hard, so that you'll exhaust easily or vice versa, and choose a gear that is too high, and you'll have to exert too much energy any time you turn the pedals so that you'll exhaust quickly or maybe inflict harm to your knees or thighs”.

1. Be Flexible

We're all living busy lives, and it can be hard to incorporate complex training sessions into your daily life. To fit more time on your bike, consider adding a bike to your everyday schedule, e.g. shopping or working. This will help to establish continuity, too.

The biggest thing you need to practice is to get as best out of your bike as possible. You need to integrate cycling into my daily life. You should have to drive the car to the stores. Maybe you should just skip to your bike stores if you just wanted a few things to do. Making sure that you have time in the 'saddle' (to brace your butt and legs) is a vital part of your training. Seeking a few hills and stairs will help you to improve the strength of your knee. Check out our amazing bike tours and adventures.

1. Push Yourself

The better you prepare, the more you enjoy yourself. If you're not fit enough, you're not going to get as much out of your ride.

To put it simply, if you want to get the best out of your long-awaited bike tour, you'll need to do some form of physical exercise. This reality applies if you booked a so-called "easy" tour with little or no hills, or whether you booked a tour that tackles some of the most challenging mountains climbs in the world.

1. Train in a multitude of weather conditions.

Some of your preparation should represent the circumstances of your trip. If there's rain on your tour, prepare in the rain and test your rainy weather gear. See how the rain is impacting your riding style.

1. Get to know how to manage your bike

If you haven't done a lot of bike riding before, make sure you're very familiar with bike handling and functions. This involves shifting gear, splitting and modifying the bike.

1. Practice riding in other cars

For e.g., if you're on a bike trip, it's crucial to learn to cycle with other vehicles so you can establish trust in the near of them.

Fitness is one thing, but in Europe, you're still competing with other bikes, noise, horns, and people in their everyday lives. Building faith in other vehicles, motorcycles, traffic, etc., was also a successful preparation, as it gives you an understanding of yourself on your bike in comparison to other moving objects!

1. Ride on various surfaces

Your tour notes will give you an idea of the types of surfaces you're going to ride on during your tour. Are you going to ride on gravel trails, asphalt roads, or rough paths? Practice training on these conditions so that you feel comfortable handling your bike in similar conditions.

1. Blend the workouts together

When you're on a multi-activity trip that could include swimming, kayaking, or climbing, make sure you change up your training sessions.