Did you know that there are more than 2 billion bicycles owned and operated in the world right now? Moreover, that figure is expected to balloon to a staggering
5 billion bikes by 2050. Bikes have always been popular. And quite frankly, it’s easy to see the appeal – cycling offers a wide range of benefits. Everything from good health and fitness to saving money on transportation costs can be the results of regular cycling.
But before you throw on your helmet and grab for your bike gloves, a few things should be considered. Namely, your cycling preparedness checklist! At
Rocky Mountain Cycle Tours, we want to ensure you’re well-equipped for your rocky mountain cycling journey.
For this reason, we have assembled a detailed checklist no cyclist should be without when hitting the bike paths! Keep reading to learn more.
1. Water
Whether you have a lumbar pack, a hydration bag, or a bottle repository attached to your bike, ensure that you have enough water for your cycling trip. We as human beings are composed of 70% water, and during strenuous physical activity, the body can sweat as much as 4 liters of water an hour.
That figure is increased on hotter days when the body’s system works even harder to compensate for the heat. As such, be sure that you have enough water with you whenever you go for a bike excursion.
2. Sunscreen
With summer fast approaching, the days are getting longer and hotter. This means the sun’s rays are becoming more potent and powerful. To avoid the potentially damaging rays of the sun, apply sunscreen prior to leaving for your bicycle adventure. Additionally, if you believe it may be an all-day expedition, be sure to bring the bottle along with you to reapply the sunscreen when needed.
3. Nutritional Contents
Your body is a machine. For this reason, it needs the proper fuel to remain efficient and functional. That’s why having the right food is necessary not just to ensure your body remains robust, but to also enjoy and make the most out of your bicycle trip! Some ideas to consider for your nutrition plan could include:
- Protein bars
- Nuts and seeds
- Raisins
- Oats
- Granola
- Fruits & vegetables
- Jerky
- Pickles
- Roasted chickpeas
The proper nutrition will give way to a much more enjoyable biking experience. As such, this important step should not be taken lightly or overlooked.
4. Clothing/Apparel
When it comes to rocky mountain cycling, the type of clothing you wear will typically be based on the weather. You wouldn’t sport a windbreaker jacket on a scotching breezeless summer day. However, there are certain apparel items that are typical of most bike rides. Attire such as helmets, bike gloves, bike shoes, etc, are all important and usually considered to be standard equipment for lengthy bike rides.
5. Compass
On the surface, a compass may seem like a rather silly item to bring on a bicycle outing. And this is mainly due to our smartphones being able to so easily guide us anywhere we want to go. But here’s the thing. On lengthy excursions, especially in wooded, mountainous, or “outback” areas, getting a signal on your phone may not always be possible.
Depending on your location, it’s actually quite easy to go beyond your smartphone’s range of connectivity. And if you end up getting lost with no phone to guide you back, a compass may be your saving grace.
6. First Aid
No one likes thinking about worst-case scenarios. But negative situations do happen and being prepared is always in your best interest. Having a first aid kit on your trip will give you peace of mind. You won’t be worrying about any potentialities and you can more thoroughly enjoy the scenic views of your trip!
Here are a few things to consider for your first aid kit:
- Bandages
- Ointment
- Alcohol wipes
- Ankle/knee wraps
- Sports injury bandages
- Muscle relief cream
These are all small items that can easily fit within your bag. You’ll hardly even notice that they’re there. And that’s a small price to pay for your safety and wellbeing while on your bicycle outing!
Final Thoughts
Cycling is a fun, intense, and immersive activity. And when you couple the act of bicycling with beautiful mountain scenery or a vast open prairie landscape, few things can compare to such an experience. However, preparation is the key to making the most out of it.
By taking the time to ensure you have all you need for a safe bike ride, it will be a much more enjoyable excursion for everyone!
