If you enjoy biking, you will certainly agree that a bike on the road is more valuable than two parked in the shed. One of the perfect ways to enjoy biking to the maximum is to go on a long-distance road trip.
The adrenaline rush that accompanies riding your bike on the highway that is encompassed by attractive scenery cannot be compared. Likewise, the delicious treats with the nostalgia of your former road journeys, along with the fun banter and gripping stories, all gather in an ideal recipe for a pleasant road trip.
However, long-distance journeys bring in the unexpected, which makes travellers face difficulties. Your riding skill, stamina, as well as bike, tend to be put to the test. But if you prepare your bike adequately prior to your long-distance road trip, you will be in a better position for any difficulty that you may encounter.
How to Prepare Your Bike for a Long-Distance Road Trip
Shop for the Appropriate Riding Gear
Road tripping on a bike differs significantly from your typical regular commute. You will need to cover a long distance in various weather conditions. Meanwhile, considering the fact that the rain, heat, and pollution hit stronger on open highways and roads, appropriate riding gear is completely essential for protection.
You should also choose a set of riding trousers and a jacket that has high quality, or a biking suit that is waterproof which also has a thermal layer for colder weather conditions. In addition, keeping guards, riding gloves, and boots are other crucial items you should invest in, in preparation for a long-distance road trip with your bike.
Have a Good Luggage System Already Set Up
Regarding luggage, bikes are not usually as accommodating as cars. And carrying luggage becomes even harder if you are cycling with a pillion. Therefore, you need to have a great luggage system set in place.
While riding, you could use a saddlebag for yourself, including a magnetic tank bag which gives easy access to things like your wallets, mobile phone, and other essentials. A backpack that has spacious pockets is helpful in that it helps to pack luggage efficiently. However, note that while you are packing your bags, ensure you keep it light. Moreover, your clothes should be lightweight and convenient to wash.
A Durable Helmet
Ensure your safety is always a major priority, whether you are cycling to work or preparing for a long-distance road trip. Therefore, the potential of a road journey often gets followed by the requirement to examine your helmet.
However, ensure that you always feel comfortable whenever you put on a helmet. This is due to the fact that you will be wearing it all through your road trip. Apart from comfortability, your helmet should also be strong enough to last throughout your trip.
Moreover, if a pillion rider follows you, you should deem it fit to equip the person. Although the majority of bikers become dodgy about this, you should not, as the safety of your pillion is in your hands, especially on your helmet, in this situation.
Purchase a GPS System for Your Bike
A GPS mainly designed for bikes is useful for those who go on long-distance road journeys, as well as those cycling for the first time. You could get it installed on your bike. A GPS will help prolong your smartphone’s battery life, as you will not need to always use it to pave the way for yourself.
In addition, a lot of anti-theft and secure water-resistant GPS devices are available for bikes.
Go Along With Spares and Essential Tools
Spare parts and tools are essential items to carry if you are going on a long-distance road journey with a bike, whether you are going to ride an electric bike (such as an electric bike rickshaw) or not. You should get a tool bag to store your spare parts and tools in the same place.
Some of the spares and important tools you may need and should consider packing include the following:
- One tube each for the rear and front tires, especially if your car has tube-type bike tires.
- Tyre rod to separate rims and tyres.
- A foot pump.
- One piece of the clutch cable.
- Tubeless bike tire repair kit, if your tyres are tubeless.
- One piece of the accelerator cable.
- Multipurpose tool kit with spanners for a comfortable tyre substitute and elimination of the wheels.
- Waste rags to tidy up oil spills.
- One piece each of the rear brake lamp and headlamp.
- Soft clothes to clean up the car.
- Bandana or balaclava to put on under the helmet.
Taking a spare key along is another essential extra item you should have when going on a long-distance road trip. This is in order to save you just in case you lose the original key of your bike.
Take All Necessary Documents Along
To achieve a more extended bike journey, make sure your paperwork is perfect. Moreover, ensure you take all your necessary documents along with you on your trip. They include:
- Bike registration certificate and Insurance.
- Driver’s license.
- Cash, credit, and debit cards, a number of passport-sized photographs, a first aid kit, contact details of service centres on the route, and important chargers with electronics.
- Hardcopy of the route map as a backup.
Examine Your Wheels and Tyres
Your tyres and wheels are essential parts of your bike. They carry the majority of hits, and when they are in a good state, they guarantee an awesome trip. Hence, before you embark on your long-distance road trip, you should have an expert examine the wheel alignment, pressure, and condition of the tyres.
Appropriate alignment with pressure helps to minimize wear and tear, as well as maintain the state of the bike and tyre. Also, the maintenance of an optimum tire pressure ensures that you have great fuel economy.
Appropriate Preparation is Beneficial
Road trips, as interesting as they can be, can also introduce several uncertainties. As a matter of fact, it is a great deal, part of the thrill associated with going on such journeys. However, appropriate preparation and planning will ensure a memorable, worthy, and pleasant experience.
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