Knowing how to get the most out of anything you purchase is just simple economics. If you can make do with one item instead of two, you’ll save more and get value out of your initial purchase.
This applies to anything, particularly larger-ticket items like bikes. It simply doesn’t make sense to buy a large mountain bike when you’re primarily going to be taking it around town. Having a commuter bike, however, does not mean you’re barred from ever going out on a day trip or on a short cycling weekend away. It just means you need to use these tips to help you plan smarter for your biking holiday:
Adapt Your Bike
Most bikes, particularly the high-quality commuter bikes from brands like steedbikes.com, let you quickly and easily swap from single-speed bikes to fixie bikes by adapting the rear wheel and vice-versa. The right setting will depend on your goals. If you want to make your holiday an exercise opportunity, opt for the fixie setting. Otherwise, the good old standard free-wheel setting is all that you’ll need to get started. If your bike doesn’t offer you this, consider upgrading to this model.
You can also adapt your bike by swapping out the seat to something more comfortable and suited for longer-term trips. If you don’t already, you should also install a basket or rack, as well as other storage solutions, so you can keep your essentials off of your back.
What to Look for in a Route
You won’t be able to go on every route with a fixie bike. That doesn’t mean you can never go on a biking holiday with what you have. Rather than head off-road, pick routes that take you along paved roads instead. There are many that are relatively traffic-free and will take you across great scenery and between charming towns that can be done in either a day or over a weekend. If you’re particularly worried, choose an area that’s relatively flat overall, so you can get the most out of your fixie bike and not exert too much strain on yourself.
Plan Regular Breaks
While biking for long stretches is certainly exhilarating, there’s also so much to see, do, and miss if you hop on your bike and then don’t take breaks. Shorter scenic routes will warrant fewer breaks than intercity breaks that take you from one village to the next, yes, but stopping is almost as important as the route itself. To keep your bike and items safe, remember to lock up both wheels and try to use either a covered bike shed or lock your bike up near where you’re having lunch.
Always Have a Backup Plan
No matter how far you go, who you go with, or how good your bike is, you always need to plan in case something happens. This means you should have a print-out of your map and route, phone numbers written down, and also points like a bike repair and service station mapped out. This way, if you get into an accident or your phone dies, you can still make it home safely.
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