The annoying answer, is that it depends on who you are. But for the sake of keeping this article short and readable, I’m going to make a wild assumption here: you have limited to no experience in long-distance bike rides, but are somewhat familiar with outdoors activities such as hiking or sports.

If this is the case, I have 4 easy criteria you should use! Inertia is one of the biggest reasons people never try a bike tour. Therefore the simpler the route, the more likely you are to actually do one.

Four Step Plan

Step 1. Start Small + Convenient

The shorter the route, the more likely you are to do one and the less gear you will need. The easier it is to get to, the more likely you are to do one. Think about routes that are about 1-3 days long and no more than 30-50 miles a day. Remember, bike touring is a little different than a road race or simple workout. You really want to savor the experience, enjoy the local flavors and RELAX! Miles shouldn’t be the goal.

Success ≠ Miles Biked

Success = Enjoyment

Step 2. Start Established

Try to pick a well-established and safe route that is designed for cycling. SpokenLocal is certainly a great resource, But it’s certainly not the only one! Rail-Trails are also a great place to start your search. These routes are typically safe, car-free and have the necessary infrastructure around long-distance biking. Also try to pick routes that have frequent towns along the path for resources.

Step 3. Think about what you want out of the experience

Culture, Nature, Meditation, Great Workout, Meeting Great People, etc. These are all valid things to get out of a bike tour. To be honest, you most likely will get some combination of all these things. Since there are so many route choices, thinking ahead about these things can help guide WHERE you decide to do your first ride. For example, if you want a workout, you may opt for more mountainous terrain or a longer route in less time. Whereas a more cultural interest may take you to places with unique stops or towns along the way.

Step 4. Define Basic Logistics

Once you have a basic route lined out, think about some essential logistics. Here are a few to get you going:

• Camping vs. Beds. For the 1st go around, I’d recommend a roof over your head (Hotel, hostel or BNB) so you don’t need to carry extra camping gear.
• How will you get to the start/end points? Is this an Out and Back or Point to Point?
  • If this is a Point to Point, how will you get from the end to the start?
• What kind of bike do you have. I’d recommend doing a route which can handle the kind of bike you own. For example, if you only own a Road Bike, don’t bother with a single-track bikepacking trail.
• Essential Bike Touring Gear (Remember this is bare minimum! Longer and/or more complex tours will need more)

Final Mindset + Lessons Learned

Consider your 1st tour as a great way to learn more about yourself. Expect the fact that you don’t know a lot and EMBRACE the unexpected. This is the best part of bike touring. Feel free to use the questions below as Lessons Learned:

• Do you even like bike touring? If so then consider investing in some better gear
• What did you enjoy?
• What extra stuff did you carry? What did you forget to carry?
• Is camping feasible for you? Or do you want to carry less gear and opt for more comforts
• What types of exercises do you need to do to plan for a longer tour?
• How did your body feel after 30, 40 and 50 miles?
• What was the craziest thought that popped up in your head on the tour?
• Did you meet anyone cool along the path?
• Did you ever have feelings of doubt that you couldn’t finish? If so, what prompted those feelings. What coping mechanisms did you employ to combat them.
• What environmental factors are more suitable? Hot vs. Cold, wet vs. dry, rivers vs. mountains, climbs vs flat, remote vs. crowded.
• What did you feel once the day was done?
• What’s the 1st thing you’d tell a friend when you return back home?