Adventure cycling – Resources
Resources for adventure cycling
People are now searching for something more than simply flying to a hotel and bathing in the sun for two weeks. People want risk, adventure, something testing and rewarding. We are curious creatures and the most curious of us have to do something about it. Heading off into the unknown packed with little possessions and a bike is becoming quite a popular choice. This has been blown wide open since a few BBC documentaries following Mark Beaumont breaking a world record for the fastest time around the planet on a bike; what followed was a series of people setting off to break that record and adventure cycling becoming a popular thing to do. Of course people do this for different reasons, some for personal reasons like myself and other people thinking that this is a sort of backdoor way into fame and glory; to borrow a quote from Alastair Humphreys Walking the Amazon post
“I have never done anything before. What do I have to do to get famous, get on the telly, sell a load of books? I want it all and I want it now.”
Regardless on your reason to do this you will need information about how to get set up. What follows is a series of websites, books etc that has helped me plan the trip/get prepared. I hope you think them useful in your own planning.
Adventure cycling books:
This is basically the bible of adventure touring. Written by Stephen Lord it contains everything you need in order to start planning your trip. The book has loads of various different contributors meaning that all aspects of adventure cycling are covered. This book is spilt into 3 parts:
Part 1.
Practical information: This covers the basics of getting set up and talks about different topics such as picking a bike, picking equipment and talking you through money and safety.
Part 2.
Worldwide route outlines: Takes you through a wide range of various different countries with popular routes taken including less known cycle areas.
Part 3.
Stories: What better way to get yourself pumped up for a life on the road than to hear about first hand stories from people who have already done it.
Moods of Future Joys- Alastair Humphreys
This was my first ever adventure cycling book and one that made me take the first step to action and put up a website and start the process of getting this trip sorted. This is part 1 of Al’s books, part 2 is called Thunder and Sunshine and writes about his time cycling up the America’s and across Asia back home after 4 years of leaving his house.
Good little book by Fred Milson about bike maintenance.
Bicycle touring websites
An amazing resource for anyone looking for information on their adventure cycling trip. Friedel Rother & Andrew Grant have cycled 50,000km, though 31 countries and know a fair thing about adventure touring. An added bonus is that they offer a totally free e-book.
Although this website is mainly for touring in the USA it does have a busy forum in which you can find out information on stuff like technology etc.
Amazing resource which lets people create their own journals about their trip and share it with the world. Amazing for getting into what stories can come of your trip.
A lot of people wonder just how much you can pack onto your bike and how much you actually need to live. This site shows you just how much you actually need to cycle around the world.
Bicycle maintenance
There are loads of resources you can use to find out information about bicycle maintenance. One of the best and quickest ways to find out information is simply ask Youtube.
Adventure cycling forums
The Lonely Planet has established itself as one of the world’s leader in travel advice. I’m sure it’s quite likely that you have used one of their books when off on travels. The forum is a great place to research and ask and give advice. They have a section on bicycle touring.
Huge website covering almost everything related to bikes. Useful if you are looking for equipment reviews.