To travel by bike is to take the slow road.
This shouldn't be seen as something negative, but as something to embrace. As a cycle tourist, I am able to enjoy the journey itself.
In fact, the journey itself is many times more important than the destination. Cycling along the Costa Brava in Spain, through the vineyards of Tuscany, the coffee fields of Colombia, and the rugged west coast of Canada are just a few of the trips I've taken by bike.
It's not always easy, but the challenge is part of the fun. If you haven't considered travelling by bike in the past, I'll give you five reasons as to why it's fantastic.
5. It's Scenic
Yes you see the same scenery from a bus, but you don't get to live it.
When you're on the saddle of a bicycle, you are able to breathe the fresh air, hear the birds, admire the creek, and feel the wind.
These are visceral sensations that just don't happen when travelling by any other form.
4. You Meet The People
When cycling you have to go through every little town. On top of this, you usually stop in these little towns to refuel. These little breaks give you the opportunity to meet the locals, eat their food, and talk with the people who many times don't see tourists.
Also, as a cycle tourist, you are much more likely to be welcomed. When you pull up on a bike, you are many times seen in a different light.
You're not the guy that's coming to the country to see the Eiffel Tower, sit in a tourist cafe, go to the Louvre then fly home, you're there to drink the wine, see the countryside, smell the lavender, then take pictures of the Eiffel Tower and go home.
This is especially true in cycle mad countries like France, Italy, and Colombia! I'd highly recommend riding all three.
3. You Can Eat Whatever You Want
When cycling, food is your friend. It's the fuel that keeps your motor running. You also burn crazy amounts of calories pushing your iron horse up mountain passes and into head winds.
Therefore, at breakfast, lunch, and dinner you have a free pass to try all of the local cuisine that you can fit down your throat.
I specifically chose Spain, France, and Italy for one trip in large part for this reason.
Eat up. Your legs need the nourishment.
2. It's Great Exercise
I don't know about you, but when I'm travelling (without my bike) I get lazy.
I am out of my normal routine back at home, and I don't take the same care of my body as I would back in Canada. Well, travelling by bike gives you built-in exercise.
This doesn't happen with planes, trains, and automobiles (great movie.)
1. It's Fun!
I love being on my bike. The beating of my heart. The pumping of my legs. The wind against my skin. The sweat on my brow. The spandex. All things to love about cycling!
Combine this with the adventure of travel, and you have a great combination.
So there you have it. Travel by bike. It's a great way to see a new place, and savour everything there is to offer, instead of rushing through.
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About the Author: Brice Peressini is the Trading Voyageur. He formally was writing Traveling to Colombia. He's traveled by bike on three different continents through seven different countries. You can find more on his Trading Voyageur cycling blog part of his website.
Planning a trip? The Go Backpacking team uses and recommends:
- Skyscanner for researching flights
- Hostelworld for booking hostels
- Airbnb for renting rooms and homes
- Rail Europe for train passes
- World Nomads for travel insurance
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I used to ride a lot when I was younger and really enjoyed it. Flying through the Tuscan mountains at a young age on family summers abroad are some of my most cherished memories. Seeing a country on two wheels, even a small part of it, can’t be beaten.
I’m a guide for Trek Travel, so I’m admittedly biased toward traveling by bike, but I absolutely love this list. It captures the reasons I love what I do! Outstanding!
Jon,
Would Trek Travel be interested in a partnership, featuring a press trip on one of your excursions? Contact me if you think there’s room for a partnership.
-Brice
Possible #6: It’s cheap.
Biking is a great option when you don’t want to pay for too much transportation. Instead of paying for taxis and bus rides, it’s better to ride the bike to go to places. :)
Huge fan of travel by bike. Hoping to use the cycling Italy book this year….has been sitting on the shelf for too long now! Have done all sorts of travel by bike….point to point across Canada, hotel stays along Australia’s Great Ocean Road and 2 week cycle vacations in Mallorca. Have loved each and every trip and different style Hope to soon be adding Tuscany to that list…I have heard so many great things!
Could not agree more about the resons on why to travel by bike. After discovering my passion for cycling I have wanted to get into long distance cycling. Their are many excellent cycle routes in Europe, namely the Eurovelo. This could mean that you can follow a cycle path from nothern europe all the way down to the Meditteranean. I would like to do the route along the Danube, to Turkey. Great post!
Did Santiago da Compstella pilgrimage some years ago in MTB, couldn’t agree more with your article. And one more reason is to be able to share one’s experience and trip on Utagawa VTT (in French but I guess you have some similar sites in english) and check for next trip while you’re at it. :-)
Thanks for the motivating post! I’m hoping to do some bike travel in the near future, I just have to wait until the snow melts up here in Canada :)
Thanks all for the positive feedback! Happy cycling.
I would love to travel more by bike. When Nathan and I met a few years ago it was his dream to bike down to Spain – maybe we’ll do that some time.. :)