Bicycle touring is an exciting activity revered by many as the ultimate way to experience the outdoors.

Day trips might include as little as a backpack, a picknick, you and the scenery. Longer trips could last weeks and the name of the game is "travel light". Extra light tents, sleeping bags, stoves, and all the other camping gear help cut weight to the minimum. Every ounce is a burden. Bicycle camping is a back-to-nature, primative endeavour. Unless you have enought money to stay in a hotel at every stop, it can be a cold journy, as well.

With cross country biking, there are no motors, no TV's. Nothing but you and the world. The beauty of nature is yours to be enjoyed, but not from behind glass. Not from the outside looking in, but from the inside, engrossed in the experience. In Washington, and all over the US there are trails and routes. National Parks many times have specific accomodations for those of us combustionally challencged.

Bicycle camping, as well as short tours and senic routes, are a fun alternative to cumbersome vehicles and the hastle of conventional camping.

No matter how far you intend to go, however, there are certain necessities that no tourer should be without. A bicycle designed for touring and in proper repair is a must. A good mirror, reflectors, and water bottles are equipment you shouldnt be without. Fenders, air pumps, riding flags, and a rack or two might not be a bad idea.

For your first experience, let me make a suggestion: start small. A rack over your rear wheel will easily hold enough for a good day trip. You can pack a small lunck, and head out with the family for a saturday lunch. About 10 miles should be plenty far enough away. Dont forget, no matter how far you go you have to go that far back, and by then you're tired. Don't expect children to go too far on their first time, but with a slow build up, you can excpect a love of cycling to grow quickly (especially if you don't forget the frisbie or the waterguns).

There are countless good resources both on the Web and on paper. Check your library and local bookstore for some more information.

The Yahoo National Park listing can take you to much more information for the cycling inclined.

We also have more interesting links on our links page.

Wear Your Helmet!

© by Pete Allen and Colin Dixon 1997