The Food I’m Craving Now

Food is an important part of any bike trip, and with a lot of time to just sit and think, it’s easy to become obsessed about food when traveling by bike.On every bike trip I’ve ever taken, there has always been one particular food item that I crave more than anything else. And that one [...]

How To Come Up With A Budget For Your Bicycle Tour

I just received an email from BicycleTouringPro.com reader, John Herr. Here is what he said:
I may have already asked you this, but how do you figure out the cost for your trips. Everybody talks about everything having to do with a bicycle trip, except how to figure out how much the trip the will cost. [...]

First Day Depression

It happens every time. I get off the plane in a panic, rush to put my bike together, sprint to the hotel, and then have a total meltdown. Suddenly, the plans and ideas I once had about my bike trip vanish and all I’m left with is fear and doubt.
On the first day of my [...]

An Introduction To My New Bike Friday Folding Bike

My new Bike Friday folding bike arrived in the mail yesterday and I immediately whipped it out of the box and started putting it together.
It took me about a half hour to get the bike out of its suitcase, read all the instructions, put it together, and get it out the door for my very [...]

How Bill Mason Changed My Thinking

It was my Uncle Tom who first introduced me to the artist, author, filmmaker, and world-renowned canoeist, Bill Mason.
Mason’s filmmaking struck such a chord with me that I wrote a paper about him for a film history class I took while in college.
When the professor was handing the graded papers back in class, she kept [...]

The Anxiety That Builds Up Before A Biycle Tour

When you first start planning your big bicycle adventure, you’re filled with excitement. It’s great to think about the roads ahead… the possibilities… the fun. The planning stage is a wonderful time for any bike tour and you should enjoy every minute of it.
But as your tour grows closer and closer, those feelings of joy [...]

A New Bike Friday For My Trip To Aruba

Less than one hour ago I purchased my very first folding bike – A Bike Friday New World Tourist.
I also purchased a rear rack for the bike so I can hold my panniers. And in addition to all this, I purchased a suitcase and trailer for the bike as well.
 With this setup, I will be [...]

Why Would Someone Who Hates The Beach Go To Aruba?

Seventeen days from now I’ll be traveling to Aruba for a week of fun in the sun. But what you don’t know about this short getaway of mine is that I absolutely hate the beach! I hate swimming, I’m scared of sharks and jellies, and I can’t stand getting sand between my toes. So why [...]

Bicycle Touring vs. Bicycle Camping

As I prepare for my epic ride on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR) I have responded to many contacts from people who would like to join me on this 2,700 mile bike-camping tour. Some of them have had a taste of “credit card” road touring and a few have participated in extensive supported [...]

The Dumbest Thing You’ve Ever Brought With You On Tour

Over the years I’ve done a lot of experimenting on my bike trips. Every trip has been different and I’ve brought different items with me on each of my tours.
After nearly eight years of bicycle touring, I’ve learned what I need to bring with me and what I should leave at home. And even though [...]

How Can Bicycle Tourists Help Others Along The Way?

Over the past seven years, I’ve been helped by hundreds of people from around the world. Some people have helped me by donating money for my rides. Others have given me a free place to stay or a free meal of some kind. Some gave me advice. Others shouted words of encouragement. Over the years, [...]

Introducing The New BicycleTouringPro.com Blog!

I’ve been running the site at www.bicycletouringpro.com for a number of months now and I’m very pleased with how things are going. I started the site thinking that hardly anyone would ever see it – let alone care about it’s content. But since it’s release in late 2007, the site has really taken off!
The idea [...]