Are you planning for a long-distance or multi-day bike ride? Whether you plan to ride in a charity event, a sporting event, or any other long-distance adventure, you’ll need to be sure that you have the right equipment, that your bike is road-and-trail-ready, and that you’re prepared mentally and physically for the event.
Today we’ll cover the inspections and upgrades you should do to make sure your bike is ready to hit the road and what to take on a multi-day bike ride.
Inspect And Upgrade Your Bike Components
When it comes to long-distance and multi-day bike rides, inspections and upgrades are critical if you want to stay safe and eliminate potential dangers you may encounter out on the road. If performed correctly, inspections and upgrades can give you the boost you need to have a successful ride. Your next long-distance bike ride will be much more enjoyable and safer as a result, and you can expect to have a greater connection with your bike. Your bike will ride faster and smoother, and you’ll be able to keep your body fresh.
Here are the inspections and upgrades you need to perform before your next ride.
Check Your Tires, Wheels, & Brakes
For long-distance bike riding, make sure your wheels and tires are in good shape and a good fit for the different types of terrain you will encounter during your ride. Check your front and rear tires for tread wear and any patches that may have occurred from your previous bike rides. Braking heavily during rides will cause your rear tire to wear out more quickly than the front. If you see excessive wear, it’s time to replace the tires.
To ensure that your wheels are in good shape for your ride, check the rims for excessive wear. The majority of newer rims come with wear indicators on the braking surface. These indicators can be a machined groove or a hole on the sidewall. If you can no longer see the hole or machined groove, and the braking surface shows significant wear, you will need to replace the wheel. Over time the brake pads will weaken the sidewalls of the rims. If you don’t replace the wheel, it could cause the pressure in your tire to force the sidewall outward and result in a potential blowout.
After assessing the condition of your tires and wheels, inspect your brakes as well. Brake pads have lines in them to indicate the level of wear. Check the brake pads to see how close they are to the wear indicators. If you can’t see the lines in your brake pads, then it’s time for you to replace them.
Seasonal conditions and elements affect your brake pads and cause them to wear out more quickly. Debris can become embedded in your brake pads and cause them to wear out faster and shorten the life of your rims. Your brake pads must be in good condition to ensure your stopping performance and safety when you’re long-distance bike riding.
Check Your Pedals & Cleats
The next upgrade you want to consider is your pedals. Flat pedals allow your foot to move around freely but will not give you the maximum power output during your ride. Clipless pedals have a better foot to pedal connection and are more comfortable, safer, and provide more pedal power when climbing hills. Flat or worn-out pedals can lead to knee pain on long rides and cause unnecessary stress on your body during multi-day bike rides. Over time your cleats will inevitably wear out. The amount of wear depends on how often you unclip from the pedals, stop and clip back in, how much you ride, and how often you walk around in them. Check your cleats for any sign of excessive wear and replace them if needed. With any of the pedals we sell, cleats are included with the pedals to ensure you have the perfect fit.
Check Your Saddle & Handlebars For Comfort
Long-distance bike riding can be a way to take in picturesque landscapes while getting a great workout. But multi-day bike rides require a little more planning, especially when it comes to comfort. You don’t want to deal with numbness, pain, or saddle sores on a long-distance ride. An uncomfortable seat will take the joy right out of the ride! If you’re planning to sit for hours or days on the bike, you’ll want a seat with more padding. Take a look at the shape of the saddle and the thickness of the padding. You’ll want your saddle to be comfortable while still providing the mobility you need to ride efficiently.
The most often overlooked bike component that can increase your comfortability is your handlebars. The handlebars must be able to provide you with the grip you need in any condition. Even if your hands are sweaty or numb from the cold, your handlebars still need to be comfortable, durable, and capable of handling all types of weather. Handlebar tape comes in many different colors, textures, and different levels of cushion for your hands.
Items You Need For Long-Distance Riding
When packing for your trip, you must think of anything that could go wrong and plan accordingly. Here are some items you’ll need to take on your journey.
- Install Rechargeable Front & Rear Lights – Putting lights on your bike will allow any motorist to see you any time during the day or night.
- Bring a Flat Tire Kit – You don’t want to get stuck on the side of the road because you have a flat. You may not have someone to call and give you a ride, and it’s a good idea to have a kit with you. Your kit should include spare tubes, tire levers, patches, and a multi-tool for repairs.
- Bring a Mini-Pump or CO2 Inflator & Cartridges – If you have a flat on the road, you can use a pump to inflate your tires and get back onto the road as quickly as possible.
- Bring Enough Food & Water – It’s critically important that you pack enough food and snacks to last the duration of your trip. It’s never fun to run out of energy while on multi-day bike rides. Bring enough gels packs, energy bars, energy chews, and water with electrolytes to last the duration of your ride. With the right amount of food and water, you can keep your energy levels high and keep your body hydrated.
- Bring Warmer Clothing – Depending on the temperature, the season, and the location of your ride, warmer clothing is essential for your ride. For long-distance, multi-day rides, you may be crossing different kinds of geography and elevation where weather can change on a dime. If there’s a chance of rain or you need to warm up, you’ll be glad you brought a vest, arm warmers, or a weather-proof cycling jacket.
- Bring a Cellphone & Cash – You never know what may happen on the road, and in the worst-case scenario, you’ll be able to call a friend if you need assistance. You can use a pro-ride wallet to keep everything nice and neat. It’s waterproof, so everything can stay dry and slides easily into a jersey pocket for safekeeping.
- Bring a Map – You never know when or where your cell signal may drop while long-distance bike riding. A map will help you find your way if you’re in an area with no cellphone signal.
Travel with Friends
Now that we’ve covered what to take on a multi-day bike ride, let’s discuss who you’ll be with during your ride. Riding in a pack with other riders is safer than riding alone on a long-distance ride. A typical group of riders rides two-by-two to be considerate of motorists on the road. Riding in a pack also helps riders take advantage of drafting. Drafting creates a low-pressure area behind the rider in front and lessens the amount of drag that riders behind have to combat. Riding in a pack can save tremendous amounts of energy throughout a ride. Just make sure you’re riding with other riders with the same skill level as yourself to ensure the pace and the itinerary aligns with everyone’s goals and abilities.
So there you have it! We’ve just covered essential tips that you should incorporate into your planning for long-distance bike riding. Be diligent in your inspections, and don’t be afraid to upgrade. You’ll be glad you put in the extra effort and have more enjoyable long-distance rides. If you have questions about how best to upgrade your bike before hitting the road, get in touch with our specialists at Zinn Cycles today.
