In a way, my approach worked because the trip was so long - 14 months! And, in those first weeks, I experienced a whole lot of knee pain, numbness in my hands, fatigue and a butt that felt so raw it might have done a baboon proud.  It was a lesson learned the hard way: Preparation is key if you’re to enjoy - rather than endure - a cycle trip.

 

It’s worth beginning a dedicated training program a couple of months out from the start of your trip. Start at whatever distance and time is comfortable and build up from there. There are no hard and fast rules about what you must achieve in training, but I always try to complete at least two or three rides that are a bit longer than my predicted longest day on a trip. 

 

As well as helping physically, it helps mentally by creating the confidence and knowledge that the distances you’ll be riding are achievable. It really is just about getting hours up on the bike for endurance and comfort. 

Saddle soreness is common until your body and your bike seat have come to some sort of hard-fought armistice, so wage that well before you begin your bike trip, getting your butt accustomed to a particular saddle - and then take that saddle with you.  Knee soreness is another common physical complaint when you first begin to spend time on a bike. If you do experience pain in the knee joints, try adjusting your saddle height and riding in lower gears, so you’re spinning faster but with less force……

 

Andrew goes on to share his knowledge about choosing the right bike, carrying gear, packing, and about the travel experience itself.  And that’s just the introduction – before you get to the detailed notes on some of the best rides on the planet!   

Here’s the link to his book, where it's currently 23% off: https://smarturl.it/UltimateCycling

About the Author

About the Book