13th February 2017.There's no greater test of your cycling prowess nor any better way to experience freedom on two wheels than to undertake a cycling tour. Preparing for a tour takes a lot of work, and quite a lot of heavy training, too! When you finally lock your front door, saddle up on your bike, and pedal off towards the horizon, though, you'll know that all that hard work was worth your time. If you feel like you're finally in the right shape to handle a multi-day cycling tour, it's time to lay the groundwork for your departure. You can't just jump on your bike and head off because you feel physically fit enough. Instead, you'll want to make sure you have a well-developed plan in place and ready. From planning the path you'll cycle to figuring out what to bring along in your saddlebags, there's plenty to do before you leave. In this article, we'll cover the basics of choosing a route, packing, and planning for a successful trip on your bicycle. Try keeping some paper handy so you can make notes about ideas you have or things you know you'll want to bring along for the ride. So, let's start by making a choice about where this tour will take us!
How to plan your cycling tour route
When looking at potential routes, there are three main criteria your path should meet: it needs to be safe, it needs to be fun, and it needs to be doable. In other words, you don't want to be overly ambitious and plan a route that you won't be able to handle. Gauge where you're at in your readiness and base your route on the distance training you've already been doing. Your first step should involve checking cycling guidebooks or tour overviews for your area. With some luck, others have already done the hard work of staking out a route you can follow. There may even be official cycling trails that you can incorporate into your ride. Checking these guides first is smart because you know that the routes are safe and enjoyable; it then merely becomes an issue of selecting the right distance. If that's not an option for you, though, your second move should be to take a good look at some online maps. Google Maps can be an excellent tool for planning cycling tours as the website can automatically generate directions for cyclists in many areas. This application lets you not only create a custom route, but also inspect it for safety. With the Street View feature, you can quickly check to see if a given road can accommodate cyclists safely. Using the three criteria we mentioned, plan your route ? and don't forget you'll need to return home, too.
Essential tools for your cycling kit
Once you've picked your path, it's time to start thinking about what you'll fill your bags with for the road. 
Before we get to things like water and snacks, let's think about something just as important: your tool kit for the road. There's no telling what might happen, and even with the best preparations, you still might run into an issue where your bike stops functioning. From punctured tyres to broken chains, any number of problems could stall your tour. Get back on the road in no time by keeping your kit well stocked. A good multi-tool with all the right attachments is a good starting point. You should be able to strip down your bicycle on the road and change any common part that might break. To that end, your kit should also include chain lubricant, extra spokes or chain links, and of course a tyre pressure gauge. Throw in a repair kit or two just in case you puncture a tyre, and don't forget a lightweight hand pump for quickly airing your tyres back up. You don't need to pack too much, but try to anticipate even a few uncommon problems you may encounter.
What else should you bring along with you?
Besides tools, though, you'll need several other items as well. What should form the bulk of your packing list? Every person will have a different set of needs and wants ? for example; a technophile ought to make space for their laptop, while someone else might just want to bring along a camera. Besides personal 
items, what's the essential gear for your cycling tour? Pack plenty of clothing, perhaps slightly more than you think you'll need. Stick to lightweight, comfortable clothing, or if you're cycling in the winter, plenty of cold weather gear. Use a rolling technique to lessen the space each clothing item consumes in your panniers. If your route won't take you near accommodation or you just plan to camp, make sure you can fit all your camping gear as well. Camping gear may include a sleeping bag, perhaps a very compact tent, and of course materials for cooking (bowls, portable stove, utensils, etc.). A small toiletry bag is also a useful addition. Cycling tours place high demands on your body, so prepare yourself to meet those needs, too. Invest in a hydration pack or carry a couple of high capacity water bottles. Don't forget that you'll need to stay fuelled in addition to hydrated; protein bars, energy gels, and many other kinds of products fit this bill nicely. Overall, balance your panniers between your daily essentials for the ride and your nightly needs for comfort and safety.
Planning for the overnight stops on your trip
For most cyclists on a long tour, it's an excellent opportunity to become more in touch with nature. Thus, sleeping outdoors is often the norm. Many cycling routes may take you "off the beaten path" and therefore away from hotels and motels. Why spend money on accommodation when you can create your own? Choosing when and where to make your stops, though, is crucial to your safety and comfort. Examine your route carefully. Mark out the maximum distance you want to accomplish for each day. Next, look in the areas around the points you marked for possible places to stay. There are often campsites available. When in doubt, try asking other local cyclists where they like to bed down for the evening. Give yourself plenty of time each day to make it to your camping spot, and always let someone know where you plan to spend a night.
Always have a contingency plan in place
After marking out your map, packing your panniers, and filling up your water bottles, it's time to begin your grand journey. Before you go, though, you should ensure you have a final few plans in place. Just as you should let someone know where you're stopping, it's not a bad idea to let someone know you'll check in with them on the way. This way, in the event of an unexpected emergency, there is someone who will be looking out for you at home. Keep your mobile with you, and consider investing in a battery pack so you can charge it while away from civilisation. If your bike breaks in a way you can't repair; you'll want to be able to call for aid easily. Try to anticipate any other problems you may encounter and think of how you might deal with those issues. Your cycling tour should be fun, and an incredible test of your cycling endurance. While there's no reason to spend your whole ride worrying, it's comforting to know you've anticipated every possibility. Plus, such planning is excellent practice for when you decide to embark on another tour in the future.
Gather your supplies and get ready to have fun
Though charting out your entire cycling tour can seem like a daunting task at first, breaking it down into chunks makes it much simpler. Soon enough, you'll be loading up your bags and making sure you've packed everything in tight. Start giving some careful thought to the path you'll take, and don't forget to equip yourself with all the gear you need for your daily ride. With the right planning and forethought, you can not only successfully navigate any unexpected bumps in the road, but you'll also make it to your destination safe and sound. It's time for you to experience the world from your bicycle seat ? where will your imagination take you on tour? Follow @SportNessUK
