Tips for Overnight Biking Adventures

April 6th, 2009

So you think you’re ready to take on an overnight bike camping adventure along the Great Allegheny Passage? Going the distance calls for preparedness, especially for multi-day trips. Before you begin, take note of some important tips that will safeguard your journey.

Plan Your Journey
Coordinate your itinerary for each day, map out your journey including how many hours each day you plan to ride, and make a checklist of all the essentials you will need, especially those for unforeseen emergencies.

Get a Tune-Up
Visit a bicycle shop to ensure that your bike is in good condition for a long distance multi-day ride. If you are a first-timer talk with shop employees about what gear they recommend for long-distance riding.

Get Your Body Going
Practice by conditioning your body for short distance overnight bike camping trips so you are able to get used to the bike seat. Prepare your body for the bicycle pull caused by the extra weight of a back pack and camping gear.

Prepare for the Unexpected
Have a small tool kit handy for unexpected repairs, a travel first-aid kit in case of injury and a bicycle chain and lock. And although you are escaping to the great outdoors, it is also important to keep a cell phone handy in case of emergency. If you keep it off while pedaling you’ll save on battery power.

Pack Lightly
The lighter the load the better. Take only the essentials and look into light-weight riding and camping gear.

Wear Reliable Gear
Be sure that your gear can tolerate the outdoor elements. Pack waterproof clothing, bring plenty of socks and atleast two synthetic riding outfits to keep moisture away from the skin. Padded biking shorts are recommended for long journeys. Change your socks atleast twice per day, especially if they are wet.

Treat Yourself Well
Stay hydrated and be sure your water bottle is easily accessible. There are plenty of stops along the trail that offer food, but bring along some extra snacks like dried fruit, nuts or granola to keep your energy levels up.

Pace Yourself
The best part of bike camping is sightseeing. Don’t push too hard or you might miss something. Keep a good pace, enjoy your adventure, and take in the wonderful beauty that nature has to offer.

The Great Allegheny Passage is the longest multi-purpose rail-to-trail in the Eastern United States offering 150 continuous, nearly level miles to pedal from Pittsburgh to Meyersdale. When completed, the Great Allegheny Passage will connect with the C&O Canal Towpath at Cumberland, MD to create a route between Pittsburgh and Washington, DC for a total rail-to-trail experience of nearly 335 miles.

Share your stories on how you prepared for your own overnight biking adventure by contacting insider@laurelhighlands.org, or submitting a comment below.

“Overnighting on a bike takes more than endurance.” Click here for useful tips on bike camping from veteran cyclists, bike shop owners and employees and outdoor groups that organize bike trips on the Great Allegheny Passage.

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