Five Things to Consider Before Taking a Cycling Holiday Abroad

Taking any sort of vacation abroad can be a special treat. Getting to see the sites at exotic locales you may never have seen before is always an experience to treasure. However, if you are an avid cycler, taking a bike tour abroad can be even more amazing. You get to experience the world precisely by doing something you love which is something you’ll cherish for the rest of your lives. But before you embark on this trip there are several things to be aware of. Here are five things to consider before pack your bags for your big trip.

Yours or Theirs?

This is probably the biggest consideration you’ll need to make. When you travel, taking your bike with you is never an easy feat. You can do it by checking in your bike just as you would any bag, but you must be aware that it could get lost or be late arriving as anything else might. You must also be aware that you’ll be largely on your own if it breaks down and finding the pieces you need to repair it might be extra hard in a foreign environment. But riding your own bike that has been personally adjusted to you is more comfortable. Of course, you can always hire or rent a bike once you reach your destination as well.

To Phone, or Not to Phone?

As you may know, taking your mobile phone, which has been equipped for service internationally, is an expensive proposition. Extra fees for international calls are never cheap. But should you be involved in an accident you would probably be glad you have one. What if you needed to call for medical services? You could reach family to tell them what happened as well and if the accident happened in a remote location, you could presumably call someone to pick you up. You’ll need to decide if the extra expense is worth it to you.

Design Your Own Tour, or Take a Sponsored One?

Many people may be quite gung-ho about planning their own bicycle tours abroad, picking trails and routes and paths to take. And this can be great. You get to pick your own journey, see what you want to see, and do what you want. But if you’ve never been to your destination before, letting the professionals who know the bike paths and are experienced with the biking conditions, take care of this for you might ultimately lead to a safer and more enjoyable trip.

Repair Equipment?

Do you need the equipment to repair your bike in case of an accident or emergency? Well, if you’re just planning on a few light day trips then you may be able to get by without it, as long as you have a way to call for help if you need it. However, if you’re a serious mountain biker who wants to bike some serious trails you would be foolish to go without it. You might want to take your own too, as parts and standards could be different in different locations.

Bike Insurance?

I usually recommend that all bike riders who ride on a regular basis have a good insurance plan such as ProtectYourBubble.com pedal bike insurance. If you are involved in an accident that totals your bike, necessitates expensive repairs or replacement, or even involves necessary medical treatment for you or others, this can be an expensive proposition. Having this happen in a foreign country can be even more devastating. This is why I urge all bike tourers to consider some reliable insurance coverage.

Taking your next big bike tour can be a thrilling experience, but there are a lot of factors to consider before you do as well. Keep the above points in mind while planning your trip and you are already going to be off to a great start!