What You Need for Self Supported Touring by Bicycle
Considerations - Riding Styles
With, or Without Others
- Alone
- Complete anarchy - every decision is yours
- You can approach more people
- More poeple will approach you
- Must rely on locals in emergencies
- With One or Two Others
- Share the experience
- Share the load
- Safety in numbers
- Help in emergencies
- Expect to win less than half of the arguements
- Meet more locals than when in a larger group
- With a Larger Group
- Take advantage of the experience of others
- Have fewer decisions, if that is what you want
- May be pressure to stay 'with the group'.
- May still be able to break into smaller groups, or travel alone, between campsites
Group Strategies
- Rubber Band
- Regroup each night
- Regroup for lunch or break
- "Top of next hill" doesn't work
- Buddy
- Ride with partner of similar abilities
- Go the speed of the slowest
- Your bike is a tandem