Tag Archives: Bicycle Tour Network

It’s Friday and time to ride off on another weekend of fun.

Bike Pic Dec 10, yeah its Friday, time for a warm weather bike adventure

It’s bike pic Friday and time to ride off on another weekend of fun. In the archives we found these two bikers cruising along the beach, on a trail, in San Diego, CA.

So, get into the zone when continuing your time outdoors and your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the great ideas and bike destinations in the latest Iowa or Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends in one of Minnesota’s HaveFunBiking destinations. And now, check out more stories at Let’s Do MN.

Thanks for viewing our latest bike pic

Now rolling through our 18th year as a bike tourism media, enjoy! As we pedal forward, we aim to encourage more people to bike and have fun while highlighting all the unforgettable places you can ride. As we continue to showcase more places to have fun, we hope the photos we shoot are worth a grin. Enjoy the information and stories we have posted as you scroll through.

Do you have a fun bicycle-related photo of yourself or someone you may know we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to [email protected]. Please Include a brief caption for the image, who shot it, and where. Photo(s) sent to us should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide to be considered. If we use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As we continue encouraging more people to bike, please view our Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your #NextBikeAdventure. Also, check out the MN Bike Guide, now mobile-friendly, as we enter our 13th year of producing this handy information booklet full of maps.

Remember, bookmark HaveFunBiking.com on your cell phone and find your next adventure at your fingertips! Please share our pics with your friends, and don’t forget to smile. We may be around the corner with one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo appearance while you are riding and having fun. You could be in one of our next Pic of the Day.

Have a great day with a safe and memorable year ahead!

Riding the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail from St Pete to Clearwater, Florida.

Bike Pic Dec 7, a warm weather bike reprieve in Florida

Riding the bike friendly Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail from St. Pete to Clearwater, Florida gave these two Midwest biker chicks a reprieve from the cold weather at home.

What better way to continue your fun and your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the fun ideas and bike destinations in the latest  Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends in one of the HaveFunBiking Destinations.

Thanks for viewing the ‘Bike Florida’ Pic of the Day  

We are now rolling into our 10th year as a bike tourism media. As we pedal forward our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike and have fun while we highlight all the unforgettable places for you to ride. As we continue to showcase more places to have fun, we hope the photos we shoot are worth a grin. Enjoy the information and stories we have posted as you scroll through.

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you may know that we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to: [email protected]. Include a brief caption (for each) of who is in the photo (if you know) and where the picture was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide or larger to be considered. If we use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As we continue to encourage more people to bike, please view our Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your #NextBikeAdventure – Also, check out the MN Bike Guide, now mobile friendly, as we enter into our 8th year of producing this hand information booklet full of maps.

Remember, bookmark HaveFunBiking.com on your cell phone and find your next adventure at your fingertips! Please share our pics with your friends and don’t forget to smile. We may be around the corner with one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo apperance while you are riding and having fun. You could be in one of our next Pic’s of the Day.

Have a great day!

Tour bike directors, at the National Bicycle Tourism Conference in St Pete, FL, roll out for a morning ride before scheduled sessions begin.

Bike Pic Nov 9, bicycle tourism directors roll out before meetings

At the National Bicycle Tourism Conference in St Pete, FL. this week, tour bike directors from all over the U.S. rolled out for an early morning ride before scheduled BTN workshop sessions begin. Here leading the pack is T.J. Juskiewicz, Director of RAGBRAI.

What better way to continue your fall fun and your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the fun ideas and bike destinations in the latest  Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends in one of the HaveFunBiking Destinations.

Thanks for viewing the ‘Bicycle Tourism Conference’ Pic of the Day  

We are now rolling into our 10th year as a bike tourism media. As we pedal forward our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike and have fun while we highlight all the unforgettable places for you to ride. As we continue to showcase more places to have fun, we hope the photos we shoot are worth a grin. Enjoy the information and stories we have posted as you scroll through.

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you may know that we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to: [email protected]. Include a brief caption (for each) of who is in the photo (if you know) and where the picture was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide or larger to be considered. If we use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As we continue to encourage more people to bike, please view our Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your #NextBikeAdventure – Also, check out the MN Bike Guide, now mobile friendly, as we enter into our 8th year of producing this hand information booklet full of maps.

Remember, bookmark HaveFunBiking.com on your cell phone and find your next adventure at your fingertips! Please share our pics with your friends and don’t forget to smile. We may be around the corner with one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo apperance while you are riding and having fun. You could be in one of our next Pic’s of the Day.

Have a great day!

For any cycle touring vacation we are blessed to live in one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in the world. So take some time to explore and make the most of your next bike adventure!

Tips for Planning Your First Cycle Touring Vacation

by Helen Young 

Cycle Touring Vacation

For any cycle touring vacation planned, we are blessed to live in one of the world’s most beautiful and diverse countries. The USA’s sheer scale means that the landscapes and terrains vary dramatically from state to state, making it a bicyclist’s dream. Whether you’re looking for rocky terrains, dusty desert tracks, or bumpy forest trails, you’ll find all of this and more without ever having to leave the country. Preparing to set off on your first cycle tour is exciting, but with a wealth of information available to you, both on and offline, it can also be massively overwhelming. With that in mind, here are some top tips for planning your first cycle touring vacation:

 Take it Easy on a Cycle Touring Vacation.

For cycle touring vacations we are blessed to live in one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in the world. So take some time to explore and make the most of your next bike adventure!

We are blessed to live in one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in the world for any cycle touring vacation. So take some time to explore and make the most of your next bike adventure!

Bicycle cycle touring is much more labor-intensive than simply heading out for an afternoon bike ride. It’s both physically and mentally exhausting. Because cycling is the focus of your vacation, it can be tempting to push yourself a little harder – cycling 100km each day until you are completely burnt out. Too much cycling each day could ruin your vacation and leave you feeling saddle-sore and unhappy. Instead, set realistic daily targets and take it easy. Remember that the destination isn’t necessarily what’s important. Take the time to enjoy your surroundings and the ride as you get there.

Maintain Your Bike

Taking care of your bike is vital: a good bike is a key to having a great vacation. Simple maintenance, such as cleaning and oiling the chain when needed, can go a long way to ensuring your bike is ready to go the distance. Keep your bike clean and pack basic tools and a repair kit to keep you on the road. You may also wish to carry basic tools and a puncture repair kit. If you carry panniers on your bike, a repair kit for those may well be useful too. For a longer journey, you may wish to consider cycle insurance. This insurance can be helpful if your bike sustains an injury that you are unable to repair by yourself on the road.

Consider Credit Card Touring

If you want minimalist low key touring, then credit card touring could be the right option: just you, your credit card, and the open road. Touring this way, all you have to carry with you is your basic cycling gear and clothing (which should fit your panniers or inside a small backpack). Plus, a bank card or your allocated travel money to pay for food, accommodation, and other supplies as you go along. This is a hassle-free and unencumbered way to travel, although it does take a certain degree of bravery to travel so lightly and without a formulated plan.

Protect Yourself from the Sun

Skin cancer is a genuine threat. There are over 5.4 million cases of melanoma skin cancer being diagnosed in the USA each year. Therefore, no matter how light you’re packing, it’s important to protect your skin as you travel. Pack a high SPF factor sun lotion and ensure you wear a lightweight, long sleeve shirt to protect your arms as you cycle. Nothing hampers a great cycling tour like the discomfort of sunburn.

Stay Hydrated

Carry enough water bottles and refill them often. Dehydration can come on quickly and leave you feeling sore, sluggish, and with a terrible headache. Running out of water in the middle of nowhere whilst enjoying a difficult trail can leave you feeling panicked. It can ruin an otherwise great day. Keep hydrated and drink plenty of water whenever you have the opportunity. Your water bottle is one of the most important things you will carry with you on your ride.

A Cycle Touring Vacation is a Time to Explore!

Finally, don’t be afraid to explore and make the most of your adventure! Get off the beaten track, leave the main road, and head onwards into the middle of nowhere. Don’t worry about what other people think about your decision to take a cycle touring vacation. What should you do instead? Just enjoy it. With your bike for company, this could well be the best and most exciting vacation you’ll ever have. So take the time to explore and make the most of your next bike adventure!