| A bike is a wonderfully elegant creation-true | | | | pedaling-the shank reduces the flexing of a normal |
| technological genius.A well-made bike can take you | | | | shoe or runner. Biking shoes reduce the strain on |
| thousands of trouble-free miles. When it does | | | | your feet, and happy feet are good things to |
| break down, even the most mechanically | | | | have on a long trip.Biking gloves make those |
| challenged can repair it. The near universality of | | | | hundreds of miles easier on the hands. Even on |
| bikes-even in countries like Bangladesh-means | | | | paved roads (and certainly off-road) there can be |
| parts and skilled repairmen are readily available-at | | | | a lot of jarring. You can get the ones that enclose |
| reasonable rates.I use a 21-speed Norco with DX | | | | the whole hand or the ones that leave the fingers |
| gearing and a light frame, a pannier rack on the | | | | free. Either type is good as long as they have |
| rear with two panniers, mud guards on rear and | | | | good thick padding in the palms.One thing that I |
| front, bell, two water bottles with corresponding | | | | didn't bring on my first trip was a pair of proper |
| attachment points, flat bars with extension grips, | | | | biking shorts. This was a very big and painful |
| a bike lock, reflectors, a tool kit (see below), a | | | | mistake-don't go without proper bike shorts. The |
| helmet, biking shoes, a spare inner tube, and biking | | | | Lycra type with thick padding in the crotch and |
| gloves.ASIDE: With the exception of the extension | | | | bum areas is the best.I didn't bring a bike |
| bars I strongly recommend all this equipment-the | | | | computer the first time. Get one as you will want |
| bell and helmet are legislated in some countries. | | | | to know how far and how fast you are going. |
| Extension bars are only required if you purchase a | | | | Using the bike computer in conjunction with a daily |
| mountain or hybrid bike-they allow you to hunker | | | | mileage log will help you plan your itinerary-point to |
| down, making you more streamlined. A road bike | | | | point-and of course will allow you to exactly state |
| does not require the extension bars. DX refers to | | | | how many hundreds of miles your journey has |
| Shimano's middle cost range for bike gearing-not | | | | taken you.Panniers (portable suitcases for bikes) |
| bad but not the best. My Norco is a hybrid-a | | | | fit on either side of your back rack. Do not go |
| cross between a road bike and a mountain bike. A | | | | cheap on them as they are carrying all your |
| limited budget with a desire for flexibility-to ride on | | | | worldly goods. Bring small garbage bags to stuff |
| paved roads and in wilderness areas-made the | | | | your clothes into-then into the pannier-as well as |
| purchase of a hybrid clear to me. The cost for | | | | Ziplocs for your food, because panniers are |
| the bike and listed accessories was $780 CDN-still | | | | water-resistant but not waterproof.Front and rear |
| about the same in 2006.ASIDE: I never rode my | | | | fenders may not look chic but they are |
| bike on any rough terrain, always on paved or | | | | extremely effective at preventing water/mud |
| good gravel roads. I never regretted my selection | | | | going up your back or in your face.I strongly |
| and used the same bike on other long-distance | | | | recommend that you bring a small bike tool kit. |
| tours as well as around my hometown-to this | | | | Most bike stores sell these kits. They usually |
| very day. I will not get technical about bikes but | | | | consist of four or five Allen wrenches (hex |
| will give you some sound advice. Get as much | | | | heads), a fork and pedal wrench, a tire repair kit, |
| bike as you can afford but never buy a cheap | | | | and a spoke wrench. I augment the kit with a |
| one-medium- to high-quality only. Cheap | | | | plastic bottle of bike grease for the chain, a chain |
| department store bikes cannot take the | | | | breaker to join the chain together if it breaks, a |
| punishment of a long-distance tour and you will | | | | bike pump, two spare spokes, and a spare inner |
| have nothing but problems-problems that will eat | | | | tube. A small book on basic bike repair would be |
| at your soul and pocketbook. The threshold for | | | | advisable-there are plenty of those around. Bike |
| medium bikes varies, with a bottom of around | | | | repair is not rocket science and is very easy to |
| $350 (US or CDN dollars). Spending more, if you | | | | learn and do.The need for a water bottle should |
| can afford it, makes very good sense, as a good | | | | be obvious to anyone but the need for two may |
| bike will last for decades.ASIDE: Expensive bikes | | | | not. The more water you have and drink the less |
| are attractive targets for thieves all over the | | | | dehydrated you will be. Dehydration can be a |
| world. If you do buy one, you'll have to be more | | | | serious health risk-especially when you are |
| vigilant than you might like-certainly extra security | | | | exerting yourself. Even low levels of dehydration |
| precautions are in order. A few words about | | | | can affect your strength and, therefore, your |
| accessories:Biking shoes are a good buy even if | | | | pedaling speed. Two bottles and/or a Camelback |
| you only plan one long-distance tour in your life. | | | | give you enough water to maintain hydration |
| They are constructed with a steel shank, which | | | | between stops.Alex G. Landels is the author of |
| means you can impart more energy into your | | | | 'Bike Guru Dairies: Travels in Europe'. |