Travel Tips
Our travel tips are broken down into four sections; a recommended packing list, advice on how to pack your bike, training tips, and miscellaneous information.
Packing list
We run our tours in the best place on earth, the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. We have done hundreds of rides in warm sunny weather, cold and snow, rain, wind and sometimes all in the same ride! Besides lots of cycling clothes, we recommend bringing long and short items for the variable weather any time of the year.
Things to bring with you on your trip to Colorado in the summer:
Riding Clothes
- Helmet (mandatory)
- Headband or hat
- Microfiber layers or vest
- Rain jacket
- Bike gloves
- Padded bike shorts
- Arm warmers, leg and/or knee warmers
- Bike shoes
- Small daypack for the follow vehicle
- Sunglasses
- Jerseys (both long and short)
- Tights
Street Clothes
- Jeans
- Shorts
- Fleece and/or wind jacket(s)
- Shirts that are easily layered
- Casual shoes for walking
Other Items
- Water bottles
- Energy/Sports bars
- Drink powder
- Spare Tubes
- Tools for your bike
- Flat repair kit
- Prescriptions
- Camera/batteries/extra memory cards
Packing Advice
So you want to travel with your bike? Here's our best advice we have learned from traveling all over the world with our bikes.
Measure twice: Before taking your bike apart, measure the settings accurately. Either with a permanent marker or electrical tape, mark the position of your seat height. Or, use a tape measure and write down the measurements. Also note the spacer arrangement on your stem so you can replicate it later.
Required Tools: Gather the tools you need to dismantle your bike; most likely 4, 5, and 6 millimeter wrenches along with a pedal wrench. After your bike is packed, wrap your tools in shop rags to prevent your frame from getting scratched and place them in your bike case. Some bike parts may require a unique tool, so make sure that you have the right tools with you to reassemble your bike when you arrive at your destination.
Use a bike box: To prevent damage, we recommend a hard shell case, but there are soft sided cases that can also be used. If you have a buddy who can lend you a case, try borrowing one first. If not, make a trip to your local bike shop and inquire about renting one. Many bike shops will rent a case for your cycling vacation. Plan ahead and reserve one early. If you need to buy a case check with local bike shops or online retailers. There are many brands to choose from. It's a good idea to practice packing your bike in the case to ensure everything fits properly.
Airline Regulations: Also review airline policies for bike case sizes since regulations change frequently and each airline is very different. A few inches too big could mean your bike may be left at the airport, or some airlines will allow it but charge a hefty fee. Each airline has it's own policy for oversize luggage. Read the current policy on their website as many regulations change frequently. Be prepared to pay an extra fee if you don't comply with their current standards.
Packing everything tight: We recommend putting your helmet and cycling shoes in with your regular luggage in case your bike gets lost in flight. This allows you to ride during your cycling vacation on a rented bike, without interrupting your itinerary. However we do recommend putting certain items in with your bike; powdered sports drink, water bottles, extra tubes and tires, tools required to reassemble your bike, etc. Do not pack CO2 cartridges in with your bike. Many airlines prohibit them as they could explode and damage your bike or the airplane.
Expect an inspection: The TSA often inspects bike cases. Be prepared for an inspection and make it easy for them to repack the contents of your bike case after an inspection.
Training Tips
Terrific training tips from your trip leader:
For complete and customized training we strongly recommend a coach!
Distance
We will be covering 125- 190 miles in any weather over the whole trip, we can get snow in July and hot sun in January. You should also be prepared for a big 6-8 hour ride on one day. For example here is the training one of our lead guides will do:
"...I will get ready for this by riding the trainer indoors (or outside, weather permitting) twice a week and one long 2-3 hour ride on the weekends. As we are traveling in June or July, I would be well into this program at the end of May. Prior to May I would be attending at least one spin class (or indoor session on the trainer) and 1-2 hours outside on the weekends..."
John C, trip leader
We recommend doing at least the minimum training listed below.
Effort
If you don’t have the time for the long rides on the weekends, you can certainly replace that with effort. The spin classes we attend in Boulder also provide quite a bit of effort but have to admit that the indoor trainer is a time for easier spinning. Studies have shown 30 minutes of intervals (1 minute on 2 off) is the same as 2 hours steady riding.
Recovery
The best part of training is the recovery phase! Make sure to stretch after every spring ride. A good night’s sleep after a hard workout is very important to realizing gains from the effort. Perhaps the week before traveling to join us you can skip one or two workouts to make sure you are fresh.
Miscellaneous
Other Notes
Gearing – we recommend a 39-23 or 25 as the very minimum, most of the hills are long but not too steep!
Please be prepared to change a flat (ie, tubes & pump) as you would at home. Do yourself a favor and put new TIRES & TUBES on prior to departure, nothing like mechanical issues to ruin your vacation! Get a tune-up before the trip to make sure your bike is in top working condition