Every trip needs two fundamental things: the right amount of fitness, suitable for the kind of itinerary you will be facing and the right equipment so that you are ready to face any surprises during your outing.
Here are some simple pieces of advice about what to take with you during your excursions.
So that you always have your small accessories like your mobile phone and wallet close to hand, it’s a good idea to have a handlebar bag on the upper part of the bicycle which should also have a plastic transparent pocket where you can put your map so that you can look at it easily whenever you need to. You will certainly need to carry a backpack with you for your clothing. In the case of daytrips, a small backpack will suffice, as long as it is waterproof, large and without an inner frame so that it is light. There are also professional backpacks that have containers for liquids with a tube that can pass over the shoulders or backpacks with lateral pockets for a water bottle or thermos. If the excursion includes a night away, the backpack must be large enough to hold a light tent, cooking equipment, food and a change of clothes. Finally, don’t forget to carry all those indispensible objects necessary in emergencies: a spare change of clothes, maps, spare inner tubes, puncture kit, spare spokes and a chain especially for trips that last more than one day, as well as a compact air pump and your mobile phone. In the dark or with reduced visibility, your bike should have a white light that is continuous on the front and a red constant light on the back and a red reflector. The pedals also need to have reflectors. Amongst the indispensible equipment, you should also carry a first aid kit with bandages, plasters, antiseptic wipes, pain killers, scissors and protective sun cream. In the case of a medical emergency, even a negligible one, you will at least be able to intervene.
