Here are some helpful tips and suggestions, that you might like to take into consideration before planning your next or first big adventure. Like all non prepaid, budget and package holidays, you are indeed required to plan your trip most carefully and well in advance. Gathering thoughts and making plans in good time are a positive attribute in aiding you taking part in a (at least in theory) successful adventure. The following list of thoughts and comments should give you a good basis to work on trying to find out what's best in your particular situation, and help you in choosing a tour. Available Time: Can you get the needed time off work at the right time of year according to your travel destination? If you are traveling as a couple or in a group, can all the said persons likewise have this time available. After planning all the side-trips and days here and there underway, can you still accomplish your planned route in the remaining time available? Choice of tour: There are indeed spectacular regions on this world as far as the scenery is concerned, however for cyclists these might just be too difficult or even impossible to undertake. Then, there are other regions, that offer splendid cycling conditions yet tend to be pretty arid and boring to travel through, so really trying to find a suitable tour to cycle means merely choosing a tour, that combines these important factors as well as taking into account, the local wind and weather conditions, infra structure along your chosen route and the cycling friendliness of the area in general. One matter, that has became very important to us on all of our tours was, "are the shoulders wide enough?". This may sound pretty trivial to some, however, cycling along days or even weeks on end trying to balance your luggage packed bike on the side white line as traffic scream past your left ear is not only frustrating, but rips you psychologically apart after a while. Trying then, to enjoy the surroundings, even if these are stunning, simply becomes impossible. We've met many fellow tourers, who have just turned around and went back home after cycling along busy, shoulderless major roads for a few days at the beginning of their tour, this tragically being the abrupt end of their long awaited adventure. So, regardless of where you intend touring, make sure you obtain the needed info for your chosen route (yet another very important reason for buying our Travel-CD's).		Having Fun: Plan your tour thoroughly but keep the fun factor in mind. Try to give yourself enough rest days in between several cycling days in order to switch off a little and let the tired legs recuperate. Having fun is especially important as the route starts becoming strenuous, stressy and demanding. This is also the time when you start getting to know yourself and your limitations, joys and setbacks so keeping the fun factor high is a sure way of keeping yourself positive for the remaining way of your tour. Financial matters: Going on a cycling vacation is one of the cheapest ways of getting around actually, but depending on your chosen route, it may even be cheaper than you initially thought! For example, cycling the US-West Coast is not only spectacularly beautiful, but offers real "Low Budget" touring due to all the cheap "Hike & Bike" campsites along this unforgettable route. Other routes such as the Midwest and Southern USA can be more expensive having to overnight in motels now and again due to the lack of campgrounds within reasonable distance of the route. Mostly, these small motels are however, relatively cheap. Trying to estimate how much your daily costs might be underway is somewhat different from person to person, however, roughly speaking on your own, you should be looking at about 10 to 15 US $ daily. As a couple, aim for 18 to 23 US $. Remember, these estimates cover only your camping fees as well as, basic food and drink needs. Now, you should have a basic financial factor to work on. Add other standing costs such as, flights and transportation, entry fees for National Parks. Likewise side trips i.e. Museum, aquarium or other interesting amenities along your route and you should now start getting an idea of what your big adventure is going to approximately cost. In General: Remember to cycle a route you actually find interesting in the first place. Buy yourself good quality equipment right from the very start. Plan your route properly and find out as much info as you can about it well in advance. Be luxurious, give yourself enough time and money to fully enjoy your trip. Plan your tour to avoid having to cycle through large city and metropolitan areas. There are, however some routes, where you can't avoid having to pass through large metropolitan areas, so make sure you find out in good time afore exactly all the needed info that you require to carry out this unfortunately pretty stressy objective.
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