In the vast majority of cases, you’ll be able to use your normal everyday bike for a cycling holiday, even if you plan to ride for several days and carry luggage. So you don’t need to invest a lot of money in a new touring bike if you’re travelling for the first time. Instead, spend a little money on getting your everyday bike ready for touring. If it doesn’t have mudguards or a luggage rack, it might be a good idea to have them fitted. If the tyres, chain and cables are well worn, get them replaced before your ride. It’s such a shame if a technical breakdown ruins your first ride.
Once you get a taste for touring by bike, the options are endless! In short, there’s a bike for almost every purpose. From classic touring bikes, which typically have fixed mudguards, lights, lots of gears and a comfortable riding position, to modern bikepacking bikes with wide tyres and luggage strapped directly to the frame. This makes them particularly suitable for more challenging terrain, such as tracks and gravel paths. Finally, there are of course e-bikes, which are generally excellent for touring. If you’re looking to invest in a new touring bike, we recommend you start your search at your local bike shop.