Category Archives: Bike Touring

Going places on a bike for the longer haul.

Got You Covered! The Many Virtues of Rain Covers, Even on Dry Rides

Unless your bike’s handlebar bag and panniers are really, truly waterproof — and maybe even if they are — rain covers are worth the added weight and bulk, especially on grocery runs. Here’s why.
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by Tamia Nelson | May 23, 2015

While some bike panniers and handlebar bags come with rain covers, others do not, and that’s too bad. Rain covers do more than keep your gear dry. They also…

Keep your load light.  Unless your bags are made from truly waterproof fabric, with sealed seams and bombproof closures (mine aren’t), a hard shower can add pounds of water weight to your load.

Keep your stuff clean.  A surprising amount of road dust finds its way into unprotected panniers and handlebar bags, even when you’re riding on asphalt.

Help keep your stuff cool.  Light, bright colors reflect sunlight. Dark colors absorb it, turning your bags into mini-ovens. Light is right. On tours, your electronics and chocolate bars will thank you for caring. And if you’re making a grocery run, the food won’t be cooked … Continue reading »

It’s Hunting Season! How to NOT Look Like a Deer When Biking and Hiking

Every year there are unfortunate incidents during hunting season, and this year is no exception. A mountain biker on a popular French trail was shot and killed by a hunter who mistook him for a deer. So do your bit to avoid a similar tragedy, and that does not mean having to stay out of the woods.
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by Tamia Nelson | October 19, 2018

In France, close to the border with Switzerland, a 34-year-old mountain biker was shot dead by a 22-year-old-hunter while the cyclist was riding a popular mountain track. The hunter is reportedly suffering deep shock, and his father claims that the young man mistook the cyclist as a deer. This tragedy is a sober reminder to all cyclists and hikers who take to the trails during hunting season to do what you can to avoid “looking like a deer.” I don’t know of any deer who wear “hunter” or international orange clothing. (I have never seen a deer that rode a bike, either, but that’s another issue.)

Most of the year, I’m … Continue reading »

On Your Guard: How (and Why) to Fender for Yourself

Cheap fenders might not win you any style points, but they’ll help both you and your bike stay clean in foul weather. And guess which is more important.
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by Tamia Nelson | March 31, 2018

There are a few places on earth where bicycles are considered basic transportation, and in those places, it’s rare to find a bike without fenders. (The Brits call these vital accessories “mudguards,” and that’s a far more descriptive term, but since I’m writing on a US passport, I’ll stick to “fenders.”) The reason why anyone would want fenders on a bike is obvious to anyone who’s ever cycled on wet roads without them. Hint: The soggy, gritty, black stripe up the back from rump to shoulders is a giveaway.

Having said this, fenders are uncommon on bikes here in the States. Few roadies would mount them on their bikes, even if the frames were designed to accommodate fenders. You might think that touring bikes would be built with them, but you won’t find many that are built with fenders as a … Continue reading »

For the Cyclist Who Can’t Come in From the Cold

It isn’t summer yet, but with longer days and open roads beckoning, you might be tempted to ride when the weather smiles. But before you go, remember that shoulder season weather can be colder than you think. Does this mean you have to wait for hot weather? Nope. Be prepared! These tips will help.
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by Tamia Nelson | March 26, 2018
Originally published in different form on October 14, 2007

Bicycling Article on Tamiasoutside.com

If you’re tempted to roll out on your bike into the early spring sunshine, you might be surprised by how cold it can be once you’re underway, which in turn can ruin your ride and cause you to cut it short. You might even develop hypothermia or frostbite if your bike has a mechanical or a tire punctures. So before heading out on an early spring (or late fall) ride, consider these pointers:

It’s Colder Than You Think!  I “stage” for rides in a sheltered spot with a southern exposure. On a sunny day, the temperature in this refuge may easily be 10 degrees warmer … Continue reading »