Get to know your local area
Be prepared
Know your comfort level
Have fun!
Looking to get out on the roads and do some leisure cycling, but don’t know any good routes? This guide will help you plan an ideal route to enjoy cycling, regardless of where you live or your skill level.
Get to know your local area
Wherever you live, it goes without saying that you need to know the area well in order to find a good cycling route. Google Maps is a great tool if you’re unfamiliar, showing you distance and time by bike. If you’re new to an area and cycling in general, you can always ask other cyclists what routes they like to cycle. If you live somewhere with some great views, it could be a good idea to try and incorporate those into your route too. Always be careful that wherever you’re cycling isn’t too busy or popular however, as too much traffic or too many other cyclists on your route can slow you down.
Be prepared
Always be prepared with the proper gear with your route in mind. It should go without saying that you will need a helmet no matter what, but don’t forget other essentials like a water bottle and some tools for making on the go repairs like Rehook Plus or Rehook Gooeys. If your planned route has some rough roads or difficult terrain, you definitely want to be prepared for the possibility of punctures. Also, make sure you’re prepared in terms of weather conditions too. You should try and predict how your route may have to change if there is flooding or icy roads, and come prepared with extra water if it’s an especially hot day.
Know your comfort level
You don’t want to get caught out halfway through your planned route and realise that you’re completely out of energy. It’s important to know your limits so you can plan around them. Of course you do ideally want to push yourself a bit when cycling, so extending your route to be a bit longer as you get used to it is a great way to get in shape and improve your stamina and skills as a cyclist while you enjoy your route. You should also take into account traffic and terrain when it comes to knowing your comfort level. You don’t want to find yourself on incredibly busy roads or dealing with steep hills if you’re inexperienced.
Have fun!
At the end of the day, you want to enjoy yourself while you’re out cycling. Your route should reflect this too. Make sure to include some scenic views and paths that are equally fun and challenging to cycle. Maybe include one of your favorite shops along the way so you can take a break. At the end of the day, if your route becomes a chore rather than something you enjoy, it’s worth changing things up.
About the author:
Oliver Laws - Cycling Blogger
Oliver joined the Rehook team in 2021, and has been recording his journey into the world of cycling through his blog. In his free time Oliver enjoys writing fantasy and sci-fi stories, with the hope of one day publishing a book.
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