Jul 31, 2025

How to Plan a Bike Trip?

Did you know that the longest recorded bicycle trip in the world has a total distance of an overwhelming 402,000 miles? The tour through 159 countries was arranged by Walter Stolle and took him 17 years from January 1959 to December 1976. Even if your trip does not aim to break the record, careful preparation is still crucial. There are a lot of things to consider, but stay cool. This plan bike trip guide will help you understand how to choose your route and accommodation, what gear to bring, and how to manage your budget wisely while on the ride.

Set Your Goals

First things first: decide on the purpose of your trip, as it’s a prerequisite for planning a perfect cycling tour. Perhaps you are willing to take a weekend outing to the countryside, improve your fitness by arranging a long-distance ride, or set off on a week-long adventure in a place you have never been?

Once the purpose of your trip is clear, consider how far you would like to go, how much time you have, and what terrains feel the most comfortable for you. If you travel with your family, friends, or a dog (or any other pet), take into account the needs and physical abilities of every group member when you plan a bike trip.

Choose Your Route

For most people, the days of using bulky 1:100,000 topographic maps are long gone. Today, there are plenty of feature-packed apps and websites allowing you to plan a biking trip to the smallest detail based on your goals, fitness level, and riding style. A good online tool will do all the legwork for you – just set the starting and ending points of your trip, and it will show you the most suitable route right away. The software will also provide accurate distance information and allow you to optimize the route according to your needs. The most efficient planner apps include:

Komoot
Strava
Ride with GPS
Google Maps
Bikemap

Here are a few additional factors you should consider when choosing a perfect route for your cycling trip:

Road conditions and terrain
Proximity to civilization
Your expected daily mileage
Traffic volume
Road hazards
Stores and points of interest

Prepare Your Gear

Experienced cyclists do not recommend carrying heavy weights on a bike, as it makes pedaling more difficult. However, this does not apply to electric cargo bicycles designed to withstand the loads of up to 450 lbs. These powerful bikes have three wheels for better stability, durable frames, and high-performance motors, allowing you to pack everything you need for a safe and pleasurable trip.

The gear you should take depends on the type and purpose of your bicycle tour. For example, if you plan to purchase food along the way and stay in hotels, you will need less stuff than in the case of a self-supported trip that involves camping in the wild. Still, we have prepared a basic checklist of things that may come in handy, no matter what your tour type is:

Helmet
Bicycle lights
First aid kit
Repair items
Change of clothes
Cycling gloves, sunglasses, and sunscreen
Rain jacket
Food
Water
Personal care products

If your trip involves camping, make sure to pack a few additional items:

Tent
Sleeping bag and pad
Cooking equipment
Flashlights
Power bank
Insect repellents

Plan Accommodations

Choosing where to stay overnight is one of the most important aspects of planning a bike trip. The most common options include camping and hotels, and you should make the choice based on your travel style, budget, and desired level of comfort. Consider the pros of each accommodation type to decide what suits you more.

Camping

Cheaper than hotels
More flexibility
Perfect for enjoying quiet, scenic environments
Enhanced sense of adventure
Meals cooked in nature are the tastiest

Hotels

Increased level of comfort
No need to carry camping equipment
Better protection for both you and your bike

If you decide to stay in hotels, it’s better to book a room in advance, especially if you plan your bike trip during peak seasons.

Budget Your Trip

When creating your go-bike-trip plan, calculate how much you may spend every day. Hence, you will know the approximate cost of your tour and will be able to determine if there’s a need to reduce expenses. These are the things to factor in:

Transportation: tickets, rentals
Accommodation: hotels or camping site costs
Food: local prices, daily consumption
Contingencies: emergency funds

Prepare for the Unexpected

Download at least one offline route planner
Have a list of nearby hotels or shelters
Take out insurance
Write down emergency contacts
Share your route with a trusted person

Track Your Progress

Use route planner apps or GPS bike computers to monitor your distance, speed, and route. This helps you:

Understand physical limits
Analyze terrain impact
Stay on your route
Manage energy efficiently
Stay motivated
Improve future trip planning

Conclusion

Cycling is the most rewarding way to explore the world, and with a fast, easy, and powerful plan, you will make any trip memorable. Keep this guide in mind whenever you are wondering "how should I plan my bike trip?" and remember one simple truth: it’s your adventure, and you set the rules. Cycling is not the easiest way to travel, especially solo, but it's definitely worth it. As Paulo Coelho once said, "If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it’s lethal."