Intro: Better than adventure cycling?

Adventure cycling is an epic adventure but it can be intimidating for those just starting out or thinking of getting into adventures by bicycle.

Cycling shouldn’t be focused on such an epic mountain of an adventure that is full of uncomfortable situations.

This can leave you wondering why you went on such an adventure in the first place. If you are thinking of riding the Eurovelo bicycle route 6, riding along Europe’s major rivers (3,653 km or 2,270 mi), than it could seem overwhelming and a monumental experience, you just may not be ready for.

I can tell you that is a long way and it takes a big chunk of time and money but for most that is not an option. The adventure is about exploring an area, being tested by the environment and longing for more regardless of distance or location. So, this could push you away from a dream of cycling for adventure.

Body: Cycling for adventure!

If you follow adventure cyclists like Ryan Van Duzer like I do, cycling can seem a bit intimidating. He often goes 100 or more miles (160.9 km) per day cycle touring or 30 – 60 mi (48 – 96 km) per day bike packing going up and down mountains on rocky and muddy terrain.

Ryan’s story is amazing, riding from Honduras to Boulder after serving in the Peace Corps, which lead to so many other amazing adventures.

He is an inspiration with his words and actions, always focused on love and positive energy reconnecting with nature and socializing with the locals. But from the average person who is not use to such undertakings, it might seem a bit extreme yet still interesting enough to keep watching his videos.

But how many people are left not taking on their own cycling adventures because of fear or intimidation?

What is adventure cycling?

According to Bicycle Touring Pro, it is just another term for cycle touring, bicycle touring, bike packing and so on and so forth.

Adventure cycling is basically when you go for a bike ride that lasts days, weeks, month or even years which requires a lot of gear, planning, money and time. It is a great way to experience a country or an area.

If you are interested in this, I would highly recommend Bicycle Touring Pro who has extensive knowledge of everything related to cycle touring or adventure cycling. But most don’t have the time to take on such adventures as this.

What is cycling adventure?

Cycling adventure is something I came up with. When I moved to Odense, a small city in Denmark, I wanted to explore my new home. I would ride along Odense Å (Odense River), enjoy the beauty of nature within the heart of Denmark.

They were short rides that left me dreaming of cycling longer trips which eventually lead to my first cycle tour south on the Island of Funen (which Odense is located on), through the Als near the border of Germany, then travelled north to Kolding before crossing a bridge back to Funen and Odense where I live.

These are all examples of cycling adventures. I would define it as cycling with the purpose of adventure regardless of distance. This, I believe, is more achievable and will lead to more rides with focus on fun.

Cycling adventure is manageable for everyone!

Cycling adventure is much more manageable when all you need is some ideas of locations to explore which can be local, put a little thought in creating a route and bringing whatever you need to keep you energized for the ride for an ultimate experience.

I often go on adventures with my kids finding playgrounds and cool diverse types of routes along residential neighborhoods, wooded areas and/or trails giving it a little extra to the adventure. A great tip for kids is to incentivize the trip with treats as a reward and top off. Kids are always better off burning energy while engaging them with nature. I took my daughter on a trip to show her the flooded Odense River and promised McDonald’s which never happens and she was sold, and so we had a wonderful adventure.

I live in a city that commonly uses cycling as means of transportation. There are young kids the age of 5 or younger cycling to school with parents. Then there are old, retired people cycling to the store or running errands.

I remember cycling up a hill, just peddling away and struggling, when an old lady passes me and my instinct is to start pushing myself to keep up with this old lady. I am dying from the climb when I notice that she is riding an electric bike which was a relief. Electric bikes are more common now and are a fantastic option if you are unsure of your capabilities but want to experience more. But get familiar with it before you race off!

Benefits to cycling

According to an article called Nurtured by nature, spending time in nature increases cognitive benefits, mood improvements, mental health and emotional well-being.

I have many moments of frustration, irritation, stress and many other emotions that are negative in my life. But after going for a bike ride, being in nature, I feel amazing and ready to take on the challenges of life in a more balanced approach.

In terms of physical activity, cycling has a positive impact on our health according to Cycling and health, it has the following benefits:

I have a lot of experience as someone who was physically inactive but became physically active again back in 2017. Before, I was overweight, sluggish in terms of energy levels and very unhappy. I was an athlete growing up and so I wanted a change to help with my energy levels throughout the day and have my body feel better which I hoped would increase my happiness levels. Before 2017, I would train get hurt from pushing myself to hard, like I did when I was young and would be left disappointed and quit.

But after a period of uncomfortableness, I was doing it and full of confidence. I got a job doing deliveries, by bicycle and things changed. I became committed to my lifestyle changes. My workouts have changed throughout my time working out but my commitment has not. The thing that changed for me was my philosophy of working out. I started doing a really easy workout compared to the hard rigorous ones of my past but I formed a habit of it. Once I got comfortable doing this, I just started increasing the challenge.

A simple 30 min workout 2-5 times per week, provides you with energy to take on life challenges, such as:

• Playing with your kids
• Outdoor life: hiking, cycling, walking, hunting, camping, and so on
• Your studies or other mental strains
• Daily stress
• Confidence to take on new challenges

Obviously, the combination of physical activity and the outdoors (especially in nature) can impact your mental state and overall well-being. After a recent visit to the US and seeing the craziness from an outside looking in perspective, I am convinced that we all could use this approach.

In terms of physical activity, cycling must be one of the easiest workouts but also can be challenging depending on your level of fitness. Cycling is less impactful on the joints compared to running and adds a fun element compared to walking. Walking takes more time but is also a great start to getting outside and enjoying some fresh air plus a low intensity workout. Cycling can be an easy ride to the store or commuting to work or school. Or it can be a rigorous workout challenging your heart and lungs to the max for an amazing high intensity workout by climbing hills or increased speeds. The level of challenge is up to you.

Now these benefits are the same for both adventure cycling and cycling adventures. But the benefits are there all the same.

Conclusion – cycling adventures keeps you cycling for more!

Cycling adventures is clearly the better option to getting started from scratch or for someone wanting to take on their own adventures. It is less demanding on the body, less costly to your bank account and doesn’t require a lot of time or preparation compared to adventure cycling.

Cycling adventure is something that any age group can do. It is less intimidating and you are more likely to stick to the habit of staying on the bike compared to someone who needs to get the gear, prepare and put in the time and miles, not to mention other intangibles required for such an expedition. But it also has an epic element that all adventure junkies want, to test the limits of their abilities, to defy the odds of achievement and to overcome such obstacles. The adventure level is up to you and your capabilities, it is not defined by any measurement, only your curiosity.

Cycling should be fun, full of adventure regardless of how many miles or kilometers you go. It has a load of benefits waiting for you to take advantage of. The health factor is only beneficial if you are out there riding your bike. That is why cycling adventures are better than adventure cycling.

So don’t be overwhelmed by the adventure cyclist who cranks out the miles and makes everything seem easy. Just be curious, find a path and go for a bike ride.

What do you think about cycling adventures? Are you motivated to get on a bicycle? Comment below or contact me! And thanks for reading the article.