CYCLING SPECIAL....Guide to planning a two-wheeled expedition

CYCLING GO YOUR OWN WAY 

Charged up about cycling? Here’s an easy guide to planning a two-wheeled expedition

    A cycling holiday may sound cumbersome to plan, with tonnes of how tos and what ifs cropping up. It does require careful planning, but it’s not too hard to do. You can take a leisurely ride where you stop frequently for a chat with the locals, a scenic tour where you can explore all the nooks and crannies of a place or one that challenges your fitness levels. Here’s a whole bunch of routes and helpful tips for cycling tours in some of the most cyclist-friendly countries like France, Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Italy.
When to Cycle
Not surprisingly, the weather plays an important role while planning a cycling trip. In France, Italy and Britain, the weather is most conducive to cycling from April to October, but if you want to avoid the crowds, May, June, September and October are excellent months for pedalling. Late February to April is the best time to hit New Zealand’s roads when they’re less crowded. October to early December is also a good time to be here. The trick to cycling in Australia is to be at the right place at the right time: December to February is suitable for cycling in Tanzania, Victoria High Country and Southern New South Wales (NSW); March to May is fit for riding around Victoria, South and Western Australia and NSW; June to August is great for Queensland and Coastal northern NSW; and September to November is perfect for South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.
WHERE TO STAY
Whether it’s peak season or low, advance reservations are a must, as this will help avoid on-the-spot search hassles, especially since cyclists rarely arrive in the morning. Apart from hotels, there are quite a few other stay options available.
Camping and Caravan Parks
Camping grounds and caravan parks are available everywhere. In Britain, you have the option of bedding down in camping barns and bunkhouses that are a step up from camping grounds. These are converted farm buildings with sleeping platforms, a cooking area and basic toilets outside. If you want to camp by yourself, seek permission from the landowner no matter which country you’re in. And if you plan on camping a lot, consider getting an international camping card or joining a group, as this will get you discounts.

Helpful Resources
Australia: big4.com.au Italy: camping.it, campeggi.com, italcamping.it New Zealand: doc.govt.nz France: gites-de-france.fr, campingcard-international.com 

Guesthouses and B&Bs
Most of these are budget, basic places offering homestay-type facilities Australia: australianbandb.com.au, babs.com. au, ozbedanbreakfast.com.au Italy: bbitalia.it New Zealand: bed-and-breakfast.co.nz France: gites-de-france.fr, rando-accueil.com 

Hostels
Most hostels require you to be a member. Hostelling international (HI) has affiliated hostels in several countries and a valid HI card is accepted at most (hihostels.com). Australia: The Youth Hostels Association (yha.com.au) has over 140 hostels. A new hostel trend here is Base Backpackers, an upmarket hostel chain that emphasises comfort (basebackpackers.com). Italy: The youth hostels in this country are run by Associazione Italiana Alberghi per la Gioventu (AIG.ostellionline.org). Britain: It’s not mandatory to have a card, but nonmembers have to pay extra. There are two types of hostels here — the Youth Hostels Association (YHA:yha.org.uk) and the Scottish Youth Hostels Association (SYHA: syha.org.uk). New Zealand: The biggest hostel group in NZ is Budget Backpacker Hostels (bbh.co.nz) France: There are two hostelling associations in France — Federation Unie des Auberges de Jeunesse (FUAJ: fuaj.org) and Ligue Francaise pour les Auberges de la Jeunesse (LFAJ: aubergesdejeunesse.com). 

Farmstays
Except in France & Britain, accommodation on farms is available everywhere, ranging from rustic to luxurious. Australia: Australian Farmstays (Australia farmstay.com.au) Italy: Agriturist and Agriturismo offer detailed information on agriturismo facilities in the country (agriturist.com, agriturismo.com). New Zealand: Rural Holidays lists farmstays & homestays throughout the country (ruralholidays.co.nz).  

Other Options
Italy: Convents and monasteries (santa susanna.org/comingtorome/convents.html) Villas and apartment rentals (carefree-italy.com and parkervillas.co.uk) Australia and Britain: Pubs and inns here offer stay options, but if you’re a light sleeper avoid booking a room right above the bar. 

BIKE HIRE
Britain, Australia and New Zealand have a bike hire shop on practically every street corner. In France, there are a few bike stores with country wide networks like Bouticycle (bouticycle.com), Culture Velo (culturevelo.com) and Velo & Oxygen (velooxygen.fr), while Experience Plus in Italy provides bikes on rent, touring equipment and other bike related services (experienceplus.com). 

GUIDED AND GROUP RIDES
If you’d like to take the hassle out of planning a cycling holiday, have the comfort of a support team to carry your bags or simply fancy joining a group of other cyclists, an organised tour might be for you. Australia: Australia Collective (adventurecollective.com.au) Cycling Tours cyclingtours.com.au) Italy: Cycle Rides (UK Office:00-1-225-428-452, 00-8-003-893-384) Britain: CTC Cycling Holidays (cyclingholidays.com), Wildcat Bike Tours (wildcat-bike-tours.co.uk) France: Blue Marble Travel (bluemarble.org), Federation Francaise de Cyclotourisme(ffct.org) 

WANT TO DO A TRIP IN INDIA
Here are some agencies that organise guided/group cycling tours: artofbicycletrip.com; muddyboots.in, woodsideinn.in
WHAT TO CARRY
VITAL FIRST REMINDER
Everything you pack, you carry! So pack only what’s necessary. Here’s a checklist. Don't forget to take enough water and food to see you safely between towns.
BIKE CLOTHING
Cycling gloves Cycling shoes and socks Helmet and visor Long-sleeved shirt/cycling top T-shirt/short-sleeved top Padded cycling shorts Sunglasses High visibility reflective vest Waterproof jacket and pants Fleece or thicker wool layer (for mountains and shoulder seasons) Full-finger gloves (for mountains and shoulder seasons)
OFF-BIKE CLOTHING
Change of clothing Sandals Swimming gear Sunhat
EQUIPMENT
Bike lights (rear and front) & torch with batteries Elastic cord Camera; GPS Day-pack (or bike luggage that can act like one) Medical kit and toiletries Mosquito repellent, sunscreen Padlock for parking Panniers & waterproof liners Pocket knife and sewing kit Small handlebar bag Sleeping sheet Tool kit, pump and spares Water containers, purification tablets, iodine or filter
CAMPING
Cooking, eating and drinking utensils Dish washing items Portable stove and fuel Insulating mat Sleeping bag & tent