Breaking out of the Saddle

Bicycle touring is a blast, and great way to see some good sights, but it can also be a good way to enjoy activities other than bicycle touring. Over the past few years, my touring companion, Sarah, and I have used bicycle touring as a means of hitting some cool destinations.  For the most part, this involves touring to a trail head or wilderness boundary to start a backpacking trip, but has also brought us to surf destinations, and coming this summer, some climbing destinations.

If nothing else, it's a good way to stretch the legs out after spending a good amount of time in the saddle, and a great way to explore those mountains, lakes, or beaches you might otherwise ride past.  Here are some photos of a few of our exploits.

 Cooling off in July where our bikes wouldn't go

Taking an off-day during a Montana tour

Spending a day surfing during a Baja tour

Top and bottom photos by Sarah Raz

Middle photo by Josh Tack

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TOURING GEAR AND TIPS is written by Joshua Tack of Adventure Cycling's member services department. It appears weekly, highlighting technical aspects of bicycle touring and advice to help better prepare you for the journey ahead.

Source: http://blog.adventurecycling.org/2012/04/breaking-out-of-saddle.html

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