Historically, bicycle touring offers one a low-cost means to explore a country. Cycle tourists maintain that the combination of human-scale speeds, being in the open air make cycle touring a pleasant way to immerse oneself in the culture of an area
Popularity
The Cyclists' Touring Club, is the UK's largest cycling membership organisation approx 55,00. Established in 1878, originally as 'Bicycle Touring Club', making it the oldest national tourism organisation of any description.
Location
CTC is organised at a district level, with district associations (DAs) organising cycle rides on most Sundays and often during the week in Summer. Other CTC rides are notoriously planned around caf? stops, jokingly being referred to as Caf? To Caf
Age
This is an outdoor activity for all age ranges. There are many differing tours such as club organised, Expedition touring and supported, giving a variety to match personal preferences. It is an ideal and affordable event for families.
Ability
The only qualification required for this event is enthusiasm, and the sense of adventure. Many cycle tourists have published travelogues of their tours (either traditionally in books or magazines or on the Web)
Description
If you are looking for adventure, a pace that suits you, sense of freedom while seeing the sites. Then this is a wonderful way to do it with many hostels and camps available for the traveller as well as stacks of information through tourist info and on the Internet. A lot of information can be found at http://www.ctc.org.uk/ This is a fantastic way to make new friends and see things you would not normally see, smell or hear in the country.
Dedication
To go cycle touring you'll need to have a bike that can hold luggage. Many different bicycle types can be used, cycle tourists prefer a special touring bikes which is built to carry larger amounts of gear and water, and can be ridden more comfortably over long distances. Characteristics of a touring bicycle are: a longer wheelbase for additional stability and heel clearance, frame fittings for front as well as rear panniers, and bottle racks. Specific tires which are wider and more puncture free
Potential
The potential for this activity is to make friends, keep healthy and avoid commercial areas whilst holidaying, no worries of where to park. To see things that would not be the norm. Experience life without the normal daily influences.
Closely
Related Activities
Travel 616, Touring by Motor Car 420, Keep Fit 349, A sustainable lifestyle 830, Walking for health 668,
Further
Reading
Many cycle tourists have published travelogues of their tours (either traditionally in books or magazines or on the Web) that are both entertaining and informative.
Cost
The beauty of this type of touring is that costs can be as cheap or as dear as you want them to be. Many routes take you through hostels and youth hosteling associations costing around 12 pounds per person per night or more. As to your transport the most important bit. Average bikes new start at around 500 pounds for a good quality plus panniers. These can be purchased cheaper second hand and are available.
Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.
 Energy |
| Arms
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| Legs
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| Sight
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| Hearing
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| Speech |
| Learning |
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