Getting Fit for Bicycle Touring

By John Alden

To prepare for a 315-mile bike trip through Yellowstone and other scenic national parks, Scouts of Troop 88 each more 1,000 practice miles.

Six Days, 315 miles— that was the cycling portion of a two-week trip that took Troop 88 to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Badlands national parks; Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Devils Tower National Monument; and four crossings of the Continental Divide.

To go on our high adventure bike tour, a Scout had to be at least First Class in rank, have earned the First Aid and Cycling merit badges, completed 1,000 miles in troop rides, and use a bike meeting minimum troop standards.

We began 18 months prior to our trip and had to consider the following: cost, safety, physical preparation, bicycle maintenance, training schedules and routes, and weather.

Costs

A reasonably durable bicycle can cost $300 to $400 and up. (Unfortunately, most low-cost "department store" bikes probably won't last much beyond 500 to 1,000 miles—even if they're well cared for.)

A good used bike—which can cost $150 to $250 and up—is another possibility. Before buying one, however, ask an experienced cyclist or bike shop mechanic to examine it.

Troop 88's adult leaders found affordable used bicycles by browsing garage sales, pawn shops, and thrift stores.

Other costs include a helmet, tools, and spare parts — especially tubes and tires. Two local bike shops helped us by providing used bikes and parts to the Scouts at reduced prices. (On the trip, our troop supply vehicle carried two spare bikes, just in case.)

Safety concerns

A group of cyclists is more visible to motorists than a solo rider, and bike repairs are easier to do in a group. During our 18 months of cycling and 20,000 total group miles, only two spills resulted in injuries—one laceration and one broken finger.

Most of Troop 88's cycling was on rural and semirural Oklahoma roads, but urban areas generally have comparable routes.

Repair and maintenance

Learn and practice repairs. Routine repairs and maintenance are fairly simple, but few adults have developed the skills required to keep a bike on the road over hundreds of miles. Many local bike shops and cycling clubs offer introductions to repairs and adjustments.

Preparation and training

We began with the series of rides required for the Cycling merit badge. These include two 25-mile rides a month for three months and then a 50-mile ride which must be completed within eight hours. After that, our training rides became even more difficult.

Any healthy adult or youth can easily ride 10 miles at his own pace on an appropriately fitted bike of reasonable quality.

The difference between 10 miles and 25 miles is mostly a matter of confidence.

A 50-mile ride is two 25-mile rides with a fun break in between (like a trip to the zoo).

Much more difficult, however, are 50- or 60-mile rides daily for two or three days in a row.

The endurance needed for that type of riding is acquired by taking many 25- and 50-mile rides. Riding daily or every other day will produce faster results, but you'll make progress with just one good ride a week.

To prepare for Troop 88's Yellowstone trip, with its six days of daily 50-mile-plus rides through strenuous country, each Scout completed 1,000 miles of troop training rides, including a three-day, 200-mile outing.

Routes and weather

Bicycle clubs or bike shop personnel can help you find suitable routes.

Motorists and cyclists look at roads differently. A car driver views a wide shoulder as a place for cyclists to stay away from traffic. But glass and other trash on shoulders can make cycling dangerous. To cyclists, the most important road feature is visibility—that motorists can see them well in advance, with hills and curves the primary limitations to a clear view.

At cooler temperatures, gloves, jackets, and pants are critical. On a long ride you will get caught in the rain sooner or later, so don't cancel training rides because of its threat.

In bad weather a motorist's vision and braking are diminished, causing an otherwise safe route to become dangerous for cyclists. A bike rider's vision and braking are also impaired by inclement weather.

Rain and wind increase the danger of hypothermia (extremely low body temperature). Rain gear is especially important below 60 degrees or so.

A troop cycling program can open unexplored potential for youth members and adult leaders alike.

There are other benefits. Two boys about to drop out of Troop 88 returned for 18 months because of our Yellowstone trip. And an adult leader found cycling to be the perfect regular exercise for personal fitness.

Cycling also can give you memories, increased physical and emotional stamina, better appreciation of one's capabilities, and the development of skills that will last a lifetime.

The experience helped make Troop 88 a better troop and its members better Scouts and men.

John Alden lives in Okmulgee, Okla.

(Editor's note: Author John Alden served as assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 88 of Claremore, Okla., during a year when he and another adult leader with an interest in cycling planned a lengthy bike trip for the troop. The tour was through country in which Alden had already safely cycled with his own children.)

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May-June 1997 Table of Contents

Copyright © 1997 by the Boy Scouts of America. All rights thereunder reserved; anything appearing in Scouting magazine or on its Web site may not be reprinted either wholly or in part without written permission. Because of freedom given authors, opinions may not reflect official concurrence.