1. Campfire Gourmet: Tasty Meals to Prepare while Bikepacking There is more to bikepacking than the adrenaline rush of the ride, the peace and quiet of nature, or the difficulty of the trail. It’s also about the culinary adventure! If you're deep in the woods or taking a break at a scenic overlook, treating yourself to a tasty meal can take the experience to the next level. In this piece, we will explore the savoury world of gourmet cooking over an open flame and provide some mouthwatering meals that are perfect for bikepackers. Importance of Nutrit...
  2. 3 Elements to Consider in Choosing Bike Touring Panniers in 2022 Why You Need a Good Bicycle Touring Pannier The word pannier, pronounced pan-yay, is French for basket. It is the term given to a bag that is carried on the back or front of a bicycle. The term has its origins in the bicycle touring culture of France in the late 1800s and early 1900s as the average cyclist (which included almost everyone back then) would need to carry supplies such as tools, food, etc., as they would commute over longer distances or just ride to the local market down the str...
  3. What is a hydration backpack and why do cyclists need it? Sports hydration packs are essential for any active person whether they are engaged in outdoor activities like cycling or hiking, and many outdoor activities. Hydration backpacks are a unique product that every long distance cyclists needs. Not only can they store water for those long rides but they also have the ability to hold other necessary items such as phones, snacks, and even clothes. This becomes even more critical if your bike frame is fitted with a bikepacking frame bag and space fo...
  4. Cycle touring life: Gear up and go fast ?! The lifestyle of going the distance, life on a bike and never looking back Cycle touring often evokes images of gentle miles, leisurely lunches and a slow pace; and there's a lot to be said for living life in the slow lane and taking it all in, so is there any point going faster? Many of us dream about a nomadic lifestyle, meandering through the World at the speed of a bicycle but for most of is this doesn’t become a reality. A set number of days annual leave, fitting in family commit...
  5. Bike Touring - The Fundamentals When you think of the term "bike touring", many picture motorcycles, leather jackets and chubby, tattooed, bearded guys on them. While it still may be true for the person on the bike (sometimes), we are talking here about travel on the humble bicycle, usually for long distances. This article is about an amazing mode of travel - bicycle touring. Just what is Bicycle Touring? Simply said, bicycle touring is a type of adventure travel that mixes cycling with backpacking. Unlike standard ...
  6. WHAT DO I BRING ON MY CYCLE TOURING TRIP? Biking for long distances with limited space and having to carry everything you will need is not something to take lightly. Packing for a tour is an art and a bit of a science. There is the question of absolute“musts” or the basics and items that would make the trip maybe more pleasant or comfortable. There is a fine line between carrying enough gear and too much. In my earlier days, I tended to bring WAY too much, and I suffered on those hills for it. On the other hand, being too much of a m...
  7. The Ultimate Guide to Bike Touring Portugal and South-west Spain Are you looking for where to plan your next bike tour? Look no further than Portugal and Southwest Spain! This part of Europe offers some of the most diverse and beautiful landscapes for bicycle touring. From the rolling hills of the Douro Valley to the rugged coastline of the Algarve, to the culinary hotspot of Seville, the region is a cyclist’s paradise. But it’s not just the picturesque landscapes that make Portugal and Spain a must-see destination for bicycle touring. The region is also h...
  8. Get the Latest Posts on our Substack Page!
  9. Stoicism for Cyclists: Discomfort and Adversity on Long Rides You’re 100 miles into a cross-country bike tour. Your legs are burning, the headwind is trying to push you back, and dark clouds are gathering on the horizon. Your GPS died an hour ago, and you’re sure you took a wrong turn at that last intersection. Sound familiar? If you’ve ever been on a long-distance bike tour, you know that moments like these are par for the course. But what if I told you there’s a 2,000-year-old philosophy that could help you endure these challenges and thrive in them? ...
  10. Mental Toughness: Psychological Techniques to Overcome Ride Fatigue When you're grinding up that seemingly endless mountain pass or battling headwinds across a barren desert, it's not just your legs screaming for a break. Long-distance cycling challenges your mind as much as your body, and often, your mental strength makes the difference between triumph and defeat. Let's dive into the world of mental toughness and explore how you can train your brain to push through those moments when your body is begging you to quit. Understanding Mental Fatigue...
  11. Train, Pack, Ride: Preparing for your Epic Bikepacking Adventure – Part 3 This is part 3, the final installment of our series on getting yourself ready for that long-distance bikepacking or bike touring adventure you have always dreamed of doing. If you missed part 1 and part 2, make sure you read those first. A bikepacking adventure is on your bucket list, and you have dreamed long enough. Now it’s time to get ready for it! In this third and final installment, we will explore rest and recovery, proper gear, specific techniques depending on the terrain ahead, and g...
  12. Exploring Nova Scotia on Two Wheels: Your Bikepacking Route Planning Handbook Bikepacking in Nova Scotia – A Dream Destination Nova Scotia, a gem in Canada's eastern coast, offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture, making it an ideal destination for bikepackers. As you pedal through this picturesque province, you're greeted with breathtaking coastal views, lush forests, and charming towns, each with its own story to tell. Bikepacking in Nova Scotia is not just a journey but really about immersing yourself in an experience ...
  13. Cycle Touring Life and Team 8 Wild Things x WOHO: A Winning Combination for Brain Health Over this past weekend, a marvelous amalgamation of perseverance, commitment, and unyielding dedication painted the cityscape of Toronto. Over 9000 cyclists took to the city streets, each riding with a singular vision – to support brain health. A grand total of $4,295 was raised for this crucial cause in the "Bike For Brain Health" event, as cyclists from far and wide pedaled their hearts out. We at Cycle Touring Life were elated to sponsor this event and are overwhelmed by the incred...
  14. Train, Pack, Ride: Preparing for your Epic Bikepacking Adventure – Part 2 This is part 2 of our series on getting yourself ready for that long-distance bikepacking or bike touring adventure you have always dreamed of doing. If you missed part 1, make sure you read this first. A bikepacking adventure is on your bucket list, and you have dreamed of it long enough. Now it’s time to get ready for it! In this second installment, we will cover nutrition, mental preparation, and a more detailed progressive training regimen. Our third and final section next week will expl...
  15. Pedaling the Path to Awesome Once upon a time, in the land of nine-to-five jobs and endless spreadsheets, there lived a man named Bob. Bob was your average guy, with an average job, living an average life. But Bob had a dream. A dream that was far from average. He dreamed of trading his office chair for a bicycle seat, his suit for a helmet, and his spreadsheets for a map. And one day, he did just that. He decided to embark on a bikepacking trip across the country. Bob wasn't exactly what you'd call an athlete. H...
  16. 7 Ways Cycling Will Boost Your Mental Health and Happiness Dramatically lower your stress and anxiety levels through cycling. For many of us, we are glad to see the back of 2022. It's been a stressful year, marked by a lot of events that would make anyone’s anxiety levels spike. Will 2023 be any better? It can if we do something about it by getting our bike out and hitting the road! Our modern life is stressful. With the constant demands of work, family, and social obligations, and of course the daily barrage of bad news, it's no wonder that ...