What Do You Need for Long Distance Cycle Rides?

What Do You Need for Long Distance Cycle Rides?

Long-distance rides take their toll on the body and bike, so additional preparations are necessary to ensure you can go the distance. So what do you need for a long-distance cycle ride? From maps to snacks, our complete guide will set you up to ensure you achieve your goals, whether you’re planning a commute, cycling for charity or just heading out to do what you love. Comfort is a must, so we have tips on what to wear, how to prepare your bike and ensure you have everything packed for those unexpected challenges.

1. What to wear on long bike rides

2. Prepare for the unexpected: What to pack for long rides

3. What to eat & drink on long bike rides

4. Preparing your bike

1. What to wear on long bike rides

Endurance rides tend to cover 100 miles or more, however, some people may choose to ride for longer and camp the night. If this is what you’re planning then your packing kits will require a little more thought, but for those looking to tackle the century rides, read on to discuss how to keep your body in full comfort by knowing the best clothing to wear come rain or shine.

What riding style are you doing?

Road, trail, MTB and commute riding all require slightly different cycling gear due to the impact on the body and terrain, however, there are common features all clothing needs to possess for maximum comfort; breathability, chafe prevention and sweat-wicking capabilities. Until you’ve experienced the discomfort of endurance cycling, you may not appreciate the designs of specific garments such as what GOREWEAR have spent years to perfect, giving riders the freedom to focus solely on the roads ahead.

Tough MTB Terrain - fast downhill biking with the challenges of mud, roots and uneven terrain, the clothing you wear is crucial for keeping you comfortable.

• MTB shorts: Fernflow pants & shorts have been designed specifically with trail riders in mind. Perfect for changeable weather, and riding through dirt and puddles, their versatility makes them ideal.

• Gloves: TrailKPR Gloves are the must-have biking accessory for any downhill or trail rider. Preventing blisters whilst offering additional grip on bumpy routes, don’t attempt off-road biking without them.

• Backpacks: Your bike is put through its paces with any trail riding, so a backpack is an essential item. Lightweight, close-fitting and with the benefit of a built-in water container, your backpack is almost as important as the bike itself.

• Helmet: As with any riding style or location, a helmet is a must-have piece of cycling gear. For trail riding and MTB cycling routes, a full-face helmet may be a necessity if you’re more of a thrill seeker, but the most important thing is to have the necessary protection and invest in a high-quality, well-fitting helmet.

Road Cycling - It may be a smoother terrain to MTB but road cycling still requires specific cycling gear to protect against the elements and offer a comfortable long-distance cycle. Whether you’re road biking to enjoy the open road, there are some items that just make sense to invest in.

• Jerseys: Whether you choose long or short-sleeved jerseys, they’re an important part of your cycling attire due to their breathability, ability to wick away sweat and also offer protection against the sun.

• Bib shorts: Suitable for all styles of riding but especially long distance riding bib shorts are a definite must-have for road biking. Made with minimal seams to prevent chafing, over-the-shoulder straps to prevent skin exposure and an all-in-one design to prevent discomfort around the stomach, they are every rider's top buy.

• Cycle cap: Worn under the helmet, a cycling cap is a close-fitting piece of headwear that protects against the sun and helps to keep sweat and rain out of your eyes.

Any Terrain - regardless of terrain, there are other items that make sensible investments for any endurance cyclist:

• Vest: Great for in-between seasons, teamed with a jersey, a cycling vest offers protection when it’s slightly cooler when you set off, but doesn’t overheat when your body temperature increases.

• Waterproof jacket: Weather is unpredictable so a 100% waterproof jacket should be on any long-distance rider’s kit list. Lightweight, breathable and with a Guaranteed to Keep You Dry promise, the GORETEX ShakeDry jacket is essential.

• High-Vis: It’s critical to be seen, regardless of your style or terrain. Lights, high visibility and reflective clothing are the very basics when riding in low light.

• Socks: It's easy to forget to give your feet adequate protection when out on a ride, but the best cycling socks will maximise comfort and ensure your cycling shoes offer maximum support.

2. Prepare for the unexpected: What to pack for long rides

As the saying goes, fail to prepare, prepare to fail and this has never been more true than when you’re going out on a long-distance ride. Failure to prepare your cycling gear, bike and kit bag will no doubt mean your chances of reaching your goal are in jeopardy. Regardless of having the newest and the best equipment, complications can still arise, especially when it comes to unexpected terrain or weather conditions. Having a balance of things you need - without feeling like you’re being weighed down by unnecessary items - is key, and we’re here to help you pack the essentials.

Puncture repair kits - tyres can be unpredictable in adverse terrain so be prepared with a repair kit for those minor punctures.

Inner tubes - a spare inner tube will be a lifeline if you find yourself with a flat. You can then use your puncture repair kit to fix the punctured inner tube to give yourself a new spare.

Specific GPS - we rely on our phones for everything - and if you’re out on an adventure, photos, videos and phone call check-ins may drain your battery. A GPS is the ideal gadget for your trip and you don’t even need to carry it! Simply click to your bike and follow the way.

Paper map - tech is great, but in the event of damage to electronic equipment, it’s always best to go analogue with a paper map of your route.

Multi-tool - get a multi-tool that has the sizes of Allen keys or screwdriver heads that you need for your bike.

Microfiber towel - whether it’s to dry sweat or rain, a microfiber towel is great to pack if you need to stop and dry off. Your clothing will wick away sweat, but if you’re in a downpour and have bike issues, you’ll want something to absorb water to help you see.

Chain link - spare tyres seem obvious but a spare chain link is also advantageous to pack in case you have issues. Lightweight and compact, they are perfect for dropping in your bag as an additional safety net.

Cable ties - from repairing your saddle to reattaching your brakes, cable ties can offer multiple purposes should you need a quick fix until you can make a permanent stop.

First Aid Kit - a must-have for every rider, hiker or adventurer: a first aid kit is a must-pack item but make sure to pop in a tube of sunscreen to keep you protected when out on long rides.

Credit Card - your wallet might not be something you want to bring, but a credit card is a must. Worst-case scenario may see you need to get a cab somewhere safe so bringing a method of payment to get you out of trouble is important.

3. What to eat & drink on long bike rides

Preparing for your ride is also important. Cycling Weekly has some great advice on preparing your body for a ride, how to keep energy high and cramps at bay, as well as repairing your body with fuel post-cycle. A slow-release breakfast, such as porridge, is a great way to set you up for your first set of miles and get you through until the initial break. Refueling is essential for long-distance rides, so packing food that will keep you sustained and hydrated without bloating is essential. Some examples of the best foods are:

• Nuts and seeds

• Bananas and figs

• Carbohydrate and fat-balanced bars

• Salt-based snacks as you will lose salts through sweating

• Electrolyte-rich drinks

• Gels or chewables - use as the intensity of the ride increases to give you energy

Post-ride, it will be tempting to eat everything in sight, as your cravings may be at an all-time high. However, it’s important to research the best foods for the impact you’ve put your body through, for example, sweet potatoes and protein-rich foods are proven to help with muscle recovery.

Supplements are a necessity to take with you for helping you during the ride and when you’ve finished to prevent cramping, keep hydrated, and maintain focus.

4. Preparing your bike

As well as making sure your body is prepped, it’s also important the vehicle that is needed to take you on the journey is safe, comfortable and reliable. Before any long journey or race, it’s important to have your bike fully serviced so you can go out with full confidence that your mind is only on the road in front of you. Check seat positioning Ensuring the seat is in the right position will make all the difference to your performance and focus. The difference in pain points for riding 50 miles, compared to riding over 100, will become noticeable far quicker if your seat isn’t positioned for an endurance cycle. Check handlebar height Endurance riding requires a slightly different handlebar position to recreational cycles. The height of the handlebars needs to be adjusted to ensure you can maintain the position, speed and focus mile to mile. Check tire pressure It may be obvious, but checking tire pressure for any lengthy cycle rides needs to be on the checklist. Not only to prevent blowouts or punctures but also to ensure the smooth handling of the road, as the wrong tire pressure can cause you to bounce, rather than absorb, imperfections in the road surface which may result in an injury, or worse.

Brake wear and tear No doubt you’ll have been training for the big day for months, so your bike will have been through a tough course of wear. Although you may not have noticed the differences in what your bike felt like before training to now, it’s important to ensure one of the most important elements of your bike - the brakes - won’t let you down on the big day.