The Joys Of Cycling

Without doubt the largest number of active cyclists are involved in commuting or just enjoying the pleasure of touring on their bikes. The racing cyclist has to undergo a detailed and rigorous conditioning and, although his enthusiasm may carry him through, it must be accepted that for the most part the training is hard. On the other hand, the indifferent cyclist who never ventures far from home has no idea of the enjoyments to be discovered in country bike rides.

Many men are prevented by time restraints or physical incapacity from indulging in the rigors of competition, but the touring field is open to any rider who has the time to devote to it, and the number of cyclists who spend at least some part of their holidays this way is increasing, as the abundance of cyclists on the more favored routes will testify. These holiday tourists, drawing on the experiences which they have gained in previous years, or by the advice of their more practical cycling friends, plan out their trips with an eye to personal comfort, and after a few days of enjoyable riding return home refreshed, and the short summer tour becomes a store of long-lasting memories, an event to be looked back to with pleasure.

However, before embarking on tour of even moderate distance some sort of training and preparation is necessary. The simple undertaking of sitting in the saddle for several hours a day will be painful to any rider who has not taken the safeguard of undergoing previous practice with the work contemplated in mind, and it is for this reason that at least a fortnight's preliminary work is strongly advised. Of course, a cyclist who has been taking daily bike rides for a time will soon be in sufficient condition to attempt a moderate tour without any extra preparation. Rigorous training isn't required, but something more than a ten-minute bike ride in the evening after work.

But before embarking on any of this the intending cyclist has to select his bike and equipment. The following pages are filled with everything that would be required for the cyclists’ first holiday tour.