At 18 years old, I embarked on my first bike trip with three friends of the same age, as novice as me. We decided to take a short bike ride of a few days from Coteau-Landing (now Les Coteaux) to Ivy Lea, a charming village located in the Thousand Islands, in Ontario. We did the round trip in a week.

My equipment was not very good: a road bike with 12 speeds, a backpack with frame to carry my tent, my clothes, my food and my personal effects. Despite the bad equipment, what pleasure I had of discovering this way of traveling. Do you think I learned from my mistakes on the following bike trip? No way. I will tell you more about it in a next article. Today, I want to talk to you about “Why travel by bike”. Here are the reasons that motivate me.

Why go on a trip by bike

First of all, traveling by bike is living a unique experience and gives you an incomparable freedom. Contrary to popular belief, this way of traveling is accessible to almost everyone. You don’t need to be an experienced cyclist to go on a bike trip. You just need to have curiosity, the desire to be active and the taste for discovery. Even close to home, you can make surprising discoveries. Do you think you know your area? I challenge you to ride a few kilometers from your home. You will see that you will have the impression of rediscovering it. You will be amazed to notice details that had escaped you before.

1. The freedom of movement: When we travel by bike, we free ourselves from time and constraints. Nothing is urgent. We follow our own pace. We stop whenever we want. We choose our itinerary according to our wishes. We liberate ourselves from schedules and obligations. We pedal according to our mood.
2. The gratitude of the body: traveling by bike is good for your body. As we pedal, we feel that our breath improves, that we progress. After a few days, we feel more alive. Our posture improves. We gain strength and confidence.
3. The total autonomy: Traveling by bike gives you complete control over your journey. With our tent, pots, and stove, we are prepared for any adventure. We can explore any place at any time. We don’t need to plan ahead for accommodation. We can sleep anywhere we want, whether it’s in nature, with friendly locals, or in a park.
4. The attention to the present: Traveling by bike helps us to be more aware of the world around us and to appreciate what is happening in the moment. We can stop whenever we want to take a picture, capture a memory, chat with locals, or simply admire the scenery and the beauty of nature.
5. The ease of meeting: Traveling by bike helps us connect with more people. People are curious and intrigued by our equipment and they often approach us for a chat. We can also meet other bike travelers along the way.
6. The economy of bike travel: Biking is a cost-effective way to travel in the long term. After investing in a bike, bags, camping equipment, and suitable clothes, the trip expenses are minimal.
7. The Self-knowledge: Biking is not only a mode of transportation, but also a journey of self-discovery. You learn about your limits, strengths, weaknesses, and desires.

And you, what drives you to travel by bike?