Is 2024 the Year for Travelling with Your Bike?

18 Jan

Sometimes it feels like there’s not much UK dirt left untouched by the rubber of my tyres. I’ve travelled up and down Britain (and over to Ireland) to ride the best natural trails and bike parks our little islands have to offer.

In reality, there’s tons of British places I still haven’t ridden. But in 2023 the urge to ride bikes in foreign lands hit turbo and it was time for me to explore some unknown terrain.

I’d always been a little nervous about putting my bike on a plane.

Alright, more than a little nervous. I had visions of catastrophe.

My HB130 feels totally bomb-proof when I’m sending it off drops or skittering through rock gardens. But, despite me completely trusting its strength on hundreds, thousands of occasions, I was convinced that the airport luggage handler would somehow muster up the power to break my bike into tiny carbon chunks and beautifully anodised pieces.

Failing that, my bike would get lost. Obviously. I’d reach my destination only to learn that poor HB130 was scared and alone in some unknown, other place…

The truth is, none of these things happened to me. In fact, with a little forward planning, flying with a bike can actually be a smooth and enjoyable process. I loved the whole experience of riding abroad so much that I’m already planning my next big bike adventures.

If you’re tempted by riding oversees, but have worries or are unsure it’s for you, here’s a few things that might help you decide:

You’ll push yourself on new terrain

From the snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies to the hot, arid mountains of Mexico and the dusty trails of Texas - 2023 saw me riding in terrains that developed my skills and pushed the boundaries of what I knew on a bike. Different terrains call for styles of riding, especially when it’s not the wet, sloppy conditions we’re used to!

You’ll see loads of new nature and wildlife

For me, that included rattlesnakes, black bears, elk and wild pigs. 40-foot cactus, alpine ranges, icy blue glacial lakes - it can be hard to concentrate on the trail when you’re surrounded by so much new, wild beauty.

You’ll meet awesome new people

Us mountain bikers are a friendly bunch, and that’s not just a British thing. Even on days when I was riding alone, I wasn’t alone for very long. On the trails, in the bike parks and in the towns, you’re guaranteed to meet some fantastic, like-minded folks from all over the world.

You’ll get to know your bike (even more)

If you’re not super savvy when it comes to bike maintenance, you’ll probably learn a thing or two when travelling with your bike. For starters, you’ll need to dismantle it slightly to fly and you’ll probably find yourself trailside-tinkering with things more when your local bike shop isn’t on hand to help

You’ll gain bags of confidence

Whether it’s pushing yourself on new terrain, getting to grips with mechanics or simply having the courage to put yourself out there and try something new, riding your bike in another country will help you build confidence in your riding and adventuring abilities.

Top Tips for First Timers

>> Protect your bike, even inside a specialist travel bag. I’ve got a super fancy bike bag and I still use pipe insulation and a healthy dose of padding (knee pads, riding shorts etc.) to protect my frame and other precious bits.

I know some people drop an AirTag or tracker into their bike bag too, just for extra peace of mind.

>> Get to grips with the basic mechanics of your bike. To fly, you’ll need to at least remove your wheels, pedals, derailleur and stem/handlebars.

>> Don’t forget to put something between your brake pads to stop them being forced together. Your local bike shop might have some spare spacers they’re willing to part with. Also, expel the air from your tyres.

>> Research the riding conditions at your destination. Make sure you’re physically (and emotionally) ready to tackle things like extreme heat, altitude and longer trails than we’re used to in the UK.

>> And finally, watch out for cactus!