Cyclo tourism is an avocation that merges journeying and cyclism and is practiced by the cyclo-tourist. The activity consists of discovering new sites, countrysides and places or to visit lands and countries using the bike as a means of transportation. Cyclo traveling is not to be perplexed with long way sporting racing events such as the Tour de France, it is first and above all a leisure activity, the additional exercise is an added bonus but not the principal and only purpose of cyclo-tourism. It is however a form of eco tourism.

Forms of cyclo tourism

Cyclo tourism can be characterized by the distance traveled, the distance of the journey and the nature of the equipment used.

The short trip consists of a single or a half day ride. It doesn’t demand any specialized equipment apart from the standard tire repair kit, water bottle and maybe a light snack.

The long excursion can be as long as a few hundred kilometers ride with camping equipment, a more extensive bicycle mending kit and exceptional clothing and garments to face the contingency of changing meteorological conditions. This way a cyclo tourist can circumvent whole countries, traverse borders or travel between distant cities. Some cycle tourists even go as far as traveling the world and passage many continents by planning ahead with great accuracy for any possible eventualities and scenarios.

In France and continental Europe a network of roads devoted to cyclist tourist called “veloroute” is under construction to facilitate the movement of cyclists across Europe. These roads are particularly designed to be far away from super highways and high traffic road ways while using common touristic itineraries giving cyclo tourists access to conventional touristic appeals such as camping grounds, museums, restaurants and accommodations. The parsimonious advantages to local economies assist to finance and improve the “veloroute”.
History

Cyclo tourism was pioneered by Paul Vivie in France in the late 1890′s, the first tours were Lyon-Nice and were executed in less than 24 hours. He is the founder of the 7 commandments of Velocio (cyclo tourism):

- Take rare and short breaks
- Have many light and frequent meals, eat before being starving and drink before being thirsty
- Never push until irregular weariness that leads to shortage of sleep and appetite
- Coat yourself before being too cold and uncover yourself before being too hot
- During tour, limit or eliminate tobacco and alcohol consumption

Equipment

The bicycle is the most significant element of the cyclist tourist. It must be comfy and vigorous to adjust the extra weight required on long excursions. The seat is especially important because if not suited to long tours it will cause blisters, bruising and suffering on long journeys. The frame is usually made of high grade steel from reputable firms such as Reynolds, Vitus or Colombus. Mud flaps must wide and firm, ball bearings must be of high class, saddle bags must be spacious and are often made of high quality leather. Most long excursion bicycles are actually usually custom made to endure the special and extenuating conditions and circumstances that cyclo tourism can bring. Lighting should be accomplish with head lamp and break lights, tires must be of high quality and made for both street and moderate off road conditions.