If you are planning on attending an event in a different country or you are going on a cycling holiday abroad even here are some things to consider so that you can have the best possible experience. Make sure also to get your professional bike fit, in a shop or do an online bike fit, so you have the best bike for the job. Check ahead to understand traffic and road signs Even if you are heading to a country that has a lot of its cyclists not everyone is patient with people on two wheels. Make sure you remember what side of the road the traffic moves and look out for things like junctions, road signs, roundabouts and so on. It would help if you familiarized yourself with some of the main ones so you know the rules better. Prepare for the heat or cold Most people head somewhere warm or even hot for their holidays so in all probability you are taking your bike to somewhere like that too. In the heat, you need to think about hydration, the right gear, sun protection and such. But you should be prepared in case there is a chance of storms, rain and even cold. Layers are better than having something too thick to wear. As well as having a virtual bike fit to prepare your bike and yourself, prepare your body by taking time to acclimatize before you do any long distance or hard rides. Take care when eating foreign food before a race Eating a different diet can sometimes do funny things to your body, especially if you are going somewhere with a culture and diet that is a lot different from what you are used to. Try to be mindful of what you are putting in your body. Take care of what you eat before you ride and try to stick to a similar pattern. If you ate something simple like porridge before a ride at home, eat the same or something similar when abroad. Avoid alcohol before riding, it is not a great experience cycling with a hangover. Learn the routes It is always a very good safety plan to have an online bike fit before you go and to understand the routes you will be taking. Have something with ID on in case of a medical emergency. If you are going to ride with a local club understand their pace is going to be faster than you might prefer as they know the roads better. Cycling 100km at home is not the same as doing it abroad. Try to have a mix of rest days so you have a chance to recover. Conclusion Taking your bike abroad to cycle could be one of the best experiences of your life. Whether for racing, enjoying the views or as part of your training, there is a lot to be gained from it. But there are some important things to do at home first like a virtual bike fit, investing in the best cycling gear, getting your bike tuned up and so on. Understand the roads and routes where you are going and you will have a much easier time.
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