What’s the best way to learn about something you know nothing about? Host a reverse workshop! Workshops are my specialty but bike touring is not, so I decided to invite over anyone I knew who had done some bike touring to basically teach me about it! I set up the space and activities, devised an agenda, and let the guests do the rest. If there’s one thing I have learned with preparing for this tour it’s that everyone has a unique recipe. So bringing all these experts together created a really exciting learning space where everyone walked away having learned something new, and made new friends too!
Here was my agenda:
Icebreaker: A Tour on Two Feet
Everyone got a page with a question on it…like, “What makes a good bike route? What tips can you offer on how to choose route? Do you know of any cycling resources that could help in finding a bike-friendly route?”. Then each participant had to go around the room and ask that question to everyone else and record their answers. Each question ended up covering a wide spectrum of responses…which gave me a lots to think about.
The 4 Stations/Activities
Rather than sitting around having one person talk at a time when there was so much knowledge begging to be heard in the room, I created 4 activities that everyone would rotate around and record their thoughts and perspectives in relation to that particular topic. Here were the four stations:
Routes: I posted some maps of the areas I’ll be visiting and asked folks to comment / draw on the map if they had any suggestions.
Gear: Drawings of my bike, me, and my tent were posted on the wall for people to add to with their suggestions of the kind of gear I’d need to get for my trip.
The Toolbox: What tools to take? Participants could write/draw their tool suggestions on a piece of paper and drop them into the tool box provided.
My Bike: Last but not least, I had my bike on display for everyone to size up and suggest things I might want to consider altering for the purposes of my tour. With a piece of paper and string, they could write their suggestions and tie them onto the associated part of the bike.
Hello, just wanted to let you know that I think this is a great way to learn about bike touring. What a wonderful idea! I’ve shared it with our readers via our Facebook and Twitter pages. Good luck on your tour!
Hi Emily,
On the topic of bike touring mentors: Have you heard of a blog called “no direction known”? She is a writer based out of New York City and she just started a solo coast to coast bike tour a week ago. Unfortunately she just had a bike accident and will be out of commission awhile.
On the bright side, while she is healing, she may be a good resource to learn bike touring from. She just went through all the prep, planning, gear testing, and may have some wisdom to share. At the very least, her video blogging style is educational and very entertaining. :)
Cheers,
I just heard that Urbane Cyclist is holding touring info sessions today, Saturday, June 5th, from 10am till 6pm as part of Bike Month.
I know the head mechanic, Carey, has extensive touring experience and can give you a great deal of advice.
Sandy’s Bike Shop up around the Don Mills area also specializes in touring and would be a great help as well.
Hi Emily,
After about 1200km on my bike tour across the USA, I am now in Montana (started in Seattle,wa), I think I can have few things to share about bike tour.
Just don’t bring to much stuff, just what you REALLY need. Things about my stuff. I have 2 t-shirt, I only use one, I have 2 long sleeves shirt, i only use one, same for underwear (i wear cycling closes all the day)… Adding all of of those small stuff take spaces and it’s heavier.
About tool, there are some tool stuffs, all in one, about 15 different option, that is good, one tube, one tire, some patch for tubes, a swiss army knife.
Stuff for food. MSR stove are good, the fuel one is good so you just go to a gas station and get unlead gas, that’s fine.
About maps, there are good ones if you check Adventure Cycling Association, you can find some in their website. I have met them in Missoula, MT, they are really cool. Other things, you can get free maps on visitor center, and sometimes, they have good cycling map, the best routes, with low traffic, etc. and stop by a bike shop, they can have some info about good routes. And stop a cyclist and talk to him.
I only used my tent 4 times in 15 days. People offer a bed, a shower, a diner really often, i couchsurf… Peopelm are really welcoming, and you will see, when you are on bike, people come to talk with you… and travelling alone bring you to people.
Just enjoy, don’t plan to much, I have my general direction, but then I plan my day by day route talking to people, trying to find the best way, sometimes the fastest… you will see that, don’t put to much pressure on it, it will be fine.
You will meet really cool people and see so much stuff. I could write a book about my first few days in that trip!!
Take care, enjoy, maybe see you in a couple of Month.
Aurelien