1.Be Punctual
Time will play a huge role if you wish to have the best experience riding with your friends. Punctuality is important if you’re planning a long ride. Long rides require proper planning and if you or one of your friends doesn’t arrive on time, it can mess up the entire schedule. Also, if you leave without them, they’ll have to cycle faster to reach you and it may exhaust them. Arrive on time so you can start together. It’s best if all your friends start together at the same time.
2.Encourage Your Friends
Even if some of your friends are reluctant to go for a long ride, try encouraging them. You may have numerous friends who find cycling quite difficult, especially on long trips. Encourage and support them so they join you. Supporting your friends will be necessary as they may be slow and may not have the same capabilities as you. This can be a potential reason for the fear of cycling in groups. They may feel that others might pass them on long trips. Saying kind words and keeping a slow pace will be incredibly helpful for them.
3.Take Care of The Slowest Friend
It’s not set in stone that all your friends will have the same cycling pace as you do. One of them or even a few of them might be too slow. It might even be you, which is why it’s always a good idea to take care of the slowest person. Firstly, you should cycle as a group and don’t leave anyone behind. If any one of your friends still lacks behind, make checkpoints and wait for them till they arrive. It won’t be a joyful ride if one of your friends, might even be you, gets separated from the group because they’re slow. Therefore, it is imperative that you take care of the slowest one.
4.Get Some Snacks
Long bike rides can be exciting but also tiring. Trips to a mountain and back may be quite exhausting. This is why it’s a great idea to get some snacks and keep them in your backpacks. Knowing what the best snacks are for a long bike ride will be necessary for a mesmerizing trip. You can make stops in the middle of the ride as well to replenish your water supplies and buy more snacks for the road. If that doesn’t sound feasible, you can pack them before you start your journey so you won’t have to worry about them during your ride.
5.Wear Your Safety Gear
Safety gear will be essential for a long trip. You may be exhausted the first few miles and tend to be sloppy at times. For long trips, having the right safety gear and equipment proves to be fruitful. It won’t be fun if one of your friends injures themselves. Ensure that you have knee pads, elbow pads, and a safety helmet on. It also helps to keep checking your cycle tires for air pressure as well. Moreover, it’s always a great idea to carry a first aid kit with you for emergencies.
6.Pack Thoughtfully
Long trips require some packing. Your backpack should not be that heavy as it’ll exhaust you early on your trip. Knowing what to pack and how to pack is essential. Keep a map along with a few water bottles and extra safety gear. A compass is always helpful along with some snacks. Ensure to pack light as too much weight will make it difficult and hurt your back. Make sure to bring a power bank for your devices.
Long bike rides are always fun, even more so with your friends. Going for a trip with a group requires that you arrive on time because long trips usually need to be started at the right time so you can make the most out of it. Pack lightly and make sure you have everything you might need safety-wise. Grab some snacks on the way and make sure you cycle as a group and don’t leave anyone behind. Encourage and support your friends so they don’t hesitate to join you.
