Make Your Move: Fall Bicycle Touring

Cooler temps and changing colors make autumn the perfect time for a bicycle tour. Basil Cosa Rear Basket on an Schwinn Admiral

Now is the time to start planning your fall get-away...by bicycle! Really any destination can be made even more special with the addition of a bicycle tour. If you are going on vacation, check and see if there is a local bicycle rental shop in the area. When I sailed to Nantucket Island during my Cape Cod vacation a few summers ago, there was a local bicycle shop that offered rentals by the hour. It was a great way to see the town as the streets are tiny and often congested with traffic during the tourist season.

You can either rent a bicycle or take along a foldy like this Barcelona model from Citizen.

Folding Bicycles
An alternative to renting a bicycle on location is to bring along a foldy. Many of these models pack down to almost luggage size and allow you to take them on board a bus, ship, train or airplane.

My Greenzone Alloy Folding Bicycle weighs about 25lbs. PHOTO: Chelsea Piers, NYC

I've traveled with my Greenzone Folding Bicycle by train and it was really easy to set up and ride once we disembarked.Starting at Penn Station on 34th Street and 7th Avenue, it took less than 20 minutes to roll downtown to our destination at the Lighthouse Restaurant at Chelsea Piers. I recorded such a ride with my Greenzone for this NYC Bike Path Film.

Brompton folding bicycle goes anywhere!

Ride Destinations from Home
If you are doing a "stay-cation", you can use a full sized bicycle that will hold a lot more gear for your day out. This would be a day-trip on bicycle so you just need enough things for a picnic lunch and a comfortable day out.  Just like a backpacking trip but on your bicycle!  Here's how:

Detours Sodo Front Bag has a clear sleeve for your ride map and phone.

• Map your destination ahead of time. I like Detour's Sodo Front Bag as it has a clear case for your ride map and iPhone. A trunk and panniers hold enough for a day's worth of travel gear.

•  Don't forget to bring a picnic blanket if where you're going does not have tables and benches. 

•  It's always good to pack your food in a separate thermal tote. It will keep your food and drinks cold until your stop to eat. They come in different sizes and shapes to fit your bicycle rack or panniers.

My Gore Bike Wear Phantom SO Lady Jacket has removable sleeves-perfect for bicycle touring and stow away in my trunk and panniers!

• Remember to pack a flat kit and a small first aid kit for emergencies on the road. I like the Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight-Watertight series.

• Bring a change of clothes and a water-proof jacket in case of rain. Shower's Pass Portland Jacket is perfect for cooler fall weather and heavy downpours.

Tour-ready and easy to pack, Portland Jacket by Showers Pass

•  Bring enough water or if you are going to a place where there is a safe water source you can take along a CamelBak All Clear UV Microbiological Water Purifier. It uses UV light to treat the water so you needn't haul large amounts for the trip. 

Water and juicy snacks are perfect for a bicycle tour!

Heat & Sun Awareness: Chill Your Workout

Heat & Sun Busters: Enduracool Towel, Sunblocks & Hydration Day Pack.

Now that the heat is officially on, it's time to prepare your strategy on how to keep cool while working out this summer. There are a few things I keep with me for running, hiking or bicycling that help me to be free from overheating and suffering sunburn. I LOVE a golden tan but I know too much unprotected exposure can ruin your skin. Check out my Heat & Sun Awareness Project on Pinterest for the best sunblocks, clothing and accessories to beat the blistering days to come. So before you head out, here are a few sun & heat survival items to pack for the road.

Running, Walking or Short Hikes

The Dart Lumbar Pack by Mountainsmith

If you are going for a 45 minute run or hike, you can get away with a minimal amount of water, 16ozs at least and pack a water filtration system in your car for refills. This is easy to do at state and national parks and resorts with a clean water supply (fountains). Otherwise, just take a small water bottle with you in lumbar pack like this Mountainsmith Dart TLS Lumbar Pack. It even has a zippered pocket for energy gels and lip / skin sunblock. I use Mission Athletecare's Ultra Hydrating Lip Protector with an SPF of 20. Moisturizing and paraben free, it offers both UVA/UVB protection. The Dart comes with its own little water bottle or you can pop in a Purificup in the holder and filter water on the fly if you know there are going to be clean water sources on your trek.

Day Hikes or Backpacking

CamelBak Antidote 100 oz Reservoir is easy to clean.

Front country hikes that are going to require walks or runs for over 60 minutes should have you taking more water or at least a water filtration system with a refillable bladder. I like the CamelBak Antidote as it fits in most any day-pack or you can get their Mule for minimum bulk & weight.  This is a 100 oz reservoir hydration system and has a very large fill port which allows for easy, thorough cleaning. 

My Rudy Project Hydration II Day Pack accommodates this reservoir with even more room for snacks, sunblock, extra socks and a light jacket. Look for fabrics with built in SPF which can help you stay cooler and burn-free.  I have quite a few new pieces at my Heat & Sun Awareness Project

Bicycle Commutes
Packing for a short ride from point A to point B should not be a problem in the summertime. You may need a little extra water but you can top off before you leave by drinking a extra water and then fill up again when you arrive at your destination. If it's under 4 miles or a short commute, a 24 oz bottle of chilled ice water should be fine. I take a thermal Polar Bottle and fill it 1/3 of the way with ice. It's stays incredibly chilly for the whole ride even on very hot days of 85-90 degrees.

This Detours D2R Trunk Bag accommodates extra water for your ride.

Bicycle Touring
What's good about the Detours D2R Trunk Bag is that you can also use it for longer distance commutes or touring.  The water bottle holder in the rear of the bag allows you to double your amount of water if you also have a bottle cage on your bike. The D2R expands to hold a First Aid Kit, sunblock and extra sun protective clothing.  Add a set of panniers for extra storage and you are really ready for a day on the road.

The Wrap 
The summer heat can be brutal and heat exhaustion and stoke can sneak up on you in short order. Check out the new cooling technology built into clothing, towels and now arm sleeves which also block the sun. If you are running or cycling, wet them, snap them and pull them on. As your blood flows past them at your pulse points, you will immediately feel refreshed thanks to the temperature lowering polymers built into the fabric. You also might want to check the conditions before and while you are out.  Kestrel has come out with a Heat Stress Tracker which measures heat index, wet bulb readings and other important parameters to tell you when heat exhaustion is imminent. A weather meter with this sort of capability allows you to check the weather in your immediate area and alerts you to take the proper precautions to guard against heat stroke.

EnduraCool Cooling Arm Sleeves by Mission

Natural Insect Protection

Natural options for dealing with biting insects: Natrapel & the Bugs Away clothing collection from ExOfficio.

Summer & fall are the times we are most likely exposed to insects: mosquitoes, ticks, horseflies, gnats, chiggers and everything else that bites.  I'm hypersensitive to insect stings and look like someone with hives after a simple mosquito attack.  I remember especially vicious biting flies during my vacations in Sag Harbor, which was once a bustling whaling port.  We'd be sitting on the rocky beach looking out  into Gardiners Bay when they hit.  These HUGE black flies would dive bomb us from the air so we had to run for it and stay submerged in the water.  They were terrible.

Our Cabin Home in Turkey Swamp

Outdoor Life Can Bug You
Needless to say, many outdoor excursions can be ruined by insects intending on making a meal of you.  Trust me, you don't have to be the main course.  We have actually camped in a swamp for an entire week so I know what works (and what doesn't).  Forget the garlic.  Totally useless as is ingesting large amounts brewers yeast and other nutritional supplements. Avon's Skin So Soft is a bit chancy too.

Spray On Insect Repellents
Products which contain a high amount of DEET such as Off Deep Woods with 25% of the active ingredient are often recommended.  We used it but it didn't really last so we ended up reapplying and reapplying. We've since tried a more natural insect repellent that lasts.  Natrapel by Adventure Medical is said to offer 8+ hr protection.  We've used it for some time and have to say that it was MORE effective and longer lasting than the Off Deep Woods. Here is a quote from the Adventure Medical Kits website regarding Natrapel:

"...CDC-recommended 20% Picaridin formula. Unlike ineffective DEET alternatives, Picaridin is the only formula that consistently shows equal or better performance than DEET in independent, clinical tests. Even better, Natrapel 8-hour is completely safe on gear and will not melt jackets, fishing line, and other synthetic materials."

Natrapel also comes in individual wipe towelettes and go in all of our medical/first-aid kits.  This way you don't have to tote a 6oz can if you are concerned about pack weight.  We especially like the 6 oz continuous spray which lasts quite a long time as it doesn't have to be reapplied every five minutes. One thorough spray in the morning and I'm usually good for the day.  

Sea to Summit Box Net Shelter - Insect Shield® Treated

Don't miss any spots though.  This product is good but any un-sprayed areas are up for grabs (and bites).  I did accidentally over-spray my sun dress one time but the excess washed out and did not leave a stain.  Whew!  
Another option for sleeping and camping outdoors is this Sea to Summit Box Net Shelter.  You can order it treated with Insect Shield® for extra repelling action. This netting really works well and can be used over a lounge chair.

Bugs Away Insect-Shield Clothing Collection by ExOfficio

ExOfficio's Breez'r Hat: vented panels and built-in insect repellent. Campista 3/4 Sleeve Shirt by ExOfficio

While using natural, DEET-free sprays is good start, wearing clothing that offers some insect protection also has its place.  This is especially true when you are involved in swimming or water sports.  Once you get out the water, most of your spray insect repellent has washed off.

Bugs Away Halo Shirt by ExOfficio

What if you can have insect protection built into your clothing?  I've worn ExOfficio's Bugs Away collection for a few years and the current pieces are now lighter and even more comfortable.  Their current Halo Shirt, (pictured in the lead photo) is an example of the new trend towards airiness. Made of high tech, wicking synthetics and as an added plus, these pieces have built in 30+ UPF protection to safeguard from harmful sun damage.

Ziwi Convertible Pants change to shorts with a quick zip!

What I like about the Bugs Away Collection is not only the superior insect protection, but the versatility and fresh styling.  The Halo Shirt has two zippered security pockets, mesh vented panels and sleeves that can be cinched up to a 3/4 design.

Insect Shield
Permethrin, the active ingredient in Insect Shield®, is invisible, odorless, and tightly bonded to the fabric fibers, and lasts the expected lifetime of the garment (70 washes). It repels mosquitoes (including those carrying West Nile virus and malaria), ticks, ants, flies, chiggers and midges (no-see-ums).

Hanging out at the cabin: Quick drying Bugs Away shirts and Storm Logic Jacket by ExOfficio

I've found that mosquitoes, flies and any other type of insect won't even light on this material.  However if the sleeves are rolled up, any exposed skin is fair game.  The best case scenario in a highly infested insect zone is to spray yourself  with Natrapel and then don the Bugs Away pieces. The New Ziwa Convertible Pants with Insect Shield®, for example have zippered ankles and zippers at the knees to turn them into shorts!  It's hot in the summertime so you may naturally want to roll up your sleeves and pants, which these pieces allow you to do.  Still the safest route is to keep all skin covered if possible.

Got a bug bite anyway?  Ssssting Stop, Adventure Medical Kit's AfterBite and Cortisone Cream are tried & true itch soothers!

Adventure Medical-Survival Kit Video

Be prepared for medical emergencies and equipment failure on the trail with Adventure Medical / Survival Kits!  Two kits in one.  A full on first-aid kit PLUS supplies to repair your outdoor gear on the fly.  Really the best of  both worlds to help you survive out there longer.

Adventure Medical - Survival Kit  SOL