Turning Your Afternoon Bike into a Backcountry Experience

We all like a gentle pedal somewhere local, but what about adding an element of adventure into your everyday ride. Through a little creativity and the spirit of adventure, an average bike ride can be transformed into your own epic wilderness journey. Some recommendations to start:

Choose the Right Route

The first step to upgrading your ride is choosing a route that includes more than just scarred concrete. Find trails that move through parks or forests, occasionally with rivers. Things like the local trail maps websites/apps are a perfect example of this. Other route features, such as hills or unpaved sections can make the run a bit more interesting.

Pack Smart

Think about what you might need before leaving. A backpack of the basics too — water, snacks and a first-aid kit can really help out. If you plan on going a few hours though, I would suggest grabbing one so your phone (or GPS device) does not run out of juice and leave you wandering aimlessly. In the process a small camera can also work wonders, and help you preserve lovely moments in your journey.

Embrace the Unexpected

Biking in nature is a great way to enjoy an afternoon, but its also important to stay open for surprises. Take that stop for a scenic overlook, or veer off course to find some seclusion. Usually the most memorable adventures are ones that take a detour from planned paths. Take a friend or family — someone who pumps you up and make sure that you enter into risk taking, never-before-explored territory.

Connect with Nature

Finally See the Beauty in Everything. Take some time to stop and listen, the rustling of leaves , birds, watching landscapes change etc. Turning your bike ride into a cross country expedition is as much about the experience of getting there, as it is to arrive.

By adding a handful of these to your next ride, you too can get the most out of the trails closest to home while savoring all that they have offer in terms of joy and excitement. So grab your going-out gear and take out for setting off on a regular trip to make it unforgettable!