Essential tips for travelling by bike

Exploring the Advantages of Travelling by Bicycle and Electric Bicycle:Essential Tips for Travelling by Bicycle

Travelling by bike, above all with an electric bike equipped with a pedal assist motor, can be an incredibly peaceful and enjoyable experience.

Essential tips for travelling by bike, first of all, here are some essential guidelines to ensure that your adventure on two wheels is as smooth as possible:

• Luggage transport:

1. For a worry-free experience, consider hiring a luggage transfer service from hotel to hotel. In other words, it allows you to enjoy the ride to the full without the extra load.

Take only the luggage you need when travelling, around 8 to 10 kilos

• Autonomy with saddlebags:

1. If you choose to travel independently with panniers, avoid carrying any unnecessary items. Excess weight can unbalance the bike, especially when the weight is concentrated in the rear panniers.
2. Only take light luggage with you on the journey, around 8 to 10 kilos, and send the larger items to the final stage, where you will return the bikes.

Avoid sudden downshifts, as the extra effort can cause the chain to break

• Smooth gear shifting:

1. Change gears smoothly, especially when going uphill.
2. Avoid sudden downshifts, as the extra effort can cause the chain to break, especially on bikes with electric assist.
3. If you can’t shift into a lighter gear before the climb, back off and shift gradually to ensure a smooth climb.

On rainy and muddy days, rinse the transmission and chain with water at the end.

• Chain care:

1. Avoid sudden gear changes, as this can cause the chain to break.
2. There’s a chain repair kit handy for quick splices. The starting current is an abnormal occurrence due to the sudden change, but it can be easily corrected.
3. On rainy and muddy days, you should rinse the transmission and chain with water at the end of the stage and lubricate the chain the next day before starting your journey. Don’t overdo the amount of oil.

Never turn the bike upside down to avoid damaging important components

• Maintenance in the event of a puncture:

1. In the event of a puncture, replace the inner tube.
2. Never turn the bike upside down to avoid damaging important components. As a result, you can tear the saddle, scratch the handlebars and, in the case of electric bikes, screens and controls.
3. Loosen the wheel’s quick-release with the bike in the normal position, so remove the wheel carefully and, in the case of the rear wheel, pay attention to the gear when placing it on the ground to avoid damage.

• After-hole check:

1. When changing the tyre, manually check that the object that caused the puncture is still attached. Skipping this step could result in puncturing the new tube when it is fitted to the tyre.

Don’t leave the old inner tube on the ground

• Responsible Disposal:

1. When using a replacement inner tube, remember to buy a new one at the next location. So don’t leave the old inner tube on the ground; take it with you and dispose of it properly at an eco-point or drop it off at the shop.

• Report anomalies:

1. The bikes are ready for the journey, but keep an eye out for the first 20 kilometres. If you notice any anomalies, please message us immediately to ensure rapid assistance.

By following these tips, you’ll be ready to make the most of your electric bike journey, enjoying every moment and overcoming challenges with confidence.

• Rent an electric bike for Santiago
• Portugal Coastal Charms – The Destination of Dreams by the Sea
• Where to rent a bike in Porto for the best city tours
• Hostel Casa da Roda Braga