There is a first time for everything. You've already done quite a few miles in the Netherlands and you've been to the Cauberg and the Posbank ridden on. Now the real work has to come. The mountains are calling and that's where you want to go. But what should you do to prepare properly? Because just a spoiler, cycling in the mountains, be it on a road bike, e-bike, gravel bike or MTB, is actually different. 5x tips for your first cycling holiday abroad that will get you all set.
1. Clothing
Rain gear and layers is the code to crack. Especially in the high mountains, above 2000 metres, you have to bear in mind that it is a lot cooler at the top than in the valley. In addition, the weather in the mountains is unpredictable, so while it looks like you will get a scorching burn, behind the next ridge there could be a thunderstorm or sometimes even snow! And that's really no mean feat. So when packing, think about the following items:
- Sleeve and leg pieces. These are easy to put on and take off you can also easily tuck them under your shirt.
- Rain jacket or vest. Not only against the rain, but also on the descent of a high climb, for example, a jacket is nice. You can also choose to take a wind- and waterproof vest. It breathes a little better and allows you to release heat more easily.
- Thermal shirts in long and short. Need we say more?
- Optional: overshoes. If it's raining cats and dogs, no overshoe will really keep you dry, but for everything in between, overshoes can come in handy.
Our basic packing list will at least help you on your way
READ ALSO: Our clothing tips for winter
2. Material
First of all, it is important to check your bike thoroughly beforehand. Of course, this can be done at your bike shop (make an appointment in time, read: two weeks in advance), but you can also do some checks yourself.
- Chain. Nothing is more annoying than cycling with a worn-out chain. You can pedal on and it just doesn't ride well. With a simple chain checker you will know whether your chain needs replacing. Big tip: usually your cassette is also quite worn out. Check that too, because otherwise you will pedal on.
- Mountain gear. We went wrong several times ourselves and arrived in the Dolomites. If the road gets above 10%, then you are really not happy. Then it's a long agony and your dreamed trip goes up in smoke.
- Make sure you have enough inner and also outer tyres. Chances of running into a bike shop with stock on a Sunday in the mountains are always a challenge. Also, always bring enough CO2 cartridges and a pump.
- Make sure your handlebar tape and steering caps are in place and also check that your steering head is not loose. Checking your brake pads and discs is also a must. Especially with rim brakes, take an extra set of pads with you. You never know how hard you will suddenly hit the brakes when the road is continuously 10% downhill.
READ MORE: Gear up? An explanation of gear shifting and gear groups
3. Climbing and descending technique
Have you always only cycled up-and-down in the Netherlands? Then it certainly can't hurt to take a climbing clinic and a cornering/downhill clinic once. Why? The mountains are really different cake. You have to take into account that climbing uphill can easily take more than an hour. Especially with the climbs of the various Alpine giants and Pyreneescols, it is just 1.5 to 2 hours of climbing for the average amateur. Because you don't just ride 20 an hour uphill and with climbs that can be 30 or 40 kilometres, it's not nothing. Climbing is a craft. When do you shift up/down, do you turn on the coffee grinder or are you more of a stoemper. Does it make sense to take a break from the saddle or just keep pushing in the saddle. You don't learn these things on Amerongse Berg.
Also when descending. If you can drive fast around a bend, good for you. But if you arrive at a hairpin bend at 80 kilometres, that's just a different kettle of fish. You have traffic, you have a precipice, more of those things. A good cornering technique comes in handy then. Of course, that is also a matter of daring, but technique is just as important.
Tip from us: brake before the bend, using both brakes. Braking in the corner is guaranteed to launch yourself.
TIP 2: book a descent clinic with one of the better-known parties, such as, for example Amateurcyclist.co.uk
4. Choose your own pace
You see the pros pop up like that, like it's nothing. Even when they go to training camp, it's long rides and go from scratch. The big difference with you, the enthusiastic amateur, is training and habituation. Pros cycle every day, all year round. Of course they also have adaptation problems, but generally they can easily go right, without much reserve. So this is not true for you, as an enthusiast. It is better to take some time to get used to it, especially on the first day. If you bring your own bike, put it together and ride a one-hour lap. Especially if you are at high altitude (1500m plus) then it really takes some getting used to the thinner air. But even if you're at a slightly lower altitude like in Mallorca, a round of 'breaking in' is no luxury.
Longer away?
Are you going on a week-long training camp, but normally cycle about 2 or 3 times a week? Then you won't be very happy with 6 days in a row with your tongue on the handlebars. So take care of balance and plan a rest day in a week as well. Also, stages of 5-6 hours in a day, all days long, you're going to endure a bit less finely. That seems nice on paper, but in practice, you do more harm than good.
The same goes for the effort you put in. If you are going to ride several climbs, don't go straight into the red on the first climb. That will otherwise break you down later.
5. Nutrition
Food, food and more food. Nothing is more important when cycling. Keep in mind to keep putting enough fuel in the tank, especially uphill. As touched on earlier: you may find yourself riding uphill for more than an hour. If you don't keep eating then, you are going to regret it immensely. Climbing is almost automatically at a higher heart rate than riding on the flat. The man with the hammer, the well-known phenomenon of being completely drained, is lurking and if you don't eat enough, you could run into it even on the descent. Therefore: keep taking in enough carbohydrates. Early in the day, make sure you eat mostly solid food. The gels, if you are of those, you really need to save until the end.
Also make sure you don't suddenly start eating really weird things on holiday that you don't otherwise eat. Before you know it, your stomach will go haywire and you'll be closer to the pot than the top. Just a tip.
Bonus tip: ENJOY
As long as you are not paid for it, fun is the most important thing on your holiday. Fun can of course come from achieving a KOM or by beating your travelling companion(s) in the uphill sprint. But above all, make sure you have fun. And above all: stay safe. On the descent, there is plenty of traffic that can get in your way and the steering skills of yourself and other road users can also lead to problems.
