International Bike Trails
Looking for something unique and different next time you’re abroad? Then why not consider bike trails? This way you get to go off of the beaten track and into the parts of the country that not everyone and their wife will have seen. At the same time you’ll this way be able to get outside in the sun and you’ll be able to get some exercise – it’s healthy, adventurous and it gives you an authentic experience of the country you’re in. It’s also a great opportunity to bond as a family and will present you with many great pictures for Facebook or your photo albums when you get home.
However if you are on a bike trail this also means that you will be exposed to the elements and probably somewhere in the wilderness while exerting yourself in the baking sun. Point is there are things that can go wrong and it’s crucial that you account for these and have failsafes to prevent you from getting caught out. Here we will look at some of the most important ways to make sure you are safe when you go on these biking adventures…
Take Bike Helmets
Of course one of the very most important things to do is to make sure you and your family all have helmets when you are cycling. Without having helmets with you, you won’t have anything protecting your heads from impact and trauma meaning that a simple accident can be literally fatal and cause serious brain damage. Having helmets might be hot and it might feel inconvenient when you’re out cycling in the sun and exerting yourself – but it is also crucially important if you want to keep you and your family safe.
Stick to the Marked Trails
If you are one of the proper bike trails then you should never be too far from help – and so one more good precaution is to make sure that you stick to the marked trails and don’t go off on your own where they might be dangerous wildlife and where it may be hard to find people who can help you.
Take a First Aid Kit
It’s also a good idea to have a first aid kit with you, so that even if it does take a while for help to reach you, you can still tend to some basic needs. It’s a good idea to have plasters and things in your bag for instance to be able to stop bleeding, while bandages can help tend to twists, sprains and breaks. Finally you should take any medications that pertain particularly to you or your family and that means things like insulin, like asthma inhalers, and anything else along those lines. Food and water are also smart things to take with you depending on how long you are stranded for.
Phone
A phone is of course highly important to be able to call for help, and can come in handy in a large range of situations. At the same time phones these days also have many other uses such as translating what you’re trying to say, and even using your GPS to help get back to the hotel if you’re lost and don’t know where you are.
Make Sure People Know Where You Are
It’s important to let at least someone know where you are going and when you plan on coming back – even if it’s someone who works in the hotel – as that way they can know if you are taking too long and something is wrong.
Of course this isn’t a highly dangerous endeavour and people do it all the time – so you should still enjoy yourself and not be put off. Just make sure you are sensible as well and that you follow these guidelines.
Sarah McPherson is an avid traveller and writes for www.onemilebeach.com.au. Through her posts she shares her experiences about the numerous adventures she has had on her vacations.
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