| Cyclo tourism is a hobby that combines tourism and | | | | restaurants and accommodations. The economical |
| cyclism and is practiced by the cyclo-tourist. The | | | | advantages to local economies help to finance and |
| activity consists of discovering new sites, landscapes | | | | develop the "veloroute". |
| and places or to visit lands and countries using the | | | | History |
| bicycle as a means of transportation. Cyclo tourism is | | | | Cyclo tourism was pioneered by Paul Vivie in France in |
| not to be confused with long distance sporting racing | | | | the late 1890's, the first excursions were Lyon-Nice |
| events such as the Tour de France, it is first and | | | | and were executed in less than 24 hours. He is the |
| above all a leisure activity, the extra exercise is an | | | | founder of the 7 commandments of Velocio (cyclo |
| added bonus but not the main and only objective of | | | | tourism): |
| cyclo-tourism. It is however a form of eco tourism. | | | | - Take rare and short breaks |
| Forms of cyclo tourism | | | | - Have numerous light and frequent meals, eat before |
| Cyclo tourism can be characterized by the distance | | | | being hungry and drink before being thirsty |
| traveled, the length of the trip and the nature of the | | | | - Never push until abnormal fatigue that leads to lack |
| equipment used. | | | | of sleep and appetite |
| The short excursion consists of a single or a half day | | | | - Cover yourself before being too cold and uncover |
| ride. It doesn't require any specialized equipment apart | | | | yourself before being too hot |
| from the standard tire repair kit, water bottle and | | | | - During excursion, limit or eliminate tobacco and alcohol |
| maybe a light snack. | | | | consumption |
| The long excursion can be as long as a few hundred | | | | Equipment |
| kilometers ride with camping equipment, a more | | | | The bike is the most important element of the cyclist |
| extensive bicycle repair kit and special clothing and | | | | tourist. It must be comfortable and sturdy to |
| garments to face the eventuality of changing | | | | accommodate the extra weight required on long |
| meteorological conditions. This way a cyclo tourist can | | | | excursions. The seat is particularly important because |
| circumvent entire countries, cross borders or travel | | | | if not suited to long trips it will cause blisters, bruising |
| between distant cities. Some cycle tourists even go as | | | | and pain on long journeys. The frame is usually made |
| far as traveling the world and crossing multiple | | | | of high quality steel from reputable companies such as |
| continents by planning ahead with great precision for | | | | Reynolds, Vitus or Colombus. Mud flaps must wide and |
| any possible eventualities and scenarios. | | | | sturdy, ball bearings must be of high quality, saddle |
| In France and continental Europe a network of roads | | | | bags must be roomy and are often made of high |
| dedicated to cyclist tourist called "veloroute" is under | | | | quality leather. Most long excursion bicycles are |
| construction to facilitate the movement of cyclists | | | | actually usually custom made to withstand the special |
| across Europe. These roads are specially designed to | | | | and extenuating conditions and circumstances that |
| be far away from super highways and high traffic | | | | cyclo tourism can bring. Lighting should be complete |
| road ways while using common touristic itineraries | | | | with head lamp and break lights, tires must be of high |
| giving cyclo tourists access to conventional touristic | | | | quality and made for both street and moderate off |
| attractions such as camping grounds, museums, | | | | road conditions. |