"One of the best pieces of equipment you can get to prepare for a tour." - "Odyssey". "If you like to bicycle and you're prone to wanderlust, proceed with caution before reading "The Essential Touring Cyclist" ...you may find yourself suddenly giving two weeks' notice and hitting the road." - "Outdoor Traveller". "Just about everything a person needs to know to travel by bike." - "Denver Post".Each year thousands of people pedal across the country, and even more choose weekend or week long tours near home or abroad. Bike touring is a way to really see and experience the countryside and come home healthier than when you left. "The Essential Touring Cyclist", the only fully illustrated manual for bicycle touring, guides you through choosing a bike, equipping and customizing it for touring, and preparing yourself for life on the road. Other features include: getting into shape and dealing with aches and pains; touring solo or with groups; riding skills and endurance techniques; and tips on clothing, camping, food, and safety. Whether you're heading out for a few hours or a few months, this new edition of "The Essential Touring Cyclist" gives you everything you need to know about travelling on two wheels.