Bicycle Touring in Your Own Town

Is there a need to pay thousands of dollars to experience a "bicycle tour" when you can do all this in your own backyard?

In the town I live in we have a pretty active Downtown area complete with Jazz bars, great restaurants and even a farmer's market once a week. Though Downtown offers such a variety of venues and eateries, most people that live in this city doesn't take into consideration that riding their bikes through certain parts of the city can become a fun and enjoyable trip.

First things first, get a bike. My recommendation is to ride either a mountain or road bike. Fezzari Bicycles of Orem Utah offers a mix of both. It's the Fezzari Speedster. Basically it's a road bike with mountain bike handle bars and shifters. This bike gives the rider an up right riding position and the speed of a road bike.

Once you have you bike, get on the Internet and check out what the city has to offer. Most cities have an arboretum, museums, downtowns and nice parks. Then chart your "Bicycle Tour" by making sure you hit each one on your list.

It's always good to start off bright and early in the morning. Ride your bike to the local coffee shop or diner for some breakfast. Afterwards, head over to your first destination. Through out the day enjoy your stops and really take in what your city has to offer. Soak in all the scenery and feel the breeze against your skin and hair.

Stop off at the local antique shops, pet stores, and eateries. Plan on eating out the whole day. I'd recommend that you eat meals from different restaurants. For example, go to the Japanese place for some sushi during lunch, then for dinner head over to the Brazilian BBQ restaurant, for dessert, head over to the bakery for some treats.

It might be a good idea to carry a rack and pannier set. The Fezzari Speedster allows the rider to mount these items on. One side of the panniers can carry a change of clothes for the day and the other side can carry a blanket just in case you decide to take a nap at a local park as well as souvenirs you have purchased though out the day.

Bicycle touring doesn't have to take you away from your own town. With careful planning and the right bike, you can fully enjoy what your city has to offer.