Cycling tourism
The geography of cycling tourism in Russia is extensive, there are fascinating educational routes in the middle lane, and in the north-west, in the Urals, Altai and in the Baikal region.
Whether cycling is a weekend tour or a multi-day cycling trip, travel companies in most cases provide the opportunity to move lightly, comfortably. Baggage is in the escort car or it is taken to parking places, in addition, provide the services of a mechanic and guides, hotel reservations or necessary bivouac equipment.
One of the most impressive tours in Central Russia is a cycling tour of the Golden Ring. Picturesque natural paintings with quiet forest streams and wide expanses of fields, pine forests and light birch groves, original architecture of the ancient Russian cities of Vladimir, Suzdal, Rostov, Ples and Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Uglich, give special charm to this ten-day journey.
No less rich in sights and bicycle tour Pushkin Mountains - Izborsk - Pskov, during which tourists will get acquainted with one of the oldest cities in the north-west of Russia, with the history of Russian defense architecture, as well as the charm of amazing landscapes, where the great Russian poet drew his inspiration.
For supporters of cycling, as well as in general for lovers of outdoor activities in the middle of Russia, a route has been developed to the source of the great Russian river Volga; in the north-west, travel companies organize bicycle tours around Ladoga, along the Karelian Isthmus - with the opportunity to visit the Valaam natural park, explore the Transfiguration Cathedral, skits, as well as corners where hiking tourists rarely get. In Karelia, one- and two-day trips to the second-largest plain waterfall in Europe, Kivach, to the first Russian resort Marcial Waters are also popular. One of the most beautiful Karelian bicycle tours passes through the territory of the landscape reserve "Tolvoyarvi".
Acquaintance with the pristine world of the taiga awaits fans of cycling in the Republic of Mari El. The forests of the region are unique in beauty, abundance of lakes, richness and diversity of wildlife. Most of the routes pass along the rivers, through magnificent pine forests, interspersed with deciduous forests, along the bay meadows. The rivers are replete with sand braids, comfortable parking.
In the Urals, travelers wait for the roads of nomads and gold prospectors. Routes saturated with excursions to various natural monuments are laid along forest paths, through mountain passes and rivers. Combined cycling and water routes take place on the territory of the Bashkiria National Park along the border of the Shulgan-Tash reserve, the only reserve in the world that protects bees.
Altai cycling tours are represented by a large number of routes, mainly combined, involving both movement on bicycles and on cross-country cars and on horses, and rafting on mountain rivers. Overcoming the passes, cyclists see the intermountain basins and ridges of the Altai, descending into the steppes - archaeological monuments belonging to various stages of the historical development of the Altai. Traveling along the rivers on bicycles, explore the numerous tributaries of the Katun River, and then on the rafts and valley of this wayward and beautiful river.
The features of the relief of the coast of Baikal make cycling tours and cycling here very attractive, with a stunning view of the lake from the high banks. One of the most interesting Baikal routes begins in the taiga zone of the Primorsky Range, stretching along the southwestern shore of Baikal. Then it passes through the Tazheran steppe - a terrain with rare ravines and small salt lakes and a magnificent view of Baikal, and ends on the legends of Olkhon, an island with pristine nature, warm water of the bays.
Anyone who has the skills of cycling can take part in a simple hike, for serious multi-day hikes, you must first learn to withstand a given pace. Movement on the route requires not only physical readiness, but also the availability of comfortable clothes. For long cycle tours, it makes sense to purchase specialized clothing for cycling: bright "breathable" T-shirts and wind and moisture-proof jacket, which not only provide comfort, but also increase safety on the roads, including thanks to retroreflective inserts. An important detail of clothing that cyclists should pay special attention to when choosing a wardrobe is cycling shorts - or a longer option for cool weather - bicycle pants, creating conditions for a long ride on a hard bike saddle. Shoes should be comfortable, have a fairly stiff sole, of course, do not slide off the pedals.
An important element of cycling equipment, providing additional protection for the hands and generally improving safety, are gloves. For tourism, gloves with “cut” fingers are suitable, allowing the skin of the hands to breathe better. When choosing a bicycle helmet, you need to remember that it should provide both head protection and a wide view.
The second most important thing, after the bicycle, for cycling, is perhaps a backpack. Most bike tours are based on the fact that the main luggage tourists do not need to carry themselves. However, not all routes, the bus or escort car has the ability to constantly follow the group, so there is a need to take a certain minimum of things with you. For this purpose, both special bicycle backpacks that are attached to the trunk of the bicycle are suitable, and ordinary shoulder backpacks, the design of which provides for mounting for a flashing rear lamp, compartments for the drinking system, as well as a back ventilation system.
Manufacturers of equipment and clothing for cycling are constantly improving their products, introducing new technologies and materials to create maximum conditions for active recreation. In any case, cycling in Russia has a huge future, which has recently largely contributed to the popularity of the bicycle as an economical, fairly fast means of transportation, the possibility of its almost universal use, the demand for currently fashionable environmental tours.
Author of the article
Elena Bogatyreva
The material was specially prepared
for Tourism and Recreation Magazine
(No. 24, 2004)