Hiking and cycling are not just the sports you enjoy, but the lifestyle you commit to. Besides being beneficial to your physical health, there are numerous benefits to your mental wellbeing. These sports give you an opportunity to reconnect with yourself and are perceived as a kind of meditation. However, just as any other sport, hiking and cycling demand having some kind of equipment. This equipment contains different pieces depending on the period you planned spending in nature. Here are some practical items that you will need to bring when going out to nature and these are an absolute must-have.
Gadgets
Gadgets are the absolute must-have wherever you go. Things like GPS devices, headphones, cameras, heart rate monitor armbands, and Bluetooth speakers will upgrade your entire experience besides keeping you oriented.
A mandatory piece of equipment for both hikers and cyclists is a GPS small computer that will provide all the necessary information of orientation in the unknown space. These are mostly wireless gadgets that are programmed to show the route, distance, time, map, speed, and air temperature. These are some of the most essential things for hikers and cyclists when they find themselves far from civilization. Besides this, there are some other devices like cameras for capturing some of the best moments on a small trip to the wilderness. If you want to have some alone time and spend the time while listening to some music, then you should consider getting Bluetooth speakers and headphones. In any case, some gadgets like a small GPS computer are mandatory on trips like this.
Backpack
There is no hiking or cycling without some high-quality backpack where you can put all the essentials. There are different sizes for all-purpose backpacks. These are meant to fit in all the cargo you are carrying with you, including some alternative clothes and shoes, food, cycle helmet, etc. You need to find suitable backpacks for the gadgets, like a camera, since you do not want any of them broken during transportation. It is of immense importance not to carry a backpack that is wider than your shoulder since it may apply some additional pressure to your spine, so get yourself a backpack that is padded and gives enough comfort without feeling some additional weight.
Bike lights
Biking, especially mountain biking, demands having some extra strong equipment due to some extreme conditions. The bike itself must be the one fitting to the conditions of the road, therefore it must be the one with a strong frame. It is not just the frame you need to pay closer attention to, but tires as well. You will need some wider and thicker tires that will be much adaptable to the demanding mountain roads. The other thing that is of immense importance is bike lights. You might wonder why, but this is because of various reasons. Woods and mountain roads might be very dark, sometimes you cannot make it to the main road before night time, therefore, you will need lights with more than one light level. Some brands offer bike lights with four light levels, less intensive light for the day, and maximum visibility for the night.
Helmet and kneepads
This biking equipment will increase your security and will make sure for you not to go through some injuries that in the worst scenario can be fatal. It is mandatory for every cyclist to use a helmet that will secure the head which is the riskiest part for injuries if the accident occurs. There are numerous options when it comes to helmets and it is best to find some made of extra strengthened plastic, with aerodynamic design, comfortable straps, and pads inside the helmet. On the other hand, kneepads are also a very important piece of equipment that is meant to protect your knees from some serious injuries that may occur due to increased pressure on the knees and some intensive tempo that rocky, mountain road demands.
Lamp
This is the obligatory piece of equipment that should find its place in your cargo backpack. Sometimes, it might appear that there is no need for carrying it, but nature is unpredictable, and so are the routes you are taking, this is why some extra light may be a life savior. Some wood paths are quite dark even during the day, and it seems that the nighttime comes sooner in the natural environment, and these are just some of the reasons why you always need some extra light.
Clothes
Even though it sounds like bonkers because you think you can wear whatever you want, it is true to some extent, but you should consider getting some specialised clothes designed solely for hiking and cycling. These are light clothes made of fabrics of the best quality. The special focus should be on shoes since you will need shoes made for these routes.
The items needed for hiking and cycling can be listed until the end of eternity, but there are some of the essentials that you will really need no matter how much time you want to spend in nature. The equipment purchase depends on how much time you are about to spend in nature and how much you are serious about these sports.
Featured image: Lachlan Cruickshank/Unsplash
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