Masthead planning resources
Planning bikepacking trip around the world
Scott takes a break in Thailand to plan the next leg of his bikepacking trip around the world. Sometimes it is just one day at time. Here he is trying to avoid the monsoons in Southeast Asia.

Travel Resources

Need help planning your travels or adventure?

Welcome to our travel resource section! These are handpicked online resources that we’ve found extraordinarily helpful to plan journeys of any kind. (We’re not paid to mention any of these links.) Please send us your recommendations.

Most importantly, before you go anywhere, whether that be a vacation, sight-seeing tour, backpacking across countries, volunteer mission, expedition or a full-fledged adventure, it’s useful to learn what an adventure is and how to set a theme for your travels. So, I recommend starting with our own planning page for some great articles on defining the theme to your trip.

Need some ideas of where to go and what to do?

Need some inspirational role models?

Info for the bicycle tourist (more general travel info below)

Health

Safety

Weather

Maps

  • Google Maps is indispensable. Don’t miss the hiking and biking directions.
  • Adventure Cycling. Your number one place for biking maps of the United States.
  • Garmin GPS
  • Antipode Map. This is a fun way to see what’s on the opposite side of the planet from you and a great tool for planning your record-setting trips.

GPS Trackers

Money

  • Currency Converter
  • Find an ATM near you. Search for your credit card or debit card company and “ATM finder”.
  • I recommend you also find a credit card that doesn’t have any international fees. And tell your bank that you will be traveling so your card doesn’t get flagged.
  • Also, take both a Visa and Mastercard. Both are not accepted everywhere.
  • More money tips.

Sleeping

  • Couchsurfing.com — Couch surf the world. Or host other travelers:
  • Warmshowers.org — Warm showers and accommodation for bicycle tourists.
  • Crazyguyonabike.com — The Craigslist for bicycle touring with sleeping accommodations.
  • You can’t go wrong at Hostelling International. And hostels, in general, are great.
  • Servas Travel — Pre-screened way to connect with people.
  • Airbnb.com Try this to find guest homes all over the world.
  • Don’t forget a tent.

Language

US embassies, consulates, visas and passports

Phone

  • Country and area codes
  • Skype. Internet phone and video calling. 1.9¢ anywhere in the world. Free Skype-to-Skype.
  • Phone cards. (Update: Since the invention of the mobile phone, these seem to be going to extinct.)

Internet cafes

  • Much to my surprise internet cafes are everywhere! At least they were before mobile phones were invented.

Communication

  • I don’t have to tell you about email as your primary form of communication. But when I first started traveling, it was a new thing. And now, mobile phones have changed the world. Still, I recommend you have a backup plan.
  • If you are traveling with a friend, I recommend that you both use different cell phone providers to get better coverage. Sometimes small countries or regions will only have an agreement with one phone company.

Power

Time

News

San Francisco Bicycle Coalition banner ad
San Francisco Bicycle Coalition banner ad. Scott designed way back in the 90s.

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