To: Ibike Program Participants
From: David Mozer
Re: Program Preparation - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY

Thank you for your registration materials and welcome to the program.

I hope that you find this program to be a truly unique experience that will enrich your life well beyond your dreams.

We have prepared this packet to help you make the most of the trip and avoid problems. Please study it carefully.

The materials linked below should answer most of the questions you might have. If you have questions about anything let us know and we will do our best to find answers.

Please don't overlook the importance of exercising on your bike between now and your trip. For your safety and enjoyment, and the enjoyment others in the group, being in reasonably good physical condition is important. The program is not an iron person competition, but it does involve physical activity.

Pre-departure materials:

The catch-all document is Ibike A to Z, but don't overlook the link to more detailed information on may topics and the important information and links below.

The Pre-departure Checklist For Travelers (PDF) is design to help you organize, manage and pace your preparations.

Each program has it own page of special notes, including the itinerary, maps, travel information, health issues, special equipment, insurance and visas requirements (if any).

• Notes for Korea Program
• Notes for the Salish Sea Program

The Annotate Packing List (PDF) is our best commentary on what to bring.  This is a generic packing list for world bike travel.  Under the notes for your program is a link to a packing checklist that is more tailored to the program.   The notes and annotations should help you decides what best meets your needs and what you can leave home. 

For programs to less developed areas, if you bring things that you are willing to part with at the end of the trip (from bikes to tennis shoes) they often make good gifts and trade-items. If you have questions about anything let us know and we will do our best to find answers.

We have assembled a few tips for finding airfares. We have some experience with airlines and flying to our destinations so please let us know if you have any questions about your options.

As the airline reduce their baggage allowance and increase their excess baggage surcharges, you have at least four options: 1) Use an airline that still carries bicycles for free. 2) Invest in a folding touring bike that fits in a suitcase, like a Bike Friday, if you expect to fly at least several times with your bike.  3) Use an airline credit card with the correct airline, that gives you an increased baggage allowance. Or 4) Procure a free or cheep bike for the tour and plan to donate it at the end so that you only have to pay the baggage fee one-way.

[Folding "suitcase" bikes become a serious consideration.  There are pros and cons: The program director has ridden a Bike Friday “World Tourist” on all of the programs; through the sands of Mali, rutted roads of Ecuador and mud of Cameroon without failure.  But the small wheel can drop further into holes and ruts, and alter the inertia of the bike and shorter wheel base changes the center of gravity to be much more over the front wheel.  This is likely to catch up with you most going downhill on a rutted gravel road.  Unless you are skilled at this, you will be better off with a full size bike.  If you are considering taking a folding bikes and have questions, please contact us.]

Two special features of our program are the opportunities for people-to-people exchanges and the serendipitous learning opportunities they generate. To make the most of these, I encourage you to do as much "homework" as you can manage. We have prepared a bibliography to get you started (select the one pertaining to your program.)  The titles foretell of the diversity you will find. Specific titles are sometimes hard to find. Even if your local bookstore or library doesn't have the specific titles listed, pick up what is available.

So to recap, the core of the pre-departure information is:

• Ibike A to Z

• Pre-departure Checklist For Travelers

• Notes for your tour, with links to the itinerary and maps

• Packing List

Additional articles and webpages (with a variety of useful tips):

• Airline Baggage Regulations
• Selecting a Touring Bike -101
• Selecting & Preparing a Bike for Remote Areas
• Self-contained Bicycle Tour 1: Bicycle Equipment (PDF)
• Self-contained Bicycle Tour 2: Bicycle Check-up (PDF)
• Self-contained Bicycle Tour 3: Personal Gear (PDF)
• Self-contained Bicycle Tour 4: Loading Up (PDF)
• Tips for Environmentally Friendly Travel (PDF)
• Group Riding Safety and Etiquette (PDF)
• Bicycle Tour Hazards Evaluation and Control (PDF)
• Language in Cross-Cultural Understanding (PDF)
• Code of Responsible Travel (PDF)
• Increasing Your Personal Security While Traveling (PDF)
• Female Anatomy and Saddle Discomfort A discussion of very women specific issues.
• Green Bicycling: Pushing the Green Envelope
• Green Travel: Planning a Better Vacation
• Basic First Aid for Bicycle Travel & Tours  (PDF version)
• Heat Related Illness and Bicycling
• Moving Beyond "Ecotourism" and "Responsible Tourism" to E³ Travel Programs
• Tourism, Eco-Tourism and Bicycle-Tourism
• Traveler's Stomach: Diet, Drugs and Health
• World Electricity Guide (voltage, frequency and plug-type)

If you have prepared your mind, have your documents in order, have checked your equipment and have been exercising, you will soon be well on your way to the experience of a lifetime.

I hope that you too experience the same excitement and awe that I have enjoyed during my years of experiencing new places by bicycle. If I can do anything to better insure this or be of any assistance, please don't hesitate to ask.

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