If you think the ultimate way to explore a destination is on two wheels, using my own pedal power, you might be interested in Electric Fat Bike Travel. While some prefer guided tours that handle all the details, if you want more freedom, flexibility, and a touch of adventure, a Fat Ebike Tour could be just what I'm looking for.

 

If that’s what I'm looking for, keep reading to discover what I should think about when deciding where to go, which bike to use, what to bring along, and how to get started with my first self-supported Fat Bike Tour.

 

What is Fat Bike touring?

While there’s no standard definition of Fat Bike touring, it generally means riding your bike from destination to destination over a period of at least several days, if not weeks, or even months.

 

While I can do a supported Fat Bike tour, where a company or professional guide gives me a route, provides support along the way, and arranges my meals and lodging, I can also do a self-supported Fat Bike tour, where I’m carrying my own gear. If I plan to camp and prepare my own meals, that includes a tent, sleeping bag, and a campstove.

 

With the exploding popularity of gravel cycling in recent years, I’ve probably heard a lot about bikepacking, which differs slightly from Fat Bike touring. While the two certainly overlap, “Fat Bike touring generally tends to cover longer distances, mostly on paved roads, and carrying more gear, often in panniers, whereas bikepacking tends to be shorter trips, ridden on more remote roads and challenging trails, and featuring a lightweight, streamlined bag setup,” says Fat Bike touring expert and video creator Sheelagh Daly.

 

How do I plan a Fat Bike touring route?

When it comes to deciding where I want to go, how much ground I want to cover each day, and how long my tour will last, the options are limitless. Below are a few factors to consider that will help narrow things down.

 

“If all of this feels overwhelming, I don’t have to start from scratch,” says Daly. She suggests exploring pre-constructed routes online, which will likely have a GPX file or a paper map to follow, signage to help me stay on track, and easily accessible resources such as food, water, and bike shops en route.

 

Other resources to help me plan include Google Maps, searching Fat Bike touring Facebook groups, or searching in an app like Komoot or Ride with GPS to see what other riders did in a particular area, says Daly, who has explored multiple continents by bike.

 

“It’s helpful to remember that no route-creating app is perfect,” Daly says. “Road conditions can change, construction can pop up, or an app can deem a road okay for cyclists that I do not feel safe on. That’s why I’ll often punch in where I’m heading from and to in two different apps. In this way, I can compare them and choose the one that feels best, while potentially having a back up if needed.”

 

Personal preferences

Think about what I value as I look at different routes, suggests Macs Adventure sales specialist Gavin Hermann. How much will road quality impact my enjoyment of the ride? Am I a foodie who wants to explore the local culinary scene? Do I want to be accessible to hotels? Would I rather explore the mountains or the coast? Are there certain historical or natural landmarks I’d like to include? All of these questions should come into play as I decide where to go, says Hermann.

 

My fitness level

As I plan my route, consider how fit I am and how much I want to suffer during my Fat Bike tour. That means being realistic about how I’ll handle significant elevation gains and/or high mileage days, especially if I’m on a tight timeline and don’t have the flexibility to take a shorter day or a day off if I’m fatigued or not feeling well.

 

Logistics

I also need to decide where I want to stay each night, says Daly. Before planning my route, determine whether I’m looking for campsites, hostels, hotels, or a mix of all three. She also reminds would-be self-supported touring cyclists to think ahead about where I plan to get my food and water, and to plan a route accordingly.

 

“It’s also important to consider what types of roads I want to be on,” says Daly. Think about whether I prefer dirt roads versus paved roads, or busy roads with wider shoulders to quieter roads with small or no shoulders. Then ask myself what types of roads my bike and set up are best suited for, she says.

 

Finally, look at whether there are any safety considerations on these roads or in the region, says Daly. Factors to consider may include crime rates, wildlife, and natural disasters that may affect the region I aim to explore.

 

Which bike should I ride on a Fat Bike tour?

“There’s a saying in the Fat Bike touring community that I love: ‘The best bike is the one you have,’” says Daly. In other words, there’s no need to worry about being on the “perfect” bike. As long as my bike is safe and comfortable, Daly suggests using whatever I have available.

 

That said, if I have a few options at my disposal, here’s what different types of bikes have to offer.

 

Touring bikes

“Touring bikes are going to be a hybrid between road bikes and hardtail mountain bikes,” says Hermann. As such, the frame will generally be heavier and the tires will be wider than a traditional road bike, making them sturdier and well-equipped to carry heavier loads. And with mounts built into the frame, they make it easy to carry all my essentials.

 

Road bikes

This is the most efficient option if my tour will mainly be on well-maintained roads, says Hermann. “I will get the most out of each pedal stroke because I am going to be riding in a more aggressive stance. I will have handlebar drops and typically have two chainrings (one large and one small) which will give me the ability to maintain a more efficient cadence,” he says.

 

That said, they aren’t designed to be loaded with gear, and will feature much narrower tires than a gravel or touring bike, which isn’t as comfortable on dirt roads or gravel paths.

 

Gravel bikes

Gravel bikes are heavier and therefore slower than a road bike; however, with wider tires, they provide more stability on varying terrain, says Hermann. They can also be great for carrying gear.

 

“Most gravel bikes come with mounting points built into the frame so I can attach frame bags thus making for a more efficient way to travel if I plan on bringing clothing, shoes, repair kits, etc with me while I ride,” says Hermann.

 

What should I wear on a Fat Bike tour?

If I’m comfortable in the saddle, I might not notice any bike seat pain, but if I’m not, it can ruin my trip. So, make sure I’m wearing the right shorts. “Invest in a good chamois [padded cycling shorts] that has been tested before setting off on my journey,” says Hermann.

 

I’ll also want to avoid wearing clothes that absorb moisture or cause chafing. “Always wear quick-drying clothing made of either synthetic or wool material. This goes for biking shorts, shirt, socks, gloves, and any layer that will be touching my body,” say Hermann. “The exception to this rule is a rain jacket, which will be made of a weather resistant shell that has a waterproof membrane.”

 

It’s also important that I feel good in whatever I bring. “Choose clothes I’m going to enjoy wearing, because I may be in them for many days,” says Daly. Not only should they be comfortable, but they should be clothes I’ve worn on the bike before. The last thing I want on a multi-day tour is unexpected chafing, itching, or other textile-related issues.

 

And whatever I do, bring plenty of layers so I’m ready for all kinds of conditions. Daly reminds readers to research the weather I can expect along my route and “plan for the worst.” That means not just planning for wet conditions, but also the cold temperatures at mountaintops and the sun exposure I’ll experience all day.

 

What gear should I bring on a Fat Bike tour?

As I would on any bike ride, make sure I have everything I need to fix a flat tire. That includes at least one replacement tube, a pump or a CO2 cartridge, tire levers, tire boot, and a patch kit. It’s also worth bringing a small first aid kit, says Hermann.

 

For general repairs and maintenance, Daly recommends a bike repair kit including chain lube, a rag, zip ties, a multi-tool, and duct tape. And depending on how long I’ll be away and how remote I’ll be, consider bringing spare parts. “Most importantly, work with my local bike shop or bike co-op to make sure I know how to use my kit,” says Daly. My tools are useless if I don’t feel comfortable putting them into action.

 

If I’m camping, bring a reliable tent and sleeping bag, says Daly, adding that it’s even better if I have a chance to practice using them ahead of my trip.

 

At the risk of pointing out the obvious, make sure I know where I’m going and how to get there before I begin. “This can be as simple as a paper map with a waterproof cover, or an app like Komoot or Ride With GPS on my phone. I can also use a computer such as a Wahoo or Garmin,” says Daly. Whatever system I use, consider using another system as backup, as technology can fail.

 

Finally, don’t forget my basic safety items, such as a good helmet, a reflective vest, and reliable front and rear lights, says Daly.

 

How do I pack for a Fat Bike tour?

“In terms of bags, we are blessed with an abundance of options,” says Daly. Whether I opt for panniers, trailers, frame bags, fork packs, saddle bags, handlebar bags, or some combination, I’ll find something that works for me.

 

If my bike can accommodate a rear rack, Daly suggests a simple option of a pair of rear panniers and a handlebar bag. “The panniers give me space to take a few extra things as I figure out what I need or don’t, and the handlebar bag balances out the weight a little and gives me a spot to access my most important items quickly,” she says, adding that she always goes with a waterproof option to keep her belongings from getting wet or damaged.

 

Whatever I choose, remember to check my bike’s dimensions against the dimensions of any potential storage systems to ensure they’re compatible before I buy, says Hermann.

 

Recommend the best Electric Fat Bike for touring

RANDRIDE Explorer Pro is an electric fat bike suitable for all-terrain riding

RANDRIDE Explorer Pro is an Ebike designed specifically for off-road riding. The puncture-proof fat tire allows the ebike to pass through various terrains smoothly, and the full suspension design allows it to have a comfortable riding experience, suitable for riders who ride for a long time.