The Twilight Biking Guide to Forks and La Push

By Megan Maxwell 

Last year my mother and I went on a long-distance bike ride down the Pacific Coast. As cool as I like to pretend I am, there was one destination that I felt compelled to go to having never been to the Northwest before. That destination was Forks, Washington.

The Twilight books, set in Forks, gave this small town a national presence, and I must admit it is a beautiful place. The forests are lush and the fog is all-encompassing. I was disappointed not to run into any werewolves while I was there (team Jacob), but it was a memorable experience regardless.

Bikers' Guide to the Redwood National Forest | A Redwoods Bike Trip

By Megan Maxwell 

The Redwood trees are the world’s tallest, and they are located in Humbolt County in Northern California. With accessible campgrounds, plenty of amenities, and the ability to customize your trip, the Redwoods are a great destination for a bike tour. Being from the Midwest originally, these were definitely the biggest trees I had ever encountered.  

Bikers' Guide to the San Juan Islands, Washington | Lopez, Orca and San Juan Islands

By Megan Maxwell 

The San Juan Islands reside just off of the Northwest coast of Washington. With an accessible ferry system and plenty of campsites, they are a fantastic place to go on a bike tour. My mom and I spent five days biking the islands last June.

View from Mt. Constitution on Orca Island

Long Distance Bikers Guide to Big Sur

By Megan Maxwell 

Big Sur is a legendary stretch of ocean along the California coast, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The stunning views and beautiful weather make for a great journey on bike.

How to Pick a Tent for a Long Distance Bike Trip

By Megan Maxwell

While going on an overnight bike trip, finding somewhere to sleep is important. You can always do a “credit card tour,” where you only stay in motel rooms and usually eat at restaurants, thus eliminating the need for camping gear. However, most people don’t have unlimited money to spend on vacation. Spending most nights camping is the best way to save money so you can keep your trip going. There’s plenty of cheap, generic tent brands out there, but it is better to have one that will stay dry and upright. You never really know where you will be sleeping or what the weather will be, so it is best to be as prepared as possible.

Meal Ideas for Long Distance Bike Trips

By Megan Maxwell



When cycling long distances, food is your fuel. It is important to get enough to eat and try to have a healthy diet. It’s also a good idea to eat a variety of different foods. You don’t have to only eat power bars the whole time you are bike touring. First of all, find a decent camp stove for yourself. I have had a MSR Pocket Rocket for several years now and it still works great. Get a cooking pot too. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on one. Wal-Mart has “grease pots” for about $10. Most camp stoves run off of fuel canisters, which can be found in hardware stores or outfitters. Having breakfast is the best way to set yourself up for a good day of biking.

Bike Touring: How Far Can You Bike in a Day?

By Megan Maxwell
While planning a bike trip, an important question to ask yourself is, “How far can I bike every day?” Having a flexible schedule is ideal, but it is also good to have a timeline for when you can finish your trip.


On my third day of my bike trip from Canada to Mexico, I was taking a break on the side of the road when a local cyclist stopped beside me. He was waiting for his group to catch up with him, and seeing my panniers, he asked where I was going. I told him about my bike trip. “Oh, so did you start in Vancouver this morning?” “No, I started there three days ago,” I replied.

Bike Touring Gear List | Bike Trip Tips

By Megan Maxwell
In two weeks, I will be heading out to bike 1800 miles down the Pacific Coast from Vancouver to Tijuana.  I’m finally getting all of my gear together and taking my bike off its bike rack to do training rides. My plan is to pack as minimally as possible to keep the weight down. I have contained everything I need to fit into two panniers that are each 20 liters (40 liters total).

What You Need for Long Training Bike Rides | Biking Trip Must-Haves

By Megan Maxwell
I’m currently training for my bike trip from Vancouver to Tijuana. I’ve been going on long bike rides around Denver to get ready, doing 10- 20 miles at a time. During these rides, I’ve also been trying to figure out what I need for a happy long bike ride.

• Water. Bring at least one liter of water along during your bike ride. If it’s a really hot day or you’re going a long distance, bring more than one liter. This is probably the most important thing you can bring along.
• Fully charged phone. It’s important to have a charged phone in case something goes wrong, like an injury or a sudden thunderstorm, and you need to call someone to come get you. You also might want to listen to music and take photos.
• Snacks. Even if you just ate before you left, still bring a snack along with you. You might get lost and bike further than planned or you might just get a hunger attack. I’m tend to get dizzy and sometimes black out if it’s been a while since I last ate or I’ve been working out really hard, so I always keep a granola bar in my backpack.
• A jacket. You never know when it’s going to start raining or get cold. Always have a spare jacket when you, so you’re ready when the weather takes a turn for the worst.

• Biking App. Keep an app running that records your GPS coordinates, time, speed, distance, and elevations. Then you can save your bike rides on the phone and see the sort of progress you’re making. It’s also useful if you forget where your car is and you want to see how far away you are. Not that I know that from experience or anything.
• Audiobook app/ music app. OK, I realize that most people will prefer to have music playing rather than an audiobook. However, I like to listen to stories the majority of time. Be sure to only keep one ear bud in, so you can still hear everything that’s going on around you.
• Tube repair tools. You never know when you’re going to pop a hole in a tube and need to patch it. Make sure that you have a few spare patches, sandpaper, glue, and tire levers. Your bike multi-tool is optional, but it never hurts to have it.
• Bike lights (depending on time of day). If you’re going on your bike trip in the evening, you should pack your lights. If you’re going for a morning ride you don’t need them, unless it’s a ride that will take the entire day.
• Transport. If you don’t have enough room in your car for your bike, transport it with a hitch bike rack.



Visit: www.StoreYourBoard.com

Interview with Long Distance Biker, Ruth Kee | Part 2 of 2

By Megan Maxwell
Last week we visited with Ruth Kee, a long-distance cyclist, in Part 1 of this interview, and she talked about her 1,500 mile bike ride from the coast of Oregon to Wisconsin. This is Part 2 of her interview.

Ruth and her love, Snickers bars.  Photo: Meredith Kee.

Interview with Long Distance Biker, Ruth Kee | Part 1 of 2

By Megan Maxwell
Ruth Kee is a long-distance biker from Chicago. She graduated from the Ohio State University and works in accounting.  She normally prefers traveling abroad, but last summer she took a bike trip to rediscover her own country.  I had a chance to talk to her about her travels and biking in the first of this 2 part interview.

photo: Meredith Kee

The Best Yoga Poses for Bike Riders | Yoga for Cyclists

By Megan Maxwell
It’s no secret that hunching over handlebars and pedaling with the same muscles all day long will make you sore and stiff. Doing yoga regularly will not only help you to feel good after a long ride, but it will also help prevent injuries. After you get back from a ride and properly store your bike in a bike rack, take a few extra minutes to do a few yoga poses.

photo: triflesandtreasures.blogspot.com

How to Choose a Bike for a Long-Distance Bike Trip

By Megan Maxwell
A bike is the most crucial piece of gear you will need for your long-distance bike trip. It’s important to find something that suits your needs, but don’t worry too much about getting the most expensive bike you can afford. One of the first people to bike across the country did it on a bicycle with wooden wheels! Your determination is what will ultimately help you succeed on your trip; the bicycle just makes it a little easier. 

the best views are at the top of the biggest climbs!

Budgeting for a Bike Trip | Money Saving Tips for Your Next Adventure

By Megan Maxwell

This summer, I will be biking 1800 miles down the Pacific Coast from Vancouver to Tijuana. I currently work in the hotel industry, and summer is the busiest time of year. I’m not allowed to take six weeks off, so I will be quitting my job for this adventure. Since I still have a house and roommates, I’m going to have to pay bills while I’m gone. Therefore, I have spent the entire winter budgeting my money and spending frugally so I can afford this trip. 

Quitting Your Job for a Long Distance Bike Trip down the Pacific Coast!

By Megan Maxwell

This June I will be quitting my job to spend six weeks biking down the Pacific Coast with my mom. Our route will take us from Vancouver to Tijuana, and we will travel by the ocean for the majority of the trip.

you enjoy a lot more sunsets when you're not working inside!

It might seem risky, giving up a dependable paycheck to go on a summer vacation, but I’m going to stand by my decision - I can't wait!

What to Bring on a Long Distance Bike Trip | Bicycle Gear Essentials

By Megan Maxwell

        I’m planning an 1800 mile bike trip down the Pacific Coast for this summer, and I have absolutely no long distance biking experience. When I’m trying to do things I’ve never done before, I like to talk to as many people as possible who have knowledge on the subject and read blogs by people who have done similar trips. I’ve had a biker tell me that she used Tidy Cat buckets for her panniers to save money, while other bikers have told me that I need to get an expensive touring bike.

        What to bring on a long distance bike trip largely depends on your budget and your priorities. My budget is minimal and my priority is to bring the least amount of gear possible to save weight.