Last Updated on April 12, 2022 by Kravelv
Taking your bike across or around a country is one of those incredible experiences that many people dream about and a few people actually do. Riding across the nation may be a terrific goal in life, whether it’s due to a passion for cycling or just something you want to attempt because it’s a massive accomplishment.
It doesn’t even have to be your own country––some of the most dedicated bikers have been to nations other than their own, preferring a foreign place for its landscape, culture, and other internal factors.
If someone wants to participate in this growing trend, they’ll need to plan ahead, be physically fit, and know how to maintain the bike in any situation. Moreover, homeowners also need to use their insurance to cover any potential bicycle costs. But we’ll get into that later.
Nevertheless, the benefits will exceed the hardship, so start preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure across Canada!
Homeowners’ Insurance for Your Bike
Since a homeowner or renters insurance safeguards your private possessions — and a bike is precisely that — there is a significant possibility your cycle will get insured against loss and damages if you are a householder (though there are certain restrictions).
Bicycles are a part of personal property in some homeowner and renter insurance policies, but they also get classified as a separate category in others.
Nevertheless, if your bicycle is wrecked or stolen from your garage, you may file a claim with the homeowners or tenants’ insurance agency.
How Long Does It Take Bike Across Canada?
If cyclists want to explore the entirety of Canada, they’ll need to ride for at least the whole summer (beginning in mid-May and ending in mid-September). It is best to spend two summers biking across Canada if you want to bypass the primary routes and have opportunities to soak up the culture.
People ride the Trans-Canada in as short as ten weeks, but they expend most of their time in the southern tier, with few short excursions, and have little time to pause and interact with people throughout the journey.
Pre-Requisites Before Biking Across Canada
Buying a Good Bike
Even though you could borrow or rent a bike, if something goes wrong, you may have to pay more money to fix or recover it than you would have invested on a new bike, so it’s best to save the money and buy your own. If you already have a cycle, be sure it’s in good working order. But if anyone is unsure, it’s usually best to get a new bike specifically designed for the cross-country journey. Another option is to pedal your old bike into the ground and buy a new one later.
The disadvantage is that people might know where they can get the desired bike, and they must be nearby such locations when the old one breaks down.
The bike framework you select should be in accordance with the gear. A light structure is suitable for those traveling on a credit card and sleeping in hotels. But if you are camping, the excess weight of a sturdy metal frame will not be too substantial.
And if you must rely on your current bike, take it to a bike shop and get it thoroughly inspected by a specialist. Any parts that are exhibiting signs of wear and tear should get replaced.
Making Physical and Mental Preparations
Anyone that wants to cycle across Canada needs a fair bit of mental and physical preparation. Remember that you will require drive, resilience, and the capacity to persevere in adversity, such as inclement weather, wet and muddy clothes, occasional falls, tiredness, and finding shelter.
Other than that, you also need to be in shape to perform physically. Begin by biking small distances six days per week. Lose weight by running on a treadmill. Bikers have to pull every ounce of their weight along, so get rid of the bulk. Some of it may come off while you’re cycling, so try not to go overboard.
Planning Ahead
Make a roadmap of your intended journey, including any significant deviations. It’s also a wise idea to be aware of diversions for safety reasons––what alternate pathways are accessible to you if a route or trail is closed down due to a landslide or accident? You have to begin thinking in this manner right away.
Google Streetview is a reliable method to see the road width, road markers (so you don’t miss your turn), and even an approximate traffic estimate. Moreover, there are other factors to consider, including:
- Will you go on this adventure on your own as a self-supported trip, or will you find a group or team on a guided tour? Self-guided trips provide a lot of freedom and privacy. However, planned tours offer more safety, management, and preparation, allowing riders to concentrate more on the riding and less on the logistics.
- Determine how long it takes to get somewhere and be realistic in your estimation. Long-distance riders who are new to the activity will find the work challenging at first, so plan on doing lesser riding initially and stopping for plenty of pleasant sightseeing-filled rest breaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Were The Highlights Of The Journey?
The folks are the ones that make Canada intriguing, beyond the outdoors, mountains, and coastlines. The warmth of the people in Saskatchewan amazed previous bikers, and the prospects for wild camping in Northern Ontario were particularly appealing. The inhabitants of Newfoundland and Labrador were also really welcoming, although that isn’t uncommon.
What’s Something Every Cyclist Needs Before Setting Out?
Every cyclist needs to carry an insect spray and a cap. Canada is a northern country, as you may well know. It doesn’t matter what time of the year you ride here because there’s always a chance that the weather may turn cold for a week or two. Mosquitoes and black flies may be particularly aggressive in the summer. It varies on where you’re biking, though.
Final Thoughts
So, are you one of those who were wondering How long would it take to bike across Canada while at the same time thinking about insurance? As you can see from the past experiences of other bikers, this trip could last around the entire summer. So if anyone’s thinking about going through with it, make sure you address all the pre-requisites. And more importantly, make sure your homeowner’s insurance covers the bike in any case of losses or damages.
