10 Games We Play on a Bicycle Tour

Johnny

10 Games We Play on a Bicycle Tour

Johnny

Do you remember going on your first road trip in a car? Remember how bored you were? To help pass the time, you turned to road trip games like “I Spy” or the “License Plate” game. However silly they were, they were welcomed as they helped erase the time and miles of a long road trip.

For bicycle touring, we also have our own games we play to help pass the time when there is nothing to see and just miles to churn out. Some games use our cyclometer or cycle computer. Other games that we play require props from the road.

Here are some games I play when I am on the road. Any of these sound familiar to you?

1. Between Markers

On our Pacific Coast trip in Northern California, there were markers that indicate how far you were away from the county border. I would make it a point to announce out loud the number and then use those markers to keep me rolling. I encouraged myself by taking in a sip of drink after passing 5 markers, or 5 miles. Then after another set of intervals, reward myself with something else.

Garmin

2. Counting Revolutions

This one was borrowed from my friend and reader, Harry, who would use his Garmin to track his cadence when he’s cycling through a flat stretch of road to see how many revolutions he could do. Since I don’t have a cadence sensor, I would count my revolutions while watching the seconds count from 1 to 15 and multiply my count by 4 to get my cadence per minute. Doing math does help you stay focused for some reason.

3. Chase the Roadie / Tourist

There are days when you ride with road bikers, or even tourists, who either pass you really quick or they are visible down the road. It would start out as an innocent, “Oh! There’s another cyclist on the road” to “I’m gonna catch the S.O.B.!” Of course you never say that, but that’s the inner dialogue you have going to motivate yourself. And when you do catch them, you guys either greet each other with a pleasant conversation or “Hello” and a “See you later!” That was how I met my buddy Portlan, by playing this game when we were rolling through the Oregon Coast.

Roadkill fish?

Roadkill Fish by Victoria Merriman

4. Road Kill Count & Report

This may not qualify as a game, but more like an observation count. We would do counts and reports at either breaks or meal stops. The most interesting road kills we saw coming down the Pacific Coast was a day when we saw deer at the side of the road at 2 different locations. It wasn’t the grisly sight of their decomposing body, but rather the stench that hit you first. We would use that as a badge of accomplishment when we talk to other cyclists, “Yeah, did you see the 2 dead deer?…No?…I did.”

5. Finish Line Sprint

When you have 2 riders on the road, and both of you are feeling good (usually at the beginning of the ride), you might spot a landmark a few yards ahead. You both make eye contact and just go all out to cross the landmark first. It doesn’t matter that you are loaded down like a mule, at that moment in time, you both think you are Peter Sagan or Mark Cavendish. What do you win? Nothing. Just pride. Yeah, bike riders are so humble! I know some will do this on regular bike rides around their neighborhood.

Group pack

6. Max Speed

This game requires a cyclometer or cycle computer. You can also include a camera, but that is highly discouraged to film the MPH speeding downhill. Even looking down is scary! The point is to see if you can set a new record going downhill. I also play this game going uphill, as well. That’s easier to play, but more exhausting. In case you’re wondering, my max down record is 49 mph. Not bragging. It’s just what it is.

7. Average Speed Bump

This is also played with a cyclometer or cycle computer.  First, you look to see the current average speed and then see how long you spin before it ticks a mile faster! You don’t realize how much effort you need to increase that average, especially if you’re not riding a straight stretch of road for a long time. This game isn’t as fun when you’re lost or making multiple turns.

Luis

8. Song Out of My Head

There are days when you have a song stuck in your head, and the only way to get it out is to sing it out loud. The idea is to infect others that are around you, so that it gets stuck in their head and you can both suffer together. This game can be played in other group settings and activities, like on a hike or road trip, so feel free to share.

9. Count the Signs

When we were traveling through Victoria Island on our Pacific Coast tour, we constantly saw local farmers put out signs stating they have “Free Range Eggs.”  I would count those signs and keep the price of these said eggs.  After I was done, the highest price was $40 for a dozen! You can count all the “6% Grade” signs and rejoice because that always meant you’re going to enjoy a fast downhill soon.

Day 5 of the California Coast Classic

10. Grass High Fives

This one I learned from a blog I’ve been reading by James Chassee. He explained that he got this game from another blog he was reading, where he pretends that the tall grass on the side of the roads are little hands held up high for you to high-five them as you pass them on an uphill.

I better let him explain it himself.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/KJw5EPBedBc]

Constant Entertainment

Having an imagination and playing games is essential in everything that you do, even on bicycle tours. If we didn’t have these games, we wouldn’t enjoy bicycle touring as much. It shows that you have the mental fortitude to keep your mind occupied as you are fighting off boredom when times aren’t so interesting.

Being entertained is definitely something people value a lot. Why do you think Hollywood makes so much money from movies and television shows? You can now whip out your smart phones or tablet and be entertained hours on end. You just need an Internet connection. Let’s look at what else we can do to keep our minds entertained when we are on top of our touring bicycles without being distracted.

What are some of the games you play? Is there one that you play that really helps you pass the time? Share with me in the comments below.

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