Route coordinator

As a route coordinator you help the biketour to coordinate the logistics of the tour through some certain region or country. Together with the International Coordinator and National Coordinator (and with possible participation of those on the BT-org mailing list) a rough plan is set up for places and environmental issues to visit. After that you will help on the route: Which way can we go to reach those places - which is the nicest option? Where shall we halt to see around and camp? Who will host us during our tour?

For taks and a checklist on what exactly to do: Checklist for coordination of route and sleeping places

mapping and testing the route

Remember that we do around 50km per day which you only stretch to a longer distance if it's doable and necessary (because we otherwise can't reach our destination). We carry everything with us (load) and some of us are less experienced cyclists. We are also healthy (and mostly young) people... If you already know the tracks of one area by yourself as a cyclists you might not need to cycle it again, though testing the route could help to write down details on route-description, or to find useful facilities (like bikeshops) and you could make some publicity for biketour and campaigns. However you have to see with your time. If you (or someone that helps you) haven't cycled the route recently it's really necessary to test it out, preferably by bike (and in ultimate case car). Try to see if any roadwork is planned during the period that biketour passes by (even if the work is not on a road that we take, it can cause extra traffic). In case there is a part on the route that really can't be crossed safely by bicycle, inform the (inter)national coordinators about it. Perhaps we'd have to hire a bus to transport our bikes (and us), but this would mean more expenses and is in principle not in line with our cycling philosophy, so really an exception.

finding sleepings spaces

Host can be an (participating) organisation, farm, someone with a big garden, monastery, scout club, road restaurant, camping - or if outdoor is really impossible at some location, a sporthall, school building or big office can do as well.

(Still to be updated, but more info when you click to: National Coordinator#sleeping places and Checklist for national/local organisers Also it is advised to use the File:BT Accommodation Form.rtf to gather all possible useful information about host and area.

contact with locals

Ask the hosts, and other local people that you speak to while preparing, about possible roads (perhaps there are some that are not mentioned on the map but are actually 'cyclable' and nicer), and about the sightseeings and useful facilities in the area. For example if they'd know about a farmer where we could by our food? Or if the roads are more quite/busy during summertime? You will notice that the many people, the many stories.. and often contradictions within the information people give you too.. so listen careful, ask through and check well. Talking with people also serves publicity for the biketour (to be joined) and for the campaigns that we will have an event for in the area. We'll give you stickers or flyers to spread on the way too.

finding facilities on the way

in case of emergency

Of course, on the biketour we will have a first aid kit with us, and hopefully someone with a bit of a medical background. But participants don't stick together as a group the whole time, and during the way there is always the risk that something happens. Therefore it's important to gather: the directions of hospitals/medical aid posts, the telephone number to get an ambulance, a general information number is useful too. Check if there is public transport options in case cycling became impossible (are public buses passing by often? is taxi an option and is there a phone number?). Participants should carry a basic bike repair set and spare parts, and some will have more specific bike tools (and knowledge) with them. Still we need to find a solution in case bikes get broken. If you are in an area in Europe where biking is a rarity, please collect every possible bike repair place (shops, or even individual cyclists) that you can find on the way. And in some areas perhaps should police or municipality be informed about us passing by? usually not.

nice things to see, do or visit

Yes we have environmental activism by bike, but the tour is also peoples holiday, and the area will be new for a lot of participants. So it's always nice to hear what is there to see/do, if there are lakes or rivers to have a swim in, etc. Ask the hosts and local people that you speak to while preparing about possible roads (perhaps there are some that are not mentioned on the map but are actually 'cycable' and nicer), about the sightseeings, possible festivals or parties and useful facilities in the area.