Can you just use your cargo bike or fat bike on the trails at a campground or vacation park? Often, yes, but the riding experience changes as soon as the asphalt ends. On gravel, grass, and sand, steering, braking, and balancing a heavily loaded bike feel different than they do in the city. Riding at a leisurely pace, maintaining the correct tire pressure, and having a plan for recharging make all the difference.<\/p>\n
This article is about using the bike at the campground itself. Want to know how to get your bike to your destination? Then read this first Taking a cargo bike on vacation by car or trailer<\/a>.<\/p>\n On loose or soft terrain, your tires have less traction. You'll notice this especially when steering, accelerating, and braking. The heavier the bike's load, the more you'll notice it.<\/p>\n If you ride a fat bike, you don\u2019t have a cargo box. Bags or a child seat go on a rack above the wheels. Keep the load light, secure it properly, and steer and brake just as gently as you would on a cargo bike.<\/p>\n Bicycle manufacturer Tern notes regarding its own Orox cargo bike that a loaded bike becomes harder to control as the terrain gets more challenging. On unpaved trails, Tern advises against carrying passengers on that model and recommends carrying less cargo (source: Tern<\/a>). That advice applies to the Orox and unpaved trails, but not necessarily to every cargo bike or every campground path. The underlying principle is still useful, though: carrying more weight on a more challenging surface requires greater caution.<\/p>\n Loose gravel can slide under your front wheel, especially when turning. Steer gently, brake earlier and more smoothly, and avoid sharp steering movements. When turning, take a slightly wider line than you\u2019re used to in the city.<\/p>\n On grass, you\u2019ll mainly notice more rolling resistance. Wet grass can be slippery, while dry grass feels bumpy. In soft soil or sand, your front wheel may sink. In that case, keep pedaling steadily in a low gear and avoid sudden acceleration.<\/p>\n Place the heaviest item low and as close to the center as possible. If you have children in the car, make sure to fasten their seat belts, even for a short trip to the front desk or the beach. In Distributing the load in your cargo bike<\/a> You'll learn how to organize the bin efficiently.<\/p>\n Do you drive a STOER Bike<\/a>? The CargoX features a double kickstand for stability during loading and unloading, front-wheel suspension, and wide Innova tires measuring 20\u00d74 and 16\u00d74 inches. The maximum load capacity of the cargo box is 100 kg. That doesn\u2019t make the bike suitable for every type of terrain. So assess each trail to see if you feel confident riding it, and dismount if it gets too loose or too steep.<\/p>\n On unpaved trails, tread pattern and tire pressure are both important. Tire manufacturer Schwalbe explains that the tread pattern makes a big difference off-road. It grips the ground and helps transfer your propulsive, braking, and steering forces. On rough or dirty roads, tread pattern can also contribute to better control. On a smooth, paved road, however, a smooth tire actually provides more grip because the contact surface is larger (source: Schwalbe<\/a>).<\/p>\n For camping, this means: if you\u2019re mostly riding on gravel and grass, a tire with a deep tread pattern will help. If you also ride a lot on asphalt to get to town or the supermarket, you\u2019ll want to find a balance between the two. In choose bakfiets tire profile<\/a> You'll learn which profile is best suited for which use.<\/p>\n Wider tires with slightly lower pressure often provide more comfort and a larger contact patch on soft ground. Be sure to stay within the tire pressure range indicated on the sidewall. Driving with tires that are too soft increases the risk of a flat tire or damage to the rim, especially when the vehicle is fully loaded. Bring a pump with a pressure gauge so you can restore the tire pressure before your return trip.<\/p>\n On a fat bike, you're already riding on wide tires. The same rule applies here: adjust the tire pressure based on the terrain and your weight, but stay within the tire's recommended pressure range. You can find more information in fat bike tire pressure<\/a>.<\/p>\n Not sure if a different tire will fit your bike? Ask your dealer before replacing anything. Not every size or tread pattern fits every frame.<\/p>\n At a vacation resort, you often drive short distances, but a few days without charging can be a tight squeeze. The CargoX has a range of up to 80 km. It\u2019s not clear under what conditions that figure applies. So don\u2019t blindly rely on the maximum range, especially when carrying a load, driving on soft ground, or facing headwinds.<\/p>\n If you ride a fat bike, check the manual or ask your dealer what range you can expect for your model. Even then, it\u2019s best not to rely blindly on the maximum range.<\/p>\n Many campgrounds provide a limited current. The ANWB recommends checking with the front desk or consulting the campground guide to find out how many amperes are available. This is usually 2 or 4 amperes, or more. Multiply that by 230 volts, and you\u2019ll know how many watts you can use at one time. Add up the power ratings of all your appliances to see if it fits (source: ANWB<\/a>).<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a calculation example: at 4 amps, you get 4 \u00d7 230 = 920 watts. If your refrigerator is already running and you want to boil water, the battery charger might not be able to handle the load. The power rating of your charger is usually listed on the label. So it\u2019s best to charge the battery when you\u2019re not using a kettle or hair dryer. Also, be sure to ask right away whether charging an e-bike is allowed at your location.<\/p>\n The South Holland South Safety Region offers tips for charging batteries for electric bicycles and fat bikes, among other things. Some of these tips can also be applied at the campground (Source: ZHZ Veilig<\/a>):<\/p>\n If your battery is removable, you can charge it on a sturdy, non-flammable surface instead of on the grass next to your bike. You can find more tips for at home in Smart Charging for E-Bike Batteries<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s best to charge during the day, for example during lunch or when you\u2019re at your campsite. That way, you won\u2019t end up with an empty battery in the evening, and you won\u2019t have to charge it at night. If you\u2019re planning a longer trip outside the park, put the battery on the charger the afternoon before.<\/p>\n Test it out beforehand if you don\u2019t have much experience riding your bike on unpaved surfaces, if you\u2019re bringing children or a lot of luggage, or if you know the park mainly has gravel or sand paths. This applies to a cargo bike just as much as it does to a fat bike with a child seat or full panniers. A campground with children and pedestrians around you is not the place to try this out.<\/p>\n Here's how to do it:<\/p>\n Don't have a bike yet and not sure which model fits your vacation plans? You can ask plenty of questions during a test ride. In Cargo bike test ride with a load<\/a> You'll learn how to approach this in a realistic way.<\/p>\n Bring your charger, a pump with a pressure gauge, a sturdy lock, and something to cover the battery. Be sure to read the campground rules as well: some campgrounds have rules regarding biking on trails or charging at your site. For hot days, you\u2019ll find helpful tips in the Cargo Bike Summer Checklist<\/a>, and it's helpful for outings around the park A day out on the cargo bike<\/a>. If you have an expensive bike in an unfamiliar place, be aware of the risk of theft; check what the STOER bicycle insurance<\/a> covers.<\/p>\nHow do you notice stability on gravel and grass paths?<\/h2>\n
Gravel<\/h3>\n
Grass and sand<\/h3>\n
With children or luggage in the trunk<\/h3>\n
Which tires are best for unpaved campground trails?<\/h2>\n
Adjusting Tire Pressure<\/h3>\n
How do you handle charging when you're camping for a few days?<\/h2>\n
First, check how much power you have<\/h3>\n
Safe Charging at Your Tent or Trailer<\/h3>\n
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Schedule Charging Times<\/h3>\n
When is it a good idea to test on similar terrain beforehand?<\/h2>\n
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Just a quick check before you leave<\/h2>\n