You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? You go for a bike ride and pull over on the side of the road to take a photo, eat a snack, drink some water, go to the bathroom or simply give your backside a break from the saddle. You get off your bike, lean it up against some nearby object, quickly check to make sure the bike is balanced in such a way that it won’t fall over when you let go, and then you walk away.

Seconds later, you turn your back, the wind blows, or your front wheel turns and there’s suddenly a loud crash! Your bicycle has fallen over – slamming to the ground in a sad metal heap.

It’s at this point that you run over to your bicycle, pick it up, check for any potential damage, lean the bike back up against that same object, and hope that this time around you can position the bike in such a way that it won’t fall over again.

Pretty much every person who has ever owned a bicycle has encountered this scenario at one point or another. And this is the problem that steering stabilizers aim to fix!

Here are five of the most popular bicycle stabilizers:

The SteerStopper – A new, independently produced bicycle accessory designed to fix the problem of having your bicycle tilt, slide or completely fall over whenever its placed in a leaned or parked position. This high-quality, elegantly-designed, CNC machined bicycle stabilizer will last a lifetime and can be used in conjunction with a kickstand, Clickstand or other brake application device to park your bike in almost any situation or scenario. The SteerStopper is probably the best bicycle stabilizer on the market, but it’s also the most expensive.

Velo Orange Wheel Stabilizer – What is probably both the most inexpensive and, at the same time, the most popular product currently available in the bicycle wheel stabilization market, the Velo Orange Wheel Stabilizer is a cheap, “Made-in-China” cycling accessory designed to perform the same basic function as the SteerStopper. While the Velo Orange Wheel Stabilizer may be far less expensive than the SteerStopper, it’s not very well made. Reviews on Amazon site the product’s poor construction and its use on a loaded touring bicycle is far from recommended, as the product simply doesn’t seem to be able to support the weight you find on most loaded touring bikes. This is not a problem with the SteerStopper, which has been designed with loaded touring bicycles in mind!

Hebie Steering Damper – The Hebie steering damper uses a spring to prevent the front wheel from turning when you need it not to. If you’re carrying heavy loads on the front of your bicycle it can be useful to have a steering damper on your bike so that the steering doesn’t “flop” when the bike is in a parked position. Similar to the Velo Orange Wheel Stablizer, the spring used in this inexpensive product isn’t strong enough to handle the loads often carried by traveling cyclists on loaded touring bicycles. Plus, the spring on this product is always in a locked position, which ultimately affects how the bike handles when you are riding it.

Steering Stabilizer for Azor – This spring loaded stabilizer connects the fork to the down tube. It adds a subtle self-centering action to the front wheel, making loading and unloading of a bike a breeze. With the steering stabilizer in position, you won’t have to fight the bike while loading up your gear – the front of the bike stays put! The spring offers some resistance to steering as well, so it subtly counteracts your turns when riding the bike. The SteerStopper, on the other hand, remains completely disengaged when you aren’t using it, meaning it won’t affect the way your bicycle handles when the product is not in use.

Rhode Gear Flick Stand – Finally, this simple piece of engineering is probably my favorite of the SteerStopper competitors. Sadly, the company is no longer in business and older versions of the Flick Stand are almost impossible to find on the market today. Like the Velo Orange Wheel Stabilizer, however, the Flick Stand is mounted on the down tube of your bicycle and is relatively inconspicuous. When you want to lock your front wheel in place, simply flick out the small metal clip, move your wheel forward a little bit, and then the Flick Stand will lock your wheel in position with the use of friction and pressure. Then, when you want to unlock the wheel, simply roll your front wheel backward a bit, at which point the Flick Stand will disengage and you can continue on your way.

Bicycle stabilizers are not common in the cycling world, but they are useful in some scenarios… and they become even more useful if you are riding a bicycle with a heavy front end – such as you might find on a loaded touring bicycle.

Since 2007, I have not only been traveling all around the world on my own bicycle touring adventures, but I’ve also been working with people all across the planet to help them plan, prepare for and execute the bicycle tour of their dreams… and I’ve helped thousands of people from all walks of life conduct their very own bicycle touring adventures.

Just look at what some of my readers and supporters have said about Bicycle Touring Pro, The Bicycle Touring Blueprint and the benefits they have received from working with me:

• “Your blog is the motivating factor in my decision to tour. I’ve ridden for several years, but never toured self-contained. With your help I toured solo for 712 miles in 7.5 days, averaging 94 miles per day. I also have 3 other tours planned for next year. Thanks so much for your help.” – Bob Hopkins
• “Bicycle Touring Pro helped my daughter and I prepare for a 42-day bike tour across the United States and a 6-week bike tour in New Zealand. We learned that it really wasn’t that difficult if you just take one day at a time.” – Michael Rice
• “I wish you had been around years ago when I started cycling in earnest. I learned much over the years, but the trial and error method is a slow process. Within a month I have ridden 1,400 miles for the year. Thanks again.” – Bernard Parker
• “I don’t think I could ever prepare myself for my trip without your help. Every time I talk to you or go on your website I learn something new. Thanks for everything.” – Brandon Roesler
• “Bicycle Touring Pro showed me the most common mistakes people make on tour, without me having to make those mistakes myself while on the road. I’m really grateful there’s something like this site for people like me. Without it, I know my trip wouldn’t have gone as well as it did.” – Spencer Holmes 

In the summer of 2015, I went to Norway with my high school friend, Eric.

Eric is not a cyclist… and he had never been on a multi-day bicycle touring adventure. So, I knew that taking him on a bike tour in Norway was not going to be easy for him. But I also knew that he was going to love the experience once he got over the initial discomfort that comes with riding a bicycle for days on end.

Eric will admit that he was terribly out of shape at the beginning of his bike tour in Norway… and he will also admit that he did zero physical training before jumping on an airplane and traveling half-way around the world to join me on an epic 10-day cycling adventure.

So, as you can guess, Eric’s first several days on the bike were pretty painful. Watch the video from our bike tour together and you can see that!

But if you continue watching the video until the very end, you will see how Eric absolutely transforms over the course of our bicycle touring adventure together.

The first several days on the road, I was worried that Eric might not survive our time together. But by the end of the bike tour, Eric was absolutely flying… and was occasionally leaving me in the dust!

This is what I love about being the Bicycle Touring Pro!

I love seeing someone who has almost no cycling experience whatsoever try something new, go someplace totally unfamiliar, struggle at the beginning, overcome every challenge they come up across, and then finish strong!

My friend Eric did exactly that during our bike tour together in Norway… and it’s something you can do as well, if you’ll only give bicycle touring a try!

Bicycle touring (or bikepacking) is truly a life-changing experience!

If you’ve through about conducting a multi-day bike trip, but have yet to pull the trigger and try it for yourself… I highly encourage you to go for it!

Traveling by bike (whether it be for 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months or 2 years) is a truly rewarding experience… and it’s something that has not only changed my life, but changed the lives of thousands of people all around the world.

If you’re new to bicycle touring and wanted to get started right away, I recommend you read this book (The Bicycle Touring Blueprint) and then use the information in this text to start planning and preparing for your own bike tours anywhere in the world.

The Bicycle Touring Blueprint will give you all the information you need to get started… will tell you how to avoid the mistakes so many first time bicycle travelers make when they are first starting out… and will help to ensure your trip by bike is a complete and utter success!

You can go bicycle touring, regardless of your skills or experience.

If Eric can do it… so can you!

Pick up a copy of The Bicycle Touring Blueprint today… and start planning your own epic bicycle touring adventures!

I look forward to seeing you out on the road very soon!

Watch the video on this page and follow along as Darren Alff (the Bicycle Touring Pro) rides his bicycle across Monument Valley in Northern Arizona. Then use the information below to start planning your own bike ride through scenic Monument Valley.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: It appears that you are no longer allowed to cycle through Monument Valley. Based on various reports from my Bicycle Touring Pro readers, officials in Monument Valley are no longer allowing individuals to explore the loop road by bike.

Where is Monument Valley?

Monument Valley is located in Northern Arizona in the United States of America – near the border of Arizona and Utah. While Monument Valley can be seen from public highway 163, the best way to see Monument Valley up-close is to take a tour of the Park itself – and this requires paying a fee to enter the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (which is owned and operated by the Navajo people, not the US government).

How do you get to Monument Valley?

If you’re coming from Arizona, travel north on highway 163 until you approach the border of Arizona and Utah. Just after crossing the border there will be a turn off with a large sign welcoming you to Monument Valley. Turn right and travel for 3.2 miles down Monument Valley Road to the toll booth, where you’ll be asked to pay a fee to enter the Park.

If you’re coming from Utah, you’ll want to travel south on highway 163 until just before you cross the border between Utah and Arizona. Before reaching the border you will begin to see Monument Valley off in the distance. You may recognize the road that Forrest Gump stood on as he quit his cross-country run across America as you get closer to the Park. Turn left of Monument Valley Road and then drive 3.2 miles down the road to the toll booth, where you’ll be asked to pay a fee to enter the Park. If you drive down highway 163 and find that you’ve crossed the border into Arizona, you’ve gone too far! Turn around and drive back to Monument Valley Road and make a right toward the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

How much is the Monument Valley entrance fee?

Monument Valley is a Navajo Tribal Park and is not associated in any way with the US National Park system. Therefore, National Park passes will not be accepted. For access to the loop road through Monument Valley, a fee of $20 USD per car is required. This includes up to 4 passengers, with each additional person being charged $10 USD extra.

Are bicycles allowed in Monument Valley?

Yes, bicycles are allowed on the main 17-mile loop road in Monument Valley, but riding a bike is not extremely common inside the park. Don’t be surprised if you are the only person on a bicycle.

Most people who visit Monument Valley explore the park in their car. An all-wheel drive or 4×4 vehicle is recommended, as the road is all dirt and can be extremely bumpy and/or sandy in some sections. RVs are not allowed past the Monument Valley parking lot.

If you don’t have a vehicle that is capable of driving the 17-mile loop around Monument Valley, then you may consider signing up for a Monument Valley jeep tour. This is one of the most popular ways to see the Park!

If you plan to ride a bicycle through Monument Valley, be sure you have a mountain bike. The fatter your tires, the better – as road are rough and extremely sandy in some sections. A road bike is not recommended for a bike tour through Monument Valley.

Also note that the winds in Monument Valley can be quite extreme. If you’re lucky to travel to Monument Valley on a clear day, you can bike across the Valley with no issues whatsoever. But if the wind is blowing there will be a lot of sand and dirt in the air, which will get into your eyes, ears, mouth and nose. Be sure to wear a good pair of sunglasses at the very least, pack a jacket in case of cold weather, and if the wind is blowing, consider touring the park in your car instead. The #1 reason most people don’t explore Monument Valley by bicycle is because of the harsh winds that can whip through the area. Be careful… and have fun!

How long is the Monument Valley bike tour?

If you chose to participate in a guided tour of Monument Valley, there are several different routes you can take through the Park. However, if you chose to travel through Monument Valley on a bicycle, there’s really only on main route to take: a 17-mile loop that takes you past the most iconic areas inside the Park.

Please note that you are not permitted to deviate from the loop drive without a native guide present and cycling off the main road is not permitted.

If you chose to drive the 17-mile loop, this can be done in as little as 30-40 minutes, but most people spend 1-2 hours completing the loop so they can stop, get out of their car and enjoy the scenery.

If you plan to ride your bicycle through Monument Valley, plan on spending at least 2-3 hours inside the Park. Like those that drive through the Park in a car, you’re going to want to stop along the way and enjoy the areas you are passing through.

What can you expect to see in Monument Valley?

Monument Valley is perhaps the most famous example of the classic American West landscape. Large mesas, towering buttes and sky-bound spires dominate the skyline inside the Park. These massive stone formations are the main attraction inside the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

Monument Valley also has wide a assortment of vegetation including, Juniper trees, yucca, Russian thistle (Tumbleweed) and Navajo Tea to name a few. Much of the vegetation is still used by the Navajos for medicinal purposes, and as dyes for their world famous hand-woven rugs (which are available for purchase in the nearby Monument Valley Navajo Market).

Additional Information:

While cycling has yet to become mainstream inside the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, this scenic landscape on the border of Northern Arizona and Southern Utah is one of the best locations in the continental United States for a memorable 1-day bike ride. Watch out for the wind… and enjoy the views!

For more information on visiting Monument Valley, please see the official website at: www.navajonationparks.org

Crossing an international border is not always as straightforward as you might think!

While many people are familiar with the idea of crossing an international border in a car, train or airplane, many people are unfamiliar with the act of riding a bicycle across the border of two neighboring countries.

So, in today’s new Bicycle Touring Pro video/podcast, you’ll hear three funny, dangerous and scary stories from Darren Alff’s international border crossings on his bicycle touring adventures all around the world.

The first story comes from the border of Ecuador and Colombia; The second story comes from the border of South Africa and Swaziland; And the third story comes from the border of Poland and Ukraine.

While bicycle touring can be an incredibly fun, joyous and rewarding experience, sometimes things don’t always go to plan – as you will see in this audio/video podcast about border crossing on a bicycle.

Quinn is an amazing 18 year old who cycled across the USA after graduating from high school.

During his cross-country cycling adventure, Quinn came and stayed at my home in Park City, Utah… and during his stay I took some time to sit down with him and interview him about his epic cross-country bikepacking adventure.

In this short 30-minute video/podcast interview, you will learn what it’s like to cycle across the United States, as told from the perspective of an 18-year-old who has just recently graduated from high school.

Can you imagine riding your bike across the USA at just 18 years of age? What do you think your friends and parents would think if you told them you were planning a cross-country bicycle touring adventure at the age of 18? And what do you imagine are the best and worst parts of traveling alone and riding a bicycle across the USA?

Listen to this interview with Quinn (the amazing 18 year old cycling across the USA on a bicycle) and find out!

Hundreds of people try bicycle touring or bikepacking each year as a cure or treatment for their depression. But is a bike tour (or cycling in general) a good cure for depression?

Watch the video above to hear my thoughts on the subject of cycling and depression… as well as receive three important tips that you can use if you are suffering from depression and think that a trip by bike might be an adequate means of dealing with the depressive state you happen to be in at the moment. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are someone who is dealing with depression, please speak to a professional who knows what they are actually talking about. I am just a random guy on the internet. I don’t really know anything about this subject, so please take everything I say here with a grain of salt and speak to someone who can actually help you!

When you travel the world for years on end, you’re bound to eventually have some interactions with the police – both good and bad.

In this week’s new Bicycle Touring Pro video, you will hear three funny and scary stories about encounters I’ve had with the police in different countries all around the world.

In the first story, you’ll find out what the police in the U.S. state of Wyoming do when your mother calls them and is worried about your safety.

In the second story, you’ll learn how I evaded in the police in a small Peruvian village and illegally jumped on a bus with two German tourists and a giant bottle of milk.

And in the third story, you’ll find out what happened when I dropped my passport on a bus in the middle of South America and was confronted by a police officer on the street a few days later.

Watch the new video titled, “International Encounters with the Police” and enjoy these three funny/scary stories about international encounters with the police!

Traveling in Peru can be crazy… especially if you take some of the country’s super low-cost buses, which commonly break down, are boarded by roadside salesman, are rarely equipped with bathrooms and smell like pee, and can sometimes even be robbed by roadside bandits.

In this new video/podcast, you will hear three crazy, scary and funny stories from Darren Alff’s travels in the South American country of Peru.

If you enjoy these stories, please consider signing up as a patron of Bicycle Touring Pro so we can make more videos like this in the future: www.bicycletouringpro.com/patrons

Have you ever been camping in the woods and heard a noise outside and thought to yourself, “Is there a big, scary animal outside my tent?”

Well, in this storytime video from Darren Alff, the Bicycle Touring Pro, you will hear about three scary nighttime encounters with animals from Darren’s bicycle touring adventures all around the world. Bears, bobcats, mountain lions and Bigfoot… oh my! 

If you these stories, please consider signing up as a patron of Bicycle Touring Pro so we can make more videos and podcast like this in the future: http://bicycletouringpro.com/patrons/

In this review, I set out to discover which tent is better – the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL or the REI Quarter Dome 1-man tent.

These two tents are extremely similar in design. Both are freestanding 3-season tents with a large, well-ventilated mosquito netting interior; a single side door entry; and a waterproof, nylon rain-fly exterior with vestibules in the front and back of the tent for storing your gear, shoes, etc.

While the similarities are striking, there are some differences in the pack size, weight, interior space and overall cost of these two tents.

If you watched my video review of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL, you’ll know that I praised this tent for being small and lightweight when it’s packed up, but spacious on the inside once you have it set up. This makes your time on the road a whole lot more comfortable. Not only are you carrying a smaller and lighter tent on your back or in your bags each day as you travel, now you’ll no longer feel trapped inside your tent on a rainy day. The Big Agnes Copper Spur’s biggest selling point, in my opinion, is that it’s not only one of the smallest and lightest 1-man tents on the market today, but it’s big enough on the inside to make you feel at home when you’re out there on the road.

On the other-hand, the biggest selling point of the REI Quarter Dome tent might just be its price. This ultralight tent is well-constructed and extremely similar to the Big Agnes Copper Spur (which I would argue, is in fact the better tent of the two). The REI Quarter Dome isn’t as compact or as lightweight as the Big Agnes Copper Spur, and it’s not nearly as roomy on the inside, but if you want to save yourself over $100 on a tent that is extremely similar to the better Big Agnes Copper Spur, the REI Quarter Dome is an excellent choice!

REI Quarter Dome

Big Agnes Copper Spur