The right stuff We pride ourselves on having the very best equipment for each activity and locale, maintained by expert staff and custom tweaked just for you. We include everything you could possibly need, from bikes and helmets to walking sticks, so you can focus on the experience at hand. Below is a brief description of some of the more common pieces of equipment you’ll use. It’s about quality, comfort and ease of use.
 A bike, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
You can’t enjoy a great biking trip without a really great bike. To that end, B&R has teamed up with three of the world’s leading bike manufacturers— Cannondale(USA), Rocky Mountain (Canada) and Pinarello (Italy)—to custom-design a fleet of the very best hybrid touring and racing bikes around. On a B&R trip, your bike isn’t an afterthought or an extra; we build it into the price of your trip. And it really is your bike: tailored to your height, weight and riding specifications, it’ll be ready and waiting for you at the start of each day’s ride. It even has your name on it. Your wheels in Europe & North America. After scouring the globe in search of the very best wheels for our European fleet, we were delighted to find them practically in our own backyard. Custom-designed by Cannondale of Bethel, Connecticut, these brand-new, American-made bikes are available in three styles—flat-handlebar hybrid and flat- or dropped-handlebar racing—to suit all levels of experience, from novice to pro. So, what’ll it be? Cannondale Changing the World, One Ride at a Time. From its humble beginnings in a loft above a pickle factory, Bethel, CT-based Cannondale has grown into one of the world’s most respected bicycle manufacturers through a tireless commitment to excellence and innovation. Boasting a résumé peppered with both industry awards and competitive accolades, we knew they could create a fleet of top-notch bikes that would exceed, not merely meet, our demanding specifications. And did they ever: lightweight, durable and sharp-looking, we’re confident you’ll agree that a hand crafted Cannondale offers the best of all possible worlds.  Cannondale Adventure Hybrid  Cannondale Synapse Flatbar  Cannondale Synapse DropbarMeet the New Breed. We knew Cannondale made great hybrids and road bikes, but what really sealed the deal for us was how handily they’d put them together. Long known as an industry innovator—they were building bikes with aluminum frames when most of their competitors were still using steel—Cannondale has cross-bred their award-winning bikes and developed a ride that blends the speed and performance of a touring bike with the comfort offered by a flat-handlebar setup. Innovative? Customized? Unique? That sounds familiar…  Your wheels in the rest of the world. Wherever we go around the world, we make sure that we use bikes best suited to the local terrain. That’s why we have Rocky Mountain hybrids on many of our non-European biking trips. Featuring front and seat-post suspension, flat handlebars and rapid-fire changers, these hybrids are available in both men’s and women’s models, with eight different frame sizes to choose from. And for those destinations where the road quality is up to the challenge, we offer Pinarello racing bikes, also available in eight frame sizes. Rocky Mountain Innovative Canadian Companies Work Together. A company born out of Canada’s West Coast mountain biking community, Rocky Mountain has been building a strong reputation in serious cycling circles worldwide for more than a decade. We knew Rocky Mountain as a bike company with a reputation for producing cutting-edge, top-end mountain bikes. We wanted to work with them because we knew that they were capable of producing the sort of personal products our riders need.  The Clincher. The clincher came when passionate cyclist (and B&R co-founder) George Butterfield rode the Rocky Mountain prototype through Burgundy. He couldn’t get over how comfortable and responsive the ride was, so together with Rocky Mountain, we custom-built the perfect B&R hybrid. Available in both men’s and women’s frame in eight different sizes, we’ve got one just for you. Pinarello The Choice Was Clear. When looking for the ultimate purebred racing road bike, we went straight to exclusive, family-owned Pinarello of Italy. With Pinarellos featuring prominently in the Tour de France, the choice seemed obvious. Starting with the Surprise frame and Vela carbon-fibre fork, the B&R model was built with a complete Shimano 105 road component group, plus other high-end components.  An Unparalled Offer. We aimed high in order to provide B&R travellers with a truly stunning road-racing machine, and we’re confident that we’ve hit the mark with this gorgeous bike. Offered in eight different sizes, it’s safe to say that our fleet of Pinarellos is several notches above the offerings of any major active-travel company in the world.
All you’ll need. On, under, or beside the water
The B&R trips that use small ships feature all the same great equipment as a regular biking or walking trip, with the addition of your own floating hotel fully kitted-out with nautical extras like snorkelling gear, kayaks, Zodiacs, windsurfers, canoes or even a glass-bottomed boat, depending on what’s right for the location.
 The right stuff. Pint-sized.
It’s not just the parents that get custom gear. Whether your little ones are pedalling on their own or sleeping in the car seat, we make sure they have all the right stuff—the best in quality and safety.
Biking With the Kids
Adults and older children use custom-built Rocky Mountain hybrid touring bikes; in Europe, we also have racing-style models with dropped handlebars, built for B&R by Pinarello. Please see the main Biking Equipment page for more details on B&R adult bikes and accessories.
While many teenage travellers ride adult bikes, B&R’s fleet includes many options for smaller children. Depending on your child’s age and comfort with longer distances and/or traffic (which we avoid as much as possible, but still may encounter in, for instance, a busy market town), you might consider a child’s tandem or a trailer.
Kid’s Tandem
We use the Burley Piccolo, a cool-looking half-bike with a rear wheel, gears, pedals and handlebars. The front attaches to the rear rack of an adult bike and the adult takes care of the steering. This is a great option for kids who pedal sporadically and can’t necessarily cover the miles on their own. The tandem must be attached to a hybrid-style bike (road bikes are not a safe option). Maximum weight for a child riding the Burley Piccolo is half of the adult rider's weight.
Kid’s Trailer
We use the Burley Solo, a two-wheeled trailer capable of pulling younger kids. For kids 49-52 in. (122-130 cm) tall. The weight limit is 60 lbs. (27 kg), but keep in mind that this refers to dead weight (as opposed to the tandem, where a kid can help pedal).
Other Activities
Adults and children also have use of custom-made Leki telescoping walking sticks as well as water bottles in padded hip or pack-strap holsters. Maps and detailed route suggestions accompany each day’s excursion. For children weighing less than 85 lbs. (38 kg), we provide car seats in the B&R support van.
Car Seats
We will order car seats for kids weighing less than 85 lbs. (38 kg). They come in two styles: the full-on car seat for smaller kids (top) and a booster seat (bottom) for larger kids.
 Getting In Tune: Prepping Your Bike for the Year’s First Ride
 Spring has sprung and the grass has risen—time to get your bike in ridin’ condition! A long winter of inactivity can be tough on your two-wheeled steed, so before you saddle up and get those legs a-pumping, be sure your precious carbon-alloy treasure is ready for the long season ahead.
1. Seek professional help. No matter how much or how little you intend to ride your bike this year, it’s worthwhile to take it to a professional bicycle mechanic before you take it out on that first spin. An annual tune-up performed by a pro will keep your bike running smoothly and safely all year round.
2. Get pumped. Riding on fully-inflated tires is the simplest and smartest way to ensure a good ride. If you have your own pump with a gauge, check it to make sure your tire pressure is optimal. If you don’t, head to your nearest bike shop and pick one up (they’re usually between $15-$30). Tires should be firm, but not full to the point of bursting, and solid tires will create less resistance between you and the road, ensuring an easier and swifter ride.
3. Maintain your chain. The chain is arguably the most important part of your bike, so make certain its in tip-top shape before you head out. Some folks use rubbing alcohol, but your basic household cleaner is all you need to make your chain and gearbox shine. And don’t worry about a little rust; a good degreaser and stiff-wire brush should get most of the crud off. You’ll need to grease it up, too, but make sure you’ve done this after you’ve cleaned the chain. Otherwise, you’ll wind up greasing up a lot of dirt and won’t rehab the actual chain at all.
4. Give yourself a brake (or two). We can’t stress the importance of quality brakes enough. Inspect both of your bike’s brake pads to ensure that they’ve still got some life left in them, and replace ones that look worn down. Hey, you’re going to have to stop sometime, right?
5. Come prepared. Now you’re ready to hit the road. Well, almost. Check your riding bag for a spare innertube—as well as the know-how to change it yourself!—tire levers, a pump and repair kit if you have one (trust us: you only miss them when they’re not there). And don’t forget to make sure you’re well-supplied, too: a bottle full of fresh water, a snack for later, your cellphone in case of emergency, and a little pocket change for your post-ride toast should keep you refreshed, happy and alert.
6. Dress to impress. Riding clothes that fit well and keep you dry are invaluable. Check the forecast before you head outside and dress accordingly; it may look lovely out there now, but balmy spring days can turn into rainy ones very quickly. Dress in layers so you can easily peel off or pile on clothes as the temperature changes. And don’t forget your helmet! Try yours on before you go; if it doesn’t feel right, consult your local bike shop. A helmet that fits properly could very well save your life.
7. Hit the road! Remember that riding your bike is supposed to be enjoyable. Keep it that way by stretching well beforehand and staying within your limits, especially if you haven’t been spinning in the off-season. There’ll be plenty of time for that Century Ride later. Set reasonable short- and long-term goals for yourself; aim to tack on another 5-10 kms each time you ride or register for a local bike race (or book a B&R biking trip…!)
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