Expand your horizons, expand your fitness: Is touring effective training?

There’s no doubting the mind-expanding pleasure of cutting loose on an epic adventure through stunning landscapes, but can such escapes also enhance your competitive fitness? Chris Marshall-Bell goes on a voyage of discovery

Cycle touring has made a triumphant return to the public limelight in recent months. The niche yet age-old discipline was thrust back into the minds of cyclists around the world thanks to the endeavours of a host of professionals. Bikes were loaded with panniers and saddlebags as riders set off on a journey of exploration, traversing continents, making memories that will last a lifetime and, with it, inadvertently improving their fitness levels. The question is, should we all be following suit? Is touring really an effective form of training?

>>> The NoGo Tour: How to get your cycling mojo back after your team folds

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