The usual means of transportation for slow travelers is on their own two feet. Judging by the statistics of different routes, approximately 89% of tourists in 2018 traveled on foot. Many people make their own routes, pack backpacks and download apps to a smartphone with GPS sensors, but if you are not a very experienced slow traveler, you may not take into account various important nuances, and it would be easier and safer to join an organized group.
The number of tourists choosing a bicycle is an order of magnitude smaller: a two-wheeled friend is still not only a means of transportation, but also a luxury. Equipment and bicycle accessories cost money, and not everyone can cope with the breakdown of transport in field conditions. At the same time, a bicycle is more traumatic than legs, and more cumbersome — if a tourist decides to change the route and drive part of the way, say, hitchhiking, this may be an obstacle.
If there is approximately gender equality among pedestrians, then men dominate among cyclists, women often refuse such a means of transportation, considering it unsafe.
Most cyclists go on a trip on touring bikes — touring bikes with strong wheels and a large range of speeds designed for long journeys at a fast pace. Mountain bikes are chosen by about 15% of travelers — mainly those who plan to ride off-road or on roads of poor quality. A hybrid is a good compromise and a lightweight version of a mountain bike, which is more convenient to ride on the highway. An option for tandem pairs: a two—seater bike, heavier, faster and roomy, as it allows you to secure more bags and bike bags on yourself (cyclists, unlike pedestrians, physically cannot carry heavy backpacks on their backs for a long time).
An ordinary city bike should be left at home: as the name implies, it is designed for a leisurely ride and good roads, and not for long trips over rough terrain.