If you're an avid bike rider, it's time to hit the open road. You might be familiar with all the roads around your home, but if you haven't ventured beyond your own town, you haven't seen anything yet. With summer approaching, now's the time to plan a cross-country bike trip. Not sure how to prepare for a long-haul bike ride? Here are four tips that will help get you started.

Don't Switch Bikes

If you're comfortable with the bike you have right now, don't switch. The last thing you want to do is take off on a cross-country bike ride with a new bike. If you already have a new bike, spend the next few months getting comfortable with it. Once you're comfortable with your new bike, and you've broken it in, stick with it.

Take Practice Trips

If you've never ridden your bike cross-country before, it's time to start practicing. Map out a few routes that take you to different locations, and terrains. Spend the months leading up to summer, extending the distance of your bike rides. It's also important that you branch out to different terrains, and weather conditions. You never know what you're going to encounter on your cross-country adventure. Taking practice trips will help you prepare for the long-haul.

Leave Early

When it's finally time to take off on your cross-country adventure, resist the urge to sleep in. Instead, wake up early and take off at dawn. Getting an early start will allow you to put distance between you and your starting point before the sun begins to set. To make the most of the daylight hours, you should make a point of following that same schedule – early to rise – throughout your trip.

Stretch Your Legs

Once you're on the road, your legs – and your tail end – are going to get tired. If you try to push through the pain, you could find yourself facing serious leg cramps. The best way to avoid leg cramps is to take breaks whenever you feel your legs getting tight. Find a safe spot to stop and stretch your legs. This will be a good time for you to refill your water containers, while you're at it. You don't want to get dehydrated while you're on the road.

If you love riding your bike, and you're ready for an adventure, use the tips provided here to get ready for a cross-country bike trip. Check with companies like Bootdoctors for more tips.