The clocks have sprung forward, giving us one more brilliant hour of sunlight filled with opportunities for adventure, friendship and bike rides. And if anything is better than one hour of cycling, it’s a whole week.

Spring break is right around the corner and it’s the perfect time to bring up bike touring.

Bike touring are self-contained bicycle rides that can last from one day to one week; even months. That means everything the rider would need during the prolonged ride- food, clothing, cooking equipment- is all carried on the bicycle.

Your entire life, all stuffed in a bicycle pannier.

Some may think it’s extreme, even foolish, to take a road trip on a bicycle. Yet, bicycle touring is gaining popularity among experienced and novice cyclists and once someone has gotten the cycling fever, it’s easy to transition into.

The Bay Area has more tours to choose from than almost any other region in California. An easy Amtrak ride to wine country, the Santa Cruz mountains or the rocky coast line, and anyone can find themselves at the destination of an adventure of a lifetime.

Guided trips can run somewhere between $800 to $1,000- way out of a college student’s budget- but the Internet is full of trail maps for a self-guided adventure.

Like any camping road trip, preparation is key to bicycle touring. If you decide to take a new adventure make a list of things that you know you will absolutely need: Mostly extra tubes, allen wrenches and lube for your bike chain.

Next, make room for necessities like a toothbrush, snacks and extra clothing.

Don’t think you can fit all of the things you would need for three days on your bicycle? You’d be surprised. But, if you don’t think you can put it all together, or are worried about packing it all up at the start of a 20-mile day, try visiting a recreational retail store.

Recreational Equipment Inc. is probably the best bet for detailed information about how to pack for a bicycle tour and how to prepare for it physically.

The college experience is just as much about adventure and soul searching as it is about academics and professional development.

So, before you graduate, and get plunged into whatever world your future career takes you. Be risky, get on a bicycle and see the world from a different saddle.

Be adventurous, be seen and roll on.