A bike in working condition will suit your needs. This might be a mountain bike or a “gravel bike”. As long as the tires hold air, the brakes work and it’s in working order, it’s a good place to start. Sealant in the tubes is a great idea out here in drier sections of Colorado that have cacti and other pokey plants!

Padded shorts will make your ride much more comfortable – if you aren’t comfortable riding in just padded shorts you can always put baggy shorts over the top. Any shirt will do, some cyclists prefer a t-shirt while others like cycling jerseys

You should ALWAYS wear a helmet. You will also need a way to carry water – this might be a hydration pack or water bottles on your bike

Learn to change a flat before you get one out on the road. You’ll need simple flat kit and to know how to replace a tube