first solo tour

[Slowspoke]

I decided today that I am going to do a 95 mile tour on a rail to trail for my first solo. It looks like a nice scenic ride with a few nice little towns along the way. I have to decide if I want to do this in 3 or 4 days. There are 4 segments to the trail, so it makes it easy to find places to overnight, with stuff to do along the way. Four days may feel like not enough riding for the day, so I may do 3. Either way, there won't be any big milage days. I have all the gear I need. I think I won't cook along the way, just bring some easy food and plan on stopping at restaurants when I need something more.
So now I need to set my date and figure out how I will get back to my car. It won't be too bad, my nephew lives in the town I will finish in! Bonus, I get to see my nephew and his adorable son!

I know I need to load my bike and do some riding with it loaded, but what else may I need to consider for my first time out? (I am an experienced camper/hiker so that part will be easy.)

[Sky King]

that sounds fun. Not to state the obvious, but be sure to take tools in case you have mechanicals between towns. I take a multi tool, chain tool and of course tire levers, spare tube. I also always have duct tape - I wrap it around a pen. Also a notebook or sketch pad, headlamp, ipod, flip flops - the normal backpacking stuff.

[Slowspoke]

Yep, I will remember all those. The more I look at it, the more I think a two day ride is in order. Forty or Fifty miles a day is totally doable for me.

Here is my second hurdle. My DH is VERY apprehensive about me taking off on my own. We were married last Sept. and I have to remind him that I am completely capable of looking after myself ! He would be much happier if I brought a friend. I may, but I like to ride on my own, at my own speed and take breaks when I want. I did a six day tour with a friend and while we had a great time, she was very focused on getting from point A to point B and didn't really like the idea of stopping to smell the roses! i just don't like to tour that way. I feel like we missed some fun along the way, just so we could get to our next destination.

[Reesha]

That sounds perfect, slowspoke. Make sure to take pictures so you can show us!!!

[Tri Girl]

Sounds dreamy!! 2 days is totally doable.
I completely sympathize with the worrying DH. Mine won't "let" me (and I use that term not like I need permission, but he strongly prefers that I don't) go on an overnight tour alone. He is a pessimist who thinks of all the things that can go wrong. I tend to be a flighty optimist who sees the possibilities (and yet I'm a realist who knows dangers and when to flee). :rolleyes:
I hope he gets OK with you going alone. Maybe if you checked in every X hours to let him know you're OK??

[shootingstar]

Let us know how the trip went when you go.

Tri, I know my dearie wouldn't have a problem if I went cycling solo overnight for 1-3 nights, on routes that I have some general idea. He knows my geospatial skills aren't the hottest compared to his. So his concern would be me getting lost at the wrong time. Which has happened ...

I haven't done it yet. And it's my own mental game in my head that's stopping ,not him.

He's always thrilled for me to go off cycling solo for the day 60-80 km. rides which I have done by joining bike routes together..

[MomOnBike]

Your DH wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't worry. Remind him how proud of you he will be when you come back all in one intact piece, having conquered your (and his) fears. Enjoy your trip.

My DH is concerned about my upcoming trip, but he gave up long ago on discouraging my wild schemes. It's my mother that I don't quite have the courage to tell about my summer plans. I'd rather deal with the traffic and bears in Yellowstone than her reaction, coward that I am.

[missjean]

Very cool! I'm jealous. :) Have fun & be safe.

[Dog]

I too have a DH that is apprehensive about my solo adventures. I keep him statused via text messages including pictures - it seems to help. I'm looking forward to seeing how you enjoyed your ride!

[Slowspoke]

haha DH believes that my lack of observation is all encompassing. He sees danger at every corner that I will not be observant enough to see. I am much more obsrvant that he realizes. I just don't zone in on every detail when it's not necessary. He can't turn that off (an attribute of adult ADD!)

I'll call him, I'll text him. He will get used to it. He just won't like it. Ever! LMAO

[obinja]

Well, yer certainly smarter than I am. My first tour was 1,000 miles. From the Missourri/Kansas state line to western Colorado. Yu think yer slow, this ride took me 30 days. And I bloody well loved every minute of it. Except when I was getting vertigo coming across the high plains cause there was no real horizon to speak of.
Anyway, my advice? Less is more. I'm going to Europe in the fall and heading south to Morocco from France. I'm ditching the front racks and bags and going to a lighter handlebar bag and just taking less stuff altogether.
I'm an experienced backpacking guide and I am also into comfort. I'm gonna leave the thermarest chair home too and maybe even the thermarest. I read about a guy who uses bubble wrap.
Anyway, keep us posted....

[AppleTree]

This sounds like a wonderful, relaxing journey, I can't wait to read your ride report, be sure to post it.

My DH is very much like yours, always imagining the worst case scenario, no matter what...I've gotten used to it, and he doesn't usually harsh my mellow much anymore... :p

[natnatmorie]

Just a question, what is the best set-up for long distance biking on and off road?

[Sky King]

Just a question, what is the best set-up for long distance biking on and off road?
how much "off" are you thinking. We call that adventure cycling:)

I just put Grand Bois Hetre tires on my Rivendell and had a blast on Saturday - 30 miles on pavement 6 on dirt.

the Surly Disc LHT is getting great reviews as an on/off road, the bike hermit is riding one with Schwalbe Big Apples for our Owyhee Bylands Tour June 1st.
We have some nice blog posts on our website if you want to learn more.

other bikes we have helped set up for "combo" touring - Surly Pugsley, Surly Ogre, Salsa Fargo, Surly Troll

[Suze]

You won't forget it, as an experienced camper, though so was I and I forgot ... toilet paper. Real freedom came after I found a place to buy some!

And, I'd love to hear more about France to Morocco....for how long, when, how are you getting to Morocco, solo? I'm hoping to get back to southern France (Pyrenees) in September, and one of my cycling dreams is about riding in Morocco some day. I'm new to this forum, well to all forums and don't know how to associate my response with your response, above.

[Slowspoke]

This has not been a pleasant summer. My dad passed away on June 7. My DH went into the hospital a week later for 5 days and is now home on IV antibiotics and we are in the process of moving! yikes.
I painted our new house and am packing and loading most of our stuff myself. DH can't lift more than 10 lbs for 6 weeks. :( I haven't been on my bike since June.

So here is my plan. August is mine. I will swim every day. I will ride where ever I want, and before I go back to work, I will do a short tour. Plans change, chin up!

[indysteel]

I'm so sorry about your father, and I hope your DH is better soon. I'm sorry the summer hasn't gone as planned, but I love your attitude. May August proceed without a hitch.

[Tri Girl]

So sorry about your father, and your DH with his illness (and moving- yikes the stress). :(


So here is my plan. August is mine. I will swim every day. I will ride where ever I want, and before I go back to work, I will do a short tour. Plans change, chin up!

LOVE your attitude!! August will be YOUR time! :)

[Pedal Wench]

So sorry to hear about your loss and DH's illness. One idea that DH might like, and with all that's going on with him, might make it easier for you to take the time for this -- if he can travel, how about he meets you for the overnights - if it's just 40-50 miles, he can drive to the campsite and you can spend the time together. You get your riding in, and he won't worry as much.

[emily_in_nc]

Oh, so sorry to hear this news. I know how incredibly difficult it is to lose a father.

Please do take good care of yourself. Loss of a loved one and moving are two of the toughest stressors on a person, and you don't need to get sick yourself. I love your plans for August, but don't overextend yourself.

[Slowspoke]

Here it is September. My lovely road bike is sold in hopes of finding a better touring bike. I started back to work and beginning tomorrow may need to bring a cot and sleeping bag to work for a few weeks! LOL Yes, it will be crazy. I'll use my bike to release when I get home before dark.

keep on pedaling!