Leaving Thursday for tour

[soprano]

I want to share that I'm leaving on Thursday, June 2, for a tour. I'll be riding solo from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Bar Harbor, Maine. Anyone who is interested can follow my blog here; I'll try to post once a week or so, depending on computer/internet access.

I've been planning this tour since January, and the fact that it's almost time to leave feels a bit surreal. I'm shipping my bike by Fedex to the start point, so I had to box it up today, and tomorrow I get to sit around all day and wait for the Fedex truck to show up. I just can't believe that it's almost time to go!

Something that's been difficult to deal with is the number of people (all women of a certain age) who are terribly concerned about my safety and seem to be convinced that doing something like this is tantamount to committing suicide. Um, really, I live in a large urban area, and I suspect that I'll be safer on tour than I am at home. My biggest worry is that my house will be broken into while I'm gone - daytime burglary is rife in our city and my husband works long hours. I suspect that many of my naysayers don't understand the desire to go and accomplish something like this alone. There's something about being an introvert that some people just don't get

Wish me luck!

[emily_in_nc]

Luck luck luck <--- wished your way!

I think you are awesome for doing this! Denise Goldberg (I think you can look her up on crazyguyonabike) has done lots of solo touring and actually lived to tell the tale.

I don't know that I'd want to solo tour, but not so much from a fear factor (I love solo riding!) but just from an "I want to share every bit of this with someone special") standpoint.

I totally get what you are saying, though. My DH and I are moving to Belize later this year, and we get the same reactions. It's crazy how scared people are of life! I got this reaction when talking to a couple about Belize at a rest stop on a ride this weekend. I finally said "If I were scared of life, I wouldn't be riding on the road". They took pause, since they were also riding on the road!

Good luck! I will follow your blog. You rock!

[indysteel]

I, too, think it's great that you're doing this, and I wish you the best of luck!!! I've done some solo traveling myself--nothing as adventurous as your tour--but still, I got the same reaction that you got. Some people just make a career out of worrying. The truth is that those were the best trips of my life. I love my husband and my friends, but the time I've spent in my own company and under my own steam are some of my most cherished memories.

Happy and safe travels!

[Catrin]

It sounds like an exciting adventure! I have friends like that as well, they are convinced that riding solo dooms me to an early and violent death - the dog attack hasn't helped that...but I understand where it comes from.

I am excited for you and looking forward to following your adventure on your blog, thanks for giving us the chance to follow your journey!

[Tri Girl]

Best of luck on your adventure! Here's to wishing you many happy, peaceful, exciting, adventurous miles. I'm not going to tell you to be safe, because I don't think what you're doing is inherently dangerous (unlike most people who don't understand the need to seek adventure and live life outside the box).
I wish I could come along with you!!!!!

Keep us updated with pictures and stories. I'll be checking back in for updates.
Have a BLAST!!!!

[KathiCville]

Good for you!!! Have fun and ignore the naysayers!

I've taken 90 percent of my vacations alone over the years and generally prefer to sally forth solo. Great way to recharge and explore without worrying about whether your partner or mate or friend is in sync with your energy level, mood, interests. I haven't done any bike touring solo yet, but it's on my list.

Just use common sense and listen to your gut! Have a ball!!

[Sky King]

Sounds wonderful, we have been freezing in Idaho so anything over 60 degrees sounds good today. Just in case you haven't already done so, here is the link to Warm Showers, great group of friendly bike riders that will put you up overnight and are often great resource for local bike route updates as well.

enjoy the ride

[jamijo]

Hope it's a great ride, and can't wait to read the blog updates!

Have fun!

[redrhodie]

Soprano is in NY! I've been checking her blog every once in a while to see how she's doing. Sounds like she's doing great!

[Tri Girl]

I keep checking in on her. I wish she had more blog updates- doesn't she know I'm trying to live vicariously through her??

Sounds like she's having a blast!

[soprano]

Sorry about the lack of blogging from the road! It was harder than I thought it would be to get computer access at public libraries. It seemed like whenever I found a library, it was closed, and then when I did get to a computer, I couldn't transfer photos to my blog, and who wants to read a blog with no photos? If I ever do this again, I'll probably invest in a cheap, lightweight netbook or an iPad or something.

I'll be putting up a long blog post sometime in the next day or two. In the meantime, I have photos - lots of photos! I may or may not leave the link up indefinitely, so take a look while you can.