Why No Touring Topic??

[shootingstar]

A separate touring topic space would be useful. Not every touring ride is an epic adventure...but it is different to do one's own self-loaded touring ride even for a few days.

I actually have only done 2 touring rides where there was a sag wagon, all other multiday or multi-wk. trips we cycled with our own panniers, camping gear and he made up the route. Longest self-supported ride was in the Canadian Maritime provinces, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick with a blend of camping and bed 'n breakfasts ..for 3 wks. Just over 1,100 kms.

Other non sag wagon, self-designed touring rides in: Vermont, Hawaii, southern Ontario, southern Quebec and whenever we go to Vancouver Island and Gulf islands. We don't have a car and only rent one rarely annually.

My partner has done several extensive self-loaded touring rides, most of it solo across North America. His longest ride was 9,000 kms. That 3 years ago. He is retired, though now becoming semi-retired now..

So you can see, why I have done my own cycling solo at home, for huge hunks of time. That's ok, we still share cycling stories everyday while he's on the road.

Self-loaded touring is another type of athleticism...both physically and mentally. Locals also respond to you, on bike, differently than carbound tourists since you are open, "out there" on the bike.