A woman touring alone?

[Bad JuJu]

I love bike touring, and have done a couple of multi-day tours with others, but I've only done overnighters by myself. Both ways have their advantages and disadvantages, but the feeling of freedom and self-sufficiency when you're on your own can't be beat. As Cassandra says, you have to know what you're doing, mechanically, or at least have done your homework so you know where to get help with bike problems if you need it. Also, lots of research on your planned route--I actually find this part exciting and fun, kind of like the appetizer before a special dinner.

And yes, DeniseGoldberg comes to my mind, too, as a person on these forums who's done her share of solitary touring. In fact, she's bike touring in Nova Scotia right now, and you can read her tour journals at CrazyGuyOnABike.
Also, look for her posts in the Adventure forum.

To me, if there's a choice between going alone or staying home, I'm definitely going alone.

[uforgot]

I love bike touring, and have done a couple of multi-day tours with others, but I've only done overnighters by myself. Both ways have their advantages and disadvantages, but the feeling of freedom and self-sufficiency when you're on your own can't be beat.

Well said, JuJu, but then again I'm a loner and I don't necessarily want a sense of "companionship" when I'm riding. I would never go riding, or anything, with someone JUST so I have company. I prefer solo... "The Loners Manifesto" could have been written by me, and others on this board have referenced the book, so I bet they feel the same. Biking must be the perfect sport for those of us that prefer solitude...

[jobob]

One of our TE members, Rai Sue, is on a solo cross-country tour even as we speak !

Here's her journal, check it out:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journ...c_id=1810&v=ap


and Denise is on a solo tour in Nova Scotia :

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journ...oc_id=529&v=gc

[MomOnBike]

As someone who has toured by herself I say that it isn't all that different from riding in your own neighborhood. You just don't turn around and head home halfway through the day.

I rode from southern Minnesota to Sioux City Iowa - didn't quite make it back to Lincoln, NE - by myself and had a gas. I did take a cell phone and checked in with DH every night, but that was as much to keep him from worrying as anything else.

Anyway, even though I wasn't on an "official" bike route, I never felt unsafe. I even had the feeling that the local truckers were watching out for me. No, safety was not one of the concerns. Hypothermia, on the other hand...

As the commercial says, Just Do It. You tend to regret the things in life you didn't do.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journ...oc_id=941&v=6i

[Bad JuJu]

You tend to regret the things in life you didn't do.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journ...oc_id=941&v=6i

Roger that, MOB. You know that question they say you should ask yourself--If you knew you only had a day or so left to live, what would you be sorry you didn't do? Bet it wouldn't be stuff like painting the dining room, mowing the lawn a few more times, spending more time at work. But it MIGHT be taking more bicycle tours.....

[Summer23]

Wow, thank you everyone for your responses so far! I wasn't expecting everyone to be so positive about it. It's really encouraging - it must be a pretty awesome thing to do if you guys are so encouraging about it. I'm off to read the journals suggested right now (I'm getting kind of hooked on crazyguyonabike the last few days... CA in NC, you mentioned being able to filter by gender on there... how do you do that? I'm not seeing it.) and daydream some more.

Edit: Uforgot mentioned getting a road id. What's that?

[bcipam]

I've done it. Can't say it was what I wanted to do. Would have much rather had a riding partner. There were times I had no worries and times I was very concerned. I think you really have to know your route and have a plan. Be very self-sufficient.

I have a friend whose travelled all around the world by herself. She spent 4 weeks riding across mainland China. She's never been afraid or concerned.