Solo Touring

[MomOnBike]

Go for it!

Really, that's all the advice you really need. What do you need other people for? When you are by yourself, you have the luxury of traveling at your speed, stopping where you want to stop and choosing the route that you find interesting.

The thing I found on my tour, as opposed to a group ride, is that I am forced to interact with the locals wherever I am. There is no hiding behind a group leader - and people tend to want to talk to you because you are obviously an interesting person - riding your bike on a tour, and all. A solo tourist is approchable.

If you need inspiration, look on http://www.crazyguyonabike.com. Several TE members have journals up there. Denise Goldberg has gone on several nice cross-country jaunts, to name but one. I have a journal posted there (Spring Fever 2005), also.

Don't forget to take pictures.

[sfa]

Have fun! I've never done a supported or a group tour, although sometimes while traveling solo I'd meet up with people and travel with them for a day or two. But I'd always extract myself quickly--I liked the freedom of going at my own pace and setting my own agenda for the day. I'm generally not a loner--I love my family and group of friends and enjoy traveling with them at other times. But on my bike, I'm happier alone!

You'll probably want to decide in advance if you want to just play things by ear each day or set up a schedule and determine where you're going to stay each night. I always liked to set my schedule a few days at a time and then call ahead for a bed (I was staying in hostels). If I didn't have a bed for the night I'd try to arrive at my destination by 3 p.m. in case I ran into problems finding someplace to stay. And of course you'll want to be pretty adept at fixing the most common mechanical problems with your bike if you aren't already.

Good luck!

Sarah

[Biketouringrook]

Wow! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! Now I'm beginning to loosen up.
I just ordered my Burley Nomad Trailer, and making a list of items to take. My plan is to camp at different campgrounds(pre-scheduled). I want to camp for two nights going and two nights coming back. Since this is my trial tour to get a taste for how this independent stuff will work, I'll only travel about 100 miles going, and reverse the same coming back.
I'm so hyped now.........thank you again!

[Tri Girl]

Good luck on your trip!!! When will you be leaving? Sounds like you've got it all worked out and that you will have a GREAT time. Please report back when you finish and share all about it.

My only worries when touring is my hubby. I haven't done any solo tours because he worries too much about me. I'm not so worried, and am a very free-spirited nomad, but he's the one that worries about my safety.
It's sweet, and I love that he worries about me, but...

[Biketouringrook]

I'll be leaving on November 12th, and my birthday is November 14th. So, I'll be out there on my b-day which is the kick start of my decesion to do"EVERYTHING" in life that I've always wanted to do, putting all fears aside. And I don't even know where I'm going yet, but I am going.......

[Tri Girl]

That sounds awesome! What a great birthday gift to yourself!!!!
Certainly can't live life in fear. Gotta do what you want (which means some solo tours next summer for me- even if it makes DH a little or lot worried).

You go, girl!!!!

[owlice]

I have traveled a lot solo (not on a bike, just in general). I used to sing with a large chorus, and after a concert tour, I'd always take off by myself for a week or so; I got a LOT of questions from other women in the chorus about this. "You're going by yourself??" "You're traveling alone??" I never understood this! It's not as though I was going off on a trek across Antarctica without so much as a windbreaker -- we were in Europe! What, I was going to get eaten by a bear while trying to find a hotel in Basel?! Sheeeesh!!

Anyway, I've never been on a cycle tour, supported or otherwise, but will be cycling the C&O Towpath (184 miles) by myself this fall. I'm really looking forward to it!! For me, the challenge is the ride itself (couch potato here), not in the lack of company. Heck, I ride by myself all the time; the only difference for this longer ride is the overnights, and heck, I've stayed in plenty of hotels by myself!

You ride by yourself, yes? And you've camped, yes? Well, then, you're just combining the two, and will have a blast! And what a great, great way to spend your birthday!!

[Biketouringrook]

So, so, so, inspiring! I feel so sane.It's those that present the apprehensive questions are the ones that are insane. I just finished reading MomOnBIKE Spring Fever journal of 2005, the name for her bike is William. I found that to be so nice, because the name for my bike is Douglass, named after a dear, dear friend that is no longer with me, but now he is.