Just Wondering

[kenrut]

I'm planning a trip, my first trip, a winter trip, a solo winter trip on the Southern Tier.  Has anyone been in this situation and wondered like I wonder at times if I've lost my mind to leave my very comfortable surrondings to bike 3200 miles in not very friendly weather. I'm thinking its just a case of (early) cold feet or normal anxiety before a big trip.  So I'm going anyway.

[staehpj1]

Just normal cold feet.

Have a great trip!

[Westinghouse]

The journey of 3200 miles begins with the first step.
It is an adventure. It is supposed to change you and effect you in some ways. Do it. It will prove to be a life altering experience.

[wroseweir]

i finished my forst one, 1500 miles seattel to san diego, go light, and train a bit, i did no training , ouch, use lots of chamic cream aka Ball butter, and have a blast, u cna always buy or fix mistakees on teh trip

[Westinghouse]

If you study the subject of psychology, you will see that it is normal for changes in life to bring about stress and other feelings. It is perfectly normal. There is nothing wrong with it at all. Leaving a comfortable house to pedal a loaded bicycle thousands of miles, and to camp out in sometimes very bad weather is definitely a major change, and it is sure to cause stress and possibly anxiety. Once you are underway for a while that will change.

[MrBent]

Ken: I totally feel for you.  When I launched on my trans-America ride last year, I thought I was gonna puke.  Lots of tension, uncertainties, the works.  But once you're rolling, putting in the miles, solving problems, it all becomes an incredibly compelling dream, a great way to live.  I'm always looking forward to my next tour.  Hoist a beer to the gods of roads, saddle up your pony, and light out for the territories.  You have nothing to lose but ignorance and sloth and everything to gain!  Sail on.

Scott

[Westinghouse]

Hoist a beer. Hoist a keg. Hoist an entire brewery. The stress, anxiety, and uncertainty will melt away. Soon you will be gliding along with the wind at your back on a long smooth road. Of course, you will get your share of slowly grinding up long hills with the wind taking a definitive "in your face" attitude.It is all part of the landscape, the road, and the territory. Long distance touring by bicycle gives you a view of your surroundings that is much more detailed and comprehensive than any other form of travel I know of, with the exception of walking, and for me, walking would be too slow.