Help getting started

[dancingcyclist]

Looking for someone to help with getting started in self touring. Plan on buying a BOB Yak but could use help and company on a few short (2-3 days) trips to work out the bugs.
Have a number of questions and have never done any overnight trips by bike. I'm 58 and laidoff. I ride about 5000 miles a year w/centuries under 6 hrs. BUT this is with no extras on the bike. Live in Skagit Valley, Washington State.

[John Nelson]

Start by reading many of the excellent articles in the how-to section of this web site.

[tonythomson]

Hi, as John said read up, plan short overnighter that you will enjoy and in the end just go.  You'll soon learn on a short trip just what suits you. It really is in the end a very easy/simple way to travel (you might not think that with some of my posts  ) I guess the bike you use isn't set up for touring but with a little bit of jigging around I'm sure you can do some shorter trips without the need to weigh yourself down & if you like it then look for a more suitable bike.

And enjoy - if you are not too far from home and things arn't going ok well, just turn round and start again.  It really is a wonderful life travelling by bike.

If you feel nervous about travelling like this - that's natural but with your sort of mileage I would guess you are more than comfortable on the roads and know how to look after yourself.

Have fun.

[cyclocamping]

There is a good ebook for newbies called bike touring basics by TravellingTwo.com. It is well written by experienced bicycle travelers and the best part it's Free! Also the book from Stephen Lord called cycle-touring handbook - 2nd edition is probably the best guide one out there.

[bktourer1]

check out the sites  bikeforums.net & bicycletouring101.com

[Tourista829]

I am almost 59 and was laid off and out of work for two years. I finally found work. I called into a local television back to work program and got lucky. I am even able to commute to work. (gym in our complex) There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Although financially strapped, I took advantage of the time off and toured a lot. My advise to you is, plan the best you can, keep the weight as light as possible, and practice changing rear flats, and removing the hardware where the trailer is attached. I have had good tours and great tours, (Everything seems better on a bike) use common sense and go with whatever comes your way. Attitude is very important. I believe the people I have met, along the way and the scenery were what made the hardships worth enduring.