How to Prepare Yourself Psychologically for a Solo Bike Tour

Solo bike touring, with days of intense exertion and nights of self-reliance, can create some unanticipated mental strain. The more you prepare, the better your tour will be.

Things You'll Need

• Padded Bicycle Shorts
• Bicycle Route Guides
• Sunscreen
• Bicycle Clothing
• Bicycle Helmets
• Gel-cushioned Bicycle Saddles
• Panniers
• Touring Bike
• Telephone Calling Cards

Instructions

1. Remember that bike touring is not all sunny days, downhills and tailwinds; you earn the enjoyment through lots of hard work in the saddle.

2. Realize that it can take a whole day to cover a distance that would take an hour in a car.

3. Pay attention to how you feel on training rides, and notice how your attitude and energy level go up and down during the day.

4. Determine what your tolerance is for extremes of terrain, temperature, rain and wind, as these physical forces will affect your mood as well as your speed.

5. Take a couple of quick, overnight rides before leaving on the actual tour to verify that your mind, body and equipment work together as smoothly as possible.

6. Rest for a day if your mind is telling you it needs a break from the grind.

7. Try not to feel let down if you don't reach your mileage goal for the day; instead, think of all the other days when you have, or will.

8. Vary your routine when you can and treat yourself to occasional gourmet snacks, phone calls home, a nice dinner or a hot tub.

9. Get out of the campgrounds every so often and stay at a nice motel or bed and breakfast. You'll feel like a million bucks the next morning.

10. Expect to have doubts about the tour both before and during your trip. Let them pass, and think of how good it will feel to arrive at your destination under your own power.

Tips & Warnings

• The physical can affect the psychological more than you might believe if you've just taken up long-distance cycling (whether touring or day trips). It's a good idea to be familiar with how you feel at many different levels of rest or exhaustion before you set out on a bike tour.

• It can also help a lot to associate (or even occasionally ride) with other cyclists, just to have a reality check on how you're feeling on a given day.

• If you have any condition that would impair or limit your ability to engage in physical activity, please consult a physician before attempting this activity.