What you are doing is remarkable and commendable. Having said that you do not have a wife or kids unlike OP. OP has a close knit family and grandkids from what I can tell from his postings over the years. With every dependent, obligations tend to increase many fold - school, health, family dynamics etc. Those in a similar situation cannot upsticks and go. In your case, it also appears you had a medical episode which made you realise to take it easy.
If you read my post it clearly mentions family obligations as the central point. So we all in a different boat and we need to understand and respect that. You cannot apply your lens to others.
Hold on a minute.
I replied to the information in the OPs post. I'm not going to trawl their posting history to get a picture of their whole life.
They mentioned sedentary and guts.
You mentioned obligations.
I took issue with the use of language in your post. I happen to think the language that we use is very important, especially in our internal monologues.
Specifically, I took issue with the suggestion that "sedentary" and "guts" are synonomous with responsibilities. I do not think they are. No argument has been made to refute that.
I also highlighted the suggestion that a bike tour just happens. That is not my experience.
I took issue with the suggestion that a four week bike tour leads to someone being a burden on society. I just don't comprehend that. And you've avoided answering that in your post. That has to be an example of some of the most negative hyperbolic language in relation to a bike tour in France, or anywhere, that I've ever read.
"Family obligations" are a very interesting point to explore.
I could make a valid argument that in the scenario you have described someone heading away on a bike tour could actually be a very good thing in the family dynamic by shaking things up and, most importantly, being an inspiration to younger generations.
Not to mention the fact that it could be a family activity.
Are you aware of parents who are effectively slaves to their children or grandchildren? Whose daily routine revolves around a schedule of school runs, babysitting and cooking meals?
I am.
Some are happy to do it, others feel under an obligation.
Family obligations can be unhealthy. As can work obligations. As can just about any obligation. Just because they exist doesn't mean that they should continue or not be tweaked.
Another way to look at it is that some people would be horrified that a loved one was denying themselves something out of a sense of obligation and that if the subject was broached there may well be nothing but support and goodwill forthcoming.
In any case, and coming back to language, upping sticks and going sounds to me as sudden, unplanned and chaotic. There's no need for a four week tour to be like that. Nor, indeed, a tour of much longer.
The suggestion that I need to respect others infers that I have disrespected others. Who have I disrespected and how?
If you're referring to the fact that I took issue with your language then I'd remind you that this is a discussion forum and all we have to discuss is what is written.
Finally, I made no reference to myself in any posts on this thread. For you to reference me in the manner you have done is needlessly personal.
How dare you mention my medical "episode", a topic discussed in one area of this forum where context was provided. And your conclusion is completely wrong. Crossing the Appalachians is not taking it easy.
In that vein I'll respond personally.
I
have bike toured.
I can recall vividly the fear I felt on my first ever bike tour, rolling out of Passau in Germany wondering if I'd ever reach my destination 40 flat km down the road - where my bags would be waiting for me having being shuttled there by a van.
Overweight, totally unfit and scared poopless I was the very definition of "sedentary" and lacking "guts".
I can also recall the bemusement, then elation, on discovering that where I stopped for lunch was actually my destination for the day.
Interestingly, that trip and subsequent ones helped me to look again at my obligations and reprioritise them. My current adventure is a direct consequence of that first terrifying then highly enjoyable experience. I learned, I gained confidence (and "guts") and I reorganised my "obligations" to do what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it. A very healthy process, I believe, looking back now and something I'd suggest to anyone.
I have a lot of understanding for those that say "I'd love to but......" My suggestions are always to get out there, give it a shot and see if it's for you. All that is needed is a bike. And the right stuff between the ears and beating in the chest.
Whatever the "but" is can usually be overcome if a bit of thought, effort and persuasion (internal and external) is applied.
To sound like an engineer for a moment, the first step in overcoming a problem (the "but") is to correctly identify that problem.
Hence why so many people kit themselves out for world tours and never make it past the local shop. They thought the problem was kit. It wasn't.
The fears we have sitting at home thinking about all the things that can go wrong, in my experience, are not nearly so vivid on the road.
Other advice I consistently offer is to look for inspiration from others. I consistently suggest CrazyGuyOnABike because it is quite easy to pick out people that speak to us, that are similar to us, to see how they approached our difficulties and look to learn.
Once on the road we meet even more inspiration. Ironically, France is full of families travelling together. (I know this because I have toured in France and met them). E-bikes make multi-generational trips even more accessible.
I once met an extended group of family and friends with a custom made (tandem) bike that was carrying a paralysed man. Communication was difficult but I gathered that bike touring was something he had enjoyed prior to an accident and friends and family went to huge effort to allow him continue to do it. Maybe their obligation to him should have been to keep him safe and comfortable at home?
As for applying my lens to others three words come to mind - pot, kettle, black.