Pre-tour nerves

[Wandrin]

I'm pacing

I can't sit down

Tomorrow I start a solo unsupported, probably 300mile, trip from Ayrshire to Manchester. 5 days but have a 6th if I need it. Bike weighs a ton, 17kg plus maybe 25-30 of camping stuff etc.

I think the bike's up to it, I think I'm up to it

But, my stomach is in turmoil, close to panic.

Is this normal?

 

[Deleted member 35268]

How will you sleep!

 

[MikeG]

I used to feel like that about going to Manchester, too.

 

[Crankarm]

You big wuss!

 

[Crackle]

5 days, 25-30kg of camping stuff. What are you taking? Not trying to make you more nervous, just curious. Butterflies of excitement are normal.

 

[Wandrin]

Whatever the cycling diet/ nutrition/ fuel question, the answer is almost always "flapjacks".

How did you know I have plotted every Aldi on the route? That's spooky!

And not helping my nerves either

 

[snorri]

You seem to have a rather extreme case of pre tour excitement.
Rather than waste more time wrestling with your nerves, can't you just start off immediately?

 

[Wandrin]

5 days, 25-30kg of camping stuff. What are you taking? Not trying to make you more nervous, just curious. Butterflies of excitement are normal.

tent, sleeping bag and mat, cooker prob about 8kilos
food, water (I'll be wild camping) 5kg
laptop, camera and associated gubbins 3kg ( I came up by bus, neither weight or space was an issue...)
clothes & toiletries 1 or 2
tools & spares 1 or 2
panniers and bags to hold all that stuff 1 or 2

hmm, maybe low 20's

thank you ( a little weight off both mind and bike)

 

[Wandrin]

You seem to have a rather extreme case of pre tour excitement.
Rather than waste more time wrestling with your nerves, can't you just start off immediately?

Excitement - yes, lots of that. However everyone I've spoken to ( this place excepted ) thinks I'm mad which might be part of the cause of the raging sense of doubt I'm feeling.

Yep, leaving now, or even better, the moment I decided I was ready would have been the best idea. Unfortunately I'd put a few jobs back till later this evening.
Think I will be off at dawn though!

Time is in slow motion, it's gonna be a long night.

This is my bike, not fully loaded yet

 

[MikeG]

You're touring on knobblies? No wonder you're nervous.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

yes it is normal... I'm a touch nervous about my first solo unsupported tour as well. I set off a week tomorrow for south wales (Ogmore by Sea), meet up with my husband and also my brother on the Saturday, and then cycle back to Chester/Warrington area by myself afterwards. Similar distance, just I'm taking a touch longer and probably carrying a touch less, though I suspect it is always going to feel like too much!

 

[glenn forger]

you'll be ok. envy you.

 

[Bodhbh]

The first cut is the deepest! Will be your best tour, get stuck in!

 

[Wandrin]

I've packed a few less teabags and biscuits or rather moved their weight from the panniers to the saddle, the head is straight and am now able to look forward to tomorrow.

Thanks folks for the kind words and good wishes and crucially reminding me that I'm not alone in my madness, I'll keep you posted

And of course a pic of the bike in all its overloaded glory tomo

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Laptop for wild camping?