Just like in April when I was heading to Florida (620 miles) I am starting to have second thoughts and getting nervous. I think this is normal, especially for me. But I thought it was interesting and it made me wonder if getting some of the apprehension and preparations down on “paper” might help me or others.
Two main things make this trip more intimidating than the previous trips I have made: The Length and The Old Lady. *Note: I use the term “Old Lady” to seem like a real biker, not to disparage or attempt to describe my beautiful wife.
The Length
The Length has me nervous. Not because of the daily mileage, but because of the unknown effects multiple days will have on me. Here are some of the aspects of this extended trip that concern me and some of the steps I have taken to combat those.
- Exhaustion – Multiple 500+ mile days is something I have never done. The plan here is to break each day up into smaller segments (I would like those to be 150m or less) and to psychologically ride to those stops. As well, we plan to avoid things like alcohol, huge meals, and late nights.
- Heat Related Issues – Strange thing is that when you plan a trip in August, it is normally hot. And this month is no exception. So we plan to stop regularly. But for hydration issues, we plan to use a Camelbak on the trip filled with ice and water. We should have 3 hours of hydration which will get us to any stop we might make. We will wear long sleeve shirts and mesh jackets to avoid sunburn as well.
- Weather – Planning a one day trip makes checking the weather and adapting much easier. A 4 day ride makes it tougher. There is no way around the fact we will ride in rain at some point. We have purchased raingear (and I have tried it out) and I feel we are prepared to ride in moderate rain.
- Traffic – I used the back roads on the way to Florida. We will travel all interstate for this trip. Some say they are safer, but I find the speeds and the traffic less comfortable in general on my bike. I ride 85 miles a day round trip on interstates to work in some atrocious traffic, so I am used to it. But this trip will take us through several major cities I have never been in (Nashville, St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha).
- Unknown – How will I feel when I get up after the first or second day? How will I feel for the return trip? Some things are just unknown.
The Old Lady
Man I love my wife. But obviously not like she loves me! I am still amazed she even agreed to this trip. And I amazed she hasn’t jumped off the roof of the house in an attempt to injure herself to get out of it (yet). But having her brings extra concerns for me. Of course I want her there on the trip to experience the sights and sounds, but I feel like I have to make sure she is OK at all times. Having someone else’s life in your hands while facing the obstacles above adds to the anxiety of the trip.
But having her with me will be so much more fun. And we have a plan. My #1 priority is her. Not the people we are traveling with. Not the day we get to Sturgis. Not even if we never get to Sturgis. We have the intercom system to talk and the minute she says “enough” we stop. And then if she says “enough is enough” we get a room and head home the next day.
I believe she can make it and I believe we will have a trip we will never forget. What I need to do is remember that we want to remember this trip forever for all the right reasons. Not like you remember that bout with the stomach flu that time you ate at the roadside stand in Equador.
Only a few days left now. Very little time to back out. Very little time to change many things. Just enough time to get more nervous.
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