Originally Posted by sknhgy
Second weekend in May I'm going to take my first bike tour.
I am a 52 year-old kid. Been riding my Trek mtb almost daily for the last several years. Recently bought a Raleigh Passage 4.5 and some small Nashbar panniers. It's a nice, light bike.
There is a state park 20 miles from my house. I am going to take my sleeping bag, tent, pad, flashlight, several cans of Spam, some apples, tea, small sauce pan, small gas stove, and a book, and go for an overnighter. Will ride out Sunday and come back Monday.
This is going to be a test to see how things go. If all goes well, maybe I can take a longer trip in the summer.
Also, spare tube, pump, water bottle, 2 AA batteries.
Good for you! You may find that a 20-miler may be a bit short, but that's OK.
When I was 52, I did my first long tour (850 miles), and when I was 54, I literally quit my job to go on a multi-month tour. (I'm now 55.) I only mention this because the same thing may "happen" to you, where you'll love your small tours, and then go a little nuts in a good way, and throw caution to wind for a few months.
Wish you the best of luck on your first overnighter.
David in FL