Originally Posted by
deadprez012
I'm completely unprepared for a tour I have planned in two weeks. It's not terribly long (about 300 mi round) and it's in territory with which I'm familiar and there is lots of "fluff" time for the epic fails to come. But someone tell me please which REAL potential catastrophes should I focus on preventing so I can stop trying to think of the thousands of recommendations on this (outstanding) forum?
In the way of a first tour, what are maybe the THREE most critical things I should plan for/take with/leave out/expect? I'm pretty impressively fit, so the distance is not a concern.
Note: I have read bicycletouring101.com in and out, and have absorbed all I can. I'm looking for the BIG WINS here, not all the "useful stuff to know".
You really should provide more information to back up your request for "magic" advice.
Are you camping? How many days? Hilly? What kinds of services (towns versus wilderness)?
What bike and what equipment are you taking?
Maybe, even say where you are going.