For the original poster, try at least one tour of at least five days, as soon as you can make it work. Try for the distances you'd like to ride when you're on the big tour. Take the gear and food you'd take on your 2012 tour. Camp the way you're planning to camp in 2012. And take a notebook. Each day, write down some detailed notes about your day's ride. Where did you ride? How far? How fast? What slowed you down? How did you feel? While you're thinking about those things, think about whether you were bored or lonely while you were riding or while you were stopped.

Touring by bike is one of the most wonderful experiences possible on two wheels. Your 2012 tour sounds like a lot of fun. For this year, however, take the time to prepare yourself physically, financially, mentally, emotionally and psychologically. If you haven't done a bike tour before, it's going to be a new experience. What you do now will determine how much enjoyment you'll get when you're on the big tour.

Good luck.