Hey all! Me & a good friend are planning on cycling from our homestead in Cincinnati to Athens, OH (178 miles, one way) to visit some friends (and imbibe free alcoholic tasties!) within the next few months. Of course, we are doing what is immediately necessary such as mapping out a route and looking at gear we will need along the way. I'm wondering if anyone with more experience could give some less-known advice for touring -- what are some things that a pair of newbies might encounter on a long ride like this one, but not think of prior?

Any and all advice is most certainly appreciated!
Adam