i agree, but i don't think i would phrase it like that. most posts are heartfelt advice.

anyway, whenever i am attempting something i'm not sure about i try to gain a little experience first. so, in this case i would attempt a local one day ride that simulates what i anticipate a typical day's ride would entail on the tour. then evaluate my experience and make any modifications necessary. a second and possibly a third trial may well be in order. each, in turn, resembling the tour more closely.

this is the Mary Poppins approach. in fact, there may well have been a song in the movie about this... i can't remember.