You've toured before and now you're heading out for the big one. Sounds like you're hooked. So are a lot of us. Hooked on the adventure, the challenge, on reincarnating memories, on meeting new people, new campgrounds, and on the basic satisfaction of pedaling toward a goal. On the freedom of the road and from a humdrum existance. Been that way ever since man existed.

Have fun. When you finish and recover, you'll likely start planning for the next tour. Might end up in some those exotic places you named. The possibilities, at your age, are endless.

You got a journal link?