I come from a mountaineering and cycle touring background, where there are always uncertainties. Some things we can control and some thing we can't. They are called "objective dangers" in mountaineering which include events that are out of the control of the climber, such as rockfall and avalanches.

Cycle touring is much the same way. There are things that will happen that are out of our control. We can be somewhat prepared, but to obsess over events that in all probability will not happen is counter productive to the primary reasons we tour on our bikes. My wife and I have been touring for many years and have ridden self contained across the U.S. twice, several times in Canada, and through 7 European countries. Many of our earlier trips were in the pre-cell phone days. Our most recent tour, this summer, was across British Columbia into Alberta. Actually, I was more worried about bears when we were camping on the last trip than if I had cell phone coverage. Most of our multi- month tours were done after we retired, in our 50's and 60's. i just turned 70 and we are planning a 2+ month self contained tour from the Atlantic coast of France to the Black Sea in Romania. Do I think about "what if's", yes; do I obsess over them, no.

The point is: Work on the things we can control, prepare adequately for the things that we can't, and then just go out there and ride.

Being self sufficient is probably the best way to reduce the anxiety of what to do in an emergency. Learn first aid, know basic bike maintenance skills, develop good riding skills, have and know how to use the proper equipment. Sure there are days when you will be out of contact with the rest of the world, but in today's tech age that is usually a very short period. There are even some folks who puposely leave their cell phones at home while on tour.