One more BIG thing to remember. Loaded touring versus unloading training makes a REAL BIG difference. I thought I had it made last year when I headed out west. In July, the first 17 days of July, I rode over 2000 miles. The last three days of the stretch(15-17th) I rode 160 miles each day, unloaded. I had tons of free time off the bike each day during daylight hours. I was averaging 17-18 mph without pushing it. I had two weeks completely off the bike on a car trip down to Texas. I got back and spent a week or so helping out a friend of mine. I left for the trip figuring I shouldn't have any trouble making the 800 miles for the first leg of the trip in 5 days. Yeah, 150-160 miles a day...sure why not. Boy, was I ever in for a shock. Yeah, in western NY I did pull off a 170 mile day and I was still pretty much doing 120 each day otherwise, but I was nowhere even close to averaging 160 miles a day. Talk about a rude awakening.

Ride the way you plan to tour or plan to be in for a surprise when you go on the tour.