Young kid, just graduating from University of Washington. He started as an intern, it morphed into a co-op, we're hiring him on full time, after he gets back from his ride.

He's never toured before. Never been on a bike or more than 20 miles. He's never fixed a flat before. Brought the thing in for me to give it a look over, it's the cheapest Sirrus in the Specialized lineup.He'll be mostly camping. I talked him into bringing as little as possible. He has an inexpensive set of rear panniers and an Ortlieb roll up handlebar bag. He just bought his first set of bicycle shorts last week.

What could possibly go wrong?

Remembering back to my first bike tour down the coast, I was 19. I'd already been riding since I was 15, and could do the basics-adjust the brakes and derailleurs, fix a flat, repack bearings. But I never "trained" for a bike trip.

He's a mechanical engineer grad, so I know he'll pick up the mechanics stuff quickly. That and he's looked at a lot of Youtube videos. He told me he plans on taking the bike apart and putting it back together before he leaves. I told him to take it by a bike shop before he let to check it out.

I'm partially worried that the thing will break down on him. The other half of me doesn't want to dampen his enthusiasm. Straight bars give no alternative hand positions. The saddle may be an a$$ hatchet. I told him to get some bag balm to take with. He asked where to apply it, I told him his nether regions will tell him where.

He's planing on 50 miles/day. I told him it's ok to stay at a hotel now and then to clean up, rest, and recover.

I think he'll be ok. I wish it were me!