Originally Posted by
Russ Roth
First, check out bikejoring for ideas of what your dogs might or might not be able to do, bikejoring involves the dogs pulling bicycles instead of a sled and the people who do this will have a better idea of what your dogs may become capable of.
You say you're light, weak and have health issues but want to tour. Unfortunately this means you need to put some money and attention into your bike and the one you've got is a lousy option. I would tend to think you're the perfect candidate for an electric bike, as much as I hate them. Trying to tour with dogs will be rough on the dogs especially as already mentioned, when it comes to hot pavement; and having them pull you 10 maybe 20 miles on a good day isn't enough to get you to the next campground, or really anywhere. Having an electric bike that can make a 40 mile trip with a modest amount of effort on your part will get you a lot further and much more enjoyably. You can probably pull a very small trailer and make sure to carry an extra battery pack in it in case you get stuck, just make sure you charge up at the campground. Might cost you a lot more money in the short term but in the long term its a lot less stressing over where you and the dogs can stay, much longer tour distances, and even though you're pulling the trailer and pedaling the bike, much less energy input on your part.
I'm homeless already and don't have any money of my own. The only way I've been able to obtain what I have is through my dad helping me. But once I hit the road I won't have any money except whatever my dad and whoever else may give me. I plan on relying solely on God to provide, and I know He will. I also don't plan on going to campgrounds very often, and hopefully hotels/motels more than anything, but only during my time of the month if I can afford it because I have period problems. Other than that I plan on just pitching up basically anywhere we can pull of and need to stop to rest, which is one reason I'm trying to go the bike camper route.
And thanks for the advice about bikejoring. I know about it, and that's what I've mainly been doing to prepare my dogs and me, but I never thought about talking with people that bikejor to see if they have any advice for me about such a topic. Great idea!
Oh yea.... and I really don't want an e-bike, for certain reasons. Mainly end of the world type reasons, and cuz God led me down this path and wants me to have a specific image for this mission. I'm a prophetess, which is the main real reason I even plan on doing this bike tour, so I can meet new people and share God's message with them that He gave to me.