WOW! Thanks for all these tips guys! Do any of you have good suggestions for planning a route? Should I try to buy some mapping software or something to find steets that are less busy? Do most of you ride with the standard old paper map? How do you guys keep your phone charged during tours? Thanks Again!

I like the minefields idea!!! As another poster pointed out, whether I am 18 or not she still views me as her little Davy-8 years old. I will be 18 in 5 days, unfortunately I think if I attempt to change our relationship into more of a "I am going to do what I want" relationship, it will be viewed as disrespect toward the whole family. If I do too many things that could be viewed as disrespectful, at a certain point my parents are going to say, ohh and by the way, your bed is in the backyard, take a shower and then leave!