I've been into touring for 18 years. In all that time (6 tours - 3 in Europe, 1 E. Canada, 1 Venezuela, 1 U.S.) I've only heard of one person who hated touring and returned to backpacking. So don't worry about not liking it.
Lone Peak panniers are the best. Still made in the U.S. too. Unfortunately, they now cost a fortune. As said above, don't spend a lot of time stressing about this and that. Talk to as many people as you can, listen, and figure out what you should believe. The great thing about bike touring is that there are no rules (other than you need a bike that works). Don't spend tons of money, especially if your first tour will be a short one.
Be safe.

As a solo traveler myself (14 times to Europe, only 5 of those with others, 9 solo), I can offer the opinion that traveling with others is vastly overrated!

Thank you guys again for all the comments!
I have been backpacking and I greatly enjoy it. I am pretty optimistic about my liking bike touring. In fact, I have been dreaming of my first bike tour since I was a kid!
I currently have an old german steel frame that I have been commuting on for the past four years and I am hoping to turn that into my touring bike. It is a solid bike. However, I will be starting off with just the frame, since my plan is to strip all the old components (that have not been upgraded in probably a decade or more) and rebuild it. So we shall see how that goes... gotta start somewhere!

I have been camping/backpacking/long distance rides by myself, so I am good with myself for company. I guess what intimidates me is staying safe as a lone female on the road. I grew up in a less than safe area, so it might just be past experiences that are making me paranoid, however I believe in being prepared.

Thank you again for all your kind help!
Karie

I think you'll be fine! On my 2016 tour from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine I met a 22 year old female who was touring alone from Seattle to Boston. She'd never toured before and bought her bike 2 weeks before arriving in Seattle to start the tour. She made Boston in 10 weeks and never once felt like she was in danger on her trip. At least to my knowledge. I could put you two in touch if you'd like.

You may find this link interesting. It contains interviews with a number of solo female bicycle tourists:

Solo female cyclist Interview

I heard this young woman's presentation about a year ago:the loong way home

You can also find many journals of solo female cyclists on CGOAB: https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?doctype=journal

One journal I enjoyed reading:https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/...id=133444&v=sd
Not quite solo, but almost. I was trying to find the journal of a friend who was riding the Southern Tier. When I searched ST, Jan's journal also showed up so I took a quick look at it, and figured she and my friend might cross paths in Texas. He was riding west to east, and she east to west. I ended up looking more at her journal, and rooting her on:) Anyway, you'll get the idea.

I've met several women riding solo on the Pacific Coast Route. On our tour this summer my wife and I met two women riding solo across Canada; one from west to east, and the other east to west. We shared a camping spot in Glacier National park a few years ago with a women riding solo on an extended tour. None of them expressed any real concerns about personal safety, except for traffic.

Good luck, and ride safe.

Thank you for your replies.
It is reassuring simply to know that not too many women have had issues. Obviously there is always an exception, but it does not appear to be the norm.

I will take a look at those sites!

Karie

I don't think men are really qualified to talk to you about all the potential issues of being a solo woman on tour, so listen to the women and read their blogs. However, as a solo male tourist I practice common sense and don't stick around if something or someone feels wrong. I also keep my valuables close to me at all times as it's not unknown for people to have things taken from their bags in campgrounds. So I take my valuables to the shower block and into the shower and sleep with them too.