I'll second this. A week into my first tour I had injured my achilles tendon. It took some time to heal. Thus the importance of knowing your body and when you should rest.

Thus the importance of riding lots on the bicycle you intend to use for the tour in the months leading up to the tour.

Riding lots in preparation for the tour gets you into shape which makes the tour more pleasant. Riding lots also helps you to determine if your bicycle fits you properly. Achilles tendon injuries are often caused by a saddle that's a bit too high, and by riding lots that sort of thing should be discovered and dealt with before a tour.

[QUOTE=Machka;12643708]Thus the importance of riding lots on the bicycle you intend to use for the tour in the months leading up to the tour.
QUOTE]
For real. Luckily I was young and unemployed and had lots of time to lolligag about. It was a lesson.

More information on Jagulars.

I have only two worries right now
 

I am planning to in the future do some solo bike touring.
I have two thoughts that I am not sure how to play out correctly.

1. The first is my perceiving thugs possibly more than one who may even stalk waiting to attack with a car or on foot. My worst scenario would be at night or near night and away from a town or other public places (may be traveling through country and small towns). Do you call and report this possible immediately and try to give the road and mile marker? Do you try to make an attempt go into the woods and maybe double back hoping they will lose you? As you can see, this is a possibility I am not even sure should merit my concern overmuch but I realize it can happen.

2. The lesser problem would be ensuring my tent is secure enough I do not have surprise visits from snakes or other creatures looking for a meal. I am thinking possibilities of secure tent erection and if on the road, a combination of pepper spray and even for large animals a marine flare on an spring extendable rod.
I hope others have at least considered those possibilities.

A secure tent erection will keep the snakes away.

We started calling them Sea Eagles on our last tour.

In my experience, "mini-bears" are more dangerous than anything else. Mice, raccoons, squirrels, etc. will chew a hole in your tent or your pannier if you're not careful with food placement.

I try to pee in all four corners around my campsite before going to bed - not sure if it does anything, but it makes me feel better.

^^Post from 2011.

dang it! Why respond to a five year old post like that.

I haven't had a secure tent erection since I mixed up my viagra and water purification pills that one time.

Thanks guys for all the comments
 

I thought I had replied earlier but didn't see it. Thanks to all for the replies. I will keep all of this in mind and not be nearly as concerned. I do need to find a site to get some low down on essentials and also, if possible conserve space. I know changes of clothing would be good, especially if say, you are on the road for more than a week. I think panniers are larger than those baskets and will probably need a front set up also. Not sure how much of a strain that will put on a single speed bicycle (not interested in speed). Since it will be on flat ground, I think I will do okay. Maybe invest in a three speed with a standard brake.

Snakes will not attack you at night while you're sleeping. You are far too big for them to eat*; they are interested in staying out of your way. I've heard it said that most venomous snakebites are a result of people "messing" with the reptile instead of letting it be. 5-6 people die in the USA each year from snakebite, interestingly enough, in some years a sizable percentage of these deaths are from snake-handling religious practices: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_handling#Deaths

A good tent is more important for keeping out insects; mosquito bites have led to the deaths of millions more than snakebites.

*OK, barring tropical megasnakes.

Thanks. I had written the reply of thanks a couple of nights ago, but looked and didn't see it. Maybe I didn't do something right. But my last one - the thanks thing did go through. I hope that clears up the "thought I replied earlier". Well, no one is missing limbs lol, or having to heal from some other, so I feel more confident.