Bundle of Nerves!
02-25-13 | 08:13 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Washington, DC
Bikes: Schwinn Le Tour 2008
Bundle of Nerves!
Hey everybody, well the week has arrived. I fly out of DC this Friday for San Francisco to start my first tour, a trek to Santa Barbara to visit a high school buddy I haven't seen since college. Something about it finally being here has me an absolutely mess of nerves and excitement. I know I'm as ready as I can be and I've tested the loaded bike and got all my gear ready to go, but last night I was up til some ungodly hour because I couldn't sleep! Anybody else get pre tour jitters? Cannot wait to get out there and get biking.
02-25-13 | 09:10 AM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 7,579
Likes: 6
From: Pearland, Texas
Bikes: Cannondale, Trek, Raleigh, Santana
bcoli08, Usually just before one that is 'different' in some way. For example my sister and I have an overnighter planned and she hasn't been on a bicycle for that duration for a long time.
Brad
Brad
02-25-13 | 09:27 AM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 1
From: NE Tx
Bikes: Tour Easy, Linear USS, Lightening Thunderbolt, custom DF, Raleigh hybrid, Felt time trial
Congratulations. You're normal. And no matter how often you tour, there'll always be some pre-tour jitters. Heightens the experience.
02-25-13 | 01:41 PM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 3,033
Likes: 1,066
From: Golden, CO and Tucson, AZ
Bikes: 2012 Specialized Elite Disc, 1983 Trek 520
There's nothing "routine" about what you're embarking on, especially the first time. If you ever don't get excited about it, something's wrong. Have a great trip.
02-26-13 | 12:25 PM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 677
Likes: 3
From: Grants Pass, Oregon
Bikes: Hard Rock Sport, Peugeot Triathlon, Schwinn Paramount Series 7
The jitters are those things that happen when you are REALLY living. Enjoy them. I get them before every tour, even the ones I've done before. I find that after starting the tour the jitters subside, but are replaced by a profound appreciation for the experiences.
Weather forecast is looking good at this point. If that holds it should be a great time to be there since the hordes of tourists don't show up until after Memorial Day. Have a great time.
Weather forecast is looking good at this point. If that holds it should be a great time to be there since the hordes of tourists don't show up until after Memorial Day. Have a great time.
02-26-13 | 01:02 PM
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,748
Likes: 2,111
From: Madison, WI
Bikes: 1961 Ideor, 1966 Perfekt 3 Speed AB Hub, 1994 Bridgestone MB-6, 2006 Airnimal Joey, 2009 Thorn Sherpa, 2013 Thorn Nomad MkII, 2015 VO Pass Hunter, 2017 Lynskey Backroad, 2017 Raleigh Gran Prix, 1980s Bianchi Mixte on a trainer. Others are now gone.
Make sure you can get your bike in a bike box before you get to airport. That includes removing pedals. I can't think of a worse way to start a trip than have something go wrong before you even get on the plane. And beware of the dreaded airport scale that checks to see if your luggage is a few ounces over 50 pounds. I carry a small electronic scale to weigh my luggage, if too heavy then something has to go into my carry on.
In this age of internet and cell phones, you should have no problems. If something broke on your bike a couple decades ago, you might have a really bad day.
Have a great time.
In this age of internet and cell phones, you should have no problems. If something broke on your bike a couple decades ago, you might have a really bad day.
Have a great time.
