I just wanted to share my recent experience.

I've been going on 2-3 day mini-tours and S24O's with my family for years. In recent times have planned a big trip, riding the approx 1000kms from Sydney to Byron Bay over 11 or 12 days. After years of negotiating with my wife about 6 months ago she said yes. I'm riding on 11th January.

So I've clearly been in denial. Because of a change of job my usual 40km per say commute and 80-100km road-ride at the weekend has changed to 7km daily and no road ride at the weekend. As a result I've gained about 10kg!

Rode 28km to work yesterday and the first 10km nearly killed me. The last 17km were amazing. During that ride this venture evolved from folly to achievable. I have to train (a concept alien to me), but I'll get there.

I'm a psychotherapist by profession, so I am very interested in the unconscious processes that have contributed to this denial. Any other experiences to share?

Boarding Denial? On the TSA No Fly List?
if unsure, get travel insurance , so the cost of your tickets won't be wasted

if they don't let you past the Gate, to get On. [to get home to Oz if you come Here.]

Having your passport pocket picked, and so not able to leave to go home
is another way to have your boarding pass not honored.

Bob- your best one yet!

People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.

-Thich Nhat Hanh

Yeah, erm, no? Erm, what?

I am trying to get into touring. Physical training, figuring out routes, places to eat and sleep, equipment, etc., and of course fitting the time away into... everybody else's schedule, really. Work, family, etc.

My first little outing was just an overnight, in September. I gave my sweetheart maybe a week's notice. I head out at about 8AM. Couldn't have been but 9AM before I get a call on my cell phone, "Come home!" Her son is a sophomore in college, studying engineering. He's got questions in his class on differential equations. There is a big test in a few days. I must come home immediately so we can drive to campus and I can help him with his math.

I said "no, I am going to continue on my bike ride!" I rode about 40 miles... mostly no cell phone service out here in the mountains, but there is one town on my route with a grocery store and a restaurant and cell phone service. I hung around that town for a couple hours until her son was free and then we spent maybe 45 minutes on the phone going over math problems. He said OK, that does it. So I started back on my route, headed to the campground in the fading light. That's why I have a dynamo front hub! I got another phone call from home - he's still got questions! I said - he told me we covered the material he was worried about. That was about the end of cell phone service til the next day!

Probably two weeks before my sweetheart and I were on speaking terms again! Her son has a A so far in math! Final exams start Friday!

It's like Waldo! Find the denial(s) in *that* story!

I'm not quite sure what you're referring to.

What denial?

The presumption that you're/we're in better shape than we really are?

...underlies your inability to train for an event for which you had planned and negotiated for months. Don't be afraid. GO FOR IT. Train with the remaining time that you have. Make sure that your bike is in solid mechanical condition. Kiss the cat and scratch the wife behind the ears and GO.


That was my first "official" piece of psychological advice. How did I do?

Love it! I agree, even if you don't get much 'training' in before leaving, go anyway, just don't overdo it. Most of my '1000 mile' or more tours began with minimal training (maybe 2 weeks or so). Considering that I did very little riding during the rest of the year, it wasn't a big deal. As long as you don't overdo it you'll notice you will get stronger and it will become easier as you go along. I've found the biggest concern was a sore bum which training beforehand helps. That, and wearing quality padded riding shorts or pants without underwear while sitting on a properly fitted and adjusted seat.

I would take deBoat on deNile.

And just to clarify, don't be discouraged by this if you don't already use/own that gear. You don't have to spend a bunch of money on specialty stuff and ride with a biker diaper and go commando to be comfortable. Some decent fitting undies(synthetic boxer briefs are my favorite) and a decent seat are probably good enough. I ride in boxer briefs designed for athletic activity and regular shorts and I can do 60mi perfectly comfortably(never tried more). Same story for my touring partner. If you used to ride 80-100km on the weekend, you know what works for you. Just start getting in miles whenever you possibly can and go rock that trip!

I'd be more worried about my sit bones than my legs or heart

You rock.

Psychological advice is spot on.

I know I might've sounded like a riding novice, the irony is that I have a surly LHT with nice racks, North roads and Carradice panniers/saddle-bags. My 'training" is going very nicely and I'm confident I'll be ready. Rode 30km to work today and wil ride the 30 back tonight, doing this about three times per week.

I suppose I was a little surprised that after 6 years in the planning I am now on the verge of going on this ride and in many ways I am the least prepared I've been for many years.