THE
ANXIETY THAT BUILDS UP BEFORE A BIKE TOUR:
Posted by Darren Alff
April 19, 2008
When
you first start planning your big bicycle adventure, you’re
filled with excitement. It’s great to think about
the roads ahead… the possibilities… the fun.
The planning stage is a wonderful time for any bike tour
and you should enjoy every minute of it.
But as
your tour grows closer and closer, those feelings of joy
and excitement may rapidly change to feelings of fear and
anxiety.
Suddenly,
you’re thinking about everything that could go wrong.
You’re thinking about your obligations at home. You’re
thinking of the time you will be spending away from your
friends and family. And more than anything else, you begin
to doubt your capabilities and the success of the tour itself.
This
feeling of tour anxiety often pops up in the last week before
you leave on your trip. For some, the anxiety may come sooner
or later. For others, tour anxiety may not show up until
you’re out on the road and the wind starts to blow
and things begin to get tough.
If you’re
planning a tour and that anxiety has suddenly shown it’s
ugly head, don’t fret! This is normal… and the
feelings will pass.
The important
thing to note about the anxiety you are feeling now is that
it will surely go away. How long it will take to go away,
however, is dependent entirely upon you and the way that
you think.
Instead
of worrying about your responsibilities back home, the animals
you may encounter out on the road, and your fear of the
unknown … stop whatever you are doing and breathe.
Everything will be okay!
What
you are likely feeling is a fear of change.
It’s
difficult to think that for the next few days, weeks, months,
or years… that you will be living on your bike. It’s
tough to think about the fact that you won’t know
where you are going to sleep at night, when you will be
able to shower, or if you will have the money to get you
to your next destination.
You shouldn’t
worry about these things, because in the end, it is these
things that make bicycle touring so exciting!
The
fear and anxiety that you feel before you leave on tour
can extend into the beginning of your trip, but after a
few days out on the road, you’ll begin to realize
that you’re doing okay. You'll suddenly realize that
you feel good, you’re putting in the mileage, you’re
rested, and you're having fun. Before you know it, those
feelings of fear and anxiety will be totally gone... and
what you'll be left with is complete and utter joy.
Enjoy
the ride!
READER
COMMENTS:
Derrick
June 24, 2008
This article, as simple as it sounds, has hit the nail right
on the head. I am a few days away from leaving on a 2 and
a half month trip across Canada and I can feel the anxiety
building up in me. I've done other long trips before but
not on a bike, so I do understand that this is a natural
part of the last few days before leaving but it is very
nice to read it coming from someone else. Thanks!
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