Southern Tier Ride Wrap Up-Solo

On this week-long bicycling adventure, I encountered all sorts of obstacles-real and imagined-and I just need to say it doesn’t need to be that way. I am prone to being a little disorganized, pushing things a little too far and throwing caution to the wind. You can do this trip and have a very relaxing and enjoyable time without all my angst. Here are some tips:

  1. If you need to do a ride in a bite sized chunk like I did-give yourself an extra day or two for bad weather, bicycle repair or just for fun rest days. Or just decide to do the whole damn Southern Tier if you can.
  2. 50 to 60 miles a day will give you time to enjoy the local area, speak to the locals or do a watercolor. If you don’t need to push it beyond that, why do it? There is a lot to see off your bicycle.
  3. Plan ahead for long stretches without accommodations by using Warm Showers (a group that offers cyclists free accomadations), or calling up local towns for suggestions.
  4. Going solo is great. People seem to be especially open to conversation and help. Also, you spend more time interacting with locals rather than your cycling companion. However, if you chose to bring a buddy along, nothing ever seems as threatening.
  5. Take the time to learn to do straight forward repairs on your bike and to disassemble and reassemble it. It will give you a great sense of self-sufficiency and is not hard at all. I am all thumbs and I can manage it.
  6. Look at prevailing weather patterns and plan accordingly. Not all weather is predictable, but you can definitely play the odds better than I did.

I am sure there is a lot more, but I just want to make sure that my blog doesn’t disuade anyone from going out there and seeing the world by bicycle. It really is life changing.

I have spent the last 24 hours in Phoenix. I biked into the hills, lapped up the flowers, climbed Echo Canyon and sat with my feet in a pool sipping a margarita, and I can’t stop thinking about Danielle, the Apache women who helped me get to Globe.

Today is her 90-year-old grandmother’s funeral. They are bringing her home for a traditional ceremony before bringing her to a church. She showed me pictures of her grandmother wearing traditional dress and said she was one of the last in her community that spent her life wearing it. This world is changing so fast. Get out there.

7 thoughts on “Southern Tier Ride Wrap Up-Solo”

  1. Thoroughly enjoyed your daily post and plan to buy your book when it is published. Please keep writing about your cycling journeys.

  2. Wow what an amazing journey. I cherish reading about your antics and how you overcame adversity and made things happen. We can’t change what happens to us but we can change how we react to it. Thanks for sharing. Happy journeys and I will look for your book.

  4. Thanks for your words of wisdom. They apply to all travel, on or off the bike. The solo trips I have taken around the world have proven to be incredible. In the words of Helen Keller “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” You live these words. Thanks for taking us on your latest adventure.

  6. Hey Bike Mum. We are readers of your blog and especially enjoyed this one of your Southern bike ride. You did have some bad luck with the weather and bike issues. My wife and I did the Southern Bike route a few rears ago using Adventure Cycling maps. We, like you, had some rough days with the worse being heat in the Phoenix area the last of September, but overall it was a great ride and we made many wonderful contacts along the way. Hello to Oakley. We love the interactions you two had on your previous rides. Will look forward to your book.

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