Is FEAR keeping you from your DREAM bike tour?

[@spektrumB]

Can't deny it. My trip is coming up fast in May. Lots of butterfly in my stomach.

[@SheelaghDaly]

Ahhhh so exciting! I totally hear you on the butterflies. Sounds like a beautiful adventure is about to kick off 😄

[@welshbikepackingadventures]

I always get a weird thing, feeling, around the 3rd day at it.. maybe it's a fear of being so far from home. Iv given in on times and gone home, but if I can get through that 3rd day blues I get passed it. Great advice lovely lady, love your vids!

[@SheelaghDaly]

How interesting! I love that you’ve honed in on when it happens and found that balance between listening to yourself when it feels like too much and pushing forward when you feel you can. Super cool!!

[@kimcorcoran7495]

Also I think just before I do any BIG THING, the whole event seems like this black hole of anxiety. The worry beforehand is 10times worse than being "in" the event. Once you dive in...:)

[@SheelaghDaly]

Oooh well said!! Totally agree

[@Naufrago_Sur]

Good timing. I'm in Costa Rica right now on a planned bike touring trip. The heat and humidity is so high that after several days I have revised my plans. Doing shorter early morning rides. I won't complete the entire planned route, but that's ok. Still enjoying myself. I always have jitters/fears. Things can change so I just do my best to adapt. Thanks for the video!

[@SheelaghDaly]

Love this! Changing plans and figuring it out as you go - nicely done! 🙌

[@baronvon9190]

I always feel weight training and putting on muscle allows you more freedom. The extra muscle is a deterrent to rif raf and you never know when you need the extra strength. Always carry pepper spray.

[@julieibbott3239]

Thanks for the great tips Sheelagh.

[@Bill-uf6os]

My biggest fear on my first bike tour was that my bike would fall apart and leave me stranded in the middle of nowhere. However, as soon as went a few miles, I overcame this fear and trusted my bike. I took a few tools and you can always get the train back home.

[@SheelaghDaly]

Yes well said! Totally fair, it can be hard to put so much faith in our bicycles. Starting somewhere where you can take the train home if needed is really smart. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@anasimoes2487]

I think for solo females is way worst the fears..but I think worth the risk

[@grahambonner508]

Completely agree. I've had similar fears expressed by males but for females travelling solo it must be a lot worse. All I can really say is that in my experience (as a solo male traveler) everyone I met (without exception) was really friendly.

[@SheelaghDaly]

Yes, I agree there are additional fears that come with being a solo female traveler. I do still use the strategies I mention here to handle fears around being harassed or assaulted. I get into it a little more in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqKvoImdiaeZbrssi=g9fJV_PF_pnOXOS4 But a full video on the topic may be in order as it is a very deep, visceral fear. The conclusion I came to when I decided to head off on my first bike tour solo was that the fear of being harassed or assaulted isn’t new to me and it isn’t limited to travelling solo. From a young age I’ve experienced it on the street, at work, at events in my city… it is not fair that we live in a world where we have to exist with this very real fear. But staying home was no guarantee that I wasn’t going to face harm as a woman simply existing in this world. So I wasn’t going to let it keep me from having an experience I wanted to have. But I agree, it’s probably one of the fears that held me back the longest. This is just how I handle it.

[@steph.B.20]

Thank you for this video 🙏

[@SheelaghDaly]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching :)

[@joshriles84]

I'm just afraid of being robbed

[@PS-uv5zz]

Which software are you using at 5:05?

[@Lukearthwalker]

Yes, I'm also curious about that.

[@SheelaghDaly]

That particular clip is from the detailed route provided by the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. When I’m planning my own tours I use a combination of Komoot (both to map out my own route and to check out routes created by other users) and Google Maps’ walking/cycling directions. I also check iOverlander sometimes for resources like food, water and shelter. And I google a lot and ask in Facebook groups to try to find actual government-created cycling routes (like the waterfront trail) because those tend to have gpx files, signage, other resources around them… super helpful!

[@Tysonnayak]

Hiii,, Iam Mahesh from India. My dream is to Explore the world adventurously and i decided to explore the world by cycling and iam going to start my journey in this September 2024,,any advice please 😒😒 Note: Ignore my english (grammar)😊

[@SheelaghDaly]

That is so exciting! Well you've taken the biggest step by creating a plan for your journey. Just getting out there and doing it is how it all starts. I have lots of videos on my channel about gear, camping, planning routes, etc... I hope some of it will be helpful to you!

[@орестос]

lolo

[@417cycleguy]

No fear It’s about $$$ Or, maybe it’s the FEAR of no $$$. Lol

[@natashahussain6281]

There's definitely ways to cut down the costs, but I so get it. I've been delaying a big trip I wanna do bc I simply don't have the time and money rn to make sure I have everything I need. But I've been eyeing some sources of cheap gear and grabbing the small stuff when I can

[@SheelaghDaly]

The fear of no money is completely understandable. I deal with that regularly! I like what Natasha said a lot, it's helpful to know our dream and take steps in that direction (i.e. saving up what we can, getting deals on the gear we need when possible) - and then, when it feels right, taking the leap :)