What I wish I knew BEFORE My First Solo Bike Tour

Before I headed out on my first solo bike tour, I had so many fears and anxieties. But ultimately I am incredibly grateful that I took the leap to set out and bike across Europe on my own. In this video I'm sharing the 3 things I wish I had known during that period of hesitancy before I headed out on my first solo cycle tour.
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CHAPTERS
0:00 My first solo bike tour
1:21 #1 Fears are information
4:24 #2 You'll figure it out
6:18 #3 People are unbelievably kind
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www.sheelaghdaly.com/
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/ sheelagh.daly

[@SheelaghDaly]

Have you headed out on a solo cycle tour? Or would you like to? I would love to hear about your experiences!

[@michaelcameron3645]

leaving in about a month to cycle through europe. Probably a very similair route to yours. Iv done a short 3 day cycle in scotland so im kinda ready for it but i feel like i should know more about bicycle repairs.

[@SheelaghDaly]

​@@michaelcameron3645 That's great you've done a 3-day cycle tour already! I hear ya - repairs are something I always feel like I could know more of! I hope you have a great trip!

[@flyablepenguin893]

Im gonna ride across the US on the transam trail this summer as a college graduation gift to myself!! Super excited. Channels like yours helped me and have inspired me so much. Thank you. Can’t wait to see your channel grow!

[@SheelaghDaly]

@@flyablepenguin893 Aww thank you for saying that! I am so excited for your adventure!! Thank you for the support :)

[@HermannKerr]

Everything you said is right on. Fear stops a lot of people from living their dreams.

[@williammacqueen1418]

In May of 2018, I set off for Europe to bike tour. I was 63 and had never ridden a loaded bike before. I recall being on the trans Atlantic flight on the verge of an anxiety attack and wondering how I could be such a fool thinking that this adventure was a good idea. However, like you, I just figured it out. In 2019 I went back to Europe again, and again had the time of my life. I’ve cycled in 12 countries and saw the best of humanity and can’t wait for more. In fact today, I ordered racks for my new bike and will soon make more plans to go back to Europe this summer. I say don’t be afraid to live, and there’s no time like the present to live a dream.

[@SheelaghDaly]

Aww William, I love this message so much!! It sounds like we had similar experiences of wondering what the heck we were getting ourselves into... only to absolutely love it! Good luck with your next adventure!

[@marksip01234]

Fantastic - well done

[@SheelaghDaly]

@@marksip01234 Thanks so much!

[@BrianRPaterson]

Well done that man! You really jumped in at the deep end. I'd probably start by picking a country with decent weather and is fairly safe in terms of crime. Northern Europe is safe, but the weather is iffy. Southern Spain or Portugal sound good to me once the COVID is over. Cheers

[@FollowThomas]

I agree with you that there are a lot of kind people out there. I know that from my own experience when bike touring. 👍

[@SheelaghDaly]

It truly is so special!!

[@OWC2000]

Great video. Always remember a bad day cycling beats a good day at work.

[@SheelaghDaly]

Hehe thanks for sharing that!

[@chantallemire3485]

I plan a long bike tour justly to reconnect with humans. Life and kindness is out here, not in front on your tv.

[@SheelaghDaly]

There is definitely so much kindness to be found out in the world!

[@graham4885]

Great idea. You see a different side of people on the trail.

[@Lukearthwalker]

All very, very excellent points. 👍🏻 Yup, no amount of preparation will be enough, we learn as we go and make it up as we go, at some point you just have to get on your bike and start riding! So glad you're still at it three years after your first overseas adventure! 😎

[@SheelaghDaly]

I'm glad they resonated with you! Yes finding that balance between preparation and just getting out there is so key!

[@vanomadcyclist3474]

I have just started doing solo adventures and love the solitude and not having to negotiate anything!! I do get some push back on the whole idea of safety, and why do I have to go solo, but I understand and am thankful to have people in my life who care about my well being. With that said, I hope to have many more solo adventures to discover the inner me even more 🙏🏼😊

[@SheelaghDaly]

Aww I love this -- it's so true, it's an incredible way to discover more about ourselves! I wish you many more joyous, safe, solo adventures!!

[@almartin1587]

Thanks for the fantastic series of videos. Am setting out on May 7th from Sacramento, California heading to Washington DC. My first serious tour and going solo. Will be visiting many friends along the way. Have been cycling almost all of my 59 years (except for the first 5 or so) but have never done one this grand. Your videos, along with a lot of others who provide content on KZbin have inspired me to no end. Am looking forward to the mental challenge, as well as all the interesting people I know I will meet. Thank you for helping us out here to believe we can do it, too!

[@SheelaghDaly]

Aww thank you for such a lovely comment Al! You made my day :) That sounds like an incredible adventure you have planned. Good luck and happy travels!

[@hilarybilary9145]

Those are just great life lessons in general! Great video as usual ❤️

[@SheelaghDaly]

Aww thank you!!

[@grahambonner508]

Thanks for that, it resonates with me. I used to do very short trips without much planning, just went. But now I plan a much longer trip, am considerably older and, yes the more I think about it, the more those reservations grow, but we only live once and I am determined to do it.

[@SheelaghDaly]

I'm so happy to hear you are continuing with your adventures -- that is so wonderful!

[@ellejay4497]

I love the positive message! I am leaving in a few days for my first solo month-ish tour (credit card camping) through northern Germany, and into the south of France where I will meet a friend, and then we cycle together into Spain where she lives. I tend to overthink/over plan, and I know I need to let go and let it rip!

[@SheelaghDaly]

That sounds like such an amazing trip!! You've got this! 🙌

[@roger6965]

I like how you present your videos plus you know so much about nutrition, I"m from Winnipeg and I'm 60. Due to this pandemic and plus the unknown of what this world is going to bring, I've decided to tour on my bike to Kelowna and maybe Victoria this year, nothing holding me back cause I've lost a lot during this pandemic. I particularly like that your a nutritionist and I've got crohns disease, your nutrition advice is going to help me so much and I thank you for this! Much Respect and keep up the good work.....Peace

[@SheelaghDaly]

Thank you so much for the kind message Roger! A tour to Kelowna or Victoria sounds great! There's so much beauty to be found in our home country for sure :) And I'm so glad my nutrition background has been of help to you too! Happy riding!

[@graham4885]

Sounds like you discovered new places and different aspects of yourself. I'm a fairly experienced tourer and wild camper and also I get hesitancy before most trips, it's ok and there's a lot to plan. One or 2 days in and you just focus on the ride and nature. It's a liberation.

[@SheelaghDaly]

I love this :) thanks for sharing Graham!

[@kyleaylward6678]

Thanks for the tips and encouragement sheelagh , really informative and good reminders... Im in Nova Scotia and heading out in 3 weeks up the coast to cape Breton island , Cabot trail , and up to grow morn Nfld . Been feeling that fear and hesitancy also very excited lol ANYONE TOURING Atlantic Canada THIS SPRING SUMMER HMU LETS RIDE! PEACE AND LOVE RIDERS!

[@SheelaghDaly]

That sounds like an incredible adventure you have planned Kyle! I hope you have such an amazing time!!

[@jonvillani6416]

Heading out on my first from Sagres, Portugal to Rome, Italy. Dunno what I'm doing but I have faith I'll figure it out. Thanks for the info!

[@SheelaghDaly]

Aww I'm so excited for you!! I hope you have the most wonderful adventure!

[@leonardoromero6311]

You are a great story teller, congratulations, you have convinced me in a 95%.

[@SheelaghDaly]

Aww thank you so much Leonardo! Solo bike touring is a pretty special thing :)

[@granthw4993]

I'm doing my second ever weekend trip in May! Your content is a nice break from the Ukraine news.

[@SheelaghDaly]

A 2nd trip -- how exciting!! Yes the news is so difficult and devastating. Very happy to have you here Grant :)

[@hasnaindattu4136]

i like the way u presant your you tube video. very nicely done in explanation and ideas. Can you come with another video as HOW TO OVERCOME THE FEAR OF STEALTH CAMPING IN FOREST. I am really frighten of darkness, animals, snakes and insects

[@greciawhite6413]

ive never done this before but i do agree at some point we just have to trust ourselves to figure it out!:) im planning my first bike tour this summer..thanks for your advice!

[@SheelaghDaly]

Ahhh so excited for you!! I hope you have an amazing time!

[@greciawhite6413]

@@SheelaghDaly thank you so much:)

[@graham4885]

Yeah trust yourself. I'm experienced but I still go on a short shake down tour at the start of each season.

[@jeffcgardner]

How about a vid on Three Things You Learned AFTER Your First Solo Bike Tour. Cuz the hidden secret of expeditionary biking that people seem unprepared for is how the experience changes EVERYTHING about the rest of your life. You savored, then. You breathe it all in, now.

[@SheelaghDaly]

Oooh love this! Thanks for suggesting this Jeff :)

[@alirezafazeli8222]

Thanks for sharing your precious experiences. Since you are a Canadian, have you done wild camping in Canada?

[@SheelaghDaly]

Thanks for the kind comment! I've only done a little wild camping in Canada. I would like to do more but so far on my Canadian trips campsites and kind Warmshowers hosts often present themselves haha

[@scottfrazer4669]

I think I’m a lot like you. This was helpful!

[@SheelaghDaly]

I’m so glad it was helpful! Happy adventuring!

[@welshbikepackingadventures]

Wild pooping I'll never get used to.. great vid by the way popit

[@SheelaghDaly]

Haha it certainly has its challenges!

[@jessiegonzales4840]

Hi try to make a bike tour here in the Philippines,I will accompany you with my touring bike

[@johngrossbohlin7582]

I was rather fearless when I did my first trip... being a late 20s male I was invincible! LOL From the time I decided to do it until I was 1,100 miles away (as the crow flies) doing it was three weeks. I needed the three weeks to get gear as I had none! I had no route picked out or maps when I started... I just knew I was going north back to my home! Three months and 3,100+ meandering miles later I got home. Yes, you figure it out as you go and you develop a sense for what is safe and what is sketchy... Here I am 36 years later and I'm about 6 weeks out from undertaking my 4th multi-month trip... solo this time too. The 2nd and 3rd I did with my sons when they were each aged 15. I did some week long trips along the way too. My goal is 10,000+ miles of self-supported touring and I should be close to that by the end of the coming trip. If I come up short I'll have to do another trip... and hate it all the way! 😜

[@SheelaghDaly]

Aww I love this so much John! That is so cool you headed out with both of your sons too. Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@MaheshbhaiTrivedi-fd7uv]

I am from India your all videos are very nice

[@gravelrider5612]

Why didn’t you bike tour in the US and experience camping here first before going to Europe ?

[@manojvasan8111]

Ur voice 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@annaeglite8916]

🤍🤍🤍

[@telipenka1688]

When you are woman people are unbelievably kind....when you are man people are unbelievably denial and suspicious 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@hasnaindattu4136]

you are right about that

[@hasnaindattu4136]

i like the way u presant your you tube video. very nicely done in explanation and ideas. Can you come with another video as HOW TO OVERCOME THE FEAR OF STEALTH CAMPING IN FOREST. I am really frighten of darkness, animals, snakes and insects

[@SheelaghDaly]

Thanks so much! That's a great video idea! I'll work on that. But in the meantime, here are a couple from other creators I have found helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJXZnWeMaaaNh5Y and kzbin.info/www/bejne/ip-ZentjeKxoodk