Many of the articles on this site help to prepare you for fully supported/self-contained bicycle touring but there are also many other types of bicycle touring that you can enjoy. One type that's been poorly represented on this site so far is supported bicycle touring.
With a supported tour it's true that you have your tent and other gear carried for you by a SAG wagon of some type (assuming that there even is a tent involved) but I would hesitate to call a supported tour a free ride ( grin ). You still do the long miles and instead of contending with the battles of carrying your gear up a giant hill you instead get to learn more about group dynamics then you possibly ever wanted to know.
These kind of problems can also occurr during a loaded tour but somehow there's always the option to fall back a day or camp by yourself if you really need a break. On a supported tour it seems like you are in for the long haul.
Alan Medcalf went across canada back in the year 2000 as part of the Tour du Canada. During his tour he encountered wildlife, challenging terrain, weird drivers and the joys of preparing group meals. Thoughout his journal you will find references to all of these things as well as an introduction to his friendly bicycle touring mascot.
I especially liked the fact that at the end of each day Alan tended to mention how great it was to be crossing the country by bicycle. Sure he had rough days but one thing that shined through in this journal was his love of cycling and the country he was doing it in.
If you haven't participated in a supported tour, and even if you have, I encourage you to visit his web site and enjoy a nice relaxing read of the Great Canadian Cycling Adventure.
Just after writing Alan to let him know that Bicycle Touring 101 would be featuring his journal he provided this extra bonous for those of you in the Toronto, Ontario, Canada area.
"Here's a nice break from winter blahs to help fuel motivation for indoor training in anticipation of getting outside with big summer plans in mind...
At the Toronto Bike Show at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday March 6, I'll be giving a talk and slide show, sharing stories about "The Great Canadian Cycling Adventure" -- my cycling trip across Canada with Tour du Canada in 2000. It's an hour long. The story is personal and inspirational, and you'll leave believing you can achieve your dreams and that you ought to be planning your own adventure now, before you're yet another year older. The talk features coast-to-coast photographs and personal stories of self-discovery and testing one's limits. "Inspirational and entertaining" said attendees at the talk given at Adventure Guide in Waterloo recently.
At this time, the specific room is uncertain. When you arrive at the Bike Show, please drop by the Tour du Canada booth #723 (before 10:30 am Sunday!) to find out the room number.
For further information:
Hope to see you there,
...alan"
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