Feeling nervous before my solo cycling trip abroad by ferry

[TourdeCrema]

I'm nervous as going away solo and just taking me, my bike and getting the train to Portsmouth on Saturday, then the overnight ferry and cycling to my first gite. I have 5 places booked and cycling between them until I get to the next port and cycle home

My tummy is doing cartwheels
Ive travelled alone before, Ive travelled abroad using my bike and have no idea why this time I'm feeling so nervous.

Im 59, and way past menopause, otherwise id think it was that.

Im trying to pack, can't make a decision for the life of me and keep thinking ill forget something

I think im posting for reassurance, it'll be fine credit card at hand and smart phone!

What a fantastic adventure, but I can see why you’d be a bit nervous! Have you got an external charging bank for your phone? Other than that, if you’ve got your credit card and passport, you’ll be fine. It’s likely your nerves will fly away once you set foot on French soil. Wish I was going with you!

Have you got an external charging bank for your phone?

Yes, as my cycling satnav does use some battery life - though I can pop on airplane mode and it still works and saves battery.

Got chase card as that gives bank rate exchange and got some £ notes

Passport. My two key essentials are passport and credit card. Phone is useful but the least important of the three.

That sounds like a fantastic trip, well done you!

Next year - ferry to Northern Spain and cycle round Los Picos, truly beautiful. 😅

Oh I'm full of admiration for you OP.

In the days when I could cycle I always wanted to go on one of the barge and cycle holidays in the Netherlands. Sadly I never got to do it and now at my advanced age with a plastic hip and arthritis my cycling days are over. Still hoping to get to see the Tulip fields at some point though.

No advice but I'm sure once you get underway your nerves will evaporate and you will be fine. Have a wonderful time OP.

I don't think I could do the trip without my phone!

I did forget my pass port once - I was driving though and had go to the M20...

my daughter drove 100 ,miles to Oxford with my passport so I didn't have so far to travel back and we got a later ferry

any tips about calming the cartwheels welcome along with things I might have forgotten

No advice but just to say I’m so jealous have a fantastic time. Feel the fear and do it anyway - seems appropriate!

Prescription medication. Don't ask how I know.... It's one of very few things that the credit card alone won't cover.

Also, glasses/contacts if you use them.

Have a wonderful time!

I have done this now a few times but before
the first had a few sleepness nights catastrophising on what might go wrong. As someone above said, feel the fear and do it anyway.you will return feeling invincible! And want to go again!

nothing did go wrong of course. Presume you can do basic repairs and take a spare tyre just in case and derailleur hanger if time to get one. Take rear light that wil last all day and put it in flash mode. Take charging leads for all your devices.

Take one set of casual clothes and some cycling clothes and wash and wear. Some perfume to make you feel good.

come back and tell us all about it!

It'll be fab, and loads of people do it so you will meet other people stacking up bikes on the ferry - and bikes get to go off first. I assume you are going to Caen or Cherbourg - either way you will have an amazing time, the roads are quiet with good surfaces and drivers generally give cyclists plenty of space and any car horns you are likely to hear will be of encouragement on a climb rather than road rage, it is after all the national sport in France.

Oh and a usb charger plug that fits an eu socket, some thin rope (drying line). Small first aid kit, tiny sewing kit, wrap some gaffer tape around the.cardboard middle
of a loo roll and take that. Also a
piece Of muslin to attach to helmet - I used elastic thread - to keep sun off back of neck.

inheritanceinheritance
packed prescription medication, and more than I need in two different bags. Need to order more whilst I'm away as well

BTsrule
im staying in gates with washing machines and airers - so will be fine for drying. Have packed gaffer tape like stuff - I brought it in a hardware store in Ramsey last time I was away as my cycling shoe broke and it held it together until I replaced them. Ive popped the rest of the roll in - you never know!

SadiraOfTyr

Im getting the ferry to Cherbourg this time, last time I went to Caen and cycled to St Malo via Vitre - moving on each day. This time I have 3 or 4 days at each gite before moving on, so can have rides without being maiden with bags

I would LOVE to do that!!!

Sounds AMAZING OP, have a fabulous adventure! Make sure you fill your water bottle before you leave each place but otherwise sounds like you've got everything covered.

Ive just packed, and now taken out a pair of shorts, a second waterproof, a shirt, t shirt, half my wash bag and changed wash bag for a much lighter simple drawstring jobbie, a very small nighty (why would I need that in France?) and socks have been whittled down to 3 pairs

its still heavy but much lighter

but feel happier having got that sorted

I'm 60 and do solo trips of around a week once a year or so, usually to the Netherlands, though not cycling.
I think when it comes to nerves it really is just a matter of waiting till departure day, then you'll probably find they vanish. It's the anticipation of an upcoming trip that causes the anxiety, whereas once you're actually on the go reality takes over and the enjoyment begins.
I used to feel as if I was facing a firing squad in the days before going away, but over the years that feeling is much reduced. There are still some nerves but mainly about something going wrong at the outset, which could make the rest of the holiday collapse like a row of dominoes. Once you're off, if you do face any problems you're sure to take them in your stride.
Have a wonderful time!

Most exciting - you don't need much when you have to carry it, really. Although its quite hot in france so being able to change tops during the day might nice, you're essentially only needing wash 1 wear one, right? have a brilliant time!

Good luck. How wonderful. I wish I still had some sense of adventure in me.
Your post has made my day!

I’m getting there with the packing, hopefully this will be all I need for 3 weeks. 🙈

About 15 years ago I cycled to Paris slowly with my partner. Get to the ferry terminal with plenty of time. There will likely be a group of cyclists boarding the ferry. We went from new haven and had to cycle on to the ferry first before the cars and lorries. Quite an experience!

Katie Kookaburra or Amy Cycling Adventures on You Tube are worth a watch.
Load locations of bike shops in your phone and use cycle paths where possible. Lights and a charger of course

When I went in April, I had to walk onto the ferry before the cars. I was the only cyclist boarding at that time and as soon as I got to the top they started sending the cars up!

I expect now it’s summer they’ll be far more cyclists 🚴‍♀️

taken more stuff out and put a couple of things in!

Well I’m here and trip went well. Think about it I think my anticipation was down to delayed trains with hot weather. All went well and I’m now at my first gite

the ferry was great and they let the bikes on first, so got to my cabin then grabbed a hot chocolate and went to bed. Leaving the bikes also came off first and I got out of Cherbourg swiftly. Though I did my biggest climb of the year with the first 5 miles 🙈

just cycled to the supermarket to stock up on food as most stuff closed on Sundays. There is a bakery in the next village for fresh croissants tomorrow morning 😋

What a great update, OP. Have a wonderful holiday!

Go for it OP!

I’m younger and still raising young DC, but this is exactly the kind of thing I hope to be doing at your age.

I wish you a brilliant trip