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!

If you don’t already wear one can I suggest a traditional cycling cap (casquette)? They are great under a helmet for absorbing sweat and can also be worn backwards with the peak flipped down if you have the sun at your back.

Controversial but on very long steep climbs (Pyrenees…) I take my helmet off and sling it over the bars and just wear the cap to keep cool. I figure the helmet isn’t really providing any protection when I’m going at walking pace anyway.

You could take them with you, they might be a bit young now. Don’t wait though. The cycling over here is great and I only had to cycle 3 miles in uk

Controversial but on very long steep climbs (Pyrenees…) I take my helmet off

insurance won’t pay out if you’re not wearing a helmet…it’s my family I can’t do it to them - having to raise the money for my care if something happened. I’d take it off otherwise

If you don’t already, listen to the SeekTravelRide podcast op

IslaWhitey

thanks I’ll give it a go

Well I’m a few days and miles in now and I’m loving bring back cycling in France. You could cycle safely with a 10 year old child on these roads and cycle paths. Cycled 30 miles yesterday on an old railway line

Here is the path

Not sure why that didn’t load

Looks gorgeous, OP! Glad you're having such a fun time. I'll be watching the Tour today, but they're nowhere near where you are by the looks of those signs!

Glad you're having a fab time OP. You are right, anyone doubting that they can do it with kids (or do it at all) are wrong! It's a wonderful way to travel, and France is very easy and very safe - lots of families bike pack there. I have cycled round the world for about 5 years, and I still get stomach cartwheels when I get a ferry or go to a new country. The excitement is just part of travelling. Enjoy the rest of your trip!

cornbunting

nowhere near the tour! The accommodation is always an issue when they are there n the area. Apparently even they have suffered from terrible accommodation this year

Yes, someone was sharing some quite depressing hotel photos. Magnus Cort, I think? They all get booked up and shared out by the organisers, don't they, very much luck of the draw. You'd think that even the worst option would still be decent though, there's no excuse for making them stay somewhere that isn't even clean