tombilcze

I wanted to stop in the forum and thank the folks here for their advice. A little more than a month ago I set out on my first tour. I had a blast. My pal Chuck and I now know it's something we want to do more of in the future. It was real learning experience. I think there is no better lesson than in the saddle experience. In my blog, I posted what I think were the five most valuable things I learned on the tour. I would appreciate your feedback.
Tom

1. It’s OK to pamper yourself.
2. Over planning can be worse than under planning.
3. It’s all about the people and places.
4. Remember that it is supposed to be fun.
5. Learn along the way.

Thulsadoom

1. By all means. Gotta take good care of the motor.

2. Possibly, but hard to do. Most people would benefit from a little more planning.

3. Depends. People tour for many reasons. I love to go places, I rarely go for the people.

4. Sure. Then again, it all depends on what you call fun. Some folks turn their tours into endurance rides and love it. Others slow down and smell the roses.

5. You probably won't have a choice.

mtnbud

1 - Definitely! the whole point is to enjoy yourself. If you're not having fun, what's the point? Pampering oneself even can mean cutting the trip short if weather or other issues aren't cooperating with your plans. I have even stayed in motels when the weather is not cooperating.

2 Every tour is different - I like predicting how far I'll ride each day, where I'll stop to eat, where I'll camp, etc. - But I like being flexible enough to change plans. Sometimes a route change on the fly, distances to cover will change, etc. It's good to be willing to go with it and not be dead set on following an itinerary when that itinerary isn't working or you end up discovering other opportunities along the way.

3. (For me)While touring, camaraderie, scenery, and exercise is good, but meeting and talking to complete strangers ends up being the highlights. It is amazing how many people want to talk/visit/share stories with cyclists on a multi-day tour. The hospitality I've been shown is amazing.

4. If it isn't fun, I wouldn't do it! Although sometimes, in the moment, there are times it's not fun. Once the trip is over, any hardships or troubles are forgotten and all the memories left are good ones! And there usually an accompanied sense of accomplishment.

5. I often take more back from the people I meet than anything else.

RepWI

I am am old politician and always believed I was in that business because I liked the people I represented. Well, now retired and enjoying touring, I find it is the people I enjoy the most. That's what it is about for me.

Looks like you are settling into your own purposes for touring. Enjoy them.