Reginald, really? I had you in my mind as a months-long tourer! I suppose I decided that somewhere after seeing photos of your bike on social media. Well, my friend, you have got to get out there. I am such a novice. Bad at maps, bad at bike-fixing and if I can do it, YOU can do it. Half the battle is setting the date and planning the route. Once you do that, it’s pretty easy. You can cut your teeth on that Chicago ride - it’s so easy. Only a couple of days and your bags are taken to your campsite or hotel, so you just need to ride the bike. And if you have trouble, they have SAG support. It’s every June. I have done it twice and don’t need to do it again, but I highly recommend it for anyone has hasn’t tried such a ride.
I’m off to a breakfast at one of the girls’ houses from my bike group. We can at least TALK bikes. I’m going to get some ideas from them. One woman and her husband set out from their front door and rode 360 miles, arriving back on their doorstep again after several days. She had a good route that I might try. Would be way more fun with a pal, but I bet I could do it alone. It’s in the lower peninsula, so not remote like the UP. Which I’m also aiming to try. But there are bears up there! 😱 Leah,
You have taken quite the leap in bicycle touring/adventuring the last couple years. The ride from Chicago along the Lake Michigan to Indiana/Michigan seemed like quite the ride a couple years ago. Your trips last year looked like an amazing time. Sounds like a RivSisters or Rivendell organized ride may be in order.
I myself have never done an overnight ride. A friend want to do RAGBRAI. The ride you did from Chicago along Lake Michigan to Indiana/Michigan is appealing due to being from Chicago and having some familiarity with the area. I did the first day of RAGBRAI a couple years ago and enjoyed it up to the point where I bonked and had to throw in the towel and take a SAG.
A have a bicycle shop friend that does a tour every year out east. The one last year ended in Pittsburg, PA or someplace in OH. They drove out, parked, rode several days and rented a van at the end to get back to the vehicles. Was thinking about seeing if they had room for me to go along. The Katy Trail in Missouri looks like a good option. This same shop friend and another friend have done this in the past. The other friend did it with another girlfriend on Electra e-bikes with, at max about 50 or 60 miles per day with hubby driving camper to each overnight location.
The I&M Canal in Illinois looks good since it is close to Chicago. Have some friends that are in that area that may be game. Would have to get them out on bikes first since most of them are novices.
As for getting out in this weather, It has not been particularly comfortable here in Eastern Nebraska. I had the day off and thought about at least going for a walk, but just ended up staying in all day. Somewhat out of my character.
Reginald Alexis
On Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 6:47:29 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
I do think you’re right about this, Ted. I AM a people person and I think it might get pretty lonely out there alone. I would be the type to cut my trip short. I love looking back at my photos and video from the trips with my son; they were so special because HE was there. I need to find some new bike camping pals STAT. My buddy up in GR has a whole pile of these type of friends. Last summer he texted me from the road; he was riding around most of Lake Michigan and they were slogging it out doing 100+ mile days in 90 degree heat. I thought it was so cool he had several guys to do it with, also, please do not invite me to that. I do not want that kind of punishing itinerary; I want to see gorgeous things and stop for food and drink.
I did just plan a 3 day route in the upper peninsula that would take me from Sault St. Marie to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It’s got one 80 mile day in it and the area is pretty remote. I think I need a partner for that one. I find the planning also to be overwhelming. It’s hard to know what places are truly like just from the internet. My inaugural ride to Niagara Falls ended up on 55 mph roads with little to no shoulder and we swore never again. It was on the “Great Lakes Seaway Trail” and it was a misnomer, let me tell you…
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 8:24:53 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote: I’ve thought of setting off alone. But I wonder if that’s safe or will even be fun. Part of doing these trips is having someone to enjoy them and relive them with. Plus, how scared would I be alone in my tent at night when the animals come out? What if something happens like a mechanical or a crash?
That's a big question, for sure. I've just spent 6 days in LA thinking about how much I enjoy biking and sailing, and how that means I'm stuck for fun for a few months. A natural winter activity is to start planning the fun that I'll have when the weather allows. Whether you'll enjoy a bike camping trip solo is a great question to ask. As Paul Fournel says in _Need For The Bike_, "Hell is the rhythm of others." And, yet, few people really enjoy being alone for extended periods. I am an introvert, sometimes cripplingly so, and yet the couple of times I have done solo bike trips I have cut them short. I was a lot younger, then, though, and I've been thinking about planning something. As I think about it, I think that the best approach will be to try some solo S24O's, and see whether I enjoy those. But, as I'm not as young as I used to be, I'm not sure I want to actually do a camping trip. We'll see!
Great winter topic, Leah! (apologies to those in warm climates and/or on the other side of the Equator).
Ted Durant Milwaukee WI USA
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