Touring isn’t as hard as you think

I’m on a tour of Scotland right now with a 9 year old. This is my first big tour and hers.

Before doing this I was ridiculously nervous. I could do some very very minor bike fixes like tightening a screw but that was it. I’m an okay camper but I’d never wild camped. And my mapping skills aren’t great.

But we’re having a great time. Wild camped a few nights, guest houses a few nights, and a caravan park the last two nights.

I’ve learned you need to fully dry your clothes in this climate or they stink after a day.

I’ve also learned that’s it’s totally reasonable to do only 20-30kms a day and walking up hills is absolutely acceptable. And when it rains incessantly just take a train and enjoy being warm and dry for an hour. Plus that 1 hour train ride cut two days or riding off our trip so we are taking a few days in the Orkney and Shetland islands now. Absolutely worth it.

I feel like there’s lots of people out there like me that want to do this but are nervous and don’t think they can do 80+kms a day and live on trail mix and such. Know that you absolutely don’t have to. You can take it slow, eat in cafes, and hotel it as much as you want. The views are just as good, the biking feels just as nice, and you still have a great experience.