Probably just me being slow to figure this out, but.
Did a 6-day tour last year from Canning, NS over to Cavendish Beach on PEI. Nothing crazy, mostly gravel, some quiet pavement, a chunk of the Confederation Trail. Surly with two rear panniers, frame bag, the usual setup.
First two days I rode like someone with a concussion. Missed turns I'd literally planned the route around. Ate one of those Petro-Can chicken sandwiches that I knew, knew, was going to wreck me later. Had a 30 km imaginary argument with my accountant. Couldn't have told you which way the wind was blowing.
Eventually figured out the gear wasn't actually the problem. I was just hauling around invisible cargo. An email I'd been avoiding for nine days. A half-finished argument. Some work thing I kept putting off.
Somewhere around day 3 it starts to shift. Not in any obvious way. You just notice you've climbed for an hour without thinking about anything. By day 5 or 6 the answer to whatever I'd been avoiding kind of just appears. Not as a big epiphany. More like, oh right, that was actually obvious, why was I making it weird.
Anyway, I never see anyone write about this part of bikepacking. Everyone's super into gram-counting, which fine, but the heaviest thing on the bike for me is always mental cargo I couldn't leave at home. Wrote a piece about it here if anyone wants the longer version.
Mostly curious if anyone else has noticed this. Specifically, does it work on shorter tours? Like can you get there in 3 days, or do you need at least 5-6 for it to actually start dissolving the noise?
by djrivard1
5 Comments
Always. Thats why I started planning shorter days the first two days.
I might be able to consistently do 160 km each day after the first week but day one will be limited to 50-60 km and day two 80 km at most.
I’m just a happier tourer that way.
I once started a tour, knowing I can do 160 km by… planning 160 km on the first day. I was wrecked and could only do 40-50 km the days after before taking the train back home.
I know 100% this feeling and can relate.
Usually I cover everything with some noise to mute my inner thoughts.
May it be a podcast or music etc, but i do actually fear to be alone with myself, at least the first part of the trip. Definitely gets better during it.
Even those thoughts about work is what i call deliberate noise as it’s, at least in my case, something i choose over listening to myself.
As so often in life the start is the hardest part.
Recently did a 2-trip in Denmark and the idea of forcing myself to start without a podcast in the ear was putting me off.
Just me, especially in Denmark(!) where there isn’t much noise anyway it’s a task.
But after only 30mins or so i got into it and only many hours later i realised i wasn’t listening to anything.
The first 1-2 hours or so i also deal with current thoughts about work, stress etc but once this is done i actually feel comfortable to be with myself and kinda accept it.
As someone with ADHD the silence feels probably bit more heavy on my mind, its so hard to not get bored, screaming for entertainment to shut off my inner voice. Beeing part of the smartphone-always and everywhere people doesn’t help either.
I figured i need movement to be able to connect to my inner thoughts, i could never meditate while sitting or resting but once i run for longer or cycle or even harder yoga sessions i finally reach that door which leads to my real self.
It’s amazing, yet to start and get out of the house is the hardest part.
Surely takes different time for people to reach that mental state but i felt the cycling pace shouldn’t be too slow for it too, it has to be a bit demanding so i get into it.
The more demanding the less distractions my brain allows, that’s my cheat
Maybe play around with different speeds also and see what it does and how your mind and hormones react to it.
The first 2 days I’m always more “bored” for lack of a better word. The mind somehow craves the constant stimuli of electronic devices. Cycling for 3 hours straight without other distractions takes getting used to. It often even feels like physical exhaustion but for me it’s all in the mind.
Yessssss
The first days are rough and then the 3-4 it’s starting to feel so much more natural, easier to move forward, etc.
Typical. I go through this thru hiking too. How was PEI? I’m heading there next summer!