9 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Riding Across the Country

I don’t like to start small. I ran my first marathon before I’d ever signed up for a 5K. And before I decided to ride across the country for the first time, I’d never so much as taken an overnight bike camping trip, nor ridden my bike farther than 60 miles in a day. I had no idea what to worry about, what to pack, or what to expect beyond the general unexpected.

RELATED: I Rode By Myself Across the Country and Things Got Weird

But the weird thing is, my story is far from unique. Lots of cyclists feel the opposite coast calling and jump right into long-distance bike travel before they’ve gotten their bike touring “sea legs.” And maybe that’s the right way to do it. After all, nothing can really prepare you for that first big bike journey, and all those little revelations along the way are the foundations of a true adventure.

That said, I could have maybe done a little more preparation before I set out on a two-month trip alone with little more than a phone card and a $15 tent. Here’s what surprised me on my first cross-country bike tour—and what I wish I’d known before I left home. (Ready to take the plunge yourself? Check out our century training program!)