You heard of "couch to 5k", but have you heard of Couch To Cycle Camping

[williamnb@social.vivaldi.net]

You heard of "couch to 5k", but have you heard of Couch To Cycle Camping?
Now you have, and you have several months before summer, to get ready!
#cycling #camping #WillCycle
https://www.willcycle.com/2023/06/22/couch-to-cycle-camping/

[dcz@fosstodon.org]

@WilliamNB
> when carrying extra weight, cycling up hills requires more effort

Maybe on the first trip, don't take so much that you feel the difference while riding :P
With panniers, the biggest difference in handling is when you get off the bike and try to hold it. They shift the center of mass of an unmanned bike a lot.

[dcz@fosstodon.org]

@WilliamNB

> finalise where you’ll be camping beforehand

Mixed idea. When you think you might not make it before nightfall, it could be stressful. Better get comfortable with the idea of having to find a suitable spot on the go because that may happen anyway.

[williamnb@social.vivaldi.net]

@dcz That's well outside the comfort zone of anyone going cycle camping for the first time. This is why I also said this: "the spot you choose must be within your riding ability and range, and fit in with whatever time limits you may have"

[dcz@fosstodon.org]

@WilliamNB I still think it's a tradeoff. Not reaching a spot within your ability may still happen if you have something unforeseen coming up, like a flat tire or waking up in a bad mood or meeting a traveler you want to spend more time with.
Can't remove stress from that without being comfortable with plan B.

For a beginner, I'd add: cycle close to train lines if possible. Those offer a bailout option if stress gets too high.