Ontario resident and BicycleTouringPro.com reader, Kristina Domsic, spent six days bicycle touring round Canada’s Prince Edward Island. The next is my interview with Kristina about her experiences on the street, the issues she realized whereas on her first bicycle tour, and her ideas for others wishing to journey by bike.
Kristina, the place did you go in your bicycle tour and what number of days you have been on the street?
I went on a motorcycle tour of the jap a part of Prince Edward Island, Canada. The journey took 6 days, beginning and ending within the provincial capital, Charlottetown. Main stops alongside the best way included Prince Edward Island Nationwide Park, St. Peter’s Bay, Souris and Georgetown, in addition to a couple of provincial parks.
What was your greatest worry when planning or getting ready to your journey by bike? And the way precisely did you overcome that worry?
My greatest worry was that I wouldn’t be bodily ready for the exertion of biking every day, for a deliberate distance. However on the similar time, it felt essential to plan out distances, since my associate and I knew we solely had so many days till we wanted to get again to the day by day grind.
We overcame this by doing a trial journey a couple of month earlier than heading out to PEI (Prince Edward Island). For the trial tour, we deliberate a 3 day journey that we knew was potential, however can be tough. I realized quite a bit by means of that journey! Not solely about what distances I used to be succesful (or not succesful) of biking, but additionally about some new gear (reminiscent of a extra comfy saddle, and clip-in pedals) that I can buy earlier than heading out on an extended journey. Since my associate was usually stronger and sooner than me it additionally helped us work out the kinks of how one can greatest divide the burden of our gear and simply with getting comfy biking collectively.
What was the factor you preferred MOST about your bicycle touring expertise?
I liked the sensation of accomplishment of powering myself by means of this journey – particularly when it rained on us 4 out of 6 days!
Whenever you’re powering your self to journey every day, you set loads of thought into what your physique and soul actually wants – what sights are price seeing? What meals do you need to fill your tummy with so that you’ll really feel glad but additionally in a position to carry on pedaling? And that was solely amplified by the rain! It was so fulfilling to know we have been ready to beat any climate that received in our manner!
What was the factor you preferred LEAST about your bicycle touring expertise… and the way did you suppose that side of your travels might be improved upon sooner or later?
This tour was actually simply too brief. I believe the following time I plan a giant journey I’d wish to be on my bike lengthy sufficient to really feel my physique actually regulate to it and really feel actually comfy with the biking.
What one piece of knowledge inside “The Bicycle Traveler’s Blueprint” helped you essentially the most in getting ready to your bicycle tour?
It was actually useful to learn by means of the varied packing lists that have been supplied. By evaluating the packing lists of some totally different folks I used to be in a position to really feel extra assured about what I actually wanted, and what I didn’t really want in any respect.
Title three belongings you realized out of your bicycle tour:
1. It’s superb what you’ll be able to accomplish whenever you set your thoughts to it – 6 months in the past I had by no means biked additional than to the grocery retailer and again. Now I really feel like I might journey the world on my bike!
2. It’s good to be ready for any climate. With a superb layering system of clothes and waterproof luggage (or covers), you’re just about good to go! You’ll be able to wager that the following time I tour I’ll be bringing my rain pants.
3. Prince Edward Island is a good place for newbie cyclists. It felt actually secure and welcoming. There are sometimes bike paths, lanes or vast shoulders obtainable on any route, the folks have been pretty, the sights have been attractive, and the meals was unbeatable!
Do you suppose you’ll conduct extra bicycle excursions sooner or later?
Sure, I’ll undoubtedly bike tour once more! My associate and I are contemplating a visit to Europe to reconnect with our household histories in Italy and Croatia. One other place we’re dreaming about is New Zealand – looks as if it might be a fantastic steadiness between seeing one thing completely new and totally different whereas sustaining some familiarities like language. Hopefully each these journey will occur for us sooner or later!
What one piece of recommendation would you give to somebody who’s planning their first bicycle touring journey?
My greatest piece of recommendation is to do a trial tour! It doesn’t matter what your worries are, giving your self a take a look at (of in all probability not less than 2 nights) gives you an opportunity to determine a few of these issues out and provide you with a fantastic confidence increase earlier than you get too far-off from house.
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