Solving common problems
You have to take the bad with the good, and that certainly goes for week-long, cross-state bicycle tours.
Whether there are 200 or 2,000 cyclists on these organized bicycling events, don't be surprised if a few things don't go to your liking. It takes years for the organizers to work out the kinks, and even then things crop up that nobody could expect. Plus, there are plenty of annoyances over which they have no control.
I'm warning you so you can prepare yourself. Don't let these adversities ruin your idyllic bike ride; remember, this is an adventure.
1. Not enough port-a-potties: There never seems to be enough portable toilets, neither at the destination nor enroute. Actually, there are probably enough, it's just that everyone wants to use them at the same time.
Solutions: When you arrive at your destination, be it a high school, college, or other public facility, scout around for some quiet, secluded, off-the-beaten-path indoor plumbing. When everyone is lined up at the “Johnny on the Spots” or waiting for a berth in the boys or girls restrooms, you'll be comfortably situated on the throne in the faculty lounge.
Also, when you leave in the morning, skip the urge to make that last-minute pit stop. Jump on the bike and race to the first rest-stop, probably less than an hour away. You won't face a line, and you might even get a virgin portable toilet, instead of one that's been used ever since cyclists started arriving at camp.
And enroute anywhere, if you ever see a park or an idle portable, use it. It saves waiting in line at the official reststops.
2. Snorers: People who don't want to bother with pitching and breaking down a tent everyday on a bike tour can often choose to sleep in a high school gym. That's fine, but there always will be someone snoring. It doesn't matter if the guy is on the inflatable mattress next to you or clear across the floor. A good snorer can make a gym resonate like your home theater system's subwoofer.
Solutions: Bring ear plugs. They feel a little strange at first, but you'll be exhausted enough to fall asleep anyway. Also, for comfort, bring a small battery operated fan. It gets stuffy indoors.
3. Early risers: Some cyclists like being the first ones into the destination site. How do they do this? By being the first ones in the saddle that morning. There's nothing more annoying than hearing tent poles clicking at 4:30 in the morning. First you think you've overslept, then you fret about someone getting to breakfast ahead of you, hitting the road ahead of you, and getting the best campsite at the next destination.
Solutions: Again it's earplugs. Also, remind yourself the night before not to worry about people getting early start. And I'm not joking about 4:30 in the morning.
Check out — More than 90 across-state bicycle tours
4. Picking the wrong campsite: You know you've picked the wrong site for your tent when there's a party next door, there's a security light shining through the window, you hear the portable toilet doors banging all night, your tent is 100 degrees from sitting out in the sun all afternoon, or there are puddles on the tent floor.
Solutions: Arrive at your destination early enough so you can scope out a good spot. First and most important is look for a stand of trees for shade. Use a compass to figure out where the shade will be in an hour, in two hours, etc. You'll be able stay cool and hang at your crib.
Other important factors: Make sure you're far away from the toilets; make sure the tent is on level ground (if it slopes, sleep with your head uphill); watch out for security lights (I like it dark); make sure the tent is on high ground, not low ground where water will flow in a rainstorm.
5. Running out of food: It might seem hard to believe, but I've been on rides where the kitchen ran out of food. What happens is that the tour organizers tell the local Lions, or Kiwanis or Band Booster club that 2,000 cyclists will be eating dinner between 5 and 6:30 at the high school lunchroom. Here's the money, feed them. Those caterers aren't used to 2,000 ravenous, calorie-starved people showing up and passing through the chow line like locusts.
Solution: Get in line 15, if not 30, minutes early. First, you'll spend less time in line than if you arrive a half-hour later and must wait with everyone who showed up on time. Plus time will go fast because you're talking with smart early-arrivals like you. Second, you'll have your choice of all the food that's available.
See also — More bad things that can happen on good bicycle tours: Your stuff gets wet; busy route; wasting time looking for bags….
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