The Stress of Planning

By Jack Hawkins

The stresses of planning such an expedition as the one I will embark on next year have been
high as of late, as I get my head down and spend hours either staring at maps, guides or reading
East to West cycling blogs online.

There is so much to factor in: Food, accommodation costs, bike repair funds in case something
should go wrong and I am not able to fix it... Plus hundreds of other variables that may come into
play.

I'm planning to leave either late April or early May, depending upon the weather and whether or
not Old Man Winter is kind to me. My route still has yet to be nailed down, that is something that
concerns me, also. I have ordered "Canada by Bicycle" by Steve Langston, in the hopes that
while it details a route West to East, it will still prove useful in terms of accommodation and utility
(food stops, laundromats, etc) information.

Another thing that I must factor in when planning out this trip, is nutrition. What types of foods
should I be eating? What is the cost of these types of foods, how much should I be eating?
Although I am not going to be so scrutinous as to map out my daily intake, I would still like to
have a good idea as to what my diet should be.

I imagine that it will contain plenty of oatmeal, Mr. Noodles, dried fruit, and perhaps the odd
chocolate cake when I'm feeling particularly proud of myself and/or down ­ chocolate heals
everything. Right?

I will also be asking the question of every bike tourist I know about what they eat. But truth be
told, I am more worried about the financial side of things, and will begin actively seeking to
crowdfund part of the budget that I have come up with.

All things considered, my bike is pretty much ready to hit the road, except for a few spares that I'll
need, and to convert my dynamo hub to recharge my electronics instead of charging my front
and rear lights. And a handlebar bag that I'm looking to add.

Despite the stresses, I'm almost ready to hit the road, and that is perhaps the most exciting
thing! Only a few months remain until I depart on the adventure of a lifetime.

About the Author

Jack Hawkins is a freelance travel writer and touring cyclist. Originally from the UK, he swapped one seaside town for another in 2006, and has been living in Canada for eight years. Jack has always had a fondness for writing and after graduating from Bonar Law Memorial High School in Rexton, Jack decided to pursue a freelance writing career, and implemented his love of cycling into his work shortly after a chance-meeting in 2013 with a fellow Englishman who had cycled across Canada.

Jack currently writes for this webzine, but is also a monthly contributor Mike's Bike Shop's E-Magazine, "The Rider's Edge". He recently worked on and published a series of thirty-one articles for revered bicycle touring guru, Darren Alff, for his website: http://gobicycletouring.com/. Jack also writes articles, journals, gear reviews, and interview pieces for his own website - http://jackonabike.ca/.