7 Days to Departure: Excitement and Dread

With about 7 days to go before I board Qantas flight number QF94 for Australia, I find my mind and heart beginning to feel simultaneous pangs of excitement and dread. I find it funny that I am feeling joy and elation (“This trip is finally going to happen!”) and yet, at the same time, feel panic and dread (“What did I get myself into?!”).

The enthusiasm is rising, as I can see the departure date around the corner. Ten months ago, I started scheming about a seven month trek where my heart would take me wherever I want to go in the Australian Outback. Now I see the Qantas app on my phone telling me that the check-in time is soon! Excitement– and panic.

The detailed preparation is done. My practice rides, where I test out the handling of all my equipment, is now completed. After arranging and rearranging bags, racks, and various others equipment, the picture shown is what I will be riding.

My loaded bicycle.

Most significant in this arrangement (at least to bike nerds) is the water-carrying capacity, something I obviously did not seriously have to think about until this trip. Through experimentation, I arrived at the 23-liter usage: 1) two 3-liter water sacs (in the orange outer bags) on the front fork, 2) 2 half-liter water bottles under the seat, 3) a 10-liter water sac and another 3 liter sac on the rear rack, and 4) 3 liters (not pictured) in the hydration bag I will be carrying on my back. The 23 liters will be used on the longest stretches. On shorter stretches, some sacs will be unused to make the bike lighter, an idea which led me to compartmentalize the water-carrying arrangement. At 3 liters per day, the sacs should provide me with a little over 7 days supply. And the bike handled well and didn’t feel burdened in the practice runs– a plus!

In the last month, a couple of Australian riders who I don’t even know have written me to give helpful suggestions and possible routes to go on. Free lodging in Perth and York (the next town over), offered from fellow cyclists whom I have also never met, are now arranged. When details come together like this, one can’t help but be thrilled about the upcoming trip.

Such planning contributes to the excitement. But then I think of days and days of solitary cycling, and imagine being stuck somewhere as loneliness strikes. Then I start to panic. So I had to remind myself that the ride is, in part, a pilgrimage, and will provide the silence and solitude, albeit with some sacrifice, of a Lent season. Certainly, such dread will make some people decide not to do the trek. But it is something I want to do. With those thoughts, I calm down.

With the preparation done, I am now packing up the bike and all the paraphernalia in two cardboard boxes, which will be jettisoned when I arrive in Perth. I even measured and cut the boxes to the dimensions specified by Qantas, so I know there will be no overage charges.

The bike is now in the box. The second box is almost complete with everything I’m bringing. (Camera gear still sitting on top of the bike box)

All that’s left now is to board the flight.

10 comments

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    • Alice Espey on March 18, 2019 at 2:03 pm
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    Bon voyage, my dear friend.

    1. Thank you, Alice, likewise my dear friend.

    • Ken Kugel on March 18, 2019 at 5:56 pm
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    You are well prepared my friend ! Enjoy

    1. Thanks. Wish I could have fellow bikers along. 🙂

  1. What an adventure Thuan. It sounds like you are as well prepared as possible, and I love the connections you’ve made with other cyclists down under. Look forward to reading about your Trek, how you handle the loneliness, and what comes out of your solitary times. Blessings!

    1. Thanks for your kind comments and well-wishes, Carol.

    • Kate on March 24, 2019 at 1:51 pm
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    Looking forward to your updates through the journey, Thuan! So glad some Aussies have reached out to you and shared their insights about this fantastic journey! It will make for an epic book!

    1. Thanks, Kate.

    • Yohei on March 26, 2019 at 3:26 am
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    Great to learn that things are going well according to the plan. Looking forward to welcoming you here in Perth! Safe travels.
    Cheers,
    Yohei

    1. Thanks, Yohei. Looking forward to possibly meeting you. I arrive March 30 afternoon into Perth and start biking April 2 morning. I still have to build my bike and buy supplies, so nit yet sure how my time is. My text number is 213-675-6490 or 1-213-675-6490 (not sure which it is in Aus) if you care to contact.

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