Top 5 things to worry about on a long, solo trip

Countdown- 182 days

As I continue to prepare for this trip, a number of things have popped up to keep me awake at night. Let me share the top five with you now, and perhaps just writing them out will be a bit of therapy for me!

1. Mechanical breakdown
Obviously, a major breakdown will surely change the plan for this trip. With a limited number of days at my disposal, anything major happening mechanically will set my back by a number of days. There's not a lot anyone can do about this because of the vast array of potential problems that could happen. Major engine failure, damage to critical components through accidents or road debris, or a situation that makes the bike no longer completely safe to operate will all have a corresponding effect on the daily itinerary. About the only thing you can do is fully prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.

2. Weather
Again, not anything that you will have control over, but you can make adjustments to the route or schedule as the forecast allows. For example, very rainy conditions and weather patterns may change the number of miles ridden on certain days or the route itself. You can always 'drive around' major rainy spots, if they are contained enough or moving quickly enough to circumvent them. The best solution is preparation. Rain gear, cold weather gear and proper hydration during hot weather will be essential.

3. Illness or injury
Now this is something I do have control over. Keeping myself in top physical shape prior to the trip, and maintaining a proper diet during the trip, along with being dressed appropriately will help me stay healthy. Injuries, well those are a different story. I tend to be a bit of a klutz at times and have even cut myself on that hard plastic packaging that items tend to be packed with these days. As long as I am careful, and don't try anything stupid with a sharp instrument in my hands, I should be fine.

4. Mental alertness
There are a slew of jokes that my dear reader could make already about my mental capacity, or mental capability. Insert yours as a comment and we'll call it even. But seriously, traveling alone will give me more than enough time to 'think' about a few million things. All that thinking, without having someone along to keep me focused on the current situation present a unique problem. I already think too much, and over think most problems. I won't have that solid, guiding influence along so it'll be up to me to focus. I have a habit of passing the time and/or miles by making up stupid lyrics to established songs, figuring out how many more miles I have to go before stopping for a break, or how many cars of a certain color I'll see before the next break all tend to keep my brain functioning, but just not functioning appropriately.

5. Being a target
As uncomfortable as it is to say out loud, some people just don't like motorcycles and/or motorcyclists. Other people, who aren't as upstanding citizens as the rest of us, see opportunities when they see folks who are traveling alone. I'm not generalizing or supporting any stereotypes of the people whose communities I'll be traveling through. The fact is, it doesn't matter where I am, these concerns are the same. What can be done? Some very basic tips will come in handy: don't flash cash, don't share details with unknown people about your business, watch your back, keep an eye on your stuff, and most of all, just be smart. Since alcohol has a definite impact on your ability to stay sharp, anything more than a single beer is just not smart. The best idea is to save the alcohol until the end of the trip, then you have time, inclination and more reason to celebrate.

Trust me, there are lots of other things that I worry about, but these are the top 5 that anyone should worry about in preparation or during the progress of a long solo bike trip.