Pipe dreaming doesn\’t always mean visions of being a virtuoso on the organ. We can\’t all be Buxtehude, after all!

My version of pipe dreaming consists of notions of a long bicycle tour — \”some day\” — and that\’s big-time dreaming!

I\’d need a LOT of training, that\’s for sure; and that\’s not easy. Like so many of us, I have limited time to ride and train.

I\’m lazy, too. Despite good intentions, my \”force work\” days often fall short. My legs seem to get too tired, too fast; and if I work to get my heart rate into its maximum range, the legs are shot by the time I get there!

Then there\’s the big question: will the tour have a SAG wagon? If not, what load will I have to carry? Tent? Cooking gear? I\’ll have several days\’ clothes; and snacks; and rain gear. The list can go on and on; and then I\’ll have to pore over it and pare down as much as possible. \”Travel light\” is the supreme rule!

A touring bicycle needs racks fore and aft for carrying panniers; and the rear rack also needs carrying capacity on top. A handlebar bag is a good idea, too, if you don\’t want to have to stop every time you need to grab a bite to eat.

Don\’t forget, fenders are important. I suspect that it\’s a rare tour that doesn\’t run into rain at least once! Fenders help keep your panniers — and your back — from getting too much dirty water sprayed all over them.

It all sounds rather overwhelming; and potentially costly. Maybe some day I can do that bicycle tour. For now, it\’s merely pipe dreaming.