Should I

[Turtle_eyes]

I spend my days just wishing they would end. I have no work and no real desire to work, as I left my old career and now need to find the energy to start anew, which fills me with dread. My partner finds me hard to deal with as I mope around home, feeling sad. I hate doing that to her.

I wonder if I should just start riding around Australia? I have a good touring bicycle setup and could live pretty frugally. At least I keep moving, and am outside.....at home I am withering on the vine.

Pros: Outside, exercise, travel, fun.

Cons: Boredom, loneliness, huge distances, safety.

Just wonder what people think about my idea? Pros? Cons?

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Turtle eyes,

Oh I love the idea of riding around Australia! That sounds like it would be an amazing experience.

Maybe to help make your decision it might help to have a look at the pros and cons a bit more -

You mentioned boredom and loneliness as part of a con. How often do you feel bored and lonely when you do ride? How long have you ridden before on your own? I think in a sense while nothing can compare to riding around Australia, you can get an idea of how you feel when you do go for long rides on your own.

When you ride, do you feel like you're escaping from those awful feelings? Or is it a way to move forward and confront them head on? What might it feel like to come back from that ride; a dread about what you have to do next or a sense of pride/nostalgia/good memories?

I do understand the con of safety but I think for me personally that would be a barrier or an obstacle rather than a reason not to go. I say this because there are so many people who do ride around Australia; just takes a lot of preparation and thinking ahead before you go.

Hopefully that gives you something more to think about! It's definately a big decision so I wish you the best.

[Jacko777]

Hi Turtle eyes,

You could do some in between rides first, in training, see how it fits.

A con might be that a massive ride might still not bring you peace, you may only need to travel to your psychologist for that!? What other things are you passionate about, what else will get you motivated?

Don't get me wrong, a huge ride would be awesome and character building.

Jack

[kanga_brumby]

Turtle did you think to remember what happens if you buckle a wheel or frame. Road trains possibly running you off the road. Then in remote paces think about salt water crocks. You could wake up with a crock trying to share your sleeping bag. One person I knew packed his gear up before he closed the top flap got distracted without looking flipped the top over closed it properly got home opened it up then left the room like a bullet. On the top of his Pannier was a Tiger snake who had climbed up there to sun it's self. then you have to make certain you have enough water and food between towns it could be a week between towns.

Kanga