Dear John, Re the big trip. First, congratulations on deciding to "call in well" and go. (I plagiarized this from Richard Brautigan-w/credit years ago and never looked back.) Yes, it's vitally important to learn and practice those kayak skills, as others have pointed out. However, a bigger concern IMHO is the relationship which is at the core of all these adventures. The BIG bike trip should be a good testing/learning ground. I recall a trip partner with whom I'd be reluctant to go to the grocery store-and alas, one with whom I would goto the ends of the earth-even though this person had scarcely paddled before we took off on a 300 mile kayak trip, though they had been a bike racer, high altitude climber, and long distance runner. If the people/relationship/attitudes at the core of the adventure are strong, then much can be built in terms of skills, research, conditioning etc. Go for it, wishing you a wondrous time. Jay, Alma, CO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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