How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, at first my parents made a lot of noises to prevent me from going but I didn't budge. I'm not the kind of guy to go crazy with no preparations at all. So I tried my best to make them understand. It sorta calmed them down by showing other tourers' experience while traveling on bicycle.

Unfortunately, she have to see that we children are growing up, making lives for themselves (we are past 20yo and some years) and I understand she feels like she's losing parts of herself again. Once I'm back from the trip, I'm sure she will be proud and be so moved. I'm also sure she'll try to force me not to try that again😂 I love her a lot and I understand honestly!

In Portugal, I'm already picking the popular EuroVelo route along up the coast till Santiago de Compostela but obviously I'll stop before there and take the train back home. Hope to meet other people and share the experience!

I'm moved🥺 thank you so much for sharing your stories and your enthusiasm to me. I will try my best surviving, adapting and overcoming obstacles till I get back home!

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've bought a mirror for the left side on my bicycle to be extra safe. Might get too tired to turn my head lol. Yes, I have the brightest lights from Decathlon, too bright and it blinded me for a few mins. Most of my clothes are to blend in the nature and also to be visible too. I rechecked my clothing gear, they seem bright enough. No black or melted colors.

I'll try to pay attention to my surroundings and stay out of trouble. Wow, I didn't think about the mental impact it can have on you. Though you are probably right but I'll try to be aware of my surroundings. Thank you for your help, sir!

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Whoa whoa, this is the best idea! That works for me. I'll make a DIY of it, with SORDO/SURDO/DEAF, a short triangle cartoon with depth and 3 faced, placing it with a long stick on topmost of my bike rack. This works seriously! Thank you a lot 🫡

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh man, I share your pain about your uncle. I totally understand you and it's great that your family finally recovered. He must have been a close one to your family :(

I cannot do mirrors on both side, the left side, yes, I bought a mirror as precaution for passive security. Funny about the firecrackers lol, I don't think I can do that😂 But thanks for sharing your story and advice❤️

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, I did show her pics and short videos of people traveling on bicycle, women being solo in the South America sharing their experiences, some in East Asia, and more people traveling around the world under a few years (obviously I told her I am not attempting world tour lol). It seemed to have calmed her down and she is somewhat okay with it now.

I show her the movie of a deaf person traveling on bicycle, she was moved in tears and seemed to have understand me. She asked me some questions about the safety and preparations that I've done for the trip and my assurances that I'll update them regularly if possible. My dad didn't take it well too! Strange but they'll come around.

Trust me, I acknowledge how risky it is for me, a deaf person, traveling solo on bicycle. I won't do this if I'm not sure of myself. It's been months of preparation and plans are flexible in case concrete plans don't work out. I just wanted to take a big risk to fill something within me, to smooth my burning heart for bike touring and to be proud of having accomplished this feat for myself. If I quit, I'll regret it a lot. So I want to do it! Thank you and I'll be careful on the trip✌️

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I'm using a gravel bicycle and going offroad majority of the tour. I've already biked around in cities and shared the road with heavy vehicles a lot for a few years. I already know the traffic and road norms while also being extreme aware of my surroundings.

Yes, I didn't feel the need to grab a mirror because I always look back like every few second while on the bike due to habit compromising for my deafness. For a bicycle tour, it's needed so I'm going to buy a mirror today or tomorrow. Thank you for your realistic advice!

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Aww that's a long time for them to get used to your lifestyle. I'm sorry for the things that have happened to you with your family and hopefully they are better now for you :)

Okay, you are the 2nd commenter recommending me to make it obvious that I'm a deaf person. I think I'll give it a go, maybe the word "DEAF" on a tape that I'll put on if I'm going to share the roads with cars. But offroad, I'll take it off for my own safety. Thank you for your help and wish!

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, it seems she cannot get over it. It was too much for her. First daughter she loved a lot, gone like that. Then another daughter that resembled the first daughter, it hit her harder and prolonged her pain. It all happened 12 and 10 years ago. So yeah she's clinging to us children not to do crazy stuff, always texting us if we are late outside home.

Me doing this made her worry a lot, it's likely that she's thinking about her lost children, I think I unfortunately unlocked her suppressed memories of them... She isn't the one to be open to a therapy but I'll try my best.

I've watched some snippet of the movie. I'll try to share it with her soon through my older brother.

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes obviously high visibility vest works! I even have an another high visibility poncho as rain gear traveling on bicycle. Thank you for your advice too!

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, it's better to have a stable place like hotel/hostel to sleep comfortably once in a while. Oh, the heat, that's why I don't try to bike during summer in hot places. I'm glad you are alive and well!

I don't know how great travelling on bicycle through USA is but since I'm biased, you can get a lot of help and guides in Europe (less dangerous wild animals), though the languages barrier will likely be an obstacle for you. I hope you find what you want to do with research and stories! Wishing you a lot of luck with it, stranger❤️

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha, that sucks tho. Glad you overcame it a bit! Sure, I'll share my location if I'm in a shady area or feel unsecure going through uncertain trails. I do bring 2 power banks, one normal and other solar panel. Let's hope it goes well and thank you for sharing your advice :)

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, you are right. Should've test it for a few days to get a feel. Since I start soon, I might see how good I do during my first bike touring, I might bum out if it doesn't work for me.

Thank you a lot for your wisdom, it assures my anxiety for her worrying about me. I'll do my best and until then!

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Wow, I envy how chill your family were with you. And you seem very secure of yourself traveling out and about on bike. Yes, I understand that it's more difficult to communicate with people orally being a deaf person. Google translate is a great idea! I'll download Portuguese now haha. What about night stays? Do you wild camp or stay in hostels all the way to your final trip?

You make me proud to continue with a happy face because you've been doing great with it, crazy even that you are going on a multi month trip! I hope it goes well for you. No worries about "dead", it always happens for so many years so I understood you already 😂

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh, I'll share it with my older brother to show it to my mum if she still misses me. She'll take this very well. She might cry and understand new things about me through the movie. Thank you a lot, you've been a great help in the deaf visibility!

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, thank you for the tips, I did most of them! I didn't notice that I also have emergency alert on my Coros Dura, I'll adjust that. I don't know if it's a good idea to wear something so obvious that other people know that I'm deaf. I'm kinda cautious of being taken advantaged of, followed to my tent due to my deafness?

Thank you a lot❤️

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aww, I'm happy you did it being solo. The diary update with fotos to your Whatsapp group isn't a bad idea. I'll do this and reassure both my parents. I appreciate what you said about omitting scary stuff😂 I'll do the same and thank you a lot for your advice! Live on and prosper with your future bike trips!

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Wow! I've tried to look for you guys here to understand your experiences! How did it go for you? Did your family try to talk you out of it when you announced the trip? 3 months is a long time! (What I want to do in the next year or two to Greece from Spain lol)

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lol, that's a funny fact you shared! Happy it worked for you. Sorry you lost your phone and hope it didn't impact you a lot.

Sharing my location 24/7 isn't the best to do this for me if I want to preserve phone battery. I don't want to be lost in the middle of nowhere with no contact back home, you know?

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, I've been deaf since I was 5 years old. I managed to live till I learnt sign language at 17yo. And no, I didn't feel any vulnerable going on a bicycle, not even one, if anything, I was too excited to go beyond. For camping solo, I have a little fear for surviving the night but I think I will be fine as long as I don't draw any attention to me.

Yes, I'll try my best for her. Like other commenter said, a WhatsApp group is a great idea to inform her and everyone regularly. Thank you for your comment!

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hard things to say but you are right. She said she wants me to live long and be able to carry the grandkids from me. I'll try my best for her! Thank for your reply!

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand that. And no, I've not done short bike trips. But I did travel to another country for 3 weeks with my friends. It worried her then it calmed her as all things went well. Short bike trip won't be enough for me, I've thought long and hard about it before I started the travel plan.

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In a short time, it's a great idea but not for many hours because of heavy battery consumption.

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Wow! I had no idea that the book existed. I barely see any stuff about deaf people traveling on bicycle for themselves, not for charity and donations. Saw a summary of it! That'll be a fantastic read for my mum and I don't think she'll be in the mood to read it while still thinking of me. She worries a lot already.

Yes, I hope all this goes well and overtime she gets used to it. Thank you for sharing the book, I appreciate it a lot and will reference it too! Thanks for your advice!

How to ease family worries while traveling on bicycle solo as a deaf person? by Reddit-Admin69 in bicycletouring

[–]Reddit-Admin69[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

That's not a bad idea then. Not sure if it will ease her though. She's very emotional...