Unsupportive family

It's kind of a shock to a lot of 'regular' (unadventurous) people.. I mean it's not a common part of culture.

I think it's best for someone in your situation (ie old enough to not need permission, but not living 100% separate lives) to slowly introduce the idea. Start taking long rides, building up kit, riding with some kit, then camp out overnight somewhere (which will be only a days ride away, therefore safe and familiar).. 'cause you want to ride somewhere new. Then move on to a 2/3 night trip going a little further.. you're slowly normalising the idea. You talk about it when you're back, how much you liked it, blah blah.

I can see why some people would freak out at the idea of couchsurfing type thing given the 'stranger=bad' type propaganda most people are brought up with.. but you can tour without that; stealth camping or hostels or campsites. A good way might be to start with the idea of stealth camping, then start asking landowner permission-- because it is the right thing to do, isn't it?, then as they internalise the fact you did this without being murdered and those strange people were actually really nice, the idea of moving the problem online (where there is feedback and a public history and record you can see) can be presented as a logical move in the interests of safety.

[I interpreted the 'camping with strangers' as a CS type thing and camping in people's gardens or something.. I'll leave it there for others but you mean camping where other people are camping right? Like a fucking camp site? Isn't that.. completely normal.. WTH is the problem with that. You're not talking about inviting people into your tent are you?]

And as others have said, there's always the "fuck it, I'm doing it, bye" option.

/r/bicycletouring Thread