Hit the Road

Well, the camper is packed, bikes are loaded, and we are very excited about starting the adventure tomorrow. The training is over and now the real thing is only a few travel days away. Since beginning serious training in January, I logged 2,134 miles on the bicycle. So, now that the real peddling is about to begin, I only have to cover double that may miles in half the number of days. We plan to hit the road at 5:00 am with the first destination in Minnesota. See how happy we look in the photo below. Well, it seems one person is happier than the other, but looks are deceiving...because she really is excited.

On Day Away

Well the last minute preparations are drawing to a close. The house has been surrounded by neighbors who are going to keep an eye on the house. Very close friends are checking on the inside of the place for possible emergency issues. There is a lot to think about when you are planning to leave your place for 3 months. Someone to mow the grass, you must stop the paper and the mail, call your credit card company to tell them you are traveling, turn off all the stuff in the house, etc. What do you pack in the camper? What do you not really need to pack? How much food do you take? What clothes do you pack? What clothes do you really need to pack? How many pairs of shoes are you taking?  Is it going to be cold in the mountains?  Do I need a coat and gloves?

Oh yes, and don't forget to keep riding your bike to stay in shape. I have been completing a couple 50-65 mile rides each week, mixed with an additional two 35-45 mile loops. A week ago, I rode 73 miles to Ft Wayne without a problem, other than it was hot. As I have been training with minimal gear on the bike, it would probably be a good idead to try to ride with some weight on the back. So, I loaded the panniers with lots of stuff and set off. Wow, what a difference the added weight makes and not in a good way. So, I got back home and paired down the items in the panniers to what one might need in an emergency (i.e. bike parts, camera, water, tools, snacks, first aid kit, and the like). The ride with the reduced load was much more tolerable. If my wife has to abandon the adventure before the end, I hope I will be ready to ride with the additional load of essential equipment, instead of just emergency stuff on the "black stallion".

So, we leave Friday to start the drive to Astoria. Enroute camping will include stops in Minnesota, Montana, Idaho (plus a couple hours at Mt Rushmore), before arriving in Oregon. If I did not mention it earlier, my wife is happy that she will have company along the trail as her parents are joining us (riding in their own camper). They seem to be just as excited as we are about the adventure. We will meet up with them in Ft Wayne as we pass by on Friday.

I will try to make updates to the blog as internet access becomes available.

So, we ask for your prayers for safety as we embark on the bicycle adventure...

Equipment

Although, I will have the luxury of sleeping in a camper each evening, there is the possibility that my wife might have to return home at some point along the way. In that event, I want to be prepared to continue the trek to the Atlantic Ocean. So, I have purchased a number of items to serve my independence. For example, I have a Eureka Soliare one man tent which weights 2 pounds 8 ounces, a Suisse Sport Adventurer Mummy Ultra-Compactable Sleeping Bag (1.5 lb), Ultralight Backpacking Canister Camp Stove which folds to the size of a deck of cards (no kidding), folding knife, fork, spoon set, and even a solar battery charger. Amazon is great for stuff like this...

 

Although they will add some weight to the bike, these items should fit comfortably on the rack or in the panniers.

One Month Away

Training over the past couple months has been on the light side. In March, I logged 541 miles and April's total was 459. As the weather has started to turn nice, I find myself distracted from riding with things like lawn work, house projects, and getting things ready for the trip. In addition, I believe the adventure of the daily routes have lost their appeal. Knowing that June will bring views of the Pacific Ocean and Rocky Mountains, the flat farm fields of the Lima, Ohio area is not as enticing. Although I have enjoyed seeing the local wildlife, such as a Red Tailed Hawk fly right in front of me with his morning breakfast in his beak (i.e. field mouse). Then, there was the flock of buzzards hovering overhead, with a couple of their friends beside the road enjoying, what apparently use to be, a slow moving raccoon. Now, I start to think, "were the remaining hovering scavengers viewing me as a potential meal as I pedal along in the sweltering heat of the day?"  But, the vultures are not the only creatures doubting my ability to finish the 56 mile ride of the day, or even the TransAm trip itself. You know who you are, those who either under their breath or tell me directly, how crazy I am and doubting my ability to complete the trek. As the start of the trip is less than a month away, the excitement starts to build and my legs are close to as strong as their are going to get. Confidence is high, but the buzzards make me stop and think, "What if the ney-sayers are right and I don't make it to Virginia?" I remind myself that it is not a race, I can stop when needed, and I will complete the trip..."with the help of God." It is also important to remember that the true goal is to experience the trip, not to arrive unscathed in Yorktown, VA.