A Proper Send Off

My Shoreline cycling buddies suggested the usual Saterday ride followed by a picnic on the Guilford green to see me off on my coast to coast cycling adventure. 

We started with the usual crowd, 14/15 riders at Roberts in Madison and headed for Goodspeed. The plan was to ride Devil's Hopyard and then return to the Guilford Green. The weather was comfortable and as usual, lots of conversation. Prior to crossing "the bridge" there is always a stop to determine who can commit to the 2 extra hours of riding and ferry ride. 

The committed- 

For those who went over the bridge, we were treated to lots of climbing, dirt roads and best of all ...... fresh blacktop on the descend prior to the park and the full length of Devil's Hopyard....... smooth tarmac. Well worth the effort. 

Off to the Guilford Green for pizza and beer - 

By far the toughest part of the day was putting back on the helmet and riding the 4 miles home after a full belly of pizza. 

My favorite question today about the trip, "what happens if you meet up with someone on the ride and they talk as much as Lawrence?" Don't worry Jerry, I won't say who it was. Lots of suggestions, fake a flat, take a call, start riding at a snails pace, etc.  

Thank you everyone for the well wishes, pizza and I'll miss my riding buddies for the next several months. Keep riding and be safe. 

Dreux

203.675.3500

Planning is over

Final review of the list before the final pack. I believe I'm saying, are you sure all this stuff going to fit In these bags?

Dropped off the bicycle and equipment at the bike shop today for shipping to Astoria, OR. All the planning is done. If all goes well, the bike and equipment will be at the hotel when I arrive on June 9th. 

The plan is to assemble and pack the bike the evening I arrive and shove off the next morning. 

It's a good thing I have a garage full of bikes to ride while I, waiting for my departure. 

I'm beginning to appreciate my last few nights in a nice soft bed, shortly I'll be adapting to my new quarters ... an REI Quarter dome 1 person tent.

The Big Splurge

As I created my packing list, most items selected will have to serve two functions to make the list. Weight and space is always a major concern while bike touring. Last week the decision was made to splurge on one luxury item for the trip  ...... a travel pillow. At the size of a small potato and weighing in at 2.4 oz I was willing to carry my new comfort item 4300 + miles. 

The selection was not easy. Mona waited patiently at the REI store while I blew up and tried 3 different pillows. Not too soft, not too hard but just right. I don't think she fully appreciated what a big decision was being made for this luxury item. While all 3 were close in weight and size, how did they feel? After 10 minutes of testing, I pulled the trigger on the Cocoon Hype-light. Mona would have selected the pillow based on style, color and how do I look on the pillow .....  I went with comfort. 

Let's hope for no leaks and lots of comfort. 

Next week the bike and equipment will be packed and shipped to Oregon. 

A Test of Endurance

Much of the excitement of this adventure in addition to seeing our great country at 12 mph and meeting people alone the route is testing my endurance. 

I find satisfaction from testing my limits and seeing what I'm able to accomplish both mentally and physically. Determining how long I can stay in the saddle and how many miles I can rack will be a great test. What I'm not prepared for is the separation from Ramona. We have been married 30 plus years (I'll figure the exact number of years, promise) and in that time, I don't believe we have spent more than a week separated. I'm afraid  there is no training to prepare us for this. I don't look forward to spending week after week without Mona's guidance, love, idiosyncrasies and companionship. I know Mona will miss hearing from me how she is always right!

I'll miss Mallory as well, but as parents, we force ourself to give our children distance and let them grow. No longer do we get to enjoy Mallory about the house on a daily basis. This is the one time I'm glad millennial's preferred method of communication is texting which, I'll have easy access to most of the trip. 

My only plan I came up with is to continue to annoy Mona from now until June 9th where she will be more than ready to get rid of me. 

I'm glad I elected to ride west to east so that I'm always getting closer to home. Less than 30 days away!

Trial Run

1 month and I'll begin my journey. Time for a shake down of bike, equipment and rider. An out and back ride to Burlingame State Park in RI fully equipped. 

The weather was perfect, Mona thought I should wait for a rainy day! 85 miles out and 76 for return. Tried a northerly route heading out which included the Chester ferry, it was good to try some new roads in eastern CT. 

Some observations,

The Surly - the steel framed bike is perfect for a loaded touring machine. Smooth is the word for the Surly. Really it's more like moving a couch. After years of riding a 17lb carbon road bike, you simply pick up your bike when you want to go in a different direction. Not so with a fully loaded touring bike. I've not weighed the Surly, but likely in the neighborhood of 75-85lbs. When you decide to walk your bike in a different direction, you move it like you're moving a couch ..... with wheels.

Rear view mirror - I've never used one before but it was suggested for this tour. I tried one out on the trip and really liked having the mirror. 

Setting up camp - lots of room for improvement. I'll need to become proficient at setting up and breaking down the tent. I'll assume this will come with time. It would have been entertaining to watch, fortunately I was the only camper in the area. 

Sleeping pad and bag - worked very well and nice and comfy. Thermarest does make the best sleeping pads. Amazing comfort for such a small/lite pad. I did wake to a fog horn around 4:00 am. To be expected sleeping so close to the ocean. Big party night, I was in the sack by 9:30. 

Panniers - knowing where everything is packed will be vital. Having to pulled everything out looking for something is no fun. Same goes for packing up in the morning. Experience should fix that. 

Technology - this will be a low tech trip with a basic bike computer (speed, mph & time) and iPhone. I quickly realized the lack of wall outlets in the tent so I've  quickly become adept at "plugging in" any chance I get. In addition to having access to phone home, a fully charged phone will aid in using Google maps and or seeking services. 

In addition to the bike performing fine, so did the body. No aches or pains as of yet.