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Thinking of you when I wrote that, friend...
19 hours agoView blockers--I love it!
23 hours agoI love the organization and planning. That is part of the fun, but it is also stressful, "did I remember...?" Makes loading our truck camper for a trip to AK seem too easy. (Dave, with Gretchen)
3 days agoSuch a cool story of working with teens and now as adults you're doing the Katy trail together. Enjoy the adventure!
3 days agoI never pour from mine, and I generally don't pour into it except to empty a glass of restaurant or café ice water into it to refill. Spillage in those conditions is unlikely to be problematic except for the mess it makes. There's always an ample supply to complete the filling process.
5 days agoOne drawback to the bladder is the fact that it is awkward to pour. I lost about a third of one on the side of the road in Nevada. I wanted to cry. Noooo!
5 days agoAfter 11 tours I'd have thought all you'd need to do is pull out your gear and panniers, clap your hands twice, and say "Abracadabra" and all the stuff would magically jump in where it knows it belongs.
Five water bottles is probably more than I need for this trip, but it's comforting (if a bit heavy) to know I have the capacity should it be needed. At least I can confidently leave my 2 liter Camelbak at home.
Okay. Okay! I need to get my butt in gear and get organized. After 11 tours I have yet to figure out how to pack. I always run out of room (and I am NOT putting full sized bags on the front!).
My system is food on front left, tools and bike stuff on front right, camping gear on rear right, clothes on rear left. This allows me access to my rain jacket and to food as needed. Front bags are Ortlieb small roll tops. Rear bags are Ortlieb large roll tops. I put my tent in a wet bag on the rear rack. I use a medium Ortlieb handlebar bag with a map case (still don't do the electronic map thing.) I also stash a collapsing cane under my tent.
I have a blinky light on the rear of my helmet (high is better) and a Light and Motion Urban 1000 mounted on my helmet when needed.
No saddle bag.
Two water bottles. Maybe a third or fourth in my front bags or maybe a water bladder which can carry a gallon or so. (Helpful in Nevada and Utah.)
Now to the shed to pull some things together!
Yep, I know.
6 days agoI'm sure going to miss this when is gone but in the mean time I will ride along this roads while the beauty still remains.
6 days agoI did try to avoid the bigger hills. Frankly, Frederick has bigger monsters than that.
6 days agoThat's worth considering.
1 week agoYou are correct - I do love a good bicycle photo! Especially one with lots of goodies, like yours.
I wonder if you could do some sort of 3D printed extension that would elevate a light right above the two water bottles? Janice Branham's uncle (?) does 3D printing and was interested in helping other cyclists.
That would be fun but I fear circumstances won't allow it this time. Never fear, though: there's no time limit or expiration date on the beer offer.
1 week ago
The windshield is covered by the comprehensive part of your car insurance. My deductible is $50. Pretty painless.
14 hours agoAmtrak has been pretty good about bikes. My friend Corey took a train from Portland OR to Chicago. He had to box his bike but the Amtrak employees made it easy.
Ed and Mary had to abandon a short tour in Pennsylvania because of illness. The Amtrak employees helped them construct a long box for their tandem.
I took Amtrak home from Florida after my 2017 tour. I lifted my unloaded bike up to the man in the baggage car and that was that.
Good luck.