Time to go
Wes' version of the big good bye
Brian and I start off on the RALPH tour
tomorrow. The excitement of the idea also induces some anxiety. Are we
ready? Am I ready? Why didn’t I loose that extra ten pounds like
Brian did? Will the weather hold for our first day on the
road?
Yesterday Brian and I took our final 20 mile training ride. I had the bike fully loaded. The bike handles well with the load. The low center of gravity because of the under seat panniers makes it very stable. My ability to accelerate quickly is diminished but once the bike is rolling, it wants to keep rolling.
My panniers weighed in at 15 and 16 pounds. The tent and Therma-Rest pad (4 and 2 pounds respectfully) are tied to the top of the rear rack.
My normal rack trunk has been replaced with two small panniers on the rack. These are mostly empty except for my spare tubes, a couple of plastic garbage bags, maps, and journal book. The plan is to use this space for groceries when we shop for our evening meal. My camera is in the handlebar bag. I have slightly expanded my spare parts and tool inventory on the bike for the trip.
Overall, I have approximately 40 pounds of extra gear on the bike. That is about 5 pounds less than on our trip toMaine. Since I have about 10 more pounds on me compared to the Maine trip, the result is a net gain of 5 pounds. The first few days of riding should help remove the difference.
Several DCC members including my daughter Erin have said that they will escort us out of town tomorrow. We are not certain if this is friendly gesture or if the peasants are storming the castle.
I’m ready. I’m ready. Now if I could just stop obsessing about the weather report.
Wes
Yesterday Brian and I took our final 20 mile training ride. I had the bike fully loaded. The bike handles well with the load. The low center of gravity because of the under seat panniers makes it very stable. My ability to accelerate quickly is diminished but once the bike is rolling, it wants to keep rolling.
My panniers weighed in at 15 and 16 pounds. The tent and Therma-Rest pad (4 and 2 pounds respectfully) are tied to the top of the rear rack.
My normal rack trunk has been replaced with two small panniers on the rack. These are mostly empty except for my spare tubes, a couple of plastic garbage bags, maps, and journal book. The plan is to use this space for groceries when we shop for our evening meal. My camera is in the handlebar bag. I have slightly expanded my spare parts and tool inventory on the bike for the trip.
Overall, I have approximately 40 pounds of extra gear on the bike. That is about 5 pounds less than on our trip toMaine. Since I have about 10 more pounds on me compared to the Maine trip, the result is a net gain of 5 pounds. The first few days of riding should help remove the difference.
Several DCC members including my daughter Erin have said that they will escort us out of town tomorrow. We are not certain if this is friendly gesture or if the peasants are storming the castle.
I’m ready. I’m ready. Now if I could just stop obsessing about the weather report.
Wes
Posted: Sat - June 17, 2006 at 03:50 PM
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Published On: Jun 17, 2006 03:50 PM
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Published On: Jun 17, 2006 03:50 PM