4 Days and Counting

I spent the weekend in Virginia with Jennifer and family so the blogging has been a little light, or nonexistent. I did ride in Virginia and I think it was probably one of the best rides I've ever been on. Rolling farm hills dotted with pasture raised cows and low clinging fog in the background. I ended up riding on miles of dirt roads, almost wiping out because of the skinny tires, fording a small river, and just having a great time. It was more of an adventure then my everyday rides where I pick the smoothest roads with the fastest access points.

I really need to refine my packing list now. Gear testing has started and last night I think it took me atleast an hour to get into the hammock, inflate an air mattress, get into the sleeping back and try to line my body up in the right position. I probably wasted more energy trying to go to sleep then I would have biking for an extra hour.

Some more essential items that I've been reading about:
Loc-Tite for bolts that loosen up on long trips
Camo Tarp for covering the bike and trailer
Bear Bag for hanging food

This is the first day that I've awoke in my own bed, in NY, on a weekday and didn't have a job to go to. I feel a little bad about that because if you don't have a job then people think you're not working hard enough or maybe you're cheating them of something by not contributing to the tax base. I'm not sure why that is but I know that when I saw Jen go to work this morning I felt a little guilty. Either way, I'm sure it's a fleeting emotion.

Time for an AM bike ride.

Hennessey Hammock is here!!!!

Today I received the Hennessey Hammock that I ordered as my main shelter when I can't find another place to crash, http://www.hennessyhammock.com/specs-ul-asym.html . Jenni and I put up the hammock and then we each took a turn laying in it. It's a pretty sweet piece of equipment. I've found a couple parts of the system that I'll need to tweak but overall it's very, very nice. Light, comfortable and easy to put up/take down. Unlike the conventional hammock that is uncomfortable after an hour, the Hennessey Hammock advises you to lay diagonally to the main axis of the hammock which straightens out your back and allows you to sleep on your back or on your side.

I didn't ride today but yesterday was another 28 miles on the ride home from work. Hopefully I'll be able to put in some more time tomorrow.

Training Days

I'm really happy about the recent weather pattern. Thursday I put in 30 miles on the bike, another 30 on Friday and then Nick and I rode 40 miles on Saturday morning. The Saturday ride was up Lake Desolation Hill Rd. in Middle Grove which is a killer. The really unfortunate part is that Nick and I ride at about the same level. This means that neither of us give in and we just keep pushing the whole time. Near the end of the ride I think he one-upped me on a hillclimb and the 20 foot gap between us was my way of saying nice job...atleast that's what I tell myself.

Yesterday I rode the regular 16 mile loop around Ballston Lake just to spin the soreness out of the legs. With another nice day today I think I'm going to leave work around 3:00 pm and ride home to Charlton.

Buying gear is getting to be a little stressful. I want to make just one order but there is so much to think of that I'm sure something will be forgotten. I need to get everything shipped soon or else it won't ship in time. Hopefully I'll get this done soon and update the packing list when it's finalized.

In the future I'm going to edit the posts and add some links to places I'm going, gear I'm taking and other goodies.

Laying out the $$$

Quick update....I just bought my return ticket from Key West, FL to Albany, NY. I leave Key West on June 10th, 2008 so hopefully I make it down there by June 9th. The flight leaves at around 7am on the 10th so I could end up riding to the bike shop that is going to pack my bike on the 9th, grabbing a couple well deserved beers on Duval St. and then hopping in a taxi cab to the airport to spend the night at the terminal. I would love to walk around Key West and maybe find a spot to pitch the hammock but only time will tell if that is in the cards.

Packing List

First things first. What the hell am I going to want on this trip that is going to be so damn useful I'm willing to put it in a 13 lb trailer and tow it from Maine to Florida? Here we are:

Bike
Bike Trailer
Bike Trailer Flag
Bike Lock
Maps
Sunglasses
Helmet
Handlebar Bag


Bike Maintenance Gear:
Multi-Tool
Leatherman Micro (with knife, can opener, pliers)
Patchkit
Tire Levers
Spokes
Tubes
Tire
Pump
BOB Trailer Tube
Spare chain links
Wire
Duct Tape
Electrical Tape
Brake Pads
Spare brake and shifter cables
Reflectors
Rear Light for Trailer
Rear Light for Helmet
Rear Light for bike
Front Light
Spare Seat Bolt?

Clothing:
Rain Jacket
Reflector Vest
3 pair biking shorts
3 short sleeve jerseys
3 pair bike socks
1 pair neoprene overshoes
1 fleece pullover
1 long sleeve polypro shirt
1 pair jeans
2 pair boxer briefs
1 pair socks
1 t-shirt
1 buttondown shirt
1 sweater
1 pair fleece pants
1 pair polypro long underwear
Full Finger Gloves
Bike Gloves
Wash Cloth

Food, Drink, Calories
Peanut Butter
Bread
Jelly
Granola
Clif Bars
Nalgene Bottle
2 Bike Bottles
MSR Water Reservoir
MSR Water Filtration System

Sleeping Stuff
Hennessey Hammock
Sleeping Bag
Liner
Sleeping Pad
Safety Blanket

Storage (Bags/Trailer)
Ziplocks
Trailer Drybag
Nylon Ties
Cargo Straps

Extras/Essentials
Camera
Iphone
Ipod Nano
Solar Charger with Ipod/Iphone attachment
Toilet Paper
Gauze
Neosporin
Medical Tape
Sunblock
Castile Soap
Toothpaste
Rope
4 Clothes Pins
Pen/Hi-Lighter
Book

More to come

The Leap

I've taken the leap, left my job and decided it's time to do something big. I don't think I've ever known anybody to say I make quick decisions and this one was no different, it has been a long time coming.

So, what does one do after they leave a perfectly good job right before getting married while paying for two houses that both need a ton of work??? Hey, why not go for a really long bike ride. So long in fact that you'll need to buy all the gear, do all the research and train to ride 2600 miles in two weeks.

I've always wanted to ride across country but I'm willing to take that dream, twist it slightly, cut it by a third and turn it into an Atlantic Coast ride. This ride will begin on or about May 3rd in Bar Harbor, ME and end around June 6th, 2008 in Key West, FL. I've told enough people about it that I'm totally and completely commited to doing this. Hopefully I can pull it off.