Saturday, March 7, 2020

Gravel ride today- testing posting with my phone

It was 40ish degrees and sunny today, so I did a gravel ride from home.  About half the distance of our planned Southern Tier ride days (30 miles vs 60+).  Not much traffic, mostly good roads with a few mud and ice spots, being outside in the sun made it great.  The pastries in South Lyon MI did not hurt either.

Sunday, February 23, 2020

Southern Tier Gear - what do I think I need

My current packing list - I know it will be updated a few more times so I want to see what changes...
Bike
Camping Gear
Clothing
Food Stocks
Spare Tire
Tent
Rain coat
Coffee 1lb
Spare Tube 2x
Sleeping bag
Fleece
Cliff Bars 6x
Spare front spoke 2x
Air mattress
Biking Socks 6x
Oatmeal
Spare rear spoke 2x
Stove/fuel
Biking shorts 3x
Coffee filters
Chain link 2x
Coffee pot
Biking shirts long 3x
Spice kit
Tool kit
Spoon / bowl
Sun leggings 1x

Lube
Camel back (4 l)
Zip offs 2x

Air pump
Trowel and TP
Shirts 2x

Water bottles 3x
Shave Kit
Shorts 1x (sleeping)
Other
Panniers
First Aid Kit
Shirts 1x (sleeping)
Camera
Handlebar bag
Sunscreen
Camp shoes
Memory cards
Frame bag (repair kit)
Hand sanitizer
Handkerchiefs
Phone
Cycling shoes
Wipes
Sun hat
Charger (2 port)
Bike lock
Rope
Towel
Backup battery 15000mah
Radar
Flashlight
Underwear 7x
Cables
Headlamp
CampSuds


Tripod?
Bungee cords
Day pack


10 foot charger cables
Gloves
3-Way Plug adapter



Helmet
wool gloves (hot pads)



Cold weather gloves
Ear plugs



spare screws
Headlamp



Maps





Thursday, February 13, 2020

Southern Tier - Cross Country Bike Ride - Taking the train - Southwestern Chief - to San Diego

After multiple years of talking about biking across the country for my 60th birthday, things have become real.  This week train tickets from Dearborn to San Diego were purchased!  A short train ride from Dearborn to Chicago and then we get on the Southwestern Chief from Chicago to Los Angeles and then a commuter down to San Diego - 56 hours end to end.

Full details on the train ride are here:  https://www.amtrak.com/southwest-chief-train

One of the nice things about the train is we get to take our bikes with ous.

My next step is to figure out exactly what gear I am taking and find panniers that can hold it and a bit more.

I will be riding a Specialized Sequoia and will try to keep my total weight as low as reasonably.


More soon!