weight

OK, still thinking about doing this trip, and have yet to ask work for the time off.  Carrying my kit across the US is pretty daunting, so am kinda looking into a tour.

http://www.adventurecycling.org/tours/tourdetail.cfm?id=281&t=EV12&p=2

I don't like the idea of it though, very tied into each day, not sure how flexible they are, if I want to stop off and relax for a bit, take some photo's etc.  Plus the food doesn't sound too great, I would preffer to eat in local places. Also,I would not like to camp.  The one thing going for it, or a couple of things really, is that they take your bags for you in a van to the next stop!  FAB!  I cant really enjoy the bike which is one of the reasons for wanting to travel lite.  Also they have mechanics to help with the bike, and I can draft and work as a team in the windy parts of the trip.  Do these outweigh the negs?  will see

Food for thought

Still reading Corey's blog and not sure if he didn't have a good time due to the bike he was riding, or other things got him down.  I'm wondering if this is such a good idea afterall.  A week of dog chases, barking and nipping.  Coal trucks trying to see how close they can get to cyclists, while the hard shoulders are full of litter, junk and lumps of coal, and they all have rumble patches too.  Going to be fun riding teh road bike here!  Then there is the weather!  Weeks and weeks of rain, then the baking sun.  I know it's draining cycling in the heat, but with a huge rucksack on my back, it's going to be taxing!  Wonder if I will learn any new swear words!

What if?

What if I complete the ride, crossing the width of America and I get a Forrest Gump moment?! What if I want to keep going? What if I think, wouldn't it be a great idea to ride around the world!!!! Lol. I don't think that would go down to well. Perhaps I should go back to my 80s radio, reading blogs and making websites


- Posted from my iPhone

Put so well

Just started reading another blog, and this guy puts it so well the reasons for doing the ride, simular to mine.

"Why? Where do I even begin? The reasons are as plentiful as the day is long, but the biggest reason is really, why NOT? I lost some friends and family members last summer, all three of whom died way younger than they should have, and it made me realize something...why put things off to later, when, what if there won't be a later? Life is so unpredictable, and there are no guarantees that any of us will live to the ripe old age of 100 and be happy and healthy along the way. I have to get out there NOW, while I'm young enough and healthy enough to enjoy certain activities. I do not want to grow old and regret the things that I wish I would have done. I don't want to be old before I give myself permission to live."  Thanks Corey

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1r4vFZo&page_id=180818&v=Ou

Accommodation

I had originally thought it would be best if I arranged my trip down to the last mile. I wanted to alternate booking motels/hotels etc now, with warmshowers
stay overs, so that everything wad guaranteed, especially as I'm taking no camping gear After reading more and more blogs, I'm not too sure if that's best. If I hit bad weather and can't safely cycle, that will throw the itinerary into disarray. Also if ill, or have a great cycle day and want to push on. Need to find out if motels etc need booking way in advance or not.



- Posted from my iPhone

Packing

No, I'm not packing for the trip already, but seeing how much I can fit into my bags.  Like I have said before, I want to travel extra-lite as I won't be camping, I am not going to need all the paraphernalia which goes with it.  I have a rough list of the stuff I want to take, or think I am going to need; see below:

Bike Bits:

Cleats, brand new on shoes, one packet back up

Multi tool

Pump with pressure gauge

2x spare inner tubes

1x spare tire

1x Puncture repair kit
Tire levers

1x spare brake pads

1x spare brake/gear cable

2x water bottles

New cycle computer

Lights

Spare spokes sized for your bike’s wheels - NO

Energy drink? - NO

Gels? - NO

Foods? - NO

Clothes:

Black gore text coat – needs new spray or covering put on to make waterproof again

Red Gore jacket, detachable sleeves

Helmet – new

Glasses

Bike shoes

Lycra kits – 4?  One to wear, 3 next day/wash

Cycling socks 4

Camping trousers/Shorts for town

Leggings

Fingerless gloves – new

Windproof gloves

HH skin tops

t-shirts x1, post some to locations

Pants socks

Fleece hat

Baseball cap?

Small trainer things, my Nikes J

Swim trunks

jumper - NO

Other bits:

Adventure Cycling Maps.

Compass

Mosquito spray later on

Dog spray – “Halt”

Iphone

iPod

Camera

Chargers

Adapters

first aid kit

Leatherman

Plastic emergency gloves

toiletries

sunscreen

Bog roll

Sanitizer spray

plane ticket

visa

wallet

passport

tickets

money

pen

Duct tape ??

bag

bag cover

bike box

One of my bags holds 22ltrs and the other is 35+8.  I filled up the smaller bag with spare cycling kit left over and none of the "other bits".  This weighed in at 10lbs.  Using the same kit, I filled up the larger bag to the brim without using the side compartments nor the top flap.  The problem here is that just that weighed in at 10.5lbs and I hadn't again, added all the "other bits".

I ride to work with a rucksack each day, but I have no idea what it is going to be like to be carrying on my back/shoulders, 10lbs every day for 4252miles!  I will have a small saddle bag such as the "Altura Trail Velcro Expanding Seatpack".  I've not seen how much this holds, and not found any reviews on what you can fit in, but I would say at least 2 inner tubes, tools, puncture repair kits and a Leatherman easily.  Price, about £14.  I would also need a handlebar bag for easy reading of the maps.  For this, I've quickly found the "Topeak DryBag Handlebar Bag", "Altura Orkney Bar Bag" and the "CarraDura handlebar bag".  They are priced around the £50 mark and hold 7.5ltr, 7ltr and 6ltr.  Just read some bad reviews on the Altura though, so would have to research all before buying.  So, I could lose 7ltrs from my back, whatever that would be in weight, so that's good. 

But why don't you use panniers like everyone else?  You could fit much more in and not have the weight on your back.  Well, (this sounds more redundant now what with the amounts of weight on my back), I want to enjoy the feel of the bike, taking the corners and downhill's at speed.  I love my bike and the way I can throw it around, rushing down hills at 45mph+.  Panniers wouldn't improve the look of the bike!  (oh dear!).  Perhaps I should not say any more on the matter as I can see what debate this could open up.  I've attached some pics of the bags I was testing and what I thought I should take with me, minus a few things I didn't have to hand.

Test using blogpress

blogpress


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Change the dates?

Should I start in June instead of May?  Will I have better weather if I do June, July, August?

Good to go?

Well it looks like financially it's a go. Still have to check with work to see if I can get the time off. That's the biggest challenge and with the most ramifications.