No April Fools - Sort Of...

Unlike Southern California, where I'm from, in Chicagoland one can look out the window at a perfectly sunny day - especially now that in April it is supposed to be warm - and although it looks like it ought to be warm out, it isn't! Looks 70, IS 48.

Looking ahead at the 10 day weather forecast, it looks like it will be in the mid to high 50's on Sunday, so that's the day I will take my bike outside for the first time this winter and ride my 50 mile workout on REAL roads, with REAL fields, REAL cars on the road, REAL barnyard dogs and REAL people and things. Wowsers. What a concept.

If you've been reading this blog, you already know I'm a weather woos, preferring to ride inside until it warms up some. This winter is long and cold, so "warming up some" is going to have to be the mid-50's. I only have a month left before I leave for New Orleans, so road work outside is critical. Saturday's the day, then.

A Little Over A Month To Go

You remember the list back a couple of posts ago. Well, I have most of that stuff in a pile on the floor of the basement. The racks are now on the bike and as soon as the #^#^**$ snow stops outside, yes readers, its snowing again, I'll be able to get outside to train with the panniers loaded with all the supplies I've got to take on the ride. The goal for training before I leave is to ride a 50 mile ride, camp, cook and the next day, ride another 50 mile segment. I should be able to pull that off without much difficulty and if so, then in my mind, I'm ready.

Of course, its my legs that have to cooperate with my mind, before I'm really ready.

I've got a route picked out all within the communities of Barrington Hills, Barrington, Lake and North Barrington. It includes both moderate and steep hill work as well as long rolling hills through the farm country which surrounds our home.


As will be the case on my river ride, most of these roads are two lane country roads with little traffic. I've ridden them lots of times with never once a surprise from a barn yard dog, but am now prepared for even that.

THE ROUTE

Below are two maps, one of the planned trip in its entirety and the other of the first leg of the trip, from Muscatine IA to Cape Girardeau, Missouri. (What infamous radio personality comes from Cape Girardeau??)





Indoor training now 4 hours a day, 5 days a week. Whew!

Not Today!

Its the first day of spring! Out the door with the bike after being cooped up all winter. Hit the streets. Head down, work those pedals. Spring means warm weather, trees getting leaves, lawns turning green. Buds on bushes and trees. Birds returning to the feeder out in the back yard. Moms and dads at the little league field. The sound of little leaguers in the air. Warm spring nights after a long cold winter.

Well, not so fast boys and girls.

Turn the heat back on. Turn around and bring those bikes back in the garage. Put away the baseball gloves, kids. Turn off the loudspeaker at the ball field and turn the fire off under the hot dogs. Take those winter clothes back out and cancel the family picnic.

This view from my front door just a few minutes ago.




Nature has played a mean trick, as only she can, on all of those of us who live in Chicagoland! 6"-8" of snow since this morning, and a little more to come. Sigh...

Maybe next week. Back to the trainer in the gym or in the basement. (For all of you who live in Southern California, the "Basement" is a room underneath, yes, I said underneath, the house where people in the rest of the country live during the long, cold winter). I can only hope that God, in her wisdom, allows the sun to shine and the temperature to rise once again. Soon!

Credit Given Where Credit Is Due

I should take a minute here before I go much longer and give credit to Wayne Boroughs, the owner of The Touring Store.com, http://www.thetouringstore.com.

Being new at this, I had no idea about some of the gear that is needed for a tour of this length. Racks and Panniers (saddlebags or packs) come in all varieties, shapes and sizes. I found The Touring Store by searching the web. Wayne asked me to describe my bike, then asked me to take photos and send them along to him. We had two telephone conversations about what he recommended. His interest gave me great comfort and the product was delivered as promised. I would suggest calling Wayne for any questions you have about this type of gear. You will not be disappointed.

A Stock Bike Changes Character

A year ago, I purchased this Trek Multitrack 7500 which until now, has been used for local day trips around the area, the longest of which was about 55 miles. Today, it is off to the bike shop to undergo a transformation. We will replace the front shock, replace a rear tire, attach a rear rack, replace the pedals and in a couple of weeks, attach a front rack and fenders, front and back. Before I leave, I will also attach a front and rear headlamp and a bicycle computer to keep track of distance covered. It is not my intention to travel at night, but rather these lights are to be available during those times I inevitably find myself caught outside in a thunderstorm with limited visibility, particularly on the part of automobile drivers.

Thanks to the folks up at the bike shop, I begin the transformation from casual to serious biker. This afternoon we will spend several hours taking this bike apart and putting it back together again. They have accepted my request to allow me to ask as many questions as I can think of regarding the mechanics and maintenance of the bike. Over the next couple of weeks, its appearance will change shape and begin to look like those bikes I've seen on adventure cycling and a crazy guy on a bike journals. My son Dave, an avid biker in his own right, strongly suggested I "practice change" a tire and repair a flat tire before I leave. I will do so today.

Just to make sure the bike does not get all the attention, I am now training, inside,as you can see from the snow still on the ground outside, 4 hours, 5 days a week. For a variety of reasons, all of us here in Chicagoland are praying for warm weather. We are tired of winter and I am anxious to get out on the road to train rather than having to spend hours on end on the trainer inside.

All appears to be going well and this afternoon, the bike begins to look like a serious road bike.

A List of What I Will Bring

Time moves along towards my departure date. Right now, here in Barrington, IL, it is snowing out, again/still/more! Training continues on my bike in the basement and will increase slowly to assure that I will at least be ready physically.

Today, nothing more to report than what I will be bringing on this trip. I am certain I have forgotten something and have added more than I need, but from what I read of other's journals, this is about right.

Cycle Clothes
Cycle gloves
Cycle shoes/Sandals
2 Cycle shorts
3 Cycle shirts
Rain jacket and hood

Non Cycle Clothes
1 Pr. Shorts
2 T or Golf shirts
1 Long Pants convertible to shorts
1 Nylon Pullover jacket

Toiletries
Toothbrush/paste
Brush
Shaving gear/cream/after shave
#50 Sunblock
Deodorant
Kleenex
Toilet Paper
Camp towel
Blistik with sun block
Chapstick
Cortizone-10
Insect Repellent
Bar Soap/plastic container
Nail clipper
First Aid Kit
Vitamins

Electronics
Digital Camera w extra batteries and charger
Cell phone w charger
Thumb Drive

Bike and Packs Equipment
Helmet w rear view mirror
3 Water Bottles
Handlebar bag
Fenders, front and rear
Flashing rear light
Front light
Bike Lock
Front and Rear Pannier Carriers (Racks)
2 front and 2 rear Panniers
Compass
Nylon tie-downs
Rags to clean and oil chain and bike
Hand washing towlettes
Tools/Spare parts
Tire pressure gauge
Combination Allens Head Wrench set
8/9 box wrench
Spoke wrench
Extra spokes
Swiss Army Knife
Crescent Wrench
Chain lubrication
Assorted nuts and bolts
Tire pump
Chain tool
Derailleur cable
Brake cable
Tire removal tools
1 spare tube
2 tube patch kits

Camping Equipment
Tent
Tent poles/stakes
Ground cloth
Sleeping bag
Mini Solo Cook Set
Forks, knives and spoons
MSR Superfly Canister Stove + 3 extra cannisters
Clothes line
Interior tent light
As needed, dehydrated foods

As it is my intention to camp 2 nights out of 3 on this trip, my access to things like washing machines, dryers, showers, etc is speculative. Some campgrounds have some or all of those conveniences, otherwise perhaps a sympathetic motel or B & B owner will let me borrow theirs.

It is also my intenrion to update my blog with the day's activities and pictures in local libraries as I move along my journey, thus no computer need come along and take up space and add weight.

All of the above, everything, should not weigh more than 35-40 pounds. I think I am on track to stay within that weight limitation.

That's all for today except for a two hour training ride.

Departure Date, Training and Other Stuff

In the several weeks since I last posted, I've continued to train, research my route and the equipment I'll use and set the departure date.

The plan is to leave from Muscatine, IA on May 15th. As the date approaches, the reality of what I'm going to do becomes much more real! Training now is up to 2 hours a day, 3 days a week and 3 hours a day, 2 days a week! This month, I will increase that to the above except 1 day a week, 4 hours on the bike.

The outcome of all this is that the physical exercise is good for me, the time spent not physically taxing, except on my seat - what a pain in the backside, but I see that tolerance increases as training continues - and most frustrating, sitting in a solitary location inside trying to keep the mind occupied while the body works!

I'm beginning to accumulate equipment and will go into the bike store later this month to get a lesson or two on bicycle maintenance.

This adventure is beginning to get a life of its own and as time draws closer, my excitement grows. Most friends are encouraging with the biggest hesitation being my safety. Mine too, but from what I read, common sense and a good route will prevent the kinds of risk that could result in an accident.