Less than a week to go!!!

6 Days
Until Departure
Bike Ride from Amarillo to the Mississippi River along Route 66

I cant believe that I will start my tour in less than a week. I packed and repacked my bike today. Me and my dad found a way to strap on a cooler. I don't know if i will use it or not, but I am sure that an ice cold beverage would be nice at some point on the road. ;)

I am in Austin with my son and his friend Ivan for the All State Contest. We will be be here until Tuesday. From then it is a matter of last minute stuff like loading maps on the Garmin. I am getting very nervous and exciting at the same time.

SEE YOU ON THE ROAD!!!!

Inventory

11 Days
Until Departure
Bike Ride from Amarillo to the Mississippi River along Route 66


Boy it is getting close! After doing chores and getting ready for a lot of family coming in for my Son's graduation, I got a chance to do some serious packing. I took take inventory and lay out my panniers.

Here is what I have right now.

Front Right Pannier
Medical Bag (thanks Sheila) Helps to have a nurse for a wife!
3 Bungee Chords
3 Safety blinking lights (white and red)
1 pliers
1 utility knife
1 roll duct tape
5 tire tubes
4 CO2 Cartridges
1 Chain lube
1 Electrical Tape
1 Bike Tool
1 rubber cement
1 screw driver
1 crescent wrench

Front Left Pannier
14 gu
1 Rain Pancho
1 Flash Light
1 Stove
50 fuel cubes
1 deet (repellent)
1 twine
1 camera charger
1 ipod charger
1 lan line
1 garmin charger
1 ipod 1/8 by 1/8 chord
1 1/8 by rca chord
1 ipod to pc chord
1 cam by rca jack
1 cam by pc chord
2 garmin by pc chord

Back Right Pannier
1 pillow
1 computer
2 tee shirts
2 pairs of socks
1 short
3 jerseys
1 under jersey

Back Left Pannier
1 tarp
1 sunscreen
2 water bottles
1 camp cup (coffee)
1 pan
1 sponge
dish soap
2 bike shorts
1 wind jacket
1 headband
Room for food


back rack
Tent
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping pad
crop (for dogs)
Saddle bag (on hand bike repair)
pump


I still haven't packed toiletries


But I still have a lot of room.

I took a short ride today and it road pretty well. I need to take a long ride to see how it does.

SEE YOU ON THE ROAD!!

Less than two weeks!

13Days
Until Departure
Bike Ride from Amarillo to the Mississippi River along Route 66

I cant believe that it is less than two weeks before I take off. I got my new tires. Arnt they all shiny and reflective? what ever it takes to make other drivers to see me better, right? It also makes me feel better to have two walls of rubber under me. These tires are the Vittoria Randonneur Pros. Everybody swears by them. We will see how they hold up!!




I also have been thinking about how to divide up the panniers to make everything a little more accessible. I guess I will be doing this next week at night. I have had such a rough couple of weeks. When I get home, I don't feel like doing anything. I guess I better do something next week.

Weather and schedule has not allowed me to do any riding lately. I need to get out and get my butt used to being in the saddle. Anyway.


See you on the road!!!!!!

Getting nervous

18Days
Until Departure
Bike Ride from Amarillo to the Mississippi River along Route 66

I have completed all of my major yearly obligations for work and now I need to really start planning this trip. 18 days??? WOW. Not long now. I feel like I am already on the road. I still have inventory and some end of year award things, but mostly I am done.

I am getting nervous about going. Is this real? Will I do it? Will I really stay there? All these things are getting more and more real as time gets near. I am getting anxious. Nervous jitters. Dont pack too much, everyone says. I fear not bringing enough. I have been looking at others who went before me to see what they packed and what they had to send home. I guess whatever I dont use, I can send home. I am really trying to figure out what I need. I have some issues with how to upload to the daily journal. I guess I can type it up in a text to sheila and then send pictures to facebook. I dont know. This bothers me. So, anyway!


See you on the ROAD!!!!

First ride

28 Days
Until Departure
Bike Ride from Amarillo to the Mississippi River along Route 66

I took a ride on my newly loaded bike. I have read over and and over that a loaded down bike is hard to control. I really didn't have any trouble. I didn't even balance it out and it was still pretty easy to ride. I don't know how it will be after riding all day.

Just another positive step towards my trip!



See you on the road!!!!!!

First bike loading attempt

29 Days
Until Departure
Bike Ride from Amarillo to the Mississippi River along Route 66

As Sheila sings the "Sandford and Son" theme, I finally get the last of the preliminary packing list inside the panniers.

I weighed the stuff and it ended up 24 lbs. I will have to take a ride on the bike soon to see how it handles. I still have a few things to add to the list. I havent loaded any food or coffee and stuff but I think everything will fit pretty well.


See you on the road!!!!

Another trip to Academy

34 Days
Until Departure
Bike Ride from Amarillo to the Mississippi River along Route 66

Last night I went to Academy after a great dinner of Japanese Steakhouse. I love the volcano!

Anyway, I bought more fuel and my sleeping mat. I will have to try it out one day to see how comfortable it is.

See you on the road!