Some of you have been pushing me to post an update, although there is not much new here. The time is flying by and I hope I am doing enough to be ready, but I guess I will soon find out. Some days I feel like I could leave tomorrow and other days I feel I'm not ready. The maps have been updated and the first campsite has been reserved. The fella at the campsite thinks riding a bike across country will be a vacation after working with 5th graders all year. Apparently he has two grandsons that age. Maybe we can share stories when I arrive.
I keep going through my equipment physically and mentally and have made a few small changes, but for the most part haven't changed much.
The bike will be getting a new drive train this week. I need to do that and ride it for a week to stretch the chain and make necessary adjustments. Then, on June 3, it will be broken down, boxed and shipped to Portland on June 4. All the panniers with equipment will be sent the same day. The bike is being sent to A Better Cycle in Portland and the rest to my daughter.
I have been increasing the time in the saddle, searching for more hills to train on, and riding in the rain. Amazing how May's rains are watering April's flowers. Isn't it supposed to work the other way?
Keeping the yard mowed, riding, teaching all day, and all the chores around the house has kept me very busy. I squeeze in an early morning workout at the Y, then ride 10-12 miles, shower and eat, and go to school. Then I come home, ride 20-30 miles, mow the yard and repeat. What a life!!
Ran into a guy in the park the other evening who told me he had ridden 120 miles that day. Said he had been riding since around 11:00 that morning. Now I'm not one to call people dishonest, but one look at his K-Mart bicycle, his cowboy boots, and his cowboy hat gave me the idea that perhaps this guy was either exagerating a whole lot, or his bike computer was needing replaced. If this guy rode in a cowboy hat, boots, and on a K-Mart mountain bike 120 miles in 8 hours, I'm definately not ready to make this trip.
Then again, maybe I should sign up for lessons or trade my riding shoes for boots and a wide rim hat.
On that note, I will sign off!
" Greatness doesn't come to those who seek it, but rather to people who seek it in others" mod
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Been there and done that!
Mod's bicycle trip 2010 from Portland, Oregon to Parkersburg, West Virginia
PERSPECTIVE
When I think of the men, women, and children who suffer from disease and hunger throughout the world I realize the smallness of my endeavor. When I think of the men and women who serve in our military defending our freedom and spending months in foreign lands, I realize a 4000 mile bike journey is fairly insignificant. When I think of the elderly who spend the brief time they have left being lonely, and the animals who suffer at the hands of humans I am reminded that my journey is not very important.
Blog Archive
What do you think of mod making this trip?
My top 10 cycling pet peeves.
- 10. Any bicycle sold by Wal Mart. There isn't enough good metal in one to make a pie pan!
- 9. People who throw glass bottles out of car windows.
- 8. Any cyclist who feels the type of riding they do is the only type of cycling. I think it's great to see anyone on a bike.
- 7. Bicycle shops that charge to put air in your tires.
- 6. People throwing things from cars at cyclists. Really stupid!
- 5. People who yell out the window when passing a cyclist. They must not realize that all we hear is a squeal. Kinda funny actually!
- 4. Kids and young adults who ride through yards, weave wrecklessly through traffic and stop signs, and in front of cars, causing people to view cycling in a negative way.
- 3. Cyclists who ride in the road to prove a point. A little common sense goes a long way! I'm not going to argue with a red neck driving a 6000 pound truck with a dog in the back bigger than my bike! The goal is to ride, have fun, and get home alive! I do think we live in an area that needs to be more aware of cycling and hopefully people who ride often and correctly can have an impact on the way we are viewed by automobile drivers.
- 2. People who know they have dogs that chase bicycles and do nothing. Wonder if they would like them to be pepper sprayed. Of course not!! If its your dog or my legs, I'm choosing my legs!
- 1. People who don't turn on headlights when it isn't daylight. Maybe they think they are saving gas, too lazy to turn, push, or pull the switch, or maybe they think they are hiding in the dark.. Dumb and dangerous habit!!
PAVEMENT SURFING
Been there and done that!
The time is getting close for your trip, I'm excited for you (and maybe a little bit nervous)! Hope the training is still going well :) See you in a few weeks! LYM!
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