AXC - The bike

AXC - The bike

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Shit just got real!



Shit just got real!
Or, put your money where your mouth is.

On Monday the Adventure Cycling Association billed my credit card for the remainder of the cross country bike trip.
Although I’ve been anticipating this trip for months, and paid the deposit back in October, this is the final and biggest milestone that makes this feel real.
And dropping a load of (non-refundable) money is certainly about as real as it gets.

The bill coming due also marks another point, 3 months until the ride start!!
Damn, 3 months!? That’s right around the corner!

Am I ready? Do I feel ready?
Yes and no, to both.
I’ve finally gotten most of my gear. I just bought the last 2 big(ish) items I needed; panniers (bike luggage) and a solar panel to try and keep my electronics charged on the road.
There are a handful of things I still need to buy, but they’re mostly trivial at this point. (spare spokes and tires, a pump, a camping pillow, and some other odds and ends. I’m still debating getting a new saddle.)

I also need to step up my training; I need a lot more “time in the saddle” to get used to the riding position, the feel of the bike, and of course strength/endurance training for the long haul. I need the ability to be on the bike multiple days in a row without getting weird minor aches (that will compound over days.) I need to install my panniers and load them up, then go on a few rides. That’s going to be interesting.
Ugh, and I could go on and on about all the million details still left to sort out!

And yet, despite all of that, I do actually feel very ready. Mentally, logistically, gear-wise, I’ve got all the big things pretty much sorted out. I know what I'm doing and how I'm doing it. I have most contingencies planned for. And I'm mentally preparing for just how hard this is going to be, on several levels.
Sure, I still need to ride a lot to train, but even that I’m ready for (now if only the weather would cooperate!)

Suffice to say, I am EXCITED, and although I know I’m doing this trip, shit just got real.

3 comments:

  1. wow--you even need to bring your own pump?!!? damn. Lezyne makes a couple of "micro" pumps that are portable yet have a floor pump style. might be just the ticket for you. i love the Lezyne floor pump i bought about 6 months ago so much i just replaced my frame pump as well... cheers, -rose.

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    Replies
    1. If I get a flat tire on some barren stretch of road, I'll need a pump to be able to fix the flat.
      The tour guide will have a pump and some other spare parts, but I don't want to have to rely on someone else in order to do basic maintenance like flat repair.
      Thanks for the tip about the pump. I'll look into that.
      Before I buy anything though, I swear I had a portable pump already, I just can't find it. So I'll keep looking and maybe buy that as a last second thing if it doesn't turn up.

      Delete
  2. I have permission to comment. You know we will be following every mile.

    ReplyDelete