So, the bike trip is now over, but I want to emphasize what a great trip it was. We had a wonderful group of friends and had an awesome time together biking, cooking, complaining, laughing, making s'mores, and bonding in general.
The abridged final destinations should be no indication of failure but merely a representative example of the whimsical nature of the trip. Each day, we sorta woke up and left whenever, stopped to eat where it seemed good, picked our campsite/hostel when the sun went away, and ate whatever local fare made it in the pot. We even put the ipod speakers on shuffle. In general quite a whimsical ambiance.
Ian and Will are whimsically continuing to bike up the coast towards a unidentified final destination and Mike and I whimsically decided to cut off after Samuel P Taylor Park and hang out in wine country for a week. I guess thats why it was a whimsical west coast cruise.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Day 11: Samuel P Taylor State Park to ???
June 10, 2010
We started out the day with some scrumptious scrambled chocolate chip pancakes. yum right. Quickly, we were heading north next to Tomales Bay which is a massive inlet just north of San Francisco.
Along the way, there were fresh cherry stands, so we stopped and bought a bag to split for lunch The town of Valley Ford was our splitting point and it turned out to have a pretty crummy selection of food. Oh well.
So yes. This was our last lunch together as a group. Ian and Will, with no desire to go home any time soon, knew they wanted to continue indefinitely even if it ultimately meant with an abridged destination, but I dont doubt them! They are gonna go all the way! Mike had decided that we were ready to stop and that although the trip had been fun, it seemed like the right length to stop here.
So, Ian and Will continued North on route 1 to a campground for the night and Mike and I rode inland to Santa Rosa to stay with my cousin Alex in Wine Country for a week.
Distance: 61.09
Total Distance: 599.4
Time: 4:23:46
We started out the day with some scrumptious scrambled chocolate chip pancakes. yum right. Quickly, we were heading north next to Tomales Bay which is a massive inlet just north of San Francisco.
Along the way, there were fresh cherry stands, so we stopped and bought a bag to split for lunch The town of Valley Ford was our splitting point and it turned out to have a pretty crummy selection of food. Oh well.
So yes. This was our last lunch together as a group. Ian and Will, with no desire to go home any time soon, knew they wanted to continue indefinitely even if it ultimately meant with an abridged destination, but I dont doubt them! They are gonna go all the way! Mike had decided that we were ready to stop and that although the trip had been fun, it seemed like the right length to stop here.
So, Ian and Will continued North on route 1 to a campground for the night and Mike and I rode inland to Santa Rosa to stay with my cousin Alex in Wine Country for a week.
Distance: 61.09
Total Distance: 599.4
Time: 4:23:46
Day 10: San Francisco to Samuel P. Taylor State Park
June 9, 2010
After another great breakfast and a quick trip to the post office to mail some post cards, we hit the road and cruised through Fisherman's Wharf towards the Golden Gate Bridge:
Then we got a little footage and some pictures before crossing it:
And again after it:
We then cruised downhill into Sausalito for a very nice lunch. On the road again, we met a crazy Asian dude cyclist who told us that he knew where we were going and we should follow him. Bad idea...
He was using a written set of directions that he had taken from google bike directions and kept referring to it as his manifest in between using the dirtiest language I have heard since watching "The Departed". First we went up into some weird neighborhood and started to climb a one lane driveway before canning that idea. Then we tried another road with him that ended up being about a 1500ft climb (with a great view) but in the wrong direction!!! There were some bad words being said about him as I began filming this video in fact...
So, after climbing all the way up, we went back down the same way and started over again. Later I caught a quick clip of Bon Air road (the name of the town where I am from)
Finally, we made it to the state park just as it was getting dark. Ahh more camping.
Distance: 44.87
Total Distance: 538.3
Time: 3:57:26
After another great breakfast and a quick trip to the post office to mail some post cards, we hit the road and cruised through Fisherman's Wharf towards the Golden Gate Bridge:
Then we got a little footage and some pictures before crossing it:
And again after it:
We then cruised downhill into Sausalito for a very nice lunch. On the road again, we met a crazy Asian dude cyclist who told us that he knew where we were going and we should follow him. Bad idea...
He was using a written set of directions that he had taken from google bike directions and kept referring to it as his manifest in between using the dirtiest language I have heard since watching "The Departed". First we went up into some weird neighborhood and started to climb a one lane driveway before canning that idea. Then we tried another road with him that ended up being about a 1500ft climb (with a great view) but in the wrong direction!!! There were some bad words being said about him as I began filming this video in fact...
So, after climbing all the way up, we went back down the same way and started over again. Later I caught a quick clip of Bon Air road (the name of the town where I am from)
Finally, we made it to the state park just as it was getting dark. Ahh more camping.
Distance: 44.87
Total Distance: 538.3
Time: 3:57:26
Day 9: Rest Day in San Francisco
June 8, 2010
Started out with a morning run through San Francisco; what a unique city. Another perk of the awesome hostel was an all you can eat breakfast. Awesome. After that, we headed straight for the cable car and because it was early, didn't even have to wait! We even got to stand on the side holding on:
Then it got steep:
Later we headed through Fisherman's Wharf, Telegraph Hill, and took the subway to Berkeley where we had pizza lunch and walked around the UC campus while pompously commenting that it was too bad it was only the #2 public university in the Country.
Finally, we were back in San Francisco, and after our great experience at the Chinese restaurant last night, we decided to go for authentic Indian food. It was certainly authentic...and awesome.
And, a quick view of our hostel and the awesome view from the 8th floor.
Distance: 0
Total Distance: 0
Time: 0
Running time: 90min
Started out with a morning run through San Francisco; what a unique city. Another perk of the awesome hostel was an all you can eat breakfast. Awesome. After that, we headed straight for the cable car and because it was early, didn't even have to wait! We even got to stand on the side holding on:
Then it got steep:
Later we headed through Fisherman's Wharf, Telegraph Hill, and took the subway to Berkeley where we had pizza lunch and walked around the UC campus while pompously commenting that it was too bad it was only the #2 public university in the Country.
Finally, we were back in San Francisco, and after our great experience at the Chinese restaurant last night, we decided to go for authentic Indian food. It was certainly authentic...and awesome.
And, a quick view of our hostel and the awesome view from the 8th floor.
Distance: 0
Total Distance: 0
Time: 0
Running time: 90min
Day 8: Pigeon Point Lighthouse to San Francisco
June 7, 2010
We woke up early in the hostel and had the usual loaf of bread with PB&J and got on our bikes in the dark. It was misting rain (actually I think there was just so much moisture in the air that it was condensing all around us), 50 degrees, windy etc. Within 5min we were soaked. We managed to trudge on for 20 miles before rolling into Half Moon Bay fire department. I think I speak for everyone that we were in dire need of a stop, so we headed a little farther into town and the head baker of the Half Moon Bakery came out on the street as we passed and yelled at us to come in. No more convincing was necessary.
We sat in the bakery for about 4 hours and pigged out on muffins and free stuff that the awesome baker kept bringing us. He even took my soaked bike jersey and hung it over the oven so that when he brought it back, not only was it toasty warm, but it smelled strongly of cinnamon rolls--yum.
Later we stopped to gear up for the large climb over Daly City into San Francisco:
And then some footage on the way in:
We rode through the city towards our Hostel (only 1 street off of Market St.) and Will got the second flat of the trip: same tire!
The hostel was an old hotel and was perfect. We were on the 8th floor with a perfect view of the skyline. A quick shower and we went looking for dinner in: CHINATOWN!
Naturally, Will insisted that we find a place where there was nothing in English, and it was worth it. Best Chinese food of my life followed by a stroll through the city:
Great Music at the end of a long day.
Distance: 54.95
Total Distance: 493.4
Time: 4:28:52
We woke up early in the hostel and had the usual loaf of bread with PB&J and got on our bikes in the dark. It was misting rain (actually I think there was just so much moisture in the air that it was condensing all around us), 50 degrees, windy etc. Within 5min we were soaked. We managed to trudge on for 20 miles before rolling into Half Moon Bay fire department. I think I speak for everyone that we were in dire need of a stop, so we headed a little farther into town and the head baker of the Half Moon Bakery came out on the street as we passed and yelled at us to come in. No more convincing was necessary.
We sat in the bakery for about 4 hours and pigged out on muffins and free stuff that the awesome baker kept bringing us. He even took my soaked bike jersey and hung it over the oven so that when he brought it back, not only was it toasty warm, but it smelled strongly of cinnamon rolls--yum.
Later we stopped to gear up for the large climb over Daly City into San Francisco:
And then some footage on the way in:
We rode through the city towards our Hostel (only 1 street off of Market St.) and Will got the second flat of the trip: same tire!
The hostel was an old hotel and was perfect. We were on the 8th floor with a perfect view of the skyline. A quick shower and we went looking for dinner in: CHINATOWN!
Naturally, Will insisted that we find a place where there was nothing in English, and it was worth it. Best Chinese food of my life followed by a stroll through the city:
Great Music at the end of a long day.
Distance: 54.95
Total Distance: 493.4
Time: 4:28:52
Day 7: Carmel to Pigeon Point Lighthouse
June 6, 2010
Refreshed from our day off, we woke up early and made chocolate chip pumpkin pancakes before cruising through Monterey Bay with ease. The bike path was awesome with fog over the dunes and we had knocked out 50miles before noon. There we stopped at a bakery in Santa Cruz as the sun was coming out...you know what that means; the wind came out.
10 miles later we stopped to rethink our day's destination and shortened it to Pigeon Point Lighthouse instead of closer to San Fransisco as we planned which turned out to be a good decision.
Later, we saw a huge crowd of kite surfers; probably 40 of them in one bay zig zaging between each other:
Finally we caught sight of the lighthouse where we would be staying just as the weather was beginning to turn cold, rainy and nasty. (it was already windy).
Thank goodness we were staying inside tonight! It started to mist/rain.
Distance: 80.37
Total Distance: 438.5
Time: 5:32:50
Refreshed from our day off, we woke up early and made chocolate chip pumpkin pancakes before cruising through Monterey Bay with ease. The bike path was awesome with fog over the dunes and we had knocked out 50miles before noon. There we stopped at a bakery in Santa Cruz as the sun was coming out...you know what that means; the wind came out.
10 miles later we stopped to rethink our day's destination and shortened it to Pigeon Point Lighthouse instead of closer to San Fransisco as we planned which turned out to be a good decision.
Later, we saw a huge crowd of kite surfers; probably 40 of them in one bay zig zaging between each other:
Finally we caught sight of the lighthouse where we would be staying just as the weather was beginning to turn cold, rainy and nasty. (it was already windy).
Thank goodness we were staying inside tonight! It started to mist/rain.
Distance: 80.37
Total Distance: 438.5
Time: 5:32:50
Day 6: Rest day in Carmel
June 5, 2010
We had decided last night that after Mike's crash we definitely needed to take a day off, so when I woke up in the morning, I naturally had to head out on a long run. As it turns out, the house was very close to Pebble Beach golf course, and after convincing the guard to let me into the gated community to run, I found the golf course and ran through it. Also coincidental, it turns out, the US open was going to be held there this year and there were USGA officials everywhere getting ready. Who'd have known.
I spent the rest of the morning updating the blog for the first time before we headed out to see Carmel. We dropped Mike off at the Doc in a Box where he ended up needing 3 stitches in his face (ouch) and then taking his bike to the local shop where it needed a serious tuning.
Then we stopped at Carmel's Fishermans Wharf to get lunch:
Then we went to see Monetary Point:
Later, we bought a ton of food for dinner and I took a video of the house since we were so fortunate to be able to stay there:
Finally, after dinner, the Dark Lord (yes that was his name) gave us Harley Davidson shirts from his Monterey Shop. The first souvenirs of the trip!
Distance: 0
Total Distance: 0
Time: 0
Running time: 90min
We had decided last night that after Mike's crash we definitely needed to take a day off, so when I woke up in the morning, I naturally had to head out on a long run. As it turns out, the house was very close to Pebble Beach golf course, and after convincing the guard to let me into the gated community to run, I found the golf course and ran through it. Also coincidental, it turns out, the US open was going to be held there this year and there were USGA officials everywhere getting ready. Who'd have known.
I spent the rest of the morning updating the blog for the first time before we headed out to see Carmel. We dropped Mike off at the Doc in a Box where he ended up needing 3 stitches in his face (ouch) and then taking his bike to the local shop where it needed a serious tuning.
Then we stopped at Carmel's Fishermans Wharf to get lunch:
Then we went to see Monetary Point:
Later, we bought a ton of food for dinner and I took a video of the house since we were so fortunate to be able to stay there:
Finally, after dinner, the Dark Lord (yes that was his name) gave us Harley Davidson shirts from his Monterey Shop. The first souvenirs of the trip!
Distance: 0
Total Distance: 0
Time: 0
Running time: 90min
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Day 5: Plasket Ridge to Carmel
June 4, 2010
After hitting the bed early last night, we were up early again (6:15) and on the road by 7:30. Ae were on the most awful roads we have seen so far on the trip. Construction everywhere, poor surfaces, bumpy, rough, only 1 lane where the rest of the road fell into the sea etc. 15miles into the ride will had the first flat of our trip.
At the end of the video I said we need to watch out...well 3miles later, Mike hit a rock in the road on a descent and hit the ground hard. Still being early morning, there were no cars in sight and we all hopped off our bikes and ran to help him. He was pretty banged up but we were VERY relieved that it wasn't worse. His facce was scratched up and some road rash, with only one deep cut which I cleaned and hit with a butterfly bandage. We fixed his bike to it was ride-able (it still needed a shop), but Mike was feeling ok to ride, so we headed onward.
Later, here we are at the top of a climb, still heading toward Big Sur:
Today and yesterday were harder than we expectd because of the large amount of climbing up and down the coast (you are either going up or down the entire time), and as cyclists know, the climbs are where different fitness levels really are separated, so we ended up splitting on each of the climbs and regrouping at the top. In an attempt to even out the weight, I took both tents and the cooking equipment, but we were still split up quite frequently.
Big Sur turned out to be just a long climb inland over a big mountain, but honestly, the mountains south of the town (near Will's flat tire) were more impressive (they were just soo steep that you couldn't build a town or resort there, so they built the resort more north. We stopped in the town though for lunch at a deli and the rode the rest of the way to Carmel where we were staying with one of Mike's family friends. We ate an entire bag of tortilla chips and salsa, showered and went down to see the beach and town. We stopped at a sweets shop where we got ice cream/chocolate pretzels/ and I had a caramel apple (fitting since we were in Carmel)
And who knew? Pebble Beach is here! Host of the 2010 US open which is apparently next weekend! What a beautiful golf course.
Distance: 60.99
Total Distance: 358.1
Time: 4:37:31
After hitting the bed early last night, we were up early again (6:15) and on the road by 7:30. Ae were on the most awful roads we have seen so far on the trip. Construction everywhere, poor surfaces, bumpy, rough, only 1 lane where the rest of the road fell into the sea etc. 15miles into the ride will had the first flat of our trip.
At the end of the video I said we need to watch out...well 3miles later, Mike hit a rock in the road on a descent and hit the ground hard. Still being early morning, there were no cars in sight and we all hopped off our bikes and ran to help him. He was pretty banged up but we were VERY relieved that it wasn't worse. His facce was scratched up and some road rash, with only one deep cut which I cleaned and hit with a butterfly bandage. We fixed his bike to it was ride-able (it still needed a shop), but Mike was feeling ok to ride, so we headed onward.
Later, here we are at the top of a climb, still heading toward Big Sur:
Today and yesterday were harder than we expectd because of the large amount of climbing up and down the coast (you are either going up or down the entire time), and as cyclists know, the climbs are where different fitness levels really are separated, so we ended up splitting on each of the climbs and regrouping at the top. In an attempt to even out the weight, I took both tents and the cooking equipment, but we were still split up quite frequently.
Big Sur turned out to be just a long climb inland over a big mountain, but honestly, the mountains south of the town (near Will's flat tire) were more impressive (they were just soo steep that you couldn't build a town or resort there, so they built the resort more north. We stopped in the town though for lunch at a deli and the rode the rest of the way to Carmel where we were staying with one of Mike's family friends. We ate an entire bag of tortilla chips and salsa, showered and went down to see the beach and town. We stopped at a sweets shop where we got ice cream/chocolate pretzels/ and I had a caramel apple (fitting since we were in Carmel)
And who knew? Pebble Beach is here! Host of the 2010 US open which is apparently next weekend! What a beautiful golf course.
Distance: 60.99
Total Distance: 358.1
Time: 4:37:31
Day 4: Morrow Beach to Plasket Ridge
June 3, 2010
Having camped the night before at Morrow Beach, we were up early and with a light tailwind knocked out 25miles by about 9am.
There we stopped in Cambria, an awesome tiny resortish town where we had breakfast at the Redwood Cafe.
After breakfast, we passed the Hearst Mansion which we had planned to ride up to and take pictures, but as it turned out, it was at the top of a massive mountain, so there was no chance of us getting up there with the BOB trailers and all our stuff. So instead we took some shots from the bottom (which Will will be uploading from his SLR)
Later (there was light traffic and I was riding in the back), I took a few quick riding clips). The flip camera is so small and handy it makes recording easy as pie.
Immediately after the Hearst Mansion, the wind picked up to hyper absurd levels (almost comical) and we stopped to see Elephant Seals on the water. The sound isnt that good because of the high winds. What I am trying to say is that we saw a guy in the sub shop in San Louis Obispo who told us to look for the big ASS seals. We were unsure from his ridiculous dialogue whether these were just large seals or whether they were actually named ass seals. Here we learned they were actually Elephant Seals.
Later, more footage from the top of a descent.
Next up was the first major climb of the coast, and honestly this climb started the stretch with Big Sur even though the town of Big Sur was still 100miles north. From here the road became very undulating.
Here is some footage from one of the descents
Later we arrived in Gordo, a town of about 10 people with 1 gas pump, 1 restaurant, and 1 general store where we were forced to buy dinner at exorbitant prices. There was this awesome guy playing the Banjo so I got some footage.
We ended up getting ricearoni and loaded it with some beef, made a campfire and roasted smores at Plasket Ridge Campground.
Distance: 63.56
Total Distance: 297.1
Time: 4:46:13
Having camped the night before at Morrow Beach, we were up early and with a light tailwind knocked out 25miles by about 9am.
There we stopped in Cambria, an awesome tiny resortish town where we had breakfast at the Redwood Cafe.
After breakfast, we passed the Hearst Mansion which we had planned to ride up to and take pictures, but as it turned out, it was at the top of a massive mountain, so there was no chance of us getting up there with the BOB trailers and all our stuff. So instead we took some shots from the bottom (which Will will be uploading from his SLR)
Later (there was light traffic and I was riding in the back), I took a few quick riding clips). The flip camera is so small and handy it makes recording easy as pie.
Immediately after the Hearst Mansion, the wind picked up to hyper absurd levels (almost comical) and we stopped to see Elephant Seals on the water. The sound isnt that good because of the high winds. What I am trying to say is that we saw a guy in the sub shop in San Louis Obispo who told us to look for the big ASS seals. We were unsure from his ridiculous dialogue whether these were just large seals or whether they were actually named ass seals. Here we learned they were actually Elephant Seals.
Later, more footage from the top of a descent.
Next up was the first major climb of the coast, and honestly this climb started the stretch with Big Sur even though the town of Big Sur was still 100miles north. From here the road became very undulating.
Here is some footage from one of the descents
Later we arrived in Gordo, a town of about 10 people with 1 gas pump, 1 restaurant, and 1 general store where we were forced to buy dinner at exorbitant prices. There was this awesome guy playing the Banjo so I got some footage.
We ended up getting ricearoni and loaded it with some beef, made a campfire and roasted smores at Plasket Ridge Campground.
Distance: 63.56
Total Distance: 297.1
Time: 4:46:13
Day 3: Santa Maria to Morrow Beach
Day 3 began as we left Santa Maria into a fierce headwind through the Santa Maria valley. The area was littered with Brussels Sprouts and the smell was intense! We saw fields with carrots and some more strawberries. We stopped for a lunch #1 at Grover Beach (the first real beach we have seen)
Later we stopped in San Louis Obispo for lunch #2 at Ben Franklin Subs and some bike supplies. Later, we arrived at Morrow Bay Campground where we were pleased to find showers! (for the all essential hygienic factor) cooked, relaxed and walked to see Morrow Rock.
Distance: 55.12
Total Distance: 233.5
Time: 4:06:52
Later we stopped in San Louis Obispo for lunch #2 at Ben Franklin Subs and some bike supplies. Later, we arrived at Morrow Bay Campground where we were pleased to find showers! (for the all essential hygienic factor) cooked, relaxed and walked to see Morrow Rock.
Distance: 55.12
Total Distance: 233.5
Time: 4:06:52
Day 2: Santa Barbara to Santa Maria
Day 2 of biking started from Cyrus' apartment where we had another awesome breakfast of eggs, oatmeal, and pancakes. We hit the road at about 9am and Cyrus rode with us for about 20miles until the first climb of the day where he had to turn back. Here we are on that climb.
On the backside of the climb, we were inland and the temperature dropped as we entered a foggy depressing area known as Lompoc. I was freezing cold as we looked for a place to eat, and we finally settled on "La Tortilla La Renya" which had its own tortilla maker. It was the best Mexican food I have ever had. Later, we learned that Lompoc consists of a federal prison and a national air force base. Maybe that was why it was so dreary.
Climbing out of Lompoc via the Purisma Hills we had a great view over the valley we had just left behind...
Later, we diverted off the coast towards Santa Maria where we found the luxurious "Town and Country Inn." We finished the night with an all you can eat Chinese buffet "Ming Dynasty."
Distance: 69.07
Total Distance: 178.4
Time: 5:01:55
On the backside of the climb, we were inland and the temperature dropped as we entered a foggy depressing area known as Lompoc. I was freezing cold as we looked for a place to eat, and we finally settled on "La Tortilla La Renya" which had its own tortilla maker. It was the best Mexican food I have ever had. Later, we learned that Lompoc consists of a federal prison and a national air force base. Maybe that was why it was so dreary.
Climbing out of Lompoc via the Purisma Hills we had a great view over the valley we had just left behind...
Later, we diverted off the coast towards Santa Maria where we found the luxurious "Town and Country Inn." We finished the night with an all you can eat Chinese buffet "Ming Dynasty."
Distance: 69.07
Total Distance: 178.4
Time: 5:01:55
Friday, June 4, 2010
Day 1: Santa Monica to Santa Barbara
May 31, 2010
Day 1 we got up early (being still on east coast time) and had a great breakfast at the hostel! Toast, bagels, yogurt and cereal= awesome.
Took a look at the starting bike setup:
Then we proceeded to have a long day in the saddle... Of note, we passed 30% of the US strawberries supply (as Cyrus later told us), and as we could verify by the smell (awesome). Later we stopped for lunch at a park:
Finally after hitting 100mi we had made it to Santa Barbara where we met uor good friend Cyrus Dreyer who not only had volunteered to put us up for the night, but upon greeting us, said he had a cookout on the beach planned! He was surely the hero of the day.
In all, quite a first day and great experience on the BOB trailer.
Distance: 108.85
Total Distance: 109.3
Time Riding: 7:41:37
Day 1 we got up early (being still on east coast time) and had a great breakfast at the hostel! Toast, bagels, yogurt and cereal= awesome.
Took a look at the starting bike setup:
Then we proceeded to have a long day in the saddle... Of note, we passed 30% of the US strawberries supply (as Cyrus later told us), and as we could verify by the smell (awesome). Later we stopped for lunch at a park:
Finally after hitting 100mi we had made it to Santa Barbara where we met uor good friend Cyrus Dreyer who not only had volunteered to put us up for the night, but upon greeting us, said he had a cookout on the beach planned! He was surely the hero of the day.
In all, quite a first day and great experience on the BOB trailer.
Distance: 108.85
Total Distance: 109.3
Time Riding: 7:41:37
Arrive in California
Sunday May 30 was our flight down to Los Angeles. For those who were wondering before the trip, will's bike box was 68.9lbs and my bike box was 71.7lbs. We went straight to the REI store in Santa Monica where we were dumped from our super shuttle ride on the street with our bike boxes. After getting our BOB trailers, Will and I went behind the shop in an alley to set them up...
and later had them filled...
Ian had arrived before us and we later met Mike behind the shop. Then we proceeded to the Santa Monica hostel which was $122.50 for the 4 of us--not too bad considering the absurd prices in the area.
Finally we took a walk to the water and looked out over Santa Monica Boulevard at the sunset.
and later had them filled...
Ian had arrived before us and we later met Mike behind the shop. Then we proceeded to the Santa Monica hostel which was $122.50 for the 4 of us--not too bad considering the absurd prices in the area.
Finally we took a walk to the water and looked out over Santa Monica Boulevard at the sunset.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Rudy's Final Packing List
This is my list of everything that made it in the bike box today. For group items I was in charge of cooking gear (which is why the "group stuff" is dominated by cooking stuff); Will had the bike gear and Ian the maps (if you were wondering how we were going to figure out where we are going). More for future records, it will be interesting to see what of this junk I actually use...
GROUP STUFF
Potset: http://www.rei.com/product/784110
Large utensils: 2large spoons, spatula, pasta spoon, can opener, spatula thingy
1x shammy cleanup towel
Coleman propane burner (I will buy the tanks when we get there)
2 bic lighters
10 firestarter things (for our large bonfires or something like that).
1 2.5gallon water bladder (folds up flat). We can use it in camp and I can fill it before long days when we anticipate no water (like heading east)
First Aid kit
CYCLING
1x bike
1x Spare tube
Allen wrench set
1 extra SRAM chain link (because I have it and it is smaller than a penny)
2x cable locks (one that locks and one with eyehole ends that the other can fit through)
1 back of my seat bike rack and basket for easy access carrying of food/spare items
1 helmet
1 bike glasses
2 (cable) bike locks
1 Front light
2 rear blinkies
4 bike water bottles (plus 1 nalgene bottle)
PERSONAL STUFF CLOTHES
2 jerseys
3 bike shorts
1 swim trunks
1 light camping shorts with zip off pant bottoms
1 synthetic tights
2 (synthetic) t-shirts
1 fleece
1 long sleeve synthetic shirt
1 long sleeve light camping shirt
1 rain jacket + windbreaker
1 reflective wind vest
1 sandals
1 running shoes
1 cycling shoes
3 underarmour boxer/briefs
5 synthetic socks
1 smartwool socks
1 arm warmers
1 knee warmers
1 water proof shoe covers
1 sports watch
CAMPING
2 man tent with groundcloth and fly
1 utensil (spork)
Large and small ziplock bags
1 bowl
1 cup
1 (summer) sleeping bag
1 sleeping mat (thermarest)
1x single blade pocket knife
1x shammy body towel
1x long rope
4x bungee cords
1x small flashlight
Lots x Rubber bands
Wire
1x Strap
Zip ties
2x Carabineers
MISCELLANEOUS
cell phone and charger
passport
wallet w/ ID, credit cards, cash
receipt for REI BOB trailer pickup
toiletries: toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, 3x soap, razor, 3x hotel shampoos
1 small hand sanitizer bottle from the AFC
digital video camera
2xAA and 2xAAA bateries
sunscreen
skin so soft (bug repellant)
Pirate Flag
Deck of cards
The fountainhead
Pen
Diary
Extra smiles
Unlimited sense of humor
GROUP STUFF
Potset: http://www.rei.com/product/784110
Large utensils: 2large spoons, spatula, pasta spoon, can opener, spatula thingy
1x shammy cleanup towel
Coleman propane burner (I will buy the tanks when we get there)
2 bic lighters
10 firestarter things (for our large bonfires or something like that).
1 2.5gallon water bladder (folds up flat). We can use it in camp and I can fill it before long days when we anticipate no water (like heading east)
First Aid kit
CYCLING
1x bike
1x Spare tube
Allen wrench set
1 extra SRAM chain link (because I have it and it is smaller than a penny)
2x cable locks (one that locks and one with eyehole ends that the other can fit through)
1 back of my seat bike rack and basket for easy access carrying of food/spare items
1 helmet
1 bike glasses
2 (cable) bike locks
1 Front light
2 rear blinkies
4 bike water bottles (plus 1 nalgene bottle)
PERSONAL STUFF CLOTHES
2 jerseys
3 bike shorts
1 swim trunks
1 light camping shorts with zip off pant bottoms
1 synthetic tights
2 (synthetic) t-shirts
1 fleece
1 long sleeve synthetic shirt
1 long sleeve light camping shirt
1 rain jacket + windbreaker
1 reflective wind vest
1 sandals
1 running shoes
1 cycling shoes
3 underarmour boxer/briefs
5 synthetic socks
1 smartwool socks
1 arm warmers
1 knee warmers
1 water proof shoe covers
1 sports watch
CAMPING
2 man tent with groundcloth and fly
1 utensil (spork)
Large and small ziplock bags
1 bowl
1 cup
1 (summer) sleeping bag
1 sleeping mat (thermarest)
1x single blade pocket knife
1x shammy body towel
1x long rope
4x bungee cords
1x small flashlight
Lots x Rubber bands
Wire
1x Strap
Zip ties
2x Carabineers
MISCELLANEOUS
cell phone and charger
passport
wallet w/ ID, credit cards, cash
receipt for REI BOB trailer pickup
toiletries: toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, 3x soap, razor, 3x hotel shampoos
1 small hand sanitizer bottle from the AFC
digital video camera
2xAA and 2xAAA bateries
sunscreen
skin so soft (bug repellant)
Pirate Flag
Deck of cards
The fountainhead
Pen
Diary
Extra smiles
Unlimited sense of humor
Video Practice and Some Pre-Flight Packing
So, here is the first video of the blog. It will likely also be the most boring of the videos because it takes place in my house with me packing. I wanted to make sure this uploading process would work before taking a camera 3000 miles, and fortunately my new FLIP didnt let me down. Voila, here it is! Expect lots of enthusiastic narration of the trip by yours truly.
This video is from Friday night before the trip; Saturday included packing everything into a bike box (relatively difficult considering the large quantity of items), and the flight to LA leaves Sunday (tomorrow) morning.
This video is from Friday night before the trip; Saturday included packing everything into a bike box (relatively difficult considering the large quantity of items), and the flight to LA leaves Sunday (tomorrow) morning.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
The Trip Overview.
Hi everyone, and welcome to the Whimsical West Coast Cruise touring trip blog. I (Rudy) will be maintaining and adding to the blog over the course of our bike trip for all to enjoy.
So what is this trip? Rudy, Will, Ian, and Mike (all recent graduates from UVA) will embark on an epic 6 week 3000mi bike touring trip from Los Angeles north to Vancouver along the Pacific Ocean, then east through the states of Washington, Idaho, and Montana, passing over the "Going to the sun road" in Glacier National Park, before heading north into British Columbia and visiting Banff and Jasper National Parks, and finally finishing in Calgary.
We will be carrying all of our gear and updating the blog as often as we encounter civilized people with computers. Expect postings of mileage, updates on our progress, insights into our endeavor, and pictures and video footage of of deliriously excited/exhausted guys on bikes.
So what is this trip? Rudy, Will, Ian, and Mike (all recent graduates from UVA) will embark on an epic 6 week 3000mi bike touring trip from Los Angeles north to Vancouver along the Pacific Ocean, then east through the states of Washington, Idaho, and Montana, passing over the "Going to the sun road" in Glacier National Park, before heading north into British Columbia and visiting Banff and Jasper National Parks, and finally finishing in Calgary.
We will be carrying all of our gear and updating the blog as often as we encounter civilized people with computers. Expect postings of mileage, updates on our progress, insights into our endeavor, and pictures and video footage of of deliriously excited/exhausted guys on bikes.
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