One month to go
In addition to wrapping up work, I've continued training, starting packing, and made some hotel reservations for the first week. My touring included a trip around Lake Sammamish from home, and the Cascade Bicycle Club Emerald City Ride May 5. These were each less than 40 miles, but they were back-to-back and so a small sample of what the trip will be like. It will be over 60 days of riding, with a few rest days added in.
View from Alki Point
This weekend May 11 Amy and I went to Santa Fe New Mexico and I rented a Cannondale Synapse road bike so that I could take a trip at higher altitude. I biked from Santa Fe to the Ski Santa Fe base at 10,000 feet, with a 4,000 foot gain. For experienced bikers in this area that is not a big deal—only 31 miles—but for a sea level person that was a serious workout.
The Cannondale was *much* lighter than my Surly but when I hit patches of gravel I felt less stable, and the bike itself felt more fragile. I'm reassured by the steel, sturdy Surly, and having the granny gear there if I need it. The Cannondale has electronic shifters, which are fancy but not much of an advantage over the mechanical shifters on the Surly. So it was nice to try out the Cannondale and see what current options are for day touring, but I'm glad I have my Surly Disk Trucker. AND I don't have to charge it at night.
I've continued training with a long ride or 2 in the weekend and commuting and errands during the week.
Burke Gilman scene May 18
Here's a histogram of weekly mileage:
Long rides seem easier than at the beginning. For example, I biked 63 miles round trip to Snohomish with loaded panniers—the bike and load weighs 60 lbs—and I felt just fine at the end. We have a biking trip to Lopez planned for the first weekend of June and then I leave my bike at Montlake Bike Shop for a final tune, and depart June 9!
Today (May 21, 2024) I'm en route to a meeting and my flight covers roughly the Northern Tier to Minneapolis. However Alaska Airlines is a little faster: 3 1/2 hours:
View from Alki Point
This weekend May 11 Amy and I went to Santa Fe New Mexico and I rented a Cannondale Synapse road bike so that I could take a trip at higher altitude. I biked from Santa Fe to the Ski Santa Fe base at 10,000 feet, with a 4,000 foot gain. For experienced bikers in this area that is not a big deal—only 31 miles—but for a sea level person that was a serious workout.
The Cannondale was *much* lighter than my Surly but when I hit patches of gravel I felt less stable, and the bike itself felt more fragile. I'm reassured by the steel, sturdy Surly, and having the granny gear there if I need it. The Cannondale has electronic shifters, which are fancy but not much of an advantage over the mechanical shifters on the Surly. So it was nice to try out the Cannondale and see what current options are for day touring, but I'm glad I have my Surly Disk Trucker. AND I don't have to charge it at night.
I've continued training with a long ride or 2 in the weekend and commuting and errands during the week.
Burke Gilman scene May 18
Here's a histogram of weekly mileage:
Long rides seem easier than at the beginning. For example, I biked 63 miles round trip to Snohomish with loaded panniers—the bike and load weighs 60 lbs—and I felt just fine at the end. We have a biking trip to Lopez planned for the first weekend of June and then I leave my bike at Montlake Bike Shop for a final tune, and depart June 9!
Today (May 21, 2024) I'm en route to a meeting and my flight covers roughly the Northern Tier to Minneapolis. However Alaska Airlines is a little faster: 3 1/2 hours:
Here's what I'll fit into my 2 rear panniers and handlebar bag. Click here for list.
