Two Wheeling West

I like to think that I learn quickly…

Posted by Andrew on June 8th, 2009 - 7 Comments...  

2 days, just over 100 miles down, 4,200 to go.  Things I’ve learned:

1. Watch out for mailboxes, especially the ones placed way out into the road or hanging (keeps them away from the snowplows).  Almost got beaned by one of those yesterday.
2. The sun is intense, especially going up the Kancamagus Highway without a cloud in the sky.  My gloves have a hole in the back of the hand, and I’ve got brown spots there now.
3. Blackflies seem to be impervious to wind.
4. Eat more and always order the large - doesn’t matter what it is, just order the large.

Sitting in the library in Lincoln, NH right now using the Internet ($2 for 30 minutes, maybe I should have told her I’m a resident).  The Kanc wasn’t as bad as I expected - top top 2-3 miles were rough, but otherwise it was a fairly pleasant ride.  Nasty headwind coming down into Lincoln, so I only made it up to around 35 mph.

Oh yeah, I have a new “goal” for this trip: sampling cookies across the country.  I was working on a giant chocolate chip cookie from Hanaford yesterday and realized two things, why on earth did I get a cookie from Hanaford instead of one of the dozen bakeries I passed, and I think I should look for the best cookie on my travels.  No rules, any type of cookie is eligible, and I’m the only judge.

cookie 1:  Hanaford giant chocolate chip cookie: tasty, big, soft in the middle, plenty of cookie for the $$, but I don’t want to know what’s in it.  I’m always wary of cookies that can sit out for days and remain soft, just doesn’t seem like a good thing.

Staying at a campground in North Woodstock tonight, the on to West Hartford, VT tomorrow night.

Shakedown success, new kickstand mount!

Posted by Andrew on June 6th, 2009 - No Comments;  

I spent last weekend, May 30-31 on a two-day shakedown ride to test out the bike, gear, and my body.  Success!  I forgot a pair of shorts and flip-flops, but otherwise, everything worked out very well.  I’ve got the shorts packed, I bought a pair of flip-flops, so I’m all set.

I was happy with my saddle, but not thrilled.  The Specialized Avatar saddle I used has been on my mountain bike for 2 years and I’ve been very happy with it.  Of course, riding a mountain bike off-road is very different than having my ass parked in the saddle all day long.  I would venture a guess that I spent less than 50% of a mountain bike ride actually sitting in the saddle (I ride a hardtail with cheap/lousy front suspension).

Back to the Internets for some research…  The tourers say Brooks, but I really don’t want to baby a leather saddle all the time.   I would much rather set it up and forget about maintenance and keeping it dry, not to mention the break-in period for stretched leather.  More to come on the saddle front…

In other news, I have a new and much improved mount for my Pletscher two-leg kickstand.  I noticed that the Pletscher web site had a picture of a different mount than I have, so I emailed them about it.  A few days later I got a response from the CEO cc-ing their US distributor, KHS Bicycle Parts (note: not KHS Bicycles).

Thorsten at KHS Parts helped me out - I spoke to him on the phone and he spent some time rummaging around the warehouse that afternoon.  I had the new top plate and bolt in 2 days, just in time to head out for my weekend ride.  The old top plate was a simple piece of angled metal with a bolt down the middle.  In order to get the kickstand stable, several people reported having to tighten the bolt until the kickstand deformed the chainstays.  Obviously not a great idea, and the new mount will stay put with much less force.

New Pletscher kickstand mount
view on flickr»

(click “view on flickr” to view more photos)

Surly Long Haul Trucker

Posted by Andrew on June 2nd, 2009 - No Comments;  

Surly Long Haul Trucker
view on flickr»

I’ve been lazy in adding new pictures… Got a new camera last week, more pictures on the way!

These pictures were taken in early May the day after I picked up the bike from FitWerx.  I immediately added fenders, racks, handlebar bag mount, a kickstand, and other odds and ends: bottle cages, computer, frame pump, rear light.

Yes, I’m using a kickstand, it’s amazing, and more to come on that front…