Heading to Santa Fe for the start of the ride.
Not a very good start. My Boston to Santa Fe plane was delayed 3 hours and I was at risk of missing my connection in Dallas. Luckily I was able to get on an earlier flight to Dallas. Thank good for being an American Platinum member for life. Made those 2 million miles worth of painful rides worth it (for once).
I was pretty pumped about the camping part of the trip until I check the upcoming weather in Santa Fe. T-storms on the horizon!! As for the ride itself I can deal with the rain - but the wet pavement, wind, thunder and lightning is another thing all together.
As for camping - there is nothing worst than a soggy, wet sleeping bag. Get it wet at the beginning of the ride and the dampness will linger for the entire trip. I am now officially a total wimp. Guess Cathryn was right - hotels are the only way to rough it.
The good thing is the ride starts on Sunday so hopefully by Tuesday the good weather that the area has been enjoying for the entire summer returns. Now if we could only figure out how to get this rain to head back to California where we need it!
Sat
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Santa Fe or Bust!!
One week to go and my Santa Fe Bike Trek begins. Today I shipped off my "steed" hoping it arrives safely in Santa Fe.
Have to say - the air caddy box (cardboard) I just bought is so much better in protecting my bike than my old large plastic bike box. I sure hope this proves true and my bike gets to the Sage Inn in Santa Fe safely; and in one piece.
The air caddy, while cardboard, has an amazing design. Unlike my old hard case, all I had to do to pack was remove the front wheel, lower the handlebars and remove my seat. Best it fold back into about a 2' by 4' flat box.
For my friends who may not know, the Santa Fe Bike Trek is a 1100- 1200 mile journey that follows the route Kit Carson and others used back in the days of the Wild, Wild West - except this time we ride paved roads. Unfortunately in some cases have to jump on the Interstates to get over some of the mountain passes. I just hate these roads as the double and triple trailer trucks come screaming by you at 75mph. The ride starts in Santa Fe, New Mexico and ends up somewhere in Missouri (Independence I think).
Should be about 40 riders and unlike my trip last year - we camp every night. I haven't camped since the early 70's - when Cathryn, in the middle of our hike up the Bond Cliffs in the White Mountains, stopped and declared that from that day forward it was "hotels only" (never did get to the top of the cliffs).
Getting to Santa Fe a couple of days in advance so I can acclimate to the altitude - and as an excuse to explore the city. There a bunch of riders getting in early as well and I have arranged for us to ride with a local bike group called the Santa Fe SOB's.
SOB - stands for "Seniors on Bikes" - it's a group of 50 plus locals that have a couple of casual rides a week. Luckily, next week they have a 50 miler that we have been invited to join in. I sure hope that that the "B" in "SOB" also stands for "Brew" - as it looks like Santa Fe has some great local breweries.
Packing is almost done. It looks like I am going to have about 30 lbs of gear (bike stuff, tent, sleeping bag, camping pillow and of course, one freaking thick air mattress). And a token amount of clothing - I am going to try to get by the 20 plus days with two T shirts, a pair of shorts, sandals and my North Face Thermoball.
The rest of my gear will be devoted to bike clothing - because you have to look good riding. And of course you have to strut out your best "peacock-colored" bike shirts - highlighting all the great rides you have done in the past (Lake Tahoe Ride, Napa Century, etc). I may not be fast - but I got the shirts!
Going to try to blog every night - but not sure what the wifi and power situation is going to be like. I went out and bought a HP chromebook as it has an amazing battery life (8 hours plus) and it came with a free T-mobile cell account in case I can't find a free wifi connection. I'm told that in a lot of the towns we visit a local will give us a history of the trail and show us some of the local sites. This should be very interesting and hope I can pass on some of the local history and lore.
I should have enough time to dedicate to the blog as we are only riding about 50-60 miles per day versus the 80-100 I did on last year's ride. Provided I can find power!!!
So stay tuned.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Ride is On!
Just got confirmation that the Santa Fe Bicycle Trek in September is on!
While not as long as the ride across America (3800 miles), this new ride should still be an adventure (1100 miles). Another opportunity to see this great country, meet some new friends and experience America again in all its finest. The organizers have promised that we will learn all about the trail's history and its contribution to our country's western expansion.
And of course another chance to blog about the trip!! Here are the details (space still available).....
http://santafetrailbicycletrek.com/
This time no hotels - camping all the way. No fancy hotels or suites - just me and mother earth (literally). Cold showers and damp clothes. Bugs and wild beasts. Campfires and marshmallows. No Luminosity to keep me sharp. Just me and Mother Nature. They did promise to have a cooler of cold beer at the end of each day - but its strictly BYOB.
In any case just bought a great North Face tent and a new down sleeping bag (rated at 0 to 20 degrees). And this week will go shopping for the thickest, widest, most comfortable air mattress that money can buy (have to have at least one pleasure). I haven't camped since our honeymoon at Acadia - sure hope I remember how to do it.
Biggest challenge is going to be how to keep my phone, computer and bike gps charged. Probably going to have to bring a 50 foot extension cord with me (or pitch my tent next to a big freaking outlet).
God, what a wimp I have become!
In any case, time to start training again - as soon as the damn rain stops (4 inches last two days).
So stay tuned!!!!
While not as long as the ride across America (3800 miles), this new ride should still be an adventure (1100 miles). Another opportunity to see this great country, meet some new friends and experience America again in all its finest. The organizers have promised that we will learn all about the trail's history and its contribution to our country's western expansion.
And of course another chance to blog about the trip!! Here are the details (space still available).....
http://santafetrailbicycletrek.com/
This time no hotels - camping all the way. No fancy hotels or suites - just me and mother earth (literally). Cold showers and damp clothes. Bugs and wild beasts. Campfires and marshmallows. No Luminosity to keep me sharp. Just me and Mother Nature. They did promise to have a cooler of cold beer at the end of each day - but its strictly BYOB.
In any case just bought a great North Face tent and a new down sleeping bag (rated at 0 to 20 degrees). And this week will go shopping for the thickest, widest, most comfortable air mattress that money can buy (have to have at least one pleasure). I haven't camped since our honeymoon at Acadia - sure hope I remember how to do it.
Biggest challenge is going to be how to keep my phone, computer and bike gps charged. Probably going to have to bring a 50 foot extension cord with me (or pitch my tent next to a big freaking outlet).
God, what a wimp I have become!
In any case, time to start training again - as soon as the damn rain stops (4 inches last two days).
So stay tuned!!!!
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