Monday, April 22, 2013

New Focus

The violin recital went very well. If I can figure out how to post a picture I will. After I hear the recording I'll post that too. Now my violin gets out of its case once a week for a recreational lesson, and my bike is the new focus.

It now has a front rack and I know how to attach the panniers, though I'll have to adjust them first to fit. The fenders have been raised to accommodate bigger tires when the time comes. And I have the custom-cut padding now to wrap around each of the frame components when the bike gets taken apart for shipping back home. It will take an evening of watching the instructional DVD together with Russ and Charlie, then practice together, to make sure we understand how to do it before I embark. Thanks, R&E Cycles.

Looking at the panniers, I'm wondering how I'll fit rain jacket and pants, change of bike shorts & jersey, a couple of undies & socks, all my must-have first aid stuff for bug bites, sunburn, sore muscles, and then a little travel bottle of shampoo and soap. Toothbrush. What do I really need? What can I live without for 3 months no matter how comforting it would be? I'm guessing one pannier for clothing & toiletries, one for food & water, one for sleeping bag, pad, and tent (if it fits), and one for group gear, tools, spare tire, and miscellaneous.

I rode home from work in the rain Friday because I needed the mileage and to prove to myself that 2-1/2 hours in the rain is okay. I won't have a choice about it when we're on the trip.

And now I have a smart phone, which makes me feel quite dumb as I'm learning to use it.

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