ride my bike across the country

2700 miles done. I’m hanging out in a town in central Missouri, a bit against my will. I don’t have anything against it here, it’s just that my bike is being worked out (having the rear wheel rebuilt). Hopefully they get done early enough to let me get some serious miles on!

and somewhere between 1100 and 1300 to go, depending on the route I take. Still, over halfway, and enjoying it thoroughly. Sometimes I’m having knee pain (both) or now more frequently, elbow pain (left). Still, it’s not enough to keep me from enjoying the country as it passes by at 8-12 mph. I’ve seen a fox, a grizzly, some bighorn sheep, a couple dozen bison, and perhaps thousands of deer, antelope, elk, and many different kinds of scurrying rodents.

I’ve only had three flats, but more concerning, I’ve busted a total of 3 spokes on the rear wheel. I had the first one replaced by a shop (pricey), then later when it happened again, I just bought a spoke wrench (half the price of what the shop would charge to replace the spokes), and a cool shop gave me some spare spokes, and let me use their truing stand to balance my wheel. Other than that, I’ve been mechanical problem free.

Here’s the map I’ve been making to keep up with my progress.

http://www.google.com/maps/ms?source=embed&saddr=breckenridge,+co&daddr=US-50+to:CO-96+to:KS-96+to:E+12th+St%2FUS-160+to:MO-38+to:MO-17+to:MO-63%2FUS-63+to:eminence,+mo&hl=en&geocode=%3BFTaRRQIdFGvc-Q%3BFSZ0SgIdutfi-Q%3BFVAwSwIdHG8C-g%3BFaoXPAIdUK5h-g%3BFTyiOAIdxCp7-g%3BFUarOQIdPB2E-g%3BFWqUNgIdYNyC-g%3B&mra=ls&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7&dirflg=h&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=101446350554002327250.00046a820f30a7adf0046&ll=45.39845,-105.908203&spn=16.663769,37.353516&z=4

This is day 18 out of Portland, and in the last week I’ve had two 90+ mile days, which I hadn’t really predicted would be happening so soon. The first two weeks I got rained on, and snowed on quite a bit, but the last few days have been fantastic, with loads of sun. At times a bit much, but I’ll take it over rain any day. I’ve met a total of 7 other distance cyclists, so far, and will probably be seeing many more as the season gears up. Alright, off to begin another day on the road!

Well, 9 days in, with only one day off. Doing between 50-80 miles a day. Picked up a riding partner a few days ago, it’s been really nice having someone to ride with. I’d been prepared to do it by myself, but certainly don’t mind the company. I’d update more, but don’t have much time!

i want to leave… today.

Well, I finally assembled everything, got my bike back through the shop, and even put it through a 50 mile, fully loaded test run. This is the day. I’m a little short on sleep, having had a shared going away party with a friend of mine who’s leaving for mexico, but I’m gonna take it easy, and probably not go more than 40 miles or so today. I plan to take relatively short days for the first week or so.

all the bike parts I could find used, and have told the guy at the bike shop the small number of things that need ordered. The bike goes into the shop on Wednesday to have everything switched out. I’m nearly done getting the gear together as well. I need to finish up with some final checklists, soon, but my route is planned, and I’ve almost finished marking the maps I’ll be using.

I’ll probably be on the road by this time next week, and I’m so excited.

I’ve made it to Portland, and have begun the planning process for my tour. Already been talking to a couple bike shops about their opinions of what needs upgraded on the bike to endure such a big ride, and what will be fine as is. I love it, they’ve all been really great, and not trying to pressure me into frivilous upgrades. Not only would I be able to detect that, being a former salesperson, and be suspicious of them, but I also really appreciate receiving what feel like honest opinions.

I love riding bikes. Where I live, though, there isn’t much time available to do this. It would be so cool to ride across country somewhere. I’m at least planning on using my bike for most traveling this summer.

April, most likely. I won´t be technically going all the way across the country, but the idea is from Oregon (where my bike is) to Kentucky(where I´m moving back to). I´ve done tons of 50 mile rides, and even a 90 mile one day ride, once. If I can average even only 50 miles a day it won´t even take two months.