Now that leaving the Tracon is imminent I'm getting quite a few inquiries about the blog. Welcome all who are interested, I'm going to try to keep it up on the trip even if I have to type from the the underside of an 18 wheeler that has me pinned. We have figured out how to post pics, I think, so expect those on most every blog. Have to do something to keep interest up. Laura, me, or both may be in various stages of undress. I'm about to go into shaved leg mode for the summer, getting ready by buying a few of those Venus razors that Michelle got me started on. No cuts with those!!!! Thanks Michelle, you've done wonders for my knobby knees. My ass is majorly sore from riding 40 miles last week, then again on Sunday. It really gets worked, or maybe it's cause Laura isn't pedaling. She always has liked to cause a p___ in my ass. Not really, if it wasn't for her pedaling that 50lb monster, it wouldn't move. I'm starting to wonder about our pace, doesn't seem like we can do more than about 13-14mph average, which could cause problems. Like 10 hour days on the bike. It's not like you can sprint on it. We may have to think about alternate routes. All part of the adventure hopefully. Any names for the bike yet? How about nicknames for the two idiots riding it? The 2 pics are for practice posting, showing all of the supplies and clothing, etc. we will carry for 3 months. Not much.

Had a great ride on Sunday.The bike is so fun to ride. I see Larry called it big orange. Does that mean a nickname would the big O ? Hmmmmm. I kinda like Obi for" orange bike". yesterday was 78 degrees and today it is snowing. This is a pattern that is getting old. We are getting more efficient on the bike. The turns are smoother and we are using more than 3 gears now! Larry put the clip-in pedals on, so now he is attached. I think he was a little nervous about that. He puts his one foot in and then I start pedaling and he clips in the other one while trusting me to get us going. It worked just fine. We have made a few adjustments to the seat settings and are working on a few others. It really helps to get out there and use everything. I am getting together some of the stuff we need to take and thinking of the most efficient clothing combinations and of course buying lots of tiny little bottles for all the toiletries and such-not much in the way of makeup though. I have to say it feels kind of freeing to have so few choices for the daily dress up! If Mother Nature will cooperate, we will get out again in the next few days.

Overdue

I'm overdue to post a new entry, here it goes. The trip is seeming a little more real now, lots of details are getting taken care of. Quit the Athletic Club for the summer yesterday, and figured out where to put the cars while we're gone. The humble townhouse will be rented out for the trip, to a friend of Laura's that is managing the new spa at the Ritz Carlton hotel. Still trying to figure out how to pay bills and such from a bicycle seat. I have to figure out how to get the bike to Astoria, Oregon. Looks like a rented SUV is the answer, but it's not cheap, around $500. Laura bought a new camera, seems to like it so far, and it takes good videos, so we might get on Utube with a crash or something. I've got some ideas for tricks on Big Orange, so keep checking the blog!!!!! Next post will have pics, we are going to get all our stuff laid out check for size and weight, then show you all how we will exist on 15lbs of necessities.

Had some time, so---went out on the bike last Sunday for about an hour, and took a chance on riding the bike path.  It was so cold there weren't many dogs, etc.  Other than bailing out on a couple of tight turns, we actually could ride without being a hazard.  I knocked the chain off shifting, still don't have a handle on the gears and the shifters.  Riding it reminds me of walking Homer, people see you and just stare.  Have to adjust the seats still, and I'm still terrified of riding with the clip in pedals.  Trying to think of a name for the beast, any ideas.  How about Big Orange?  Someone has to have something better than that.