The Steel Steeds

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Monday, June 7, 2010

Getting Ready

We have 23 days before we begin our bike adventure from Syracuse, NY to somewhere on the west coast, probably in Oregon or Washington. We have been slowly preparing, buying  equipment for camping, comfort and of course Rosie's new Trek 520. Looked at many touring bikes and found the Trek to provide the biggest bang for the bucks without going custom.

With respect to logging miles on the road, we are behind schedule. Hoping to have at least 1000 miles before we set out may not be reached. We have over 600 now. My excuse is I umpire everyday, sometimes more than one game. I'll leave it at that. Rosie understands the ramifications. We're not couch potatoes, so it's safe to say we can hedge our bets.  "Keister Conditioning" might become a sore subject on the road.

I've been using Google Maps to chart our course across country. I'm going to post our tentative maps and hopefully update them as we travel. The ride begins on July 1. We plan to be in North Tonawanda on the 3rd, stay for the 4th and leave on the 5th. The ride to Western New York will be mostly along Lake Ontario starting at Sodus Point and ending at Wilson where we jog left to NT. I've changed the first day's route from 80 miles to 60 after Rosie learned her touring bike isn't as forgiving as her road bike
View
. She is accustom to a much faster pace.  Regarding the embedded map, when I tried to enhance it using the arrows in the upper left corner it doesn't work so well, but holding the right button on your mouse and dragging the map allows you to move the map. Also you can click on the name of the map or link and it should take you to the map site.  About thirteen days into the ride we should be in Milwaukee, WI, riding through Ontario, Canada from Fort Erie (across from Buffalo, NY) to Sombra, Ontario where we'll catch a ferry to Marine City, MI then across Michigan to Muskegon, MI where we will board another ferry to Milwaukee crossing Lake Michigan. This 95 mile boat ride should test Rosie's butterflies.Trans America Bike Ride Day 1A in a larger map. Regarding pictures, I will be posting some here and the majority on the Kodak Gallery site. So look forward to receiving invites to view pictures from Kodak.

8 comments:

  1. Cross country ride huh? Since you have 23 days, get a copy of "Coast to Coast on the Big O" at Amazon.com. And check out the blog homerpearl.blogspot.com. And if you get as far south as Denver, take a few days off and we'll show you around town.

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  2. I am envious. We wish Rosie and you a safe and rewarding trip. We can live vicariously through Rosie and you.
    Happy Trails.

    Bill & Lisa

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  3. Bill...what an endeavor! Have a safe and rewarding trip...we will be keeping track of you and Rosie!

    Bob Warren

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  4. All the best Rosie and Bill. Sounds like quite a challenge. Great idea to go east to west. Despite the westerly winds, it is all downhill after the rockies! Best wishes for a safe and enjoyable treck.

    Cheers!

    Former Biker-Bruce

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  5. when she starts getting cranky you know a solid week of hotel stays rather than camping will give you the upper hand to keep her from complaining. lol

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  6. Hey Larry, thanks for the offer. We won't be getting that far south. I enjoyed reading your blog. Once again it reminded me of my treks; from short term planning, maintaining a log, ride conditions and even the part about the bike being stored in pieces after the ride. As one approaches the barn there is a sense of urgency followed by the post ride doldrums. Having done two trans America rides, I'm wishfully thinking I'll be able to avoid some of the pitfalls. Hmmm.

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  7. Bill/Rosie: Just located your itinerary, etc. I'm on it. You're quite a tech. Happy Roads, Craig

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  8. I havent heard from either of you since Monday!! i have to check emails and the blog to be sure you're still alive!! can you give a kid a call?!?! gheesh!

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