The Steel Steeds

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Friday, June 18, 2010

It's The Little Things

When you're the motor things you carry on a bike ride, no matter how little, are part of the load and obviously affect  performance and rate. Rosie and I have done several 10-day loaded tours and I hauled the load and she the meds. In other words, I had all the equipment except for Rosie's personal items that she carried in a trunk and liquid medications that had special spirit-ual affects. Usually they looked like Jim Beam Black and Vodka. On our ride along the Oregon coast I happen to use a DOT truck scale to weigh myself and the loaded steel steed. The DOT scale operator said "better you than me" when the digital readout recorded 300 lbs.  Granted "the bulk" of that was moi, but I probably could have shaved a few pounds off somewhere besides my butt. To put things into perspective, can you imagine carrying/pulling four times that amount? Some of you might recall an article in Bicycling Magazine in the 90's featuring a guy touring with a 1000 lb. plus load. He managed this by pulling a wagon he built. Guess I'm not as nuts.

So in preparation for this ride, I suggested to my Little Woman that we weigh our equipment options. I further suggested we use a scale at Green Hills Farms Market, a local grocery. She'd have none of it. Mocked me to boot. The price I have to pay to preclude potential stress and monetary expenditures. It ain't cheap to toss or ship an item home when on the road. Checking some of the items Rosie was gathering together I found a quart size bottle of Woolite, enough toiletries I thought I was in a store and an eight foot extension cord. I guess I shouldn't complain.  Having clean clothes daily and a sweet smelling woman is a good thing, but I'm not sure what she has in mind for the extension cord. No she is not taking the kitchen sink, but I'm going to be checking my panniers to ensure she doesn't slip it in there during the 11th hour.

So here is my current Weight Log:

Blue is optional.


APPAREL

1. Bike shirt .42 1.26 (3)

2. Bike jersey .79 2.37 (3)

3. Bike jacket .69

4. Bike tee shirt .24

5. Bike short .42 1.26 (3)

6. Bike tights .62

7. Bike sock .07 .28 (4)

8. Bike full face hat .11

9. Fleece hat .13

10. Long sleeve shirt .51

11. Long sleeve shirt w/fleece .70

12. Tee-shirt .54

13. Cotton shorts .62

14. Wind pants .73

15. Helmet .70

16. Bike glove .08 .32 (4)

17. Arm warmer .09 .18 (2)

18. Leg warmer .14 .28 (2)

19. Peds .05 .10 (4)

20. Hat .19

11.73 lbs

FOOTWEAR

1. Bike shoe 1.24 2.38 (2)

2. Sneaker .9 1.8 (2)

3. Flip Flop .56 1.12 (2)

5.3 lbs

CAMPING EQUIPMENT

1. Mat 1.38

2. Sleeping bag 2.44

3. Tent 6.12

4. Hammock 1.39

5. Chair .95

6. Stuff sack .52

7. Knife .27

13.07 lbs

ELECTRONICS

1. Computer 4.33

2. Camera 1.19

3. Battery charger .88

4. Battery .07 .28 (4)

5. Cell phone .21

6. Head phones .22

7. Head light .22

8. Flasher .24

9. Camera Cleaner .10

10. Mag Light .14

7.67 lbs.

Tools

1. Lock .11

2. Cable .49

3. Tire tool (blue) .06

4. Tire tool lever .03 .09 (3)

5. Patch kit .06

6. Tube .29

7. Allan/drivers .31

8. Allan w/o drivers .30

9. CO2 assembly .13

10. CO2 cartridge .13 .52 (4)

11. Lube/towel .37

2.73 lbs.

BIKE/EQUIPMENT

1. Bike w/racks 30

2. Pannier- front 1.1 2.2 (2)

3. Pannier – rear 1.77 3.54 (2)

4. Water bottle .19

35.93 lbs.

PERSONAL

1. Glasses .05 .1 (2)

2. Glasses’ case .23

3. Lighter .06

4. Notebook .14

5. Chap stick .02

6. Toiletries .48

7. Towel .42

8. Leg rap .12

9. Cigar .03 .30 (10)

10. Micro towel .06 .30 (10)

11. Butt lotion .61

12. Sun Block .30

13. Whiskey/pint 1.18

14. Small whiskey .14

15. Drug .30 1.5 (5)

16. Wallet .32

17. Book .76

18. Cash ($1,056.00) .12

6.69 lbs.


Bill’s Gross Wt.


Left Rear 12.02

Right Rear 12.35

Left Front 6.83

Right Front 7.28


38.48 w/tent and chairs = 46.50

Rosie’s Gros Wt.

Rear* 9.54

Rear 9.09

Front* 7.11

Front 8.14


W/sleeping bags 39.28

7 comments:

  1. You deserve to be mocked. That's only 75lbs of stuff. The military boys regularly carry packs of 100lbs or more, not including their rifle. Man up!!!

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  2. I think the cigar could be left home and the extension cord could be substituted.

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  3. IT WOULD BE SO NICE IF YOU WERE TO ACTUALLY TAKE YOUR WIFE ON A NICE HAWAIIAN VACATION---THEN GO BIKING AROUND THE ISLANDS NOT THROUGH THE CORNFIELDS OF IOWA AND OR KANSAS OR SOME OTHER BORING MIDWESTERN STATE. WELL THAT IS WHAT I WOULD DO FOR ANY AND ALL OF MY SPECIAL LADY FRIENDS SAL

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  4. I KIND OF KNEW WHEN I MET THIS UMPIRE THAT HE WAS A LITTLE OFF! BIKE ACROSS AMERICA? WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO FLY ACROSS AMERICA AND THEN BIKE THROUGH THE PLACE YOU FLEW TO! AND THEY ACTUALLY HAVE AUTOMOBILES TO DRIVE ACROSS AMERICA THEN YOU DON'T NEED TO CARRY ALL THAT GEAR YOU COULD ACTUALLY PUT IT IN THE TRUNK OF THE AUTO! BUT I REALIZE THAT IS A CRAZY NOTION FOR YOU TO CONSIDER BILL, JUST ME SAL

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  5. Hey Dennis, thanks for reminding me. I mounted a rocket launcher to my bike...

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  6. Renae, it's actually 10 cigars and an adult beverage. Creature comforts.

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  7. Sal, we already went to HI. Regarding your second comment, my term for such is "Gentlelman Touring". I've used my vehicle, setting up a base camp and doing day rides, over the years. This ride is Rosie's idea and like you anything to keepem happy. ;)

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