Bike tools < Boat tools, and that's a good thing!
Surprisingly, to me at least, the muscle soreness that I predicted yesterday didn’t set in. And that’s great, because it didn’t hinder our second ride where we went searching for even more dirt tracks. Ultimately we found some, without any of the threatening Private Property – No Trespassing signs. These tracks took us through a large plant nursery, and alongside a ranch with plenty of frisky horses, and some stern-looking longhorn steer.
Yes, I’m missing a helmet. That’s on the shopping list!
Perfect tracks to explore!
Some bike tools, a spare tube, and a charger for our dynamo hub.
When we picked up our bikes, we also collected a bunch of tools that we had asked Daniel to put together for us. The kit is not completely all-inclusive, but does contain the lion’s share of what we’ll need. Quite different than the comprehensive tool collection that offshore cruisers tend to carry, isn’t it?
As you can see in the above pic, we also started testing out some of the bikepacking bags that we purchased from Rogue Panda. They are as high-quality as we had hoped they would be. The small bag on the downtube of Rebecca’s bike contains all of the tools that you can see in the above photo, minus the pump, the spare tube, and the Sinewave Revolution charger (not a tool).
Gloves and bike shoes. Perhaps you are not used to cleats, but you will learn.
I could offer trite advise, but the truth is, I believe you are going to have to invent a lot of this as you go. No one knows the answer for this trip. Advise will only be right for a part of the trip. Like cruising, learning the gear is just another part of the journey.
I think you are right. We did just pick up some gloves yesterday though.
You might want to toss a dollar bill in that tool bag as well. 😉 http://cyclingskills.blogspot.com/2008/07/dollar-bill-trick.html
I’ve heard that before. Good trick. There are a couple of tire boots in our kit though. I wonder if they cost more or less than a dollar?
Hi Mike and Rebecca,
I haven’t tuned in for a while. What a change in plans! Exciting. I love sailing but riding is really my thing. Sounds like you plan to ride many many miles. Muscle soreness will be secondary to contact soreness. Mainly your butt bones. My sister and a friend decided to ride across the US after college with very little training. I remember her complaining over and over that every part of her body that was in regular contact with her bike was in mad excruciating pain for most of the trip (butt, feet, hands). Solution: lots of shorter rides before you start stringing together grueling all-day rides; padded high-quality spandex shorts (or bibs), butt butter, quality riding gloves, quality light weight clip-in riding shoes (and compatible pedals), and a professional bike fit. None of this matters much for occasional short rides….the pay off comes on the long rides.
If you end up in the Bay Area you have a place to stay here (we are in Mill Valley …. near Sausalito just north of the Golden Gate Bridge). Lots of great bike shops (and mechanics) here too.
Best of luck on your new journey,
Chris.
(sorry about the long comment…I got a little carried away)
Thanks, Chris. It’s unlikely that we’ll end up that way again (we just did a back and forth to Oakland), at least not for a while, but if we do, I’ll definitely give you a shout!
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