The Bikes are Finished on to the Training

The bikes are complete now, yet untested. It has been about 5 months since Christine and I have ridden outside, a very long cold winter, we're light weights when it comes to the cold. Only nine weeks until we set off. I know from first hand experience what it is like to ride when not in fit condition. I injured my calf muscle on the Cycle North Carolina spring 2009 ride in Washington, NC and was not able to ride for 8 weeks, unable to train for our upcoming Adventure Cycle Association  Washington State tour (slideshow). I went with very little training for this 500 mile 7 day supported tour. It included a 110 mile century that crossed the Cascade Mountains over Washington Pass, a 37 mile ascent of 5-6% grade. Upon reaching the summit we experienced headwinds from 25-35 mph, so strong that we had to pedal on the descent. The day before was a 70 mile day as well as the day after. I shall not comment further other to say at one point I said to Christine, "I'm selling my bike when I get home".

Christine, a former elite distance runner, is in superb condition; light and lean. Her discipline is remarkable. Not able to run this winter due to a tendon injury, she trained alternating between swimming and the trainer on week days and walking 15-18 miles on the weekends. I am not near as disciplined, only walking about 20-30 miles a week and 8 pounds overweight. I have my work cut out to be able to ride with Christine. I'm hard at it.

Getting the Bikes Ready

I'm working on our 15 year old Gary Fisher "Paragon" mountain bikes, getting ready for our tour. Christine and I will be riding 2800 miles from Key West, FL to Bangor, ME beginning May 1st, riding about 50 out of the 60 days we will be touring. These old aluminum (built in the USA) bikes have had most of the components upgraded throughout the years. XTR derailleurs and shifters, XT cantilever brakes and Cane Creek headsets.The wheels are Mavic XC717 laced to 32 hole XTR hubs with Continental Travel Contact tires. We decided to use Ortlib Panniers front and rear mounted on Tubus racks and Arkel handlebar bags. I've added Planet Bike Hardcore fenders, Ritchey adjustable stems and a third water bottle cage to the bikes. I've equipped my bike with a Garmin GPSmap 76CSx, both bikes have Mavic Wintec HR computers and Cateye lights front and rear.