Another beautiful day for a ride! I am really getting into the feeling I get when I ride. I focus on a very calm rhythmic breathing pattern right from the start. I find after about 5 miles I settle into a very relaxing cadence that becomes very meditative after about 10 miles. There are rides when my brain takes a little longer to detach from the worries of everyday life, but for the most part it just happens on its own. I only rode 15 miles today. I plan to ride again tomorrow, roughly 18-20. Still taking it slow so I don't start with any strained muscles or anything.
I went to REI again today. It seems like I go there every weekend lately. I got the correct size fenders for my bike this time. I had bought a pair from Amazon but had to return them. I have returned more gear than I have kept. lol I also got a larger stainless cook pot and a rear view mirror. I want to be able to see what is coming up from behind when I'm riding. Today a guy in a truck got a little close. I'm sure that will happen from time to time.
RIDE RIDE RIDE!
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Completed route map! (THIS IS NOT THE ONE I WILL BE RIDING. CHECK OUT PLAN B)
Update: "Plan B route" posted on 6/6/2016 is the route I will be using this summer. I will save the route below for another time.
I've been planning my route with a program called Ride With GPS. It has been very helpful for planning mileage, timing, and stops each night for camping. I have a fairly good idea what my route will look like. It is nearly 1000 miles and should take around a month give or take a few days. I planned the route to take me through some very beautiful areas as well as into Canada for roughly 5 days. I will still do some fine tuning, but I like it so far. There is a link below that will take you to the program I used and show you the route. You can see all of the data and even zoom in close to see where I plan to go. Please comment if you have any suggestions, ideas, or encouragements!
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/8711460
I've been planning my route with a program called Ride With GPS. It has been very helpful for planning mileage, timing, and stops each night for camping. I have a fairly good idea what my route will look like. It is nearly 1000 miles and should take around a month give or take a few days. I planned the route to take me through some very beautiful areas as well as into Canada for roughly 5 days. I will still do some fine tuning, but I like it so far. There is a link below that will take you to the program I used and show you the route. You can see all of the data and even zoom in close to see where I plan to go. Please comment if you have any suggestions, ideas, or encouragements!
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/8711460
Monday, April 25, 2016
Tentative route part two!
I planned a tentative second part of my route! I have decided it might be pretty cool to take a ferry to Vancouver Island and do a little riding over there for a few days or so. I have also been gathering gear and looking forward to a nice long ride this weekend! I will post another map soon!
Sunday, April 17, 2016
21 comfortable miles
Yesterday I took my bike to REI and asked a bunch of questions about the comfort of my ride. I found out my seat was quite a bit too low and I needed my handle bars adjusted. Adjustments were made and the test ride around Portland felt good, but I needed to put more time in the saddle to really see if the adjustments were going to help. Today I got that time in the saddle!
I mapped out a 21 mile loop that went around Battle Ground, to Hockinson, down to Vancouver, and back to Battle Ground. It was such a beautiful day! 82 degrees, blue sky, view of Mt. Saint Helens, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Adams. On rides like this I can't help but imagine what the scenery will be like on my month long ride through Western Washington, the San Juan Islands, possibly Vancouver Island, and the Washington coast (still working on the route).
The adjustments made at REI yesterday were a success! I rode 20 of the 21 miles before my butt started hurting much at all. On my last few rides I was getting sore after only 6 or 7 miles. I think after I get more time on the road I will be able to ride 35-40 miles without too much discomfort. I was thinking about it on my ride today and I realized that I'm not racing this summer. If I need to stop and rest and take in the scenery every 25 miles or so I can. I'm not in any hurry. This is supposed to be fun and relaxing, and it will be. I am in control of that. After all it would be a shame if I didn't stop and take in the scenery and/or take a picture or two to share with friends and family.
What a great ride! Can't wait to get back on my bike!
I mapped out a 21 mile loop that went around Battle Ground, to Hockinson, down to Vancouver, and back to Battle Ground. It was such a beautiful day! 82 degrees, blue sky, view of Mt. Saint Helens, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Adams. On rides like this I can't help but imagine what the scenery will be like on my month long ride through Western Washington, the San Juan Islands, possibly Vancouver Island, and the Washington coast (still working on the route).
The adjustments made at REI yesterday were a success! I rode 20 of the 21 miles before my butt started hurting much at all. On my last few rides I was getting sore after only 6 or 7 miles. I think after I get more time on the road I will be able to ride 35-40 miles without too much discomfort. I was thinking about it on my ride today and I realized that I'm not racing this summer. If I need to stop and rest and take in the scenery every 25 miles or so I can. I'm not in any hurry. This is supposed to be fun and relaxing, and it will be. I am in control of that. After all it would be a shame if I didn't stop and take in the scenery and/or take a picture or two to share with friends and family.
What a great ride! Can't wait to get back on my bike!
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
15 miles today
After work today I went for a 15 mile ride. It was a beautiful day! On my way back I noticed some dark clouds off in the distance. Rain was coming, so my timing was perfect.
I tried out my new saddle today, but I didn't get the new computer mounted, so I haven't tried that yet. The new saddle seemed to be helpful but my butt was still hurting around ten miles into my ride. I am wondering if that is something that I will just have to get used to or if there is something I need to adjust on my bike. I will be checking into that for sure considering I will be riding about three times as far. Does that mean my butt will hurt three times as much after 45 miles? I sure hope not!
While I was riding today I found myself thinking about nothing but riding related things, which is nice. It seems to be a great way to clear my mind. I just focus on breathing and constant pedaling. The route I went today had some nice hills. I found that the hills were a nice challenge. I like a challenge when I can see the goal. I could see the top off the hills and it motivated me to pedal faster to get to the top.
I think I will learn a lot about myself on this summer's tour. I believe it is always a good thing for a person to learn more about themselves whenever they can.
I tried out my new saddle today, but I didn't get the new computer mounted, so I haven't tried that yet. The new saddle seemed to be helpful but my butt was still hurting around ten miles into my ride. I am wondering if that is something that I will just have to get used to or if there is something I need to adjust on my bike. I will be checking into that for sure considering I will be riding about three times as far. Does that mean my butt will hurt three times as much after 45 miles? I sure hope not!
While I was riding today I found myself thinking about nothing but riding related things, which is nice. It seems to be a great way to clear my mind. I just focus on breathing and constant pedaling. The route I went today had some nice hills. I found that the hills were a nice challenge. I like a challenge when I can see the goal. I could see the top off the hills and it motivated me to pedal faster to get to the top.
I think I will learn a lot about myself on this summer's tour. I believe it is always a good thing for a person to learn more about themselves whenever they can.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Back to school
Today I got a new cycling computer and a new saddle (seat). I'm not sure why the bike seat is called a saddle in cycling, but there you go. I'm hoping the new saddle helps keep my bum from getting too sore on the longer rides. The computer will keep track of time, speed, distance, cadence, and some other stuff I haven't figured out yet.
Yesterday was the first day back to school after spring break. I am finding that I am pretty tired after I get home, fix dinner, and get my lunch ready for the next day. After doing all that I don't have much energy for riding very far. I think once I settle back into the routine of getting up at 5 am I will be able to fit in a nice long ride after school.
I have been dreaming about riding the last few nights. A couple months ago when I was planning for the long hiking trip I was dreaming about hiking. I think my mind is set on riding now. In a little over two months I will be hitting the road. That doesn't seem very far away! :)
Yesterday was the first day back to school after spring break. I am finding that I am pretty tired after I get home, fix dinner, and get my lunch ready for the next day. After doing all that I don't have much energy for riding very far. I think once I settle back into the routine of getting up at 5 am I will be able to fit in a nice long ride after school.
I have been dreaming about riding the last few nights. A couple months ago when I was planning for the long hiking trip I was dreaming about hiking. I think my mind is set on riding now. In a little over two months I will be hitting the road. That doesn't seem very far away! :)
Sunday, April 10, 2016
What a beautiful day for a ride!
I just got home from a really nice ride! I went out on a loop that turned out to be 14 miles. It was relatively flat with only a few short hills. Nothing like the hill on the way to school yesterday! I found out that hill is a 7.2% grade over 1/4 of a mile! That is super steep! I am a little sore from riding up that hill yesterday, but today's ride loosened me right up. The other difference with today's ride is that it was non-stop. Yesterday I rode to the school and did some work for a couple hours, and then rode home. Today I rode the 14 miles straight through in just a couple minutes over one hour. It felt great and, again, I felt like I could have kept going.
When I am riding I am really focusing on my breathing. It is almost like a meditation after a while. I do the same thing when I run and I find that I can run farther and feel better about it overall.
Zen and the art of bicycle riding? :)
When I am riding I am really focusing on my breathing. It is almost like a meditation after a while. I do the same thing when I run and I find that I can run farther and feel better about it overall.
Zen and the art of bicycle riding? :)
Saturday, April 9, 2016
Pannier ride
Today I went on a ride to my classroom. It was 13.4 miles round trip. That is nothing compared to what I plan to ride each day this summer, but it's a good start. This ride was to try out riding with panniers loaded with about 12 pounds. I was told it might take some getting used to the weight of the panniers, so I figured I would start with a small amount of weight first. I didn't even notice they were there. I am sure I will when they are fully loaded. I might end up getting front panniers if my rear ones don't hold everything I need. We'll see how that goes later. It was a beautiful day for a ride. I felt like I could have gone a lot further, but I want to ease into it. Years ago when I started running I jumped into it too quickly and got plantar fasciitis. That was no fun and took quite a while to recover from.
Friday, April 8, 2016
Gear testing trip
Just got home from a great camping trip where I got to test out some of the gear I plan to use on the cycling tour. Also, I stayed at a park that I plan to stay at during along my trip. Penrose Point State Park is beautiful! There is a "sister" park called Joemma Park that is beautiful as well. I found out from "my brother from another mother" (Ben) that works at Penrose Park that during the 4th of July weekend it's nearly impossible to get a camping spot. No worries. I haven't even figured out the timing yet.
On my way to Penrose Park, which ended up being roughly 160 miles by car, I was thinking about riding the route. Of course the cycling route will be on side roads and country roads, not the freeway, but I was able to see some of the roads I would be travelling on. It as exciting to think about. In roughly three months I would be riding those roads and staying at some of the campgrounds I saw signs for. That is if I decide to go on the tentative route I have planned. One part that of the ride that seemed very exciting was riding the cycling/walking/running trail that goes over the narrows bridge! I sure hope it's not windy that day!
At Penrose Park I was able to test my sleep system and my cooking gear. I decided that the sleep pad I got isn't going to cut it for me. Guess what REI I coming back to take advantage of your return policy yet again! Thank you! I really like the sleeping bag, so I'm pretty sure it's the one for the trip. I need to tweak a few things with my cooking system, but I like what I have so far. I tried to eat mostly the same foods I would eat on the trip. That seemed to work out well.
More to come soon!
I hope if you (whomever you are) read this and follow me throughout this journey. This will be a record for me, but I think it's going to be interesting enough to keep others entertained as well. We'll see what happens along the way.
On my way to Penrose Park, which ended up being roughly 160 miles by car, I was thinking about riding the route. Of course the cycling route will be on side roads and country roads, not the freeway, but I was able to see some of the roads I would be travelling on. It as exciting to think about. In roughly three months I would be riding those roads and staying at some of the campgrounds I saw signs for. That is if I decide to go on the tentative route I have planned. One part that of the ride that seemed very exciting was riding the cycling/walking/running trail that goes over the narrows bridge! I sure hope it's not windy that day!
At Penrose Park I was able to test my sleep system and my cooking gear. I decided that the sleep pad I got isn't going to cut it for me. Guess what REI I coming back to take advantage of your return policy yet again! Thank you! I really like the sleeping bag, so I'm pretty sure it's the one for the trip. I need to tweak a few things with my cooking system, but I like what I have so far. I tried to eat mostly the same foods I would eat on the trip. That seemed to work out well.
More to come soon!
I hope if you (whomever you are) read this and follow me throughout this journey. This will be a record for me, but I think it's going to be interesting enough to keep others entertained as well. We'll see what happens along the way.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Short test ride
Just got home from a short ride to test out the new Giro Privateer cycling shoes. The guy at the bike shop told me I should go on a short ride and stop often to get used to stepping out of the cleats. So I went on a short six mile loop and stopped here and there to make sure I could get unclipped from my pedals without falling over. I was able to do it without any problems. He made it sound like I might fall over a few times before I got used to it. I guess I'm a quick learner. Or maybe I just learn quicker when falling to the ground is a possibility. Maybe that's the key to learning quickly, add a little danger.
I finally made a decision on a sleeping bag. I bought the Marmot Always Summer 45 degree goose down bag, but it felt like the warmth rating was very generous, so I ordered a North Face Aleutian 35 degree bag. It is a little warmer and seems to be a nicer bag for quite a bit cheaper thanks to the REI Outlet. I settled on a tent today too, but I will go over all the gear I end up using for the trip later on down the road.
This is so much fun so far. I have accepted the fact that there will be painful/sore days as well. I got to thinking about that today and I have decided that the majority of the events in my life that required struggle or pain were worth it in the end. I guess there is some truth to "No pain, no gain".
I finally made a decision on a sleeping bag. I bought the Marmot Always Summer 45 degree goose down bag, but it felt like the warmth rating was very generous, so I ordered a North Face Aleutian 35 degree bag. It is a little warmer and seems to be a nicer bag for quite a bit cheaper thanks to the REI Outlet. I settled on a tent today too, but I will go over all the gear I end up using for the trip later on down the road.
This is so much fun so far. I have accepted the fact that there will be painful/sore days as well. I got to thinking about that today and I have decided that the majority of the events in my life that required struggle or pain were worth it in the end. I guess there is some truth to "No pain, no gain".
Partial (tentative) route planned!
Yesterday I spent some time planning my route. I have a tentative plan for the first five days/184 miles. I say tentative because I am looking into other routes that might take me out to the coast. Either way I want to end up at Penrose State Park where I have a friend that will be working there this summer. I would like to stay there a couple days to visit and rest up for the next long haul, but as I said the route is tentative so far.
Also, yesterday I found some cycling shoes on clearance in a size 15 (50 European Size) at River City Cycles in Portland. I have never had shoes and cleats on a bike so this may take some getting used to. The guy I worked with at the shop was very helpful and told me how to practice and get used to them. Basically the shoes clip into the pedals like ski bindings. When you twist your foot the shoe comes out. The foot bed of the shoe is solid and very sturdy so all of the leg energy is transferred to the pedal and the bike rather than the flexing of the foot and ankle.
Today I ordered a much lighter tent than the one I was planning on using and went to REI and picked up a sleeping bag and sleeping pad I got a good deal on. I have bought and returned so many various tents and sleeping bags it's crazy! Thanks REI for the awesome return policy!
Below is the first draft of the first five days of my route.
Also, yesterday I found some cycling shoes on clearance in a size 15 (50 European Size) at River City Cycles in Portland. I have never had shoes and cleats on a bike so this may take some getting used to. The guy I worked with at the shop was very helpful and told me how to practice and get used to them. Basically the shoes clip into the pedals like ski bindings. When you twist your foot the shoe comes out. The foot bed of the shoe is solid and very sturdy so all of the leg energy is transferred to the pedal and the bike rather than the flexing of the foot and ankle.
Today I ordered a much lighter tent than the one I was planning on using and went to REI and picked up a sleeping bag and sleeping pad I got a good deal on. I have bought and returned so many various tents and sleeping bags it's crazy! Thanks REI for the awesome return policy!
Below is the first draft of the first five days of my route.
Monday, April 4, 2016
Bike picture
It's Monday of SPRING BREAK! Remember that feeling when you were a kid right before vacation when you were so excited to enjoy a week off from school? I get to feel that feeling as an adult! I love being a teacher!
Yesterday I did more planning for the journey. I bought more supplies and gear and went on a test ride. Below is the bike as it was when I bought it. It is a Novara Safari originally bought from REI for $1199. I got a great deal for $400! The guy that bought it a year ago only road it a dozen times before hurting his knee and parking it in his garage. He told me he always thought he would get back on it but never did. So basically I got a brand new bike for 75% off!
I will post more pictures as I go that will show the gear I add to it that will allow me to carry everything I need to travel and live off my bike for my journey. As of now it's just stock like it just came off the REI floor.
More to come soon! I am learning as I go. Did I mention I've never done this before? Yeah so there is a lot to learn. Always learning!
Yesterday I did more planning for the journey. I bought more supplies and gear and went on a test ride. Below is the bike as it was when I bought it. It is a Novara Safari originally bought from REI for $1199. I got a great deal for $400! The guy that bought it a year ago only road it a dozen times before hurting his knee and parking it in his garage. He told me he always thought he would get back on it but never did. So basically I got a brand new bike for 75% off!
I will post more pictures as I go that will show the gear I add to it that will allow me to carry everything I need to travel and live off my bike for my journey. As of now it's just stock like it just came off the REI floor.
Sunday, April 3, 2016
First post!
My original plan for this summer's Fantastic Journey was going to be to hike the 505 miles of the Washington section of the Pacific Crest Trail. Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail is something I have always dreamed of doing and someday I will do it. A couple of weeks ago I was looking around on Craigslist for hiking gear when I stumbled across a listing for a bike I used to own in 2011. It wasn't the same exact bike, but it was a newer version and almost identical. When I bought the bike back in 2011 my plan was to do some bike touring around Washington State. I went to bed that night thinking more about the bike than the hike that I was originally planning. When I got to school the next day I found myself thinking more about the bike. I took it as a sign that I needed to go on a bike trip this summer rather than a hike. I emailed the guy who was selling the bike and before I knew it I was driving up to Olympia to buy the bike.
It is funny how things happen in life. I bought a bike five years ago with a plan to tour Washington and for many reasons it didn't work out at that time. But in my mind I always had a goal to do this. So here I am five years later with he same bike and the opportunity to try again. This is a lesson...never give up on your dreams! It may take a few tries before you get there, but if you keep at it you will reach your goals. You can make your dreams a reality!
Yesterday when I started this blog I was planning on using it mainly to share with my third graders, but today I decided to share it with anyone and everyone. I have chosen a different website for sharing with my third graders that will be safer for them.
Anyway, I have never had a blog that I actually kept up with for more than a few days, but I am hoping this one will be a good way to document what I think will be a really great adventure and a HUGE learning experience. I basically have no idea what I am doing and will be learning along the way. Isn't that how we do everything though?
It is funny how things happen in life. I bought a bike five years ago with a plan to tour Washington and for many reasons it didn't work out at that time. But in my mind I always had a goal to do this. So here I am five years later with he same bike and the opportunity to try again. This is a lesson...never give up on your dreams! It may take a few tries before you get there, but if you keep at it you will reach your goals. You can make your dreams a reality!
Yesterday when I started this blog I was planning on using it mainly to share with my third graders, but today I decided to share it with anyone and everyone. I have chosen a different website for sharing with my third graders that will be safer for them.
Anyway, I have never had a blog that I actually kept up with for more than a few days, but I am hoping this one will be a good way to document what I think will be a really great adventure and a HUGE learning experience. I basically have no idea what I am doing and will be learning along the way. Isn't that how we do everything though?
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