Prepare the Bikes!!!

After a fun trip to the bike shop to obtain some new and much needed supplies, it was time to prepare the bikes for the upcoming trip in April. (More on that later)

New rear rack for B's bike!

Time to mount the front rack.

1 watt blinky for safety.

3, count em 3, bottle cages!

Add a new computer.

And Voila! One Trek 520, ready to tour!

Time for a front rack on my ride.

Swapped out the rear rack, but already had everything else so my bike was finished much quicker.

The happy chariots, side by side and ready to roll.

So now the bikes are completely set up and ready to hit the road. Just have to purchase the panniers and we are all set to roll on our April trip.

I said I'd talk more about our upcoming trip and now is the time, so here are a few details. We have a trip planned for this April. Not the big, year long, cross country trip we are ultimately going to do, but a shorter, 6 day/5 night trip. Kind of like our test ride trip, only a bit longer both in time and distance. We will be leaving on a Monday and returning on a Saturday.

I haven't mapped out our route yet, but I am thinking it will be right around 160 to 170 miles total. We plan on camping 4 of the 5 nights. We are hoping that the campgrounds will be open in April. If not, we will get our first taste of stealth camping.

We are also hoping that the weather will be good. April in this part of the country can be really unpredictable. Sunny warm and in the 70's one day, cold, windy and snowing the next. Could be an interesting trip. We are fully prepared though either way so I am not too worried.

I will post more about this upcoming trip later as we iron out more of the details.

Until then, enjoy these pics and please feel free to add any comments you may have.

Thanks,

P

We have a decision!

Well, that was easy. B got on it and pedaled a few revolutions and shot me the look. You know the one. The "Oh man is this thing sweet!" look. This is the only bike I have ever seen her get excited about. I knew at that time, there was nothing left to do but pick out the accessories. "Not only does it feel great." she said to me, "but it matches my hair color too." Yep. She is a happy girl!

I promised her I wouldn't touch it. Unless of course it needs some TLC, or something fixed or mounted to it, or when she isn't looking. (Shhh) I have to admit, that I think I like this bike better than mine. Not that I don't like mine. I just like this one better. I just realized that both our bikes are 2011 models. Cool! I think maybe I should put on 1000 miles on her bike so they are totally even! I mean, it would only be fair right?

One really cool thing, is quite a few of the parts on her bike and mine are interchangeable which will make the number of spare parts we will have to carry much lower. That will reduce the weight considerably.

Yay! She got her bike and she loves it! One more thing crossed off the list! Things are starting to come together nicely.

We are looking at panniers next. Right now, we are leaning towards Ortlieb. Anyone have any experience (good or bad) with these panniers? Have any other suggestions or ideas? Please weigh in.

Thanks,

P