Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone!

A New Sponsor

www.brokenspokebicycle.com

We are super thrilled to announce that Broken Spoke Bike Studio, your full service repair shop and vintage bike showroom, has graciously climbed on board as an official sponsor. Broken Spoke now has 2 locations to better serve the community. The new Two Rivers location also serves Alterra coffee to keep you sufficiently energized so you can keep riding your bike! Bikes and Alterra coffee. 2 of our most favorite things!

Broken Spoke Bike Studio

1010 Washington St

Manitowoc, Wi

920-652-0950

And the new location:

Broken Spoke Bikes and Beans 

1200 Washington St

Two Rivers, Wi

920-553-1950

If you need a new bike or are in the market for a new, old bike, Broken Spoke is the place to go. Check them out online at:  www.brokenspokebicycles.com

What is bicycle travel?

Got this from the folks at Path Less Pedaled. Been following Russ and Laura's adventures for a couple years now. Love reading their blog and watching the videos.

B and I couldn't agree more with what is said in this video. Every reason why we want to do this trip is mentioned. This video really struck a chord in us and we wanted to share it with all of you.

Also, please check out The Path Less Pedaled. You can find them at: www.pathlesspedaled.com

Thanks,

P & B

We have our first sponsor!

Click on the new "Our Sponsors" tab above to see who our very first sponsor is. We are so excited to have these folks on board. We have been using their products for a while now and really believe in them.








.

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

Merry Christmas

Well, it is that time of year again. Time for family, friends and fooooood!!!! I know Christmas isn't about presents, but we are going to give you all one anyway. It comes in the form of a reminder. Here it is:

Please don't forget that life is a gift and if you're lucky, an adventure. So get out of your box, take life by the horns and go have the adventure of your lifetime!

Merry Christmas everyone. May the season bring you joy and love.

P & B