Buying In.
I bought some parts today: an XT m770 rear hub, a set of DT tk7.1 rims, six or seven hundred spokes (not all for me), some 8 speed barcons, and nice German-made fenders (since the Oregon coast in March might be a little wet). Should be able to have the touring bike re-assembled with a new wheelset by the end of the week.
Steve said I could borrow his Jandd large mountain panniers, which is super excellent. I’ve got some woolen goods on the way from the folks at Rivendell.
On Wednesday I’m going to go look at some tents. THIS IS HAPPENING TO ME.
5 Responses to “Buying In.”
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February 17th, 2009 at 07:37
Where do you plan to cut in from the coast to the Central Valley? I loved *driving* 299 from Redding to Arcata, but to bike it… whoa, you better have thighs like Coast redwoods.
February 17th, 2009 at 10:31
Hills are fine when you’ve got the gearing for it, what worries me more about CA-299 is traffic. While I’ve read of other people riding it before, I’m not really sure how much like a highway it is. What was it like when you drove it?
Either way, getting back into the central valley from the coast is going to be the hardest part of the trip. 299 works out to be about 150 miles even from Arcata to Redding; those will be some mighty days.
February 17th, 2009 at 13:54
It’s a major state route in generally v. good condition, very light traffic on a weekday, BUT: quite a few hairpin turns, and long stretches cut into steep slopes so there’s not a lot of shoulder on either side if you have to get out of an idiot’s way quickly. The only bikes I saw were in the 20 mi at each end.
Lots and lots of beauty, though.
February 17th, 2009 at 17:39
Jono I highly recommend buying a tarp over a tent. Much smaller and lighter weight. Much easier to fit into a pannier and wheel over mountain ranges.
I have a real nice one if you want to see it. It weighs about a pound. Maybe you can even borrow it, if you promise to replace it (or buy if off me) if you rip it. I can teach you to set it up so it can withstand wind, snow and rain.
February 17th, 2009 at 21:33
That sounds like one mighty tarp, think you could show me how it works tomorrow? I was also planning to swing by Mountain Sports to look at some sleeping bags, and would really appreciate your advice on those as well.