The adventure begins

I'm sitting in Ash's apartment waiting to go to the plane. I can't believe I'm not really excited yet. Perhaps it will hit me when I see the bikes going off on the conveyor. Half the fun of a big cycling adventure is getting prepared. It has been really enjoyable this time particularly because there has been time to focus on the task rather than trying to squeeze it in around work. I love making lists. My excel spreadsheet for packing has the weights of all our gear. As you select items to take with you the total packed weight accumulates at the bottom. Is that anal? Maybe, but it's a long way to go before you find out you left your pedals or cycling shoes at home. I found that out the hard way.

We fly to San Francisco for a couple of days before heading to the start of our ride at Astoria Oregon. We will have 26 days to make it to Los Angeles. It's around 2500 km's so it's tight. We are both fit and keen to make the distance. If the weather is kind to us I think we can do it. Reading back through my blog I found the entries from the last time I did this ride in 2008 with Brendan. I said I wouldn't do it again because it was too dangerous. I guess it's like having a baby. After a while you forget how much it sucked? Anyway I'm hoping the traffic will be lighter this early in the season. We are both competent defensive riders and I'm sure we will be fine.

Lisa and I are both going to post to this blog, so it might make interesting reading as we both put our own slant on the adventure as it unfolds.

Regards

Mike from iPad

Regards

Mike from iPad