The Catskill Chronicle

Friday, August 6, 2009

My new tires arrive tomorrow! It’s been over a week here in Seattle waiting for this pair before I head off to Fairbanks. I can’t imagine what will happen if I need new tire(s) on the road. The plug kit will get me to safety….ah, I don’t like to think about it!

Had planned to ride out to Mount Rainier today, but my buddy and I stayed up late last night (1 a.m.) watching “The Long Way Around” and eating burritos.

Didn’t wake up super early. Considering going to the map store (Metsker). Also, I’m seriously considering going back to Home Depot to buy the 2 gallon gas can instead of the 1 gallon that I bought. There is something comforting about doubling my range on the “little” blast.

I’ve only looked at the map as far as Dawson Creek and have already found a section 100+ without anything [gas wise]. If I miss that gas stop, or the town is closed…or whatever, the 1 gallon tank is only going to take me 50+ more miles(ish). My only concern is the weight. I hate to put any more weight on the back of that bike. It burns through those street tires as is, and every 7 lbs. I put on that bike just adds up to more and more. [But], I’ve got an entire day to think about it.

Going to try packing up the bike today also. A dry run. The best time I had going up the coast was 1:30. Yeah. One and a half hours. Lame. My new large heavy duty “waterproof” rubber North Face bag should take 30 min. off the pack time. I can put everything in the one bag as apposed to strapping on every little thing individually.

My buddy Joel keeps making fun and not believing me about the weather going through British Columbia and the Yukon. It’s one of my big concerns. I’ve still never ridden in the rain, and I hear reports of others who’ve taken this trip that I’ll probably encounter snow! Yikes. Some biker in the red Woods was telling me he and his wife took the trip last year, just the same time I’m about to. Told me it rained for 14 days straight! Ahh.

In defense, I installed hand guards on the bike the other day. The only thing not shielded now are my legs. Whatever. I personally hate the windscreen. Since the day I put it on…Messes up the handling on the bike since it’s connected to the front fork and not the frame. But it was highly recommended by everybody that I’ll need the thing, so I’m still in the process of giving it the benefit of doubt.

In the same vein, since I’ve not got heated anything, I’m hoping/counting on being able to consume enough calories to get by.

I’ve got this silly camping stove, which takes an isobutene/propane mixture. I’ve never used one before this trip, and have no idea how long the little canisters of fuel last or how many of them I should take, or even where to get more for that matter. It’s one of those things that I’m tired of thinking about and planning and am sure will just work out for the best 🙂