October 8, 2015
Miles today: 59.5
Total Miles So Far: 223.5
Tag Archives: cycle touring
Day 3 -Lake Wales to Loughman
October 7, 2015
Miles today: 43
Total Miles So Far: 164
Continue reading Day 3 -Lake Wales to Loughman
Day 2 – Arcadia to Lake Wales
October 6, 2015
Miles today: 63
Total Miles So Far: 121
Day 1 -Lakewood Ranch to Arcadia
October 5, 2015
Miles today: 58.0
Total Miles So Far: 58.0
Anticipation
“Well,” said Pooh, “what I like best,” and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called.”
― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
It always comes to this moment. Before every big ride, I get to a point where the planning is finished. The trike is packed. All I need to do now is climb in and ride. But it’s not yet time to leave, so I must wait for another day.
Packing Up The Recumbent Trike
I managed to get most of the items on my packing list into my panniers and on the back of my trike this morning. It took a bit of struggling to figure out where everything goes, but ultimately it all fit.
For this tour I have a brand new tent. The Hilleberg Nallo 2 GT is lighter than my old tent, but a lot larger. Not only is there more room inside, but it includes a big covered vestibule area that will hold my panniers at night. In the old tent, things got pretty crowded with my clydesdale self and both panniers inside the main tent. I’m really looking forward to spreading out in all the extra space on this tour.
Front Fenders Are Back!
When I bought my trike, I got fenders for it. Living in Southern California, I found fenders on the trike unnecessary. It hardly ever rained, and when it did, I did not ride. So shortly after The Pacific Coast Tour, I removed the fenders and I’ve been happy ever since.
Until Florida that is. Here is Florida it rains. A lot. Pretty much every day. It usually only rains for a few minutes, although it has rained for a few entire days this summer. If I ride regularly, I will get caught in a rain storm occasionally. If if I’m not stuck in the rain itself, the water stays on the roads and trails for hours after, so I am always riding through puddles and mud.
So today I dug through the garage, found the fenders and put them back on. When out for a quick 25 miles. No problems. They rattle a little, and one of the bolts came loose part way through the ride. I tightened everything up and added some Locktite when I got home. I don’t really like the way they look though – but I’ll probably get used to that.
I’ll keep them on through my tour to St. Augustine, then I decide again if I want to keep them on.
So what do all you folks think? Fenders, or no?
St. Augustine Equipment List
I’m starting to complete the equipment list for this ride. Even though this is a relatively short ride, there seems like a lot of stuff to drag along. I need to decide what I really need. Where is it all going to fit on the bike?
The St. Augustine Plan Starts to Come Together
I’ve Got A Plan!
Well, at least I have a little more clarity on the plan to ride to St. Augustine. I’ve studied up on the route, and I know where the campgrounds are located. I have put together a tentative plan for my ride north. 6 days should do it, without too much stress, and no horribly long days.
Continue reading The St. Augustine Plan Starts to Come Together
The Recumbent Gourmet Heads To St. Augustine
You heard it here first! The Recumbent Gourmet is heading to St. Augustine. Mike will pack up his trike and ride the approximately 350 miles from Lakewood Ranch to St.Augustine. Nancy will meet him there, and they will spend a few days of fun and sun together in the United State’s oldest city.
Continue reading The Recumbent Gourmet Heads To St. Augustine