Crossing the American River.

There is a fabulous bike trail that runs a good 30 or more miles from Sacramento to Folsom along the American River.  Here's a view of the River.



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Are We Having Fun - Again?

Let's start this episode with a couple of product reviews.

KoKi Panniers: Do not buy these! The bags themselves aren't so bad, in fact they are good, and I still love the rubber boot. The problem with these bags is the connectors. The design is good, but they chose to use plastic for the hardware, and the plastic that they chose is crap! So far 2 of the brackets have been broken. The first time I had to go totally McGyver on the problem, by cutting a piece of wire off a fence... We did stop at the home despot and I bought some #8-32 eyelets. So today, when the second bracket got broken, I was sort of prepared, but boy oh boy, was I mad! Riley barely bumped one of my bags with his front wheel - a real, life and non-abusive occurence all day long - and poof! a broken pannier bracket. If they will listen to my complaint and suggestion to switch to metal hooks, they may indeed be the best product on the market, but as it stands right now, the predictable delicate brackets make this among the very poorest selection for a pannier that you must rely on.

HTC Inspire Smartphone: Hey, this baby is proving to be an invaluable asset. I just say to it, "Hardware store; or grocery store; or starbucks." and a few seconds later, I'm looking at a map that shows the nearest one to wherever we are, and our location at the moment.

So the idea of Starbucks came up, which also plays into the technology piece of the trip/equipment. In order to type out the blog, I settled on an iPad. I also got Zagg protective case which has a built-in bluetooth keyboard. Hey, it's seems to be a great system and solution, but it also has its own significant drawbacks. The iPad has wifi connectivity, but I refuse to pay for another network connection to turn this thing into a smartphone on its own. Last night, during the brief, yes we ae having fun period, I typed up a blog entry, but I knew that I couldn't submit it directly from the iPad where we were at at that time. "Hey", I said to myself, "I know that this smartphone can be used as a wifi hotspot." This, of course is after determining that the ipad and smartphone will not communicate via bluetooth, even though they are both bluetooth equipped. Well, I attempt to turn on the wifi hotspot, and I get a message to contact ATT. I talked with a seemingly clueless customer service representative, and finally was told that in order to 'tether' another device using the hotspot, I would have to upgrade my service to a 5 Gb data plan. Absolutely ridiculous! Enough about technology already! They are not developing any of this stuff to really help people, the only consideration is, "how can we make the greatest amount of money."

The Soma Saga is currently over 100 lbs. She doesn't handle very well under 6 miles an hour, but get her up about 12 mph or more and she just cruises. It seems odd but true, I put about 600 miles on her before leaving for the trip, and I could barely maintain an average over 13 mph. Now, fully loaded, it seems that it is no harder to keep her at the save average speed as when she was empty.

Back to are we having fun. Well, we did enjoy a few hours between 6:03 and about midnight last evening, then we had a passing encounter with a troll. Now everyone knows that every bridge has a troll living beneath it. If this were not true, then why tell the story of the Three Billy Goats Gruff? That is a great learning opportunity that needs to be remembered. Unfortunately, Riley didn't quite remember the story and lesson. By now, you are surely asking, "what is this about a troll?" As I mentioned, we did some stealth camping, and as it turns out we selected a location that was pretty close to a bridge that carries cars over the American River. At about midnight, we began hearing a voice comming from under the bride (at least that is where I supposed it to be). The voice was that of a man (or troll) shouting profanities and threatening to murder someone, however there apparently was no other person there on the receiving end of the threats. Riley became pretty fearful for our safety, and I must say that I was not completely unconcerned, but more about whether we would be able to get any sleep. Being out for our first night on the ground, we were doing a lot of tossing and turning to begin with. After hearing the troll, I'm not sure that Riley got any more sleep. The troll did keep up his ranting for quite some time throughout the night, so he kept me awake as well, but because of all the racket. I knew that all trolls follow the rules, and that as long as we weren't trying to cross his bridge, his threats would not be aimed at us.

The long and the short of it was that neither of us got much rest last night. We did set our to get an early start, but I found yet another flat just before we hit the road. At least this was on the front tire. Then just prior to arriving in Folsom, the pannier broke and boy was I furious! I'm sorry mom, but I used some potty language that I learned from the troll.

A stop at a bike shop got me a new front tire and slime-tube, then a big juicy burger for lunch, and what had started out as a decent start, turned in to another day where we're looking at 2:00 with only 20 miles under our belts. Bummer! Top that off with the fact that after leaving Folsom, the actual climbing begins. It was sort of hot, we were cranky, and Riley has zero previous experience climbing anything longer than a mile. So, it was a long, arduous afternoon. We did make it to Placerville today. So, in reality, the real climbing hasn't really begun, but will be there for us tomorrow. That's enough for now. I'll try to start adding some pictures soon. Dale

Are We Having Fun Yet?

Are we having fun yet?  Good question.  The answer, in a word, for most of the day was no.  Neither of us enjoyed today much,  but that changed at 6:03 pm.  That is when we crossed the American River.  Seeing an actual river was the key that mentally for the both of us, turned it into an adventure. Sort of being on the other side of Sacramento at that point helped as well.  I've been to Sacramento enough times doing glass shows, to feel like it is still home turf.  Now we are away from home, and that has always been a part of the plan. 

So, why no fun today?  Well, another flat tire for starters.  That made the 3rd flat on my rear tire in just 2 days.  Prior to getting the flat, we did stop at a bike shop where I purchased a "thorn resistant" tube and another spare tire. It didn't take long before I installed them both.  Now, for the uninformed on the scientific method, I did a classic error; I manipulated 2 different variables at the same time.  Now, if I stop getting flats, we will never know whether it was the tire or the tube that made the difference.  DO YOU THINK THAT I CARE?  No,  I would just like to see my occurrence of flats go down to about one a week - or less!

Okay, fixing a flat isn't the worst thing in the world, so Riley contributed to the mechanical nightmare.  Well, it wasn't exactly Riley making a contribution by breaking something deliberately, but it was equipment on his bike.  One of the mounting brackets for his rear panniers gave way outside of Davis, so I got to go McGyver on the project and figure out a quick fix.  Cal-Trans donated a piece of wire from the fence between us and the freeway, and I was able to bend loops into the ends to make a bracket that could be used to tie the pannier on.  I think that that happened at about 3:30.

Prior to all of that was the fact that neither of us slept particularly well last night, so we got another late start - about 10:30-10:40.  But I am now perfectly willing to just chalk it all up to  working out a few bugs.  I am hoping to get a good start tomorrow, get in 40 or more miles by noonish, and finish early, which is to say before 6:00.  Today the towel got thrown in at about 6:30.

We are currently sitting at a picnic table near the American River, about 7 miles upstream form where it hits the Sacramento River  I would have been game to rent another room for the night, after about 10 more miles of riding, but Riley was spent, so he voted for camping.  Camping is not 'allowed' at this location, but of all the laws that I have broken to-date, this will certainly not rate as the most significant.

Now an hour has lapsed, we have set up the tent for bug protection, and are just about bedded down for the night.  There is no real access to the river right here, so these horses were ridden hard, and put away wet.  It's a shame, but we are content at the moment.

Update: The above posting was written last night, but due to technology issues, could not be posted until I found free wifi at Starbucks this morning. And that of course, was not before waking up to find a flat fron tire on my bike. It is now 8:20 am on Saturday June 9, and we're ready to hit the road. If I forget to mention it, ask obout our adventures with a bridge troll. If only the largest of the Billy Goats Gruff had been there.

Dale

An Actual Bike Ride

After aome additional, last-minute, frantic culling through posessions and packing, we finally did actually hit the road yesterday at 11:20 am.

The highlight of the day was that we did actually get started at last. The low-point was the traverse of highway 37. The Caltrans Mower was out working yesterday and that meant that the entire shoulder was covered with LOTS of debris - mostly mowed anise and a variety of other sticks. That wasn't very enjoyable because there was no way to avoid riding right through it. After a couple miles of this, we passed the mower, and had smooth sailing for a time, until I got a flat on the rear tire.

Before going any further, I will say that our bikes are heavy. I weighed my bike and panniers before leaving, and they came in at 103 lbs. That was before sonme culling, but without a few nececcities. I'm sure that I rolled out with it being at least that heavy. I think that the extra weight will make it a little more flat-prone.

There we were, perhaps a mile in front to the mower, on the shoulder of California 37, less than ideal conditions. I decided to go with the quick change - swap a new tube and deal with patching later. Let me tell you, dealing with a flat tire on a bike weighing in over 100 pounds makes it much more difficult, but we got the job done and were on our way again. For one-half mile. Then I had a blowout, also on the rear tire. I looked the tire over pretty well the first time it went flat, but after the blowout I was more meticulous, and I found a slice in the sidewall. So, I've already installed my backup tire, when we were barely 30 miles from home.

Unfortunately, during all of the tire changing the trip mileage on my computer got reset, so no official mileage is available for yesterday, but I'm certain it was 70 miles, plus or minus 2. We were pretty beat by the end of the day, so opted to make our first motel stay, in Vacaville. Neither of us slept particularly well, lots of tossing and turning, but I think that we'll be fine once we're into a littel bit more of a routine.

Enough for now, we needd to be hitting the road. I sent a couple of status updates to facebook, but they didn't take. So technology is still an issue.

Dale

Launch Scrubbed For the Transit of Venus.

The newest official launch date is now 06/06/2012, sometime around 8:00 - 10:00 am.  I would like to say that I was called in to give an impromptu talk at the Exploratorium about the Transit of Venus, but that just ain't true.  I did come across some #10 and #5 welding shades that I had forgotten about, while I was getting tools together the other day.  Let's see, 10 + 5 = 15.  I couldn't find any verification too easily on the internet, but it sort of made sense, sort of.  I first tried 2 layers of #10 and I could definitely see the Sun, and I thought that I saw Venus, but it was pretty dark.  Then I tried one layer of #10 and it was too bright - oh, my eyes!  But one layer of #10 and one layer of #5 yielded good results, and I definitely saw, without any magnification, Venus as it crossed directly between the Sun and the Earth.

Most of the day was spent frantically attending to details.  Planning a trip is half the fun, but at least for me, the last day, or at least the last few hours are extremely nerve wracking.  It will be nice once we are finally on the road, and there is nothing to do but relax and grind out the miles...

You Really Had To Be There

Dale

Summer Rain

Hey, the prognosticators got it right!  When I first saw the forecast for rain on Monday a few days ago, I scoffed, but today as I leisurely sauntered into the kitchen for my first cup of joe, I heard the sound of car tires on wet pavement.

We are tentatively scheduled to roll out tomorrow.  There is a lot to do, so in reality, a Wednesday departure might be better.  Either way, Lord willing, we will definitely be on the road by the 6th.

Rather than put a damper on my spirits, the rain sort of puts me in the mood for summer travel, although in a slightly melancholy way, but even that isn't all bad.  It's true that it doesn't rain much in California, at least not in the summertime, so a little summer rain reminds me of times when I have traveled elsewhere during the summer.

I never realized it before just a few weeks ago, but in the summer after each of my graduations, I have had a coast to coast road trip.  After graduating from San Pasqual High School, my older brother Dave, a friend named Kurt and I, traveled in our 1968 Ford F250, spending 2 months traversing most of the perimeter of the U.S.A.  Two months after receiving my A.A. from Palomar College, I climbed into a Volkswagen Scirroco with Charlie Monticalvo and Tommy Cruz on a lightning fast drive out to Gainesville Florida to attend a wedding and the Florida Evangelism Conference.  That trip lasted about 3 weeks with the return drive, and I was also able to make a surprise visit to my grandfather in Bradenton.  And a few weeks after receiving my B.A. from San Diego State, I drove to the Bay Area, met my friend Thomas Brown, and together we drove his Datsun 510 to Deer Isle Maine, where I spent the ensuing 6 weeks at the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts before flying 'home' to the Bay Area.  Surely this summer will be an adventure to equal or surpass any of those trips, and on each of them I experienced rain at some point.

I got a call from my Aunt Carolyn yesterday.  She is very excited to be hosting visitor in Missouri, so we can count on at least one hot shower about halfway through our journey!

In case you haven't heard, there is a TRANSIT OF VENUS tomorrow.  It's a once in a lifetime astronomical event - don't miss it!

Dale

The Laundromat Blues

Here goes another mini rant about updating this blog.

I would like to make the blog a little bit entertaining for anyone brave or fool-hearty enough to spend their precious time reading it.  I would like to make it educational for any prospective bike tourists looking for specific tips, critiques or reviews about our route and/or equipment performance.  And lastly, my mom wants to know where I'm at at all times, as any good mother would.  Mom, don't worry; your piece will be easily accomplished from the phone - I think.

I spent a couple of hours in the laundromat yesterday getting the sleeping bags spruced up for the journey.  I tried to make a somewhat informative post, but it just didn't want to get done.  I had to switch out clothes to the dryer, the phone locks the screen, my fat finger hits the wrong pinpoint on the screen, and poof! Message Lost!  So once again I'm back to my biggest gripe about smart phones which, as we know, really are pretty powerful handheld computers.  Why can't a fairly computer savvy average joe like me simply connect a bluetooth keyboard to his smartphone?  It's ridiculous!  I would like to think that this may be the last time you read my complaints on the topic, at least on the blog; however, I find it so idiotic an oversight on the developer's part that I am likely to mention it again, although I will try not.

Yesterday in the laundromat, I was attempting to post about a few items of equipment.

Sleeping Bags - North Face polarguard bags rated to about 20° - 30° F.  I prefer synthetic to down for most applications because it doesn't mind getting wet quite as much.  The performance review was in years ago: you can't do any better than a North Face Cat's Meow bag for 3 season use.  It is a bit heavier and bulkier than down, but if it gets wet (as it's likely to do at some point on this trip) it will sun-dry a whole lot faster, and won't loose it's loft.  If down gets wet, you're off to the laundromat for a good tumble dry to breaak up the clumps of feathers.

Panniers - KoKi Escape II (rear) and KoKi Rover I (front).  What I really like about these panniers is the rubber sole on the bottom.  I've had other panniers in the past, and the wear and tear from setting them on the ground has always eventually worn small holes in the bottom.  The Koki's have a very durable rubber sole that goes goes up about an inch all the way around, so no corners or seams to wear out by abrasion.  What I'm not sure of yet is the mounting.  The panniers mount very securely, but stick up about 2"-3" from the top of the rack's platform, rather than mounting flush with the top of the rack, as my previous panniers did.  In the past I had one platform that I could load something wide onto, now I have a gap to fill.  It will probably take a few days to really figure out how to best carry the tent, sleeping bag, and pad, but I hope that I'll figure out something that is well configured and becomes routine.  The other thing that is a plus with the KoKi's is their volume.  They are cavernous.  I doubt that we'll have them filled to capacity most of the time, and that is a good thing.  It would be nice if we can carry a loaf of bread without pulverizing it.  And I'm sure that while we're crossing the desert, we'll have them filled up with as much extra water as we can fit.  The performance review for the panniers will have to wait a few weeks, until they get some real use, and I get to know them better.  They are half the price of Arkel panniers, so that is definitely a plus.

Handlebar Bag - Arkel small handlebar bag.  After looking at reviews, I ponied up the dough and went for the Arkel bag.  I decided on the small bag, because, if anything, I anticipate having almost too much room in the panniers, yet I still wanted a handlebar bag for the small things that I'll be reaching for a lot.  I think that the size is just about right.  I don't think that I would want a larger bag even if I thought that I'd be pressed for space.  Along with the bag, they included a sample of fabric with a small slice in it, and a tag that says, "Tear Me."  Well, I was willing to rest in the security that my manliness is not dependent on being able to conquer each and every challenge that presents itself.  In other words, I was not able to tear the fabric even though it had a pre-made start, and I put in a forthright effort.  Someone might be able to tear that fabric, and that someone might even be me, but it is very tough stuff indeed!  Lots of reviews have been written about this bag, I'll add one here somewhere down the line.

That's enough for now.  I had a few witty observations from the laundromat, but they got lost in the shuffle.  For now, I'm blaming the phone/keyboard situation!  Maybe next time.

Dale