My Bike

Here is a picture of my Trek 1500 road bike when it was new in 2004. The aluminum frame has remained solid and has served me well. Virtually all of the components, however, have been replaced. I have learned that components, like parts in computers, are regularly redesigned and upgraded. As a result it can be difficult to find replacement parts. Sometimes, such as when I replaced the shifter/ brake handles, I have found that I could upgrade the component with a newer and higher grade component.

Many of the Coast2Coast riders, aka Coasters, will ride recumbent bikes. We do not need heavy duty touring bicycles since we will be fully supported and not have to carry gear on the bikes. As a result I can ride my trusty and lighter weight road bike with its skinny tires. I do want to install the strongest tires available to prevent as many flats as possible.

We have received advice from Chandler Otis, the mechanic from Gainesville, FL, who will accompany us across the US next spring. He has suggested that we bring spare spokes (three rear and two front), two tires, a set of shoe cleats and a new chain and rear cassette. Chandler plans to replace chains and cassettes half-way through the trip in Texas after we finish crossing the dry, sandy Southwest. He recommends a full service of the bike and 200 miles of riding before shipping it to Bernie's Bike Shop in San Diego. I have discussed the preparations with Mike at Intown Bikes (One of the top 50 bike shops in America per Bicycle magazine in 2012) here in Atlanta. I plan to bring the bike for service and replacement of the yellow handlebar tape and installation of a new chain and cassette in January. I will be traveling for two weeks and it will be a good time to have the bike thoroughly overhauled and leave me time to ride before shipping the bike in late February.

A friend recently heard about my plans and suggested a shipment service offered by a bike shop outside of Chicago. Here's a link describing their service: http://www.shipbikes.com/home2.html
I am particularly impressed with their Air Caddy box design. Here's another link showcasing the design: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzS8mo79EjM&feature=youtu.be
Please send me your comments if you have used the service or the box.

Preparations

The ride departure is still a bit over three months away. Nevertheless arrangements by the support staff and riders are well underway. We have exchanged email introductions and pictures. Bubba has recruited and introduced the support staff.

As a rider I am atempting to overcome 'buyer's regret' and apprehension to ride a bicycle over such a long distance and duration. First I have increased regular rides from 2-3 times a week to almost daily to mirror the seven weeks of the cross country schedule. We will be riding 6 days with one day off each week. Second, I have included rides of a longer distance again to replicate the 64 mile expected average. My training included a three day weekend of rides (76, 66 and 62 miles) outside Charleston, SC. The ride routes included rest stops and lunch along the way as planned for the cross country routine. Third, I have found the riding and modification of how much and what I eat has led to a loss of weight equivalent to a bicycle. That's one less bike to drag across the country. The oncoming winter weather and other travel plans will interfere in the pace of daily rides but as least the preparations so far have contributed to a gain in confidence.

The next focus, and not one subject to the vagaries of weather, will be the accumulation of gear. Some will have to be purchased, such as additional biking shorts, and some will have to be uncovered at home, such as a sleeping bag. Bubba has sent us a useful suggestions such as name tags for our clothes and gear and a reminder that we do not need to be concerned about appearances on this trip.

Welcome

This site is intended to serve as a journal, aka a blog, to record observations and a few pictures from a cross country bike ride. First, the details, as follows:

• Dates and route: Depart San Diego, CA on March 8 crossing the Southern United States with a scheduled arrival in St Augustine, FL on April 28, 2014.

• Length: 52 days over 2853 miles

• Participants: 42 riders and 18 support staff

• Tour Organizer: Bubba's Pampered Pedalers (http://www.bubbaspamperedpedalers.com/coast-2-coast) 

• Map: See links to 2013 route (Bubba C2C 2013 - Google Maps) and 2014 itinerary: https://www.dropbox.com/s/bfpaf3euitogol0/Route%202014.xlsx 

Just like the ride this blog is a work in progress and subject to refinement as we all learn new skills and capabilities. Bon voyage!