HOUSTON ! We Have Lift Off !

( Day 0 -"Prologue") NORTH VAN - GOLDSTREAM PROVINCIAL PARK
Dist. 124 km., Saddle Time 6hrs48min., Avg.Hr 120bpm., 3992cal. Rating: Good start

I had planned on rolling out on Mon the 16th, but I had discovered a leak in the Transfer Containment Valve, this unfortunately caused a rift the Reactor Dark Matter Stabilizer Cones. Highwaycat sounded the Alarm...The problem was solved and we are rolling out on this overcast 8 degree morning.
It will be a short start down Hwy 1/99 to the BC Ferries terminal at Horseshoe Bay where I will dine on a fine breakfast. After landing in Nanaimo BC, I head towards Victoria stopping at Goldstream Provincial Park for the night, the site of a nasty truck accident a few weeks ago where Ooodles of evil liquid ended up spilling into the Goldstream River...
http://www.goldstreampark.com/

Anyway, I zoomed down the highway thinking that I might miss my sail. Wrong ! I goofed and ended up an hour early. Panicked for nothing. The weather turned out perfect for my trip. Nanaimo was a bit annoying, but was nice once the highway opened up. There is a fairly consistant climb up " The Malahat Hwy" which served as a tiny taste of what's in store. 

Goldstream Provincial Park is a fantastic campground, although very expensive at $30.00. Nice touch having a pub right across from the entrance ! My first night of this voyage ! I'm excited, but won't really feel like I've gone anywhere until I've left BC...
Cheers !  

The complex route from my pad in North Vancouver (Best Place on Earth) past my friend Kerry/Karen's (also in North Van)  to Goldstream Provincial Park Vancouver Island (see link below for map)

Waiting for my boat at Horseshoe Bay to transport me safely to Nanaimo Van Isl.  I was early as hell. A malfunction in my understanding of the online ferry schedule... I met a couple eager cyclists here. Wish I took a pic. An odd pair. The older guy was transporting a friend's bike from USA. He asked me why the wheel didn't turn well. I told him that a "Cassette-Side spoke was broken and the wheel needed repair" That's all I can say about that... Good Grief

Entering the Belly of the Beast...

Millions and Millions of dollars invested in the fleet and the very overpaid union workers scratching their asses . No acknowledgement for cyclists despite the high boarding pass. David Hann,  the CEO of BC Ferries earns over a $ 1000 000.00/yr. Disgusting.

SO IT BEGINS...

Notice how friendly the Pacific looks. The Atlantic may have a different face... The face of DOOM !

A good hill. Makes for a fine prelude for what lies ahead.

Nasty spot in the winter.

I'am Treeeeee !!

A closer look at my site. Nobody around to witness my insane antics.

I'm a tad nervous and excited at this point. Highwaycat is sleeping in the handlebar bag.

My canopy

Thems Good Eats, Thems Good Eats Indeed...

Route Map Day 0. Prologue ;

Goldstream Provincial Park Langford, British Columbia

View Larger Map

Tick Tock, Tick Tock...

Well, it's May 9 and with only a week to go till the big shove off, I am starting to feel the stress. My "Official Route" has yet to be finallized, and there are a few gear modifications to take care of...
My fitness level is terrible, but I figure that once I get going the changes will surface, and all will be Tickitty-Boo... Ya, that's right.
My buddies, Kerry and Karen awarded me with some wonderful parting gifts ! I'm not worthy of such niceness. Karen is a professional grade sewing Grand- Master and has crafted some creative, fun, organizing pouches, stuff sacks and a cutlery wrap. All with Bike-laden designs of coarse!  Also a bunch of useful camping do-dads including a $100.00 hotel gift card ! Crazy good stuff!!

Goodies from the Marshall Clan

Highwaycat Approved

"I see myself...weird!"

Didn,t think I would ever own one, but...got myself a phone so that I can join the rest of the modern world.

Me, Kerry and the Tomster

LOADED



I shall navigate

"Let's move out!"

 Yesss ! !  ... My remaining panniers finally arrived from Arkel.  Picked them up today at CAPS BICYCLES Caps New West, BC  Better late than never !.  I was getting worried.
I want to spend some time riding with a proper load and weight distribution. I also need to know what kind of volume I have to work with so I can tweek my supply cargo. I got the T-28's for the low rider front rack and the large handlebar bag.  These choices should compliment the G-54's on the rear nicely. Now that I have all the gear that I think I will need for this 'solo' trip, it's time for a much anticipated test ride.
So, after filling all the bags with my gear ( give or take a few things, will fine tune selection later). It was time to step on the scale:
* Me(in ride gear)194lbs!, Bike-31lbs!, Bags-59lbs
* Bike/Bag weight = 79lbs
* GVW                  = 273lbs!
The added "Molson Muscle" that I have accumulated will certainly slow things down, not to mention difficulty fitting into my summer cycling jersey. Perhaps it will fit by the time I reach Quebec. YUK ! Arkel has designed bags that are perfect for me. Lots of compartments and pockets for good organization. Also, the mounting hardware is ingenious. I find the handlebar bag to be huge, but will make a fine cooler. Will need to adjust to riding without seeing the front tire.
Test ride went well. Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve(LSCR) is a great place to train.LSCR It's a 10km paved recreational road winding through the forest in North Van. I can do multiple repeats without annoying traffic or "road furniture", just have to keep an eye out for bear, deer or worst of all, the dreaded Roller Blader ! I will return to log a longer ride, but with less than 3 weeks to go, there arn't really any fitness gains to yield. I will bring Highway Cat for that ride, although she doesn't believe in "training". As a cat, she prefers to "jump into the fire".  She's crazy, but will serve me well as my First Officer.

Mounting hardware (cool)

Large handlebar bag

Handlebar bag bracket

 

Test ride @ LSCR

Descends like a freight train

Overkill...

March 23 2011


Well, ya know what ?? Spring has finally sprung and the motivation gland is pumping out happy endorphines.
I went to the huge Bike Expo in nearby Seattle with my friend Kerry to get pumped about all things outdoors. It was a worthy journey. My blood is churning ! But the Amtrac was half-assed !
I decided to get my good'ol  Outbound tent out for some seam sealing and water testing. Good thing I took the time- she failed. I guess I need a new tent. Crap ! I decided on the new " Hubba" maybe pick it up this week. Also ordered front panniers  and handlebar bag from Caps . Arkel T 28 and large Handlebar Bag. $$$$$
 I would like the GT 18's, but overall cost would be Crazy!  I also passed up the Ortlieb front Roller Classics.
I got some new fenders and installed them tonight (beer assisted) Also got a mid range solar charger from MEC. "PowerFilm" USB+AA.  ( to power AA Batteries for camera, I POD and Cell Phone)

My old tent served me well...sob !                      

Master mechanic...not !..

Nice fenders though...

                                                                                                   

Powerfilm Solar Charger for AA batteries and I POD
Folded and outstretched...
$98.00 @ MEC
Seems to work well and is nice and light.
Will stretch it over rear panniers while riding.                                       Solar Charger unfolded...
Around 14 inches long( going by memory)
- that's not a good source, believe me.

 Powerfilm Charger unfolded folded

 

• 
  

  In the Spending frenzy,... I got sucked into buying this solar powered/crank assist radio for 40% off. Maybe I can use it for local stuff, I don't know yet. It's heavy, but Sadistically Cool somehow.

Once I have remaining panniers, I can load 'em up for some test rides.

Until then....

Staying Connected

One key point in this trip is communication. Letting people know where I am and how things are going. Where is the next bike shop? What is the weather for the next day? How far to the nearest campground ? etc. I did a little research on electronic devices and compared that information with choices made by other bike travellers. Smart phones and Tablets are cool, but I want a keyboard because I'm half-blind and my fingers are clumsy. Also, expense is a factor.  I will pick up a  super cheap, super basic cell phone later. ( for ordering beer and pizza, of coarse !)
So I decided on a 10 inch netbook. I picked out what I was thinking of getting from the NCIX website. A store recommended by my friend Tanya.  So I went down to the Vancouver location to have a look. Not the type of store where I should be purchasing electronics. It's devoid of display items and typical salespeople. A store geared to professionals and mega geeks. I basically went to the counter and showed one of the many clerks my google print out. A little chit - chat and $400.00 later, I was on my way. On my way to the Burnaby location .  (to pick it up.)  Annoying drive and a long wait in a line of zero,  I am handed a box containing my shiny new Device. (my first time buying something sight unseen) Could've got it through Amazon and had it shipped to me for less. Oh well. I belong in 1346.
Anyway, here are some specs on my new companion : ( I hope Highway Cat doesn't get jealous.)

ASUS EeePc 1015 PEM PU17-BK

• Battery - 6 cell, 13 hour
• Microphone, webcam
• Screen - 10.1 inch LED, 1024+600
• VGA, 3 USB 2.0, Memory card reader
• Memory 1 GB (2 available), 
• Bluetooth 3.0, Wi Fi
• 2.79 lbs.
• N550 Atom, 1.50 GHZ, Dual core
• HD 250 GB

So, hopefully I can keep up wth a fair log of my journey to begin mid May 2011. Kizzmitt isn't too sure !

SURLY YOU JEST !!

Well, you know what ? ...
 I'm sick and tired of  making due with what I have. When I first moved to Vancouver in 1991, I got caught up in the mountain bike craze of the late 80's and early 90's. so I purchased a rigid frame Rocky Mountain Hammer for about a grand. ( a bike similar to this today would be $500.00)  I ended up using it for everything from trail riding to commuting to touring with a full compliment of panniers. Holy crap my back would hurt after a day on the highway !  I went through numerous drivetrains and many tires. I still have that bike today ( with a new tranny) and use it for the many snow days here in Vancouver ( 1 ) Then I got a Cannondale CADD 600. I used it for everthing also. God, I loved this bike ! I didnt take it on trails as it is a road bike, but I altered the geometry a tad and gave it aero bars and a new job... Triathlon. Anyway, what I'm saying is I'm tired of one bike for many jobs. With that said, I bought a new bike !  In fact, my philosophy of bike distribution started 3 years ago when  I gave up on the Cannondale for a sweet carbon frame Specialized Tarmac for Ironman racing etc. Then, 2 Septembers ago, I bought the Trek Portland that you see in earlier blog posts. ( for commuting.)

I was worried about the wheels on the Portland not handling the load, the carbon forks breaking, the high maintenance disc brakes, and the costly non-serviceable shifters. So I bought a brand new SURLY LONG HAUL TRUCKER. I've heard this bike come up in conversations related to bicycle touring. Caps Bicycles  has this bike, so I decided to add to the family. Like I said earlier... I'm sick of making do with what I have. I added " Old Man Lowrider" rack for another hundred bucks.
This is a simple bike that can handle a load and can be fixed during a breakdown. No high tech crap to cry over. And you know what ? ... She's a beauty !!!

Will need to get used to the gear levers as opposed to the newer shifters. I am excited to take her out on a test ride. Next on my shopping cart will be a netbook, so I can pick a front pannier although Arkel has a sweet 28 L with a backpack attachment. 

As I fill my shopping cart, I also need to work on my fitness/weight. At current time I am 200lbs ( Molson Muscle). Time to get Cardio !

Outfitting The Beast

Let the spending begin !
Lots of equipment is needed before the journey, so I've started to fill my shopping cart with Goodies. A trip down to Caps Bicycles in New Westminster, BC. info@capsbicycleshop.com for the first item on my lengthy list of must haves;  Rear Panniers. I decided to go extreme with the GT54 Arkels for the rear. Lots of pockets for an organized tour since I'm an unorganized person. Went with the cheery red for the happy-go-lucky look. The visibility is pretty good too.

Flagship Arkel

There's one minor problem with these panniers. My rear rack doesn't have a suitable attaching mount to accept the heavy duty hook on the panniers. I will have to do some Macgyvering .

Idiotic rack design

Once I take care of this speed bump, I will change out the carbon fork for steel to accommodate the front rack which will be next to put in the shopping cart. Once that is done, I can choose my Front Panniers and Handlebar Bag.