DONATE!!!

Ok people.  We are doing this ride for a reason....and that is to raise some cash money for the American Brain Tumor Association.  Your help really will go a long way, even if it is only five bucks. Click here to visit the ABTA site where you can donate and view our progress!

First Training Tour

Over the weekend Ross and I went on our first mock training tour.  Saturday afternoon we rode out to John Bryan State Park.  To make it as accurate as possible we packed way more stuff than we would need for the night.  Setting up camp was a breeze, thanks to the great design of both the tents we have choose to use (MSR Hubba HP & Marmot EOS 1p).  Fortunately we did not have to fend for ourselves for food, as we were met by a group of Ross's parents friends.  They were camping and watching some of the March Madness from their extravagant lang yachts!  The first night in the tent was not bad at all, well besides some very loud neighbor campers!  Ross and I are stoked for our next trip, and are truly counting down the days until the real thing!  

Photo Shoot

Ross and I had to get some fancy photos taken for the American Brain Tumor Association website.  We got some killer pictures thanks to the help of Mr. Jake Scott, District Manager for roll:.  If this picture does not raise us some damn money I don't know what will!

Maiden Voyage!

On Saturday I took the trucker out for a spin, along with all the bags!  Considering the 25 MPH cross wind, she "sailed" like a dream!  I rode from Grange Hall Rd. in Beavercreek to Kil-Kare Motor Speedway, then back.  I could not believe how many people commented on the bicycle.  Maybe this was because I was going past many of the other road bikers, since they clearly didn't exercise all winter long.  

I think that the bicycle rode very smooth.  The 4130 steel frame was every bit as comfortable to ride as my carbon road bicycle.  Because the bicycle is somewhere around 35 pounds between the racks, bags, and bicycle itself, it handles very smooth. 

Ross and I have planned out first training ride/camp.  March 21st we plan to ride out to John Bryan State Park, just outside of Yellow Spring.  There we will put up camp, drink beer, and see how much we don't know about roughing it, sleep, then ride back to Dayton later the next day!   We hope these little mock tours will give us good insight as to what we will need, and what is a waste of pannier space.

Also, our page for donations should be up very soon!

Cheers!

Sexy!

Bicycle Built!

Well the Surly arrived today and I got it all together!  I also received my Arkel bags, and boy are they beautiful!  Everything went together smoothly, although the front rack did give me a run for my money.  I  am not sure what the weight is of this thing, but it has to be somewhere around thirty pounds!  I will let ya'll know how she rides after the maiden voyage!  From the look of the forecast we may have a few spring-like days just around the corner.

More Equipment!!!

                Surly Nice Front & Rear Rack

Surly Long Haul Trucker

Mountain Hardware Piute 20

Today I placed an order for my sleeping bag.  I choose to go with the Mountain Hardware Piute 20.  This is a right side zip down sleeping bag.  It is ultralight, weighting in a few oz. under three pounds.  I also ordered my bicycle, the Surly Long Haul Trucker.  Along with that I got the Surly Nice racks.  I ordered the Crank Brothers Mallet pedals, which will be nice since they have a  platform.  I am nearing an end of ordering the equipment...tools and clothing are about all that is left!