My first tour starts tomorrow, Help me make it through the first stroke

[yujipiihb]

i dont know if you already know, but there is another site that is full of people who are doing what you are.

it's http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/?o=1

it seems like a good place to find stuff where youll be going for the nights.

also, http://www.warmshowers.org/ if you ever need a safe dry, warm place to sleep.

[woodrowstar]

Yes, sir already on both and "liked" on facebook.

[Killdoc]

updates?

[BHCgreene]

Last I heard from him was the 26th he was in NC.

He had some troubles with his bike before he left my house and got him a little behind so he is probably working hard to get to FL. I know he wanted to be there by this weekend

[woodrowstar]

Had to cheat. Got swiped by a truck on a road deemed "bicycle safe". Post 45 and 55mph with no shoulder. Doubled back after the incident 100+ miles. Got picked up by Sky just outside of NC at Emporia, VA. Spent the weekend in Florida at the Rolex24 weighing the option of surrendering or continuing on to Houston, TX. Sky went back north, and Polo and I are still here in Florida. Before we can venture out, the bicycle needs updated gearing. The rear cassette is wobbly again. It is French made hydra-something-or-rather-poo. Front wheel needs replaced, bearings which i just had serviced are grinding terribly.

[merckx56]

Helicomatic...

It was a weird system that didn't last long. You won't find a set-up like than in any shop. You'll be lucky to find a mechanic that a) has the tools, or b) knows how to work on it.

[woodrowstar]

Yeah, we ended up at Revolution Bike shop. The looks on the mechanics faces was priceless. Tried a pair of 700s on the frame fit perfect to just sliding the brake pads down on their mount. The next problem being the 6 gear set of the rear and lack of support of a 40 hole hub for the rear. Getting a custom set wheels made at this point is the only option.

We are going to see how long the wait is tomorrow. Atleast the price point was cost effective - just hope the quality is not an issue.

still enjoying Florida 70+ degree weather

[skydaman]

Good to hear there is an option. Yeah froze my arse when I got back to VA, weather in FL was nice!

[woodrowstar]

Albuquerque or bust.


We got new hubs and rims. Leaving Melborne, fl back to St Augustine, Fl then we head west. Picked up some sweet rest stops on the way via Warmshowers.org. The weather .....pfft..... hot, yes ...High winds warned at 20-30mph, greeeaaaaatttttt. Many bridges to cross.

[woodrowstar]

We did 114 miles yesterday wizzed through Daytona. Had a kid pull the "hey did you drop this money?" bit. I said no, but he persisted to give me the money anyway. It is funny how either i am a bum or a crazy traveler. The bum thing makes me laugh- Under Armor Backpak, cell phone, laptop, maps, lights and reflectors, riding gear, and a healthy dog -WTF, kinda bum is that??

We are in St Augustine. been here since about 11. Riding on much nicer wheels, makes a huge difference. Should have opted for taller gearing on the freewheel.

[haenszel]

good to hear wilson.

[skydaman]

Very cool to hear! Keep us up to date. I bet the flatness of down south is relieving!

[woodrowstar]

We are now in Starke, Fl 79 mile day.

The flats of the south are stupid dumb. I ran into several riders on a trail along SR-100. 2 guy went out their way to hang out and ride along with us til we got to Starke, Fl which is on US-301 (cannot shake that road). Went off-roading and picked up 6 ticks. Despite the looming thunder clouds, not a drop of rain. 82 degrees out. Drank water like a fish. Stay with a Warmshowers.org host Mrs. Barbara- awesome family she has. It was right next to the School For the Blind Ray Charles went to. There are some housing issue going on with the school trying to take over the historic neighborhoods.

sweet motel from the night before


St Augustine fort/castle


Cannonsssssssssssssssssssssss


Polo in St Augustine


Castle pic....naw sneaking that chick in the pic

another one

Officer got mad after I did that, lol.

This one is from Williamsburg Va

Tomorrow we are going to shoot for 100 miles. First a stop at Walmart (ughhhh... Walmart people of the south are as depicted on that site)

[woodrowstar]

Debating on sending my boots and thick winter coat home. These 2 items gone would save a ton of weight. I still have a fleece and windbreaker to rely on. Thoughts???

[Quintin@USRT]

Stalking this too!

[haenszel]

Debating on sending my boots and thick winter coat home. These 2 items gone would save a ton of weight. I still have a fleece and windbreaker to rely on. Thoughts???

are you going through any mountains further west? It can get cold in an instant when doing that.

[skydaman]

Glad to hear things are going much better! Love the pics!

[Abstract_99]

KEEP DA COAT... glad your in better weather

[woodrowstar]

are you going through any mountains further west? It can get cold in an instant when doing that.

Passed a post office yesterday. sent the boots, coat, and Polos fluffy bed home. Today is a no work day. We road 30 miles to Perry, Fl. I cannot see mountains till probably after NM. The fleece and windbreaker are plenty warm. plus the extra blanket and Polo's doggy heat.

[Abstract_99]

Passed a post office yesterday. sent the boots, coat, and Polos fluffy bed home. Today is a no work day. We road 30 miles to Perry, Fl. I cannot see mountains till probably after NM. The fleece and windbreaker are plenty warm. plus the extra blanket and Polo's doggy heat.

enjoy that florida climate..

[woodrowstar]

Yesterday was interesting- lets start off backwards:

*The dumbest **** I saw today award: man filling gas tank with his son standing next to him, both holding the nozzle. the kid reaches up and knocked the damn thing out the tank .....gets gas all over him, the car, the ground. the nozzle was locked on. The mother jumps out of the car screaming "get his clothing off of him!", which left the kids screaming.

*Short cut Award: Nope.... no short cut should ever get an award normally, but this one deserved it. hard packed sand to soft deep sand, to steel slab for bridge and clay, back to asphalt. The soft part I met a family that ended up giving the 3 of us a ride back to the highway.

We are in Panama City. Only 50 miles from last night. We road today at a much slower pace with a traveler who is on his way to CA. I never realized how fast i actually traveled til today. 100 miles for me goes by swiftly.Bad part is now i cannot link his page. decided to stay in Panama City after realizing we are a week ahead of all my Warmshowers.org hosts, that I gave estimated dates to meet. Tomorrow, we are going to finish Florida out and enter Alabama. Then do Alabama in a single day.

[skydaman]

Sounds awesome, good job

I might be going to TX later this month, let me know if your stopping in San Antonio. But your probably headed further north.

[woodrowstar]

I'm so far ahead of schedule, stayed in Panama City another day.

San Antonia could be possible, still on the fence about crossing all of Texas to visit Q in southern Arizona. Now trying to find something to do for the night in Panama City. This place is a "Tourist" pit, not an "Adventurer". I love when people ask if I am on vacation. I always respond- When I am on the bike, I am at work.

*something i noticed yesterday- not really sure how to explain it.... but there is no body fat. i feel like Bruce Lee. Crazy, 40 push-ups a day, 8-10 hours of riding, a poo ton of calories and feeling like a million bucks.

[Quintin@USRT]

I'm so far ahead of schedule, stayed in Panama City another day.

San Antonia could be possible, still on the fence about crossing all of Texas to visit Q in southern Arizona. Now trying to find something to do for the night in Panama City. This place is a "Tourist" pit, not an "Adventurer". I love when people ask if I am on vacation. I always respond- When I am on the bike, I am at work.

*something i noticed yesterday- not really sure how to explain it.... but there is no body fat. i feel like Bruce Lee. Crazy, 40 push-ups a day, 8-10 hours of riding, a poo ton of calories and feeling like a million bucks.

being in shape is the best feeling ever. keep up the good work

[woodrowstar]

So I sent the coat home.... It is suppose to get down to 30 something the next couple of nights. Great. Fleece, thermal, and windbreaker on. Pensacola, FL.

[87REDROCC]

It's getting down into the 30s here in the north of Houston area of magnolia. Also the further west you go you will run into hill country and its pretty cold and desolate there. Plus its 100s of miles of hills. That's all before you reach new Mexico to begin with. Be safe and hit me up when you come thru magnolia!

[woodrowstar]

Thanks for the information. I'll stop at a Goodwill and pick up another coat.

[breane24]

Grabs the for this thread! I'm training for a Multiple Sclerosis bike challenge in San Antonio, TX in October.

My question for you is, 'How long have you been training for this?'

And if you're running through Corpus Christi, TX. My fiance and I will buy you dinner and a hotel, if needed. (Since we're with the in-laws, we're not a liberty to offer a place to stay. I apologize.. But I would, if I could).

The weather is very sporadic here in TX. One day 70's, one day 40's. I will be following this! And once you write a book, I would love to read it!

[woodrowstar]

Currently- Mobile, AL. it is odd how green the grass is once we crossed out of Florida.

Grabs the for this thread! I'm training for a Multiple Sclerosis bike challenge in San Antonio, TX in October.

My question for you is, 'How long have you been training for this?'

Training.....ha, I was already riding 3 hours every other day out and 3 hours back. I seemed to get more miles done the more i did it. But i never did it for the distance, just to get my muscles used to it. I do 8-10 hour max a day or 100 miles. Generally the 100 miles comes first at about the 6th hour. I know nothing about competitive riding. I just get on and ride. Carrying all this load is way different then just yourself and the bike.

[skydaman]

Alabama! Good to hear!

[rferic18]

Keep it up! How's Polo doing (my dogs ask)

[breane24]

You need to get a paypal account, so we can send you money..
That way you can buy a cheapo digital camera.. and take more pictures!

I demand more pictures!
DO IT!


I'm so glad, that everything is coming along for you!
And I'm sure that added weight does not make it any easier on you.

Polo's my hero.

-Bre

[BHCgreene]

Still here checking on you Wilson. Hope you and polo are well

[woodrowstar]

Keep it up! How's Polo doing (my dogs ask)

he is awesome! Gaining weight from just riding around. the 2 hours of wallking with him arent working out like i thought. going to have to give him more personal time. maybe 3 hours of play versus 1.5. He dooes really well sneaking into "no pet" zones. My back pack double duties for holdign laptop and him.

We had a funny instant at a liquor store (beer is calories toooooo). I opened the bag to get my wallet out, and someone saw him.

I demand more pictures!
DO IT! -Bre

I hear ya. I will post a Paypal for those who want to donate to either Polo or/and a Camera.

Still here checking on you Wilson. Hope you and polo are well

Bad weather last night 30mph winds and thunder storms. Woke up in a lake.

* News flash!!!! Found another black guy out here touring by himself. Waiting for him to catch up from Pensicola.

[87REDROCC]

Where you at now?