Keegan’s Adventures: Part Deux

NYC Velo is proud to publish Chapter 2 of Keegan’s recent adventure, read on:

Yesterday, I set off to construct the frame bag that would be an integral piece of gear for this trip. I decided to make it myself for two reasons: (a) I had roughly $10 I could spend, so to purchase one new from the handful of small operations that would even sell me something like this would have set me back $150 or more and so was definitely out of the question (b) The second reason had little to do with anything other than my wanting to prove to myself yet again that, when given the right amount of thought, the proper tools and some elbow grease, I’m pretty much capable of doing whatever I put my mind to. There may have also been a small bit of egotism in there as well. I’m not as immune to such narcissistic pleasures as I would prefer, but I do know that all I had to do for a compliment was to roll in to the bike shop today and lean my bike by the door (as of course, everyone loves my newly refurbished bike as much as I do :p )

Anyway, most of the morning was spent scheming and brainstorming. How many zippers did I want? Should I make the dividers vertical or horizontal? How much velcro is too much? Will this material hold up to all the weight I’m planning on loading it with? After much deliberation, decisions were made and templates were finalized. Then, after reading and re-reading the user’s manual of this crazy, new fangled “sewing computer” I was generously given permission to use, there was some sewing, followed by some seam ripping, some cursing, and a bit more cutting and more sewing. When the dust finally settled I emerged victorious, with my slightly misshapen and handmade custom frame bag. And when I strapped it on, it even fit in my frame like it was meant to – I love it when that happens.

After spending $8.00 on the velcro and zipper for my bag and $7.00 for 2 tubes, replacement cables and patches, I was close to being set to go. At a grand total of $15.00 spent on the trip so far, I wasn’t doing too badly either. I was also fortunate enough to arrange for my mother to hand deliver a bunch of my cycling gear from home that would be necessary for the trip (she and I met up last week unexpectedly, after illness brought us both to my grandparent’s house on short notice). Among the items acquired were my helmet, a multi tool, bib shorts and a 3 weeks supply of Clif bars, shots and blocks. Without her, and a seemingly endless pile of tasty organic fuel, this trip would be costing a hell of a lot more. Thanks mom!

With a place to stash my gear taken care of, I can’t help but shift my focus back to my bicycle. Now that I’ve had a chance to take it out on a few long-ish rides, there are still a couple things prodding at the back of my mind that may need to be taken care of before I embark. The gearing, for one, is decidedly more aggressive than I’d prefer for touring. With a 53-40 up front and a 5 speed 12-26 freewheel, things could get pretty miserable in the mountains. The tires, which were pretty nice when they were new, are about a decade old and dry rotted. I thought they might get me through alright, but as I’ve ridden them, a few chunks have fallen off, and more than one sizeable cut has appeared in them. It might be worth the cost if I can find some cheap, or even used tires somewhere in town. I also noticed that my handlebars are ever so slightly bent. I’ll have to keep my eye on them, but I think I’ll keep them for the time being, as the new asymmetric shape favors my left arm, which no longer extends all the way after an unfortunate walking accident.

I have also decided on the first part of my route. I will jump on the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, and follow it all the way to it’s terminus roughly 380 miles northeast in Shenandoah National park. I figure it’ll be a much nicer way to get through NC and VA than riding through the endless maze of big box stores and urban sprawl that comprises most of the US this day and age. Being a national scenic roadway, it will also provide me with a respite from commercial traffic. The Blue Ridge Parkway snakes hundreds of miles along the spine of the Appalachian mountains. It was started as a project by the CCC in the depths of the Great Depression. The idea was to connect the Great Smokies and Shenandoah national parks. Construction on the roadway took more than 50 years, and when it was completed, the National Park Service was left with 469 miles of smooth, two-lane mountain blacktop edged by grassy shoulders. No stop signs, no traffic lights. From the BRP’s terminus, I will continue northeast on Skyline drive, which is really just a winding 105 mile extension of the BRP through Shenandoah national park. Once I descend the ridge and exit the park, I will be left to meander the remaining 350-ish miles north and pick my way around the multitude of major metropolitan centers that litter the eastern seaboard.

I have decided to give myself 3 weeks to complete the trip, so I can take the time to relax and actually see the countryside I am travelling in, instead of just rushing through it.