Gearing Up

So for those of you who don't know, my new friend Sarah and I, who is also from Chicago and vegan (thus plant powered...) will be riding our bicycles along the West Coast. On September 13, we will be leaving Chicago via Amtrak to Seattle and slowly making our way south to San Francisco.

Firstly, I want to acknowledge all the folks who have helped me prepare for my bicycle journey:::

I sought advice on thechainlink.org which is a Chicago online bicycle community that has amazing forums with knowledgeable individuals who love to talk dirty bike talk. From there, I was linked up to swingoutwestcycling.blogspot.com where a couple named Zac and Lindsay were riding from Vancouver to SanFran! Also, Chicago natives, they agreed to meet up when they completed their journey and arrived safely back in Chicago. They even let us borrow their sleeping bag, mattress pad, tent and maps from Adventurecyling.org. Amazing couple and I am so proud of them and grateful for all the gear and advice they have provided us with! 

Step 2: Finding a touring bicycle! I went to almost 80% of the bike shops in Chicago (that sell bikes) and every shop was amazing with hard working bike geeks. (and usually beers...) I picked up some clearance arm and leg warmers and gloves from Yo Jimbos. My boyfriend Nick and I went to 3 other shops that day and everyone told us you have to check out SmartBike. Eric, the owner, blew my mind within 1.43 seconds of talking to him. I ended up with a Surly Cross Check, which is supposedly seafoam green, but its absolutely ugly hospital green. But the uglier the bike the better. Also got fenders and super lights from Smart Bike. 

I scored some Ortlieb front AND rear panniers AND racks from Craigslist...got all that for almost the cost of 1 Ortlieb Pannier. Paul, the guy I bought them from also did a West Coast Tour and said, bring a good jacket...the top of those mountains get cold and rainy.....good advice, Paul. 

So, I ordered a wind jacket, wool hat, skull cap, and socks from theclymb.com (all super cheap discount gear)

Went to the Chrome Store on Milwaukee Ave and they hooked me up with last year's cheaper SPD shoes, a merino wool hoody, socks and some sweet knickers! 

I have to give a shout out to Rapid Transit on Halsted and 13th for helping me out and teaching me how to use gears, cause if you didn't know Chicago is flat as F....and I haven't used a gear functioning bicycle in my adult life...And scored  me a little Brooks Saddle Pancho. I've been meaning to get one of those...

Comrades Bike Shop is a worker-owned shop where I purchased my Brooks Saddle from my main man Jesse. This is an unbelievable bike shop and if you haven't checked it out, go there now.

And, Jordan Johnson who is an old, deer friend of mine who did this ride a few years back and packed my brain with essentials for the adventure. 

Also, thank you, Dad for not buying me any Christmas or Birthday presents for the last 25 years and purchasing my brand new touring bike. You are the best, Papa! <3

ANNNDDD thank you to the Tepper Family who brought Sarah and I together. We both babysit their kids on occasion and at the time, I was thinking of doing a solo ride. They told me their other babysitter just graduated, is vegan and loves to ride and was looking for an adventure post graduation....and now I am so grateful to have a partner for my trip!! We make a great team! 

I will also mention I ate some delicious cement this morning, failing to clip out of my pedals. Hopefully this is the first and last time of this happening, but I think that may be wishful thinking....Luckily I was on the sidewalk and not on the street and a woman laughed at me in a car, which I'm sure it looked hilarious but holy f bomb! did that hurt!

Looking forward to more pain and blood. 

So thank you to all bike shops, websites, bike blogs, fellow cyclists. 

Ride Safe. Ride On.