Almost There

This coming Saturday some of us are getting our carcasses hauled from Sioux Falls to Spearfish. We will ride from there to here over eight (8) days. We will do this unsupported.

This will be my first bike touring experience – sort of. I’ve done my prep work. I’ve done several overnight camping excursions. I’m pretty sure I have my gear all worked out. Still, it’s almost butterflies-in-the-stomach exciting.

I know there are a few small things I need to pick up. They are spare bike parts mostly. I think I’ll take a spare brake and derailleur cable along. A few chain links would be a pretty good idea, too. I have spare spokes. They fit handily right on the chain stay.

I do need to think through each day so I can decide how much food and water I need to have with me at any one (1) time. There will be a couple (2) of days when food and water will be few and far between.

I will be taking my camera and do pledge to take (and post) many pictures. This is a vacation experience for me. I have no daily agenda other than I know what the next overnight town is going to be and how I think I’m going to get there.

I intend to make this an annual event. I’d like to take eight (8) or nine (9) days and do an unsupported bike ride. Next year I plan to plan less. I know at least part of it will be in Canada. Other than that, I want to leave it open to exploration and finding places to stay on the fly. We’ll see. Next year is a long time from now.

Ride On.