Bicycle Journey Progress

The journey begins on July 29th and ends on September 11th, 2023

Ride Progress: ABOUT TO START!
Daily summaries:
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Research


During our planning phase we have created an online document at Google Docs to keeps up with notes of  brainstorms we do here and there. In this post I'll publish a few of the things we have been looking at.

We haven't used all we have looked at. Actually, for each area we actually have looked at multiple options and chose one.

To see the equipment we actually used in the trip, please see the Equipment section.

To get started, we made a list of things we will need by category:


Types of things
  • Medicines
  • Camping
  • Kitchen / food preparation
  • Clothes
  • Electronics
  • Tools / repair equipments
  • Security
  • Misc (documents, etc)
Then we started researching each area. Here are a few things we've looked at:

Personal

  • Sunglasses
  • Riding lightweight shoes
  • 2 extra clothing sets
  • Tooth brush & small floss
  • Small (hotel sized) tooth paste
  • Small (hotel sized) shampoo
  • Small (hotel sized) soap
  • Lightweight razor
  • 5 to 10 band-aids (for occasional blisters)
  • A few pain reliever pills

Locks

Use a U lock. Don’t try to use a cable lock as experts say they are easy to break.
Good safety tests and references:


These is my current choice based on security, weight, portability and cost:

  • OnGuard Bulldog STD U-lock
    • About $30
    • Pertinent Thickness: 13 mm Shackle
    • Weight: 2.4 pounds
    • Free Anti-Theft Warranty: $1,251 for one year


Bags

Good article about bicycle bags:
http://www.about-bicycles.com/bicycle-bags.htm

A saddlebag (below seat)


This is a good model: http://www.rei.com/product/710406

Not too large, just enough to fit the repair tools.

Must be loaded with:

Tent Each rider needs a small, portable and lightweight tent.




Thermal blanket
  • Space All-Weather Blanket
    • About $15
    • Can be used daily. Somewhat resistant and durable;
    • This blanket reflects 80% of radiated body heat back to you;
    • Weights 12 ounces;
    • http://www.rei.com/product/407106

  • SOL Heatsheets Emergency Blanket (still under consideration)
    • About $4.00 each
    • Weights only 2.5 ounces;
    • Not resistant: cannot be used on a regular basis; For emergencies only;
    • Reflects up to 90% of body heat back to you.
    • http://www.rei.com/product/813512


GPS
A GPS is essential in order to provide your exact location in case of emergency. The chosen unit depends on which route the trip will take.


If traveling across the central part of the country, a route/navigation model might be required due to the vast areas of low or no population. Best models are:

Garmin Edge 705 loaded with StreetMaps and speed sensor (about $350)


  • GPS-Enabled Cycle Computer
  • Sunlight-Readable Color Display
  • Features A High-Sensitivity Receiver That Holds A Signal Under Trees & Near Tall Buildings
  • Virtual Partner(R) Lets User Race A Virtual Competitor Over A Specified Distance & Speed
  • Courses Allow User To Race Against Previously Recorded Workouts
  • Automatically Measures Speed, Distance, Time, Calories Burned, Altitude, Climb & Descent
  • Microsd Card(Tm) Slot For Adding Map Detail & Storing Workouts, Courses & Saved Rides
  • "ANT + Sport" connectivity system

  • Barometric altimeter
  • Wireless speed/cadence sensors
  • Heart rate monitors
  • Street Maps SD Card option
http://www.amazon.com/s?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=edge+705\

Camping in Yosemite

Check out Camp 4, its just $5 a day, but accepts no reservations:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/camp4.htm

Showers are nearby at Curry Village.

If in contact with bears (mainly in Yosemite):



Interesting Sites to take a look