Paid Off My Car =:D

This morning I went to the bank with a grin. I was about to make a final payment on the loan for my car. By no means was this the the last scheduled payment but the final one. I had a few months left, so it was a pretty good sized chunk of trip money. However, with that payment, my net worth went up just a tad.

Now that I've spent the last four years paying that thing off, its time to sell, Sell, SELL!!! I have it up on Craigslist and have been getting emails about it since about 5 mins after I posted. Now I just need to stay firm (thats what she said!) with the price and I will recoup what I just forked out for the final payment.

If any of you are interested you can find the post here.

It just feels so nice to pay that sucker off! Its MINE!!! Mine all mine! For now at least. Showing it tomorrow to a few people. All of them sound like they want it and will take it now, but everybody 'wants' it. Not everybody is willing to pay the price. Worth waaayyy more than asking so...

Anyway, one more step closer! This was a big accomplishment for me, not only for this trip but, in life. I out-rite own a car.

2 Weeks Away!!!

2 more weeks! It is coming up soooo quickly. I feel like I still have so much to do. Truthfully, all I need to do is sell my car and get rid of a few more things. It is so hard to see people I won't be seeing for a long time, however these same people are giving me great ideas of things to do while away.

It is especially hard to go inside my room and start to sort through my things. I have always had a problem with throwing things away, because it all means so much to me. Now I have to get rid of 99% of it. Insane!!! Stuff is just stuff. Getting weened off of materials is something we should all do, so that we can enjoy each other and the time we have together.

The past few days of work I have caught myself wrapped up in thoughts. Some one will break my train of thought and ask me if I'm ok. Oops! Didn't even realize I was lost in my head. 'Oh, ya I'm fine. Just have a lot on my mind' I tell them. With good reason too. With so little time left, it is time to update my research. I'm checking the weather and finding freezing weather; I'm checking the maps and getting directions and finding dirt roads; I'm getting my panniers packed and unpacked and packed and unpacked to get the practice. Getting people's information to keep in contact, making sure I have all my emergency information set up, getting squared away with my bank and car, getting a power of attorney just in-case anything happens...all of this and some is going through my head. How do I go across the Atlantic? Boat, freighter, plane?  More adventure in the boat but more time too. Less time on a plane but no story/experience. Geesh! I know I'll have plenty of time to think about it on the ride to Long Beach, NY but this is just more to think about.

Shaving Down a Stick

Right now I am sitting at work shaving down wooden dowel to make a sizing rod for making untensil rings. Imagine me sitting in my cut-off jean shorts and BikeStation polo. Now, imagine me with a 3 foot oak dowel and a not-so-sharp pocket knife...reciepe for a long day. Just standing over the trash can, to catch the shavings, and...back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Trust me, this is not an enuendo. It would be a lot cooler if it was though, that is for sure!

To the left is the length of the dowel, which I am shaving down to create a sizing rod for the rings. It started out as wide as the top left picture shows, now it is just as wide as the penny is. It needs to get even smaller to size women's hands. Geez, what a mind numbing task. At least it will give me something to do on the road. Who knows, maybe I'll sharpen it to a point so i can fish with it too...I guess I will just have to wait and see!

Packing List

Every trip has a list of things you bring with so that you aren't without. Most trips have emenities at the destination so one doesn't have to bring too much with them and one can travel light. This trip doesn't fall into that category. I will need to bring all of the necessities and none of the bs that we normally bring. Weight is key!

Here is the list:

Everything packed and mounted on my bike. Front bags are empty, awaiting food.



Definately need to distribute the weight a little better!



Compression sac, dry Ortlieb bag.



Laptop, dry sac, front Ortlieb pannier, sleeping bag.



Dishwear, flask, journal, mallet, flashlight, hatchet, multiple knives.



First Aid kit, pancho, tubes, dry food, maps, goggles(clear and tinted for riding)



Tent, tools, more panniers



The complete set up, unpacked. I can't believe this is all I will have for a while.

• First Aid kit
• 20degree sleeping bag
• Sierra 1 man tent
• Ortlieb panniers
• 2 Stone Brewery jerseys
• 2 pair cycling shorts
• multiple lighting systems
• Toshiba Netbook
• Canon PowerShoot A3100 camera
• Army knife and wet stone
• small pocket knife
• Surly Long Haul Trucker
• Primo BMX platform pedals
• Origin8 powerstraps
• Planet Bike Cascadia fenders
• Bell SweepXC helmet
• frame pump
• 1 small pot, spork, plate
• ThermaRest sleeping pad
• hatchet
• mallet (for making spoon rings to sell along the way)
• 2 journals
• maps for the states I'm passing through
• plate, bowl, mug, skillet
• 2 spare tubes
• spare tire
• tools-spoke wrench, chain breaker, lube, phillips/flathead screwdriver, hex wrenches, open ended wrenches, spare cables, duct tape, patch kits, repair boots(for tires), ect.
• fishing line(for sewing repairs or stitching myself up)
• compression bag
• dry sac

This is the majority of everything I'm bringing. I still need to get a compass, nylon rope and a small alcohol stove. Besides that, and food along the way, I am all set and have everything I need to start. I plan on figuring out what else I need when it comes up. I am pretty sure I have everything I need to survive and will just want a few other things for comfort. If you see something I am missing in this list or in the pictures above, write a comment and let me know. I may have missed something.

A New Year's Eve Ride with My Lady

So Hannah and I went for a short nye ride from her house to the beach, then to the pier, then for a mid ride burger at T.K. Burger before we headed back to her house. It was a nice ride and we met a couple that were running with their children. The husband had some things to say to me about my bike. He knew I was going to tour because of the straps I had on my pedals. After Hannah and I pedaled away from them, we continued our afternoon stroll and headed to the beach. It was a fun ride with great scenery and lovely company. Here are some of the pictures of SoCal on the last day of the year. Eat your heart out if you are somewhere it is cold/snowing/raining! (sorry, just couldn't resist :-] )

Our bikes got to hang out alone while we ate some lunch.

Spelled properly even!

Don't be jealous

Waiting for the stupid pedestrian traffic to pass

HEY YOU!!!



I hope you all had a great New Year beginning. I know I sure did. Please be safe on the road and don't forget you share it with the cyclists and sometimes even the animals. Enjoy whatever celebrations you have in store and make sure to pass with plenty of room!

more more more pictures from SF to LB, CA

Streetz and Justin at 'Sea Lion Beach' literally

Pint of Jameson anyone?!?

I can't seem to stay away from the Stone.

Quick food and drink stop in Morro Bay before we hit the camp ground.

Dirty feet

Justin, a lone rider doing the same route. Traveled with us the last 4 days into LA. Turns out he works for New Belgium Brewery! Figures.

Velo Pro Goleta, the shop I worked at in Santa Barbara.

Riding on CA 101.

Not much room for error!

What happens when its raining and you don't have fenders! Road Grime!!!

Carrying wood on the LHT for the last night of camping in Oxnard.

Last morning together, mapping out the route.

Home at last! What a sight for sore eyes.

I didn't even want to stop at my house. Just wanted to keep going!