First S24O: Berry Springs Park

About a week ago or so I went on my first Sub 24 Hour Overnight cycling “tour”.
I got home a little later than I wanted to but luckily, I had pre-packed everything save for a few little odds and ends. I changed out of work clothes and into cycling clothes and jumped on the bike and headed out from my driveway.  It was a short eight miles or so (not really sure since I don’t have a computer on the Kona as of yet.) IT was overcast and spitting rain here and there with 45% chance of thunderstorms. Not necessarily the best “first” night experience one could hope for.  I rode easy and packed with my tent in my right rear pannier along with the camp stove (Jet-Boil) and freeze-dried food stuffs. I only had rear panniers and a handle-bar bag. Didn’t need front panniers on this trip. A change of clothes and toiletries in the other along with some miscellaneous stuff. Once packed I could already tell that my sleeping bag is rather large for extended touring.  I will have to revisit my choice in the future but for now, I think it will work for short weekend trips.  I arrived at the camp sight which is a local community (city) park that was a former pecan orchard. It’s really nice.

I have to say, the Kona is supremely smooth. An incredible ride.
Like I said above, it sprinkled and spit rain here and there while I set up my tent. Across the way were two troops of boy scouts and two troops of girl scouts. I didn’t see myself getting much sleep that night. Got everything set up and then I took off for the showers. It was a nice one.  Very clean. Got back to my tent and it started to rain in earnest so in the tent I go.

As soon as I crawled in lightning struck not too far off with a vision impairing blindness and an ear drum splitting clap. I faintly heard the screams of both scout camps. In fact, upon reflection, I think that may have actually been me. Either way, I was not getting out of the tent.
I cooked my dinner in the vestibule area and enjoyed a hot meal.

Afterwards, I laid back on my Exped SynMat UL 7 and quickly thanked my lovely bride for that anniversary gift. It seriously was like sleeping on a full thickness air mattress.  I highly recommend it. I’m 6 foot and well over 250 lbs. and I slept on my back and side (inside my Coleman Sabine sleeping bag) and never felt the hard ground below.
I laid there for about an hour and fb’d and texted and few family and friends. Listened to the laughter and giggles of the scouts. Thought about doing my own version of The Blair Witch movie and scare the scouts half to death but figured I was already nice and warm and so I just stuck with snapping a few Blair–esque pictures.

I fell asleep and slept like a baby with the rolling thunder and rain patter on the tent. At some point in the night, a rockin’ thunder clap shot me out of the sleep and flashes of lightning lit up the sky like high noon but it didn’t take long to fall back to sleep.
I woke early to a beautiful sunny morning. I stepped outside and saw that half of the boy scouts had vacated as well as all of the girl scouts at some point in the night.
I packed up after some coffee and bacon and eggs courtesy of Mountain House Scrambled Eggs with Bacon. I took a long-ish way home and enjoyed every minute of it.
The weight of the bike was something I was not used too as I did not take and ‘pre’ runs or ‘shakedown’ rides.  I learned a bit for my next trip but all in all, I have to say that I really enjoyed this on several levels.
One, that I finally got off my ass and actually quit talking about it and did it.
Two, the S24O is worth it.
Three, the camping. I really enjoy it.  It wasn’t how I normally spend my Friday nights and that itself is worth it. To break out of the norm.
I liked it.
You should try it.

Tour de Starbucks

Well, the weather didn’t disappoint. It was 69 degrees this morning when I rode out of my driveway. I hadn’t really decided on a course yet, I just knew I wanted to take my time and enjoy this weather while it lasted.  Knowing I needed something to eat and drink, I headed to the nearest Starbucks. It’s a new one they just opened up. Took a little time to wake up, chat with a few other customers who were starting their day and nibble on a donut and drink a cup of coffee. After that I decided I would ride to the other Starbucks in town. I made my way down and around and through this and that and not really worrying about speed or cadence or heart rate. I just wanted to enjoy the sun coming up and the cool north wind blowing. About halfway there I really started to feel my back tighten up. I was thinking I should stop and stretch it out but then remembered that my gym is right around the corner from my destination and has massage chairs!

I arrive at the gym, place my bike inside and grab some coins from the clerk and proceeded to get my massage for the next 15 minutes.  It did wonders for me.

I made my way to the second Starbucks around the corner and got my water bottle filled. The next few miles were really fun since I was going south and had the now 20 to 25 mph wind at my back. I wound my way around the outskirts of downtown knowing that my next destination would require a trip through the town square. The roads in and around the square are not really meant for bikes, no shoulder of any kind and all of them are curbed. No sidewalks to bail out to either. Luckily, a lot of drivers are used to seeing bicyclists and give plenty of room.

I made it to the square and as usual, an arts and crafts fair was in swing.  I decided to take a look-see and get my pic snapped.

One happy cyclist.

After browsing here and there it was north into the headwinds for the last stop. Starbucks number 3.

Arrived a lot more tired and frustrated than I should have been. The time off the bike was showing.

Rested and chatted with a few people and then the final leg began, all north back home. I was not looking forward to this.  Wont bore you with details just know that I made it home in good shape.

For the last few rides I have heard a clicking noise from somewhere on my bike. It sounded like it was coming from the front fork but logic say the BB is suspect. Will need to get that looked at. I say that to say this, I didn’t hear it at all today and I think it’s because I really wasn’t going for speed and ‘hammering’ the cranks.  Again, will have to get it looked at soon, I don't like my bike making noises.

All in all, it was a good ride. Love my Jamis but on rides like this, I really would like the Vaya (see last post). The larger tires on it would make for a more comfortable ride. I took the 23cm off this bike you see above and put 28cm treads (the tires you see in the picture). Has made a big difference but the larger tires on the Vaya would be awesome!  Think I just may have to pull the trigger on the Vaya here soon.

Got lost, got found, cooled off, had fun.

Tuesday evevning outing.  Still learing to play with the cameras. The mount to my GOPRO broke and you can see it bouncing along the trail behind me. Look for the little silver thing. My brakes are shot and well...my whole bike is shot.  It's a 1996 Trek ST-120 all stock save for a few mods.  Longer stem and heavy duty springs in the forks instead of elastomers. Everything else is stock. 

 

Hope you enjoy the vid.