Buy the ticket, take the ride

"Get in."

Well the time has come folks. I'm set to fly from Newfoundland on none other than Canada day! It wasn't my intention but it seems like a fitting day to begin a cross country trip eh? I leave July 1st at 5am and arrive in BC around 12pm local time. I'm hoping I can get my bike assembled and my ass down to Victoria to stay the night with some willing participant from Warmshowers. These are strange and exciting times.

I've picked up some more gear the past few weeks as well. I've got a Cat's Meow sleeping bag from The North Face along with a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir mattress and Down Pillow, so my sleeping gear is complete. I went camping a week ago and slept quite well in 0 degree temperatures despite getting a leak in my mattress from foolishly putting it too close to the fire. Luckily it was easily patched and holds air just fine again. Also, I can fit all the sleeping gear and tent in one bag!

My Giro Junction clip shoes arrived and for the sake of your knees read this and take the time to adjust the cleat to suit how you ride. I did a 100km without doing so and my left knee still feels like it is full of razor blades. Anyways, for rain gear I picked up a Gore-Tex Paclite Shell jacket and Sugoi Majik Shell Pants as well as a pair of Adidas ClimaProof Wind Road Booties. I should be snug as a bug in overpriced gear when the rain inevitably hits.

Surly unloaded

My racks have arrived and have been installed along with the fenders. I've also picked up an Ortlieb MudRacer saddle bag for keeping valuables handy and safe. I've been debating on a handlebar bag but I don't think it's necessary at this point. I'm open to opinions on that one.

I've really come to appreciate how much easier it is to travel when you don't have the weight of a backpack constantly pulling down on your spine. The weight of the bike with all the gear loaded on takes a bit of getting used to but it is still fairly easy to handle as long as you control your speed down hills and preemptively switch to low gears before going up them.

My buddy lent me a hacked Nintendo DS for the trip so that should provide some entertainment on a few rainy days. I've also been loading my Kobo up with books and filling a few cards with mp3s. If anyone has any suggestions for music or books feel free to comment.

Anyways just wanted to keep this brief for now. I'll post a pic of the bike fully loaded in the next few days along with a gear/cost list and my planned route across Canada! Lemme show you something...