Monday, August 27, 2012

Well,
I've never posted to a blog, used Facebook or "followed" anyone until just recently. I just figured out how to follow people on Twitter (Lance Armstrong and the Chicago Fire MLS team).  So, this may not be the most interesting thing for you to follow, but a few people have been asking, and we figured this would be the best way for anyone who did want to follow our trip.

This ride was not my idea. During a loop of Lake Superior on the motorcycles a few years back, I saw people on gear laden bikes, working thier a""es off, and I thought, Idiots. If youve never been on the Trans Canadian Highway north of Lake Superior, heres my best description:  Trees, Water, Ginourmous hills, Trees, Water....you get the idea.

So, this spring I ran the idea of doing this ride past co-worker Dan Burgoni, and he was game, Charlie Lipke (Former co-worker Coreen Puetzs' significant others father) seemed like he would be interested, he was,           and here we are.

When:
September 11th to September 21st.....Or maybe less....if we have good will power, and some luck with the weather.

The Route:
Duluth/Superior to Sault. St. Marie         see charlies post for maps

Preparation:
Professional Cyclist Tyler Hamilton once said...."if youd like to become a better rider you only need to do three things, Ride, Ride, Ride". I think we have done plenty of that. Im at about 2500 miles this summer, mostly on the Surly, with the bags weighing in at about 65lbs. I believe Charlie has probably doubled that mileage if not more, he will be pulling the "bob" trailer. Dan's been out there too...not sure on his mileage, but he was a strong rider early this summer, so I believe were all ready. Dans on a cross bike with panniers also.

The Ride:
We are taking the conservative approach for planning, leaving ourselves plenty of days to get it done. After riding this summer with the bags loaded up, I determined 12mph was about all I could keep as an average without working too hard. Painfully slow....but I got used to it. So, we planned for 10mph average, 80miles a day. That gives us enough light, time to eat, relax a bit...but not too much.

Accommodations:
We all have our own lightweight tents (Thanks Zac Zimmerman for letting me use yours) , a backpackers stove (Thanks Marshall Ogren), and maybe a night in a motel halfway to get one night in a real bed, a shower. We have no reservations, or plans on where were going to sleep. Theres not much up there, so "stealth" camping in the woods, town parks, or provincial parks will all work.

Food:
Bring a little, buy a little along the way, and hopefully finding good cafes for a meal each day.

Critters:
Everyone asks me...."but what about the bears?" Well, I know they are up there. They generally dont eat meat and im wearing earplugs when I sleep, so I wont hear the screaming.....including my own.

Actually, everyone I have asked about it says they leave you alone, unless you sleep with your food, and your very unlucky. Im not sleeping with my food.....

Moose, Saw one two years ago run in front of the motorcycles....but I think we were very lucky to see it. They post signs warning of all the moose on the road, but I think its just a ploy to get more of us to vacation up there.....dollar is not so strong in canada these days.

Im more afraid of when I return and give Zac that smelly tent back.

So, We plan on posting every day if we can. WiFi is not exactly easy to find, so we will do the best we can. Hopefully we will get some photos on there too...

John
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Saturday, August 25, 2012

My Ride (john)








The Surly Long Haul Trucker.....Ready to go.
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Friday, August 24, 2012

Bob Trailer


Trailer being used for the trip (Charlie)
Many simply call their's "Bob". It is the name given by the manufacturer. The trailer weighs 17 pounds empty so that is significant weight. However, it takes a lot of the load off the bike which is helpful in my case.
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North Shore Route Maps

Pure estimates of our ride route per day. Garmin Maps:
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