Why?
Because: 1. It is a new challenge for me.
2. To celebrate my 70th year on this planet.
3. To view the world from a bicycle point of view.
4. To learn about myself and become a better person, I hope -:).
5. To meet and learn from strangers.
6. To inspire others to take on new challenges and realize their dreams.
I have about 8 months to prepare, lots of time. Unsupported bicycle touring requires a lot of preparation and planning. I have to prepare myself physically, make sure that I can cycle 100 km a day for a few days in a row. Plan and study the route. Gather the proper equipments and supplies. Learn to do emergency repairs on the bike.
At my age the most important and difficult area, is preparing myself physically and mentally for this challenge. I have started to do a more discipline and rigorous exercise program. At the end of each month I will update this blog and report on my progress, on what I have done and what I still have to do to be ready for this tour.
******************
Today is Monday January the 30th. It is time to write a little report on what I have done this month to get ready for the tour. For the first two weeks I exercised regularly. I had one of my bicycle mounted on a trainer stand and rode it every other day, increasing the time and cadence gradually. At the end of the second week I was able to ride for 45 minutes and maintain a cadence between 85 to 90. I was pleased with my progress. Unfortunately the last two weeks I did not ride at all. Theresia and I drove to Clearwater Florida last Sunday, January 15. We are planning to return to Brampton before February the 12th. The training went out the window; but I did some research and study the route. I will keep on doing this and get myself familiar with the route as well as possible. My family do not like that I go by myself on this tour, so I have invited others to join me on this tour or part of the tour. I received two maybe replies. So some progress were made this month.
*************************
Wednesday, February 29, another month is about to pass. We came back to Brampton on Saturday, February the 11th and were welcomed with windy, cold and snowy weather,......yuch! I am back with my exercise program, back where I was a month ago. Continue studying the route whenever time permits. Bought a new tent and sleeping bag; they were on sale at MEC. Also bought a new saddle for my training bike. It is comfortable, no more numbness in the groin area after 45 minutes of hard pedaling. I may use this one on my tour.
*************************
Finally I am able to cycle outdoors. On Sunday, March 18, I flew back to Clearwater, Florida and for the first time this year, that day, I rode my bicycle outdoors on the road to go shopping for groceries. It felt great.
My preparation for the tour is now more focus and steady. From 45 minutes on the saddle indoors to 2 hours pedalling outdoors on the road. I will keep increasing the time and distance. Progress is slow but steady, and I am having fun.
The first 5 days of the tour is also roughly planned. I decided to go counter clockwise around the lake and stay overnight in Grimsby, Queenston, Fourmiles Creek Sate Park, Lakeside Beach State Park and Rochester. On the 6th day I will rest in Rochester; go to mass and visit the Kodak museum.
Training ride around Professor's Lake Brampton, late April.
Time flies,.........today is Monday April 30th. the last day of the month. Four months left to prepare. I got back to Brampton, Ontario on April 19. I was pleased with the progress I made with my training in Florida; with the help of the fantastic weather I managed to put in 550 km ride during my five weeks stay and gradually increased the riding distance to a 45 km ride. Unfortunately only yesterday, Sunday April 29, was I able to ride my bike outdoors since my return to Brampton. Have to push myself harder next month, that is starting tomorrow.......-:)
Bought a pair of bicycle shorts, used them on yesterdays ride. My bottom was happy after 2 hours on the saddle, no more irritations.
I was shopping for a small camp stove, but decided to make my own alcohol and or "sterno" gel stove. Lots of info about them on the internet. I will let you know next month how it goes. Am I having fun or what.......?
*****************************
My touring bike, Shadow, is a 2010 MEC Shadowlands.
The month of May was a good month; I rode 615 km total with one 66 km single ride. In the beginning I rode around Professor's Lake in Brampton, later on I went North West of Brampton towards the city of Glenn Williams. I am getting stronger. I feel that by the end of this month, June, I will be ready physically to do the tour. So I may slow down a little on my physical training but I would try to do some mini tour, that is an all day cycling carrying some loads or a one night camping trip with a fully loaded bike to test my gears.
Time flies,.........today is Monday April 30th. the last day of the month. Four months left to prepare. I got back to Brampton, Ontario on April 19. I was pleased with the progress I made with my training in Florida; with the help of the fantastic weather I managed to put in 550 km ride during my five weeks stay and gradually increased the riding distance to a 45 km ride. Unfortunately only yesterday, Sunday April 29, was I able to ride my bike outdoors since my return to Brampton. Have to push myself harder next month, that is starting tomorrow.......-:)
Bought a pair of bicycle shorts, used them on yesterdays ride. My bottom was happy after 2 hours on the saddle, no more irritations.
I was shopping for a small camp stove, but decided to make my own alcohol and or "sterno" gel stove. Lots of info about them on the internet. I will let you know next month how it goes. Am I having fun or what.......?
*****************************
The month of May was a good month; I rode 615 km total with one 66 km single ride. In the beginning I rode around Professor's Lake in Brampton, later on I went North West of Brampton towards the city of Glenn Williams. I am getting stronger. I feel that by the end of this month, June, I will be ready physically to do the tour. So I may slow down a little on my physical training but I would try to do some mini tour, that is an all day cycling carrying some loads or a one night camping trip with a fully loaded bike to test my gears.
I have made my own camping cooking system and had a great time researching and testing them; see my separate blog about it. I appreciate your comments.
Although still a little bit too early, with 3 months to go, I had contacted two members of the warmshowers.org and received positive replies. I am looking forward to meet and learn from people who loves bicycle touring.
************************
Today is Saturday, June 30th; the last day of the month. I did not do much cycling this month, just enough to maintain my current fitness level. Neither did I do some mini tour or camping to check out my gears and practice cycling fully loaded as planned. Must do those in July and pick up my physical training again; only 2 months to D day!
I have moved mounting my bicycle pump from below the bottom frame to the left chain stay frame. This allows me to mount another water bottle. By using the lower screw mount and one tie wrap, I manage to mount a water bottle holder on the bottom side of the lower frame, which could just hold a 500 ml water bottle without hitting the front fender.
Another water bottle holder is mounted at the handle bar level using two tie wraps. This one holds another 500 ml water bottle which I have modified to fit a small hose that functions like an adjustable straw.
I can pull out the 60 cm hose and use it as a straw while cycling, and push it back into the water bottle to store it. The hose is a left over from our old aquarium system.
With this set up I now have 3 water bottles on the bicycle, two 500 ml and one 750 ml. The 500 ml water bottles are filled with drinking water and the 750 ml with Gatorade drink of my own mixture from Gatorade powder.
From the pictures you can see that I have a handle bar bag and a frame bag on the bicycle. The handle bar bag will carry maps, passport, wallet with id's, credit card and cash, cell phones, camera, energy bars, shower caps and a bit of toilet paper. The frame bag will carry first aid kit and sun screen.
***************************
Tuesday July 31 2012. Only 33 days to D day!!!
I tried to cycle more in July. During the work week I cycled two or three days around the neighbourhood for about one and a half hour each time. On the week ends, Saturday or Sunday, I cycled North of Brampton for three to four hours. Sometimes Julian and Kristian accompanied me for the week end rides.
Cycling to Badlands, Cheltenham with Julian and Kristian. It is always nice to have company.
Shadow on the Trans Canada Trail, Caledon East.
Last Saturday, July 28, I participated a fully supported ride for charity, called 'Cycle Caledon challenge'. It was a 100 km ride through the rolling hills of the Niagara escarpment North of Brampton.
As D day quickly approaches, I feel that I have not prepared adequately for my tour. I have to do at least one mini bicycle tour with all my gears.
*****************************
Tomorrow is D day, Monday September 3 2012. It is the day I will start my solo unsupported bicycle tour around lake Ontario. I have planned and prepared as well as I could. Many things goes through my mind. Many feelings aroused. I do a lot of self reflections. This tour is truly a self discovery process.
This will also be my last entry in this journal. I will write a follow up journal upon my return from the tour. Keep me in your prayers, so that I may stay safe, healthy and have some fun. Thanks for reading my journals. Bye.
Although still a little bit too early, with 3 months to go, I had contacted two members of the warmshowers.org and received positive replies. I am looking forward to meet and learn from people who loves bicycle touring.
************************
Today is Saturday, June 30th; the last day of the month. I did not do much cycling this month, just enough to maintain my current fitness level. Neither did I do some mini tour or camping to check out my gears and practice cycling fully loaded as planned. Must do those in July and pick up my physical training again; only 2 months to D day!
I have moved mounting my bicycle pump from below the bottom frame to the left chain stay frame. This allows me to mount another water bottle. By using the lower screw mount and one tie wrap, I manage to mount a water bottle holder on the bottom side of the lower frame, which could just hold a 500 ml water bottle without hitting the front fender.
Another water bottle holder is mounted at the handle bar level using two tie wraps. This one holds another 500 ml water bottle which I have modified to fit a small hose that functions like an adjustable straw.
I can pull out the 60 cm hose and use it as a straw while cycling, and push it back into the water bottle to store it. The hose is a left over from our old aquarium system.
With this set up I now have 3 water bottles on the bicycle, two 500 ml and one 750 ml. The 500 ml water bottles are filled with drinking water and the 750 ml with Gatorade drink of my own mixture from Gatorade powder.
From the pictures you can see that I have a handle bar bag and a frame bag on the bicycle. The handle bar bag will carry maps, passport, wallet with id's, credit card and cash, cell phones, camera, energy bars, shower caps and a bit of toilet paper. The frame bag will carry first aid kit and sun screen.
***************************
Tuesday July 31 2012. Only 33 days to D day!!!
I tried to cycle more in July. During the work week I cycled two or three days around the neighbourhood for about one and a half hour each time. On the week ends, Saturday or Sunday, I cycled North of Brampton for three to four hours. Sometimes Julian and Kristian accompanied me for the week end rides.
Cycling to Badlands, Cheltenham with Julian and Kristian. It is always nice to have company.
Shadow on the Trans Canada Trail, Caledon East.
Last Saturday, July 28, I participated a fully supported ride for charity, called 'Cycle Caledon challenge'. It was a 100 km ride through the rolling hills of the Niagara escarpment North of Brampton.
As D day quickly approaches, I feel that I have not prepared adequately for my tour. I have to do at least one mini bicycle tour with all my gears.
*****************************
Tomorrow is D day, Monday September 3 2012. It is the day I will start my solo unsupported bicycle tour around lake Ontario. I have planned and prepared as well as I could. Many things goes through my mind. Many feelings aroused. I do a lot of self reflections. This tour is truly a self discovery process.
This will also be my last entry in this journal. I will write a follow up journal upon my return from the tour. Keep me in your prayers, so that I may stay safe, healthy and have some fun. Thanks for reading my journals. Bye.
No comments:
Post a Comment