Yesterday my wristband from RAGBRAI arrived:
I also ordered a few bits and pieces from Bike Friday to finish off the bike before I go. Top on my list was a new set of tires. My big concern is not speed, I’m slow enough that any tire is faster than I need as long as it isn’t flat. That would be my big concern. High on the list is comfort as well.
I’ve been riding Schwalbe Marathons at 20×1.50 which have so far proved mostly bulletproof. I’d originally had a part of Kenda Kontacts as 20×1.75 which were comfortable but almost immediately flatted. It happened again a few months later with even worse results, a ripped sidewall. I’ve had no such trouble with the Marathons (knock on wood).
Still they are getting a little long in the tooth to trust on a cross state ride. I’d wear ’em right down to the tube here as I know I can catch TheBus back home but the middle of Iowa is a different story. The solution, of course, is to reshod my bike before I go. The 20×1.5s were purchased because I couldn’t get anything else locally and needed tires quickly. This time I’m going up a step in size, back to 20×1.75 (love that cushy ride) and in quality (if possible). Schwalbe claims:
Punctures become obsolete with the MARATHON PLUS! The SmartGuard layer made from a flexible, special rubber offers particular resistance to shards of glass and flints. Even a thumbtack cannot penetrate this protective layer. The SmartGuard belt does not increase rolling resistance.
If my experience with the regular Marathons means anything, they may be right.
I’d already replaced the cabling and brakes before my frame troubles so they are essentially brand new. I’ll probably grab a new set of pads to take along, but that’ll pretty much do it on that end. What else?
I did purchase a new rear fender to replace the one I have that is cracked in half (bad packing on one trip or another) and an “underbag” for my folding rear rack. It’s just a little bag that sits under the rack instead of on top of it.
It’ll hold my tools and tubes and such.
I also am adding another waterbottle cage under the frame to I can carry enough water to beat the Iowa sun (though I plan on stopping at every lemonade stand I can find as well and I suspect there’ll be lots of vendors along the way).
My bottles are green, of course, to match my bike. Sigh. Vanity, vanity.
I’ve already gotten all my clothes and camping stuff together so that really just leaves toiletries. It’s suggested to bring along lots of packs of tissues (as opposed to the rolled kind) as well as a variety of wipes. I also need some bug stuff to beat off the mosquitoes. Basically we are talking about a trip to Long’s.
It’s all coming together. I’m even doing well on the mileage. Of the 1550 miles I plan to ride before RAGBRAI I’m already clocked about 1140 (73%). At the end of last week I was about 250 miles ahead of schedule so in fact my 1550 will probably be about 1800, but who’s counting? Actually now that I see 1800 on paper (as it were), I’m tempted to make it an even 2000. I rode 140 the week before the training plan actually started so if I just toss in an extra 60 miles somewhere I can honestly claim 2000 miles in the weeks leading up to RAGBRAI. To be honest I think it’ll be nice to be done with counting miles when this is all over. \
I just wish I could ride the Honolulu Century ride this year (other obligations). It’s not my favorite local ride (Haleiwa Metric Century), but after all this riding I figure I’d be ready for it as I’ve never been before.
Speaking of local rides, I noticed there’s a memorial ride coming up that basically circles the island over the course of two days. It’s a memorial/awareness ride honoring the Zachary Manago who died while riding last December:
I haven’t decided if I’m going to make the ride yet, it’ll probably be too fast for me (though the distance isn’t a problem) and I’d hate to be out at Kaena Point by my lonesome.
Aloha!
