Bike Box Packing

 Let's just say good thing I started a day early. Originally I thought it would only take my about half an hour to pack up my bike to take on the plane. Definitely not the case. The first hour was spent taking my bike apart and deciding which bike box I was going to use. I came to the conclusion that the two boxes I had were not going to work. Off to the bike store I went to get another box. I got a third box, this one packed slightly different and would require me to take of the rear wheel but makes it easier to fill the box with the rest of my gear. Another hour past with me trying to figure how to arrange the frame and the wheels in the box. At this point I was getting very sleepy so I put packing on hold and had a solid 90 minute nap, ate some food and then got back at.

Now, I had everything arranged the way I wanted but I still needed to make the box wider so I used one of the other boxes to cut strips out and increase the width of my current box by about 2 inches. Then I started zap straping everything  and filling the spaces with all my gear that I don't want/need for the plane ride. Everything was wrapped in foam or bubble wrap. Oh bubble wrap so entertaining.

Everything I wanted to be in the box fit and I had to double check that all the pieces I took off my bike ended up in that box so when I get to Amsterdam I will be able to fully assemble my bike (no idea how long that will take me, but should be a very entertaining process).  From start to finish, only took me 7 hours, no big deal.

 Next I put the lid back on the box, covered it in fragile stickers, added my name, address and phone number, and Dad strapped it shut.

That was all done last night. When I got up this morning, I was informed by my Mom that I was going to have to open the box and remove the derailleur. I actually didn't take to long to open the box, remove the one screw that attached the derailleur and then seal the box again. Whew. Of course my dad supervised and helped throughout the entire process. I am just hoping that it makes it to Amsterdam safely and I will be able to put it back together on my own.

My First Tire Change

Rating: 6 out of 10

With the supervision of my dad, I attempted to change my tire this evening, as I was too exhausted to actually ride but I felt my bike was in dire need of attention. Today, was my first attempt after watching Rob from Caps South Shore do it. I was able to get it off no problem, the putting it back on was the more difficult part.

My dad was on hand to make sure I didn't screw anything up and to make sure I did everything in the right order. The hardest part was the last couple of steps which were making sure the beading was even (the tire was centered all the way around the rim) and to fully inflate the tire. My little hand pump is going to force me to build up my guns to get enough pressure into my tires. Hopefully, I won't be fixing a flat too often on the road because 90% of the time it takes me to do so well be spent pumping up my tires.

I didn't time myself but I feel it took me way longer than it should have. Oh well, it was just my first attempt, things will only get easier.

Minor Details

So much can be accomplished if you just put your mind to it. This past weekend a lot of biking and bike maintenance ideas were going through my mind, and to no surprise my mind wanders and then starts thinking about what I still need to buy to pack and then I start thinking about how awesome my pictures are going to be and how I'll be carrying 20Gb of memory space and then in one of the many bike stores I was in this weekend, a helmet cam caught my attention. Yowza those things are expensive. I've already spend way more money on this trip than I originally planned on, but oh well, it's kind of a once in a lifetime trip, so I have been able to justify every cent I have spent so far. Anyways back to this helmet cam, it is not nearly as fancy nor does it look as good as ones you can buy in the but I believe it will serve it purpose and it cost me next to nothing. Simple yet effective. I should probably have taken off the sticker that is still on my camera but oh well. 

So for the next 21 days, I will spend my free time training and tying up all the lose ends. I still need to lock down to more nights of accomadations, one in the Netherlands and one in Germany. I need to buy rain gear and I need to phone my airline to see if there is a cheaper way to ship my bike to Europe. Just a few minor details to take care of. As I get closer to departure the excitement raises and the nervousness is pushed aside.

Packing List

I have been finishing off the shopping for my trip. I have a few small things left to pick up like rain pants, shoe covers, buy some euros, and get a power adapter. I still have a few decisions to make on amount of extra clothing and footwear I want to take/have room for. The amount of cash I want to carry with me. So many minor details that I need to take care of in the next few weeks. June is coming faster and faster.

I have picked up in training and now that I have bought new panniers I will begin to add weight to my training sessions. I also now have a new training buddy which will make my training more enjoyable.

I have picked up a few lonely planet books from the library and will begin reading them over the next couple of days to see what kinds of things I want to see in Amsterdam and Budapest, and also what types of things I should expect to see while Europe.

Last weekend, I was at Metrotown for a the ride-a-thon supporting the Pacific Coast Riders that leave in two weeks on their trip. I rode for maybe two hours on bikes that were too big where I could barely reach the pedal when it was at its lowest point. Highlight of the day was when an older gentlemen was flirting with one of the guy riders...

The Search for Accomadations and the Language Barrier

Today, I started looking for accommodations for the tour. I am responsible for the first few days while were are in the Netherlands and the first day of Germany. The internet of course was my first resource and the contacts of the places the riders stayed at last year. I have sent out some emails and now I have to wait for what hopefully will be a positive response. While on my search of these cities, I have been looking for cool things to see/do in each one. Some have links to things that are not in English. This makes me sad yet happy. Sad that I don't understand a darn thing on the page, but  happy that hopefully I'll pick up some new languages or at least a few words while on this trip.

So if you know any good places 25 riders can stay for free in the Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, or Hungry, let me know. Or if you know of any cool things to do or see also let me know and I'll try and check them out while I am there.

The End of Exams

Finally, I have finished my exams. I am currently moving out of my apartment and moving back to my parents as my lease is up at the end of the month. As of right now I am sleeping on a foam mattress and the tv is sitting on the floor. The only part of my apartment that is still intact is the kitchen. Food is the most important, so my ability to eat has been left alone. Sleeping and entertainment are secondary to eating.

So with the stress of exams and moving out of the way, I can begin to focus on the planning and training for my trip.

And it will start with a big shopping trip to MEC tomorrow. I am hoping to stick to my shopping list but every time I end up there I always spend way more money than I plan.

The ride preparations are about to ramp up mentally and physically.

My First Agent Training Ride

On Sunday I participated in my first agent training ride. We met up at Bikes on the Drive at 1l am. From there wewe crossed the Second Narrows Bridge and headed to Deep Cove. It took us about an hour to get there. That bridge is very scary thing to cross. First the pathway is very narrow and makes you have tunnel vision. Plus it gets really windy on the bridge deck, the cars are really close, and the cars go really fast. The path/sidewalk is really bumpy which did not create the greatest feeling in my shoulder.

The bridge climb really tested my mental strength. I made it over the bridge, but it took a lot of me talking to myself to keep pedaling. Oh, did my legs burn when I reached the apex of the bridge. The rest of the way to Deep Cove was rolling hills but they were manageable.

Once we reached Deep Cove we stopped for a little break. We indulged in some delicious donuts from Honeys and a little "grape juice". I must admit that was the most delicious greasiest donut I have ever had.

After our break we headed back to over the bridge and then went on our separate ways.

Riding in group with a specific destination is way better than riding on my trainer in my apartment. The conversation, the company and scenery were magnificent. This ride had definitely increased my excitement for Europe about a bjillion times. I need to put in more training hours, but my legs were not sore the next day but I did feel extremely tired, like I wanted to lie in bed all day but of course the next day I was up at 5:40 to get to work. And life goes on...