Wrapping up the prep-work...

So- it's been a busy couple weeks since the first post, and my pre-ride training has been pretty much as planned.  Over 1000 miles ridden in June, and almost 300 so far this July, so I'm as ready as I'll ever be!  The last couple of days have been spent packing, and then repacking all my gear, and test-riding things on the bike.  Yesterday's second shakedown ride into work has everything pretty well dialied in-- here's what my travel rig looks like:

On the Erie Canal path on the way into Syracuse for work.  That's 

everything I should need on the bike, though I'm not camping, so that helps a lot!

The bike itself is only about 17lbs, and with bags loaded with spare clothing (one change of cycling gear, and one set of street clothes), tools, i-pad, phone, food, and a couple of water bottles, it all comes in right around 30lbs total.  It handles very normally on the flat or on downhills, and only sways a bit on uphills-- that long seat bag wags around some no matter what!

last night I spent most of the evening breaking everything down and packing it for travel, including the bike (a Ritchey "Break-Away" model), which conveniently breaks into two frame halves that fit into a 26"x26"x8" bag that qualifies as a standard "checked" bag, so no extra charge on my frequent flyer fight.   So, all is ready for the flight out to San Francisco in the morning ;-)

Fingers crossed, I'll arrive in San Francisco mid-afternoon tomorrow, my bags will all make it there OK, and meet up OK with Norma, and be ready to hit the ground running (or riding!).