Shakedown learnings - Top Ten

The purpose of the trip was two fold, to have some fun riding and camping in the great out of doors, and to figure gear, food and methodology issues.

Lesson # 1 - I can do this, and even enjoy it! Rediscovered a cool area in my own back yard off of Gold Camp road. Made the first day with over 4000' of climbing. Got up and did more miles the next day. Did not HURT myself!

Lesson # 2 - Too many pounds of SHHHH-tuff. Holy crap, batman! I hadn't added up the 4 or 5 components of the extra weight before, probably as a coping mechanism to maintain my mental health! And,  I think my estimate in an earlier posting was probably off by 3 or 4 pounds; Iprobably was pulling 80 extra pounds. I still have a few items I didn't bring with ( solar panel, emergency beacon, wall charger....)

So a few less luxuries. Need to reduce redundancies, and look for double duty.

Camelbak pack and bladder. I added a pack on top for stuff I would use during the day, as getting into the BOB dry sack was a bit involved. Plus I then have a pack for day rides and hiking. Idea is good, pack choice can be optimized. The Camelbak pack is relatively large and heavy at 2.4 pounds, and the bladder is another 0.5 lbs. Found a smaller hydration pack, that can use my existing platypus camping bladder for a reservoir.
--- Saving ~ 2 lbs.

Sleeping pads. I had figured that I need good rest on this tour, as I was going to tent sleep 50 or 60 days. Since I was using a trailer, I felt could afford to bring a 2 mattress system, A 3/4' backpacking mattress that is an integral part of my down sleeping bag, and a cushy 2.5' in Big Agnes Sand Mountain mattress. Well, it was cushy, but that Big Agnes weighs about 2 lbs, and had to go. Fortunately I picked up a new 2' light weight thermorest at the REI garage sale and replaced the older backpacking mattress, so I think I can have my cake and eat it to. New pad weighs the same as the older backpacking pads.
----- Savings - 2 lbs

Spare tire for the trailer - gonna risk it, I do have tire boot patches, and repair tape( Gorilla tape) to try to limp out, or avail myself to a good Samaritan. Worst case I can dump the trailer and head for civilization for replacement, I still have a spare tube for the trailer and also a spare bike tire.
-- Saving 15 oz

Camp Chair - I have one of those sleeping pad accessories that turns the pad into a camp chair.  - Out. Sigh........
-- Saving 14 oz

Knives - Brought a new camp knife to use ( and promptly injured myself with it first night out). As it turns out, it was my 3rd knife blade the other two being on my Leatherman, and the bike multi-tool. Also, removed the leatherman leather case to reduce weight.
- Saving 7 oz

Inflatable pillow - Found I like a stuff sack with clothes better than dedicated plastic pillow.
- Saving  6 oz

Pumps - I brought both my mountain hand pump and CO2 system. Redundant, tested mountin pump a coupel of weeks ago, dropping the CO2 system.
-- Saving 6 oz

Spare parts - Less spokes, less cables, less lube ( bring half full bottle) Can replenish if needed.
- Saving 4 oz

Sun Screen - Gee, I had 3 bottles. Down to just the main one now
- Saving 3 oz

Water - I started each day with 5 24 ox bottles (120 oz) of water, or about 8 pounds. Seems like I can easily shed 3-5 lbs on days I can filter water regularly in route, though the tradeoff is time. However, on the plus side, it provides a built in excuse to stop and smell the roses during the day, and let my body recover a bit too. The days with out readily available water tend to be in dry basins or park areas, which are generally flatter and easier riding.
- Saving 3-5 lbs on some days.

Clothing - down one shirt, and a pair of socks from the meager wardrobe. Picked some lighter socks to reduce weight. Ruminating over how heavy, thick of fleece gloves to bring.

Lesson #3 - Bike Clothing - I had issues with both jerseys and shorts. The shorts chosen will not make the trip, testing others with better comfort. I am testing other jersey and compensating ideas as well.

Lesson #4 - Books - It is good to have some reading material in case you get weathered in, but I will drop the physical book and try downloading some ebooks onto my phone. The guide book is 075 lbs, I might cut it in half and exchange halves when I stop in Breckenridge.

Lesson #5 - Food -
I used gel shots to get me over the late day hump and to finish. The ones I was using had caffeine, and that disturbed my sleep. Will try some without. Electrolyte replenish. used Propel packets, but occasionally made my stomach sour. Trying Nuun tablet now, seem pretty good after a couple of day rides.
I brought non backpacking food, while tasty, was a bit heavy. May look for a lighter combo.

Lesson #6 - Get going earlier - it was a stretch to get out of camp before 10 AM, and 3 hours of morning activities. Will need to leave earlier if I want to avoid afternoon storms.

Lesson #7 - Day pack on top of BOB bag will get wet through and through, new pack will too. Pack accordingly, such as putting warm biking items such as gloves, hats, long sleeve shirt, in a dry sack .

Lesson #8 - Fenders - Fenders are good, especially if they work when muddy, puddles and raining. I will be improving my fender situation prior to take off.

Lesson #9 - The BOB dry bag make a good wind break for the stove. Not sure if I need the special dedicated little wind break for the stove.

Lesson #10 - Friends - It was good to share the ride with Don, I was glad to meet up with Glenda for a couple of evening. I hope there will be times like that on the tour!

Shakedown Trip - Day 4 - Painted Rock CG to Rockrimmon via Palmer lake

Start - Painted Rocks Campground off of Hwy 67 - Elev ~ ~ 7850'
End  - Home in Rockrimmon - Elev ~ ~ 6450'
High Point -  ~ 9350' on Rampart Range  Road.
Low point - Monument Creek @ New Santa Fer trail ~ 6200'
Elevation Gain - ~ 2000'
Mileage - 45 Miles




Today's ride followed the paved bike path from Painted Rocks to Woodland park, and then climbed to Rampart Range road. Glorius Colorado morning, with many great views of Pikes Peak 

Dan on bike path to Woodland Park 

Green pastoral scene from our wet spring along bike path

Rampart range road north was rollers with pretty good surface, better than I expected. this section was racing down the hills and hoping momentum will keep the hard peddling to a minimum up the next incline. I did get hit by a modest squall and had to layers up with the rain jacket, and hang a bit at Balanced Rock road,but it came off half hour later.

I lose a couple thousand feet descending from Rampart Range to Palmer Lake, but Balanced Rock road fooled me again, as it has before, as it has a number of up hill section, gravelly of course. Probably climbed 300' or 400' going down to Palmer Lake.But all and all, an enjoyable section.

View from pull off on Balanced Rock Road

While tempted to stop for a burger and beer at O Malleys in Palmer lake (as a reasonable proxy for my travel through small towns ;-), I opted instead to head directly to the New Santa Fe (rails to) Trail and head south toward home. Must of had a tail wind as I topped 20 mph heading to Monument. Fortunately, Don had informed me that the section through the Air Force Academy opened earlier in the week, and I could ride all of the way back home to close the loop. 
Alas, about 5 miles from home I got caught in one of the front ranges ferocious afternoon thunder storms. Monsoon season seems to have arrived early. Fortunately, I was only a 1/2 mile from Ice Lake and its shelter, which I holed up in for about 45 minutes while 4 extremely heavy waves of rain lashed the area. 
Eventually, it slowed down enough for me to ride home in the puddles and rain. On the plus side, i did get to test the BOB dry bag ( works great), Ortlieb handle bar bag and map case ( both work great), fenders (rear ones helped, but need adjustments, and need front fender) and day pack storage (soaked!). So even the rain storm was a shakedown success!