Low Down Type 1 Light Mount

This little guy is a head-turner. The Low Down Type 1 Light Mount from Velo Orange is a versatile way to neatly mount a Planet Bike (or the like) headlamp. Try it as a wheel skewer nut thingy or attach it to your front touring rack… which I prefer because this position helps eliminate wheel shadows. Either way, you unclutter the handlebar, and it looks quite cool. So much so that you’ll just leave your light on your bike and will have it the next time you’re caught out after dusk. Be safe. Look cool. Buy one.

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Cyclofriendship and Becoming Fonder

Hi, I’m one of Krystal’s honored friends, Page. I know it’s an honor because folks in the Columbia cycling community say, “Hey, you’re Krystal’s friend aren’t you.” I just smile… not bothered that they didn’t think to ask my name. Being Krystal’s friend is like being “Abigail and Gretchen’s mom” – a joy. And it’s a joy to begin blogging here by mentioning a fan, some wax and something fonder.

About this time last year, Krystal and I began fanning the flame of an old friendship by riding bikes together. She had her ultra cool and retro Trek 520 with tweed Rivendell lil’ loafer and country bag, which carried books, sandwiches and just the right tool to fix a squeak on my plain old Schwinn mountain bike. We cruised around talking about old times, current statuses and dreaming about the future… cottages, kitchen gardens, spacious porches, successful children, premenopausal crazies, how to be a better wife and mother, cyclotouring and randonneuring.

As Krystal waxed on about all things bicycle, I spent way too much super fun time looking at adventure options. By January I bought a ’91 Trek 520 on ebay. “It’s purple. I can’t believe it’s purple,” I exclaimed upon opening the box. Well, I’m over it now and have grown to LOVE MY BIKE since I’ve made it my own. Nitto campee racks, Nitto 44cm handlebars, Velo Orange Campagne Handlebar Bag and fluted Honjo fenders are the standard fare. I even love the little Low Down Type 1 light mount from VO. It makes folks in a cycle shop gawk as much as they did at my husband’s leg after being bit by a dog.

Over the past year we have put in some miles together… on bikes and in our friendship. We’re graduating children from homeschooling and dreaming about the “what next?”… it’s the Northern Tier summer of ’11. Our kids just look at us with big eyes, and our husbands talk about what a cool wife they have. I guess they’re glad we’re not just sitting around the house getting fatter. And besides… absence makes the heart grow fonder. I’m gonna really love my husband next August.

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MSR DragonFly – my backpacking oven

The MSR DragonFly is a heavy little bugger. Just the stove •solamente• no fuel bottle or fuel, weighs 14oz.

But here’s the deal, it simmers, and just for you non-believers here is a picture of just how low it can go. Click image for biggness.

What it is:

• Loud [I'm not kidding now]
• Stable [rock solid pot support]
• Multi-Fuel [I've only used white gas]
• Easy to Operate [don't be scared 'cause you need to prime it - it's nothing]
• Fuel saver [it's a sipper not a heavy drinker]
• Dial it way down ['cause it simmers at any level]
• Robust [I'm not afraid of breaking it]

I also use it as an oven. I bought another windshield and a Scorch Buster, did a little creative folding, and turned the stove into an oven.

The extra windscreen and scorch buster weigh 5.3oz total. It’s NOT ultra light – but I am committed to doing my own cooking on this trip. Baking and roasting will add so much variety.

The thing about the Dragonfly is it really is fuel efficient. I can simmer soups, roast veggies and bake and not use much more fuel then I do basic boiling with my Trangia. I light the stove for my first cup of coffee in the morning and I don’t turn it off – I turn it to a candle flame – and it’s ready [primed and "on"] through the morning for coffee, baking, and cooking. The fuel loss leaving it at a candle flicker is negligible.

The stove is ideal for using as an oven because of the precise flame control. The oven walls are not heavy duty – but I’m not hard on my things, and replacing a windscreen is a $14 fix. This is just my solution to being able to eat well on a long tour.

I’m getting quite good with it now. I’ll continue to update as I change/improve it.

AC Northern Tier & Pacific Coast

I’ve wanted to cross the US by bicycle since I got my first “real bike” a Schwinn hybrid. That was over twenty five years ago. The time has come and the route is the Northern Tier, then down the Pacific Coast to finish in San Diego my old home.

I’ll be leaving in May of 2011. I’ve decided to waff-on here about gear and preparation for the trip.

So – more to follow…

Ride Tonight

Wherever you live please join in The Ride of Silence tonight.