I guess its finally time to let you in on what exactly I will be riding into Antelope Wells, NM. Its a Rocky Mountain Hammer Race Reynolds 753 frame riding machine (cause I love steel!).
Heres the BikeRocky Mountain Hammer Race Reynolds 753 Steel with Rock Shox
Mavic rims, Schwalbe smart sam alpencross tires
Race Face Cranks
race face Bar with Ergon Grips
race face Stem and Seatpost
XT drive train/shifters
Sram brakes
brooks saddle
shimano peddles/shoes
As for other gear, well its still in the evolving stage, trying to get down to the "bear" minimum. But here's a general list for you to get an idea of what it will take for me to cross the great divide 30 times and still be in one piece.
On The BikeCarousel Design Works seatbag, handlebar bag, and map case
Tarptent Contrail
Golite Adrenaline sleeping bag
Thermarest Prolite 3 short pad
Cat Eye Enduro computer
Princton Tec EOS bike lamp
Water bottle cages and bottles
maps
cue sheets
In The BackpackOsprey Talon 22 backpack
hydration bag
water treatment pills
small first aid kit
1 pair of shorts
1 jersey
pair of woolie boolie socks
Golite rain jacket/pants
neoprene booties
lightweight longsleeve and longjohns
arm and leg warmers
warm gloves, fingerless gloves
bike hat, beenie, bandana
oakley sunglasses
bike multi tool, leatherman, chain tool, zip ties, duct tape
tubes, patch kit, chain lube, tire levers, pump
sunscreen, toilet paper, toothbrush, tooth paste, Dr. Bronner's Soap, Bag Balm
small notebook, pen
credit card, calling card, money, ID
Camera, mp3, SPOT
extra batteries
food, water
As you can see its minimum, but still not minimizing safety. I'm sure in the next month or so the list will change, hopefully get a little lighter, hopefully making the hills a little easier.
Today I'm pushing for a quick 100 km while the weather is perfect. Next week, is a big 200 km with the Montreal Randonneurs! Let the sunshine in!
Also as a side note, I will be having a vernissage/sale with 10 new illustrated portraits on Thursday, May 21. Its a great way for me to raise some money for my trip and see all my friends before I leave in June. So come out and show your support and have some great drinks at Vinyl while you're at it. Details and times coming soon!
It's hard to describe what the race is going to be like. I can talk about it and try to make you (and me) understand it, but until you've actually been in it, its no use. Here's the best way to convey what it all about. It's an article that Outdoor magazine ran a few years ago when the race was only starting at the American border, (whereas now its starting in Banff). It talks about the trials and tribulations first hand from riders who had participated in it that year.