Backin' Up's Not Easy to Do

We picked the trailer up today.  The crew at Leo's Vacation Center was fabulous.  They walked us through all the procedures and took us for a test drive. Bob did very well driving the trailer home.  The biggest challenge was backing into our driveway.  He was able to park in the driveway initially, but we decided we needed to move it so we could park a couple of our cars there also.  After struggling a bit, our neighbor Bryant, who has significant experience towing vehicles, backed it in with no problem at all.  Bob will have to take a few lessons from him!!  If you are ever in the market for an RV, motor home or trailer, I highly recommend Leo's.  They are the nicest, warmest group and truly made us feel like one of their family members.

Waiting for the Trailer and Mapping out the Route

We were supposed to pick up the travel trailer today. Given that we had 9 inches of heavy snow on  Wednesday, we decided there was no way we could shovel out an area for it and the other vehicles!   So we decided to postpone until next week.   Hopefully, it will get warm enough this week to melt some of the snow.

Since we weren't tied up for 5 hours learning about the trailer, we decided to map the route out in the  Atlas.   What great fun that is - to actually see in more detail exactly where we will be going. 

Of course, Vincent has taken a completely different approach that clearly demonstrates the new technology approach and prowess of the younger generation.  He downloaded the map to his phone and is able to zoom into street level for the precise route we will be using.  He's working on turning these into cue sheets for the ride since there is no way I will be able to use the cue sheets we got from Adventure Cycling while we are biking. Just another reason why it would have been easier to do this 20 years ago.  Of course, I wouldn't have had the pleasure of having my son join me, nor as much time and resource at my disposal.

Let the Training Begin!

I started training this week with my son, Zachary.  While I bike and walk quite a lot, I have never been much for weight training.  Based on some articles I have read, I decided it would be good to build up my strength and stamina.  Zach has been training for about a year and knows all the exercises.  My routine is arms one day, legs the next, chest on day 3, then a day of aerobics.  In addition, we just returned from a fabulous, warm vacation in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico where  we did yoga nearly every day.  I hope to keep that up also since it helps with flexibility, strength, and balance.  Spinning will be thrown in , if for no other reason than to keep my butt in shape for the saddle!

Freedom of the Road

When I was a kid, I used to love biking for hours and hours.  My friends and I would leave the house right after breakfast with a packed lunch and not return home until well after the sun set.  So much for the days when you didn't have to worry about kids being on their own and they were free to explore and enjoy.  During high school and college and the early years of my career, I gave up biking,  Then one day, out of the clear blue, I decided to buy a mountain bike because it reminded me of the bikes I rode as a kid.  Larger tires, sitting straight up and a sturdy frame.  When I got on it and rode, it was just like being a kid again.  All my troubles floated away and I felt free, free, free.

Over the last 20 years or so, I have continued to ride regularly although not zealously.  I did the AIDS ride from Raleigh NC to Washington DC twice, in 1996 and then in 2001 for my 50th birthday.  In the back of my mind, I always had a dream to bicycle across the country.   I knew camping was not my favorite bed and breakfast after doing the AIDS ride, so Bob and I talked about his driving an RV and supporting me on the ride.  Bob is great about riding with me, but doesn't share the same desire to bicycle cross country.

When I retired in 2005, Bob and I talked again about the cross country trip (CCT), but he wasn't ready to retire yet, so I took another job.  Still, just about every time we would ride, I would talk about the CCT and it was always there.  When Bob retired in 2009, there were lots of other things going on and I didn't think immediately about taking the CCT.  During the last couple of years, several people very dear to me died quite suddenly and I realized that if I didn't just make up mind and do it, I was not going to realize that dream.  Turning 60 is the catalyst that has finally convinced me to take the plunge and plan the trip.  As a bonus, over the last couple of years, Vincent has decided he enjoys biking --oh the years I tried to convince the kids to bike with me!!  He has decided to accompany us on the trip which means I won't have to bicycle alone.  Oh yeah, he is going to make sure the blogs get posted and we can use the computer to support our trip.

So, we are gearing up and planning for the adventure of our lives.  Do I worry about actually being able to do this?  You bet I do.  But I figure If I don't, I will always regret not trying.

Finding Fun the Extreme Way

Fun Finder X-244RBS

We ordered the trailer from Cruiser RV yesterday and expect it to arrive in 8 to 10 weeks. We were originally planning to purchase the X-210WBS which is the model our friend Don has.  After looking at some more models in person at Leo's Vacation Center we decided to go with a slightly larger X-244RBS since there will be 3 of us traveling full-time. Bob is a bit nervous about driving, but everyone tells us that once you spend a couple of days driving, it becomes second nature. In the meantime, we are making lists to be sure we have all the details covered.  Vincent found an awesome cue sheet generator which we will be able to use for those areas that aren't covered by the Transamerica Trail maps.

Making plans and progress

We bought the vehicle for towing the trailer this week.  A 2008 Jeep Commander Limited loaded with just about everything, but most importantly the full tow package.  .Special thanks to my friend Don who has been providing regular advice on the trailer and the best vehicle to tow with.  We are heading over today to order the trailer.   We just got back from biking on this lovely November day and I was inspired to look at the route from Ocean City MD to Richmond.  Our plan is to have a kick off party in Ocean City. Since the Adventure Cycling maps start the Transamerica Trail in Yorktown, we will have to map our own route.  We will be able to pick up their trail just North of Richmond.   Google Maps has the new feature that allows you to pick "bicycle" when mapping out a route.   We will have to check out parts to make sure they are suitable which we can probably do on Google Earth.  But the most exciting thing is the route takes us West form Ocean City through Berlin, Snow Hill and on to Crisfield, MD.  I haven't ever biked this area, but know there are many trips that go through there and have heard it is lovely.  Then we take the Ferry to  Smith Island and another to Point Lookout.  We will have to make sure we can the trailer on the ferries, but I suspect since so many "boomer" travel this way, we should be ok.  The ride from Ocean City to Crisfield is about 58 miles.  A perfect start to the ride. So here is ample notice for all of you who want to join me on the first day of the ride.  While it is early, I know how people need to plan ahead.  I'll let you know a date and more details soon.  Bob thinks I am nuts for thinking about this so early, but half the fun for me is the anticipation.  Until next time. CS