Finally! I finally got a chance to get out on the road with the LeMond fully loaded! And for 45 miles no less! Yesterday I rode the bike I will be taking across country over to Pete’s place in Hartland, VT from where I’m currently living in Weston, VT; a trip of 45 miles.
Man did it feel so good to get out there! The bike route took me over “Terrible Mountain” (No joke, that’s the name!) 5 miles uphill with the last 2 miles at a 12% grade! Wow, do I love my triple geared bike! Just cruising up it at nice even 5-6mph, not difficult fully loaded, it just takes a little bit longer than usual!
This was the first time I was able to get the LeMond out on the road and get a feel for what I’ll be riding for 65 days. And man, did it feel good! I was really apprehensive during December 2007, because every previous experience I had with the LeMond were decidedly negative, from pulling a hamstring while riding it to just a general uncomfortableness and uneasiness on it. When I bought my Willier and had it fitted at ATA Cycles in Concord, my whole perspective on the cycling world changed as the new bike fit like a glove because it was custom tailored to my biomechanics. So, instead of continuing to feel apprehensive about the coming bike trip on a bike that didn’t fit me properly, I did something about it. I took all my measurements from my Willier and fit it to the LeMond. What a difference! And today, I just felt good! I averaged about 14mph to Pete’s house. Real slow compared to the normal stomping average I do on the Willier, but real good considering the 35 extra pounds of weight and the big hills that central Vermont has to offer!
Pete and I had quite an ordeal getting the bikes all boxed up and ready to go. We got to his place at about 8pm-we had a list of about six things we wanted to get done before he drove me back to Weston later that evening. Wow, we only got through two of those things on the list, and I didn’t get dropped off in Weston until 2:30am! Pete didn’t get to bed until 3:45am! (Thank you so much Pete!) But we did manage to get the essentials together!
Pete’s bike got new tires, a new cyclometer, and new handlebar tape. And the simple process of changing tires which normally takes 15 minutes turned into an hour and a half ordeal as the tires he ordered are (figuratively) bullet proof and so thick that we kept popping tubes while trying to fit ‘em on! Those tire’s shouldn’t ever get a flat during the trip!
Most importantly, we got the bikes BOXED UP! We had to take off the saddles, turn the handlebars to the side, take off the pedals, remove the front rack from my bike, and wrap the bikes in more bubble rap than is necessary. The bikes are taped, reinforced, and ready for shipment tomorrow!
It’s hard to believe that a journey that we started counting down 22 months ago is really going to happen in less than 22 days! It’s getting real!
Pete and I have a HUGE ride planned this weekend to make sure that our legs are in shape come the 16th of June. We’re doing back to back 100milers this weekend, from Hartland, VT to his parents in South Hadley, MA. Can’t wait to spend 7+ hours in the saddle with Pete this weekend!
It’s really happening!
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