This photo was taken facing West on Saturday, February 18th 2017 at 12:04pm CST.

Where the picture(s) were taken:

Got the new front boom clamps installed and adjusted. Replaced the Vector power meter batteries and went for a short ride. Easily got up to 30 mph on the neighborhood streets.

This photo was taken facing West on Tuesday, February 21st 2017 at 10:45am CST.

Where the picture(s) were taken:

Robyn is going to be following me on my Coast-2-Coast adventure.

She has spent the last couple of months getting El Hefe Rojo (our big red Sprinter crew van) ready for camping across the US as she tries to keep up with me as I speed along on my bike. :wink:

She has been a “Sisters On The Fly” member for a few years now and has camped all over the US with her Sister friends.

Inspired by her fellow Sisters she striking out on her own to follow me across the US.

At times the house got quite messy, with Robyn staging El Hefe stuff on the downstairs kitchen table, and I consuming most of the upstairs staging my bike/camping stuff.

I emailed Bubba (http://www.bubbaspamperedpedalers.com) about Robyn following along with the riders and received this terrific response:

The tour has always welcomed family or friends with open arms and of course the other Coasters welcomed them as well. At times on past tours a family member or friend would stop by for dinner with the group. Again, this happened occasionally and never more than once or twice during the entire tour.

For the first time this year, there will be Coasters family or friends on the tour for extended periods of time which has forced me to instituting a new policy. This policy is designed to have extended guest be part of the family by enjoying everything the tour offers everyday they are with the tour.

By definition, an extended –stay-guest is any non-rider who will be with the tour for any part of more than four days whether those days are consecutive or non-consecutive.

An extended-stay-guest will have the same privileges as a rider. Not only will they be welcomed; they will be encouraged to take part in all activates. Be part of the C2C family. Activities include but not limited to; all tour equipment available to riders, morning coffee/tea, breakfast, sag stops, lunches if provided by the tour, drinks and snacks around camp, appetizer daily before dinner, dinner drinks, dinner, and dessert. Also included would be use of all facilities at the over-night lodging location.

Of course Robyn will have to sign the usual forms and waivers, and pay a fee. But still, what a great service oriented business.

Always the fashion maven, Robyn got together with one of her friends and somehow created a logo for her visor and tee shirt.

Beautiful day flying. Went to Little Rock for a business meeting.

I still can’t get over how fast this plane is.

Pictured below off the right wing tip is Georgetown airport (KGTU). You are looking west at runway 29. Lake Georgetown in the background on the left.

They let me park with the big boys at Little Rock International (KLIT).

Air was pretty darn clear leaving KLIT. About 70 degrees with just a hint of a breeze.

This plane climbs like mad compared to my DiamondStar. 1,000 feet per minute all the way up to 16,000 feet. Above 12.5k I need to wear the cannula for supplemental oxygen.

This post supersedes all prior Coast2Coast checklists posts (which I have removed).

The checklists are now complete (probably, well not really). I’ll be riding (and living) against them for the next 5 weeks to prove them out.

The Checklists

NorthFace Orange Duffle Bag 1

Loose in Duffle Bag

• 1 Endura Rain cover for helmet w/blinking light
• 1 The Stick for rolling leg muscles
• 1 Mini plunger for leg muscles
• 1 Hyke & Byke Zero Degree XL sleeping bag Blue
  • in Green SeaToSummit compression sack

Tubes - Blue Sack

• 2 28/40-406 - Schwalbe tubes (front R84 wheel)
• 2 28-622 tubes - Continental (rear R-84 wheel)
• 1 Ziplock Baggy w/ one front and one rear tube

Cold Weather - DrySack

• 3 Ibex Mens Large Woolies 1 long sleeve tops red, gray, striped
• 1 Ibex Mens Large Woolies 1.5 Bottoms striped
• 1 Ibex Mens X-Large Woolies 2 Bottoms black
• 1 Ibex Mens Large Woolies 3 Bottoms black
• 1 Ibex Mens Large Pullover 1/2 zip wool long sleeve dark blue
• 1 Balaclava Ibex wool - black 1.5
• 1 Balaclava Cozia Design - black 2
• 1 Balaclava Ergodyne - black 3
• 2 Ibex Wool Beanie 1.5 - gray, charcoal
• 2 Pair DeFeet WoolieBoolie XL socks black
• 2 Pair DeFeet WoolEator LG socks black
• 1 Pair Defeet Wool LG socks black
• 1 Pair Gore Windstopper shoe covers HiVis lime Size 13-15
• 1 Pair Pearl iZumi Elite Gloves Large - medium weight black & lime
• 1 Pair Gloves Manzella Thinsulate Mens Large - orange/black
• 1 Endura lightweight rain jacket Mens XXL

Normal Riding - DrySack

• 1 DeFeet undershirt white mesh Mens XL
• 1 Maxit Head cover for neck sunscreen - HiVis lime
• 2 Aerotech Designs Recumbent bicycle shorts X-Large
• 3 Nike Dri-Fit Tee Shirts Lime, Blue, DarkSeaFoam
• 1 Sea Breeze Tee Shirt
• 1 Pair Nike Compression Socks
• 3 DeFeet White Speede Socks
• 1 CooliBar Long Sleeve Lime green sun protection shirt
• 1 Specialized XC Lite Grey/Green cycling gloves

After Ride Clothes - DrySack

• 4 Hanes mens underwear briefs large black
• 1 Pair SmartWool socks XL - very thick, gray, red bottoms
• 1 REI Camping towel large green
• 1 Nike Running Shorts grey w/lime trim Mens XL
• 1 Pair FitKicks Slippers Teal Mens Large
• 1 Speedo Blue Swim Trunks
• 1 Columbia Wide Brim Hat
• 1 Nike Blue Polo DriFit shirt Mens Large
• 1 Ibek Blue Wool Hoodie Mens XL
• 1 Columbia Orange Omni-Shade PFG Shirt Mens XL
• 1 Columbia Cargo Shorts Grey Mens XL
• 1 Outdoor Research Helium II Orange Rain Jacket w/Hood Mens XL

Misc - DrySack

• 1 set rubber gloves
• 50 Advil w/Sinus decongestion & pain
• 1 Green laundry bag
• 1 Ti Leatherman
• 1 bull frog SPF 50 sun screen
• 1 Cocoon mummy bag liner 100% microfiber
• 1 Headnet for mosquito
• 50 Cable ties black
• Hammer Endurolytes Two bottles 300 Capsules
• 50 days riding at 6 capsules per day = 300 total
• 1 Chewable Vitamin C 500mg
• 1 Advil 300 Tablet Container
• 1 Tinactin Liquid Spray
• 1 Eucerin Skin Cream
• 1 Package Dental Flossers

Ditty Bag

• 1 Oral-B battery driven electric tooth brush (tagged)
• 1 Large nail clippers
• 1 Small nail clippers
• 1 Crest Toothpaste
• 1 set ear plugs for sleeping
• 1 eye mask for sleeping
• 1 Axe Phoenix Body Wash
• 1 Small Advil 10 Tablet Container
• 1 Crest Toothpaste
• 1 Speed Stick Deodorant
• 1 Carmex
• 1 Burts Bees Lip Balm

On Bike

Topeaka Fuel Bag

• 1 Gel shot
• 1 Chew
• 6 Endurolyte capsules
• 1 lip balm
• 1 reading glasses (cheater)

Mounted to Bike

• 1 Police Magnum Pepper Spray
• 3 Camelbak BigChill 24oz water bottles
• 1 garmin cadence sensor
• 1 SPOT Gen3 tracker
• 1 garmin edge 1000
• 1 iPhone 7plus w/ Quadlock mounting
• 1 dinotte front amber light USB rechargeable
• 1 DesignShine Rear Red light
• 1 DesignShine Rechargable Battery
• 1 dinotte rear red light USB rechargeable
• 1 CatEye Velo 9 Bicycle Computer
• 1 Road-ID bracelet
• 1 garmin heart rate monitor (new battery 01-15-2017)
• 1 Topeaka TurboMorph G tire pump (tagged)

FrameTop Bag Right side rear

• 1 insect repellent
• 1 Sunglasses clear lens
• 1 reading glasses (cheater)
• 1 small advil container
• 1 iPhone QualLock Rain Cover
• 2 chews
• 1 cable 3ft USB to MicroUSB
• 1 cable 3ft USB to Lightning
• 1 Anker Blue Lipstick USB charger

FrameTop Bag Left side rear

• 1 Lezyne Multitool (tagged)
• 2 Small tire irons
• 1 NEW tube repair patch kit (tagged)
• 1 CO2 inflator with 1 cartridges
• 1 28-622 tube (rear R-84 wheel)
• 1 28-406 tube (front R-84 wheel, one with valve extender already on)
• 3 park emergency tire boot
• 2 valve extender (with tools)
• 1 Quicklink
• 1 Pair SPD cleats and bolts
• 6 Tie wraps
• 1 Red shop rag (tagged)

Arkel Red Seatback Bag

• 1 bull frog SPF 50 sun screen
• 1 Pair Reflective ankle bracelets
• 1 Dry Sack
• 1 Tifosi Sunglasses 3 lenses (clear, dark, amber)
• 1 Homemade Blue Canvas rear fender
• 1 Ansi Class 3 Reflective Vest Large w/zipper

Electronics Bag

• 1 Blue Mesh Bag
• 1 USA Passport Dan Hansen
• 1 Batteries AAA 36 box
• 4 Batteries CR2032
• 1 Battery GP23A
• 1 petzl headlamp (Zipka)
• 1 Anker lipstick battery black round
• 1 Anker lipstick battery blue round
• 1 Anker backup battery light green oval
• 1 dinotte rear (red) light USB rechargeable
• 1 dinotte front (amber) light USB rechargeable
• 1 DesignShine Rechargable Battery
• 1 DesignShine Battery Charger
• 1 Anker 10 port charger
• 5 Micro-USB Cords 1ft long
• 1 iWatch charger cord
• 3 lightning iPhone charger cord
• 1 Apple airPods
• 1 Apple MacBook (USB-C)
• 1 Encase Neoprene case for MacBook
• 1 Apple USB-C 29W Power Adapter
• 1 Six foot USB-C to USB-C cable
• 1 USB-C to USB Adapter
• 1 USB-C to Lightning 3 ft cable
• 1 USB Charger driven by 4 AA Batteries
• 1 Small LED Flashlight powered by 1 AAA Battery
• 1 iPad Pro w/Keyboard cover

• 1 Gemini miniature high powered flashlight
• 1 Gemini charger for 18650 battery
• 1 anker 35 watt battery charger USB rechargeable black oval
• 1 cable USB to lightening 3 ft
• 1 cable USB to mini-usb 3 ft
• 1 reading glasses (cheater)
• 1 petzl headlamp (Zipka)
• 1 pickle juice
• 1 lip balm
• One day’s supply of nutrition (1 gel, 2 chews)

Not Yet Categorized

• 2 red garage towel
• 1 small multi-tool
• 1 Catlike Graphene helmet
• 1 Fanny (belly) pack (small and quick on/off bike capability)
• 1 pocket knife
• 1 small bottle of chain oil
• 1 Hornet Bike Horn
• 1 AeroTech Cycling Jacket Mens Large Yellow (sharpie)

Other - Tagged

• 1 Blue mesh bag for charging electronics
• 1 Zippo lighter
• 2 Zippo handwarmer 6 hour
• 1 Zippo handwarmer 12 hour
• 2 Zippo cans lighter fluid

Bubba SAG - Blue Canvas Maintenance Bag

• 1 28-406 tire - Schwalbe Durano
• 2 28-622 tire - Continental HardShell GatorSkin (tagged)
• 3 28-406 - Schwalbe tubes (front R84 wheel)
• 3 28-622 tubes - Continental (rear R-84 wheel)
• 6 valve extender (with tools)
• 1 bottle purple extreme chain oil
• 1 package (4 ea) swiss stop brake pads for carbon rims
• 2 tire irons
• 1 pair SPD cleats and bolts
• 1 Batteries AAA 36 box

Robyn SAG - Mecerdes Van Re-supply Extras Checklist

• 2 NEW tube repair patch kit
• 1 teflon tape
• 1 28-622 tire - Continental Grand Prix 4000s II
• 1 28-622 tire - Continental GatorSkin (tagged)
• 1 28-406 tire - Continental GrandPrix (tagged)
• 3 28/40-406 - Schwalbe tubes (front R84 wheel)
• 4 28-622 tubes - Continental (rear R-84 wheel)
• 3 park emergency tire boot
• 1 pair SPD cleats and bolts
• 2 bull frog SPF 50 sun screen
• 1 garmin heart rate monitor (new battery 01-15-2017)
• 1 garmin cadence sensor
• 1 CamelBak insulated 24oz water bottle
• 1 Batteries AAA 36 box
• 1 Box 12 count GU Brew Drink Tablets
• 1 Bag assorted GU Brew Drink Tablets
• 1 Two Gallon bag assorted Chews
• 1 Two Gallon bag assorted Gels (bag pretty empty)
• 2 Aerotech Designs Recumbent bicycle shorts Large
• 1 Lightning Seat Cord (replacement with instructions)
• 2 Eucerin Skin Cream
• 3 One Gallon Ziplock Baggie
  • 12 Tailwind Endurance Fuel for Bottles
  • 6 GU Roctane Gels
  • 12 Stinger Chews
  • 2 GU Brew Fiz Drink Tablets
• 1 ShowersPass Rain Pants XL Yellow
• 1 ShowersPass Rain Jacket L Yellow
• Orange SeaToSummit compression sack (for pants & jacket)
• 2 Chewable Vitamin C 500mg 150 Tablets
• 1 Package Halls Cough Drops
• 1 Box Emergen-C Packages (30 count)
• 1 SPF 30 Lip Balm
• 1 Lightning R-84 (whole extra spare bike!)

Belonging to the Coast2Coast mailing list and Bubba’s facebook page has been really helpful in learning new things about long distance touring.

Here I’m trying to capture some of the conversations so that I can put these things in my checklists.

Various comments:

Hi All, I was waiting for this question, a question which is so very hard to answer since the weather on each past C2C tour has been different.

No such thing as a “weather pattern”. 2015 the coldest night of the entire tour was the night spent at the Alabama/Mississippi border. 2016 it was very cold in middle Texas where normally it is very warm. Past years Tombstone would hold that honor. Alpine, CA as well has held that honor.

Before suggestion some items to help keep you warm allow me to make this suggestion. Feel free to bring a “cold weather bag”. Might be just a gym bag or small carry on bag. Once the tour gets out of the normally cold area that bag can be left of the baggage truck. If by chance, as in 2015, the weather gets cold again the cold weather bag can be off loaded for your comfort.

Now, ideas of things to bring. At least two pairs of wool socks. Keep one inside your sleeping bag and wear them only at night. Do not sleep in the same sock you wore that day since moisture may be trapped in the socks. A good knit cap is also a great idea. It packs easy and works well. As you know, you loose lots of heat for your head at night. A > knit cap will keep you much warmer at night. Pair of warm gloves also. Actually two pair. One pair for riding and one pair for non-riding.

Hands down however the most important thing to pack is a GOOD SLEEPING BAG. Zero degree. Of course it will never get to zero degree, at least lets hope not, but history has shown those with a good sleeping bag get the best rest.

Each of you will be sleeping on an inflated air mattress. That is the good news. What happens on cold nights is the air inside the mattresses becomes cold. To help on those nights it is suggested you have some sort of barrier between you and the mattress. An extra blanket which then could become your covering for the warmer nights.

Actually, there is no such thing as bad weather just bad clothing. It’s ALL Good!

On another note Mary has a great idea about stuffing the sleeping bag into a dry bag. Think I read somewhere in Bubba’s packet that the crew tries to keep our baggage dry but it could get wet. No one likes a wet sleeping bag. I will have to look at my kayaking gear.

Rain jacket, rain pants, rain booties, helmet cover. Also a very lightweight faux down jacket, one or tights, 1 light fleece top, 1 very lightweight long underwear top, arm warmers. 1 pr convertible gloves/mittens. Also bring a wind vest but maybe the Bubba safety vest will suffice.

Good suggestions. The safety vests will not help in keeping you are since they are mesh. It’s ALL Good!

I agree with Phil. It normally takes about ten days to get “settled in” even for the staff who all have done is several times. So > early on do not fret, thing will “settle in” I promise.

On bike electronics are for two things: safety and “don’t get lost”.

Safety

See and be seen is the motto.

• Rear DesignShine DS-500 flashing light (red, super bright)
• Rear Dinotte flashing light (red, very bright)
• Front Dinotte flashing light (amber, very bright)

This has a, one-button-push, get an ambulance here now function.

• Spot Gen3 Satellite Tracker

Also, I have created a “Find my bike” page using the Spot tracker on my blog.

To make sure I don’t over do it at the beginning of a long days ride I use the following sensors:

• Cadence Sensor
• Heartrate Monitor

Don’t Get Lost

Always have a paper route sheet in a plastic waterproof protector. Know how to use it.

For the route sheet you will need an odometer on your bike. I have two. One is very cheap, but has a battery that lasts at least a year. This is my backup. The other odometer is either the Garmin Edge 1000 or my iPhone.

I have been using a Garmin Edge 1000 for the last couple of years. I’m thinking of moving to the iPhone instead but I’ll need to test this on some long rides over the next couple of weeks.

• Cateye Odometer
• Garmin Edge 1000
• Apple iPhone 7 Plus
• Apple iWatch Gen2
• Battery USB Charger (extends the life of above)