My Tour Portland to Fontana

[Pain Freak]

It's finally taking shape as I've decided on dates and distance.

Starting point: Portland, Oregon

Starting Date : July 3rd, 2008

Finish date: (approximate) July 18th

Distance: 1000 miles

What I'm still deciding on is how to pack/ride for this tour. Do I use panniers or my newly purchased BOB trailer? The BOB will have lots of extra room in it and I'm not sure I need it. The plan is to ride for two days then hotel it, get cleaned up and ride again for another two days so every third day will be a room. Almost all food will be purchased along the way so again I don't think I'll need the BOB. I will be carrying a tent, pad, sleeping bag, toiletries, some food such as bars and perpetuem (liquid calories) lighting, a guide book, maps, clothes all riding types and maybe a pair of regular shorts, first aid box, shoes, and a bunch of small stuff. I hope to ride around 75 miles a day as I want to "smell the roses", but I'm not going to lock myself into any set mileage. I've got a few routes that have been emailed to me, but like I said, I won't be locked into any set route for time or distance. I have an additional 3 days to play with so if the ride for some reason went a little longer, no big deal.

One of the bigger problems: How the heck am I going to charge my Ipod?

This is still a very flexible plan and I'd love to have anyone who wants to, to jump in. I can change to fit anyone else's schedule if they'd like to do this, otherwise I'll be going solo. But I am going to do it!

[Red Hot Sloth]

Sounds like you have your affairs in order PainFreak.
Might I suggest a defensive weapon of sorts to carry with yourself on your travels?

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

One of the bigger problems: How the heck am I going to charge my Ipod?

Rei sells a solar charger for cell phones..maybe there's an adaptor for the Ipod?
Have fun on your ride

[Pain Freak]

DOH! forgot about the cell, although my battery should last the two days in between.

[Lor]

Just a thought, I did a tour across the US in 92 and AAA (Auto Club) made a trip map for me free as a member with bike routes and areas that are legal if you need to ride on a freeway. I think panniers would be fine but I've never had to tow a Bob only a kid trailer. I was on a mtb with road tires and only suffered one flat and a broken spoke or two. Campgrounds may have a plug if your ipod has a plug in charger from AC. Good luck and yes don't forget to smell the roses.

[OffRoadie]

Hmm . . . sounds intriguing. What bike are you on? You going to take pictures?

[scruffylooking]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

DOH! forgot about the cell, although my battery should last the two days in between.

How about a spare battery for the cell, always charged, just in case?

[Rob]

Mike, I have a solar charger that you can borrow for the trip.

[dirtmistress]

Whan we tour on the tandem, we use panniers. Easy to use and slips right off to carry. Maybe you could get away with just 2. We use front and rear but it's two of us for a month on the road. The less, the better.

[thebush]

Car battery?!?

[Schecky]

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

.......

One of the bigger problems: How the heck am I going to charge my Ipod?
..............

Here you go Mike:
http://www.latimes.com/news/science/...,4909566.story

[maxwell]

Man Mike, you're the man! You just made me jelous!

I really wish I could join you on this. If you decide to do something along these lines again next year let me know. I would definitly set up a vaca week for it.

[PacMan]

If I could take the time off work and knew I was fit enough to do this I would SO be down. Have fun Mike and take lot's of pics, eh!!

[jeffj]

http://www.shop.com/AA_Battery_Powered_Emergency_Cell_Phone_Charger_II _%28LG%2C_Sony_Ericsson%2C_Kyocera%29-38844172-p!.shtml?trk=1

[roadkillross]

well i was going to tell you to come through eugene, but i'll be back in socal for the summer

[MTBMaven]

Mike, Sounds like a trip of a life time for sure. If the wife decides to go to Europe for a month I may see if I can join you for part of the trip. Do a search on Altoid can battery pack; it's a DIY battery pack for your iPod. A cell phone turned off and iPod should last you close to 3 days. You might be able to stretch the battery to last between hotels. I highly recommend lots of audio books from Audible or public library. Great way to pass by the miles. Confessions of an Economic Hit Man is brilliant.

My vote is for panniers, you should be able to get a set up much lighter than using a BoB. But then again you already have a BoB.

Keep in mind if you are flying with all your gear you cannot carry on or check in fuel. Stop off at the REI in Portland to buy your fuel.

[SheDevil]

Why Fontana?

[Pain Freak]

Fontana is where I live.

Thanks Jeff, that looks like about the best way for the phone.

Ross, I'll be over by the coast anyways, but I do love Eugene, my wife was born in Grants Pass.

I was thinking the same thing Brian. I want a "life" adventure. This year I'll be doing the 1,000 mile ride and next year? But one thing I've come to realize in the many years I've been on this planet, life is short, very short. We need to experience everything we can because as we get older we rely more and more on our memories of the times gone by.

Last year I did RAGBRAI, which is a supported ride across Iowa (500 miles). That was an adveture and unlike anything I've ever done before and I loved it. So this year I'll do Portland to Fontana and next year maybe something a little more?

You can't live life sitting on a couch.

[SheDevil]

http://www.energizer.com/products/en...y-charger.aspx

Cell phone solution!!!

[BFloFoxRider.]

if i can get my road bike built... Can i Come along???

[jeffj]

Originally Posted by SheDevil

http://www.energizer.com/products/en...y-charger.aspx

Cell phone solution!!!

That's the one I have actually seen before. I just saw them again in Ralph's supermarket for about $18.99.