This “blog”:
I’m not really sure what I want this “blog” thing to look like yet, but for now the plan is to post periodic updates about where I am and how the trip is going. Probably picture heavy and text light but we’ll see. I hope it stays interesting, happy to hear any suggestions 🙂
The Route:
Red lines are train (and sometimes bus) and green lines are bike sections. The intention for this trip is to visit a bunch of friends, and do some bikepacking along the way!
I’m on an Amtrak Rail Pass which gives you 10 “segments” of any length within a month. A “segment” is a seat on a single train. So for instance Boston to NY is one segment (on the Northeast Regional), but Chicago to Seattle also only counts as one segment. Here are some of the train segments I’m going to take:
The rail pass costs $500 which quickly becomes worth it. The segments above, for example, would total to ~$1,100, and I could still book another 4 segments on the same pass.
The Bike:
“It is, objectively, not a good bike”
I’m riding what I think is a 2017 Fuji Nevada that I got from a friend a few years ago, with a smattering of random parts. The only two things that are original to the bike are the frame and cranks. Here are some of my favorite bits:
- 3×11 with a really really low granny gear
- Internally routed dropper seat post 🙂
- Slightly swept flat bars & aero bars that don’t really fit on the handlebars but fit with my arms/body really well
- Rear rack tang mounted titanium water bottle cage because it makes Gordon mad (and has actually worked pretty well so far 🤞🏻)
The Stuff:
Here’s (almost) everything I’m bringing! Happy to dive into more detail if folks are curious, but here are some best bits:
- Maybe my only truly brand new piece of gear, a MH nimbus 2 that I can’t wait to actually sleep in
- 30 degree EE quilt that I’m borrowing from rachel that will be so cozy
- Caturday cat ears
Here are the bags & stuff I didn’t want on my bed. I made the stem bags & bar bag (with help from Landis), and Jan made the lovely fork bags that I will treasure forever <3.
Not pictured but coming: Chain lube, extra bike bottle, extra tube
Pictured but not coming: Hacksaw
Thanks for reading! The last thing that’s coming with me is Tony the octopus, everybody say hi Tony
bexy says:
HI TONY ur looking fresh af
April Agostino says:
Hi Tony
Jan says:
Tony finally went to Tony’s
micah says:
Hi tony thank you for service 🫡🐙 plz keep devin safe
Octo says:
Thanks for journaling your adventures! Glad to see you’re making the most of your break.