Comments on: Last Ride of 2009

By: Johnny

Johnny — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:09:44 +0000

Thanks Victoria! We should definitely meet up and do a ride in the future. I might want to do a East coast tour. Keep in touch!

By: Victoria Merriman

Victoria Merriman — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:05:14 +0000

Johnny! You did it! I’m so proud of you. Wow, you had some serious high mileage days and major mountains in your four days. In my first 4 days on the road I did NOTHING even close to that so I’m really impressed. Looks like you got to see some great places and meet some nice people along the way, which is what it’s all about. I’m glad to hear you had a good experience and that you’re hooked on touring too. Maybe sometime we can meet up and ride together!

Oh, and I was really uncomfortable with stealth camping too, but it gets easier the more you do it. Still, I did always get a much better night’s sleep in real campgrounds. : )

By: Johnny

Johnny — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:33:09 +0000

Thanks Viki! Glad you enjoyed the story and photos.

By: Viki

Viki — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:28:03 +0000

WOW ~ I can’t believe that ride…what an adventure! (I was tired just reading about it.) Jeremy’s photos are awesome and the raccoon story cracked me up! Congrats on your end-of-the-year journey!

By: Johnny

Johnny — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:54:01 +0000

Thanks Jeremy! I still have your mess kit. I’ll bring it back to you when we meet up for the next ride or something. You took great photos of the ride. I need to do more action shots like you had. I have to take a page out of your riding to learn how to climb those hills like a mountain goat. I still have to patch up the ole Xtracycle. Been riding the fixie in an out of work this week.

By: jeremy

jeremy — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:16:01 +0000

awesome ride report. some of this was epic (too bad i was too focused on riding to take more pics) like the rainy exit from lake cachuma, the last couple miles up Refugio and the fogged out downhill of Refugio. who does that road when its muddy! that’s cool about your centuries — now when you do one on a fast, light bike it will feel like cutting butter. that raccoon should learn to eat with his mouth closed. johnny is a great riding partner – doesn’t complain, is full of determination and shares his hot water.

By: Johnny

Johnny — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:15:02 +0000

I could have done without the folding chair. That added a few unnecessary lbs that I could have gone without. Remember to bring your rain gear and layering is essential to the ride. Be sure to pack right. I had stuff bagged individually such as food which I didn’t care if it got wet on one duffle bag. My clothes & sleeping bag was the 2 things I had to make sure was dry at all time so I brought a large cover which was made for hiking backpacks. Wide loaders would have been nice but I managed without them this time. I also brought along a Mini Newt Night Rider which I had to use sparingly. I didn’t bring a charger for it so I ran out of juice by the time we reached LA. Thankfully I had a Petzel headlamp that helped me light my way home.

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:34:47 +0000

Thanks for sharing, Johnny! It sounds like your loaded bike gave you quite a challenge on those hills. Any other lessons learned from a packing/equipment perspective?