How It All Started

I first came up with the idea to take my bike on trips back in the late 80's when a friend gave me one of the original Dahon 16", 3 speed folding bikes. A change in flying to international, and changes in security requirements put a kibosh on this until recently. I came back to primarily flying in the states again four years ago and got the idea to rent a bike one day while on a layover. The problem with renting though is that bike shops are not always nearby, and the shops have hours that are don't always mesh well with the layover. Anyway I remembered how much fun it was to get out and really see where I was staying while on this rental ride. The first ride on my own bike was was at Rapid City last June. It was a 52 mile ride to Mt. Rushmore. The bike was my second Dahon, a five speed that did not have a very good brake (yes there was only one!). The ride took about 4 hours round trip. Due to the design of this bike, excessive frame flexing and not so good gearing plus the fact that there are real hills in the Black Hills, the ride was a bit tough. Admittiedly, I may not have been in the best riding shape at that time either. Weather was good though with a slight headwind outbound. This in combination with the fact that it was mostly downhill returning made for a pretty quick return. I did have to do a foot assisted stop at one light though, due to the brake problem. I bought a new bike since this ride; a Dahon Curve SL. The new bike is a much improved model weighing 30% less than the previous models and a considerably better, stronger design to boot! I have put together a lightweight tool kit, including patch kit, pump w/gage, bike multi-tool, and crescent wrench (for non quick release rear tire) that I keep in a Camelbak. By the way the Camelbak seems to provide much better hydration than a water bottle due to ease of access as well as increased capacity.

I am retro-dating this entry as I want it to be the first that you read chronologically. I hope you enjoy my entries. And a apologize in advance for all the cheesy self portraits on location. I promise that in the future, if I see someone nearby I will ask them to take the pictures of me!