So the last two weeks have been one package of gear after another after another arriving, ending with my business cards being delivered this afternoon. I can’t decide what I’m more excited about!
1. DandyCase Waterproof Phone Bag
So I have a horrible habit of taking my phone in the bathroom when I’m showering so I can play music to sing along to. I learned the hard way that this messed up your phone pretty fast. I decided that since I have no idea when I’ll be able to buy a new phone I’d better be REALLY careful with this one so I bought this waterproof bag. I’m kind of diggin’ it because I watched a few video reviews and it’s totally submersible! The only downside is that I there’s no way to have my headphones plugged into it so… I might have to buy a second one for my ipod. We shall see. Until then bring on the rain!
2. Schampa WarmSkin Balaclava
So, something that I really wished I had had on my trip to Bear Mountain was one of these. I saw a lot of other bikers wearing them and, damn, on my way DOWN the hills my poor face was FREEEEZING. I’ve tested it out once and was actually SO cozy I had to pull it down to my chin! So hopefully in really chilly winter weather I’ll be ready!!
3. GoalZero 12301 Nomad 7M Solar Panel
I decided that I wasn’t going to buy the solar charger I had previously talked about as I was told that it didn’t really charge well at all. I also started reading different reviews and this brand GoalZero was said to be ultra durable and weatherproof. You can connect it up to other compatible solar panels which is great! It has a USB port along with two other forms of charging. I cannot WAIT to test this out on my next ride!!
4. Smith Optics SME OTG Goggles
Along with wishing I’d had a balaclava my eyes were watering like a waterfall on the downsides of hills, and once the rain started, as I mentioned: it was pouring rain and I had to put my glasses in my pocket. I was really picky about these without wanting to spend a zillion bucks in case they didn’t work. What I mean by that is that I needed to find a pair of goggles that fit comfortably over my glasses. Right now the glasses that I wear are small but my other pair that are apparently missing and presumed lost are the ones I want to bring on my trip.
*****
So the next 2 gifts were incredible. I had them on my wishlist for items I need to still buy. I checked the mailbox Tuesday morning to see a box in my mailbox and inside it were a set of 20 Bungee cords of different sizes and an AMAZING bike multitool. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened the box and when I saw the gift note saying they were from my friends sister wishing me a wonderful trip I started crying. The thing is, so I have all these plans and wishes for this trip. It is one thing for your friends to like you Facebook page and follow your blog and say that they’re behind you but when you physically get to hold in your hands proof that people believe in you and wish you well in your dream?…Let me tell you, friends, it’s kind of an overwhelming feeling. I will never need another bungee cord as long as I live….okay maybe I will but not for a long, long time!
The bike multi tool is AWESOME. It’s the Topeak Alien II 26 Multi-Tool and seriously is the most intense tool I’ve ever seen lol. Allan wrenches, box wrenches, Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, mini pedal wrench, spoke wrenches, a knife, a bottle opener, and several others which I like literally haven’t a clue how to use yet. Good thing it comes with instructions for every tool on it. I am so incredible grateful for the people who are starting to come forward saying they’d like to donate to my trip and help support me. ❤ ❤
MY BUSINESS CARDS HAVE ARRIVED. There isn’t really too much to go on about with these except that I’m super pumped because they are BEAUTIFUL and everything that I dreamed they would be =) See for yourself!
See? Pretty!
Moving on. Remember how in my last post I mentioned that my wrist was bothering me? Well it still hurts. A lot. When I do anything. Initially I’d purchased KT Tape and that seemed to help but then …it didn’t anymore, and it seems to be getting worse. So I traipsed back to CVS and got an actual brace, which is glorious. I then got on my bike a few days later and realized that, no, not even the brace makes it better. I sound really whiny to everyone I talk to but IT HUUURRTTSSS when I bike! So this puts a severe cramp in my training plans! Two weekends have gone by (one of which wasn’t wasted as I had a friend visiting me) but this last weekend and this weekend could have been long trips and now can’t be. How am I supposed to be ready for mountains when I can’t practice going UP them? It has me genuinely concerned.
My Bike Tour Adventures 