I love my coffee house people

Kyle performing his disappearing hand trick

Oh, I love bread too. Would you just look at those muffins... These are some of my peeps at Variety. They have been treating me like family from the get go. That's Gavin, the owner on the right. He's a piece of work. The kid just came in and took over the neighborhood. He's running everybody out of business. Ha ha, I'm so jealous, the only thing I can do in response is go on a long ass bike trip. That makes him jealous. We are the 7 a.m. breakfast club at variety. Word has it that Kyle is going to ride me out of town on friday. It's going to be like a loaded donkey being escourted by a f-17 fighter jet. I got two days till I'm outta here. goody bye New York hello America.

Nothing is off limits on the road

My bike is in the shop for a tune up, and today I'm taking care of last minute details and stuff. Meanwhile these two morning doves are eating all the seeds up that Maya planted in the flower box, but I've caught them red handed and they will be turned over to the appropriate authorities. Maya thinks I should carry some herbs on my bike somewhere. You know, a little thyme, maybe a rosemary plant. sage would be nice for all those cheese omelet's I'll be making on the road. That would be too much like a bird sancuary on wheels.Then again it might be nice to attract some nice plump birds like these for roasting. I don't know we'll see if I have any room left for a rear rack garden. Stay tuned for the road kill section of my blog. Thats where I come across a fresh kill and decide there and then on the spot if I should put it on a home made spit. You can't let that stuff go to waste if it's still fresh. Protien baby!I'll be looking to do some dumpster diving along the way as well. Nothing is off limits on the road.

T- bone celebration

This was the view from my campsite. It was a mountain bike path that cut along the side of the mountain. Not a bad front porch view. My first night in the woods was uneventful. I was dead tired and asleep by dusk. I didn't use my stove cause I had nothing to cook. This test ride was an eye opener. I'm glad did it. I was up at the crack of dawn, packed and peddled to the nearest coffee shop 10 miles south. Riding a fully loaded bike with no coffee at 7 a.m. on unfamiliar roads is quite challenging. I need to make room for a cowboy coffee set up on my rig. I made it back to brooklyn in 3 1/2 hours before the traffic got ugly. I picked up two 26 dollar a piece, t-bone steaks from Marlow & daughters for dinner and Maya and I celebrated Saturday night with an amazing dinner. Life is good.

Bear mountain

The lake at bear mountain

This what it looks like when you ride your bike 55 miles north of New York city along 9w. I dare you to try it. Oh yeah, bring a tent and some food cause you will be hungry and need a place to crash. This was the first real indication that this trip is going to be crazy hard. I'm going to have to reach into the depths of my soul to pull this off. For gods sake don't text and drive! Sweaty, dirty, sun burn, exhausted, all for this beautiful picture at the lake. I slept like a rock.

These two folks are my favorite. Jamie and Cece

Right now I'm soaked to the bone! I just came back from Bedford in a downpour. Jamie, Cece and I stopped for a couple of beers at Spikehill. I've got a nice buzz working so I thought I'd blog a bit. Yesterday I had a nice easy ride up to Inwood. In the morning I went to bicycle Habitat and got a lesson in bicycle repair. Now I'm really set to take care of any emergency repairs. Chain repair check, spoke repair check. Thanks Hal, you're the best! I rode 32 miles nice and easy just spinning. I'm about a week and a half from shoving off and I could'nt be more excited! The only thing I need to get is some Chamious lube. Yeah, I thought I'd share that with you. even though I have'nt needed it until now, I know it will be much needed in the near future. Getting caught in the rain was a nice reminder of things to come. I've been such a wuss all spring, only riding when the weather is favorable. I know that's all going to change when I'm on the road. for now I can afford to be a pansy, In fact I'm enjoying it. Lastnight I considered sleeping in my sleeping bag on the floor just to start getting used to roughing it. but then I remembered my nice big bed and opted for the comfortable option. I should fully enjoy it while I can. No?

The best riding day

The cherry blossoms on the hudson bike path

Oh, yesterday I had a doozy. The weather was perfect and my ride to Nyack was beautiful. I was in heaven. I met this guy Steve from Manhattan in New Jersey and we rode all the way to Piermont and had lunch. 68 miles of bliss. I can't wait to be on tour!!This is what it's all about nice rides and nice people.

Variety the spice of life

This is the coffee house I've been holed up in all winter.

I'm so happy this little gem opened up right around the corner from home. I can roll out of bed and stumble over here at 7 a.m. and get the best french press in town. No joke this place is a life saver. I get my bread fix, my wifi fix, and most important, my social contact with people who regard me as friends. I'm going to miss this little unpretentious home away from home. Gavin the owner is sitting on a gold mine. I hope he takes it all the way to the bank. This is where I've spent alot of time researching and planning my tour.Thankyou

salty briney cyclist

Bathing Canadian geese make it look easy

The reality of the situation is slowing starting to take hold in my imagination. Every time I get in the shower I try to imagine what it's going to be like taking a sponge bath at my camping site after I've changed out of my cycling shorts, or should I do that at the gas station before I even get to my make shift campsite? I'm making sure to enjoy each and every shower I take be fore I leave home as well. Soon enough I'll be the salty Briny cyclist longing for a warm shower. Keeping clean and doing my laundry will keep my mind occupied for a portion of the day. I don't want to be the stinky guy rolling into town looking for directions. Gathering food and water will take up a good portion of the day, as well as where to poop and pee? In the evening a few hours before the sun goes down I'll be looking for a campsite. Good photo's will always be in the fore front of my mind. Oh god, what about wifi? I'll constantly be looking for a signal so I can keep my blog up to date. Ah, freedom has it's cost.

spilled the beans

Today started out promising. After my morning coffee stop at Variety I loaded up my bike and rode to Bicycle Habitat in Manhattan and had some armadillo tires installed. 700 by 28's. Hal, the mechanic gave me some good advice about changing spokes. It's always smart to make friends with the bike mechanics. I proceeded to ride up to my favorite camping spot in Manhattan. Yes you heard that right. Under the GW bridge is my favorite place in the city. so I set up my tent and snaped some pics. Practice makes perfect. Then I rode to Piermont, had some coffee and a muffin at the Danbury coffee house. I stoped at the bike shop to have my stuff weighed. Both panniers and my handebar bag fully loaded weighed 32 lbs. Thats it ! ultralight baby! On my way home a little kid ran out in front of the cyclist I was passing on the left. He swerved left right in front of me and I bit the pavement. Ouch! I hate when that happens. Once again I could'nt get my feet out of the clips and spilled on my elbo. The last 10 miles home I could'nt get my head right and was just aggrivated. A nice sunny day though in the 60's. A 62 mile training day fully loaded. I'm happy.

cookies and beer

My friend Jamie showing off the goods

Jamie and I rode over to Prospect Park today to give his new bike a nice spin. The weather was beautiful and the park was packed with people. On the way home we stopped at Marlow and Son a favorite Brooklyn hangout and enjoyed some cookies and beer. It was a nice easy ride we did about 20 miles.

Fully loaded testride

Riding down 2nd, avenue in Manhattan

Today was my first day pulling a full load. Wow! Not as bad as I expected. It felt really good. It’s a lot of weight, but once I was moving it felt surprisingly stable. There were 30 mph. wind gusts, so I got a good idea how squirly it could get, but It wasn’t bad at all. Over all, I’m real excited. It’s is easier than I thought. Way easier. I’m so glad it’s early and I’m getting this opportunity to check out how the bike handles fully loaded. I rode 27 miles in the wind. Not as far as I had hoped, but quite fulfilling. I was beginning to feel like I was going to have too much weight to carry, but now those fears have been put to rest. So far everything is working out just as I had planed. I love it when a plan comes together.

The view from the pier in Piermont N.Y.

Tuesday March 31st, 2009

Today the weather was nice and sunny, but in the morning at 9:00 a.m. it was still only about 40 degrees. This made for a chilly ride out of Brooklyn. I rode to Piermont had a coffee and muffin, then proceeded on to Nyack. On the way home I didn’t experience the same butt discomfort as the last two previous times. That’s reassuring. It already feels like I’m getting stronger, but I still have a long way to go. When I got home after the 5 ½ hr.
Ride I jumped in the shower and walked into the city. Later that night Maya, Smirthi, and myself had dinner at Radio Mexico. Then I walked the 4 miles home. 70 miles on the bike, and 9 miles walking. Tomorrow is April 1st, and my goal is to bike 1000 miles in April before I take off on May 1st. That should set me pretty straight for my journey.

The Danbury coffe house in Piermont N.Y.

Tunnel vision under the George Washington bridge

It’s amazing, the cycling culture one stumbles on once you cross the George Washington bridge in upper Manhattan. 9 west is the route that seems to be a serious training ground for racing cyclist from all over. This coffee house in Piermont is about 20 miles north of the George Washington bridge. Great place to take a break.

Sunday March 22nd, 2009

I took it kind of easy today. I walked to the 9th street espresso in alphabet city and back. That’s about a six mile walk. Then I rode over to Prospect park and around the loop a couple of times. About 16 miles. We had dinner with some farmers market people, then drinks last night at the Richardson with Maya’s friends from the New School.

Friday March 27th, 2009

Today I rode to Piermont and back for a total of 62 miles. It was a tough ride on my butt muscles. With ten miles to go I started experiencing a very sore right cheek. I Made it home o.k. took a shower and went for a walk. I was pretty wiped out when I got home. I can see how crashing in my tent will be no problem after 75 miles on my bike.

Saturday March 28th, 2009

This morning I walked to Union Square to get crab cakes and clams at the farmers market. I also walked home, it’s a 8 mile walk. I rode my bike over to Prospect park and around the loop 5 times. By the time I got back home I had cycled 30 miles. I got the rest of my toiletries this morning, as well as some leg warmers which work really well. No need for tights now. Soon I’ll have everything I need to bring for my trip. April will be the big training month. Hopefully I can ride 3 or 4 days a week and increase my mileage as well. I wish to pay closer attention to my nutritional needs. It would be nice to drop a few pounds as this will only make things easier, and lighter.

Monday March 16th, 2009

Today I rode over to prospect park for the first time. Nice ride. It’s a nice loop over there, kind of like the one in central park. I’m gonna have to hit that more often in my training runs. I must have ridden about 18 miles.

Wednesday March 18th, 2009

Today I rode to Piermont, and then Nyack. 72 miles round trip. Oh my butt is sore. The muscles. This was a good long ride. I’ll have 2 days off now and do it again on Saturday. I should be ready to go by then . It took me about 4 ½ hrs. with two café stops, and I also stopped at a new cycle shop on the other side of the George Washington bridge. The weather was really nice. I was dressed to fit the bill as well.

Saturday March21st, 2009

A beautiful sunny day in the low 50’s. Rode to Piermont after picking up some fish at the farmers market this morning. Today was a good training day. I felt well, not too sore. About a 68 mile ride. It was cool running.

Sunday March 15th, 2009

I was feeling pretty spunky today, so I rode up to Wave Hill in the Bronx. My friend Cece Cole was presenting her art installation Knots and Conceits. That was a great reason to ride up there. 40 miles round trip. I’m feeling out of shape. And am starting to realize that I’ve got to get some miles under my belt before I take off in May. Yes it’s time to start training. Maya says I need to start riding some hills. Today I lost a fleece jacket and a nike cap off the back of my bike on the way up to Wave Hill. That sucks! I need to bungy things better. Something like that on my trip would really be a bummer.

Saturday February 28,th 2009

Ah, the last day of February. Only two months to go. I’ve got all my camping gear except for my stove. I could have picked one up today, but I had last minute reservations. It’s a space and weight thing. I’m torn between wanting to cook my meals and just getting things on the go at stores. Part of me really wants to make coffee in the morning and dinners in the evening resting by a stove at camp thinking about the days events. And the other part of me knows that there are plenty of places to get something to eat. The space I save from not bringing the stove could be used to store food to bring with. Now that I think about stealth camping, it makes more sense to just get in and get out. I don’t know, I’ve got more time to ponder it. There is also the fuel issue. Those canisters can’t be that easy to come by.
Soon I’ll start getting my toiletries together I want to get everything in order and do some practice runs here in New York to work out the kinks, and get an idea of how the bike handles fully loaded. Well half loaded anyway. I’ve decided to only go with rear panniers. Maybe a handle bar bag we’ll see.

The Manhattan bridge looking into Brooklyn

Monday February 16th, 2009

After another day of walking around Manhattan I’m all the more excited about touring. Yesterday I spent the day looking at sleeping bags and tents. I think I’ve got the sleeping bag narrowed down to a western mountaineering ultra light 20 degree 850 down fill bag. It’s a little more than I wanted to spend, but I crawled in one at a local camping outlet and it felt awesome. I wasn’t really looking for a 20 degree bag, but the knowledgeable salesperson set me straight with the product I’m going to need. Better safe than sorry. As for a tent, I think I’m set on going with a Big Agnes seed house SL1 ultra light tent. Both pieces of gear have a combined weight of 4lbs. 7oz, and pack really small.
I’ve also been doing some investigative work on digital cameras. The last camera I owned was a Pentax k1000. That was 25 years ago. I’m way behind the curve. So I’ve visited many stores and asked many questions, and am still undecided. The digital SLR’S seem to be much better than the point and shoots, but they’re also heavier and bulkier. I’m not sure which is more important, the picture quality or the small size? I do know that the place to get one is at B&H on 34th street and 9th avenue. I’m going to have to marinate on that one a bit before making a choice. Or talk to somebody with some more experience and knowledge.
I enjoy talking to the various professionals about equipment choices. Everyone I to talk to gets really excited when I tell them that I’m planning a transcontinental bicycle trip. It’s always the same reaction, eyes light up, they smile, and then they start asking question. Where you going? How long will it take? Which route are going to take?

Saturday February 14th, 2009
As I inform myself about all the ways of touring across the country on a bike, I’m constantly finding new ways of carrying equipment, which type of clothing to bring, and how to spend the night. For example: You can load your bike with front and back panniers, those bags that look like saddle bags, plus a handle bar bag. You can hitch a trailer to the back of your bike and carry everything on it. You can also bring almost nothing as long as you have a credit card and sleep in hotels every night. I have to admit, that sort of sounds appealing. Nice hot shower, a big soft bed, and cable television, a continental breakfast in the morning before peddling off. Some people carry as much as 60lbs. of stuff on the bike, while the super hardcore go ultra light and carry as little as possible. Almost everybody says bring rain gear, and a least 3 water bottles. So many variables, ultimately it comes down to each individual deciding what kind of touring experience you want to have.
I can’t imagine what motivates other people to want to undertake such a tour. But for me it’s many things. I love riding a bike through the countryside, I love sleeping in a tent under the stars, and waking up in the morning to birds chirping. I love cooking outside on an open flame. I think I’m an explorer by nature. I’m also enjoying the process of planning my tour. It’s like a science finding the right balance of equipment, gear, and clothing. You could go crazy buying all the best stuff or shop at thrift stores and get things you need. The best rain gear alone can cost you upwards of $600. Today I saw a rain jacket at a thrift store for $5. I already have rain pants. And It’s the same with everything else. A $3000 touring bicycle, or the $900 one I got.

The williamsburg bridge

Thursday February 12, 2009

I’ve been spending my days walking across the Williamsburg bridge in Brooklyn over to Union Square to read about camping, backpacking, and bicycle touring. Thanks to Barns and Noble I’m getting as much information I need to feel confident and well informed about the task at hand. The plan is to leave around the beginning of May when the weather is more favorable for camping and head east to west across the country from N.Y.C. to California. Most experienced touring cyclist’s would tell you to box up your bike and fly to the west coast and start there, so you can have the tail winds at your back. It seems silly to me to fly somewhere to ride your bike. I would prefer to start at home in Brooklyn and return home the same way. I would like to free camp as much as possible, pitching my tent in out of the way places at the end of a long days ride. I’ll bring a light weight tent and sleeping bag as well as a compact stove to cook most of my meals, and carry these items and the proper clothing, and toiletries along with a netbook and digital camera to document my travels. Keeping it light is the name of the game, but at the same time I want to bring everything that I’ll need.
It’s still a little too cold here to start training seriously on my bike. Don’t get me wrong I see people riding everyday out here, but I’m not one of them. Walking 8 or 10 miles a day right now is giving me a solid base to start with, and as soon as the temperature starts heading into the 50’s, I’ll begin putting 30 miles a day or so in on my bike. I’ve cycled a couple of days this winter just to wet my whistle. I know what it’s like to put in 75 mile days, just not forty in a row. My main concern is getting my butt in shape so I can sit on that little seat for a few months. Racing across the country is not the plan either. I really want to experience the freedom such a trip can evoke. The spontaneity, adventure, and peace of mind you must feel just rolling along the blue roads crossing this country. Not to mention the interesting people you meet, and discovering one’s own self.
Growing up in western New York I had my share of camping outings, just not all by myself in the middle of some woods in unfamiliar surroundings. This too will prove to be quite challenging. Every once in a while I entertain the idea of being in some dark woods huddled in my tent all by myself, but until I am actually doing it I can’t really know how terrifying it could possible be. I’m looking forward to setting up my little cooking stove and making coffee in the morning as the sun comes up, or cooking oatmeal or some lentil dish with veggies at the end of a long day in the saddle.
It’s just the little critters outside my tent making noises or the possible run in with a bear or mountain lion I fear. I guess if I have to make an exit this would be a noble way to go. Then again I could be run off the rode by a logging truck or flat out hit by a car. Either way it couldn’t be worse than dieing the slow death of working for a living. I need a change, an adventure, maybe I just need to rough it for a while so that I can appreciate the creature comforts I’m so accustomed too. So, it is in this state of mind that I find myself these days, planning for the trip of a lifetime, turning my daydreams into reality.

Spoke-nword a bicycle touring tale

by Lenny Sales

Riding a bicycle across the country is something I’ve always wanted to do, but the timing never really seemed quite right. At this point in my life everything is falling into place to allow me to undertake such an adventure, and I’m finding out that setting the wheels in motion takes place long before any of the actual peddling begins.