Training & Getting Packed

Getting ready for a long trip is not necessarily harder than for a weekend as far as the equipment needed to pack. Shutting down your "LIFE" is more of the prep. Once the banking, rent, telephone, ect are done the fun begins.

With that all arranged we started to train more specifically. We did three 1 week tours in 2000 and continued to ride sporatically thru the winter. With springs arrival, we continued our daily short rides and ran if able. We biked with who ever would go with us, family and friends. We did a trial run to Oliver one month prior on April 1 weekend.

Learning is fun! We learned:

1. Our sleeping bags are not warm enough for cool spring nights of 0 C

2. never forget your toque!

3. 113km is too long a day in hilly terrain fully loaded.

4. Ken has space in his bags!!

Other than riding in the snow, wind, rain and a little sun, we had a great trip and found we could manage our loads ok.

The actual packing is like a jigsaw puzzle. Try it here and there.

1. equalize the weight left to right.

2. The lower the weight the easier to balance. Put heavy items in the bottom of your front packs.

3. 60% weight in front and 40% in back.

4. try to organize items as to use: things not used during the day in one pannier ie. sleeping bag and mat together

5. put items you will want access to on the side of the bike you usually dismount on ie. my snacks are on the top of the left back pannier for easy access

You can click on the Supply List if interested in the actual "stuff" taken.

The tension mounts as the departure draws near!

Ken & Sue Gulf Islands sendoff, Ken & Sue Training Trip, Sue BC Lung Fundraiser Ride, Ken on Oliver training ride, Sister Jessie in Kananaskis,