I thought eastbounders tended to leave later than the westbound crew due to the need to wait for passes to open and the like. Riding east to west you can hit the road as soon as early March if you're hardy, and easily by early May.

I met only a handful eastbound riders (makes sense since that was the direction I was going), but encountered a fairly regular stream of oncoming westbounders.

I see you were here on July 14th. It's July 10th. We have't seen any riders at all, besides Ben. He said he's seen a lot of west bound riders, but he thinks he's the tail end of the east bound, most people left much earlier.

That's the official ACA route. I would have stayed on ID 13 but Marty, the local rider I met while I was on the climb, had advised against it.

I think I'd have liked it better than Lamb Grade.

I didn’t even know this option. Jacinto would have liked it! There’s nothing he likes better than a steep climb. The Harpster Grade was enough for me. Slow and sure. We didn’t have much traffic on that one. Perhaps because of the early hour?

The long easy drop from CJP to Wisdom was really enjoyable! The mosquitoes in Wisdom, rather less so. :)

I’ve just reread several days of your journal. I enjoy reading other cyclist’s accounts of the same area I’m traveling. Thanks for the morning read!

Yeah me too!

Oh wow glad you did not crash because of that

Well, the new back end has arrived and been installed. It was, in the end, a very straightforward and relatively simple process requiring no tool more sophisticated than an assortment of Allen wrenches, a couple open end (or box end or ratchet) wrenches, and a hammer.

It helped to have the tool that makes separating the "master link" on the chain a literal snap, and some small screwdrivers to adjust the neutral position of the brakes.

Perhaps the tool that provided the greatest benefit, though, was my computer. It gave me access to the "Yak List" (Bike Friday's online discussion group) so that I could ask a question about a specific step that had me stymied as described in this post, and then go consult the web page to which someone helpfully provided the link.

But seriously, if you can operate a wrench, screwdriver, and hammer you can do this job.

Hi Dave

I enjoyed our ride together as well.

Good luck on next summer's grand adventure. I'll be following your journal and who knows? Perhaps you'll find me on the side of the road somewhere, when you least expect it.

Keith
Finally had a chance to read through much of your journal, should have done it before my ride last week. First, I really enjoyed riding with you a few days ago, always great to ride with someone else.
After my 13 day ride that was also just as tough mentally as it was physically, I am thinking forward to my Transamerica attempt next year. I also no longer bounce back as quick as I did when I was younger. This is especially true after staying in a tent overnight.
Can I make it? Not sure but I will give it a try
Your 1,000+ mile ride is inspiring, you should be proud of what you did
Dave

I look forward to it!

Hi Kelly-

I've started a journal draft, at your suggestion, chronicling the history, decision-making process, and so forth. It needs a little more editing and review before it's ready to be made visible to the world at large but you can look for it in the coming days or weeks.

Still working the decision matrix. Somehow that seems separate from the tour proper. It may be the stuff of a follow on journal centered on wherever the next bike takes me first. I'll probably link that story to this journal along the way.

I appreciate your thorough description of the self doubt process of having bike trouble - been there, done that, don't like it!

Have you narrowed down your choices on a replacement bike? That could be a page or two for the journal? Documenting the process.