two hundred fifty five

TOTAL RIGHT KNEE REPLACEMENT

October 19, 2020

I was young and dumb with a brand new 1971 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe. I was headed home from my girl friends house when a full sized Dodge Coronet turned directly into my lane. I hit once then went airborne end over end then impacting an embankment, so there were two impacts.

I did not lose consciousness so I remember the small fire and the jaws of life. I remembered the ambulance ride and the emergency room. I have no idea how fast I was traveling but I never went anywhere slowly. 

Concussion, internal bleeding, broken jaw, neck, ribs and a compound fracture of my right femur. I spent two weeks in the Intensive Care Unit and another month in the hospital. I was not expected to survive but my doctor used the fact that I was 19 years old to save me. He said he is 19 if we don't  tell him he could die he won't because at 19 he doesn't think he can. 

He was absolutely right I was much more concerned for my car and the strange experience of being 19 and not able to get an erection. At 19 that is as vital as a heart beat.

In surgery they wired my jaw and inserted (with a sterile hammer) a 17 inch long stainless steel pin inside of my femur bone. It was in there for eleven months then removed. I was back to work in six months. There was no rehab in those days I just went back to carrying quarters of beef, and unloading trucks. Old school apprenticeships were heartless so I pulled my weight or else.

I had a guy call me a cripple that made me so mad I voued to never ever ever ever limp. I made a point of walking smoothly and took up running 10k races in the 80's. I continued on like nothing had happened but I knew my knee was paying a price.

After several years of commuting on my Surly Crosscheck and a few bicycle tours I finally bought a Felt F4 Carbon Fiber bicycle. I had a friend do a proper fit. He was training someone so he did the left leg with all of the bike fit tools then told the trainee to do the right leg. After several attempts the numbers were different. After some investigation we discovered my right Femur was one full inch shorter than my left. 

This was a big surprise but it explained many of the problems I had had over the past 33 years. We moved shoe clips and added shims to my shoes to compensate. A few rides later I went back to the way it was.

I never slowed down I just lived with the pain. My knee has had severe loss of cartilage for the past 25 years. At 69 I finally had enough it was going bad rather quickly. 

The picture is week four, the swelling is gone now and the scar is minimal. The bruising was extensive the first week my leg and groin area were dark purple. The first five weeks were miserable and the rehab is pretty intense but sleeping was my biggest issue. Now twelve full weeks later I'm so happy I did it. I take long hikes now my knee is perfect but the rest of my body aches. I guess that is just being my age. I am on my way to getting in shape, I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

Erin Finter MD was my doctor there is a post about her post number two hundred forty four.

two hundred fifty four

THE STRAIGHT STORY

by David Lynch

This is a quirky story about a man taking an epic journey using an unusual form of transportation, sound familiar?

A retired farmer and widower in his 70s, Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) learns one day that his distant brother Lyle (Harry Dean Stanton) has suffered a stroke and may not recover. Alvin is determined to make things right with Lyle while he still can, but his brother lives in Wisconsin, while Alvin is stuck in Iowa with no car and no driver's license. Then he hits on the idea of making the trip on his old lawnmower, thus beginning a picturesque and at times deeply spiritual odyssey.

In 1999 this movie quietly came out. It didn't stand out or win any awards so I missed it for years perhaps you have too. It is for rent on Amazon, it is worth a watch. I have not found a better movie to capture the spirit of loaded bicycle touring. 

There is a great story line of family and redemption that is heart warming I won't spoil it for you. My focus is on his journey. 

He was a bull headed man who was limited by age and the wear and tare on his body from a life of hard work. I could relate to being bull headed and having a well worn body myself but I refuse to be limited. His circumstances forced him to use a very unconventional form of travel. It was slow, unpredictable and dangerous. 

His interactions with the people he met along the way, battling the stress of the trip and a dangerous break down are very familiar to me. 

The movie reveals the nature of first time last time conversations. As you travel from town to town you meet strangers. Most interactions are friendly but sometimes they can be very  open and honest and often they become intimate and personal. Sooner or later you both move on, never to see one another again. The nature of this type of interaction is that it is no risk, talking truthfully is easy.

I have been changed by these conversations and I believe others have been changed too. This human to human thing kind of works that way. It is simple I just try to break down walls by risking showing my heart first. I'm amazed how the most uptight people respond.

The curiosity, unlikely interactions and the kindness of strangers are the reasons I love the people of this great country. I have had some very profound conversations where two complete strangers shared a moment of kindness, respect and closeness. I hold many of those moments close to my heart and think of them when the world seems a little ugly.

two hundred fifty three

MISTER EISENHOWER

When I was in middle school I was part of a new progressive experiment one genius idea was "New Math" so I am happy we now have calculators. The next idea was to split the year into thirds so the boys and girls took one third of the year home economics, one third wood shop and one third art class. In Home Economics I learned to properly set a table and fold a cloth napkin. Wood Shop was taught by a teacher who the year before was a janitor. Somehow I had pissed him off so he didn't like my attitude so basically I learned nothing.

Then there was Art Class with Mister Eisenhower. He was a young man fresh out of college. He was post beatnik and pre hippie with a buzz haircut, always wore a t-shirt, had jeans with the knees out and wore sandals rain, snow or shine. They told him to wear a neck tie so he painted one on his t-shirt. 

Needless to say he only lasted a year but he was my all time favorite teacher. His classes were so unconventional. He taught us to see by taking days to look at our very own chicken egg. We named them, smelled them, licked them, looked through them and listened to them. 

We drew one line, don't take the pen off of the paper drawings (like Picasso). He distracted us by telling us gross stories about how they mummified the Pharaohs nose entry brain hooks and everything.  I guess he did this to  access our left brains and imaginations. 

He talked about free thinking, being an individual and made being responsible sound cool. I still remember his wisdom, "Have your own opinion not someone elses" and "Everyone can look at things, but only a few can see them".

He thought art in any form is for the viewer not for the artist. It isn't what the artist puts into it, it is what the viewer sees feels and thinks about it. Getting people to think and feel is a beautiful thing.

He got us to think about the silly things people say everyday just like Gallager the comedian, but this was years before Gallager. 

What he did for me is to actually see me and value my opinion like he did all of the other seventh grade students. We all got serious around him because we all valued what he thought about us. We all tried to see things like he did as I still do today.

He lived down the street so I saw him now and then. He went back to being a starving artist. He had art everywhere in and on the house, We found a vein of pottery clay and fired some really cool pottery pieces in bonfires in his backyard. Those months were the best months of my 12 years of school.

Another nudge along my way.

two hundred fifty two

The things you look at, do you really see them?

 

Wesley Hanna

This man was born in 1900 and died in 1985, he is still alive in my mind and heart. He lived near the town I grew up in, in fact he sold the land to the city where they built their water reservoir. The house he had lived in for 70 years was built from the trees and field stone on the land. 

I didn’t know him until he was older but he had lived a full life of business and farming. He was obviously a large powerful man as a younger man. Now he was a quiet gentle man with a bad heart. His wife was a few years younger but limited by age. 

The interaction between them was fun to watch after more than 60 years together I only saw the end product. I’m sure there were epic fights, crisis and joys along the way. 

I made the mistake at first seeing them as old people. The longer I talked with Wesley the more I realized his mind and spirit were still young. The wear and tare of life plus many hard years had taken it’s toll. I’m beginning to understand this in my own life.

Wesley had not lived more than five miles from where he was born. I’m not sure he traveled much. Some may think he had a limited life but I absolutely know he had a full life. 

He was informed about current events and history. He was well read and owned an amazing amount of books. He quoted everything from Henry Thoreau, William Shakespeare to the King James Bible. He had a college degree and had the wisdom and sharp mind of a farmer. 

By farmers mind I mean he was a weather man, knew commodity markets, math, engineering, carpentry, plumbing, electricity, mechanics, understood the handling and care of animals and yes he could grow and harvest crops. He ran heavy equipment, worked in coal mines and did custom farming. He was a leader in the local Grange, active on the school board and I think he was a county politician.

I didn’t ask about his past because he didn’t seem to live there, what I did find was a man who taught me how to “see”.

I remember the day we walked through his garden. He pointed out the smells, sounds and touched everything and had me touch it. We were on an adventure through an amazing place. From the fuzz on green tomatoes, the smell of a hot radish to the sweet milk of sweet corn. Everything was amazing to him. 

At breakfast he had looked out of the same farm house kitchen window for all of those years and always saw something interesting. How the leaves on the trees were predicting the weather, how the cows were standing or laying down in the pasture, how the insects were acting and what the birds were showing him. 

Wesley had the spark in his aging eyes of a curious child, I wondered if he had learned this or was he just born that way. All I knew is that I wanted to see the world like he did. 

Over the years I remembered Wesley and when I felt like I was missing something or bored with my surroundings I would focus on the things around me and try to see them like Wesley. 

There were a few people in my life that impacted me profoundly, Wesley Hanna was one of them. I doubt he had a clue what he had taught me but perhaps he did.  

(the picture is a stock Ohio farm picture not Wesley's farm)

two hundred fifty one

 A Walk Across America 

by Peter Jenkins

This book is about a modern day man walking from coast to coast across America. I know over the centuries thousands of others have taken this journey on horseback, covered wagons, and on foot. They  traveled this way because there was no other form of transportation. 

Today coast to coast travel in a car takes four days and air travel can get you from New York to Los Angeles in under 7 hours. I have been on those flights and it always amazed me how a few people were bitching about how long it took. Sitting in a chair traveling 500 MPH still amazes me.

His method of travel stood out not because he was doing something new, it was because he was doing it now. His story fascinated millions because he jumped off of the hamster wheel and did something unconventional. His two best selling books came out in the late 70's, they are both worth a read. 

His journey took years because of many set backs and diversions. After reading them one thing I knew the stage was set  I was going to take my own epic journey one day. This was just another nudge along the way but I had not yet considered traveling by bicycle, that came years later.

In the mean time I was doing the deal, getting married, building a house, starting a family and trying to fit in to what was expected of me. Nothing wrong with any of this but like many men there is just something unfinished. To take the time to do it in the face of responsibilities would be selfish. A lot of guys kept their toys and boys nights out which caused that classic stress in their relationships. I'll admit I can be selfish but this was one thing I could not act on.

Years later things changed and I was in a position I could take some time to act on my dream, but I still wasn't sure what exactly that dream was. All I knew was it had something to do with travel and meeting and interacting with people. 

People have always fascinated me, I guess I got a little of that from my dad. He seemed to have a story or a joke and a natural ease with everyone he met. He befriended some strange characters from where he worked and always had a playful smile when they acted like characters. My parents both liked people and I was born a 10 pound fat baby who could charm the world or so I was told.

I spent almost 40 years behind meat department counters in dozens of grocery stores. Rich poor, new money old money, urban big box or small country stores and every ethnic neighborhood imaginable. Customers have no obligation to be fair or polite, but most customers reflect whatever I put out in an interaction. It is a study in people that can't be experienced very many places. 

I also had an opportunity to interact with dairy cows, beef cattle, hogs, goats and poultry, they  all have a pecking order. You learn to see it and be part of it. 

People have very similar patterns so it helped me to develop a method of reading the room. It not only saved me from getting my ass kicked in a few of the rough neck biker bars I drank in, I learned to respect other peoples stuff. 

Understanding this basic fact is very important while navigating bad situations or neighborhoods. The rule is look like a victim you will be a victim. Respecting other peoples space with a nod is also vital. All of this takes years of trial and error and trust me I learned mostly from error.  His books covered much of this but the first 50 years of my life put me a little bit ahead of the game.  One thing my ego has been beat down so I can get out of the way of my choices and have a more peaceful outcome.

 His books made clear how his journey opened his mind and heart to see the value of his interactions with the people he met along the way. This helped open my eyes to what life's journey on or off of a bicycle is really all about. I had learned over the years to take a moment and actually "see" people. I learned to enjoy just about everyone and value their uniqueness, but taking this ability on a long slow journey was a new idea.

two hundred fifty

THEN CAME BRONSON

 Micheal Parks in 1969 starred in a TV show that impacted me profoundly. A young guy setting out on a motorcycle with the theme, "Where ever I end up I guess". That struck such a cord with me I almost bought a motorcycle but even at that age realized I would never survive, I had too much of that speed thing.

Jim Bronson would find himself in a situation every week where he would save a life, put down a bully, solve a crime or change a life, but that is Hollywood. Actually a real journey has countless special moments. They may not be as dramatic as a television series but I do know I impacted a few lives along the way. Mine was certainly changed, I think that is the way this human to human thing should work.

I did buy a leather jacket and hat and took off a few times hitch hiking. My first few times I made all of the stupid mistakes but avoided the serial killers, but I did find and politely avoid a few creepy truck drivers. I remember so clearly being in the middle of Pennsylvania at 6 am trying to hitch a ride after sleeping under a truck on a piece of cardboard. It sounds like a nightmare but I had a smile on my face I'll never forget.

The middle of nowhere with only my whits is somehow soothing. I found the same feeling with a bicycle, a  motorcycle comes with a lot of limitations. People don't react the same to a motorcycle as they do a nut in the middle of nowhere on a bicycle. 

Living in Oregon the summers are filled with hundreds of guys my age taking epic journeys on very nice touring motorcycles. They travel longer distances from motel to motel avoiding the stress of leg power and primitive camping. I may someday do that but now I'll stick to my peddle bike.

On a bicycle there are things you just can't do. One of these is go fast and you can't go far, legs and lungs are the only motor you have. The weather and terrain rule your days. The slow slog puts you in contact with so many more people along the way.

If you go on Youtube you can watch a clip of this conversation. Jim Bronson has a conversation with a business guy going to work who is curious about what Jim was doing. He asked "were are you headed?", Jim answered "where ever I end up I guess". I have had the vary interaction with so many people who ask me the same question. 

The guy in the car seemed to be in awe if the free spirit of a young guy on an epic journey. It doesn't seem like much but to many people the thought of unfocused freedom thrills and terrifies them.

The call of the road is strong in me I have never ever been in a more perfect place then the middle of nowhere special. Each time I have fed this need, the need grows stronger. The older I get the more my eyes search the horizon longing to see what is over the hill and around the corner.

My previous post talked about my focus issues. What I have discovered I find serenity in the chaos of the bike lane. That and the feeling of freedom I can't imagine a more perfect place to be.

two hundred forty nine

Why would a grown man want to ride a heavy bicycle across America?

I have tried to understand my wondering need for a very long time. I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s like most kids wondering what it is all about. The political and cultural turmoil of war, the draft, civil rights, moon landings, Woodstock, television, muscle cars, girls and rock and roll set the back drop. 

I was the younger son of a blue collar family from a small Ohio town. As a vocation factories or farming was the choice most kids made. We got jobs, fast cars, raised some hell, fell in love, got married, bought a house, started a family and tried to figure it out like every other human on the planet.

We all have a path and a story I’ll tell you a little part of mine. After a rough and tumble free range childhood I was an average kid. However I was plagued with impulse control issues and a few what they now call learning disorders. Thank God I was not treated for any of these because I eventually learned to live with them and thrive.

I write in this blog in a way that I believe is helped by these “disorders”. It takes me twice as long but I believe it makes sense to the people reading in a way I still don’t understand. Perhaps it just fits in your head too.

I was a bully and I was bullied, I was shy but obnoxious, I hid while I was showing off and like most young boys under the influence of testosterone, thought my dad was an idiot, rebelled at every turn and howled at the moon. I somehow avoided arrest and survived muscle cars with only a broken leg but a few dead friends. We were living in a strange bubble trying to stay awake in a small town.

My dad eventually got smarter and years later I understood he had had every right to smother me in my sleep. I wrecked his cars, broke his tools and pretty much drove my parents to the very edge. I know I’m not the only one but I was pretty bad.

Being alone kept me out of trouble and being alone was very comforting. I have found over the years this is both good and bad, there has to be a balance. I’ll save you all of the psycho babble about my path to get some things into perspective. 

The bottom line is I’m sober for more than 30 years and I have a relationship with my higher power Jesus Christ. From the day I entered into a covenant with Him I have never felt alone. We talk but not often enough, I’m not everyone’s idea of a model Christian but I won’t plaster on a Jesus mask to make people happy. Over the decades of this relationship I have changed from the inside out so hiding that with a mask people can see around would be disingenuous. I am who I am and I am striving to be better every day.

Enough preachy stuff now back to the reason I ride a bicycle like I do……

two hundred forty eight

 LET THERE BE FRONT LIGHT 

I have had this light for years it is an Urban Light & Motion 700 Lumen rechargeable head light. This thing is very bright to light my path and lets other traffic see me. 

I try never to use it other than for camp set up because I try to never ride at night. I have been caught in the dark miles from my destination by not planning well. This is foolhardy and dangerous, I learned that the hard way. 

Night time commuting in a familiar town in the early hours has risk but day after day traveling the same route you memorize the hazards. If you are traveling in the dark on strange streets and highways unseen holes, rocks, loose gravel and wet spots can have serious consequences. Like I said you can reduce the risk by reducing the odds, it is just common sense.

My lights are all rechargeable which has never been an issue away from power they seem to last a very long time. 

Cygolite makes a more powerful light 1400 Lumens. This could help with mountain biking but loaded touring 700 is more than enough. Daytime use on the front is not a bad idea in fact I have used mine set on pulse while navigating busy city traffic. A small 50 lumen hotshot can work on the front during the day.

two hundred forty seven

LET THERE BE REAR LIGHT

  

I have a particular pet peeve about tail lights. There are dozens of types and styles that range from $10 and up.  For some strange reason as I drive my truck to work there is some idiot riding in the bike lane blacked out like it is the world war II blitz. I have actually seen the same person day after day cruising along without a care not realizing how lucky they were being noticed at the last minute. This is one problem that has a simple fix, buy a damn tail light at Walmart!

I guess it is like turn signals there is no real need to use them if you know were you are going. Driving is a group activity and the last I checked bicycles don't have fenders. Assume no one sees you, it only takes one. Commuting to work on familiar streets has risk but traveling long distances multiplies the risk by 10. Strange roads, traffic signals and 100 times the traffic the odds build. A simple fix is bright colors, reflective clothing and lights. 

I found the triangle for days and battery powered lights for night. Now I have a new light by Cygolite Hypershot 350 Lumen day time rechargeable tail light. I know it is an over kill but I can be seen a full mile ahead in the brightest sunlight so I run it all day. These lights have that "what the hell is that?" effect on traffic. It is a strange blink that gets a driver trying to figure out what you are instead of noticing you at the last second. This increases the odds they won't kill you which is a very good thing for you both.

two hundred forty six

                                                              

NEWEST TOY

 

My new Garmin GPS choice is different this time. I had the 60 series type which worked well but I got tired of pushing buttons. The Garmin 35 Touch with a touch screen is much easier to use on the fly. 

The mount I found is from a small company that 3D prints a stem mount for Garmin units. It is well made but it took months and was expensive it fits perfectly and is like metal. 

With the development of smart phones I have live access to food, camping, motels and everything else. I have North America City Navigator loaded on the GPS to use when I can't access the internet which happens more than I expected in the Pacific Northwest.

I can plot my way, know my ETA, see local streets and landmarks, track my elevation changes by percentage  and keep detailed records of milage, elevation and exact location. This can be stored on an internal chip then down loaded onto my PC. This will give me a detailed record of my entire journey.

It takes two AA rechargeable Lithium batteries that last a full day. I have a total of 8 that can be recharged in less than an hour.

I use my phone or Ipad mini to plot long trips, plus I have paper maps and a magnetic compass. I pick up a new state map at each state line. Relying completely on GPS routing can really be frustrating. Taking the long view saves an extra climb or a dangerous road.

One hard skill to develop is choosing the best bicycle route. Elevation changes, traffic issues and weather patterns are trial and error. Going around a mountain is usually farther but easier than climbing up and over. Do this enough and you will figure it out. The long view works best. 

two hundred forty five

25 YEARS AGO THIS WAS THE STATE OF THE ART

 This is my piece of old school technology, a CATEYE CC-AT-100. It came on the market in 1995 for $100. The altimeter that I found to be very accurate works with barometric pressure. Every mountain pass has a posted elevation that I assume is accurate, it was always within 5 feet. At sea level it would vary as much as 20 feet. 

The unit has a wire down to the front fork to a sensor that tracks a magnet on the wheel spoke. You set the unit by tire size which is amazingly accurate. I used the unit for daily miles and would reset it daily. It saves totals but I just use it for current speed, elevation and daily miles. 

I don't worry about it rain or shine it is bullet proof. This is actually a new one, I found it in a reduced bin in a bike shop. It was brand new but it was missing the bar mount and wiring harness, so it was only $5. My original unit had some wear but it worked perfectly.

I don't really need this my GPS will do everything and more but I like it because it looks vintage like me. 

After the nuclear EMP attack I think this will still work along with my Zippo lighter, stem wind pocket watch and pocket knife.

Most miles in a day - 155 miles - Montana into North Dakota, neutral wind and powered by peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Top down hill speed - 50 MPH - Down a crowded California freeway grade. I got caught up in the draft from several tractor trailers. I only tried that once.

Highest altitude - 9850 FT - Crossing the Rockies in Colorado I was pushing the bike at at a blinding 3.5 MPH.

two hundred forty four

This is the surgeon that performed my recent full right knee replacement. My right femur was broken in a car accident 50 years ago. It was a compound break that left my right leg an inch shorter. This caused extra wear on my knee joint that had also been damaged. I have struggled with my knee for 30 years so it was time to finally do something about it.

My plan is to get back on the bike outdoors in the spring. Full recovery takes 52 weeks. So far it is still healing and my body is adjusting. I am stoked to get back to normal, well more than normal. I give a great deal of credit to the knowledge and skill of Doctor Finter. I told her I would put a sticker on my bike to advertise for her.

 Erin Finter, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon-Total Joint Replacement, Knee, Hip

Dr. Erin Finter was born at St. Charles Hospital and raised in Bend. She attended University of Washington for her undergraduate education and Georgetown University for medical school, graduating cum laude from both institutions. At Georgetown, she won the outstanding student award for orthopedic surgery. Dr. Finter completed her internship and orthopedic residency at University of Chicago and her fellowship in joint replacement surgery at the Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Finter specializes in joint replacement and reconstructive procedures of the hip and knee, including minimally invasive procedures. Dr. Erin Finter is now able to offer direct anterior total hip arthroplasty, which provides the potential for less pain, faster recovery and improved mobility in patients who qualify. She enjoys her work in joint replacement knowing she helps contribute to her patients quality of life as they return to a healthy state of abilities.

Dr. Finter also appreciates that she is allowed into peoples lives in an intimate and significant way and respectfully honors that trust. She is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society and the Phi Beta Kappa Society.

Dr. Finter is thrilled to be practicing in her hometown. In her free time, she enjoys golfing, skiing, hiking and spending time with her husband and family.

two hundred forty three

My Basic Kitchen (left rear pannier)

 My kitchen is very basic. I love coffee, let me rephrase that I NEED coffee, strong black drip coffee. My Jetboil stove is one of the originals, I bought it when Jetboil was a small startup company in New England. I've had it since 2003 or so and have used it everyday of every trip without a hitch. I have replaced some parts, they sell rebuild kits. If it ever gives out I will buy another one. The larger pot is also from Jetboil, it has the flanged bottom to heat effectively minimizing fuel use.

I consider my dry food as emergency food to use in a pinch. I try to always have a couple days of food from regular grocery stores on board. If I buy meat, eggs and cheese, it doesn't need refrigerated as long as I use it in a day or so. Beans, fruit, peanut butter, jelly and bread are my favorite.

I'm not a picky eater, fancy food is good but I have a no frills basic cave man approach to food. I do love meat, take the hair off, show it a fire and I'm good. Over a long trip, mentally, emotionally and physically food becomes fuel, eating is more a need not a pleasure. You start to think of it like a gas tank fuel gauge. You begin to feel the food you eat so listen to your body, what you crave is probably what your body needs. 

I do treat myself to a half gallon of vanilla ice-cream at the end of every 100 mile day. I'm not sure I have very many of those in me, maybe I'll drop it to 75 or 80. My daily milage depends on my mood, terrain, weather, headwinds and distractions. My focus on total miles has faded over the years, I think I'm learning to relax more, enjoy the journey and explore the distractions. If it is a day my body feels right and a long day happens I love sitting on the sidewalk in front of a mom and pop grocery store smiling while I consume the whole half gallon and feel the cold fill my belly this is a guilty pleasure. 

Hydration is much more vital than food. The west has some vast spaces. I have a water filter that I try not to need, it makes water safe but not good tasting. Water is usually available particularly in the west. In a pinch I have held up water bottles to passing cars, asked car campers or asked people I see by their houses for water and have never been turned down. A lake or stream works in a pinch so I feel a filter is worth carrying. I can carry 6 Liters of fresh water with my extra collapsible bottles. I also use a hydration drink tablet to avoid cramping, GU Hydration Lemon Lime Tabs are my favorite.

My usual day on the road; I start with coffee while I break camp. I try to ride 20-30 miles to find a good breakfast diner, you can usually get a big breakfast fairly cheap. Ride another 30+ mile stint and try to find a grocery store along the way. Sometimes there are fruit stands, most fruit travels well but you need to eat strawberries where you buy them because bicycles turn them to jam because of the vibration. 

Find a place to camp, set up camp, watch the sunset, cook dinner, clean up, go to bed then wake up and repeat.

Left rear pannier also holds my toiletries and a Big Angus ultra light camp stool. At my age and new knee I need this creature comfort.

two hundred forty two

 NEW ELECTRONIC UPDATE

1. Garmin 35 Touch GPS with City Navagater and North America Topo maps

2. Garmin Inreach Mini satellite text and SOS communicator

3. Iphone SE 128GB (new model) 

4. Ipad Mini 5 with 256GB

5. Bluetooth key board, mouse and pad

6. Bose bluetooth speaker

7. Apple bluetooth airbuds

8. 60 watt charger plug

9. Fast AA battery recharger 10 batteries

10. Misc plugs and cables

11. Goal Zero Sherpa battery pack

My satellite Inreach Mini will allow me to stay in touch wherever I am, at 69 the SOS feature is important while out of cellphone range. 

The IPad can be used to send e-mails, do blog posts and because it has 256GB of memory I have all of my games, movies, books and music downloaded. Audio books are a passion of mine so I have plenty on my phone. 

The 60 watt charging plug will charge the Goal Zero battery pack in around 2 hours so it can be fully charged plus 10 AA batteries in coffee shops. 

This all fits nicely in two bags so I can carry them while I am away from the bike. I should be good with reasonable use a full week away from power. 

two hundred forty one

AUGUST 5, 1990 

The reason I have had the oppertunity to have these bicycle adventures stems from one event in my life. August 5, 1990 I got my head out of my ass and by the grace of God got sober. Over the years an important part of my journey has been AA meetings along the way. I plan to do many more meetings where ever I go. AA people are like family where ever I go.

( XXX are Roman numerals for 30 years, it isn't a porn star award )

two hundred forty

COOLEST JOB EVER

In Hawaii I was a cab driver, I think it was the most fun job I have ever had. Even on slow days I couldn't bitch I was in Hawaii. Many many good memories of the fascinating people I had in my cab from all corners of the world.

 

two hundred thirty nine

FOUR YEARS IN PARADISE

 

Here is a more recent photo of me on my boat in Hawaii. 

My bicycle trip plans are not set yet, I am hoping to use my bullheadedness to make this happen. 

Who knows what the future holds. I make a plan and sometimes God laughs. 

I plan to embrace the future whatever it holds.

two hundred thirty eight

IT'S ALIVE!

 Well here I sit healing up after knee replacement surgery. I am in Bend Oregon by way of Captain Cook Hawaii and San Francisco. Walter, my trusted touring bicycle rig is sitting in the next room all shiny and renewed, every inch has been upgraded and tweaked. 

Walter survived two Hawaii cargo boat trips and 14,000 miles of touring. The frame and wheels are solid. The front chain derailed was broken but everything else was cosmetic. New GPS, battery recharger, satellite emergency hand held and an iPad mini to stay in touch. New cycling clothes, rain gear, sleeping bag and a few creature comforts. 

My tent was resealed and waterproofed and I added new daytime running lights. The weight is the same but I lack nothing for a long trip.

I’m now 69 years old and out of shape. My plan is to do a few more epic bicycle journeys. Getting in shape is my focus for the next year or so so stay tuned I’m not finished yet. 

two hundred thirty seven

Time to upgrade Walter with new bar tape, lights and a new GPS. 

Well it was time to leave the Big Island of Hawaii. The smoke and whatever poison is mixed in was too much. We moved to Central Oregon into the high desert. Walter is unpacked and getting ready to take some training runs. I'm now 67 but still 16 in my head. I'll keep you posted.

two hundred thirty six

THE ONE CONSTANT IN MY LIFE IS THIS BICYCLE

Walter is out of the storage unit and siting in the extra bedroom. Time has made a few plastic parts brittle but nothing I can't fix.

I just turned 65 and have a knee that is bone to bone and may need to be replaced. I have set a goal to ride from San Diego to Florida when I am 70. Walter is packed and ready.

I sold my carbon fiber road bike it was like a toy I never really liked the feel of it. Chrome-moly is what a real bike feels like. There is a special energy when I throw my leg over my bike Walter and head for the horizon.

Like it says on my blog header "You can always get more money but you can't get more time". I'm now in that make more money phase I never really thought I would live this long. I look at 65 as the second half I ain't dead yet!