My Black Beauty

[Bike Chick]

How very nice!!! She's beautiful!

You are really going to do this, aren't you? If you come through Illinois, head south. There's a hot shower, soft bed and good food for you at my house

[IFjane]

And in the early going, if you pass through my neck of the woods (Madison County, VA), the same goes here! Just let me know

[kmehrzad]

How very nice!!! She's beautiful!

You are really going to do this, aren't you? If you come through Illinois, head south. There's a hot shower, soft bed and good food for you at my house

Thanks Bike Chick. I'm inching my way west (from VA). With each step (bike purchase, slowly planning), I'm convincing my DH that this is actually going to happen.

I'd love to stop by for a hot shower and to see a friendly face. Maybe I can convince you to ride the rest of the way with me once in IL.

Thank you, as well, IFJane. It's always a pleasure meeting TE'rs.

[Bike Chick]

Maybe I can convince you to ride the rest of the way with me once in IL.

I would love to! But don't know what I'd do about my job. If you would wait 7-8 years until after I retire, I'd do it.

[Cataboo]

We could all pass Kmerzhad around like Madei... Or schedule various people to ride with her for a day or two through various states.

If she starts on a weekend, I could do 2-3 days with her

[Cataboo]

Oh yeah, great bike Need help sprucing it up with colorful accessories?

[eofelis]

Very nice LHT there!

If you ride through western Colorado please stop in! I may even load up my old olive green LHT and ride a bit with you.

[Tri Girl]

baby step by baby step you're inching your way closer to your trip...
I like the way you operate!

Your new ride is a BEAUTY!!! I'm so excited for you (and only a teensy bit jealous of your new steed).

[kmehrzad]

Oh yeah, great bike Need help sprucing it up with colorful accessories?

Most definitely, Catriona. I believe we originally spoke about a red and black theme for the bike. Since you're the Queen of Bike Bling, I'm sure you can hook me up with the right accessories for my Black Beauty.

Catrin, the fenders are from Planet Bike. They're easily adjustable and can certainly accommodate larger tires, should I decide to switch them out. I'm not using a click-stand, that's a Pletscher double kickstand. It's nice in that it allows one to change a flat without having to turn the bike over, plus you can do chain maintenance quite easily.

7Rider, we did go a bit wild and crazy with the headset spacers. I'm not completely upright but the position is comfortable, especially for those long rides. I just might change those spacers for RED ones ... add some colorful bling.

[kmehrzad]

We could all pass Kmerzhad around like Madei... Or schedule various people to ride with her for a day or two through various states.

If she starts on a weekend, I could do 2-3 days with her

Hey, I like that idea ... pass me around, go ahead. Just think of all the great people I'd meet along the way.

[Bike Chick]

Hey, I like that idea ... pass me around, go ahead. Just think of all the great people I'd meet along the way.

Wouldn't that be cool??? You could take Maidei with you and it would be a dual purpose trip!! Of course, we would expect pics and daily updates on the forum

[kmehrzad]

I would love to! But don't know what I'd do about my job. If you would wait 7-8 years until after I retire, I'd do it.

I think 7-8 yrs. might be too much of a stretch for me to wait for this ride of a lifetime. I'll be 55 yrs. old in December and have been sensing my mortality. This past June my brother passed away due to brain cancer and watching his battle for the last two yrs. has made an impact. I'm slowly checking things off that are on my mental 'bucket list'.

Maybe when you're able to do the ride then I'll have experience under my belt and we can do it together and meet up with all the wonderful folks who've offered a place to rest my head, food for the journey, and a warm shower.

What a great group of hospitable cyclists out there in TE land. I'd love to meet up with you all someday.

[Bike Chick]

I think 7-8 yrs. might be too much of a stretch for me to wait for this ride of a lifetime. I'll be 55 yrs. old in December and have been sensing my mortality. This past June my brother passed away due to brain cancer and watching his battle for the last two yrs. has made an impact. I'm slowly checking things off that are on my mental 'bucket list'.

I'm so sorry about the loss of your brother. Please accept my deepest sympathy! How sad and difficult for you. I understand where you are at. I will be 52 shortly and sensing my mortality as well. My ex-husband (the father of my children) died suddenly from a heart attack in June and my close friend's 36 year old daughter died in a car accident last week. It puts things in perspective.

You go for it, girl, and don't look back!

[kmehrzad]

I'm so sorry about the loss of your brother. Please accept my deepest sympathy! How sad and difficult for you. I understand where you are at. I will be 52 shortly and sensing my mortality as well. My ex-husband (the father of my children) died suddenly from a heart attack in June and my close friend's 36 year old daughter died in a car accident last week. It puts things in perspective.

You go for it, girl, and don't look back!

Thanks for the encouragement Bike Chick.

My condolences for your losses as well. Such events definitely do put things in perspective. I like to think that I'm making the most of each day because you don't know what tomorrow holds in store.

[sundial]

I like to think that I'm making the most of each day because you don't know what tomorrow holds in store.

You are right--things can change in a blink of an eye and what we take for granted will be lost forever.

Your Surly looks so comfie with that tall headset. The panniers with bright colors and patterns can be your bling as you pedal the black beauty miles away on a lonesome highway. If you plan a route through Arkansas, Frank the Fargo will want to venture out for a ride with his sister bike.

I am looking forward to reading more about your adventure. Is there a blog being developed to share your experiences along the way?