Apr 20 - it all adds up

As near as I can figure, the new bike, base loaded, is 5+ pounds heavier than the old.  The extra stainless steel rack (need to find a replacement for that), the heavier bag, fenders, 1000 zip ties (just kidding) etc. all adds up.  I was also carrying an extra wrench or two but wasn't carrying my 1200 gear like extra shifter.

So that means that I'm running over 31 pounds BEFORE adding water and clothing.  It's definitely more of a workout.  This coming weekend's 600k has close to 9000 feet of climbing and I'm sure to notice it.  The last one was less than half that.  Do I really want to do one of the new SR600k rides that by-the-rules MUST have over 10,000 meters of climbing ?  Yes, but what should I ride ?

The fenders were great.  In the downpour they kept the bike relatively (drivetrain) relatively clean.  There's no escaping the water coming down but if most of the road dirt coming up doesn't get onto the bike, that's great.

Yesterday usually would have been a recovery day, but I was too busy.  I had to catch up on Sunshine 1200k things, contact hotels etc.  I took the front rack off the bike and went to my body shop as he's thinking that he could do some welding for me ... but I'm now thinking that I won't bother until I can get a different rack.  What else did I do ... don't remember.

Oh yes !  I spent a few hours re-plotting the 1200k route with ridewithgps.com.  I'm getting better at it and knocked off the four days as different routes.  This morning I did the same thing with the upcoming 600k for this weekend.  That last is for me.  The 1200k routes are for the pre-riders and, hopefully with very few changes, for the main event riders.

As part of that plotting process, I also checked as closely as possible, the turn by turn directions and leg distances on Paul's draft route.  He's very thorough; I only found two or three issues.

Today ... perhaps I'll get out for a ride.  I should.  That will have to be early because we're going to meet Jason and Loraine in Orlando for dinner.

Onward !