Final Tune Up and the Mindset of Mastery

I spent yesterday evening in Grand Forks with Dave Sears getting a final tune-up and some modifications on the bike. Dave is a consummate professional, and while watching him work I became aware of one of the traits that I've noticed about true craftsmen over the years- the way in which they control the tempo of the activity that they are engaged in.

I first noticed this phenomenon as a kid, watching my cousin Denny evaluating a rifle. To the casual observer he was simply turning the weapon over in his hands a few times. But I became keenly aware of his level of absorption and focus. His casual conversation would continue during the evaluation, but he seemed to me to be on "auto-pilot". The tone of his voice would change subtly, his responses to questions would be a little too offhanded, and time just seemed slow down around in the room until his examination was complete.

There is a similar sense of calm, easy purpose, and an economy of motion when Dave is working on a bike that can only come from years of working through the trials and frustrations of any specialized activity. The result of this diligence, coupled with pride in one's work and a genuine love of the activity, is the "mindset of mastery". This mindset seems to cross all genres and activities, and it is the reward for learning to temper oneself... I have a LOT to learn in this area!

In addition to a comprehensive tune-up, Dave removed my failing STI shifters and installed Dura-Ace bar-end shifters and of course new brake levers (Tektro's). On his advice, today I'm replacing my rear cassette and putting on a new Sram chain. Of course then I have to put the bike through it's paces and get a feel for the new systems.

For me, having work done by a profession of Dave's caliber truly enhances my enjoyment of bicycling. First of all there is the HUGE increase in confidence that I have just knowing that nothing has been over-looked or done in a half-assed manner. Then of course there is the "feel" of having your finely-tuned machine run at it's optimum level. And finally, it's just fun being around people who genuinely enjoy what they do, and do it at the highest levels. THANK YOU DAVE, I wish you were coming along on this ride!!!

Final Equipment Tally

These photos show the complete and final set of equipment and supplies that I'll be traveling with, with the exception of my two water bottles that will be kept in their cages on the bike itself.

I've managed to streamline the kit as much as I dare. In the process I've shed several pounds from the load by omitting bags and containers that accompany many items like sleeping bags, Leatherman tools, etc. Also, I've replaced numerous items with lighter weight substitutes wherever possible.

Final Weights including the weight of the panniers themselves.
Handlebar Bag: 3 lbs 7oz
Front Panniers: 14 lbs 11oz
Rear Panniers: 16 lbs 2oz
Seat Wedge: 1 lb 15oz
Rear Add-on bags: 2 lbs 2oz
Dry Bag: 15 lbs 3oz

Empty weight of panniers: 13lbs 1oz
Total equipment weight: 40lbs 7oz
*Total carry weight: 53lbs 8oz

*Not listed is the varying weight of the water needed at different times of the trip.

As I mentioned I believe that I've eliminated everything I can... what I will find interesting is just how much more will find it's way into bins at rest areas as it becomes obviously unnecessary!

Test Ride

The Memorial Day weekend saw some pre-trip testing and a little fun. I always make it a point to test all my equipment prior to a trip and the fact that two of my former students, Jerica Olson and David Johnson, were planning a motorcycle trip to the west coast and needed to test equipment as well was all the excuse I needed for an overnight campout. The three of rode our motorcycles to Lake Bronson state park and there we put our kit through it's paces.




Breakfast- but no cold cereal for David!




Jerica giving the universal sign for "Good morning! Why yes, I did sleep very well on the cold, hard ground in that f***ing tent!"


As usual, there were some glitches that emerged during the equipment tests, including David discovering that a 40-degree "comfort" rating on a sleeping bag is really just two lies strung together! Jerica realized that white pants and the woods simply don't do well together. And for myself, I learned that encircling a Coleman Expedition stove with a wind screen is a great way to melt ALL the knobs off it and effectively render it useless... Furthermore, I was alerted to the fact that my MSR XGK stove desperately needed a little maintenance. The gaskets were badly worn in the pump and while under pressure the valve shot fuel everywhere- always exciting!

Of course the biggest lesson is simply re-enforcing the idea that a person should ALWAYS test their equipment BEFORE setting out on the road.

...And it snows!

Again with the snow today... unbelievable!
So its back on the trainer in the basement for today. Fortunately it doesn't sound like the snow will stick around with the temperature expected to reach 48f by late afternoon. I'm morbidly curious about what type of weird weather anomalies I might encounter in Australia on the trip...!