Nerd Em's Adventures
Wiradjuri country
22-24 September 2022
228 kms (142 miles)
It’s not a shakedown ride. It’s not the start of the tour. It’s just a ride. But it follows along with not having a script.
I took the mountain bike in for a service on Tuesday, but the bike shop suggested I replace the rear hub. They will order in the hub and rebuild the wheel and have it back to me by next Monday or Tuesday. And so that is being done.
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The bike
Bicycles must earn their names. Some bikes I’ve owned have never had a name. And some bikes I’ve owned had names that became apparent over time: Lil’ Demon, Lil’ Boy Blue, Pansy, The Wizard.
And so now I’d like to introduce you to Atlas.
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There’s a script to life that tells you what to do, when to do it, what to say and how to interact with others. It is society’s script of social norms.
The script is a bit like a milepost guide to interstate exits, only it details life stages instead of restaurants and accommodation.
If you stick to the script and travel along the freeway of life, your road is well-defined and engineered by all those who have passed through before.
Bike tours can be whatever you want them to be. They can simply be a ‘ride’ of passage or a long-planned ride of passion. They can be a fast-paced, fitness-focused race across a continent or a slow, meandering investigation of local culture. Bike tours can be a two-week holiday or a lifestyle. Cyclists can follow prepared route maps turn-by-turn or make it up as they go along. There really aren’t many rules related to how it has to be done – just keep the rubber on the road and enjoy yourself! Read more
The ride crew consists of Em, Verne and Kermit.
Em is the navigator and helmsman. This means she reads the map and steers the bike. Em has loved bikes since she first learned to ride at age 5. She rode BMX freestyle for a number of years and will always be a BMXer at heart. She did her first long tour in 2010. Read more
Bike – 2005 Cannondale T800 (purchased new Jan 2005)
Yesterday, there was a wind advisory current when my parents dropped me off in the deserted tent campground at this park. They unloaded my gear with a few tears and much trepidation. I assume part of the fear comes with any departure of a child on a solo adventure, no matter the offspring’s age or competence. Read more
The forecast calls for a 40 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms this afternoon with a north wind 10-15 mph shifting northeast, high of 53F.
At 7.30 am, though, there are shafts of sunlight streaming through the remainders of last night’s clouds. Based on the forecast, my thought is to head for Lincoln, skipping Clinton by staying south, picking up a tailwind as it swings northeasterly later in the morning. Read more
Today is a race. And I will lose.
There is a strong cold front advancing toward Illinois today. Strong storms are forecast with its arrival. However, it should not arrive until the evening, and I should have good southeasterly tailwinds until it hits. My choice today is: go long to Havana (71 miles) or go short to Lincoln (34 miles). There is really nothing in between. So I take up the challenge and decide to go long. Read more