Saturday, March 15, 2008

First S24O o' 08


The quick sum up:

Destination: Long Lake

Lot's of rain. A couple good down pours and a lot of of consistent wetness.


I had company: Brent came. Easy guy to travel with. Look at that tiny load he was carrying! I could learn a lot from him.

My toes were numb the entire time I was on the bike. But toasty warm as I slept.
Actually: it was a S27O to be exact.
Slept great: 15F synth bag + 3/4 medium pad + hammock. Slept in til 7AM!


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8 comments:

  1. bleckbMarch 16, 2008 at 12:51:00 PM PDT

    I'm curious as to how you kept warm and had warm food, assuming you did. Was there wood for a fire? Do you haul a cook stove?

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  2. John SpeareMarch 16, 2008 at 2:16:00 PM PDT

    Normally, I don't build fires, but there was space and plenty of wood, and we were cold/wet, so a fire was nice.
    For warm food/tea I carry a jetboil.

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  3. Hank GreerMarch 16, 2008 at 3:09:00 PM PDT

    I'm for carrying whatever you need to be comfortable. A loaded down bike is slower, but what's the rush?

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  4. AnonymousMarch 16, 2008 at 6:34:00 PM PDT

    This was my first S24O and thanks John for letting me invite myself along, I had a good time. My load wasn't much smaller than yours, just positioned differently. The key to staying warm in this weather is to grow a beard. I shaved a few weeks ago and holy smokes, it's cold out there. Luckily I managed to grow a little fuzz before this trip. Camping comes down to evaluating what constitutes a real need versus a want. Well, that and don't ride like a racer or you'll miss all the good stuff (and get sweaty and wet and cold). I'm looking forward to doing this once a month or so this summer. I'll try to post on the forum so interested parties can go along.

    Brent

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  5. AnonymousMarch 17, 2008 at 8:39:00 AM PDT

    Wow, impressive. I normally have trouble fitting everything in my car when I go camping if it is going to be cold and wet.

    I am moving from Portland to Spokane in August, so you will have another bike commuter on the roads.

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  6. ApertomeMarch 17, 2008 at 8:56:00 AM PDT

    Great photos. That looks like a good time, once it gets a bit warmer I'll have to try doing an S24O here.

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  7. John SpeareMarch 17, 2008 at 2:41:00 PM PDT

    Hey Portland-Anon,

    Keep in touch. Feel free to email me (johnspeare@gmail.com) if you need help finding bike/spokane info. I love to help get cyclists here.

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  8. AnonymousMarch 17, 2008 at 9:28:00 PM PDT

    Thanks John! I will do that. So far I have found some good information, including your website.

    I'm looking forward to the commute being a little more adventurous than Portland, given lower mode share and snowy winters.

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