I'm keeping track of my training rides here: http://www.dailymile.com/#ref=tophd Will post my daily mileages once I start the trip (as I can).

The Bike That I Built

I bought a Surly Long Haul Trucker (LHT) frame & fork from Full Cycle in Boulder, CO this past January.  I've been slowly building it up with a full kit of custom components, including everything I'll need for a fully loaded, unsupported bicycle tour.  The specs to date:


Frame:          Surly Long Haul Trucker, 100% Surly 4130 CroMoly
Fork:            Surly 4130 CroMoly, lugged and brazed
Stem:            Ritchey adjustable 90mm threadless
Bars:             Ritchey BioMax Pro, 40cm
Seatpost:       Thomson Elite
Saddle:          Brooks B17 Standard (black)
Crank:           Shimano Deore XT 170mm Hollowtech II
Chainrings:    Shimano Deore XT (44/32/22T)
F Derailleur:  Shimano Deore XT
R Derailleur:  Shimano Deore XT (Shadow)
Cassette:       Shimano Deore XT 9sp. (11/34T)
Chain:           Sram
Brakes:         Shimano BR-R550 Cantilever (front & rear)
Levers:         Shimano R400 short-pull
Shifters:       Shimano Dura-Ace bar-end 9sp.
Hubs:           Phil Wood (36F, 40R)
Rims:           Velocity Dyad 700c
Tires:           Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 700x32c
Pedals:         Shimano Deore XT SPD
Skewers:      Pitlock security skewers
Headset:       FSA sealed cartridge
Racks:         Tubus Tara (front) & Cargo (rear)
Panniers:      Arkel GT-54 (rear), T-28 (front), small handlebar bag
Fenders:       Planet Bike
Misc.:          Thorn Accessory bar (for mounting handlebar bag)

T minus 14 days

In fourteen days--on Monday, May 10--I will be departing from Boulder, CO on my way to Pleasant Hill, CA (East Bay area).  Unlike countless others who make this trip every day, however, I will be doing it unsupported, by bicycle.  My goal is to cover the approx. 1,650 miles over the following 32 days, and to document the journey here, with this blog.