I MOVED !

Please visit me at
gregbiskecycling.webs.com

Touring Flag

On my last trip there were a few sections of highway that I really wished I were more visible to approaching traffic. My options were a bright cycling vest, but the summer heat would make this uncomfortable. Adventure Cycling offers a reflective triangle to be attached to the back, but I'm sure that by the time a car notices, they would be right on your butt. A bike flag seem to be my best option.
I looked into the bike flags but the bracket supplied is for use without a rear rack. Searching the web provided little as to how to make this work. The fiberglass pole would have to be attached to the side of the rack but be made removable for transporting. This is what I came up with.

Materials
Bell Bicycle Flag
1/4” Vinyl Tubing
5/16 Rubber Screw Protector (to use as end cap)
4 Zip Ties


First cut the vinyl tubing to the desired length. For support I ran it the length of the support arm on the rack.

Place the rubber screw protector on the end of the tubing. This will prevent the flags pole from sliding down.


Attach the tubing to the rack with zip ties being careful not to tighten too much. This is just to hold the tube in place.


Remove the bracket that came with the flag and cut the the fiberglass pole to the desired length. As the flag attached to the rack is now at an angle, I chose to lop off about 12” so it did not hang too far back.
(The pole is fiberglass so use a fine blade for a clean edge.)

Now, insert the pole into the tube and your on your way.

Springfield

It's been months since the Mississippi River trip and I'm itching for another adventure!
With the weather outside being frightful I sat down with the map and tried to come up with a destination. Mexico looked appealing, but too much of a chance that I'd keep heading south and not look back. Maybe in my next life. With time being limited I chose Springfield. Bikely.com has the route at 150.8 miles.(http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/369564) My plan is to leave from Morris, take Rt. 47 through Farmer City to Rt.51 and then on to the State Capitol. One day is doable but I'm going to split it up it to two days so I can do some sight seeing. The satellite view of the route looks like I will be going through a lot of farm country so stealth camping should not be a problem. The “rents” friends Ollie and Bridget, said they would put me up for the night in Springfield. My target date is June 25 - 27th

Mississippi River Trip

On July 11th 2009 I set out on a two day, 330 mile cycling adventure from Channahon Illinois, over the Mississippi River and on into Iowa.
I've rode over 330 miles in two days, camped in the middle of the woods, met some nice people, crossed three quarters of the state by bicycle and returned in one piece. I hit road blocks, detours and head winds, ate cold beans for lunch and dinner and took an unexpected mud bath in Marseilles Illinois. Fatigue, hunger or summer heat was never an issue. The hot shower on my return was great, but nothing compared to bathing in the Mississippi .I've already begun planning my next adventure, but for now here are my observations of my Mississippi River Trip.

Turtles are the Evil Knievel of the reptile world
Geese fear nothing
People are more willing to help you than you think
The Mississippi is not as wide as the songs say it is
I have a “Nice ass”. As per the two girls driving on Rt. 6 in Spring Valley
The world is truly flat and falls off just past Bradford.
Most people you come in contact with are very interested in your trip
I can out run an International Harvester Combine Tractor
Cows come when you call them
I can get VERY used to this way of life
Nothing is blacker than the forest at night
There is never a car in sight until you pee by the side of the road
There is a simpler way of life
People will always give you directions . . . whether you need them or not.
I am stronger both mentally and physically than I thought I was
The wind will blow at you no matter what direction you are ridding
Bypassing “town” means more hills
After the first 100 miles fear and failure are no longer an option

Check out the pictures of my trip on the You Tube video below

.

DONE IT !

Mississippi River Route

Got a chance to "Bikely" my route and was surprized to learn that my trip will turn out to be 164 miles. Good thing I checked. Load the link below to see the route !
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Mississippi-River-Trip

THE COUNT DOWN BEGINS

Since my last posting, I have found a new rear wheel with an eight speed cassette and have sold my Spinergy's on Craig's List. I made enough off the old wheels to pay for the new wheel and my IRS bill.
I made an awesome trade with a guy in Wood Ridge! I was looking for a front rack and panniers, he was looking for rear bags and a lighting system. Worked out great for both of us.
The bike is done and ready for the trip. It feels like the countdown to Christmas for a little kid !
July 17th will not get here quick enough.
Only thing left to do is wait and ride, ride, ride.