The First Training Ride

After spending some time getting the bike set up and several test rides to the grocery store and various errands around the neighborhood, it is time for the first training ride.  The plan to do an overnight training ride/full gear test has been scrapped due to some extremely wet weather and has now become a day ride around Lake Washington.

First Training Ride

It was a bit of a damp day but not nearly as wet as the forecast called for.  It was a good test of the fenders, they did a great job keeping the road slime off of my gear and myself.


It is clear that the stock saddle will have to go.  My ass will toughen up with some additional miles but the stock saddle is going to make that process more of a PITA than I care to put up with.  I will definitely be swapping out the saddle for the next training ride.

A New BIke

        I have been convinced that a proper touring bike, designed and equipped for carrying large loads, is the right decision for this trip.  The bike I have selected is the Surly DiscTrucker.  This is the disc brake version of their popular Long Haul Trucker.  I became a solid proponent of disc brakes during my past mountain biking days and many days spent commuting on the rainy hills of Seattle.   

        I found one available in the right size for me at a local shop here in Seattle and after selling my old road bike, I made the purchase. 

The new ride

Now to figure out what I need to outfit the bike for the trip…and figure out how to continue to forget that I have signed up for two months of climbing hills.