chefisaac

This is all really coming together and it is exciting.

Got the bike ordered. Should be ready in May.

Ordered:

Duffle Bag: https://thetouringstore.com/ORTLIEB/Ort%20Rack%20Packs/RACK%20PACK%20PAGE.htm
Sleeping Quilt: https://www.enlightenedequipment.com/revelation.html
Tent: https://www.rei.com/product/827914/bi...-spur-ul3-tent
Sleeping Pad: https://www.rei.com/product/828460/re...ad#video-inner
Pillow: https://www.rei.com/product/830617/exped-air-pillow
Custom Touring Bike: https://www.bilenky.com/Midlands_Main_Page.html

Got in the mail front and back Ortlieb Panniers!


EXCITING!!!!!!

--- I know some may not agree with what I got and I understand. Did a lot of research and this is what I came up with. I am in the learning stage but it is fun as he11!----

Bluish Green

Sounds like a fun life adventure in the making. Have fun!

Mark Stone

This is exciting to watch from a distance! The "Chef on a Bicycle" blog is going to turn into a mighty interesting website in the coming years! Go Isaac!!!!

goldfinch

Cool that you bought the sleeping bag from Enlightened Equipment. They employ Minnesota people in their homes to sew up their stuff. I don't have any of their bags/quilts but my cousin does and likes them a lot.

chefisaac

Yes, that is what the owner said. His name is Tim and is a great guy. We talked for over an hour via phone. Very nice and love his business model.

chefisaac

Where abouts do you live? Would love to visit sometime by bike.

Mark Stone

El Paso, Texas and you would be welcome

cplager

Ya know what? If they don't like it? **** 'em. You got what you got. And, most importantly, we're interested in what your opinion is after you've played with all of it.

Peter_C

FYI - I am planning to ride the GAP again this Spring/early summer. Just me, my trike and trailer, camping gear, and around two weeks of goofing around between Homestead, PA and Cumberland, MD and back. I will not be going fast at all, but perhaps if you plan to be in the area, maybe we can share camp a night or two?

PS - if you plan to spend any time in NE Ohio this summer, you are most welcome to use my home as a landing spot while you're in the area - whether just a tent spot on our large property, or the spare bedroom.

jltaglich

Cool deal Chef

Neil_B

Sorry, but you didn't "pull the touring trigger." You purchased gear, which may or may not be used for touring. Until you do at least an overnight somewhere, or have solid plans to do one, you haven't pulled the trigger. That said, its nice gear you ordered.

Mark Stone

Good grief Neil, got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?

Neil_B

No, or at least no more than normal. I'm just pointing out buying gear isn't touring. Its akin to calling yourself an excellent cook because you have a kitchenful of tools and machines. Its not owning the Cuisinart and the cutlery that make you a cook, its cooking that does. Note that Iron Chef hasn't disclosed he has a tour he's planning for. He's just stockpiling in case he ever decides to start. I figured the post would ruffle some feathers here, but so be it.

neilfein

I rode with chefisaac the other day, and I can assure you he's no wannabe-tourer who will purchase gear and let it gather dust in the garage.

Would you be grumbling like this if he had ordered a wal-mart special rather than a multi-thousand dollar steed? (Yeah, BTO Bike Friday owner here...) I was a bit surprised by the numbers as well, but he's not just throwing money at the problem. chefisaac has put a lot of effort into deciding what gear to order, and he's excited that he's finally done it. That's certainly a small landmark of some sort, I'd say. Until that day when his bike is ready, let's help him enjoy this moment.

Peter_C

+1 - What he said up there

Neil_B

I'm not grumbling, because I have no investment one way or another if he tours or not. However, I defer to your firsthand knowledge from having ridden with the Iron Chef and discussed the subject with him. If you say its so, its so.

If anyone here were to buy bikes and gear at Walmart, announce it was "pulling the trigger on touring", and not have a clue where or when he would tour, I'd likely make the same post. If you remember, Neil, we both purchased tents AFTER we had planned for the GAP/C & O tour in 2008. I suspect most bike tourists either use what they already own or purchase with a specific tour in front of them.

Altair 4

Chef, that's a pretty nice list of stuff for whatever trip you plan! I've only ridden the GAP once (did it as a credit card tour) and had a blast, even with two of the three days in the rain. So what's the plan and when are you going? I wanna read the blog as you go.

Just curious - that tent is rated for up to three people - are you going solo?

magohn

Congrats chief. Especially on the bike - that's a beauty. Seems like a long wait until May but I am sure it will be worth it. The tent is pretty slick too. Looking forward to reading your touring posts. Something I have always wanted to do. I guess I will have to live vicariously through your posts.

Zoxe

Making the decision to invest in a $4,000 custom bike is exciting enough that he can call it whatever he wants.

I picked up my new ride today, and I'm STILL a little jealous.

Chef - The Midlands bikes look great, what are the details on yours? Color, equipment, etc.?

chefisaac

Neil B does have a valid point for sure. I should explain further:

-I have never invested in anything and not utilized it for it's intended purpose
- I have invested and researched a lot (and still continue to research) on equipment and touring. Yes to some peoples point (Indy specifically) that I can just jump on the bike and go tour. Does not work for me. I research, think, ask questions and research more before going.
- Neil B: When I drove out here from the west coast, I was here two days and then went out and bought a road bike and mtn bike on the same day. I knew the road bike was my weekend bike and the mtn bike I would turn into the commuter. I believe I met you in July or August (or something like that) and the rest is history. I ride all the time with my road bike. I commute a lot with my mtn bike. What does this prove? 1) That I love cycling. 2) That I follow through with my intended intents and goals.

Though you are right, this does not prove that I will go on a tour, like it, and go out on another tour. But based on my goals, commitments, enthusiasm and what I have done in the past, it is very likely that I will love touring.

I have not shared detailed plans in this forum about where I will go first and will not until I need to ask questions, seek advice, or until I am done planning it. But I can share:

1) The shakedown will be in May with at least one overnight trip.
2) May will bring some longer distance riding.
3) June will be a week long self supported tour
4) September or October might bring a third tour.... maybe GAP

This is what I know now. Could it change? Heck yes.

Does this prove that I will tour? You know me better then most on this forum Neil. We have shared some rides together and lunches together. I ask you this...... What do you think? (and yes, it is a rhetorical question)

chefisaac

Ohio is not out of the question at all. Might not be this year but it will happen sometime for sure.

Would love to meet up on the GAP sometime.

chefisaac

Thank you for your kind words.

I would be apprehensive in investing the money and time if I truly didnt know if I wanted to tour. I want to tour very badly for many reasons. Will I like touring? I hope so. Will there be a learning curve for me? Most defiantly.

chefisaac

The tent.... it took a lot of time..... 5 straight days with no access to an REI and a lot... and I mean a lot of time on my hands to do internet research while at my sister inlaws house (see my point! lol). I think I went a little crazy in those five days but thats OK!

Yes, it is a three person tent. I preface this with saying that I have only used a few tents before.... like when I was 10 years old.

I got a three person tent because I am a tall and big guy. I want to have enough room to lay out and feel good about it. I know it comes with a weight penalization but this is not something I can truly understand until I ride with it. I also think the need to have a three person tent comes from my fat complex that says "need bigger". Cant explain it really but thats how I feel. I also wanted to have the ability to have my wife come along if she wanted to.

In my, I plan on an overnight shakedown trip. Also in May there will be some longer rides to understand the bike. In June, there is a week long tour I will be doing in DE. Some friends do the tour once a year. They stay in motels, hotels and B&Bs. I would like to try camping and perhaps warmshowers.com. I am hoping for a third tour in September or October. Leaning toward the GAP but not sure yet.

chefisaac

Why not give it a try?

FYI: I will be out in the Portland/ Longview/ Seattle area in Jan and/or May. If you want to meet up for a light lunch, that would be neat.

chefisaac

I want to see your new bike pictures!!!!

Will post the components later. Just met with them again last week to do some changing around. For the color, I am still debating. I have no clue on this. They have an in house detail artist so things are endless. Thought about incorporating something culinary on the frame but have no clue what that would be.