jcwitte

On Monday, I am leaving Normal, Illinois and heading north about 50 miles to pick up the Northern Tier route, and then going west. I started a journal at crazyguy........
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/journal/1533

I'm pretty doggone anxious. Should be close to a four month tour if completed as planned. Of course, I only loosely planned it (bought the ACA maps and called it a plan). The equipment list I have on the journal is not at all complete. I still need to add a few things I forgot, suchas cell phone and charger, first aid stuff, etc. I listed it all off the top of my head. I'll fix it up before I go.

I don't know how realistic it will be for me to update it very regularly. One tip I received for up[loading pictures is to go to a one hour photo place and have all your pictures put on a CD. Many libraries won't allow or their computers won't recognize your camera when you connect it.

Rogerinchrist

Godspeed John!

I am one that will read you writings.

Guest

Good luck, and be safe!

Koffee

nm+

Hey, maybe I'll see you. Starting in Anacortes on the 24th, going the other way. If you see a really big guy on a dark green 520 with red ortliebs thats me (or someone else).
Also, I'm running my laptop with a VZW PC-Card. Looking at coverage maps, it covers ~90% of my intended campsites. Works pretty well, if a bit slow. If you can stand a year contract at $60, I hightly recommend it (I plan to use mine for travel normally as well)
Have fun!
/Your packing list looks very close to mine

jcwitte

I wish I would have read this a long time ago. It'd be nice to be able to update the internet journal on the fly from wherever I happen to be. Ah well, maybe next time. Good luck on your tour.

edp773

Wow, when you reach Osceola, IL. you will be within 8 miles of my home and Cambridge is less than 15. Let me know if you need anything and if you plan to pass buy on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Have a great trip.

jamawani 

May the wind be always at your back and the bugs in your face.
(Headwinds usually mean bug-free riding. So there is Zen even with the wind.)
Safe trip, my friend.

jcwitte

I think I'm probably going to spend the first night at the town park in Henry, Illinois. And then the second night just north of Orion at Hillcrest Resort Campground, unless I'm feeling really good on either day... the first campground after Henry, Illinois is about 55 miles further along, in Cambridge, and the next campground after Orion is about 46 miles further, just before crossing into Iowa.

aroundoz

Have a great trip and enjoy the journey.

Personally I would leave the technology at home including the cell phone. Isn't that what you wanting to get away from.

nm+

Not me. Technology is as part of my life as bikes and wouldn't want to have to give up one for the other.

jcwitte

I can appreciate that, and I agree to some extent. I think if I were to leave my cell phone at home though, my Mom would probably go crazy with worry. I'll keep it off most of the time and only turn it on when I need it or to check in with my Mom every once in awhile to help her keep from worrying herself to death. My sister told me that she said, "John better call me at least once a ... day". Sorry Mom, I love you, but that's not gonna happen.

I'm also bringing a weather radio, MP3 player, and a camera. The weather radio I think could be a smart thing to bring.

The MP3 player and the camera, on the otherhand, I'm sure I could do without. In fact, I don't think I have really even used the MP3 player but three or four times since purchasing it. I may actually leave that behind.

I am taking the camera though. I do enjoy taking pictures. And I also enjoy showing pictures to family. Part of me tells me that I'd be better off without a camera. I think the best pictures truly are the ones that you keep in your memory. Plus, I think when you see an incredible sunset or wildlife doing it's thing, instead of having to think, "I gotta get a shot of that. Let's see, what angle? Zoom in or wide? What filter?" etc. if you don't have a camera, you don't have to worry about those things. You can actually enjoy and really focus on the incredible scene that is unfolding right before you. I really believe that I would enjoy this trip more without the camera, but I really do want to be able to show photos to my family and friends. Maybe next time I'll just take some binoculars or something.

Inoplanetyanin

Great luck to you! Don't forget to smell the flowers

challengea2z

Good luck hope you have a wonderful time.

Shemp

Have a great time! I'm envious!

bhchdh 

Have a great journey. And please take the camera, you have a good eye.

jcwitte

Well, I'm leaving today at 10AM (gotta wait for my Mom to get back). Thanks for all the well-wishes and all the tips and tricks and advice that I've received over the past year or so. One last thing to do.... Although I'll probably be gone by the time I see that little redstar.

Cyclist0094

Have a good trip JC, and call your mother at least once a week !