A first tour and a video
 

Hi Everyone

I took my first tour this summer and it was amazing. Deciding to start touring at 51 was great, deciding to do 1200 miles was a bit much and deciding to do it alone was genius. This seems like a supportive forum and I lurk here often, but I thought I would share my video of the trip here. Some of the photo tags are personal and won't apply to you, but I left them in for family that might see it.

I have to say that bike touring is so wonderful and I am so glad it has discovered me. My only advise to anyone thinking of doing it ... is ..... just do it. I wish everyone the greatest, safest, tours and I hope to see you some day on the road.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvsl4eMwzwY

Loved your video of the trip. Well done. I've only cycled the Oregon coast and had the best time of my life. Thanks for posting about your trip. Cheers.

i enjoyed that great tour ,so where to next.

Nice. Thanks for sharing.

A wonderful presentation. Thanks for sharing. Blues Frog

Looks like you had a great time and met some really fine people.
Now that you've had a bit of rest, I bet you are yearning to go again.

That was nice sure makes a person want to go.I enjoy it much thanks.

Great job! Looks like a fantastic time. Makes me anxious to get my bike ready and make some plans for some short overnight tours with the kids next year to start experimenting with touring.

All I can say is Wow. That was a wonderful video and really one of the best I have seen. Great selection of music, it made me watch the video as if I was reminiscing of the trip.
I kinda picked up when you were talking at the end, it seemed like you really didnt want to end the trip. If that correct? Also, what was the hardest part of the trip for you?

Thanks for all the kind words about the video. The trip was a huge experience for me .... in a good way.

Right now I am just riding around home and missing the long road so much. I really could tour for a long time. The end of the video was a tough day. There is that long grade out of Lompoc on the way to Santa barbara, when I reached the top I knew all the big hills were behind me. It was a moment of very mixed emotions. I was close to home and about to see my daughter after three weeks and at the same time the road was coming to an end. A pretty emotional moment for sure. Mthayer asked "what was the toughest part"? I really can't say there was a tougher moment than another, but if I had to pick a moment out it would have to be some of the very long alone time when I missed my family... all the hills begin and end sooner or later, but missing the family was harder to shake sometimes.

Thanks again for looking

Nice!!!

Wow! I don't think I've ever seen a better video of a tour.:thumb:

Oh, and the music is superb as well.

music sounds a bit like nick drake but i could be wrong.

Louis that is very nice of you to say.. thanks and antokelly, the music is from Alexi Murdoch.

Thanks for sharing! Excellent video of tour and music choice.

Looks like you had a great time... and great pictures. Thank you so much for putting the time into the video...

BTW I also have a green LHT can't wait to get on a longer tour...

Mike

I understand that feeling you experienced at the top of HWY 1 out of Lompoc
and I understand the feeling of rolling around town after a tour, with your mind's eye still out there On The Road

nice video!

Great video
What racks are on your bike front and rear ? Thanks.

Remember :
It's mind over matter
If you don't mind it doesn't matter.

Hi ezdoesit,

The racks are Surly racks front and back, perhaps over kill, but sooooo sturdy. I am very new to touring and I must say I made a few purchases that really worked.

#1 is the tent I bought. Through wind, rain, everything, it exceeded all my expectations. Big Agnes Copper Spur 2!!! Very light and expensive (you get what you pay for)

#2 was the Brooks saddle. I had so much trouble with several saddles while training, all the trouble went away after the brooks.

#3 and I loved my LHT !

Thanks for the reply. :)

Great video. Thanks for sharing it!

Interesting to hear that missing your family was one of the hardest parts of the tour. I haven't toured yet, but that is one of my biggest concerns as well. On the other hand, from all the smiling faces in your video, it looks like touring "alone" means that you just get to spend lots of time with a different mix of people.

Not to sidetrack but I also have the Surly rear rack and my buddy (160 lbs) actually sat on in (not while I was riding) to test it out... I'd say its strong...

Mike