Monday, June 16

Received the Joe Rocket gear today.  I had ordered 2XL since my old 3XL pant were falling off.  The new ones just barely make it, but I had put on a few pounds the last week.  I need to stick with Weight Watchers and get them back off.  Last year, on my birthday (April 2002), I finally got going in my quest to lose some pounds.  I was tipping the scales at 312-315 at that time.  By September, I had gotten down to 275.  Since then, I had remained 275 +/- 6 pounds.  I would just break into the 260's only to go up to 280 again.  Last Friday I was back at 281, so I was a bit more careful last weekend, and I went back to recording my food today.  So I am hoping for the best, at least 5 pounds, maybe 10 before I leave.  That should be a big help in the waist department.

The jacket is just right, but with the drytech liner it is close.  I was hoping to put a sweatshirt under for the cooler places (there still is snow in Colorado), but I may only get a long sleeve T-shirt on with both jacket and liner.  I will need to test and decide if I need to bring the other jacket along for the cooler places.

Bike is ready.  I put the tires on, new chain, checked brakes, coolant level, changed oil and filter, and made sure certain bolts were tightened properly.  I rode it to work and back to scuff up the tires and now it is parked against the garage wall and the KLR is now in the easy to get out location.  I plan on just riding the KLR until I go.  I will need to do a jacket test on it late some night when it is cooler.  Just to see how warm it can be.  It's currently in the 60's near Rocky Mountain NP, and in the 30's overnight.

I almost have my box ready to ship to NJ.  Next week, I'll get it out.

I am thinking of doing a SS1000 on the first day.  I originally planned to go to the Vail area, but I thought why stop at 900 miles?  If I go to Granby, Colorado on the first day, I will be at just over 1,000 miles.  And only 100 would be non-freeway.  I was planning on leaving really early in the morning to avoid some of the heat and not cook the tires too much, so I should make Granby by 7:00pm (Mountain time) if I leave by 2:00am (Pacific time).

I am also sending the witness forms to NJ for the trip home.  I may stay in Alamagordo the last night, and if I go up to Albuquerque and then take I-40 east, I can make 1,000 miles.  I am not sure how I will feel then.  I may be tired of being on the bike, or I may just want to get on home.

Additional Notes - Saturday, June 21

One week to go.  The excitement is building.  I've dropped down to 276, so the jacket did fit better.  I still thought I might have to take my old jacket as a backup for the cold weather in the Rockies, but as I was looking in my coat closet, I noticed my very loose fitting UCLA windbreaker.  I did a clothes modeling session Friday morning before work.  The temperature was down to 60 outside and there was a slight drizzle.  I put on a long sleeve T-shirt, the Dry-tech liner, the Phoenix jacket, and then wore the windbreaker over it all, and ran outside.  I was roasting nearly immediately.  This combo should do just fine for the cool morning air.

I've also been adding to my pack list in the "things to do before I leave" section.  I usually don't shut down the house as much on the weekend trips, but this time I needed to add items like:   eat or throw out perishables in refrigerator, water heater to pilot mode, unplug appliances, unplug computers, and so forth.  I will print out the list on Sunday.  I already contacted the newspapers and put the vacation stop into place.

I plan on getting the box for NJ out on Monday.

I also made reservations at Winter Park, CO for the 28th.  1,005 miles from my house via the direct route.  I may go via Mojave instead which adds around 25 mile just to make sure I have enough miles.   Plus, I'll avoid one of the I-15 construction zones that way.

I've also changed the southern Sierra trip.  Some friend of mine are moving to Coarsegold, CA, which is on the way to the southern entrance to Yosemite NP.  I can do a day trip to and spend the afternoon with them, or even an overnighter.  I moved the stop at Muir NHS to the Washington trip.