Testing 1.2.3

After weeks (read months) of negotiations, the Kruschel Family Bike Trip is finally taking off.  Time to test the bikes. Test the gear. Test the blog.  18 trips to MEC (10 purchases, 8 returns), 4 trips to our bike mechanic (BIG THANKS Rock n Road), and approximately 500 warm up km, we are off.

On May 27th we packed up and rode an astounding 18km to Bear Creek Provincial Camp Site! Ok, not so impressive. But we needed to know things worked, we needed to know what we were missing, and we needed a boost of confidence that this could actually happen.  You'll note that Ginette and Brent play the role of domestique to Ashleigh (sprinter) and Jonas (GC man). My bike weighed in at 8000lbs.  Ginette's was probably in the 6500lb range.  Ash 16.5, Jonas 15.2.


The ride was a success. The camping worked.  A few lessons learned:
1. -10 degree rated sleeping bags are not needed in the summer.
2. Read the reviews before purchasing any MEC product.  Also, inspect it before in use.
3. 12lb bike pump is a luxury, not a necessity.
4. Head lamps.
5. Spin easy gears on hills, especially if the bike weighs 8000lbs.  It's ok if the kids pass you going up bridge hill.
 


Why are we doing this? i guess, because now is the time.  Ash is 13, Jonas 11 turning 12 on day 3 of the trip.  Brent and ginette are already wicked old. And if not now, not sure when this would happen. Not to mention family memories that will last a life........ ok really, Brent didn't get this out of his system when he was young so now everyone is being dragged along.

Time to check in with the family.  Two questions for everyone: 1. What are you looking forward to? 2. What are you most nervous about?
 
Ginette: 1. "Just the trip, the adventure of it."  2. "Heat"
Ashleigh: 1. "All the little stops along the way." 2. "Everything else"
Jonas: 1. "My birthday!"  2. "The long ride on my birthday"
Brent: 1. "Proving we can do it." 2. "Long-haul truckers on amphetamines"


Comments

Anonymous said…
What is this?
15 June 2017 at 20:22
Tim R said…
Cool, good luck! Tim R.
15 June 2017 at 20:25
Anonymous said…
mmmmm...the picture. It didn't seem believeable to me...What cyclists? It's just a bunch of Canadians dressed up in Tour De France costumes...but don't be mad at me; it's just one man's opinion.
16 June 2017 at 12:08
Anonymous said…
Clearly you are not golfers.
JC
16 June 2017 at 23:17
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