Well, for some reason, I received an email that I had a reply here.  I guess I forgot to lock the thread or unsubscribe from it.  An update might be good though.

I did in fact change rides.  I picked up a recumbent and rode Ragbrai in 2011.  In 2012, I rode the full brevet series which are rides that are 200-km, 300, 400 and 600.  If you aren't familiar with brevets, they aren't races but you have to finish the ride by a certain time or you don't get credit for the ride.  For example, I rode the 400-km (about 245 miles) in 19 hours.

I capped off the 2012 season by riding 1200-km (750-miles) in about 85.5 hours.  That was from the Denver area to about halfway across Kansas ....and back.  To qualify, you have to complete a full series i.e. the 200, 300, 400 and 600. 

2013 was more of the same.  I rode a 200, 300 and 400 but skipped the 600.  I also rode a 1200 in Texas.  That one was from a Dallas suburb to way west of Austin, back the east towards Houston and then back up to Dallas.  88 hours or so.

No real plans for 2014 - a bit tired of all the training but still riding...more for the fun of it.

I documented several of my rides at http://gerryelam.wordpress.com/

The frame bag has been sold...thanks all! 

Measures are above in the last post.  You can kind of/sort of see the yardstick in the pics also:

Harness and pocket sold pending funds.  The frame bag is still available. 

denver_whitest185:  Measurements from my Fargo are as follows:

top tube from steering tube to seat post (inside):  21.5"
steering tube inside length:  4"
seat post from bb to top tube:  17.5"
bottom tube from lower steering tube to bb:  25"

These are all inside measurements.  Picture to follow - relaxing with MrsK7 and enjoying a movie.  :-)

You bet  - give me a little time please - just got home from riding. 

Well, the dr says either I change my ride or get ready for surgery.  My neck is killing me and cycling isn't helping so I've moved to recumbents.

I've got two of Eric's excellent items for sale:

 - Frame bag:  sized for XL Fargo   $155 shipped     (List is $170 + shipping)
 - Harness/Pocket:  $85 shipped                           SOLD
These were used exactly once - so they're "like-new".   Eric's wait is 8-12 weeks so now's a good chance to get what you need much, much sooner at a lower price. 

My ebay name is gelam30092 and you can see my feedback there.  I'm a longtime member of advrider.com with ...too many posts to mention as "k7".   

I'll accept Paypal also.  Better to email me directly at k7lro at msn dot com. 

Thanks!
Gerry 
PHX AZ

...just about killed me.  I was supposed to do a 2-day ride but my "friend" canceled on me at the last minute.  I was able to watch a big football game yesterday and decided to explore the planned ride area today.  This is the Gila River Ramble that's in the Routes link. 

It was 11.2 miles out, about 2500 ft of descending with more sand than I'm used.  Deep sand - bb-sized pebbles in some places.  I stopped for lunch and then did the reverse out.  2500 ft of climbing/walking and cursing.   

It was a spectacular day.   

First, a profile of the ride:



Stopped for lunch:


The desert is beautiful.....esp in the winter's light. 



This was kind of a test of my new bags from Revalate Designs.  I carried about 75% of what I would carry on a trip.  They worked perfectly.

Great pictures - I'm pretty certain I covered those roads years ago while off-roading.  I'm looking forward to our Thanksgiving trip.  Appreciate the advice also. 

Spam.   

Thanks Scott.   I tend to plan out pretty far - it's an illness really.



Actually, this has been a tough year for me.  Typically, I'll do an adventure-type trip a year.  Didn't happen this year - I lost a major influence in my life which handicapped all plans.  This trip is the beginning of my return - my comeback if you will.  MrsK7 says she can see a difference already - amazing what a little trip can do for your mental health 'eh?

I'm thinking about doing this as a two-day trip on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving Day.  I'd love the company if anyone wants to join me but I'd sure hate to slow anyone down.  I've done bicycle trips decades ago and kayak trips more recently so I'm reasonably proficient at adventure-type travel.

One question though - how safe is the parking area indicated on the map?  Any issues leaving a sedan there for two days or should I consider somewhere else?  I know there are no guarantees... just looking for input.

Cheers and thanks!
Gerry
PHX AZ

Askel - you're the "KLR" of bikepacking.   

Unless your in the desert

Yep - then it becomes a bivy sack. 

I was talking to my buddy - we're in PHX and I live south of South Mountain which is a HUGE park that's perfect for stealth camping.  I'm not sure if I'd take a tent or my HH but with snakes and scorpions, I'm not a big fan of sleeping in the open.

Here's a picture from a 2008 kayak trip which shows why I *love* my hammock.  I had done about 23 miles in the heat of the deep south and was ready to stop for the night.  Except - there wasn't a suitable site until I came upon an old dock that wasn't level.  Luckily, it was good enough and there were two trees just right for the hammock.   I cut down the vegetation under it and spent a nice night there...hot but peaceful.  I didn't see a soul for the better part of two days either. 

Thanks Matt - it's truly a beautiful place isn't it?   Maybe we should organize a rally there - stay in Creel and then move towards Batopilas and perhaps beyond.   I did the motorcycle thing there for 3 or 4 years in a row and really enjoy it. 

Austin 'eh?  When we did our Hill Country tour in the 70's, we rode from San Antonio to Austin via San Marcos.  We stayed with my friends' aunt and uncle - I remember that their home was just off of Bee Caves Rd.  Nice folks - gave us long-necks as we recovered from the 113-mile day by soaking in their hot tub. 

I was a lot younger then.   

Posting pictures is easy. 

Here's one of yours - a very nice picture to boot:



I think you can use the quote feature to see how the tags work or simply use the 'insert image' icon and paste your pic's url accordingly.

Good job on your blog by the way.

Gerry here - from Phoenix AZ although I've lived and worked in quite a few different places. 

I got my first 10-speed when I was about 12-years old - called a Londoneer.  Instant freedom.  Never seemed to bother my father when someone mentioned that they saw me 25-miles from home.  This was the very early 70's and it was a simpler time.

As I got older, I got into motorcycles.  I rode from about 15 until 19 or so and only hit the ground at faster than 55 twice.  After one of those, my parents showed up at the base hospital 'cause I called to tell them there was a rumor going round that I was dead.  Road rash galore baby.

Out of motorcycles and back into bikes in San Antonio in the second half of the 70's.  Used to ride with the local club every Sunday and even did a weeklong 600 mile tour of the Hill Country.  Through college was much the same.  Glacier to Yellowstone, climbed up to Clingman's dome from each side, a few centuries and even a double.  Good times. 

Then came family, baby, divorce, you name, btdt.  Out of bikes, round two on the motorcycles, a proud adventure rider, many trips to Copper Canyon and around the SW.  My wife understands my wanderlust and lets me do pretty much what I want. 

Out of bikes, into kayaks now.  Part of the motivation was to get back into shape.  Riding a motorcycle wasn't doing me any physical good.  Part of the kayaking was a dedication to working out.  For example, I went from leg-pressing 145 pounds to 400 pounds now.  I have dialed that back to 300 just to keep my knees from complaining too much.  My waist has gone from a 44 to a 38 as I've progressed. 

I did a trip on AL River last year and a riverboat/kayak trip in the Amazon this year.   There's a slideshow here if you're truely bored. 

I love adventure traveling and I decided that a mountain bike will be perfect for the type of trips that I favor... backroads, dirt roads, no cars, no people.   

I can picture a trip to Batopilas Chihuahua on the bike - way down this little road. 

 

This is the Copper Canyon area of Mexico - a beautiful place. 

From the AL River trip - a part of the trip when I didn't see anyone else for about 2 days:



I'm not as young as most of you guys but at heart, I'm still 15.  I'm thankful my wife understands and accepts that too.  Hopefully, I'll have a new bike in a few days and my cycling coma will end.  Life is good 'eh?

Yup. This is SPOT's greatest selling point...to all the wives and parents But for under half a pound I will oblige.

Exactly.   I used mine on a 100-mile kayak trip (Montgomery AL to Old Cahaba - plenty of snakes and gators by the way) in 2008 and on a riverboat/kayak trip on the Amazon (Rio Negro actually) this past summer.  It's worth every single penny for my wife to know I'm safe.  That 911 button isn't getting pushed unless something 911-worthy happens.   That means a near-death experience. 

Great stuff.  I've been to Belem once and Manaus twice - my wife is from Sao Paulo.  I love Brazil and most Brazilians are wonderful people.  Great, great job on your trip. 

My dream has always been to kayak from Manaus to Belem.  We did a short trip this summer on a combination riverboat/kayak trip.   Maybe I'll find time to cycle it also. 

If anyone wants to spend any significant time in the jungle itself, let me know.  I can recommend a guide in Manaus who will be happy to show you the ropes.  Otherwise, there's enough in the jungle to make you regret going in untrained.

Again, congrats on an outstanding trip.