When pink handlebar tape is the only solution

by Richelle Olsen

Soo...5 weeks to go!  And man, a lot has happened in the last week or so!

Last weekend we epic-ly failed our planned "final gear and bikes test".  Buckled wheels, racks that didn't even come close to fitting, racks that fell off, mega rack-related melt-downs, declarations of "we are cancelling the trip" and so on all combined to create some key realisations:

• The Thule Pack n Pedal rack just doesn't fit on my Trek dualie MTB, which then restricts what I can carry to an unacceptable point, so....
• I've decided I'm no longer taking the MTB, instead opting for my Surly Long Haul Trucker, complete with a perfectly fitted tubus rack.  A bike designed for specifically for touring, though it is a rigid steel bike, and possibly not the most comfortable over the rough stuff, in fact its a little bone jarring at present.  But after pimping it out with some fat tyres, some hydraulic brakes, and some pink handlebar tape, good ol' Mo (everything has a name!) and I are gonna be buddies!   Slightly shaken, but besties nonetheless!
• As an added bonus, it appears that I'm significantly faster on Mo, than I was on the MTB, I guess I'm not losing all my precious energy through 2 shocks
• And after all this, we managed to ride 185kms and 2,500m+ over the 3 days - most I've ever ridden, but I did it!  So far from being prepared, but well on the way!
• Oh...and I'm selling the Trek Fuel Ex8.....it is a sad sad day coming soon...

I always say everything happens for a reason!

Sorry Diesel, your time has come....its been fun!

This is the pre-pimped Mo the Surly LHT...my new ride

To top that off:

• I've had a 250km week this week (whoaaa!)
  
• We have found tenants for our house - woooo!
  
• We finally got town planning permission to build on our block at Mt Buller, only took 6 months!
  
• Shane put his unit up for sale (maybe we can travel forever?!)
  
• We managed to save ourselves over $2k in storage fees, with the generosity of my best mate
• We finalised our Sub4 customer made cycling jerseys (can't wait to see those in the flesh!)
  
• We had I/O Merino jump on board to supply us with our merino thermals for the trip.  Super happy bout that, as we love their stuff, so soft and warm, with no itch!
  
• We jumped onto the 99 Bikes affiliate program, to hopefully make some pocket money for when we are on the road.  Be sure to click on the links throughout our blog, as anything you buy using that link gives us a nice little commission.  We love them cause they are pretty much the cheapest bike shop in Oz, and they also have great stores dotted all over the country, with some super friendly staff.  Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy!
  

As you can see its all happening!!  And its all super exciting!

Righto, off to ride my bike!