Underway, New England, 2013

So far, so good. After a hectic start, in which I had serious doubts about carrying everything on the clown bike (I think it will work), I crawled into the van and set off. Starting at 6:30 pm meant that I wouldn't arrive in Buffalo until 1:00 am. But that's when I was supposed to get on the train in Indiana, so instead of a night on the train, I had a night in Red Roof Inn. Much better.

I got all my stuff on the train and got myself installed in a seat. Now I'm enjoying a lovely train ride.

My bike, in its case, on the Lake Shore Limited.

LATER:

What a day. The train ride was great. Rolled in to Boston a little late, but not too late for the bus to Portland. But here's the problem: The bike in its soft bag is HEAVY and CUMBERSOME. I had to schlepp the huge bike bag and my big green duffel bag to the bus terminal next door, up and down stairs. I thought I'd die. And then when the bus arrived in Portland, I had to schlepp the ensemble from the bus terminal to the Clarion hotel. Not far, but far enough to make me swear I would never do it that way again. 

Rollers for the bike bag? A skateboard? Pack it in the suitcase and give up on camping so that I don't need to carry all the camping gear? Maybe. 

I was glad to get to my room at 12:30 am. I unpacked the bike to make sure I hadn't bent it in half. And I went to bed with my fingers crossed that everything would fit on the bike.

What was inside the bag

Assembled, loaded, ready to go.

This Summer's Configuration

Here is the way the Rambouillet is set up this summer:

Notice the threadless stem adapter and super tall and short stem. Looks silly, but it's quite comfy.

Notice the seatpost rack and rack trunk. I tried a Riv seat bag, but I didn't like having it hit my legs, and I didn't like the single large space in which things rolled around. The rack trunk and rack are a little heavier, but I like the rigidity and the multiple compartments.

Notice also the foam pad on the Terry Liberator saddle. Very comfy with my J&G touring shorts.

In the background is Glen Lake, from the Pierce Stocking scenic drive, one of my daily rides in northern Michigan.