WELCOME TO MY BIVY!!

Get to know our space (and inability to operate a camera correctly *cough*LANI*cough*) I take you on a quick voyage through our space.  A virtual world unto ourselves, all the while really just being in Lani's front yard in Northeast Minneapolis.  I promise to give Lani the run down on how to operate the camera before our next video...she's a quick learner so I'm sure it'll be better.



Keep sharing the love with us and others...we dig.  WE REALLY REALLY DIG!!

All my love and cuddles,
Maggie

Lani's Gear

Hello THE WEB, 

As promised, here is a list of Lani's GEAR...plus some communal items that weren't included in Maggie's Gear entry.

First up we have Lani's Fuji del Rey mid-80's model with QUITE the upgrades courtesy of Recovery Bike Shop.  Lani opted to remove the classic drop style (horned) bars in favor of a 1 inch riser mountain bike bar with bar end grips, much like Maggie's rig.  She also got a new bottom bracket that's smooth as BUTTER and a new rear gear cassette (8 chain rings) and 3 chain ring crank off of a Specialized Crossroads (the very same Crossroads I sold to Brent, full circle).  Lani went from 14 speeds to an amazing 24 in just a few turns of a wrench from Brent...BRENT, BRENT, He's our guy...shout out city. 

Oozing sexuality

Schwalbe Marathon tires, 700c, reflective side wall

Shimano Alivio trigger shifters

Specialized chain rings and crank

Dia Compe brake calipers

Avecet Touring Saddle

Lightweight seat post mounted fender

Kryptonite U-Lock

Timbuk2 handlebar bag that breaks down into a FANNY.  Lani is SUPS keen on the fanny's so...this was like kismet, not to mention the matching spoke card I made her the same day.  So kindred. 

Waterproof pouch x2

Mace, rapist/murders/assholes BEWARE

EXSTREAM water purifier

Bike pump

LED lantern

Chamois Creme aka Ass Spread to prevent saddle sore

3 inch folding knife

Shammy style camp towel

Hand and feet warmers

Lani's Burley Nomad trailer with cover

Nomad sans cover, look at all that storage

Therm-a-rest self inflating pad, looks a lot like mine it's just shorter for more compact storage

OH LANI...

Northface Cat's Meow 20 degree F sleeping sack

Chlorine Tabs for questionable water

Cook gear all bundled up

Cook ware all laid out

Pillow? Maggie don't need that...Lani does...so pampered

Rope....for tyin' stuff...duh

Cargo net bungee for strapping stuff on top of the burley

BEARS BEWARE!! We won't hesitate to use this...hopefully this is just preventative and not actually needing to be used

Lani's hygiene kit, toothbrush, deodorant, face wash and lotion, bar of soap, Maggie's hygiene kit consists of one bottle of Dr. Bronner's soap...I'm a simple gal

P.S. Did you happen to spot the sick spoke cards I made for Lani and Me?  There are also MN state spoke cards also...hometown pride on the road? Yes we do.

Lani's pit...stay tuned for more on the pit report. We will be lacking in the razor department, so we're just reverting back to how we are meant to be...hairy apparently.

Maggie's Gear

Hello All,
I had the urge to take pics of all my gear tonight while waiting for Lani to come over before our "long ride" which turned out to be a leisurely jaunt around Lake of the Isles near my house.  Lani came over trailer-less and lookin' real cute (i.e. not in the dorky cycling ensemble we usually sport on our lengthier hauls), so after an exhausting trip down the block to Chipotle and jamming our faces full of burrito we opted to just burn some cals and jam on some TUNAGE thanks to my iHome2Go, what's that you ask?  Well...let's kick this gear list off then, shall we?

        First...the bike.  Trek 7600 Multi Track

Next comes the extras:

Six Six One bike shoes

With SPD clipless cleats...baller.  They are commuter shoes so you can walk in them and not slip around.  It's bad enough I'm wearing the shorts...I refuse to be THAT guy.  The one in the shorts with a crazy neon reflective vest clickin' around the grocery store or what have you.

Lezyne Camelbak style hydration system.  The original bladder for this was like a Ziplock so we replaced it with a 100oz Camelbak screw top bladder, not leaks...so nice with the bite valve.

On Guard brand U-lock

Colman one person bivy tent in it's carrying bag

The tent assembled..don't let looks deceive you, 2 people are not meant to inhabit this tent at the same time.  There is a rainfly for this, but I didn't put it on.  Trust that it is waterproof

Therm-a-rest self inflating sleeping pad, not exactly plush, but enough to keep the ground from sucking out the body heat and minimize jagged things digging into me

Moisture Wicking Camp towel that will probably double as a pillow, blanket, sleeping bag liner, just sayin'

Pack-a-seat camp stool, collapses down to a very small package

Brown and Green waterproof tarp, used for covering the bikes at night or during a storm or to have a nice picnic on...multi use. 

8 Liter Collapsing Water Jug, gotta stay hydrated

Classic Coleman 1 burner camp stove

20 feet of nylon rope with caribeaners at each end, used for caching the food in a tree so bears/creatures don't get at it or to tie up would-be criminals

Lezyne Alien II multi tool, cuz  I know I'm gonna be breakin' some shit

Inadequate Schwinn tire pump that will get replaced right quick

Energizer Headlamp, real dorky, but so functional

35 liter Sea to Summit dry bag for storing clothes and caching food. Keepin' stuff dry

Bell Faction Helmet with stickers to add flare, not pictured is the tiny helmet mounted mirror, so geeky, but also helpful

Water bottle mount holder for iHome2Go

iHome2Go handle mounted remote control
p

iHome2Go Waterbottle Mount Speaker System

Cat Eye Velo 5 Bike Computer, pretty essential, plus it tells you your MPH and I got up to 30 once.  FREAKY!

Planet Bike Front LED light

Blackburn Rear LED light

Bontrager Ergo Grips

Flimsy ass side mirror I got for like 2 dollars online...does the job tho.

Cannondale Brand waterproof panniers.

Cannondale brand cycling gloves

Continental brand 700x28c touring tires

Matrix 700c rims

And this is roughly what she'll look like all loaded up.  PRETTY intense.

As far as the bike components are concern they are all what come standard on a Trek 7600, shimano brakes, cranks, SPD pedals and housings, grip shift gear shifters and all that.  Brent at Recovery Bike Shop did just the right amount of pimpin' and hooked me up with a new stem and riser handle bars to bring me to a bit more upright biking position. Now I'm smooth as buttah...in Brent's words.  I believe the seat was also changed from the factory Trek seat to an Avocet touring saddle.  The bike also came with the bar end grips with foam covers for any combination of grip options to keep things spicy.

As soon as she can Lani will be takin' pics of her gear and posting it up here.  A lot of the gear is communal and will therefore be distributed amongst the 2 of us without regard for who the actual "owner/user" may be.  What's mine is hers and what's her's is mine, ya dig?  I can take smaller things, that may be heavier, like the stove and tools and computer, while Lani is able to trailer the larger items like the 2 gallon jug of water, sleeping bags and pads, tents, etc.  We are still working out all the details of how we will be carrying things, but suffice it to say that we will make it work.

As far as clothing is concerned this is something we are still trying to wrap our heads around.  We want to be as prepared as possible without going overboard.  As of now I know I'm bring 2 pairs of padded cycling shorts, poly pro long john bottoms and 2 tops, under armor tank top, 2 t-shirts, 1 pair of nylon cargo shorts, 1 pair of hardy jeans, 1 American Apparel zip up hoodie, 1 beanie cap, northface mittens, 3 pairs of cycling socks, 1 pair of vans slip-ons, 1 pair of flip flops and 2 sports bras.  I've taken it upon myself to stop wearing underwear because I just don't see the point on a voyage such as this, just one more layer? one more thing to wash? Ehhh...to hell with that RIGHT!?

There will also be a few art materials, such as a sketch book, journal, drawing pencils, etc. type pouch I'm bringing for those times on the road when a creative outlet is a must.

As the trip progresses I'm sure some stuff will be added and subtracted, with the subtracted gear going to a good cause (i.e. a charity, goodwill, fellow biker) and hopefully we can procure new materials without  a lot of extra cost.

Hope this was more info than you needed on my gear, but it's my home and who isn't proud of their house?

Peace, love, and waterbeds,

Maggie