GDMBR: Packing

One (1) day until the start of this adventure. Last night was an adrenalin filled, fitful night of sleep. I’ve never been much of an anxious person but this trip has me a tad edgy. This morning I channeled some of this nervous energy into a flurry of activity. I had a helluva time getting my bike into the bike box without smashing the important bits. I took great care to protect the bike from careless baggage handlers. I hate the thought of my precious bike getting damaged. I just need to let that go.

I keep a gear checklist from previous rides, but after reading some other riders’ gear lists I decided to add a few items that I’ve never carried before. I feel like I’m starting with the bike loaded on the heavy side.

A couple years ago I started taking some supplements, like vitamin D, vitamin K, and others. For years I’ve always believed supplements were money wasted and that a good diet would provide. Lately, I’m not so sure. Packing supplements is tricky. I packed three weeks worth in little baggies, and Robin will help resupply me down the road. All this to say I almost just said “screw it” and left supplements behind.

I finalized my El Paso to Columbus, NM plans. Dad suggested I get a shuttle to Columbus for the “official” border start (rather than riding 80+ miles against potential high winds and some hills). Fathers know best so I found a driver who’ll pick me up in El Paso. So the plan looks like this:

• May 2: Fly to El Paso, rent SUV, pick up isobutane fuel and CO2 cartridges, check into hotel, reassemble bike, bike shop nearby PRN, groceries, water
  

• May 3: Shuttle to the Mexican border just south of Columbus, NM ($85) and start riding north.
  

• May 4: Ask myself: “What the hell am I doing?”