DirtDrift 2018: Update

Biking the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail with the BWI Loop

Only a couple weeks now until I arrive in Boise, ID and head off on my second Bike & Build trip! We had a team meeting over the weekend and squared away some detailed trip info:

• 2 Build Days (in Boise)
• 6 Riding Days
• 250 Miles to Cover
• Camping Every Night
• Weather - Highs in 80's, Lows in 20's
• Cell service - Not likely
• Wildfires - Maybe?

As for me, I'm hurriedly getting ready for this trip along with everything else going on around here! At the suggestion of other Bike & Builders, I am using BikeFlights.com to arrange ground shipping straight to Boise and hopefully I'll have a good review to leave when my bike arrives safely via FedEx (their shipping partner). I never needed to ship my bike when I was on SUS 2014, so I'm a little nervous. My local bike shop was kind enough to give me a used bike box and somehow I managed to fit my 29er into this small box (made for a cruiser bike) during a test fit.

Attempts at Bike Packing

Well I'm home now from my 45-mile ride on the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail, adding in the BWI Loop for good measure. I was hoping to make this 60 miles but I ran short on time... Anyways, I'm quite tired and I shall say goodnight! Thanks for reading my blog!

First Ride (Wow, It's Cold!)

I finally took my new Bike & Build bike on a test ride!  Knowing that a winter storm was on its way, I left work before it got dark to ride my favorite nearby trail, the Kent Island Cross-Island Trail.  Although I brought workout clothes to work with me to wear, I quickly realized the error of my ways when I hopped on the bike and started pedaling... boy, did my feet freeze up quickly!  Next time, I shall remember to wear my thick SmartWool socks and not my thin work dress socks (sigh).

Check out those white handlebars!

Nevertheless, I toughed out the miles in below-freezing temperature and ended up putting on a solid 11 miles on my first ride.  As you might know, I have 500 training miles to complete before I start on my Bike & Build journey, so now there are only 489 left to go!

By the way, coming from a mountain biking background, I'll first say that this Giant Defy 2 is a true work of art compared to the heavy, rugged frames that I'm used to.  It takes so much less effort to get up to speed and cruise than on a mountain bike (even with road tires), which is fantastic on the paved Cross Island Trail.  On the other hand, those bumps along the way sure hurt a lot more!