Smoke

2019 Specialized Roubaix Expert

• Named for it’s smoky black matte finish & because I live in a fantasy world where I believe I’m a fast cyclist

• Road bike designed for speed

• Full carbon frame takes the weight off and speeds the trip

• Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting (no cables…once you’ve tried, you’ll never go back)

• Hydraulic disc brakes for maximum safety

• Future Shock along with Pave seat post provides internal suspension throughout to ease the bumps

• I’m running 700cc/28cm tires. Tires are tubeless, to minimize flats. Stupid fast carbon fiber wheels.

• The go-to bike for the single-day segments of the journey

• What I’ve added:  Brooks leather saddle cushions the tushy, Profile Design aerobars, Wahoo Element computer, 3 bottle cages

• My favorite bike ever

2015 Surly Disc Trucker

• Got its name because when I looked at the color, I thought it was “Kind of Blue”.  There’s a double entendre in there as well. (The jazz aficionados will get it.)

• Touring bike designed with an all-steel frame to maximize comfort and allow for hauling gear over long distances. At last count, I’ll have 43 pounds of gear to haul.

• Used for multi-day stages of the trip when I have to carry everything I need (tent, food, clothes, chargers, etc.)

• Disk brakes for fast stopping

• I’m running 700cc wheels and either 35cm or 32cm cm tires for a balance of comfort, hauling strength, and speed, although with all that weight, speed gets the short end of the stick

• What I’ve added:  Brooks leather saddle cushions the tushy, Profile Design aero bars, Yahoo Element bike computer, 3 bottle cages

• The most comfortable bike I’ve ever owned