Jim's Place, Laguna
Beach
Sunny Southern California, USA, 05-10-08
Nothing stays the same forever
Ali and I met, just over 14 years ago in Haight and
Ashbury and we are just itching to go back to the
happening little pub where we first bumped into one
another. I was literally in the midst of purchasing
my first touring bike: a Kona Hot along with all the
touring gear. It was a beautiful machine, but the
cost would set me back more than I had expected and
obviously cut my European bike tour short of one month.
I told the owner of the bike shop I needed to think
about it and work out my finances over a beer. Being
Australian, he thought it appropriate to direct me
to the "Boomerang Bar". And heeding his
advice, I stepped into the rather alternative looking
drinking den with one truly great jukebox and who
should be sitting at the bar, but Aaldrik. We got
chatting; he offered to buy me a beer; I refused;
but as I had planned to cross into Germany via Elten,
a few kilometres down the road from where he lived
in Zevenaar, I did ask for his address in The Netherlands.
And so, the story fast forwards something like this:
I looked him up; stayed for a few days; he was a real
gentleman (no really!)...
Tip of the month: when the Ergon-grips wear out...
I think most people that use Ergon grips or similar brands have felt
the benefits while touring. We both have
fitted the GP-1 series on our bikes. After
a little more than a year of cycling however,
they were wearing pretty thin on the top
side and although the manufacturers will
surely dissuade you from doing this, we
decided to turn them over and see if the
grips had the same supportive effect on
the reverse side.
Turns out they worked perfectly, however
they did take a few days.to wear-in, but
then again, so would a completely new set.
We cycled happily with them up until last
month, when we both decided it was definitely
time to replace our well weathered grips.
That was an extra years worth of riding
and all in all we cycled with them for a
total of 26 months.
Oakland (CA) - Laguna beach (CA, USA)
Kilometres: 1707 kilometers and 160 meters
Riding days: 20 days in total
Alti meters: 14,876 meters up
Weather: from -15 to +36 degrees Celcius;
from snow to scorching heat;
but generally plenty of sun!
Best accommodation: Binions hotel and casino:
a fully decked out hotel room for 20 bucks
a night in downtown Las Vegas!
Special thanks to:
Molly once again, for the generous use of her
appartment and those mod cons we do
so miss, while on the road • Gregory at the Yosemite Valley Visitors Centre
for fixing up our stay at the backpackers
campsite without having to pay the extra back-country fees • All the rangers in The Wilderness Centre near
Tioga Pass for their understanding;
allowing us to camp in a closed campground; and
their early permission
to get over the pass when it was still closed
to traffic • Eric and Cresent for putting us up for two nights
in their home in Las Vegas (through Warmshowers) • Chris for the Polar Insulated drink bottle • Jim Abraham for being such a generous guy; great
friend and a pretty funny dude, but
most of all for enjoying our company as much as
we enjoy his.
Breakdowns:
07: derailler cable (Son)
12: tent pole (frozen!)
13: drinks bottles (frozen and split)
14: flat tyre (Son)
15: broken spoke (Son)
15: broken spoke (Son)
15: broken spoke (Son)
