Well, a very black shade of pink!
A lot of equipment to get together for this ride. I used to have a lot of stuff from the extended cycle tours I’ve done in the past around Europe and north Africa, but I sold most of it shortly after I moved to the US. So the upcoming ride across the US gave me a great excuse to equip myself anew. First and foremost a new bike!
There are some incredible touring bikes out there. The bike needs to readily carry all my camping gear, clothes, tools, spares, and the scores of bits and pieces that make for a great trip. So a top-notch steel frame was a must. Can’t remember how many bikes I looked at, but I kept returning to the Thorn Raven with its Rohloff hub, which eliminates front and rear derailleurs and their finicky adjustment. I’d never tried a Rohloff hub before, so this was a bit of a gamble, but what a beauty it is, as is the complete bike. The most comfortable bike I’ve ever ridden. A Cadillac of a bike. Later this week, I’ll pack it up and ship it to Yorktown, Virginia, where the ride starts.
Keep your fingers crossed for me on Friday. That’s when I see the HemaOnc (hematologist/oncologist). He’ll check my blood to make sure the white blood cell count is within the bounds of acceptable wonkiness for me to set off.
Winter Is Coming! 
Fingers crossed for acceptable wonkiness…
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Hi lesly, viele grüße aus freiburg. Wir haben gerade christine’ s reisebericht gelesen. Es scheint ja eine große Herausforderung darzustellen mit dem fahrrad durch USA zu radeln. Udo hat uns über pfingsten besucht und wir haben gerade herrlich zu nacht gegessen. Wir wünschen dir noch eine schöne zeit und gute fahrbedingungen. Herzliche grüße ute und Jürgen
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Leslie… you son-of-a-gun !!!!!!!!!!! How inspiring. Am very impressed. Go for it.
Just got word from a certain Deirdre that you are doing this. Well done you.
AND, as we say in this part of the world, “Go n’eirí an bóthar leat”… or “Go n’eirí an rothar leat”. May the road rise with you… May the BIKE ride with you. -lotsalove, Michele in Galway
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It’s come around so soon! Can’t believe you’re nearly off. Great blog page Leslie and fab picture there! I will follow you along the way! Xx
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Absolutely amazing – so inspiring
Paul told us all about it on Saturday and it is staggering – or is it that we were staggering home!
You are doing a fantastic thing – keep safe and try to enjoy
Will keep reading your posts now we have your adress
It was so good to see Paul at the weekend – being in Sutton is always very sentimental for me and having such wonderful friends is amaZing after 30 years
Take care and keep peddling
Sue LeAthersx
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