The Ride Across America for Project Rwanda - Pretrip

So, as those of you who have checked out my website know, I will be using this blog as my trip "diary." I'm going to attempt to update it at least once a week and will definitely be including a "coolest pictures of the week" section (internet connection willing) to give you guys a better idea of the terrain out there. 

Really quickly I'm listing a few of the reservations I have about this trip. The bike I'm using is at best pretty ill suited for this trip. It's only got two chainrings in the front, the inner one having 39 teeth, and on the cassette my gear range is 12/22. This would be pretty sweet for a flat racing course where I'd be pushing 30 mph, but going cross country is going to be tough without a lower gear. I actually researched a third chainring or a new crank, and either of these options would've required multiple additional purchases to the tune of $100 or more. This being said, I'm going to give it a try, and worst case I end up buying a new Duraace cassette somewhere along the way with a much larger gear range. 

Stay tuned for the next, first exciting entry from the road. I'll hopefully be beginning this Friday or Saturday sometime depending on whether my Bob trailer comes in and how many of my flights are delayed. Take care, and be assured pictures will follow.