Business Cards!!!

Thanks to Chris Brunner, of GreatFX Business Cards, I will be armed with business cards which should greatly aid in the fundraising efforts. Anyone with business card needs should, of course, check out GreatFX. Chris has been great to work with. Thanks again Chris!

Using Google Earth to View Ride Files

Here is a description of how to view the ride files that I will be posting. They can be viewed in Google Earth, which will provide an airplane-like "fly over" of the route.

1. You will need to download Google Earth - do so by clicking HERE and following the instructions.

2. Download the Ride file to your Desktop (click on the "Ride File" link, download the file, ignore the ads). Here is a link to a Brooklyn, NY to Piermont, NY ride: Ride File

3. Open Google Earth, then open the downloaded Ride file (you will need to change the "files of type" in the dialog box to Gps).

4. Within Google Earth, go to Tools-Options - and then select the "Touring" Tab. Try these settings for the "Driving Directions Tour Options":

Angle- 45 degrees
Height- 1500 meters
Speed- 600

Click "Apply" and then "Ok".

5. On the lower left hand side, in the "Layers" area, only "Borders and Labels" and "Terrain" should be checked.

6. Now, click on the "play" button that is just above the "Layers" bar. It should play the ride. Enjoy!

Items to Bring on the Trip

So, what does a person bring on a 7 week, 4800-mile bike trip? Here is a list of items that I have gathered for the ride so far:

Garmin 705 (mapping computer/power recording device/bike computer)
Cinqo (power meter)
Sandisk Clip 4gb MP3 player
Kodak Z1285 digital camera
rear bike rack
rear bag + panniers
Black Diamond Lightsabre Bivy
Big Agnes clear inflatable sleeping pad
summer weight sleeping bag
pillow
small front bike bag ("bento box")
small handlebar bag
saddle bag (holding CO2 inflator, spare inner tubes, multi-tool, tube repair kit, tire levers)
Toppeak Road Morph G pump
front/rear bike lights
arm warmers, leg warmers, arm coolers (by DeSoto)
sunglasses
sunscreen
chamois butter
cycling shorts + spare
socks + spare
shirt + spare
regular shorts
sandals
band aids/tape/gauze/neosporin/aspirin
toothbrush + paste
back up power source for Garmin 705 + Sandisk Clip (+ recharger)
Clif Bars + protein bars
homemade gatorade, mixed
water bottles
thin waterproof jacket
cycling gloves
zip lock bags
cell phone
garbage bag (to protect items in case of rain)
helmet
32gb USB drive to hold music, maps, etc.
lightweight cable bike lock
12 NiMH AA-size rechargeable batteries
8-cell AC/DC battery recharger
(3) USB power packs (powered by the rechargeable AAs)
(2) Platypus 1 liter collapsible water bottles
basic swiss army knife
zip ties
zip lock bags
elevation graphs and route maps + directions (printed and sealed with tape)
blinking headlight and blinking taillight

Need:
moleskin (for blisters)