The Plan

This past week I was on spring break from school so I headed back home to pensacola to spend a little time with the family. While I was home I broke down and ordered my touring bike for Truly Spokin. I decided on a Surly Long Haul Trucker and am very excited for it to come in. In the future I will write a post on all the gear I plan to take to Key West. The second highlight of my trip home was that Adam and I were able to get together and talk out some details for the trip. From the beginning we have always said that our plan would be no plan but we thought we should at least lay out an idea on where we wanted to go. The map above shows a rough idea on the route we are planning to take which incorporates a few stops along the way to stay with friends and family. We are planning on camping most of the way down but we are going to stay with four or five friends along the way for a hot meal and cold shower. All of this being said I understand that all of these plans will most likely will change in the course of our travels but at the present this is what we are going for.

The search for a bike

When Adam and I first started talking about a ride from Pensacola to Key West, one of my first concerns was the financial aspect of trip. How could I make this trip enjoyable on a college budget. My initial thought was piece together a bike from the three bikes I already own; a 1982 Bianchi road bike with Campy 7 speed, A KHS Flite 100 fixed gear, and a Salsa Juan Solo SS Mountain Bike. The best candidate for the job was the steel framed Bianchi since it was the only geared bike; If only things were that easy. I spoke with my good friends at my local bike shop (Truly Spoken), one of which has done some serious touring. I found out the Bianchi did not have eyelets for mounting racks and fenders, crucial to any bike tour, in addition the bike geometry, wheels, etc. were not up to the task.
So it began, the search for the perfect bike. I had a couple ideas when I first began shopping for a bike.

1. Buy a cheap frame and build it up
2. Buy an inexpensive cyclocross bike ($500-$700) that would make the trip
3. Invest in a good Touring bike ($1000+) that will last me 10 or 20 years

After reading hundreds of reviews and blogs and weighing all of my options I believe (at this point) I am going to invest in a good touring bike. I have always believed in buying used, there are so many people that had the intention to start riding, bought a nice bike, and ended up not having the time. I have always have had good luck finding a bike in good condition for a fraction or the retail price. This being said, finding good deals on bikes require a few things.

1. Hours on the internet searching ebay, craigslist, and classifieds
2. Flexibility in your choices (different makes, models,and colors)
3. TIME!!! you must be willing to sit it out for the best deal (this could take months)

I have been able to fulfill the first two requirements but the third, "time", has been my enemy. With less than two months till the trip I am on a tight schedule. I want to have a bike a least a month before the trip, this way I can tweak it and work out any glitches before we start the ride. If I buy a bike from Truly Spoken I must make sure I give them enough cushion room in case the bike is backordered. My goal is to set a date to find a used bike, if I have not found one by then I will order one through Truly Spoken.

Wish Me Luck!!!