A couple of weeks ago, Michael Sylvester invited us to join him and his girlfriend Marci on a little bike tour. So this weekend Austin and I took our first bike camping trip. As we are recovering from the heat (can you believe 106 degrees?!), the exertion, and the mind-blowingly good time, we are reflecting on the lessons learned and planning for the next trip.
1. Never underestimate the wisdom of the Happy Pack. This is and ingenious move on the part of Marci. A one-gallon zip-lock baggie dull of non-negotiable non-essentials. If one partner wants to bring post-it notes and it fits in the bag, it comes. Luxuries, when packing light, can actually be quite simple.
2. Tandems just freakin’ fly. Team Ramsland was no match for Team M&M. On their tandem, they were able to share the load of the trailer, be more aerodynamic, and Marci was able to administer in-flight shoulder rubs to Michael.
3. Know your trailer. This was Austin and my maiden voyage with our new BOB Yak trailer, a wedding gift from Mom. It is a real workhorse, but it turns put that they do not come fully domesticated and pothole trained! Until we got the hang of it, we were imagining ourselves as amateur bull riders. Our model has only one wheel for better off-road and rugged terrain handling and is only super stable when you get it up to speed; Team M&M’s Burley trailer has two wheels and handles about the same at any speed.
4. Never Leave Your Wingman. I wanted the first crack at pulling the trailer, but I don’t think that either of us was prepared to go toe to toe with a former pro cyclist and his partner on a tandem. That’s right Mav, you never leave you wingman.
5. One can never have too many water bottles. Team M&M had four bottles between them on the tandem (plus a gallon jug in their trailer on the way back!). Team Ramsland had one bottle each. As we arrived at our campground, dehydrated and a little rough around the edges, Marci said, “Okay, I’m going to play Mom here: you guys need to carry more water.” Mom knows best. ‘Nough said.
6. Plan for fun. This sounds like an obvious point, but this means in my mind a few things: clear the schedule (don’t let technical difficulties or logistical complexity get you down!), have the right toys (we brought a New Yorker with the funnies still un-read) and have the fun-time mindset (be ready for early morning skinny dipping and the joys of brushing teeth by the light of a headlamp!)
7. When it is triple digit temperatures, bring your goggles and swim with a buddy. We stopped twice outside of Estacada to swim in the Clackamas River, and it was so much fun. The real lesson here should be: When you are on a bike trip, it doesn’t matter what time it is. We stopped to chat. We stopped to swim. We stopped to eat burritos. We stopped at stop lights. It’s really nice not having to be anywhere but where you are.
So, where to next? I know that Marci is already planning another trip. As for me - I am up for anything!
Do Oxbow park. There are lovely little trails to hike, the Sandy river to wade in and you fall asleep to the sound of the river every night. Cheers –B.