The Charge Continues

So after taking a week off for some pains in my foot and hip I am back on the stationary bike.  There is some growth that can be seen.  I this week spent more time on the saddle and increased my miles quite a bit.  Now I am under now impression that this is anything like bike packing but I think it just goes to show me I am improving.

Yes I know I am in doors and just riding a stationary bike but we all have to start some where.  As I have been saying the goal right now is weight lose and at my age it is a struggle.  However if I keep up this kind of growth it will start to fall off soon.  I am still looking a bikes online and plan to buy one through FB market place when I see the right deal.  This has been fun so far and I am learning a lot about myself.  So now I need to stretch after that 11 mile ride.

Road Blocks

As you get started on goals of any kind you will hit road blocks.  The perverbial bump in the road.  I am in now way exempt from this.  As I prepare for my Bike Packing and Fishing adventures I have hit a road block.  I currently don't have the desire to ride and exercise.  How do you handle this.  Well in my understanding (which is limited) you need to push through.

When I was young and getting ready for the Fire Academy I need to start excerising to prepare for the physical rquirements I would be getting into.  Istarted running daily and very quickly hit a road block.  Iso badly wanted to stop.  And I almost did until I just simply pushed myself.  Runners know that if you push through eventually it gets better.  I understand this as in those moments I have pushed through before and sure enough in time I was past it and feeling energized and glad I did it.  So as Ishare this with everyone I sitting in the kitchen typing this post not wanting to ride.  So I will start here as it is time for me tyo push through.

Bike Packing Just a Start In research

 So the research and learning has begun as I embark on a new adventure in my life.  As I mentioned before I will be venturing into the world of bike packing and of course fishing.  As I get ready to turn 50 I see the need to find myself again and more importantly I need to move again.  If you don't use it you lose it or so they say.  Well I kind of am starting to understand that as I see it getting hard to move like I once use to.   I am in the research phase and the areas I will be doing my research are in the following.

1. Bikes

2. Tent and sleeping gear

3. Bike Packs

4. Cooking stoves, and other items

5. Computer systems (In time)

6. Water filtration systems.

I will be sharing all that I learn with you as I start my searches and learn the in's and out's of it all.  To start of course will be with the most important part the Bike.  Now I am not new to this in anyway I have been mountain biking for years.  I have enough knowledge here to get by but as with anything you want to be better at you need to do your do diligence.  I plan to ride a mountain bike as I think I will be most comfortable in one verses a road bike.  I will be using a Hardtail and if I can swing the price a full suspension might be in the cards.  My plan is to find out what makes for a top level bike and find a used one that will fit my needs.  

I plan to stick to what I know best, or what was most common when I rode.  GT, Specialized, Trek, Iron Horse, Giant, Diamondback, and Gary Fisher.  My hunt will be for a used bike in very good condition of course.  I will not be doing this a tone at least at the start so a very good used bike should do well for me in the beginning.  One think I am currently learning about is the 29er bikes.  

(Definition:) - A 29er bike is a mountain bike with 29 inch wheels, a wheel size that has become the most popular and most capable for trail riding. 29er bikes are great for all types of rides and they offer lots of performance benefits that can make riding easier, faster, and more fun.

The Pros here are great for moving through rough terrain.  Less buck and better flow on technical terrain.  Increased traction and grip due to larger tire contact.  As for Cons I can live with being harder to jump and with and maneuvering in the air, not an issue for me at my age.  Slower acceleration compared to 27.5" MTB, I am in no rush of course. Lastly bigger wheels tend to be heavier, and that is something to consider.

I have read that disc breaks are better then the old cantilever breaks.  As my last bike had disc break I completely agree with this and will be looking for good disc breaks as well.  Last lastly will be overall bike size.  For me when I was younger I liked my bikes to be smaller so I could throw it around under me.  But I am sure now a larger bike would be a better fit.  I will be sitting in and doing some test riding soon as well and give you my feedback soon on that.  This so far has been fun even though I just started.  I will continue to do my research.

Funny last thoughts - When I was just out of high school I started Mountain biking and continued in to my late 20's with some action in my early 30's.  Back then I just grabbed a bike and hit the trail.  This time approaching 50 I need to prepare for all that I plan to do.  Don't take your youth for granite enjoy it while you have it.  I know there is much more to go over and learn about so there is more to come.

Powered by my passion the Float Tube Fishing Forum

  

Cook Wear for my pending Bike Trips

 I have been looking at a lot of different items to get prepared.  So I started with a small portable Stove and a Pot and Pan set.  Below are images of what I ordered as well as the links to view them further and purchase if you like.

Portable Camping Stove

MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit

So this is still a very new thing to me so I am just testing the waters.  The cost of these items as well as tax and shipping was came to $40 roughly.  Once I receive this items I will be doing a review of the items as well as cooking up some lunch in the backyard.  I am still in the planning stages for my first Bike Packing and Fishing Trip by the Summer of 2024.  

The main current goals are still the same weight lose and review of needed items for my trip.  I am currently doing most of my research through YouTube video which have been very helpful.  I have found a good first route in Big Bear already.  I will continue to do my research and if you have advice please send a comment.  Now I am going to jump on my stationary bike to work on that weight lose.  I will be riding 3 to 4 times a week with a goal of 30 minutes to an hour of ride time a week.

Only my first week of preparing

 So ya not much has changed, but it has only been a week.  In preparation for setting out to start Bike Packing and Fishing I have been doing a few things.  One I have been riding my stationary bike at home in hopes of losing weight and gaining cardio improvements.   I have also be online looking at used bikes and doing much research on needed items for a simple first time trip.   

  Let's talk about my first week of exercise on the stationary bike real quick.  I have completed my 3 days for the week and plan to get one more ride in.  I have traveled 15 miles in a total of 38 minutes of riding.  I think this is alright and being that I just started the whole plan I am satisfied.  The rides right now are not tough and in time I will be increasing the duration and intensity to better challenge myself.  As before weight lose will be a goal of 40 pounds lost and right now I am looking to start by losing 5 pounds.  I have time this is not a race at least not yet.

So I currently am in search of a bike as I sold my last bike about 15 years ago.  I will be looking for 2 different types.  Both are mountain bikes as that is where I am most comfortable.  I will be looking to purchase a used Hardtail for Full Suspension bike.  I am currently looking on social media for a good deal and am not in any rush to purchase.  Though I hope to have a bike before the end of 2023 at least.  Now as I look in to these bikes I realize just how long it as been since I have been on a bike.  Brand have changed but the overall idea is still there.  Still I plan to stick with some trusted name brands from my days.  GT, Giant, Specialized,  Trek, Gary Fisher, and more.  When I get a bike I will be looking for a 29er.  the 29er are bigger tires, which allow for less energy to travel further distances as well as rolling over obstacle better.  Of course my mind is open to all ideas, for now this is my direction and desire. 

  

These are just some starting off ideas and pricing for me will be no more that $400, and hopefully $300 of a little less.  It can be done and once I have the bike I can then upgrade were I feel it is needed.  I will continue to do my research into all items I will need for this big adventure I will be in barking on and I hope that you will follow me all the way through.  One last thing to say I am a fishermen and part of this adventure is to go fishing on my trip as well.  So you will be seeing me talk more about the fishing aspect as well.  I will be looking into conversion rods (fly rod to spinning rod) as well as Tenkara fishing something very unique, of course compact and it looks like some fun.  Thanks again for readying and please don't hesitate to post your comments add your 2 cents I will take all the help I can get.

Powered by The Float Tube Fishing Forum - We're Always On The Fish

The prep step for bike packing and fishing

So I started out with the thought of I need to start moving more as I age.  I want to maintain my health and mobility.  As a former mountain biker and a die hard fishermen it was only natural to gravitate to the sport of Bike Packing and Fishing if it is a sport.  So with a thought in my head and a discussion with my wife a plan is hatched.

First move health and weight lose.  I said in my first post that I would not share my weight until I loosed some weight.  For me the plan is to first lose about 40 pounds total stating off with a goal of 5 pounds in a week.  How will I do this.  First its time to start moving.  I have always had an active type job but my last career change was to teaching.  While there is opportunity to move around it is nothing like what I use to do on the Ambulance and or in the Fire Station.  So I will start by planning to ride my stationary bike a minimum of 3 days a week with a goal of at least 30 minutes to an hour of ride time.   I am now 2 days on the bike and have a total for 24 minutes in as well as just short of 10 mills.  Now this might not seem like much but we all have to start somewhere.

Another area is mindful eating which I am sometimes guilty of mindless eating.  Interestingly enough I have found that I really enjoy bell pepper sandwiches for lunch.  This is just simply a half a bell pepper (color of your choice) with some lunch meet, tuna, or chicken salad on it.  very satisfying for a quick lunch.  I will also be doing some pushups and modified burpees each morning before work.  I have a mountain to climb but the waters on the other side are calling me.  With that I will leave you as I struggle but continue to grind.  I want to move more and Bike Packing and Fishing (BP&F) will be the motivation and the enjoyment of ward work and selfcare.  

I hope you will follow me as I go though this change and growth as a outdoorsman fighting for his health and wellbeing.  I invite all comments and information you would all like to share with me.  

Meeting us all at the Float Tube Fishing Forum

My plans for Bike packing and Fishing

 I have for most of my life been either fishing for biking.  So to marring the 2 is just a have to.  I evite you to follow me as I work on getting into this new sport and the twists and turns that I will come across.   Here is the reason I will be embarking on this new adventure.  I turn 50 in less then year.  My health is not where it should be and if I don't start moving I will lose my ability to move and enjoy the outdoors as I once did in my 20's and 30's.

I will be starting from scratch as I don't own a bike any more.  It has been years since I have been mountain biking at least 20 or more and probably the same for camping.  So as I say I will be starting from scratch I mean  it to the 1oth degree.  The plan is to be ready for my first trip by the summer of 2024 if not sooner.  You will be following me as 1. I lose weight to prepare for then ability to get back on a bike an become comfortable doing so once again.  2. leaning what makes for the best bike for me and my needs.  3. All the camping gear I will need to make for a comfortable time on the trail between trips.  4. The right fishing gear that I will need to take with me. 5. and finally where will I be planning to do day trips and over night trips.

This will be an adventure and I hope you will join me as I break all this down and learn the ends and outs.  I will start here I will be working on losing 10 pounds to start this adventure.  I hope to drop close to 40 before I get on a bike again.  How will I start this you ask right here in my living room.  On my Schwinn exercise bike.  The plan is to ride 3 to 4 days a week for 30 minutes to a hour a week as I get started, Baby steps.  The hope will be to get back to everyone in the next few days for a check in on my progress as well and weight lose and when I am comfortable I will share what my weight is (LOL).  I will also be share information on all the product I have researched and information I have come up with.

Of course I will be taking the Float Tube Fishing Forum along with us as well and I am sure we will all learn a lot together.  Please feel free to let me know what you think, and share any info you have that could help.  Thanks for reading and tight lines as well as keep the rubber on the road.

FTFF Thread