T-Minus 5 weeks

Things are slowly starting to come together:

My vacation request was approved.

The plane ticket to VA is purchsed - a lovely redeye through Philly to Williamsburg.

White Lightnin' is at the bike shop getting an overhaul. This is no joke. When you resurrect a nearly 20 year old bike, it takes more than cosmetic surgery. In this case, that means new crank, both derailleurs, chain, shifters and saddle. White Lightnin' was the very first road bike that I bought. I remember that a high school friend said that he paid the same amount for his first car - $400. Soon, my dear old steel frame triple crank friend and I will be reunited on the road - for better or worse.

The packing list is of constant worry as I haven't done a test pack yet. I have a feeling that all my gear will fit but there will be no room for food. Or as Boy Blunder's brother says "You'll have so much weight on the back that you'll be riding a wheelie across the country." I refuse to have front panniers - just a vanity thing. Plus, I need to keep the bike as light as possible.

Hmm...what's that leave. Oh right, fitness. I'm still not convinced that I can maintain an average of 116 miles a day. This is what really keeps me up at night. Not so much the miles - but the miles with a fully loaded bike. Guess it's time to man up!