Cycle The Erie Canal

Not the 400 miles expected - probably because I didn't do the Day 0 tours & such. But still, 630km ( 391 mi) was pretty cool.

Validated some of my packing / traveling gear and made some changes along the way. Definitely helped to stay at Lotar's in Syracuse and a couple other stops along the way.

Routewerks handlebar bag: 

• Confirmed: Electrolytes, snack bar, bug net, backscratcher, Car key, Hitch key, Lock key, Rack Key, Garmin Tempe, Swiss Army Knife, Garmin Edge, Cell Phone, Wallet, First Aid Kit, Chap Stick, Friction Frosting, Dude Wipes, Insect Repellent, Sunscreen, Buff
• Change next time: don't need the keys - get a combination lock. More dude wipes, fewer wet-ones. Get a bottle of spray sunscreen - easier to apply & store.

Toiletry kit:

• Confirmed: Bag w/ mirror, toothbrush, toothpaste, nail clippers, tweezers, floss, Deo, Shower Soap, Washcloth, Lotion, Tylenol, Naproxen, Ibuprofen, Calcium supplement, Dude Wipes, Clothesline, Winter Hat
• Change next time: didn't use sink stopper, pain meds was a lot but better to have them & not need them ya' know? Same w/ the winter hat. Chose to not bring NyQuil and didn't need it anyway.

Wearing:

• Confirmed: Bike, helmet, sunglasses, gloves, sun-shirt w/ sleeves (or LS shirt), bibs, sneakers, helmet liner, Garmin Watch, Road ID, Front & Rear Lights, Water Bottles, Bear Spray
• Change: ULock w/ cable - get a combination lock! Helmet Liner was crucial in keeping the head from getting sunburned. Get FRONT LIGHT that flashes!

Bike Duffel Bag:

• Confirmed: Reading glasses, chamois cream, Repair kit, charge cables for electronics, charge block, power bank, Sun hat / ball cap, Wipes, Handtowel, Rain Coat, extra water bottle, 
• Change: Tarp, Net, Bag Cover, Ext Cord, full MODL set, wrist brace, cold packs, happy nuts, USB Fan - move the ext cord to a duffel, only needed 1 power bank, charge block needed inside & at charging stations. Never used the umbrella. Sleeping mask wasn't used - never stopped long enough for a nap. Also didn't use the reading glasses, but this is where they should be. Bring SOME MODL, but don't need the full set.
• After 2 days, I changed from the duffel to a pannier. It was fine except the pannier banged against the spokes of the wheel. I need a better rack. FAN needs to go into overnight bag also.

Green duffel (clothes & inside):

• Confirmed: Book, shower shoes, toiletry kit, towel, GoMacro bars, hydration packets, clothes - STNKY bag, LS sun shirt, 4 bibs, 2 sun sleeves, 3 sun shirts, 1 gravel shirt, 1 camp shorts, 1 bathing suit, 3 socks (1 worn), 2 underwear (pjs)
• Change: only wore 1 pair of socks the whole week, used ALL the bibs, but threw one of them away at the end, used bathing suit, camp shorts for PJs, only wore the gravel shirt once - it wasn't as comfy as the sun shirts though it was UPF 50. Don't bring so many bars as the rest stops are well stocked.

Black duffel (sleeping):

• Confirmed: Tent, Air mattress, quilt, liner 1, liner 2, pillow 1, pillow 2, Towel, sleep masks
• Change: stool instead of full-chair. Is there a better option than the quilt? Would like to limit this to a single bag.

Would like to limit myself to one duffel bag, or maybe just panniers? The bus trip back was brutally uncomfortable so either I leave the car at Albany & take the bus at the start, or take the train to Buffalo? Either way, looks like the. But biking with all the bags to the train station would be impossible. At one of the hotel stops I did some repacking and put all the stuff I needed for the night in just one bag and put it on my back and rode to the hotel.

Totally didn't need that huge tent, especially since I slept inside all the time. But depends on weather next year.

L knee

Still cannot walk around the block (half mile) without my left knee locking up.

Need to do more of this!

Working on the base mileage for the NPT in August.

Winter Hiking

Building Endurance

Pinnacle State Park

 Hike w/ Aaron

Continuing Some Mileage

Putting In Some Mileage

New Years Day 2023 Hike w/ Brian

 Nice to get out w/ Brian!

Interloken Trail

Didn't feel great. Got a late start, so I was pushing the pace on the way north. This caused me to miss a turn and head down the gorge Trail which really threw me off. I had also set my watch on ultra track, and it was giving me all sorts of screwy readings, like a 2 minute kilometer, and told me my total distance was 13 km. But clearly from the way back, much shorter. But I made it to a new trail, saw some people, a very cool owl, and was able to continue to test my setup. The Solomon boots still agitated my right ringtone, but on the way back I had moved my insole and added a second layer of sock and it was no problem. Something I can fix going forward, instead of buying another pair of boots.

M13 Finish and M12 start

​Had a rough go at some points, but got it done. Just one overnight, and tested the hammock, underquilt, hydration system, and how do the boots do going downhill and on road walks? All answers were as expected. Bug net for my head was a lifesaver a couple times. Bugs weren't bad, but they were persistent - I think I only got stung / bitten twice. Also glad to have brought the bright orange buff as there was some high caliber / shotgun fire near the trail register at the Birdseye Hollow area. Not that the orange prevented anything necessarily, but at least I had it. My gloves were more of a pain than usual and my hands were sweaty as heck / clammy while trying to sleep. I want the gloves to protect my hands, but also wanted to take pictures and verify location so I kept pulling out my phone. Maybe cut a hole in the index finger to make the whole setup a tad easier? Once it started raining I didn't even use the gloves. Rain setup was confirmed - poncho and gaiters were sufficient. Granted, the rain was light. But I was so sweaty underneath that it really didn't matter. Had I been going longer it would have been more important to keep the body temp up, but since it was only the last hour or two, I could have just left it in my pocket.

• Body is still capable, but sore today. Lost 4 pounds - can I keep up the activity to get into better shape???
• Almost tricked myself mentally into night hiking on the road because I was worried about water, but I stayed sane and stuck to the original plan. That was best. 
• READ NOTES on the back of the map - I walked right past a pristine source in someones yard because I wasn't paying attention and didn't read the details. 
• Hydration pump of the MSR Miniworks is still the king - wouldn't change it for any of my other options. Should have brought more purification pills, though. And more than 1L of extra water since the tablets take 4 hours to work. Also worried about purifying water instead of just filtering - why?
• Hammock & underquilt were fine - I was mostly too hot at night tbh.
• Boots were fine on the roads. Toes rubbed on the downhill so might look at using liners or thinner socks next time.

Things I learned this trip:

1. Actually SIT in the hammock and test setup before night time. I chose a small tree and although it didn't break, it bent enough that I was on the ground as soon as I got it. Fortunately there was an alternate not too far away, but it was night time and I didn't want to do too much adjusting so I ended up with a ridgeline so tight you would walk on it. But everything held for a good nights sleep. I did lose one tent stake, though.
2. Plastic / wooden spoons won't burn your mouth.
3. A chair / stool is a good idea, even if there's a lean-to because you can sit off the floor in the rain.
4. Poop before it rains!
5. Always bring some form of soap! My hands were sticky, even after I used a shower wipe and it made sleep annoying for a while. Also good to have so you can clean up before getting into the car.
6. Speaking of the car, just put dry clothes and a large garbage bag aside for whoever picks you up. Then you don't have to carry them and you won't get their car all gross.
7. Bring deo or something to prevent underarm chafing. Not a problem this time, but good reminder.
8. Lastly, check water sources before hiking! Was going to refill at Birdseye Hollow park, but there was enough of an algae bloom that I chose against it. Fortunately there was another water source on the route, but I definitely got lucky.

Changes to original plan:

1. Brought a 1L bottle of water as backup to my 2L bladder. It was a LITTLE close, but overall I was fine. If I'm going to have a 2L bladder, I should have a 2L backup. The purification tablets take 4 hours which is about how long it takes me to go through 2L.
2. Didn't bring many extra clothes, but STUPIDLY work cotton t-shirt and shorts. Sweat just would not stop running.
3. Don't forget to wring out your sweat cloth.
4. Water is often not easy to get to and very likely you will get wet / muddy trying to gather some for you to filter. The long hose on the miniworks was awesome - maybe get a longer one!
5. REALLY too close on food. The one Green Belly I brought was eaten around 2pm on Sunday. Then I was down to 2 dehydrated meals. Turned out fine, but having ZERO food for snacking on the trail was moronic.

Double Back Again...

Last weekend I did this hike in my Trail Runners. Today I went in my Salomon boots. My knees seemed more sensitive to the downhill today, but I also did a hard bike ride yesterday and also mowed the lawn last night. So it's unclear if the boots helped, hindered, or had no effect. Wearing the boots makes one feel more protected, but because of that I paid less attention to the trail and I think my steps were bigger. I don't think the trail runners nor the boots had insoles aside from the factory provided so that may be the next evaluation step. Might be able to go again on Sunday.

Finally Out Again

Testing some things this weekend. Went to lean-to via Moss Hill Road on Saturday with:

• La Sportiva sneakers & thin knee-length compression socks
• ZPacks gaiters
• SMD Flight 30 UL
• Hummingbird Hammocks Single+, tree straps, & Martin bugnet
• EE Apex Enigma
• Kammok UL Weather Shelter
• Didn't bring towel, trekking poles, handkerchief, or pack hangar

Footwear was fine. Path was pretty gradual and they got a little muddy - definitely NOT waterproof! The gaiters stayed up the whole time which was a nice surprise. The pack was fine, but I've mentally decided to move on from my UL pack and get a Gregory which will only be another 5-8 ounces and will be more comfortable; it also won't sit on my back and soak up all my sweat! 

The hammock setup was great! It rained a little (sprinkles on & off) so I used my Sea-to-Summit poncho over me & the pack. Then when I got to lean-to I pretended it was pouring and tried to setup tarp & hammock while still in poncho with pack on my stomach. Nice test all around. The tarp was big enough for the hammok, though not a lot of extra room. Setup was narrow since I forgot my pole. Used the poncho as a ground cloth for my pack & footwear while I napped for 45 minutes. All-in-all, a solid test and a great day. Few, if any, bugs.

Sunday

• La Sportiva sneakers & padded ankle-length Darn-Tough socks
• ZPacks gaiters
• SMD Minimalist
• Hummingbird Hammocks Single+, tree straps, & Martin bugnet
• This time I remembered trekking poles and pack hangar (see pic below)

Went in from Bailey road this time. Much shorter, and much STEEPER which was a good workout for the legs. Really felt stronger as a result of this hike - less knee pain. Can't believe how much quicker it was going back to car vs the walk in - or at least it seemed that way. No nap today, but did set up the hammock again and added a ridgeline to keep bugnet out of my face. Pack hangar worked, but I think it should be thicker cord, and no so long - best idea is to get cord that can also be used to field-repair Zpack gaiters also, and used as bear-bag hang. The Minimalist bag was fine, but still not as comfortable as the Gregory packs I've had in the past. AND I HATE THE ROLL_TOP closure. Waste of time & space I think, but maybe that's just due to my current approach. I've listed the Flight and my Fusion packs on FB, but I'll keep the minimalist as an alternative in the future.

The point of hiking in again Sunday was to replenish the outhouse supplies - completely empty I noticed on Saturday. Added 1 roll TP, 1 package wipes, 1 hand sanitizer, and some feminine hygiene stuff to the tupperware container. It wouldn't hold the 2nd roll of TP that I brought so I just double-bagged that in hopes it would survive until needed. Maybe I'll check again this weekend.

Gear eval: 

• La Sportiva were fine, though not as comfy as when I first tried them on and my toes were a bit sore on Sunday from the down hill. Should try downhill again with thin socks to see if that changes things. But on Saturday, felt like my feet slipped around way too much with the thin socks.
• ZPacks Gaiters - AWESOME. Even on Sunday, with ankle socks, they stayed above the calf the entire time.
• HH Single+ - continues to be comfortable and I had a decent nap in it with just an UL inflatable pillow.
• EE Apex Enigma blue / gold - perfect for the weather on Saturday which was cloudy & spots of rain.
• Backpacks - I don't like how little structure the UL / frameless packs have. It doesn't stand up when it's on a flat surface. It's harder to pack because it flops around so much. I hate how it's right on my back which soaks up my sweat and makes me hotter, faster. And the roll-top is only useful when you've got a bunch of food that you are working through over several days - it's not like the gear itself gets smaller.