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Date: February 6, 2004
1) You can judge the wind direction by throwing a handful fo grass into the
air. You know you have a tailwind (and need a shower) if you can smell yourself.
2) Super Secret Bicycle Trick. Keeping your groin dry and free of saddle sores,
fungus and rashes is -- shall I say? -- important. Grab the front your pants and
yank them below your seat and enjoy the breeze.
3) Wash dishes and the inside of water bottles with sand.
4) You can eat anything if you boil it for ten minutes.
5) Dry clothes in the sun to burn of the bacteria. This also works on your
stinky bum if you want to risk a sunburn.
6) Use mud as sunscreen and oil from your nose as lip balm.
7) Wrap dishes in newspaper to give them a nice shine from the vibration of
bicycling.
8) To keep the flies off your face, take your pants off.
9) Don't trust maps or books: ask the locals for advice on the best route.
10) Buy a green tent so that it is camoflaged in the woods. And, buy a small
tent but large enough to stretch your legs and sit up straight. Bonus Tips
11) Use waterproof panniers for doing laundry.
12) If you get lost, stare at a map and look dumb: someone will volunteer
to help you.
13) If you are stuck at a fork in the road of life, toss a coin: it is never
wrong.
14) Carry plenty of plastic ties, rubber bands, plastic bags and duct tape.
I continue to be amazed that the early explorers survived Bonus, Bonus Equipment
Tips for the Gearhead
15) Purchasing a Brooks Flyer saddle, a leather seat that slowly molds itself
into the shape of your bum, has been the best thing I ever bought. I am no longer
in chronic agony, just normal pain.
16) Schwable Marathon Plus tires are the best. They easily last for 15,000
kilometers and the steel mesh prevents punctures. Knock on wood, i hardly ever
have a flat anymore. Sometimes in South America, I had 6 flats in one day. I've
had only one flat in Australia.
17) The most important feature on a bike is the frame. I still standby my
steel frame, easily welded at any auto shop.
18) The second most important feature are the wheels. 36 heavy-gauge spokes,
double-rimmed, deep-dish rims are bomb proof.
19) Tubis steel racks are another item I wish I had purchased
at the outset. Aluminum racks fatigue; I wrapped my last one around
my front wheel like a wet noodle and nearly flipped over the handlebars
(again).
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