Truckster is on the way

The semester is almost over already here in Saint Louis. It has been passing very quickly. This last week I wrote a homily, took two exams, and taught 7th graders about confession. It was an especially busy week, and the rest of the semester will probably be even more busy as I try to wrap up all of the assigned work. Of course, next week I will be going home for Thanksgiving. That will be nice. And then it's a marathon couple of weeks to the end.

And once Christmas break begins, I'm off to Texas to ride bike. Today I finally dropped my bike off at REI for a tune up. Once it's done, some time next week, it will be shipped off to Del Rio, TX, where Jesse and I will resume our cross-country ride on December 12th.

Doing a trip like this required planning. I wanted to include a bunch of stuff in the bike box that will be shipped down ahead of me. So I had to update my gear and packing list. Here is everything I'll be bringing on this trip:

• Bike: Novara Randonee touring bike. (obviously)
• Helmet
• Sunglasses
• Bike Jerseys (2 or 3)
• Bike Gloves
• Warmer Bike Gloves (for cold weather)
• Fleece hat (for cold weather)
• Cycling shorts (2 pr)
• Cycling socks (2 pr)
• Cycling shoes
• Rain jacket (for cold or wet weather)
• Rain pants (for cold or wet weather)
• Leg tights (for cold weather)
• Tennis shoes (for when I'm not on the bike)
• Zip-off pants (pants that double as shorts)
• Short-sleeve t-shirts (2)
• Long-sleeve t-shirt (1)
• Panniers
• Chain Tool
• Chain link
• Hex wrenches
• Spoke Wrench
• Tire Irons
• Spare tubes (3)
• chain lube
• Mirror
• Pump
• Patch kit
• Headlamp
• Small Bungee Cords
• 1st aid kit
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Sunscreen
• Cycle computer
• GPS
• Camera
• Pen/Pencil
• Journal notebook.
• Adventure Cycling Map for SoTier Section 4