Got a Nook

Got me ones of those Nook electronic book things, so far so good. My intent was to have something to read while on airplanes or down time during my trips, I like to read but hate carrying books. I have been taking the thing with me everywhere I go. the battery last for ever and I find it easier to read than an actual book. Its light, I dont have to hold the thing open and I can take hundreds of books in the little pad.  the coolest part I think is the fact that as long as I have a wi-fi connection or 3G network within range I can buy books right from the nook. I have found this to be a really cool feature. I can also download books from public and online library's. I have declared my little nook (I call it nookie) an essential part of my adventure kit, right next to my GPS and my anti chafe cream. If you get a chance to check one out do it, you will fall in love with it. I think the nook and other similar devises like the Kindle are going to do to books what the Ipod did to CDs. well see....

Just a little longer

Well, I just reached my 10 day milestone, in ten more days I will be on an airplane headed to my next big adventure, I'm excited and a little apprehensive, I have set some very high expectations of Tennessee and Kentucky. I have some big plans involving road trips across state lines in my T3 Vanagon, Lots of mountain biking, Kayaking outings and some intense long distance multiday hikes. I have imagined this perfect place, a playground to let go and enjoy life to the fullest. I will be happy if at least 70% of my expectations are there. but you know what? The uncertainty and the unknown are what make it exciting and fun, so I will do what I always do when I don’t know what's waiting on the other side...I will take a deep breath, think of those I love, smile and charge.

Trans North Georgia Mountain Bike Adventure live tracker by trackleaders.com

Mountain Bike Adventure at its best, I cant wait to try one of these, I figure if I train really hard for a year, I might be able to finish the ride, this link shows the plot trace of individual racers trough the use of a GPS tracking system. I would love it if they had one of these races where you had to ride your bike towing a kayak, then paddle your kayak and then finish with an epic hike, now that would be something. The rules for the 9 day event are scary, and make you think about what you are about to do.

North Westy VW Services

A friend sent me a link to North Westy  , they do T3 Vanagon pop-top conversions starting $3500. Thats some seriously exciting stuff right there. Some time in the near future I can plan on driving my T3 Vanagon to WA. I can go mountain bike riding after I drop of the T3 for the conversion, after I'm done I can then fly back, when the Vanagon is done I can fly in, pick it up and road trip back home. The conversion is only $3500 so its a heck of a bargain for the work and benefits I will get in return. I now have to make a decision between the engine conversion or a camper top....I'm going to have to do some serious thinking, and to make things worse, the guys at Noth Westy also do the 4 wheel drive syncro conversion. Can you imagine it, a mini RV camper with 4 wheel drive that still gets 28 plus MPG....I can dream cant I.


On a side note, I went to the Aloha Stadium today and bought a bunch of T-shirts and other Hawaiian stuff. It was fun feeling like a tourist for a day. I bought some really cool large wood carved Tiki's and some signs. I plan on building a Tiki bar in my garage when I get back to the mainland. thats right, I'm going to have a bar in my garage, the plan is, after a long day of riding or paddling the guys can come hang out have a beer and relax. Well thats the plan, don't know it will get much use, I'm trying out the "build it and they will come" business model. LOL

The VW is gone

I was finally able to ship the Vangon today. wow what an ordeal. I have come to realize I hate the DMV and car shipping company's. I cant stand places where they tell you what you need one step at a time, you waste a day looking for a piece of paper you could have brought with you if they would have just told you it was necessary the first time you went to the counter. Its crazy, But my roving base camp, is on its way. I still have a few things that need to be packed, the second set of movers will be here on the 10th, after that all I will have is the Truck and a suit case of clothes. I plan on shipping the truck on the 14th, it will take 30 days to get there, then I have to somehow get to Saint Luis Missouri to pick up both vehicles. I have no clue how thats going to work and might be a little adventure in itself.

Goemans updated Magicshine 900

Magicshine 900 

Well, what do you know, one of my favorite lights just got better, A few weeks ago I gave my Magicshine to a very special person in my life. It was 6 months old and still working flawlessly after heavy use on the trail and as my commuting and loanout light. I started missing it immediately so decided to replace it with another one, so I ordered it. Imagine my surprise when one of the things I hated about my old light was corrected. The battery pack is now actually functional and looks and feels like a quality component. The battery bag was also improved and is a league above the old crappy one. The light itself is the same, and that is a good thing.

I also own a NR 1200 which has been nothing but problems, the first one was DOA and the second one is very finicky. impossibly bright when its working, infuriating when its not. I consider it unreliable and wasted money

My old NR Moab is a different story, as long as you dont yank on the cables when you disconect them its reliable, goes for ever, and is very bright, I consider this the best light I own.

Tennessee Department of Transportation

Tennessee Bicycle & Pedestrian Program

I was looking at a bike survey today, it was from the state of Tennessee,  I was like woah!, They actually want to know how to make the bike infrastructure better. I found this to be a very good sign. Hawaii is not exactly bike friendly, mater o fact its darn near bike aggressive, commuting is an extreme sport here. If you ride a MTN bike its even worse. The roadies and tri-guys have a strong voice but MTN bikers errrr, not so much. Imagine my surprise when I opened the link and saw questions that actually made sense and had relevance. Is this a case of the grass is greener on the other side....will see....