Bike Nears Completion

Well there she is. As you can see, I have not finished reconstructing the bicycle quite yet. I am waiting on the final part I need to complete assembly; a 30th inner chainring because the bike didn’t come with one. When the part arrives I’ll be able to install the chainrings and pedals, then the chain, and finally the front and rear derailleur. After the main reassembly, there are just a couple of adjustments that need to be made like the derailleur and double-checking everything is fastened securely.

rear rack

In the past two weeks I’ve managed to obtain the following items for my trip:

• Inflatable sleeping pad
• Tent accessories (tarp and special stakes)
• Rain gear
• Handlebar bag
• Laptop

Just to set the record straight now, so I don’t get a lot of questions later, I sort of attempted to paint over some of the exposed areas on my bike to prevent further rusting and to enhance its appearance a little. I used a metallic paint applied with a small paintbrush, but it didn’t match the original red when dry.

I want to know…Are there any good ways to repaint scratches on your bike? Leave a comment below.

When I started this blog I made the promise that I would show you how to live my lifestyle for yourself. Still, I understand that the majority of my readers aren’t bicycle tourists and are just average Joes trying to make a name for themselves. So, I decided to give you something that everyone needs; inspiration. Not everyone will find each of my posts the answer to life’s problems, but all will find at least a snippet of motivation in what can seem like a very gray world at times.

Since I find a lot of inspiration through movies, it’s likely I’ll be recommending many at this site. Today’s movie is called Solo. Released in 2009 by directors David Michod and Jen Peedom, this Australian documentary captures the tale of a man set on adventure. Below is a synopsis of the film from sheffdocfest.com.

Most of us can't begin to conceive what drives certain people to risk their lives doing extreme adventure sports. Luckily for Australian adventurer Andrew McAuley, his wife understands very well. It was she who introduced the mountaineer to the sport of kayaking. Now he is determined to set a new, unbelievable first – a solo kayak crossing from Tasmania to New Zealand via some of the most ruthless waters in the world. He's not only leaving behind his wife, but also a young son, and a host of friends who can only marvel at the task he has set himself. As we learn from the opening scene of this nail-biting voyage, he runs into some serious trouble: the New Zealand coast guard receives a garbled message that his boat is sinking and he needs a rescue. Thanks to remarkable video diaries, both on board and back at home, we can sit back in safety and watch one man knowingly risk everything.

If you’ve liked what you’ve seen so far and have an hour to spare, click here to watch the full movie.