Blue Ridge - Checkup IMPORTANT

Folks,

The Blue Ridge is fast approaching. Now would be a great time to get your bike checked out, and tuned up. If you have a mechanical problem, and its something that we cannot take care of by ourselves ( you better be handy or on good terms with Johh J), figure two days off the bike. The day it breaks down, and the next day to find a bike shop in a town. You will also be inconveniencing either the Lopatins or Sag Wagon Driver. Its fine to cause an inconvenience if something goes wrong that couldn't have been anticipated. Its not so fine to come to the Blue Ridge with a Bike waiting to fail. Make extra sure your cables, chain, and brakes are in good working order. Make sure that you have no cracks developing in your rims. The drive trains will be stressed during our long climbs, and you don't want brakes failing or a wheel failing during one of those long fast descents.

Please have your bike tuned up and checked out in the next two weeks!

Each cyclist with be assigned a 10 mile stint, driving our Sag Wagon (SUV with trailer) every other day. I will hand the order and assignments out on a daily basis. You are free to ride in the SAG at any time, but you are responsible for driving during your assigned slot. I will be picking the order so that the stronger riders SAG in the morning, so that the SAG period gives a break for those not quite so strong. If you have a request for when you would like your slot let me know now, I will try to work with you, but ultimately the time you get is the time you drive.

I will have some spare components for use for our own repairs. The list follows of what I have and think we need, even if all bikes are checked out ahead of time. Anything I have of course is Shimano, and 10 speed. Please let me know if you can bring anything on the needed part of the list. Also let me know if you think we need to add anything to the list. Obviously if you use a component you will need to return it, buy it, or replace it.

Brake Pads - Roark
Front & Rear Brake Calipers - Roark
Brake Cables - Roark
Shifter Cables - Roark
2 Spare 10-Speed Chain - Roark
Spare Seat - Roark
Spare Deraileur Pulleys - Roark
Spare Front Deraileur - Roark
Basic Toolset - Roark
1 Spare Tire - Roark

Front & Rear Wheelset - Ron

Rear 10-Speed Deraileur - Needed
Spare Pedal & Cleatset - Needed