coolest chick in Baker City - ever!

Christine O.

My best friend in Baker City, Oregon -- not only did this hot little number (and her roomie - who I didn't really get a chance to chat with) let all of us camp in her back yard - use her shower - her washer/dryer - share her beers --- she's also a total Nacho Libre fanatic! - pushing her way up my rad scale.

Christine picked us up at a bar after meeting a fellow TransAm cycler - Clive, who I have yet to blog about.

She is 29 years old and for around 7 years worked her dream job as a wildland firefighter until she busted her leg on the job -- a wicked break just like the guy on Touching the Void -- ouch! Now she is an aspiring radiologist/veterinarian - don't tell anyone, but I think she practices on her cat. She currently works for a vet - as well as a cool little coffee shop - actually it's the largest coffee shop I've ever seen. If I were to ever classify anyone as sassy -- it's for sure this chica.

official crash photo

Kevin E.

44 years old

From England - but has been living in the Canary Islands - Lanzarote.

Taking a respite from work to travel.

Riding: Raleigh - Aluminium (cost 200 quid) - named Moby

Packing: panniers

Siblings: 3 brothers

Pets: a cat named Sooty - only has one ear

Kevin is a traveler, bird watcher, stargazer and an explorer. He is quite amazing - he seems to have traveled everwhere and is a wealth of information --- a sponge for knowledge. He is rather funny and very to the point with his thoughts. Kevin doesn't like anything spicy - and I mean anything. He has adorned his bike with the Union Jack, the Spanish flag (for Lanzarote), a wale (which sits on the handle bars), a little stuffed grizlie bear (on the back) and - of all things - a Budweiser can. I still can't understand why he likes Bud so much.

Nicola M.

29 years old

From England - born in Kent but most receintly residing in London.

Quit her job as a photo editor to do something and decided to do the TransAm tour.

Riding: Raleigh -- bike name Raymond

Packing: panniers

Siblings: 1 brother, 1 sister

Pets: 2 dogs - a lab and a border collie

The picture to the right shows how wicked hard core she is -- not only is she not clipping in -- she has cages - but is not using them --- that's right, she is not strapped into her pedal at all!

Nicola goes by Nic or Nix - NEVER Nicky! She is very funny and has a quick - bubbly sense of humor. Her favorite word is brilliant - or at least she says it like it's her favorite. If you catch her late in the day - when she is tired from the ride she sometimes busts out an American accent -- which is quite amusing.

Just this morning she has offered to put me up in her castle - fill the moat - take me on a fox hunt - and let me wear her father's red coat and white wig --- that is, if I come and visit her in England. Sounds like fun -- maybe I'll take my bicycle.

Bryan F.

24 years old

Most recently a resident of Wilmington, North Carolina - currently homeless.

Quit his job as a computer jedi (programmer) to do the trip -- experience new things on the road and develop consulting career.

Riding: Felt Fix

Packing: B.O.B. trailer

Siblings: 1 brother, 1 sister

To start off - Bryan loves Wilmington, NC. and has nothing but good things to say about his town. He is into triathlons, Iron Man and ultramarathons - this guy has crazy energy - he always seems jazzed about everything --- I love his enthusiasm. Along with most of the essentials, he is carrying a laptop computer - a ukulele - a recently purchased guitar - and a new shirt for every day of the trip.

Mitch is doing it his style

Check out my buddy Mitch's website -- he is riding his motorcycle from Utah to Panama - and back! If nothing else - check out the videos.
www.half-throttle.com

It's alive!!!!

Oh snap!

I took my bike into Missoula Bicycle Works today at 9:40am-ish - they opened at 9:30 -- and begged them to assemble my bike from the box with my new fork. They're schedule seemed pretty full but put me down for Saturday - possibly being able to start working on it today -- told me to come in on Saturday around 4:00pm to see how far they got (since it is Memorial Day weekend and they close at 5:00pm)

I received a phone call around 3:30pm from the bike shop, telling me that they were finished!!! I shouted "Glorious!" - because I couldn't believe my ears -- I made him repeat himself at least once to make sure I heard him correctly.

I was expecting the bill to be $300-$400 -- they roll out my bike - with virtually the exact same parts on it --- and charge me a grand total of $192 --- that's for a new fork, wheel, front rack - assembly and tune-up. I couldn't have been happier -- add $93 for the bus ride and it's still under 300 bones!

I'm back in business. All I have to do now is relax and let the others climb Lolo Pass tomorrow - then I'm back with the group --- for a rest day on Sunday :)

Thanks Missoula Bicycle Works -- you guys rock the cash bar ---- if you are ever in Missoula and need a quick fix - look them up!