November 7 - Ready To Return

November 7 - Monday; Des Moines
I completed a couple of rides with my backup bicycling equipment/gear. Thursday I did a shake-down ride on the Trek 1000. The different seat will take some getting used to but I'll manage - we have a rest day in DeFuniak, FL only three days after I pickup with the group. Al brought the Burley Nomad trailer over Saturday morning. I took it on a fully-loaded ride to Mitchellville and back on Sunday morning. Al was right, you hardly know it's there. I had a rear flat about a mile from my house and thought about walking everything back to the house but figured I might as well go through the exercise of fixing it where I was with what I'd brought so there would be no surprises if/when this happens on the road. I hope the skinny tires (25C) will not be much of a problem but, given the early experience of those in the group riding skinner tires, I expect a flat or two (hopefully not too many). Parts of the ride back from Mitchellville were brutal with a 30 mph headwind, but I got a little used to riding in strong headwinds earlier on the tour (right guys?). I was able to break down the trailer and get it and my bike in the bike box and still keep the box weight less than 50 pounds. The rest of my gear is in a duffel bag that weighs about 28 pounds and in one Ortlieb pannier that I'll use as a carry-on. I even got my bike floor pump in the bag so I don't have to worry about re-inflating all my tires when I unpack the bike and trailer (CO2 cartridges are banned on airplanes and the bike stores will be closed by the time I arrive in Pensacola). Anyway, I'll be at the airport with the bike box before 4:30 am tomorrow to get it checked through then be on my way at 6:00 am to Pensacola (via Milwaukee and Atlanta with good layover durations so hopefully all the checked baggage makes the transitions) arriving around 5:30 pm. I've contacted Yellow Cab about a van taxi and was told these are standard at airports these days and that getting the bike box to the motel should not be a problem. I'll spend tomorrow evening reassembling everything and expect to ride west starting around 9:00 am to Gulf Shores State Park in Alabama where I'll meet up with the group Wednesday afternoon. Wish me luck!