Shakedown for a little tour and some new goodies

I'm going on an overnight bike camping trip this weekend.

Did you hear that???

I said:  I'M GOING ON A BIKE CAMPING TRIP THIS WEEKEND!!!!

I'm very, very, very, very excited about it.

My friend who went backpacking with me is riding with me to a recreational lake area about 50 miles away and we're going to camp out.
Not quite a S24O (sub 24 hour overnighter), but it's close.  We'll leave Saturday morning, and return early Sunday afternoon.
I loaded my bike up today for my commute. Put the tent, sleeping bag, and some kitchen equipment in the bags and headed out to work.  The only thing you notice with some extra weight on the bike is that it won't lean as easily when you need to prop it up (which is not that big of a deal).  Riding a fully loaded bike actually feels very stable.  It's very comfortable to ride and I'm excited to take it out for a long spin.  It will be the first time touring on the Bianchi and with my new REI panniers.  I'll let you know how it all goes when I return.



SO now onto the goodies....
I had ordered a new helmet because my current one is a couple years old, and I like to replace my helmets every few years.  I haven't crashed it, but I worry and I like to have a new one every few years- I think of it as brain insurance.  I love my brain! 

I figure I look like a dork when I ride anyway (with my helmet, my mirror, my reflective stuff, etc) I might as well be wearing a cute helmet that makes me laugh.

It's a Nutcase helmet (fitting for me, since I'm a nutcase).   It's a smiley face with a smile and a tongue hanging out.  Suits my personality to a tee.

(and OMG I look like a deranged lunatic in this pic- look at those dark circles)

THEN, I had purchased a wool beanie from someone on a message board that I frequent.  It was a steal at only $10, and since I LOVE wool- I snapped it up.
In fact, I'm wearing it right now.  LOVE it!!!

So to summarize today:

*shakedown ride for overnight tour
*new Nutcase for this nutcase
*new hat to keep my head toasty
*one happy cycling girl

OHHHHH- and I almost forgot the most exciting thing about today:
I'm hosting a group of touring cyclists again this weekend.  They are on their final leg of a 49 state bike tour and are passing through OKC.  They are staying Sunday night with us and are coming to school with me on Monday to do a presentation for the kids about their cause:  bicycle advocacy, environmental awareness, sustainability and living a healthy lifestyle.  They are in their mid 20's and are from Cali.  I'm so excited to be hosting yet another cycling group (this is becoming a habit). ;)
check them out:  www.bike49.org

Lots of great things happening today.
Love life.  Live life.  Bike life.