Get out the map get out the map and lay your finger anywhere down
We’ll leave the figuring to those we pass on our way out of town
— Indigo Girls, Get Out The Map
This Indigo Girls song reminds me of long gone days wedded to the school calendar as it simultaneously urges me to hit the road to see what lies beyond the boundaries of Washington, D.C.
If only it was that easy to grab a map and set out. Limited free time and a desire to travel outside of an organized tour group or event mean Felkerino and I get out the map and start drafting our journey. For the past couple of months, we’ve diligently been working toward bike tour liftoff.
On previous trips, Felkerino has been the cue sheet master, but this year I’ve been helping with the routes for our upcoming bike tour of Colorado.
It’s been a good exercise, as I’m not that skilled in orienting myself. Also, Colorado days are somewhat easier to route than trips out east due to the more limited selection of roads.
As I’ve been scrawling out what I hope passes for an acceptable cue sheet, I’ve developed an appreciation for the preparation that goes into our tours. Daily distance, food stops, and overnights (in our case, hotels) take effort and time to coordinate.
We probably don’t absolutely need the cue sheets, but they are handy on the road. I hope to combine them with profiles of our route so I have a sense of the type of climbing we’re in for each day. Felkerino loves the mountains and our tour reflects that.
As we did last year, we’re breaking down our coupled Co-Motion Java tandem and stashing it away into three suitcases along with the minimal clothing and gear necessary for a summer tour (two jerseys or one, two jerseys or one?).
The port o’potty lined sidewalks and expanses of chicken wire extending over the National Mall have convinced me it’s a good time to get out of town. Colorado, here we come.
Chasing Mailboxes 