19: Hell for Lima
Struggling a bit to forgive myself for not having brought a few spokes. My relative inexperience with bikepacking is on full display. Living and learning, I guess. I’m going to be mired in a full week of worry due to not having brought 6 grams worth of spokes. Ug!
Much of the riding today was highly pleasant single track.
At 10,200’, Elk Mountain today marks the high point of my route until I reach Colorado (I think!).
Elk Mountain is also where my duct tape rim tape job from yesterday’s spoke fiasco failed. I probably should have just put in my spare tube, but last time I tried riding *not* tubeless it was a disaster (ruining 3 tubes in the next 8 hours). This time I took the tire completely off, and applied a proper rim tape patch job. Astonishingly, I was able to get the tire back on and seated. If only I had brought real spokes instead of this string spoke kit…
Today was a bit of a slog. Yesterday was cut short by the spoke situation and weather, putting me 15 miles in the hole at the outset. I pushed through and made it to my intended destination for the night, well positioned for an easy two hours into Lima to pick up my resupply box in the morning. I’m ahead of schedule, but veering into Type 2/2.5 territory.
Listening to: Wilco’s complete studio discography
