New Gear - Boots!

I meant to post this up in March when I made the trip out to Florida, but ...

Part of my prep work for the IBR has included looking at my existing gear and getting comfort down there. This started last August in Tulsa at the IBA National, where I started stocking up on socks and underwear. I also decided that I needed new footwear, as my old boots had seen better days.



Other than being old, these boots have been fantastic. A bit tight when layering up socks with heated/winter gear, but otherwise no complaints. Very water proof, and tested in both the Atlantic AND the Pacific on multiple occasions. Maybe the salt water, combined with zero care taken on my behalf, is what led to them looking so bad in only 5 years. Well ... five years and about 90,000 miles.



And my new Sidi boots! A Christmas present from Cass, these boots are insanely comfortable when adjusted right and also waterproof to boot. The only problem I've encountered has been when I over-tightened the arch support once on my way out to Florida. Had I loosened it up when I started feeling pain, I probably would have been pretty good, but I was stubborn. They have a large sole, makes it easier to man handle the taller bikes, and adjust more easily to accommodate different sock thickness. Excellent ankle support ... I can say that drive a manual transmission car with these boots on is a bit of a pain. :)

Two Months and Counting!

With just over two months remaining until the start of the 2009 Iron Butt Rally, it's time to bring things into high gear.

Any waffling over whether I could afford the rally are in the past. I can't, but I can't afford to pass up the opportunity either. :) So, my grandiose plans for bike setup and support are out the window and we're running on more of a shoestring budget.

This weekend was supposed to be the first weekend ride to get myself back in shape, but alas it was not to be. The ride has been postponed to next weekend, so this weekend I'm working to get my web tools for friends and family sorted out. In addition to my SPOT providing tracking updates, and Hipcast giving me audio updates to the blog, I'm tying everything together through Twitter and Facebook for the friends of mine who use those resources for their updates. All this should make my life easier too ... as I only need to do updates once for everyone, rather than updating multiple places.

If been slacking off on posting my updates and progress in prepping for the IBR, and have had a false start or two along the way, but things should be taking shape now as the weekly rides start to form and last minute changes to the bike are finalized.

More to come!