Test Rides and Learning Curves

There is always that learning curve, even when you are doing something similar to what you've done before.  Last week I loaded my trailer with some of my gear and 3 - 1 gallon jugs of water to simulate a maximum weight of 55 pounds.  Per my luck this year, the ride day was rainy.  Knowing that the weather isn't always what you want on a distance adventure, I decided I needed to tough it out.

My first lesson was in center of gravity.  As I started my ride careening down the hill from my parents house I felt very unstable and was certain I was about to topple over from the way the weight wobbled back and forth in the trailer.  About 2 miles out I stopped to see if there was anything I could do to help this.  Upon evaluating my trailer I though to myself, "hm, probably wasn't too smart to load my heaviest objects (3 gallons of water) as high off the ground as possible."  Re-adjusted and continued on my way. 

At 5 miles out as I was cranking up hill at 2 miles per hour.  I heard a snap, my feet pedaled freely without resistance, and my bike ever so slowly leaned my body over to the pavement.  Looks like my old chain couldn't handle the stress of a fully loaded trailer.  What did I not include on this test ride?  A chain breaker! Thank you to my Wow who changed her errand route to include a side trip to pick me and my broken bike up.

Yesterday, with my newly chained bike and all my gear packed, I successfully completed a full test ride.  Wheweeee! A 45 pound trailer really slows you on the uphills.  Although, I think I was still more bothered by the downhills.  The added weight sends you flying down hill fast! Getting used to the added weight and balance of the trailer I was sure that at any point along my high speed journey the trailer was going to spontaneously defy the laws of physics and jump forward at a 90 degree angle sending my bike with my clipped in body flying into the ditch.  Luckily physics held the system in line and on the ground. 

The only thing left to do is go through my gear again and see if I can shave 5 or so pounds off to make for a more enjoyable ride!

Happy Trails,
Midnight Chocolate

Test ride set up, note the not so smart placement of my heavy water jugs on top!