nagging thoughts

I leave for SE Asia (Indochina!) in just about five weeks, and here are some of the ways in which I am not prepared:

I have never changed a flat tire.
I do not have acceptable maps.
I have not purchased front panniers.
I do not have a bike computer, although I will need one to measure distance.
I'm tool deficient.
I need to have my bars cut down, because they're too wide.
I have no idea how to get into Bangkok with the bike (but not ON the bike).
I don't think I've actually ridden more than twenty miles at a time. 
I have never had any kinds of communications with anyone who has done any bicycle touring.
I haven't decided what kind of tires, if any, I'm going to install on the bike.

THIS IS GONNA BE AWESOME!!!!

Hi! My name is Frances, and this is my blog!!

If you've found your way here, it's probably because I gave you my card, and announced my intentions to Blog About My Trip.

I did so for two reasons. One, I really DO plan to "provide engaging content" while on my trip (and a bit beforehand). Two, in giving you my card with this blog address, I have ensured that I will actually bring the bike on this trip, or lose face.

I do not lose face. Ever.

So, I've been taking a bicycle repair class. Unfortunately, the timing of the class meant that I had time between work and class to have a nice dinner. Having a nice dinner means having a glass or two of wine, which IN TURN means that when the nice man talked about derailleurs, I pretty much never paid attention. So....

I'm taking another bicycle repair class or two before I leave, and this time alcohol shall not pass my lips beforehand.

That is all for now.

XOXO
FAB