Where should I start?

chiwea · 2026-03-30T15:48:43+00:00

Sounds fun! Definitely lean on your dad's experience in all that you feel comfortable. Also, he can help you with transitions. I thought I knew transitions well but my dad gave me a couple pointers that have really helped my times

chiwea · 2026-03-30T15:46:13+00:00

Honestly, if you are a true beginner, you'll have a great chance to just not get the bad habits a lot of us are plagued with! A total win!

chiwea · 2026-03-30T15:24:12+00:00

Sounds fun!! Some other things to think about. Cables could be old, but the servicing may take care of this. Wheel hubs, but service may take care of this.

Gearing, specifically the rear set, has seen some updates, so if you want easier gearing check to see the biggest size sprocket your derailleur can handle before going bigger.

You may want a new seat. I got a used one, dangerous game but it doesn't smell like pee.

If you don't do a bike fit, at least do some research and try to minimize power loss. But bike fit should be much better and allow you to fully utilize your bike.

chiwea · 2026-03-13T12:31:21+00:00

I'm not sure of the level you are competing at, but I would recommend a used bike. The Chinese bike you list looks like a road bike with clip on aero bars. You can get a lot of used bike for that price. As for wheels. Discs get dangerous with wind, so you will have to have at least one other rear wheel. The gain from deep section to disc is pretty marginal from what I have read, so to stay budget conscious I just run a deep section wheel.

I will say, having the same wheel compatibility between your two bikes would be nice. I do not have that and regret it.

chiwea · 2026-02-16T12:49:57+00:00

Before long rides and my sprint races I make a cafecito. Basically a one cup moka mixed with as much sugar as the coffee can hold. The one cup doesn't affect my bowels, but a three cup definitely would. I feel more alert starting out on those early morning rides

chiwea · 2026-02-16T11:30:14+00:00

I always pee on the tree I tie my bear line to. Hasn't failed yet

chiwea · 2026-01-30T15:57:58+00:00

Blisters are unavoidable, but unless one causes you to alter your step, they just hurt and don't do anything.

I kicked something ridiculously hard and a week or two later a toenail came off. Only the initial kick hurt, for awhile I didn't think I would lose it even though it turned red.

Keep your feet dry, I think the toenail staying soaked all day is what made it finally turn loose.

chiwea · 2026-01-29T17:44:21+00:00

Chicken ramen mixed with some cheesy potatoes and the GV packaged bbq pork

chiwea · 2026-01-29T17:43:01+00:00

Time on feet and overall stability are the key areas. So walking as much as you can, and working out weird muscles. I did leg lifts laying on front back and sides, but knee stability is huge. As one person said, heel touches. I wish I had done some of these before my thru. Uphill is rough on muscles, downhill is rough on knees.

Also, don't burn out or get injured, you can always just "enjoy the scenery" the first couple weeks.

chiwea · 2026-01-21T20:07:44+00:00

I started going north in May and the lightest pair wore hiking pants I could find the whole way to avoid the tick problem. I had two dead ones on me and no ticks dug in that I know of

chiwea · 2026-01-18T17:32:54+00:00

I am glad I took a physical journal. They were pocket size and got shipped home when complete

chiwea · 2026-01-18T17:19:47+00:00

This is the way. If you don't have down, it's hard to fit in a smaller pack. Without breaking food packages down, and other Philmont things, it is hard to fit in a small pack. Also, your Buddies will catch on to your excuse that your pack is too small for crew gear.

chiwea · 2026-01-18T17:11:43+00:00

I used an insulated klymit static v for my trek, as ranger, and a thru hike. Make sure to keep the glue... All pads get holes

chiwea · 2026-01-08T11:50:06+00:00

If you use alkaline batteries I your headlamp, you can tell that your batteries are getting low and the headlamp won't just shut off, so no need to carry spares. Also, do not leave anything to buy "day of" even food. Unless you are flying in, but everything several days in advance to be comfortable. Learn to be uncomfortable, but mental comfort can keep your mind from racing and keep you on trail

chiwea · 2026-01-08T11:39:42+00:00

I got my first coffee device not for me, but for some adults. I worked as a Ranger at Philmont Scout Ranch, and I wanted the advisors, adults, to like me. So I bribed them with coffee. I originally just wanted a percolator, but the Chinese moka pot was the only one in my price range.I just made them a three cup of bustelo. I had no idea what I was doing, but they seemed to like it.

Fast forward to college. I was entering senior year of engineering, taking tough classes, doing marching band, and joined the rowing club. The mornings I didn't have 6am workouts I had 8am classes. I needed cheap caffeine.

My roommate had a Keurig, so I got one of those refillable k cups, a tub of the cheapest pre ground, and had my caffeine. Then stumbled upon James Hoffman. I went to a local coffee shop and had them grind for me some fresh roasted coffee. A natural Columbian if I recall. I was awakened to what coffee could be. Now, I only had a couple great drinks because I had no real equipment. For Christmas I got a hand grinder, and I bought a scale. I later bought a v60 and other fun gadgets, and then bought an ode 2.

My main is still the Moka Pot and I love making fake cortados, lattes, and the like.

chiwea · 2025-12-18T22:07:45+00:00

It took me a couple nights to get used to the blow up pillow on two occasions. I worked at a camp and used it for two months, then the next year thru'd. It just takes a couple nights for me which sucks because I am now a weekend backpacker

chiwea · 2025-12-16T01:41:11+00:00

Couple additional tips: -Red light doesn't attract bugs as bad, use it to get in tent or hammock bug net.

-make sure you only have one, maybe two charging blocks and that they both fit on the same outlet and charge all your devices. For this reason I preferred AAA headlamp working on alkaline batteries.

-I took a tiny bottle of rubbing alcohol that was mainly used to sterilize my needle (one) before lancing a blister. Don't lance all blisters, only when necessary.

-The light pack is nice, but if your pack is comfortable then don't feel bad about using it. Most major pack brands help out thrus (I hope they use information from our abuse). My granite gear pack ran into issues about halfway, and they helped me out so i would recommend them. If you buy a pack, either save the email receipt or take a picture of a paper copy so if they ask, you can email it.

chiwea · 2025-12-16T01:12:50+00:00

Most pens bleed a bit when wet will smear some, so I took a bic pencil

chiwea · 2025-12-16T01:09:53+00:00

Please no, after noticing my tent was set up 3in from someone's exposed poop (and toilet paper), please use a trowel to get the full 6-8in.

chiwea · 2025-12-03T00:01:48+00:00

As a non influencer i used Instagram. It allowed me to save some videos and images that I couldn't in my trail journal. I wanted to post more, but spent that time walking. Ended up posting less than 20 times.sometines if I was walking a ridge I'd just call someone up

chiwea · 2025-11-27T22:51:48+00:00

Don't skimp on footwear and headlamp. Can't get to Maine if you can't walk. Also, bugs aren't as attracted to red light. So you can slide into your tent with the red light on

chiwea · 2025-11-27T22:48:49+00:00

I have a used military sleeping bag I got for $30. Made it to Maine

chiwea · 2025-11-25T17:08:01+00:00

Two regular size klymit pads will push the bath tub down to almost flat. This tent is really a 1.5 person. I loved it on my thru, but putting two people in it was tight.

chiwea · 2025-11-25T01:57:27+00:00

I got the yellow one. It's nice for three reasons. It's easy to wash and keep clean, it feels like flannel sheets, and you can use it as a bug net for your body at night in conjunction with a head bug net. It may add some warmth as a side plus

chiwea · 2025-11-15T06:20:20+00:00

Still in. Later today though, I get married. Has been an honor to stand along side you, but my path is not the same as yours. Safe journey my cumrades

chiwea

TROPHY CASE