Carolyn FranzoneAge 59 / Rochester, Minnesota (USA)
BIKE: I’ll be riding the Tour Divide on “Pebbles”, my 2019 Salsa Cutthroat Rival, size small in bright red & blue Superman colors. After much deliberation, I had her built as a 2×10 (11-36 cassette/38-24T crankset). She has a Schmidt SON Dynohub with a Sinewave Beacon Light/USB. Her wheels are Stan’s No Tube Arch MK3 29s with Maxxis 2.2s. My cockpit includes a BarYak expedition with clipboard (for maps and words of encouragement), and aerobars. A Specialized Power Mimic Saddle provides comfort & its low profile adds clearance for my seat bag.
BAGS: All my bags are Revelate: Cutthroat Frame Bag (holds 3L Hydrapak Seeker water reservoir with drink tube and other misc. items), Jerrycan for tools, Mag-Tank bento box for snacks, 2 Mountain Feedbags (one for water/one for food), 2 Polecats on front forks (water filter & Therm-a-rest/ first aid kit & tennis shoes), Terrapin 14L seat bag (clothes, rain gear), Egress Pocket (for easy access to light items) and Pronghorn sling supported by the BarYak for my sleep system (Western Mountaineering bag and Big Agnes Fly Creek 2).
GEAR HIGHLIGHTS: I am especially pleased with how gracefully my drink tube slides back into position when attached to a retractable badge holder mounted on the Mag-Tank. After some long chilly rides in the rain, I am a fan of my BIKE IOWA Pogie Lites. I can also count on my Pactimo 12-hour bib shorts to work overtime. Secret Weapon: words of encouragement from friends and students. My current favorite is from a third grade refugee, “That looks hard, teacher, and you will be tired. You can do it because you won’t give up.”
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