Preparations, As Usual

     It's getting to be crunch time--and by crunch time, I mean I have 4 more months til I leave.  I have to start training ASAP, but I am waiting on results: I recently went to the Dr. to see if I could have a diagnosis for my knee (and foot, which I even more recently injured).  X-rays were taken, and there is a possible MRI in my future if the x-rays don't show anything (which is likely).  Once I am given an answer, and [hopefully] have options for rehabilitation of my knee, I'm going to give 'er HELL!
     Last year, for training, I started out by doing a few rides that were long distance without any gear.  Shortly after, I added about 1/2 of the weight that I'd be carrying.  About a month before I left I was carrying books (for school), and other things, so that I was at almost 100% of the weight I'd be hauling.  The weight, surprisingly, wasn't all that bad.  Yes, I was SLOW: about 12-15 (sometimes 10 mph w/the G-D hills) mph.  But, it didn't create muscle soreness or tiredness.  It felt like a good workout, and that was it (thankfully!).      
     This time around, I'm hoping to shrink the amount of things I carry even moreso--and I was at a pretty basic level last time.  This year, because of my new panniers and the bungees that are on top of each, I can shuffle my gear a bit and fit more on my rack rather than on my back--which, I think, will help a lot.  On my previous trip, I had a stuffed backpack, decently heavy because of water and the need-to-be-close-to-me things, pressing down on me.  I noticed more in my "private" area than anywhere else that the added weight on my back was a nuisance.  My back muscles didn't really bother me, but it was semi-difficult to look over my shoulder (to check the traffic around me), and it became annoying after awhile.

The large, green/gray/black backpack on top of all of that was on my back.

So, my goal is to eliminate the large backpack and simply hold my small camel back sack and a few light things, i.e. map(s) for the day and money, in it.  Being able to check over my shoulder is crucial, and I don't want to impede on, or inhibit, that again.
     Downsizing--it'll be hard to do.  But, I think I can create a slightly smaller load for this summer's trip.

To Downsizing!  Hip hip HOOOORAY!