Awakened at 0700 by the tiny new am/fm/shortwave radio I just bought for the trip. I didn't set it to do that but there it was, blasting A New Day at high and distorted volume. That got me out of bed and down the ladder to shut it off.

A full day on prep today, figuring out a final order to MEC, ordering maps, et al. Also, two (cycling) trips downtown for various and sundry. Made the first one extra long for the workout. I've gained gears since I began riding more a month a...