I gotta get outta here (so I can come back and get outta here again)

Kinda hard to focus on things, what with certain events going on, in terms of war and also crime and also coverups...

I've got a couple bugouts planned, but before I leave, I've been playing around.

I picked this up over two months ago for my gravel bike.  I'd been dragging my feet about getting a Cane Creek eeSilk stem for almost a year, but after hopping on a frand's bike with a squishy stem back in December on a lumpy gravel descent, I caved.  Sure, it's not as sleek as its counterpart, the GXC stem, but one of my favorite things to do on my noodle bar bike is to ride from my house to a trail... to actually ride said trail.  Even with aired down 45mm tires, I was getting the shit beat outta me. 
   

This not only reduces the sting of bouncing through roots and rocks, it also cuts down random road chatter quite nicely.  I was afraid it would feel trbl climbing outta the saddle.  It does not, and for the most part, I don't think I'd know it was there if I was riding blindfolded... except for the part where I'd probably ride into a tree because I can't see.  It's one of the few parts that will be transitioned to my new noodle bar bike whenever I get around to the getting of it.

I'd also been dragging my feet on another acquisition.  I don't even know how many months I've been deep-diving into electric mini pump options, because I do feel like there's a case use for them.

So many options.

This one does this but doesn't do that and this one lasts this long and that one has these features and so on.

Analysis paralysis.  

Topeak made the decision for me.

(balls for size comparison)

Now that I have one, I've expanded my view slightly, in terms of "case use."
 
The E-Booster Digital Mini was a lot of what I was looking for.  Small package, a battery capacity that's enough to fill a large 29er tire enough times that I'm not worried about it going dead on me, a gauge with the ability to set the desired pressure, and an LED flashlight that I didn't know I'd even want but now do.  Although I thought I'd eschew the extension hose, I ended up agreeing with the Bike Rumor review that it's super convenient to select your pressure, screw the hose to the valve, power it on, and walk away. 

I used to think I'd just use the electric pump when I was traveling by plane, where CO2s aren't allowed in your luggage (unless they're attached to an inflatable life preserver, then they are considered safe?).  I've now grabbed it multiple times to use at home, and I toss it in my bag for day trips.

I'll say this tho, it's on the pricey side.  That said, it offers a lot that the others don't, and I'm not sure the customer service will be there on some of those ones I'd considered purchasing from Amazon.  I've only dealt with Topeak's customer service once before.  I broke a ratchet through a user error related issue (mebbe don't try to break a stuck pedal free with a 3" ratchet), and they shipped me a new one, no questions asked.  That means something to me.  

One more thing... or two.

I think it was last summer that I'd vowed to take my day-to-day hydration a little more seriously.  I'd normally been a straight water guy on rides that were short enough that I didn't feel the need to get calories from my bottles.  Last July, I was doing a butt load of gravel bike urban riding because it was BF'ing hot outside, and mountain biking in 90°+/1,000% humidity weather sucks all the balls.  Something was lacking... and then I had my derp moment.

I stick with Carborocket products because I've had zero tummy issues using them.  Some of the flavors I don't like so much.  Some I do.  I think half the battle is finding something palatable, and this ACQUA+ is... to me.  Quite palatable.  I also picked up some 333 in the new tangerine flavor that I'll try out on bugout #1 before fully committing to a much more consequential bugout #2. 
 

So, from here.  Do a thing.  Come home.  Figure out how to stuff ten pounds of shit into a five pound bag (a 32" wheeled bike into an EVOC travel case that definitely was not made with 32" wheels in mind).  Then a weekend of riding some other bike that has normal wheels in a last minute desperate effort to gain a tad bit more fitness. 

And then?

The Single Speed aSSault on True Grit Epic.