Spotted in NYC. I’d ride one of these. So many great things on this old bike.
Slightly longer chainstays, double eyelets on the front and rear drop outs, rack mounts front and rear.
May 2013
“A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.” – William G.T. Shedd
Having a thought that since i don’t know much about ACA except that they make maps. But their maps are set routes and not for making your own way. Ive never thought id want to buy a set of maps and do one of their routes but since I’m stuck a home, vs being on tour, i keep looking at touring stuff online and seeing more and more mentions of ACA. I think if i was on a long roaming tour i would like to meet other bikers touring and maybe ride a section of one of their routes to see if the maps are any good. So i might buy some later on. Right now im thinking the most popular single map section, to hopefully meet a high number of other riders. And the least popular section to see what they worked on without a convoy of LHTs in my way. And third, one that a person from ACA would recommend. It’s my hope these 3 maps are of areas nowhere near each other.
Thinking about making a vest. Somewhere I found mention of someone taking a vest to double as a pillow. Seems like a good idea. I’d make a pillow case the right size to fold it twice and keep shape of a pillow.
On the 5th I, and 32,000 others, rode over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on our bicycles. Rad.
Looked at the new Canon EOS SL1 DSLR. Tiny and light, might think about one to take on tour because it has the same lens mount as my SLR. But expensive.
Testing out a pair of Panaracer Pasela Tourguard 700x32c tires on my daily rider.
Picked up a 50t chain ring.
Picked out head tube style. I was thinking about going with a 45×45 headset like what is on my Brooklyn Machine Works track bike but after speaking with Joe we decided on using a Chris King 1-1/8″ NoThreadSet™ on my touring bike. So we will order a head tube to match that.
After looking at my old touring bike we have a rough on the geometry.
Head Tube angle 73.5
Seat Tube angle 72
Wheel Base 41″
BB drop 2.25″
Also made a deposit to order tubes.
I still need to sew the other pannier.
Inspiration: Scotland
Inspiration: Andrew
Inspiration: Gobi
#MadeinUSA #tent
Double Rainbow by Tarp Tent.
I don’t have one of these tents but knowing there is a made in USA option is good.
Touring Bike – Soma Saga frame set
Today I saw one of these and spoke to the owner about the build up. It had Salsa woodchipper bars, barend shifters, Thompson set-back seat post, a Tubus rear rack, triple crankset, and a nice Tange fork. Over all a good looking bike. I should have taken a picture. He said he was real happy but had it only for a week and was planing to ride to Montauk, NY. This bike, with a thought out build, looks very tour worthy.
Touring biker: Ari Gold
Ari Gold and loaded bicycle. August 6th, 2011 outside a Hannaford grocery in York Village, Maine
I met Ari by chance that we both were on bike tours and both at the same market at the same time. He was 23 months into a much longer tour. He could recite a long list of cities and towns that were along his route. It sounded like a song. His goal was to get to Australia. He showed me a rear view mirror he makes and sells. It was different because you wear it on your hand. He was also kind and gave me a couple of ball on a bungee fasteners, that proved to be very useful.
Inspiration: Colossus
House of Hades + Colossus of Roads tile seen in NYC.
I like tile art. I like art that is for everyone. Some good info about Colossus on never came back.
April 2013
This month I think i talked about bike touring to a few friends but when my friends hear me say i want to go on a long bike ride, thats nothing new. I have had a couple conversations with my roommate. We both want to tour. I think we have similar touring styles in terms of budget, amount of gear carried, attitude about motivations and expectations. Other things are a little less lined up like when to depart. He’s looking at this year, im looking at next year.
After that, I made a pannier. I still need to sew up the second of the pair but I’m pretty stoked on it.
Also, a couple short conversations with Joe and Darren at Brooklyn Machine Works about my frame. Next is to get a drawing started and pick tubing and put in an order. That will be the goal for May.
I was supposed to do a S24O with my roommate but the dates got shifted back a day and i couldn’t do it. Out of all my riding and touring i have never done a single overnighter. Next time.
A free VIP pass for the 5 Boro Bike Tour fell in my hands. I’m excited to add another big bridge to my list. On May 5th I’ll ride over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. At 4,260 feet, it has the longest bridge span in the Americas.
If I’ve been having any thoughts to myself its been things like: What camera gear to bring on a year long bike tour? and How would I feel after about 3 or 4 months? maybe do i shave or grow the beard? Then there is the regular thoughts. what will i do for money and a place to live when i end the tour? but i’m not really thinking about that one yet. Maybe it’s more about how much money should I save for this trip i’m think about? And still thinking about charities.
And I listed this blog on bicycletravelbloggers.org not sure why but i did.
Self made pannier
Some details not quite right. Need to add some features. But turned out good. Next one will be better. Also thinking about re-doing my rear panniers with revised pockets and more features. But that needs to be done in black 500 Cordura or I’d have too much camo.
#sewing has begun
Inspiration: Hustlers
Touring Bike – 2009 Specialized Tricross Comp
2009 Specialized Tricross Comp 58cm
This is the bike I rode on my third tour. It did fine. Better than fine, it did great! And is an aluminum/carbon non touring specific bike at that. With a double crankset.
I had a sponsor at the time and the bike was a quick decision. I set it up about one week before leaving on a 60 day bike tour from NYC to LA. I did change the wheels to 48 spokes, added a rear rack, front fender and my pedals. This bike was not a cheap bike to buy new. I think i remember it costing $2200(i think most of that is in the carbon front a rear and the lighter weight parts group). So I was very lucky to be allowed to ride it. But what I’m thinking is this isn’t really a touring bike and it did all I could ever ask for in a bike. 4000 miles and no problems. It baffles me that people believe they NEED a Surly long haul trucker to do a bike tour. It’s just not true. You don’t need a bike as costly as this one either but it’s what i had. There are some things i would maybe change.. the carbon fork(but it held up fine) and the low spoke count radial front wheel (i did swap for a 4 cross 48 spoke) but who cares?
Get a bike that fits and ride it. Add some racks and the do-dads you need and then just go.
Shimano FC-7803
Shimano Dura-ace FC 7803 30-39-52 tooth 172.5mm arm length
These arrived today with bottom bracket and wrench. I will prob get a 50t ring for these because thats what I have on my 105 crankset these will replace and i’d like to keep it the same.
NOS on ebay: $249 shipped
Made in Japan
