Hermit's WoodshedI have finally completed the series of pages about sizing for a touring bike. The first one is here. This is always a controversial topic and usually engenders the longest threads on most forum sites, and so it’s sure to ruffle some feathers but that should be entertaining. If you have comments or specific questions please reply to this post or leave a response on any of the specific pages or email me.
Even though I’m a fan of steel bikes, it’s mostly because of the durability of the material. I certainly like the ride quality too, but I think the idea that steel is a more plush or forgiving ride because it flexes or dampens is hogwash. The idea has almost become gospel now just because it’s been repeated so many times. Don’t get me wrong, I know my steel bike frames flex…. I can hear my fender and/or brake and/or front derailleur rub from time to time if they are a little out of whack and I am pressing hard on the pedals. But that is torsional flex.
It’s the idea of vertical flex of a bicycle frame I have a hard time envisioning.
Imagine the arrows to be balancing the downward force of the rider and the bike.
A site about all things bike touring, a term that can mean a number of different things. Is overnight bicycle camping touring? Does riding out to the state park for a picnic qualify as a tour? We think the answer is yes. Stay and look around – Shop, get inspired and maybe learn something new too!
Yesterday I decided I needed an attitude adjustment. So I went for a 2 1/2 hour bike ride. And it worked! Riding even a short distance can change the thought patterns in the brain. It was about 42 degrees F. when I left and about 39 when I returned. Other than the toes I was quite comfortable for the whole ride. In fact when climbing the hill to my turnaround point, I ended up shedding my jacket.
Unless there is snow on the roads, it’s possible to ride all year round. Some people ride when the roads are snow covered, but a fall on the ice happens too fast and I don’t think it’s worth it.
I came across this YouTube channel the other day. Dave is bike touring across the US and documenting it in videos. It’s pretty cool, especially if you have been to some of the same places he travels through.
He’s traveling from west to east on Adventure Cycling’s Southern Tier route with a Bob trailer hooked onto his bike. If you’re thinking about following all or parts of the same route, might want to check it out, because he points out some of the tricky intersections, talks about traffic, and about where he stays and eats. His YouTube channel is called ThreeWheelJourney. He was nice enough to link to my site and my YouTube channel too.
I thought this video journal was highly entertaining, a nice twist on the photo journal. I am going to try to figure out a way for people to share their stories here. Since I’m a rookie at this WordPress thing, any suggestions about how to do that are welcome!
Arguably, fenders are one of the essential accessories for the touring bicycle. Even in Death Valley, one of the driest places in the world, it does rain. And I say arguably, because, as you can see on this Adventure Cycling forum, people argue. When riding offroad in wet conditions, mud packing between the tires and fenders can bring the bike to a standstill pretty quickly. Aside from that, when it does rain or there is water on the road, without fenders you will be soaked in short order with spray from the front wheel on your feet and spray from the rear wheel on the back of the legs. Besides being uncomfortable, on a cool day it could add to the possibility of becoming hypothermic.