Well the planning is in motion for cycle touring round Europe for a few months next year. There’s a vague plan of the first couple of weeks of June cycling round Hokkaido in Japan, and then on to drop off extra luggage in Ireland, then ferry to France, and away. I’ve been trying to work out which of my bikes to take – the road bike, the Green Giant:
the mountain bike, the Blue Giant (with slicks on):
or some weird combination thereof, or maybe going single speed?
But yesterday I had an epiphany and instead I’m probably going to sell my road bike and buy a Surly Long Haul Trucker (or something similar, probably Surly though). With it’s nice steel frame and general suitability for touring it should be perfect for the job – with the added benefit that I can actually get one that will fit me, unlike the Green Giant, which has always been a bit on the large size.
I’d also stumbled across Epic Designs, all sorts of exciting bike bags and bits, made by Epic Eric. I’ve currently got a set of rear panniers, but a triangle bag with a gas tank probably wouldn’t go astray for creating some extra room (and I’ve fallen in love with the idea of the gas tank – all of my food within easy snacking reach… if it wasn’t too warm I’d contemplate just filling the thing with M&Ms…. yes, I might just have to do that).
Anyone want to buy my old road bike? $550, it’s a bargain. Look, the tyres even match the bar tape!
9 replies on “surly”
Oh yes,single speed, fixed wheel just the ticket for the Alps. One can see you now trudging up hill, trusty steed by your side. Ahh, but what a thrill on the other side, astride the sturdy beast going wheeeeeeeeee all the way down. Perhaps one might have concerns about ones legs keeping up with ones pedals though, oh, but what the heck.
wow, cycling trip! that’ll be lots of fun, but bewarned, it can get pretty windy in ireland… not to mention considerable crazy drivers on the road… :roll:
Welll, the mountains were the reason I decided one gear and fixed wheel were probably a bad idea for touring overall. I’d have to clip my feet out to go down the hills, they’d be no fun otherwise – and then I’d probably want more than just a front brake. And I’d have to pick a really low gearing, or just walk up some hills. And my knees might explode anyway.
And yes, I’m getting prepared for the wind and the hills – I wonder which is the windiest area in western Europe? We probably won’t cycle much in Ireland before we head off for the mainland, although I’d like to cycle round there properly at some point… who knows, plans aren’t settled yet!
I vote Denmark as the windiest area – it is soo flat! It always blows a gale here.
Also, surly is a fantastic idea – D will be jealous. Such yummy bikes. The Long Haul Trucker looks really good for touring – especially the geared one you have pictured. ;)
Yes, hurray for gears! My knees like gears. I keep looking at the Surly bikes online, and come Wednesday I’m headed to Calgary to look at some in a bike shop in Real Life(TM). Then most likely I will order one :)
You’ll love the LHT…it’s a superb touring bike.
Vik: Good to hear – I’ve noticed you have nearly a full stable of Surly bikes (well, maybe not that many, but still). A lot of people out there on the internet seem to give the LHT a rave review though, I’m probably going to order mine tomorrow.
Bo bought himself a Surly cyclo-cross bike recently, he loves it.
Katya: Ah, awesome. I think the LHT is pretty similar to the cyclo-cross bike. I’m looking forward to mine turning up… actually, I should phone the bike shop and see what’s going on with that, hmm.