After a great deal of research, I chose the Trek 520 for this adventure. It is a pretty basic Road bike, certainly not the most expensive or the sexiest. What sold me on it was the description of it as “the only choice for an unsupported transcontinental tour through a third world country”. I figured that would do the trick. Having now logged about 2,000 miles on it, I am convinced that it is indeed the best choice. The only thing I have changed is the seat (see my previous blog entry) – all the other components seem to do exactly what they were designed to do. The more I ride, the more I appreciate its dependability. If I could find indestructible tires, I would really be ecstatic.
Here it is fully loaded with a complete set of Arkel panniers. These Canadian bags are virtually indestructible and offer plenty of space for stashing all the gear and other “stuff” that I will need for the trip. I am traveling “unsupported”, which means exactly that – no one following along in a van – everything I need I have to carry myself.Just like I did on my walk to Washington, I have no real game plan other than to keep moving and see where I end up at the end of each day. The route this time is much more rural and the terrain definitely more challenging. The mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee should provide more than enough hill climbing experiences!
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15 comments:
Now that's what I call an outfitted bike! How much water and food will you carry as a reserve? Foul weather gear? Extra wheel? You will need it all, i bet!
My son and I both own 520's and love them for long hauls (to us 200miles round trip is plenty long!) We have loaded up the rear with a lot of our gear and the bikes handle really well. One of the guys at the shop told us not to load the front, however, like you have in your picture, as it will cause stability problems. Does your bike handle well with all of that gear on the front? do you balance the weight load between front and back?
Ken,
I have four water bottles (2 in a nifty cage that mounts on the seat post and 2 frame mounted cages). I figure that will be more than enough to get me through the remote areas. As to food, I am carrying mostly sweet and salty snacks for energy. I plan to eat regular meals at local dives along the way. I am taking a powdered soy shake that I can mix with milk every morning to get my daily vitamin, mineral, and protein dose. I have very good foul weather gear for both me and the bike. I am counting on lots of rain and possible snow in the mountains, so I have a layered wardrobe. I am taking an extra set of folding tires and several tubes - during my training I have had a lot of practice in changing tires.
Jacksons,
Interesting comment about the weight distribution. Several articles that I read about packing said that it is better to keep the weight off the back and when using both, to put 60% of the weight up front. I have ridden a few times with only the front panniers and have not experienced any real instability. Starting next week, I will be riding fully loaded, using the 60/40 split, so I will get a real feel for it. Until now, most of my training has been with just the handlebar and trunk bags. I am a little concerned about the drag factor - fully loaded I feel like I'm riding a box kite.
Schwalbe's are virtually indestructible. Try Rivendell Bike or Sheldon Brown's website.
I don't know where this myth about back loading a bike got started but it's not true! You should always carry cargo on the front, if you have to use the rear also, put the majority of the weight on the front end. You have direct control over the front, after all. That's why they put baskets on kids bikes on the front, not the back! It's very easy to fishtail with all the added weight behind you and you will be nursing your road rash before you even know what happened.
Put your main panniers up front and below your center of gravity, that way a heavy-load bike will handle much, much better than one with the same load mounted only at the rear. If you need to load up the rear, the 60/40 per cent ratio seems about right, maybe 70/30 would give you better control and a little more of a safety factor.
My six year old son is excited about this journey. He thinks it might be fun!!!!!! We wish you much success and hope your butt doesn't rub raw (smile)! We look forward to following you along the way.
I just read your story on the home page, man I wish you luck! Is this all for public broadcasting? I admire your guts and not depending on handouts from the feds. Semper Fi brother!
Great discussion about loading the panniers. I appreciate the advice. I mounted the Schwalbe Marathon tires and took them for a spin to Century, then on to Atmore and back (110 miles round trip). They ride really well and seem more stable than the tires that came with the bike. That was my last ride with no load - from now on I'll be carrying the full set of panniers (fully loaded). I'm going to experiment with the front/back load and see if I can get the perfect combination.
Anonymous,
Thanks for the good wishes. I hope your six year old enjoys following along via the Website. I'll be posting pictures and video all along the way.
Jar Head,
Thanks for the encouraging words. This is a fundraiser to support WUWF and NPR programming. We aren't getting a federal bailout. I'm hoping folks will respond to this type of extreme fundraising and keep their favorite programs on the air.
Semper Fi!
Great blog. I am looking for a bike for a long distance ride and came across your blog. I will definitely check out the Trek! Bestof luck on your upcoming adventure!
Glad to see you picked out a CroMo frame! I think you will find (or have already found) it to be the most comfortable choice. I might have gone with a Surly LHT and a Brooks saddle, but I think you did well. In fact, the 520 is one of the few production bikes that can compete with the Surly in the "long haul." The only rap I've heard against the 520 is its gearing (it may not be low enough for serious climbing), but that is easily remedied with a different chain ring configuration - easy enough for you to do en route if you need to. In the final analysis though, its not the bike, its the rider.
Hi Pat, Good luck on your trip. I started a 1980 solo bike trip in Ft Myers and 1,200 miles later ended up here in Pensacola. My biggest fear these days would be distracted drivers (cell phones etc.) and would recommend some bright orange, even one of those large triangle reflectors. I used one of those korny flags too, anything to attract attention. Using headphones while riding is a bad idea but I see lots of people doing it. Keep alert, keep safe. Guy
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