Shoreline West Tour on Bombadil

[Kelly Sleeper]

Ok so just over 500 miles in 9 days with multiple 60 to 70 mile rides 5 days.   I had the hardest time before the ride deciding what bike to take.  The AHH or the Bombadil.  (I know tough choice)  But in the end I figured it was more touring speed and the 700x50's might just add something to the ride.  Thus the Bombadil won out.  

 

Here is a photo of the configuration I rode the entire trip.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tksleeper/6049843943/in/photostream

 

I had some suprises and some confirmations of common sense that all played out nicely. 

 

The biggest suprise for me was how well the Bombadil handled 40 to 50  mph downhills including a 45ish mph turn where I was gaining a car that had just passed.  This bike just took eveything including potholes, chip'n'seal etc. with grace and comfort.

 

The albatross bars were a small suprise in that they were just as comfortable day after day as I was told but hadn't experianced.  They do keep you up in the wind .. but gearing handles that.  As long as your not trying to keep up with someone.  Remember I'm 6'5" tall.  In head winds I'm like a wall catching it all, just sitting up makes for an exaggerated effect.

 

I was also slow going up hill on the steeper climbs and decided early on that rather than hurt or push I would just spin lightly up.. so make use of the 24x36 and just drink coffee, eat twizzlers and catch up on facebook on larger climbs.  This kept my legs fresh, sweat down, and time to enjoy the surroundings.  

 

I had purchased an ewerk and cache battery from Peter White before the trip along with the Iphone handlebar mount.   This worked great most of the time.  I ran into a problem I believe with the Cache battery and may end up sending it back for warrenty consideration.  However it did manage to keep my phone charged, my wifes and a friends EVO on occasion. (I'll be sending out bills later this week)

 

The Edulux headlight is amazing and can be seen even in daylight for a long ways. Great see me light .. we also used them riding to town at night from the camp site. I can't recommend this light enough.. truely wonderful.

 

I had the large saddlesack on the rear which not only held a bunch of stuff it also kept the main compartment stuff dry.  (suprised actully but pleasently)  I would be nice if it had zipper covers for the front pockets as I like leaving my wallet there but it was no big deal.  On the right side pocket I stuff a starbucks coffee cup in it. 

 

Here is a photo of the saddlesack as it was for most the ride.  Rain gear, extra change of clothes, towel, bike lock and cable, Nikon full size camera, tubes, toothbrush, hair brush, and misc.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tksleeper/6049933517/in/photostream

 

I had purchased some insulated hiking bottles from camelback (stainless steel)  They are the best insulated bottles I've ever tried.   I will have to do something about noise but I was able to keep them quiet for most the ride.   They would not be good for paceline riding as you have to open them.  But nice to have ice all day.  The loops on the caps made a great mount in conjuction with the bike frame for an Ipad stand to watch slingbox at night.   (photo below)

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tksleeper/6053339215/in/photostream

 

I used spandex two days of the nine.  It was a joyful thing to get back into wool underwear after that test.  I was more comfortable in almost all situations.  I had Northface convertable pants, long sleeve shirts, and wool underwear.  Very comfortable and versatile when it's chilly in the mornings and hot later in the day.  I also was very happy with the MUSA pants on the rainy day.   The spandex was cushy early, but hot, and wet.  Don't expect I'll be going back to them anytime soon.

 

I put Berthold steel fenders on before the ride. They were quiet and fit perfect.  60's fit the big apples fine.  I am going to add at the very least a front mud flap.

 

This was my first tour or extended ride with platform pedals.  Ahhhhhhhh.. what a dream come true.. guess I won't be going back to clips anytime soon.  I was using the grip kings.  They worked great in all conditions.

 

http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/grip-king-pedal/14-053

 

Someone tell me why you would ride a bike without a kickstand?  Not that I don't find many many grateful moments for my precious kickstand but on Mackinaw Island it was even more so as the bike parking areas almost demanded a kickstand.  The future.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tksleeper/6050524280/in/photostream

 

There was 497 other bikes out there that weren't Rivendells and they all made the journey too.  That being said, I wouldn't trade my Bombadil for any of them.

 

To make a great ride even greater my phone beeped and notified me that the Quickbeam I bought had shown up at home and was waiting on my return.  How do you beat that????   Great ride, great friends, beautiful wife, and a new ride at home when it was all done.. priceless.  

 

Now the next trip will be fully loaded Pittsburgh to DC first week of October.

 

Kelly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Forrest]

Great report, Kelly -- thanks. And congrats on the new Quickbeam.  -- Forrest (Iowa City)

[Pondero]

Fantastic report, Kelly. You sure know how to travel in style. That
looks like a perfect trip to me.

[René Sterental]

Kelly,

Super great report and great photos. Did you camp or did you sleep indoors? I'm just wondering if you fit all you needed for camping on just the large SaddleSack. 

When I grow up I want to ride like you... :-)

René

[Kelly Sleeper]

Rene

Shoreline West is an organized ride. They carry the gear then we camp.

Ride info here

http://www.lmb.org/index.php/Events/24th-annual-shoreline-west-bicycle-tour.html

So no, I didn't carry everything with this setup.

Kelly

[René Sterental]

Now it all makes sense... Great program!

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