Roadeo on Cycle Greater Yellowstone 2019

[reynoldslugs]

Hi RBW -

Posted a flickr album of this ride, the Cycle Greater Yellowstone ride, for benefit of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition.

We did about 240 miles over 5 days of riding, 22k climbing.  I rode my Roadeo - always love riding that bike.

Beautiful scenery in Red Lodge, MT; Absarokee; Yellowstone River, Sunlight River and Bridge; Beartooth Pass and Chief Joseph Highway.

The Greater Yellowstone Area around Montana and Wyoming is really lovely. I can't say enough about the scenery, mountains, and good condition of the roads.

Beartooth Pass was hard, but worth it.  The pass tops out close to 11,000' - - I haven't climbed like that since the Markleeville Death ride 8 or 9 years ago.

Pics here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/41563482@N06/albums/72157710643614821

I rode my Roadeo, with a mostly Campagnolo drive train, aided and abetted by a Shimano Deore 737 triple (22-34-44), which was essential to getting over some of those passes. I don't wear that Fat Cyclist jersey for nothing...

best,

Max Beach

Santa Rosa CA

[Steven Seelig]

Hi Max,

Since nobody else replied, I wanted you to know that you've inspired me to check out this ride next year.  The photos cinched it.  I'd be doing it most likely on my S&S coupled Spectrum Ti bike rather than a Riv, mostly because I can pack it into a suitcase for airline travel.  My Ram is an option also, and although it has a triple chainring it is outfitted with Albastache bars and I think (know) I'd want to do this with a drop bar.  There's also the notion that lotsa shifting is better done with a brifter.

So here's the big q: is this ride doable without a granny gear using my compact double.  If forced to ride out of the saddle for an extended period I don't think that adds to a pleasant day.

Any advice based on what others on the trip were using?

Steve Seelig

[Paul Richardson]

thanks for sharing.  great photos.  "leaving montana," now there's a sign i'd like to pass while riding a riv.

paul

takoma park, md.

On Sunday, September 1, 2019 at 1:31:19 PM UTC-4, reynoldslugs wrote:

[reynoldslugs]

Steve, in response to your questions:

For handlebars, agree 100% that Drop Bars are the way to go for a ride like this.  

Gearing: my gearing is always exceptionally low.  My Roadeo with  22-34-44 and a 13-30 may have been the lowest gearing out of  all the riders.  I need those low gears - - with the assembled orthopedic and other medical issues, and being over 200 pounds,  I just really need super low gears.  Patellar tendinitis means I never climb out of the saddle at all, so I I just spin up the hills.  Which, of course, is a lot easier in the long run.

Most of the other riders did not have gears that low.  If you're fit and not too heavy, I would say that a compact double with a 34 tooth inner would be ok, as long as you have a 34 tooth low gear on your cassette.  

Two years ago, I did the ride on a Della Santa with an ultra-compact double - - 26-40 chainrings, with a SRAM 11-36 cassette.  

The hills were long, but usually not steeper than 6%.  Cycle Greater Yellowstone will post the ride profiles several months before the event (I think they use Map My Ride, with elevation profiles), so we can all know what we're in for.    

I did the ride on a Roadeo, and I have a Rambouillet as well.  IMHO both bikes are well-suited for the course - your Rambouillet (with triple) would be a great choice if you are willing to put on drop bars. 

Good luck, hope to see you next year.

Max

[Ann L]

Beautiful bike and beautiful ride.  I love the old hungapillar colors on your Rodeo.

[Christopher Cote]

Beautiful bike, and looks like a great ride. Which SMP saddle is that?

Chris

[reynoldslugs]

Thanks, Chris.  Saddle is an SMP Avant.  

I rode Brooks B-17 and Selle Anatomicas for years -  they are comfortable and look nicer than the SMP, IMHO.  That said, I have used the SMP's since 2011 (after a bit of cancer surgery).  They work just fine, but I would have been very happy to stick with my old B-17s and/or Anatomicas.

best,

Max