Cheviot touring?

[Bob Lovejoy]

I was daydreaming the other day, an amazingly glorious day for the midwest in February, riding my Cheviot.  I could not help but smile as riding along was the most fun and peaceful thing I had done in awhile.  The idea that the world would be a much better and happier place if people rode their bikes more and drove their cars less seemed pretty obvious.

Anyway, part of my daydream, sounding outlandish now but not so much then, was wondering what it would be like to go on a real tour on the Cheviot.  I searched CGOAB but no journals or reports found.  I also cannot remember anyone here telling many stories of Cheviot touring or longer distance travels though I certainly could have missed things.

So, just because... Can anyone point me to stories, journals, pictures, etc. of people touring on a Cheviot or similar bike?  Clem L's (Clementines) would certainly be in there, and other mixte type of frames.  It would be interesting to hear of such things, noting either the big smiles or the wide, possibly concerned, eyes of the riders...

Thanks!

Bob Lovejoy

Galesburg, IL

P.S.  I do realize the Cheviot (specifically) does not have the same load carrying capacity as, say, a Hillborne, Appaloosa, or certainly a Hunqapillar.  Still, reality must be put aside at times, if just for awhile.  Can be a long while though... 

[dougP]

Bob:

Unfortunately, I can't point you to tour reports specifically for the Cheviot, Clem, etc.  However, I strongly encourage you to just pack it up & go.  One of the over-looked advantages of bike touring is that you don't need a purpose built touring bike to do it.  Unlike other more niche aspects of cycling (racing & MTBing come to mind), touring is really just rigging up whatever bike you've got to carry some stuff.  While touring, I've met people having a wonderful time on everything from racing bikes doing a credit card tour with those seatpost racks & only changes of clothing, students on Craigslist MTBs, 70s era racing bikes, etc., etc.  You run what you brung & attitude takes care of the rest.  If anything a Cheviot is better suited to the task than many of the above.  Talk to Rivendell about load capacity to get the right answers but my guess is that the Cheviot will carry more weight than you'll really need. 

dougP

[Howard Hatten]

I see no reason why you couldn't use the chev for a tour.

Cheviot catalog:

https://doc-0k-3k-docs.googleusercontent.com/docs/securesc/ha0ro937gcuc7l7deffksulhg5h7mbp1/8894e7hq9keacafg51k33n5rprqooh9p/1487959200000/04980793364976151971/*/0Bzo7-V-zcAdRdmk4cVFnV29udDQ?e=download

Howard
Livonia Mi

[drew]

i thought the cheviot could handle as much as a sam. im pretty sure i read that somewhere. i second doug's advice. it has to be better suited to most normal styles of touring than most bikes i've seen people touring on. if anything, id invest in a light sleeping bag and tent, add a VO mojave cage and the king bottle boss clamps and use the bike you love. 

[Bob Lovejoy]

My comment on load capacity came from this, something I had bookmarked awhile ago...

http://imgur.com/UPvCmy0

I will say they use "tour" in the description!  That said, the suggested rider weight limit is lower than some of the other bikes.  It could be that a front and/or rear load would not be quite as much of a concern, not being quite as supported by the main triangle (or lack of) and all.

Still, a light load would certainly make the ride more fun - and I admit it would be with the idea of fun - and adventure - but fun nevertheless...

Bob

[drew]

thats an interesting pic. i wonder what weight limit constitutes "road tour" (or mtn tour for that matter). with the lower rider weight limit and higher load capacity of the cheviot to the hillborne, i assume it kind of evens out. 

[Garth]

Nah, it's not about the bike Bob !  People have toured on all sorts of bikes, many not labeled as "touring" at all.  All those classifications of bikes and frames are meant to assist buyers in their choice, but they are not limits by any means. 

[Austin ^]

imo the biggest limiting factor to the cheviot's tour worthiness is its solitary bottle cage. I like having three water bottles full when I'm spending all day on my bike, sometimes a camelbak in addition to that depending on refill opportunities. That said I certainly took my cheviot on some 80ish mile days and overnights, fully loaded, and it never gave me any complaints. If I were setting it up for a tour I would personally lean towards drop bars but that's just my preference. 

[Bob Lovejoy]

Completely understood and agreed...!

I read travel journals and look at pictures on CGOAB and know from those, even in this modern day, people are having incredible adventures on just about anything, and I do not say that in any way judgmental regarding their bikes.  I stand in awe!  And as I sit reading, they are out doing... a lesson not to be taken lightly or ignored.

I was looking again through some older "magazines" that I have, through they are not magazines... They are the "Fellowship News" put out from an offshoot of the CTC in the UK - the FCOT, the "Fellowship of Cycling Old Timers".  There are stories from people who have biked and toured most of their lives, throwing together minimal gear, maybe some bread and wine, and heading out for a journey, be that close or a few countries away.  And those journeys were not necessarily on fancy bikes, not in the least.  The Raleigh or whatever would do just fine.  It was, indeed, the journey, the adventure and the living that mattered.

I have at least a couple of true touring bikes, not that they have been on worthy journeys lately, but I had to laugh and think of the FCOT "old timers" when I was riding the Cheviot that day.  I may not be as accomplished or as bold, but at least I am wise enough to aspire and hopefully, one day, do...

Bob

[Patrick Moore]

Define "similar." There's this:

http://www.dervlamurphy.com/vintagedervla.html

And this is what I like to read when I feel like beating myself up for not doing bicycle touring myself:

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/?o=tS

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[Patrick Moore]

Forgot (as usual) to add: years ago, back when I was a peripatetic and itinerant public entity group benefits sales man, and we drove all over NM inflicting ourselves on little NM municipalities, one day, at a little restaurant in one of those forgotten, ancient-hispanic (they're "hispanic", not "latino", thank you; they've been here since 1600) northern Rio Grande Valley villages, a 531 racing bike with Pletscher rack with suitcase bungee'd to it, leaning picturesquely against the adobe wall, along with the mules tethered to the hitching rail. (I'm kidding about the mules and hitching rail, but such little forgotten cafes have the best beef burritos and green chile in the kosmos). Riders, roadie, was touring Northern NM using his usual ride and usual racing jersey and tight pants kit. 

[Ray Varella]

Bob,
I think Riv is pretty conservative in how they rate their bikes.
I don't have a Cheviut but I recently got one of their Roscoe Mixte frames.
From my initial experiences with it, I would not hesitate to load it up for a tour.
I'm certain it could handle full size panniers plus a saddle bag on the rear and some sort of front load as well.
How much stuff would you take?
It might not be the best bike to go unsupported across the Sahara but I don't want to do that on any bike.

I'm sure people have done far more with much less than your bike can handle.

Ray
Vallejo CA

[Steve Palincsar]

On 02/24/2017 05:57 PM, Austin ^ wrote:

imo the biggest limiting factor to the cheviot's tour worthiness is its solitary bottle cage.

Would the Two Fish strap on water bottle cage help here?   My AM Moulton has but one water bottle cage, on the front of the seat tube, and I have one of these two fish units on the back of the seat tube as well.

[iamkeith]

https://www.ahearnecycles.com/blog/2011/1/20/off-road-touring-mixte.html

https://www.flickr.com/photos/61565718@N05/12844468614

I think a mixte would be an ideal touring bike. Don't forget you can always pull a bob trailer, too.

[Patrick Moore]

FWIW, I tried a 2-fish, velcro, strap-on cage on the down tube of my '99 Joe Starck custom gofast, for which I had foolishly told Grant to limit cage braze ons to the dt. (Grant: you were right, both for the st braze ons and for the sub-73* seat tube angles. But don't tell anyone I acknowledged this.)

Moving on: it works, after a fashion, but it also swivels at the slightest touch. I found that it would swivel far enough from straight line-ahead that my eagerly pumping legs would brush it, much to my annoyance, as I sturdily rode along.

As alternative, I tried various bar-mount bottle cage attachment gizmos. They work well -- except that, with Riv geometry, the added weight of a 28 oz bottle makes the front wheel flop more than I can comfortably tolerate.

I found a better solution to carrying water was to attach a Carradice -- can't remember the name; it's the smallest one -- to the saddle, and put a quart bottle inside. Even better, I got D Banzer to make me a nice custom seat pack, that attaches elegantly to the rails of my Flite, that has a pocket for a 28oz bottle. Wala.

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[Bob Lovejoy]

Now we're talking!  Very cool and thanks for the sending...  The trailer idea is a good one as well.

I love that answer, especially about bikes... "Because I can."

Thanks!

[Mark in Beacon]

I've had the same swivel experience with the Two-fish, on bikes with zero wbcbos. The strap is also very long. I know, I could cut it. The old style metal band mounts that VO now carries work pretty well, though they don't work with all cage designs. I have been contemplating Riv nuts on one or two old frames. Anybody try that? (Though probably not on a Cheviut.)

[Bob Lovejoy]

Knowing there were more important things to do, and not necessarily in Cheviot touring mode, it still did not stop me from looking over this the other night:

http://www.cyclingabout.com/cargo-cages-anything-cages-oversized-bottle-cages/

I would like it if the Cheviot had more mount points, but at least there seem to be a few options to lessen the pain. 

[Takashi]

There was a post in Blue Lug Blog.

A one-night camp, one of them riding Cheviot.

https://bluelug.com/blog/hatagaya/swift-campout-2016/

Takashi

[Steve Palincsar]

On 02/24/2017 10:27 PM, Patrick Moore wrote:

FWIW, I tried a 2-fish, velcro, strap-on cage on the down tube of my '99 Joe Starck custom gofast, for which I had foolishly told Grant to limit cage braze ons to the dt. (Grant: you were right, both for the st braze ons and for the sub-73* seat tube angles. But don't tell anyone I acknowledged this.)

Moving on: it works, after a fashion, but it also swivels at the slightest touch. I found that it would swivel far enough from straight line-ahead that my eagerly pumping legs would brush it, much to my annoyance, as I sturdily rode along.

Obviously not an issue for a back-of-the-seat-tube mount, like on my Moulton.

[Bob Lovejoy]

Hello Takashi - and thank you for sending the link!  

Looking over and reading about their trip has been a great way to start my day.  It snowed a bit here overnight but now the sun is shining, the quick change a sure sign  spring is closer than it was.

I really like the way their bikes were set-up, and I certainly enjoyed the beautiful areas they were riding.  I do so need to see an ocean soon...

Out of curiosity, can someone with more knowledge of Nitto racks confirm that the Cheviot in the journal is using a Campee 27f front rack (or possibly an F20, 26" version)?  I really like low rider pannier mounts but I have never thought it very do-able on the Cheviot.  I stand corrected!  It looks perfect.

Thanks again for posting this,

Bob

[Garth]

 While I could go on a rant here about selling a "do it all" high end bike in the year 2017 with only bottle cage, it is as it is for now and so what.... so if you're gonna have just one cage you may as well maximize it's capacity. That's about a 1.5L bottle.  The best one I have seen is the BBB XL Fueltank, as it clamps around the top of the bottle, something the Topeak one does not.  If you're gonna use that one make sure to strap it down.  A bike frame is well suited to carry heavy things like water and that's why permanent mounts are so worthwhile.

But again ....none of that can limit you. I remember touring as a teenager with but one "regular" bottle, and that's all there was back then....and I didn't think twice about it. I do have fond memories of stopping in a local mom & pop store in a tiny Minnesota town and in their solitary sales fridge were ice cold glass bottles of Gatorade(everything tastes better from a glass bottle!!!)..... damm . . . I can still feel it going down today !  Of course I was not riding across vast distances with no services/water, but still, when you're a kid going even 20 miles can be pretty darn vast. If I had been carrying everything I needed on the bike I would have never stopped at that place and had a most memorable drink of my life..... so there 'ya go.

[KC]

It is too bad the Cheviot only has 1 bottle holder but it's not like you need 2 bottles at once. We headed off this week for a (great) day ride with Doug P and his wife Melanie. Because we left early, I had a huge bottle of coffee tucked in with my load on the back and my water bottle on the bike. I'm sure I could do the same if loaded up and figure out a 3rd if needed. I too am dreaming of a short tour on my Cheviot (bought the tent last year so I have a start). Talk to Will at Riv hq. I'm sure he would have some great input.

[Alex Wirth- Owner, Yellow Haus Bicycles]

You'd be surprised by how many bikes/customers roll into the shop and say..."yeah, I went cross country on this bike"  I look at the bike and think man you must have been miserable!!  But instead I say "AWESOME!"

Point being, like many have said, you can do a lot with a little.  The Chev platform is highly capable and a lighter tour will be all the more fun.

Someone already suggested it but check out the King Cage universal support bolts, they'll stay put.  You also have saddle mount cages and handlebar mount cages as an option.  AND I can recall throwing some water bottles in my saddle bag or front bag on several S240s because I was too lazy to throw on cages before leaving.  I usually stop to drink and take a breather anyway, what's the rush, right?  Make sure you share your story once you go!  Some of us will be living vicariously through you when we're stuck at home base :-)

[RichS]

Thanks for this link Takashi. Delicious!!! If the images of these three Rivs don't get your adrenaline going for an overnighter or a multi-day tour then I don't know what will.

Regards,

Richard

[Scott McLain]

Check out this gal on a betty foye. Fully loaded on a dirt road!!

https://flic.kr/p/wx88uY
https://flic.kr/p/wP3bEy

[dougP]

Click around those photos.  There's a kid wearing a Rivendell cap. Looks like a family camping across eastern Oregon.  He's riding a tandem with a kid tag-a-long.  2 small kids & plenty of luggage.  Large tent plus all the comforts of home.  One shot shows a barn with the name "Shaniko" on it.  I've ridden around there.  Awesome country.  High desert with trees at the higher elevations.  Just the job for Betty, it looks like. 

dougP

[Wayne Naha]

Takashi,

Those are some gorgeous photographs!  Looks like everyone had a great time.

On Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 6:59:27 AM UTC-5, Takashi wrote:

[Les Lammers]

I have one of these for my Chevoit,  https://www.topeak.com/global/en/products/accessories/332-cagemount 

[Ray Varella]

I've had a couple bikes that I used clamp on water bottle cages on.
They used to come with clamps that looked very similar to cable guide clamps but had a little dimple instead of a channel.

I used them from the early 70s up through the late 90s.
They were the only thing I used when frames lacked water bottle braze-ons and I used them to supplement a bike that only had one set of h2o bosses.
I ever had an issue with them moving and if you put a thin layer of tape under them, they won't mar your finish.

Ray
Vallejo CA

[Christopher Murray]

One of the most surprising things about doing bicycle tours is seeing the bikes others are touring on. So few people are on anything even resembling a proper touring bike. I've seen quite a few sub-$100 bikes headed one way or another across our great country. And everyone seems to be having a great time.

I wouldn't hesitate to tour on any Riv- including/especially a Cheviot. Go ride your bike, have a blast, fix things if they break (they probably won't).

And post lots of pictures for us to share!

Cheers!
Chris