THE TOURING CORNER: Racks and Fenders, why?

Let’s take the rack question first.  Racks provide a place to attach and carry stuff.  Yes, it is possible to carry stuff in back packs, but there’s a problem with that.  It’s a matter of energy management and balance.

Yes we said energy management.  You see, if you are touring by bike, you have to provide the energy that moves the bike.  If you pack a bunch of stuff on your back or body, then you are also providing the energy to hold that stuff up against gravity.  Doesn’t seem fair does it?  Put the load on the bike.  Let the bike be your beast of burden.

And what about balance?  It’s a matter of physics.  Basic stability.  If you want an object to be stable, you want to get the mass as low on the object as you can.  If you are carry the weight on your back, it is a good two to three feet higher than it could be in a bag that is hung on a rack.  For touring purposes, you even want to consider the order in which you load things in a bag.  Basically, you want to put the heavy things on the bottom, and the lighter things on top.  Nuff said?

Now let’s look at fenders.  Here’s the thing about fenders, you only need them when it’s raining.  Here’s the other thing about fenders, sooner or later it is going to rain.  Rain isn’t that big a deal, if you are close to home.  You can always ride home, get out of your wet and nasties, shower, and dry off.  But suppose you are a good bit farther away from home?  Also, suppose it isn’t all that warm.  Wouldn’t a set of fenders be nice?  From our experience, the likelihood of encountering rain on a tour is pretty good.  Obviously it depends on how long the tour is, but again from experience, we can derive the following rule.  On any one week tour, you are guaranteed to encounter at least least 24 hours of rain…  Maybe more…  Maybe a lot more!!  So, the answer is, plan to put fenders on your touring bike. 

What kind of fenders?  We strongly suggest getting good ones, and get the permanently attached kind.  We’ve messed about with the quick mount/quick disconnect types.  They leave a good bit to be desired.  They don’t provide enough coverage, and they seem to always be shifting to a position that benefits you the least.  Besides, you’re planning to tour, right?  So what are you going to do, carry the fenders with you and install them when it starts to rain?

Two more things on fenders:  Once you’ve decided what kind you want, go ahead and order a second complete set of hardware for them.  Place this in a bag on your big.  That should be a bag that stays on your bike.  Trust us!  The time will come…  The other thing is that all of the currently commercially available fenders, even the best ones,  lack coverage in an important area.  None of them seem to come with mud flaps!  We strongly recommend that you modify your fenders by adding mud flaps.  This will keep you a lot drier and more comfortable when it gets wet.

NOTE:  For an article on constructing fender extending mud flaps, go to my Audax Ride blog here.

http://audaxriders.blogspot.com/2011/11/projects-i-gotta-get-this-thing.html

Before reading the article, look at the picture in the title.   Notice that I’ve done exactly this mod.  See how low the flap is on the front fender?  I don’t get any spray from the front wheel on my feet.  Now read the post for instructions on making the same highly practical and inexpensive modification for yourself.

THE TOURING CORNER: What kind of bike do I need to do touring?

Today's title raises a great question!  And the answer is, “It depends…”

It depends on you.  What’s your cycling background?  What are your capabilities?  What fit and comfort issues do you have on the bike?  What kind of touring do you intend to do?

At one level, bicycles are tools.  Yes, there is a lot of emotion that can be attached to them, but basically, they are tools.  Tools are defined by the job they are intended to perform.  Tools fall into some broad general categories.  Some are very specific. A Park Tool Co. MLP 1.2, for example, does exactly one thing, disconnect SRAM type master links.  A hammer, on the other hand is fairly general.  It’s made to hit things.  It can be used to hit a large variety of things..

Until very recently, most road bikes where strongly influenced by racing.  These are the Park Tool MLP 1.2 of the bicycle world.  They are pretty specific.  They mimic professional racing forms.  Want to put a basket on one?  Where?  How?  Fenders?  You’ve got to be kidding!  Positions were aggressive, stretched out, deep.  Handlebars were well below the saddle height.  Top tubes were relatively long.  Wheel base was short.  These things work for racing, but not so much for hauling a lot of stuff.  Further, most people are not comfortable spending a lot of time in that extended aggressive posture.  So let’s look at several types of bikes that are intended to be used for Touring.

Interestingly, there are bikes that are built for “light touring,” and others for “loaded touring.”  These machines are extremely versatile.  Pack your gear and go.  Don’t pack the bike and it’s still a great grocery-getter, or commuter, or just a good fun comfortable ride.  Or a great rainy day “training” bike

Loaded:  These are the Winnebago RVs of the cycling world.  Bikes designed for “loaded” touring are built with heavier, reinforced frames.  They are designed to haul the tourist, and 50 to 100 pounds of gear, over good roads and bad, and to keep doing it.  They tend to have longer wheel base, long chain stays, a heavier frame, slacker angles, and a more relaxed posture.  (Relaxed posture = more upright.)  Usually the top tube will be relatively shorter, and the drop from the saddle to the height of the handlebar will be significantly less.  They have more clearance between the stays and forks, to allow room for wider tires and fenders.  They will have a generous number of threaded eyelets to allow mounting accessories.  They will be heavier than their racing oriented counterparts.  Another important point; the Loaded Tourist will have a lot of gears, with special attention paid to very low gears for climbing and pushing heavy loads into the wind.

If you want to see one example of the type, look at the title block of my Audax Ride blog at http://audaxriders.blogspot.com  There you will see my trusty tourist.  For another example check out the Long Haul Trucker™ on the Surly website at http://surlybikes.com/bikes/disc_trucker

Light Touring:  A light tourist shares a lot of traits with it’s “heavy” cousin.  The difference will be that a light tourer will usually be a lighter bike.  It won’t be as strong as a Loaded rig.  Possible the geometry will lean a little more in the direction of “sportiness,” quick handling, sometimes with a bit more in the way of high gears for faster cruising.  These bikes are designed with a sort of sual purpose.  They work well for more casual touring, shorter distances with lighter loads, usually over shorter times.  Their other excellent function is as a utility bike.  Light tourists make great commuters and errand runners!  One outstanding example of the type si the Surly Cross-Check.  While not specifically designed for touring, their design parameters match up almost exactly with most light tourist needs.  To see look at the Surly website http://surlybikes.com/bikes/cross_check

Additionally, most of the major bike manufacturers now have offerings that are called “endurance bikes.  Some of these are suitable to the light tourist’s purposes.  However, it should be noted that many are lacking in eyelets for accessories such as racks and fenders, and most do not have ample clearance for wider tires.

CAUTION!  If you are new to the touring world, do not start looking for a touring bike yet.  This article is mean as a starting point.  We hope it will get you thinking.  Keep reading as we continue the series.  There’s lots more to come.

THE TOURING CORNER: The Beginning (Part2)

Last week we proposed the concept of  starting one’s touring somewhat cautiously.  This week we’ll take that a bit farther and go into some detail.

Presumably, if you are at all interested in this idea, then you are intrigued with the concept of using your bike to get to someplace else.  But first off, do you enjoy being on your bike for a long time?  Does the idea of taking time to eat up distance sound right to you?  If so, good!

            Please notice, we did not say that you have to be doing that kind of riding.  But it is important that you want to.  If you aren’t doing longer rides already, then I suggest that you start…  However!  Please do not try to “eat the elephant in one bite.”  Here’s a way to increase your riding endurance.

·      Begin where you are.  (look at your regular riding habits.)

·      Keep a log.  Record your rides, dates, times, distance, and a bit of commentary about conditions and routing is enough.  If you aren’t doing this already, start!

·      Begin increasing the time you spend on the bike, but do it gradually.

·      Increase your regular rides by small amounts each week, and add one day that is devoted to a longer ride, say four to five hours.

·      Build up gradually!  Not more than a 5% increase for any one week, and no more than a 10% increase for any one ride.  (This is where that log comes in handy.)

As you are getting your legs, lungs and back side in condition, you can start thinking about were you might like to go.

Incidentally…    Touring almost always involves carrying some “stuff” on your bike.  Not a bad idea to start doing that.  This is another activity that can be started off small and easy.  You don’t have to run out and buy a utility/commuter/touring bike.  Just start using the bike you have now.  Run errands on it.  A backpack or messenger bag will work to do the hauling.  A trip to the library, the hardware store, the post office, or even light grocery shopping is a great way to begin.  (Hey!  Maybe starting a once a week commute might work too!)

Yes, it’s easier to carry more stuff on a bike that is purpose-built for that.  But we’re starting off slow and where we are.  (Remember?)  Truth is, for shorter distances, it’s quite possible to carry moderate amounts of stuff in packs or bags.  That allows you to start experiencing hauling stuff around while riding on almost any kind of bike.

THE TOURING CORNER: The Beginning (Part1)

This week we’ll address the question,  How do I get started? 

I would like to share a little story.  This is a bit of history.  Bear with me, it’s relevant.

Think back to the era when the American continent was being explored.  Do you remember that a lot of those stories were about disasters?  Expeditions that never came back.  Starvations and privations.  People wandering around in the wilderness for half of forever before being rescued.  Does any of that ring a bell?

Well, here’s an alternate story.  In 1670 the Hudson’s Bay Company was chartered.  This company still exists, in a greatly modified form, today.  They explored most of what is now Canada, and did it very successfully.  They opened trading routes, established frontier outposts, and did all of this with a great deal of success.

            One of the key factors in that success was the “Hudson’s Bay Start.”  It went a bit like this.  When an expedition was being planned and mounted, all the provisions would be gathered, along with all the canoes and all the people.  Everything would be loaded up, and then the group would set off.  But they would not go far!  The first camp was merely a “pull out,” frequently still in sight of the fort.  Then the expedition would have a meeting.  Were they overloaded?  Were they carrying things that were not needed?  Was something missing that was needed.  Did everyone understand their duties?  In this way, if serious deficiencies were noted, the expedition could turn back and correct the problems before becoming irrevocably committed.

            Back when I started doing tour type riding, I could have used that advice.  Instead, I got in over my head more than once.  I thought I was doing good planning and preparation.  I took off with overloaded, under-prepared bikes, determined to do a journey that was too long and too hard for my condition and equipment.  This makes for good stories, but bad experiences.

The moral of the story is simple.  Don’t tackle the big stuff at the beginning.  Do your learning (and make your mistakes) close to home!  You’ll learn to improvise and adapt, but it’s a lot easier to learn the big lessons and still be able to bail out.

To be continued…

THE TOURING CORNER: Just what is “Bicycle Touring”?

See that title?  There are two parts to it.  The first indicates that this is a feature.   Posts with "The Touring Corner" as a title will be...  About bicycle tour!  The second part of this post's title brings up 

today's topie.

That’s a simple question, but it’s not all that easy to pin down.  Use those two words together on the majority of our fellow citizens and you’ll probably get a blank look.  Sometimes you get a reply something like, “Oh, you mean that Tower dee Francy thing?”  And yes, it’s called the “Tour de France,” but that’s a race.

            Mention bicycle touring to an average cyclist and you probably conjure up images of folks crossing the continent on bikes that are loaded down with huge bags.  And yes, that most certainly would be touring.  Although that activity is usually described as “self-supported touring.”

            Does it count as “touring” if you sign on with one of those lovely guided outfits?  The operator shleps your luggage, prepares your meals, has guides on bikes with you, and usually has a SAG van following along in case someone gets tired.  (Think Bike Ride Across Georgia. Also known as BRAG.)  But, these are tours too.

            One might think that touring would involve a destination.  However, Randonneurs consider their events to be touring.  But those events start and finish at the same place.  Does that disqualify them?

            That last brings up a philosophical point.  What makes a “tour”?  Is it necessary to have a destination that is the reason for the trip?  Or, like the Randonneurs, is the journey the destination?

            What about “credit card touring”?  For that matter, every year in June a bunch of serious crazies race across the continent.  It’s called Race Across America or RAAM.  It most definitely a race, but it accomplishes that trip across the country that is pictured in the minds of those who visualized the fully loaded bicycle.

            In the Spring of every year, I invite folks to accompany me on a one day, 125 mile ride.  We do it self-supported, and Randonneur style.  We accomplish this trip in one day.  Does that qualify as touring?

            Seems like there might be as many definitions of “touring” as there are “tourists.”  The common elements are a human on a bicycle, a route, and a destination.  Basically, touring is about going somewhere, and doing it on a bike.  And, yes, I do believe that the route and the experience of traveling it, are a big part of the answer.

Here are a few other interesting questions about the activity:

I like the idea.  How do I get started?

What kind of bike do I need to do touring?

Tell me more about this “credit card touring” thing.  How does that work?

Tell me more about this “self supported” thing.  How does that work?

What is this “Randonneuring” thing?

Hey!  What’s up with this bikepacking stuff?

Riding across the country sounds interesting.  How do I go about that?

Short tours? Long tours?  Regional tours?  Transcontinental?

In future editions, we’ll be discussing these topics.  It’s going to be an interesting and fun journey.

SPECIAL: DEALING WITH THE TRAFFIC EMERGENCY STRATEGY AND TACTICS

There is no doubt, the traffic situation in, and around Atlanta is truly an Emergency.

Let me start by saying, I am truly impressed with what is being done to repair the damaged section of I-85.  Immediately after the bridge collapsed we heard that it would take six to nine months to get this thing fixed.  Now we are hearing that the project may be finished by mid to late May!  That’s incredible.  But…

We will still have to face a 24/7 traffic catastrophe for more than a month.  I’m writing this Special Edition with the hope that some of the following suggestions may help deal with the situation.

A lot of the following will concern cycling as a means to deal with Atlanta’s current transportation problem.  Some things will be useful to anyone, with or without a bike.

THE BICYCLE AS A PART OF THE SOLUTION:           

We’re hearing a lot of “advice” from the powers that be.  Carpool, they say.  Use “transit,” they say.  Allow more time (a lot more time!) to get to destinations, they say.  If you can, telework, they say.  Avoid regular routes and consider recommended alternatives, they say.  All of these are good ideas, but they overlook some things, and there are problems with some of these.  One thing I haven’t heard, is that the BICYCLE is a really sound alternative!

Atlanta is just not that big!  From Turner Field to the intersection of West Paces Ferry and Peachtree is just a bit over seven miles.  From the intersection of Marietta Blvd and Bankhead to Avovndale Estates in Decatur is a bit over nine miles.  And those distances do not represent the most efficient routing.  These are well within the power of a modest effort on a bicycle.

Cycling inside the metro requires some attention and caution, but it is quite doable.  Automotive traffic gets in its own way, and slows or stops the cars.  It’s fairly easy to move around and through this on the bike.

THE BIG PROBLEM IS GETTING TO THE CITY AND AROUND IN IT.

Here are the elements of the solutions:

• ·      Bicycles are allowed on MARTA trains.
• ·      MARTA busses all have racks that will carry two bicycles.
• ·      There are racks for locking bikes at the train stations.
• ·      MARTA bus lines extend down into Riverdale and Newnan.
• ·      Bus routes interconnect with the train stations.

Parking at the MARTA train stations is a part of the problem.  The MARTA lots are filling early in the day.

STRATEGIES  FOR MULTI-MODE COMMUTING

Strategy One:  Bike-Train

If you live within convenient bike distance to one of the train stations, your problem is solved!  Just ride there, lock your bike and take the ttrain.

Stategy Two:  Bike-Train-Bike

If your in-town destination is not a convenient walking distance from a MARTA train station, take the bike with you on the train.  Then train into the city, and ride to your destination.

Strategy Three:  Bike-Bus-Train

A lot of us live an inconvenient distance from any MARTA line and even farther from the train stations.  So ride the bike to the bus route.  Take the bus, with your bike.  (Load the bike on the rack on the front of the bus.  Remember to tell the driver you are unloading your bike when you get off the bus!)  The bus will take you to the train station.  You can then either lock your bike there, or take it on the train into the city.

Strategy Four: Car-Bike-Bus-Train

Some (many) of us live an uncomfortable distance from any MARTA component.  Load the bike on the car.  Drive to some relatively secure parking location and park.  Unload the bike and ride it to the bus stop.  From there on, it’s the same as Strategy Three.

TACTICS FOR MULTIMODE COMMUTERS

Securing your ride:  Do not use a fancy bike.  A reliable “beater” and a heavy lock are the best solution.  It actually helps if the bike is stone ugly.  Don’t skimp on the lock, and do learn how to lock your bike securely.  (We’re happy to discuss this with you in the shop.)

Clothing Changes:  The weather is clement right now, but it could turn wet or hot in an instant.  Dress for your commute, not your workday or meeting, or whatever.  Pack a change of clothing in a waterproof bag or backpack.  Change when you get into town.

Advanced Commuting Tactic for Clothing:  Make a “laundry run.”  Drive in on one day of the week, taking clothing for your week.  On that same day bring the laundry and cleaning from the last week home.  This frees you up on the other days of the week.  (You could even make the “laundry run” on a weekend day.)

Dealing With the Funk:  If you have access to shower facilities, at a gym, health club, or the office, you are a happy person.  Many of us don’t have that luxury. Here’s how to cope.  Purchase a pistol-grip spary bottle from Lowes or Home Depot.  Fill it with the following “Shower in A Bottle” recipe.

·      Eight parts water

·      One part liquid body soap

·      One part clear vinegar

·      (Be sure to pack a towel!)

Shake well before using.  Once you arrive near your destination, use a restroom.  Peel your ride clothing off.  Spray the magic stuff on.  Use your towel to scrub and dry.  Then apply deodorant / antiperspirant/cologne to your personal taste.  (HINT:  Add one part of either rubbing alcohol or witch hazel for an astringent cooling effect.)

Making the Most of the Time:  Use a backpack, bike-pack, or bag that has a laptop sleeve.  Carry your tablet or laptop with you.  You can do work, or read the news whilst sitting on the bus or train and letting someone else do the driving.

HINTS: 

It’s a very good idea to practice your commute route before you “go live.” 

Ride the bike parts on an off-day, weekend, or the like.

Make a “trial run” into town via the MARTA System.

Do some research on MARTA’s website.  Learn the routes you will need, and get the details on taking your bike on the bus and/or train.

Perhaps using the transit system will be sufficient for you.  If so well and good!  You are no longer part of the problem.  For many, some variation of bike and transit will likely provide a shorter commute, and most certainly a more consistent one.  You will know how long it takes t get to your destination, and the stress will be greatly reduced.  Also, you will be taking another car out of the mix.  Who knows?  Maybe you will grow to like this stuff.

Be wise and safe in your travels,

Audax How & Why

Below you will find a bit more detailed information about the Audax 200K and the Audax 65 Mile Tune Up Rides.

AUDAX 200K:

Details:

Date/Time: May 21, 2017 at 07:00 (sharp!)

Location:  Bicycles Unlimted, 266 S Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree City

Distance:  125 miles

Pace:  Audax Style ride, group will stay together (allow approx 12 hours)

Conditions:  Rain or shine

Required:  A sound bicycle, helmets will be worn when riding!  Bring a smile.

Cost:  There is a small fee to cover lunch, post ride snacks, and water along the way.  In the past this has been around $27 dollars.  We will be announcing the price for this year’s run in the near future.

This is a different sort of ride.  We will be riding this “Audax Style.”  This is a type of group riding not often practiced in the U.S.  It’s a touring type ride, where the group stays together in mutual support.  The route is predetermined.  A schedule is followed.   Reservations are made for a sit-down meal in the middle of the ride.

            These are not strictly, “no drop” rides.  But the spirit is, “One for All, and All for One!”  If anyone has a problem, then the group has a problem, and will work together to fix it.  The pace tends to be constant across the entire ride, but it is moderate enough to encourge socializing and camaraderie.

            Why do one of these rides?  The answers to that question range from,  “Because it’s there!” to “I don’t like the typical, pseudo race, short, fast paced type rides one usually finds.  I’d like a more relaxed pace, and I’d like to be able to see stuff while I ride.”

            The route for this ride is chosen to avoid a lot of traffic, and to provide a lot of pleasant scenery.  Yes, there are some spots where we have to “tighten up” and ride with discipline, but they are minimal.  It’s a long day of fun in the saddle.

            Consider this, while this is not a beginner ride, many people who have done this ride for the first time, have never ridden a 100 mile day before.  For most new to this, the longest ride to date has been 65 miles.  And yet, the successful completion rate has been very high.  The majority of those who start one of these rides, finish it.  And that is the core of the experience, to do a long ride with friends, and finish the thing.

            There is a magical synergy to riding with a group whose purpose is to see that everyone finishes in good order.  The whole is greater than the sum of the parts!

Audax 65 mile Tune Up:

Date/Time: April 30, 2017 at 11:00 (sharp!)

Location: Peachtree Corners Shopping Center, Peachtree City

(Please park in front of Fresh Market, but locate closest to GA-54 to avoid inconvenience to merchants.)

Distance:  65 miles (hilly)

Pace:  Audax Style ride, group will stay together

Conditions:  Rain or shine

Required:  A sound bicycle, helmets will be worn when riding!  Bring a smile.

Cost:  No charge.  Bring cash for snacks and water.

The purpose of these “Tune Ups” is to prepare for the Audax 200K.   There are two parts to that preparation.  First is the physical preparation, i.e. is my equipment ready, and am I ready to do a 125 mile single-day ride?  The second purpose is more organizational.  We will practice riding “Audax Style.”

            In an “Audax Ride” the group stays together.  This means that everyone must make adjustments and compromises.  The climbers must ease up on the the hills, not dropping the more “vertically challenged.”  The diesels have to moderate on the flats, not riding the legs off of the less powerful.  The demon descenders need to apply some braking so as to not pull the ride apart and terrify the less bold.  Everyone looks out for the welfare of all others.  It’s a different kind of ride.

            We encourage all to be readily forthcoming about problems.  “Mechanicals” get dealt with, on the spot, with the whole group stopped.  Other kinds of problems are also worked by the group.  It’s amazing how creative and supportive a small group of cyclists can be!  It’s also amazing how much flexibility is available to the group, when all are focused on the same goal and ideal.

If you have further questions, concerns, or curiosities, please contact me. 

The.Road.Dragon@gmail.com

Or phone Bicycles Unlimited  770-486-9252

Or a stop in to the shop.