Loo Chronicles

A quick thank you to those who have checked in on me. All is well, but we are trying to wrap up a couple of our last big house projects so that hopefully this year isn't as painful as last year was with renovations. I haven't disappeared, but need some time to get through these projects that are always more time consuming than we initially think they will be. Our home is honestly not that large, but the detail that has gone into many areas has been something that has sucked the life (and days) out of us.

Our latest renovation is the bathroom. It is the only bathroom in the house and we had to completely tear it apart in order to get it into reasonable shape. We've lived with it half deconstructed for the last year, so it was time to just take a deep breath and realize at some point we would be living without a loo. One day just recently we kept tearing it apart and before we knew it, all that was left were the walls (and even those weren't in fantastic shape).

I don't know that I have ever completely had the appreciation I have today for indoor plumbing. I have often taken for granted having a warm shower and facilities to use on a whim. Other than my homeless days so many years ago, I have never gone without having access at any point during the day to a bathroom. I realize that Americans tend to bathe far more frequently than some other places around the globe, but even setting that aside, the lack of a toilet is a bit disconcerting.

Even when camping, I don't believe that I have ever slept in a location that did not, at minimum, have some sort of portable toilet. As a child, when we'd go camping we had facilities inside the camper, and as I started to camp in tents on my own a little later on in life, I'd always choose locations that had some type of facilities within a reasonable walking distance of the camp spot.

We had considered renting a porta-potty for this current project, but the cost and necessary pre-planning for delivery was not necessarily to our liking. Additionally, we struggled with where exactly to plant this big contraption that would be both convenient for us, but not have passers-by using it on a whim (I had visions of needing use early in the morning and walking in on some unsuspecting individual). Ultimately, we ended up with a camping device that is both inexpensive and ingenious. As for showers, thankfully our gym has several stalls and they are open 24 hours, so we're getting through. Things could be far worse, certainly.

*Image found here

This entire project has had me thinking more about touring on a bike though. I have a far more accurate picture, I believe, of using the side of the road more than I thought I likely would need to on a trip of any length. It's those seemingly little things that I tend to leave out of my mental planning process.

More than likely, there would be establishments with usable facilities over the course of a trip, but there are also a lot of lonely roads with very little available. In a motorized vehicle, 50mi/80km may not seem like the end of the world, but when pedaling that same distance, it is highly unlikely that I'd be able to "just hold it" until I arrived at a destination.

These are just the little things that pop into my mind as we lay tile, paint, and work at getting back to a functional bathroom. I am a little amazed that this thought never occurred to me prior to this renovation. Have you made plans for something and forgot to plan for or think about an important aspect of your original idea? Would love to know how you managed or how you adapted along the way.

Bicycle Tourist Memory

Sometimes, in the middle of a thought or conversation, I have a random flashback to some point in my youth. These moments sometimes catch me off guard and I find myself trying to determine if a past experience actually took place or if it's something that was created in my often overly active imagination. Several days ago, I had one of these moments with enough detail to know it was not an imagined memory.

I have had a lot of thoughts on touring over this past year. Trying to determine how far I would be willing to travel alone, what sorts of items I would pack for such an adventure and whether or not I could realistic travel with a dog (or two) in tow. As I was having a round of these thoughts, I had a flashback and suddenly recalled an incident while driving through California's desert with my parents.

We were, as my recollections have it, headed to visit my grandparents who were staying in their second home in Arizona. As we drove through the desert miles on little traveled back roads, a man on a bicycle suddenly appeared in the distance. At first he appeared to be a walking, watery-image, but soon the mirage was easily identifiable. His pace was slow, he looked tired in my estimation, and - the part of which I have the most clarity - had a dog trotting slowly at his side.

Now, I have always been a lover of animals, so the dog was my primary concern in the moment. While I don't have a direct quote in my memory banks, I know my comment was something of expressing concern for the dog having to run while his partner got to ride. I also recall comments from the adults in the car relaying the likelihood of the rider being homeless and looking for a better life.

To my innocent, youthful mind, this made sense. He was dirty (though probably not as dirty as my memories want me to believe), had several bags attached to his bike which I presumed held the contents of his life and (hopefully) a food and water dish for his four-legged companion. I can recall his very slow but steady pace and felt bad that someone was in such a situation to have to ride a bike to get to what I assumed would be a better place for him and his dog.

Had I the knowledge currently in my reserves at that moment, I probably would have realized that this pedaler was more likely a bicycle tourist, simply passing through the area to wherever his journey was taking him and just happened to have his dog with him. The dog was probably using this time to stretch his legs in a location with little motorized traffic.

*Image found here

Amazingly to some, people do participate in bicycle touring with their dog(s), and for some the dogs are not the most petite of luggage. There are companies that make special dog trailers for those who wish to travel with their four-legged friends too, and while most of these chariots are not the least expensive items, it's a true testament to those of us who don't want to leave our family members behind on longer excursions.

Sometimes I think that I am trying to invent something that hasn't been done, looking for solutions that I am certain don't exist. When a bit of research is completed and/or, such as in this instance, a memory jumps out at me, I realize that there are many who have blazed the trail and likely made the path much easier than I'd believed.

Locally, we received about a foot of snow over the last 24 hours and it makes me long for extended trips on a bicycle. I try to use these points in the year to plan for future excursions which can help satiate that desire, and plotting out - even a short version of - a bicycle adventure can be beneficial.

During the last year I have been unable to pedal the miles I had wanted primarily due to injury, but I remain hopeful that the winter months bring healing, and certainly spring is always full of promise and renewal. Until then, I ride when I am able, look for different methods of riding on ice, through severe cold, and managing snow, all while looking forward to what is on the horizon.

The Words We Use: Bicycle Type List/Descriptions

One day many months ago, I was walking through a bike shop, perusing and just listening to the conversations around me. As I meandered down the rows of bikes and products, I overheard a conversation between two women who were talking about all of the different terms that are used to describe a bike. From the sound of things, they did not ride much except for short purposes around town, but they'd been talked into a visit to the shop by their partners and were musing about all the different particularities of bikes and parts.

As they continued to speak, I started to think about how many different labels have been given to different types of bikes and how very confusing it would be to hear these terms and not really have a grasp on what these words truly mean.

Then I stopped and asked myself if I truly know what all of the labels mean. Sure, I can identify different sorts of bikes, but because we often use similar descriptors for differing bicycles, how confusing it could become to try to distinguish one from another.

It became an interesting idea to ponder, and soon I began to think about all of the different varieties and possibilities with bikes. I know that I have pretty specific ideas of what a particular bicycle is and what it does when a label is used, but then realized that this, of course, is formed by my exposure and experience with these types of bikes.

*Image found here

I have heard the term "touring bike," for example, used to refer to a bike that I would not label as such, and so I thought perhaps we could come together as blogger and readers to make up a list. I very much doubt that we'd all agree on the nitty gritty specifics for each category, but perhaps it would help someone who has wondered what exactly a specific bike type is and/or why it is separated into its own category.

With that idea in mind, I hope that as a reader you'll offer your experience, thoughts, and/or expertise in the comments so that if I have missed something or your definition differs from mine, we can help sort this out a bit. It really can be a confusing topic when I stop and think about it. Perhaps the basic categories are better understood, but as the labels continue to be created, I do think it can get overwhelming.

These are the categories that I hear frequently discussed, but if you have others, please do add them in the comments. The descriptions are brief and definitely not all-encompassing, so feel free to add your own observations at the end.

Road:
I've personally heard people use this category for any bike they typically ride on paved roads. But what is it really and how is it distinguishable as its own category? I think this type of bike is generally characterized by a couple of qualities. First, road bikes tend to be lighter in weight than other possibilities (though not always) and often have a more leaned-over-the-handlebars positioning. Usually, we see these types of bikes with drop handlebars, but the handlebar itself is not the defining characteristic of this type of bike and certainly is not a requirement to call a bike a "road bike."

This is also likely the category of bike one would use for racing or swift rides on paved roads. There are a whole slew of possibilities to fall into this category, and the specifics of each can be quite different from one another. Tires found on this type are often on the less-wide side of possibilities, ranging from 20-28mm, typically (Although, tires do not define a road bike either).

Within this category falls a variety of possible terms such as a performance bike, sport bike, competition bike, time trial, and others.

Mountain:
Mountain bikes are typically categorized by different handling than a road bike, as well as having much chubbier tires, often with deeper tread patterns. The term "knobby tires" is often associated with this type of bike. Tires are typically ridden at lower air pressure as well.

Those who opt for a mountain bike fall into a variety of categories. Some grew up knowing only Mountain bikes, and thus it is what they ride today. For others, they love the call of local hills and mountains and have purposely purchased a bike that handles rock, dirt, trails and so on more efficiently.

Some who use mountain bikes also race - but their races take place on unpaved roads (at least for the most part). Since these bikes tend to be heavier, it is more difficult to keep up with the speeds of those riding a road bike, but the sacrifices made allow for better handling and comfort over varying terrain.

Within this category there are also other sub-categories such as a downhill, trail, cross country, and race or trials bikes.

City:
In my estimation, a city bike can truly be any bike. That bike you've had stored for years? It could be a city bike. That Craigslist find? It might be a perfect city bike too. I've seen all categories of bikes being used as a city bike, but I believe the quality that makes this type of bike functional as a city ride specifically is that it is easy to ride in traffic (possibly far more upright than other bikes, though not necessarily true of every city bike) and that it has the ability to carry goods such as a basket, a rack, panniers, and so on.

This type of bike is also frequently set up with some sort of platform pedal (meaning non-clipped pedals), but I've come in contact with those who prefer to always clip into his/her pedals, so it's not the defining quality of this particular type.

With the Dutch bike craze that took place here in the U.S. a few years back, I would say the city bike title is a good match for this type of bicycle, but it is not the only type of bicycle that can fall into this category. Typically, I think of a city bike as one that is ridden over shorter distances more as transportation and at slower speeds than many of the other categories of bikes.

Upright:
Separating upright bikes into its own category may be a bit of a stretch, but I hear this terminology used frequently on its own, so how do we define it?

I often see upright and city used interchangeably, but as pointed out in the city definition, a person may choose to ride a bike that is more leaned over as a city bike, negating the term "upright" entirely. I believe an upright bike is just that - upright. It allows the rider to sit in a position to see all traffic with ease, and it relieves the pressures on arms and hands by placing the majority of weight distribution on the saddle. Of course, this is not an ideal riding position over long distances for most people, and thus this category of bike is often seen about town, running errands and the like.

Cross (Cyclo-Cross):
I was once described a cross bike as that of a love child between a road and mountain bike. Who am I to argue? In many ways, most cross bikes I've seen tend to resemble a road bike more so than a mountain, but it doesn't mean that there aren't those that lean more to the mountain side, certainly.

Late summer and early fall tends to be the time of year for cross racing season. If you like to get muddy, it could be a side of cycling to try out. But, of course, cross bikes can be ridden any time of year and allow the rider a kind of middle ground bike that is perhaps a bit swifter (lighter weight) than some mountain bikes, but often not quite as lightweight as a road bike. Tires tend to be a bit wider on a cross bike too, falling somewhere between the typical super-slim road tires and heftier mountain tires. The larger tires help with the mud and dirt accumulation on this type of bike.

Gravel:
This seems to be newer terminology used as the industry apparently wants to create a need for consumers to go out and purchase another bike, but I do think there are qualities to a good gravel bike, and it may very well be one already sitting in our bike fold. In my mind, a gravel bike can certainly double as a number of other possibilities such as a cross bike, a touring bike, a rando bike, a mountain bike, a hybrid, a single speed, and perhaps even other possibilities.

It seems the biggest definition for this type comes with handling and tires. While one could ride gravel roads with a skinny tired bicycle, there are options better suited to this type of riding. I know some people who use their road bike as a gravel bike by simply switching out brakes and tires. If it's comfortable for the rider, why not? If it can handle the roads, I see no reason not to use it as a gravel bike.

Hybrid:
Hybrids may perhaps be the most perplexing of all the categories to me personally. As the name implies, it is a bike that brings together two different categories of bikes into one. What I find most interesting about this category is that a hybrid could lean more to the ride qualities of a road bike, or more to a mountain bike. It may also be completely upright as is sometimes the case, or it may have more of a racier stance in the saddle.

While most of the hybrids I see on the roads tend to sit pretty upright, there are a number of these type that have more of an aggressive posture while riding.

Cruiser:
Any bike that allows or maybe even necessitates a slower, cruising speed on two wheels could fall into this category, in my mind. Typically though, a Cruiser has 26" wheels and wider tires. They often have very upright handlebars and wider saddles as well. These bikes often have a more relaxed and upright riding position. They range from classic style conversions to those built new and found in bike shops all over the country.

Touring:
The Touring bike category may be the one that causes the most confusion and debate among cyclists. I think the definition truly depends on what the individual defines as "touring." So as to not confuse the starting point, I define touring as a bicycle to pedal long distances while staying overnight away from home between the starting point and the destination.

As such, a Touring bike is typically able to handle the load of both the riders weight as well as all of the goods needed for travel. This bike is typically heavier (more stout tubing to allow for the extra load) and geared in a manner that allows the rider to spin while carrying the excess weight. These bikes are often seen with multiple bags and/or panniers attached to the rear and/or front of the bike via racks and other contraptions.

While there are touring-specific bikes available for purchase, many use other categories of bikes for touring activities such as mountain or cross bikes. I think what matters most is that it's comfortable to the rider over long distances and that it can carry the weight needed for such travel.

Folding/Brompton/Bike Friday:
These tiny bicycles are the ideal solution for those with tight spaces and no room for bike storage. Built on 16" or 20" wheels (and sometimes, though infrequently, 24" wheels), these small bikes fold up even smaller, allowing for easy storage and travel.

I once knew a woman who carried her folding bike with her in her car in case of emergencies or the desire to take off on a quick ride. She said she never worried as long as she had her folding bike with her.

Fat Bike:
Fat bikes seem to be a category that has come up in the relatively recent past. They get their name from the very wide tires found on this sort of bike. Sand bikes, mud bikes, snow bikes all fall into this category for me. These bikes are built around wide forks (to allow for the bigger-than-average tires) and can be used with very low tire pressure, making them a good choice for traveling places that other types of bikes may not fare as well. Often this type of bike resembles the stance of a mountain bike and on many models it's easy to see the reflection of mountain bike history.

Cargo/Box Bike:
I'm going to include in this category a couple of different types of bikes. Longtails and box bikes don't look very similar, but their purposes are often along the same lines. Allowing for easier transportation of larger goods (or even people), those falling into this category are definitely the working-type of bicycle. While weight capacity varies depending on the manufacturer, their commonality is being able to haul the items we like to get around.

A box bike typically has a large box in front of the rider to carry the load and come as a two-wheeled, three-wheeled, or even four-wheeled bike, while a longtail or cargo typically holds the load in an extended portion behind the rider using an extra long wheelbase/frame and an extended rear rack.

While some people ride these types of bikes over long distances, most I have come across use these as around-town type transportation, to get groceries, to get small children around town and the like. Longtails are a little easier to use over longer distances because they don't have the bulk of a box bike.

BMX:
I don't hear as much as I used to in my youth about BMX bikes, but from my understanding they do still have a following and I do, on occasion, run into someone riding a BMX.

These bikes are recognized by their smaller size in relation to other adult-sized bikes on the market and sometimes resemble a small motorcycle (though not always). It makes sense though, since these bikes got their start as kids began emulating motocross racers by riding on dirt tracks. In the mid-70s and even into today, the BMX bike has had its own following. Within this category are a slew of different types of riding, but I won't get into that here.

Randonneuring (Rando)/Brevet:
Not to be confused with a touring bike, a rando bike is also ridden for long distances, and may at times include a stop over for sleep (depending on the distance), but the rando bicycle is one that carries far less weight (generally just a front bag or a rear bag) with the intention of finishing the ride sooner than later. In fact, on official brevets, there is a time limit so the rider must work to hit each check point in the allotted time frame.

Some people use their road bike as a rando bike, some people use their cross bike, and still others have very specific needs or desires in a randonneur bicycle and purchase or have one made specifically for these types of rides.

Fixed Gear (Fixie):
Ah, the fixed gear bike. It has a reputation of its own that conjures an image of the skinny pant wearing, beard-donning guy for some people. While the fixed gear may have been a hipsters dream, the bike has moved beyond that stereotype and different types of people are found riding fixed gear. Really, nearly any type of bike could be a fixed gear as it has to do with the hub and not the frame itself.

Single Speed:
Unlike a fixed gear, a single speed may very well have a freewheel, allowing the rider to spin the pedals backward without slowing the bike. However, a fixed gear could be categorized as a single speed as it has only one gear. Single speeds can also fall into other categories as there are many road and mountain bikers who like to ride single... and, there are many commuters who prefer this type of bike as well.

I would describe a single speed more as a sub-category or possibility within other categories and not necessarily a category of its own. However, since it is quite popular to refer to a bike as a single speed bike, it only makes sense to have an understanding of what we're discussing.

Recumbent ('Bent):
I will admit up front that I have little experience with this sort of ride, so I won't be horribly descriptive here because I realize there could be other sub-categories within this one as well. A recumbent though is a bicycle that sits low to the ground and has more of an automotive looking seat than a traditional saddle as found on most other bicycles. The rider sits toward the rear of the machine with legs extended out in front, sitting in more of a laid back position.

While it may seem like an odd position, those who ride recumbent praise the lack of strain on their hands and arms, and I've personally witnessed many of them kicking some booty on the roads. I've learned never to underestimate a person riding a recumbent. They can definitely haul when needed.

Trike:
A bicycle that is set up on three wheels would be categorized as a trike. I realize that by having three wheels, it is not longer technically a "bi cycle" but since we're discussing this in general terms, I think it's a valid option to bring up.

Most frequently, trike's are set up with two wheels in the rear and one in the front, but they are also built with one in the rear and two in the front. For those with stability issues, trikes can be a fantastic option for riding.

Usually, this type of bike is heavier and slower, and often used for short-distance travel. However, I have also had the opportunity to see road bikes, mountain bikes, fat bikes and others set up in a trike format, so they aren't all necessarily heavy and/or slower than other bikes.

If you don't have a headache yet from reading through all of this (how is that possible?!), I have great respect for you. It was a bit dizzying just typing it out and the descriptions are nowhere as detailed as they could be. As I thought I'd reached the end of my intended list, I would think of another to add and I have no doubt that I have still left off categories unintentionally. Even as I type, I realize I could probably categorize types like pedicabs and rickshaws as well, but for the time being, I'll leave those as a kind of sub-category of a cargo bike.

Through all of these descriptions, I realize that there is much in between or grey area. Not every category is absolute, and in fact depending on the person asked there could be a different answer given for particular categories. Some may feel quite strongly that a certain category should be defined other than the way it is described here, which is perfectly acceptable to me (and please, do share your thoughts in comments as I'm not attempting to be the absolute authority on such matters).

When a friend recently asked about what type of bicycle she should get, I couldn't help but pause for a long moment. This is truly a difficult question to answer when it comes to a person who hasn't ridden since his/her youth and who doesn't quite know yet what s/he will prefer. With so many categories and so many different possibilities for riding, how is one to offer up advice?

Of course, we start with questions about the intended use, but often a new rider isn't sure what they plan to do. When all else fails, most tend to recommend a mountain bike as it is capable, at least generally speaking, of being used anywhere a person wishes to go. After riding a mountain bike over long distances though, a rider may soon discover that they have need for something lighter and/or that allows them to get quicker speeds and into a more powerful position. S/he may also find that s/he prefers a different set up entirely. It is nearly impossible to get it right the first time, in my experience.

So, what is your favorite category of bike, or do you have a preferred style of riding? What other categories do you hear brought up that haven't been mentioned here? How do they differ and/or how are they similar to other categories? Who knew when we had our first banana seat or BMX that there would be so many choices to select from!

The Trekking/Butterfly Handlebar

When posting about the newer addition to the bike stable, the Velo Orange Campeur, I noted that I had opted to try out a set of handlebars that have awaited placement on a bike for some time. The right bike had not come along, but when the Campeur landed, the trekking handlebars seemed entirely appropriate.

*Image from Bike Touring News

While browsing, I've noted that there are a variety of manufacturers and retailers that sell their own sets of trekking handlebars. Nashbar, Dimension, Nitto, Dajia Cycle Works, Modolo are just a handful of the companies that have a version available. Since I haven't tried every style of these, I will state up front that the version I have are the Dajia Cycle Works variety. I've been told that the same handlebar sells under a variety of manufacturer names, but I don't have much to prove this as a statement of absolute truth. Most of the handlebars I've seen appear to have very similar positioning and bends (the exception being the Nitto version which appear more squared at the corners), so I'm not entirely certain that the exact manufacturer is of great importance if the products themselves are so similar.

I still haven't settled on a bar tape color... but I will, eventually. 

These handlebars are made of an aluminium composition. The 25.4mm stem clamp diameter may make them a challenge for some setups, but I've found if the diameter is too small, using a shim is helpful (and necessary) to get them to work with a variety of stem diameters. Since the bike these are set on has a 26.0mm clamp diameter, the shim works perfectly to make them snug.

This particular set measures 57 cm at the widest point, providing a broad stance. However, there are also lots of positions on the bars that are much narrower. For a mountain biker, the distance may not seem very wide at all, but for someone used to drops or more standard upright bars, there is a definite difference.  If a rider prefers a narrow position in a handlebar, there are positions on this bar that fit that need, but the widest points of the handlebars would likely go unused perhaps making them not an ideal option.

I'll admit, at first I was a little put off by how wide the bars ride, but over a relatively short time, I came to appreciate this quality. It's nice to get some leverage once in awhile and I feel a bit more in control of steering as well. Whether this is the handlebars themselves or a quality of the bike is up for debate. There are many positioning options available on these bars though and a rider doesn't have to live at the extreme outreaches of the bar.

While there are technically four hand positions, I find that I use a broad spectrum of space in between each of these, depending on the day and/or task. It seems a natural place to put my hands at the sides (the widest point) of the bar, much as one would with a northroad style or albatross handlebar, and I do spend a fair amount of time here depending on where I'm riding.

In traffic, it's a little more difficult to rely on that position as the brakes have been placed at the furthest position on the bars directly in front of me. So, while riding in higher traffic areas, I have found it more comfortable to be in the most outstretched positions with my fingers at the ready when braking becomes necessary.

If I have a little more space in traffic or I'm out on back roads, I find that my hands naturally tend to want to move around the corners/bends of the bars. When I feel the need to sit more directly upright, I use the portion of the bar directly in front of and closest to me.

As someone who needs to move her hands frequently when riding, having so many possibilities is really ideal. Even for those who don't have injuries or ailments that require position changes, it's a good idea not to stay in one position for too long to prevent strain, injuries, and just simply pain.

When these handlebars were set up, I wasn't entirely sure how to place them. They can be flipped over to ride on either side (neither side is really considered upside down), and they can be changed so that the opening point is closest to the rider (as in the first photo above) or flipped so that the opening is at the farthest point in front of the rider. I have seen these set up in each of these possibilities and they appear to work well, regardless of set up for the individual riders. I think it's more a matter of preference or what feels natural to the rider more than anything else.

I will note that I have tried these bars on a couple of different road bikes too. Both of these bikes were quite stable using a drop bar set up, but I didn't necessarily appreciate the trekking bars on each of these bikes the way I do on the Campeur. More specifically, the set up with the trekking bars worked decently on one of the road bikes, but the other seemed to make the bikes' handling more squirrelly. This could be a result of different body positioning on each bike, however.

Sitting more upright on a bike intended for speed doesn't seem to be a good combination with these handlebars - at least during my limited testing.  Granted, these are handlebars meant for long distance, multi-day cycling, so using them on a bike meant for faster rides is perhaps not ideal, depending on the situation and again on the riders preferences.

There are a lot of handlebars on the market to choose from for a variety of riding purposes, so I often find myself wondering what the benefit is of one type over another. As pointed out earlier, I think the biggest asset with these is the number of hand position possibilities. Beyond that, it becomes a matter of likes and dislikes as well as aesthetics. If a drop bar set up is working well for the rider, I see no true advantage to these handlebars. However, if the rider struggles with utilizing all the positions available or if one additional position may do the trick, these may be a set to try out.

After several months of near-daily use, I am really appreciating the qualities of these handlebars and finding them to be quite useful. I have not been able to take them on trips of great distances (yet), but for commuter/errand purposes and rides under 40mi/64km, they have worked well. They may not be a handlebar that meets every riders needs, but they are a nice alternative for those looking for multiple hand positions and perhaps even a wider handlebar.

If you've tried these on your own bike, I'd love to get your feedback in regard to what you've liked or haven't with this style of handlebar. Likewise, if you have questions, I will do my best to answer, or perhaps others can offer their expertise.

Finding a Touring Bike {Part 2}: Early Thoughts on the Velo Orange Campeur

*Note: This is the second part on finding a touring bike. If you don't care to read about the back-and-forth process of finding the Campeur, feel free to read from here, but if you have interest in reading about what I was considering as possible choices, you can find the first part of this post by clicking here.

Once I calmed myself down and stopped the incessant searching, I realized that I had made a choice and I needed to give it a fair shake before I began another hunt. What sort of crazy person buys a frame and then continues to look? {Points fingers at self and says, "This gal."}

Anyway, with so many parts around the house, I had to buy very little to get the Campeur built up. I needed a crank, a bottom bracket, cables, and a headset to get it completed (In truth, we had a bb and crank I could've used, but I opted to go ahead and buy another regardless). As much as I wanted to blow every dime I had available to build this up with parts I could drool over, I wasn't ready to invest in new (nor expensive) parts when I wasn't sure the bike would work for me. I'd rather get it built up with minimal expense and then upgrade or change as things move along. Call me overly unnerved by this project, but I just couldn't bring myself to pony up the dough.

The day the Velo Orange Campeur arrived, I ripped into the box. I think the grey color is a wonderful choice. It's difficult to dislike anything that's fairly neutral and that can go with any color. It leans just a bit to the purple side of grey, but not enough to be noticeable in passing (or at least, this is what others have stated to me). I was immediately surprised by the lightness of the frame, but then quickly realized it was because the fork was not attached. As I grabbed the fork, I realized how long it had been since I'd separately held a steel fork in my grip. It isn't light, but lightness isn't its point either.

[As a quick side note, I've read in a few locations that the Campeur stickers along the top tube are under the clear coat; however, mine arrived with stickers on top, making them easily removable. This may have been an update to later versions at the request of potential buyers. I honestly don't know. I may or may not keep the sticker, but it doesn't bother me either way at present, so we'll see what develops. I haven't quite decided if it's kitschy or cute, but either way it is "different," and I tend to like the unusual.]

A couple of days later, the bike was assembled (I am seriously impatient - thank goodness Sam knows this and hopped to it with the build), and it was the first opportunity I had to see what it would look like in person as a whole bike. I felt it looked a bit a hodge-podge of parts, despite the fact that it wasn't built as oddly as one might think from random pieces sitting around. It was and is perfectly functional, even if I'd have preferred different choices had I been willing to drop the cash. Even the bar tape turned into a mix of three different colors; but it looked both stout and still kept a bit of a vintage, clean feel, I would say. I use stout in a hardy sense, not in a derogatory manner because this bike seems ready to take on anything.

An experiment with cloth bar tape - for me, I think the cloth would work better over something more cushioned.

I was concerned though that it wouldn't fit properly and I wouldn't have an opportunity to find out how it actually rides. Thankfully, that was not the case.

The first venture out was just on an errand in town. I was rather surprised by the Campeur's spritely feel. I imagined that it would provide more a dead ride, given that it is a touring bike, but instead I found it easy to pedal and maneuver, yet it wasn't twitchy or squirrely - rather non-specific descriptors, I suppose, but often used to describe some bikes. I enjoyed the stable feeling, reminding me somewhat, though not entirely, of my Rivendell Sam Hillborne. But I will get to that comparison in a bit.

At some point, the bar tape will all be the same color, but I couldn't find a single color - nor two single colors - in storage to make it all the way around these very large handlebars.

I have had a set of trekking handlebars sitting around for some time. I've not been entirely sure what I wanted to use them on, but thought this was the perfect bike on which to test them. We had flipped and flopped and tried to situate these to give me the most comfort since they can be used in whichever manner suits the rider. To date, I still don't know if these will stay or go on this bike, or if they'll get more adjustment, but the bars themselves will be a tale for another post. In short, I can say that I do like all of the hand position possibilities on these - particularly as I have need to move my hands frequently.

The Campeur was ridden for a few weeks around town and running errands before I took it out for more of a "real" test. It had easily passed the around town bike assessment, but I wanted to know how it would feel on longer rides. I have learned that I really do prefer to have bikes that can work for multiple purposes. While they may be "assigned" a task in the fold, I prefer having the ability to use a bike for more than one job.

It took a bit to be able to go on any length of a ride. Due to some physical issues I've been dealing with, long rides are not exactly on my to-do list at the moment. But, I needed to know how this bike would fare over distance and a longer time in the saddle.

So, one dreary day, I decided that even if I had to stop more than I'd prefer, I was going to take it out for a more duty-driven test, and thankfully, all went well. It was not the sort of test that an actual multi-day tour would provide, but it gave me comfort knowing that the bike is capable and that I am able to situate myself to maintain at least a reasonable distance riding the Campeur.

I am truly in awe of this bike's ability during descents. I haven't owned or ridden many bikes that felt so entirely stable, regardless of speed, while plummeting downhill. In fact, if it weren't for the little voice inside telling me to slow down before something unexpected happens, I'd have no reason to slow at all. But, that is my own hang-up, not the bike, so for those who enjoy their 40-50+ mph descents, I think this is a fantastic possibility.

What has struck me about this bike is how I feel when riding it. I mentioned earlier that I am compelled to compare it to the Hillborne, and there is good reason for that. They are similar bikes and intended for somewhat similar purposes, but I find a different feel and pedaling quality on each.

One of the first comments Sam made as he followed me on one of our rides in town was that I was pedaling around like a rocket. "I guess the new bike suits you," was his comment, after which he proceeded to further explain that he was pushing to keep up.

I laughed a bit, as I know he can easily out pedal me, but understood his point entirely. I felt faster on this bike than on the Hillborne, whether I was physically quicker or not. To be clearer about the speed element, after a few tests trying to directly compare velocity, I'm not sure that either is physically faster than the other. I realize this has much more to do with the engine pedaling than the bike itself, but I'm always curious if my speeds increase when using one over another.

However, I do feel faster on the Campeur, which is an interesting bit on its own. I'm nearly incessantly trying to figure out what it is that causes one bike to seem easier to pedal or quicker than another. Many will argue different aspects of a frame, components, or the geometry itself, but I will leave that to others to decide as I am by no stretch an expert in such areas. The one thing I came to realize during the comparison rides of Hillborne vs Campeur was that they each provide their own distinct ride.

I wouldn't say I prefer one over the other, but more that they are simply different. In some ways, I have likened it a bit to an on versus in feeling. A strange way to explain the differences, but in some ways it feels an appropriate means to describe just that. I struggle really to find a better way to provide descriptors of the way they each feel/ride.

My "hobo" Campeur, in all its glory.

While perhaps both bike options could be described in terms of a "Cadillac-y" feel, the Campeur, in my experience thus far, seems to have more ability for quicker pick up. There is more of an immediate reaction to effort than there is on the Hillborne, I'd say. I suppose this is in part why I feel as though I'm "on" the Campeur and have more ability to push it, while I feel more "in" the Hillborne, as though I'm kind of just along for the ride and pushing is a bit more effortful.

In regard to the actual build of the two (since I am comparing them), letting alone the physical geometry, there are a few items that differ. The Hillborne is built with 650b wheels, while the Campeur sports 26" wheels (I will note this is only true of the two smallest sizes as the larger ones have 700c wheels). They both have wide-set handlebars, though the Campeur's is the wider of the two (by a few centimeters). The Hillborne has bar end shifters, while the Campeur has thumb shifters. In respect to drivetrain, they have very similar builds and each has a triple crank (the Hillborne has a 26-36-50, while the Campeur sports 26-36-46) and 11-34 cassettes.

Neither of these bikes have been weighed recently, but when picking them up, it is apparent that the Campeur is far weightier than the Hillborne as it is currently built (as in, there is an audible grunt when I pick up the Campeur). Despite this reality, I still find the ride more lively.

I do feel as though I may lean over the handlebars a bit more on the Campeur (something I cannot do with the Hillborne because of its extra long top tube), but it has not been something that has bothered me, and in fact this is what I hoped for as a possibility with a shorter top tube (for reference, the Campeur has a top tube measuring 2.5cm shorter than the Hillborne).The leaning may partially be due to the handlebars selected as well. An extra tall stem was used in the build, believing that I'd need to get the bars up higher, but it's actually set at the lowest point possible for this frame (I may need to get a shorter stem at some point if this begins to feel too high).

It may seem a bit odd, as I mention my hand and wrist problems with regularity, that I would want a more leaned over position; however, what I appreciate about this bike is that I have the ability to both be upright and to change the set up to a more leaned over posture, if wanted and/or when my hands will allow it. I should also note that my "leaned over" stance is a far different position than most riders, as I still sit in a fairly upright position regardless of set up.

I stand at just slightly over 63 3/4 inches/162 centimeters with mildly shorter legs - for a female anyway (My PBH is 78cm for those who use this method) - and the 47cm Campeur fits me well. There is plenty of standover and I don't feel squeezed in, nor do I feel the reach is too far.

There was some experimentation that took place with handlebar stems. I have tried a 50cm, 60cm, and an 80cm reach. The 80cm, with the handlebars currently in use, was a bit too stretched for my liking. The 50cm seemed a bit short. Using the 60cm at the moment feels just about right, but again, I think this has more to do with the particular set up and handlebars selected.  If I were to set the bike up with handlebars (and perhaps more importantly, brakes) closer to the rider, a longer stem would likely be more suitable.

For some, I know there is a bit of a debate when it comes to threaded versus threadless stems (even in the first part of this post the subject arose), especially for a touring bike. I personally prefer the look of a quill stem to the more easily found threadless variety, but I also understand that there are pros and cons to either option. For me, my decision was not based purely on the quill stem, and I don't view it as a reason to pass over the Campeur as an option either; however, if it is important to the individual to have threadless, it is something to keep in mind. It is also possible to use a stem converter if this is truly a deal breaker.

In looking at the photos of the Campeur build, an oddity with the front rack may be noticed. Eventually, a front bag will sit atop the rack (if I can ever decide what it is that I'd like to see on this bike), but I didn't want to purchase a new front rack for the time being, knowing that I have a perfectly good one available. The problem was that the arms of the rack didn't quite reach the eyelets. While we could likely have taken this to a shop and had the arms bent (though I'm not sure even bending would have resolved the reach issue), we decided to go with a home solution.

Perhaps some of the sharp edges should be filed down, but they haven't caused any issues as of yet.

Instead of bending the arms, we added small pieces of metal to "stretch" the arms to meet the eyelets. If the front were going to be loaded up with a great deal of weight, I wouldn't use this method (nor this rack), but it is surprisingly sturdy for a home remedy and will hold the potential few pounds carried in a front bag.

Since I have yet to select a front bag, I cannot speak to how the Campeur will handle a front load, but I suspect it will do just fine from the few things I've traveled with attached to the rack.

One other point of note, particularly for this smallest sized Campeur, is that it actually does come with three water bottle mounts (something rarely obtained on small frames). I haven't as of yet mounted a cage or bottle, so I cannot confirm the size of bottle it will hold (though my guess is that it will be only a very short one, simply due to clearance issues), but I was thrilled to discover this as a feature I hadn't anticipated when I ordered the frame.

Over time, I will replace parts and pieces that are more to my liking, but I have to say it is a fine machine as it stands. Despite having other preferences for parts I'd like to see on this bike, I have found that because it is such a great ride, I am perfectly happy to wait things out and select pieces a bit at a time.

A good indicator for me when it comes to my enjoyment of a bike is when I choose it over another option. When a bike is new, it is sometimes easy to select it over another because there is a certain level of excitement, but I have had many bikes that, despite my fervor or infatuation with them, were ignored or avoided. I can already sense that this is not one of those bikes.

It is still early in our time together, but I find I almost have to force myself to ride something other than the Campeur. It just seems to do a lot of things well. It's not a race bike, but beyond that it is capable of handling dirt roads with ease, performing well over longer distances, and it does a great job of getting this rider around town in comfort. It's even seen me through a hail storm and several rainy days without issue (other than perhaps some squealing brake pads).

During one of my early trips running errands around town on this bike, I was sitting stopped at a signal waiting to make a left turn when a car pulled up on my right side to cross. A few seconds later, the driver rolled down his window to ask about my saddlebag, but then quickly took notice of the bike itself. "Looks like you have yourself a fine touring bike there," he exclaimed, interrupting himself mid-inquiry.

We finished our chat quickly as the signal had changed, but it's an example of the sort of reaction this bike seems to get. It isn't the first thing a person may notice, but after spending a few moments taking it in, the bike is recognized as a solid, good looking machine that is perfectly capable of a variety of tasks.

I am particularly pleased to find such a smooth bike frame for a reasonable price. I was willing to wait and even continue to save for a more expensive choice, but I am truly pleased that I took the risk with the Campeur. I haven't always had the best of luck with buying-before-riding, and it may not be the choice for every rider, but I continue to look forward to using this bike.

It should be a strong point to anyone reading that I have yet to actually tour with this bike. My opinions of it at this point in time are early and are not based on riding a loaded bike over long distances. I think it's important to point this out because after a loaded tour, my thoughts could change. However, if someone were looking for a bike to commute on with some panniers or a front bag, or to take on an overnight camping trip with minimal luggage, I think my tests thus far -at least for myself- have shown the Campeur quite capable.

As we have more time together, I'll likely have more to say about this bike, but in the meantime, it's a bike I wouldn't hesitate to recommend trying. If you happen to be close to Velo Orange or a dealer that carries built stock, take one for a spin and let me know what you think... or if you have owned a Velo Orange, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on their product(s) as well.  Additionally, if there's anything I may have missed, please feel free to ask away and I'll do my best to answer.

Finding a Touring Bike {Part 1}: So Many Choices

"I don't know why I can't make a decision!" It simply came bursting out of me with little control one evening as I sat debating the next bike purchase. I'd already been knee-deep so to speak in research for several months, and had been purging bikes from the herd for some time as well. I'd even contemplated annoying others, trying to reach some sort of conclusion that made sense.

The idea of another bike was both exciting and entirely stressful.  I was finally ready, or so I thought, to make a decision and the choice was the one thing I found myself incapable of making. My biggest fear in purchasing a new bicycle is having it go awry and finding myself in a situation that requires starting over (again). I wanted this one to be right - or as right as it could possibly be.

*Image found here - Surly loaded to tour

This notion of touring has been stirring in me for a couple of years now. While it is unlikely at this point that I would be able to take off on a several week or month long adventure, I do think it's entirely possible that I could escape for a few days and see where my legs take me. The hiccup in this idea is finding the right bike for the job.

The Rivendell Sam Hillborne seems like an appropriate choice, but as has been discussed prior, the top tube is too long for me to get more than about 40mi/65km - and that's pushing the limits of what my body is willing to tolerate. In the days following such a ride, I am often ill-equipped to ride again until my upper body mends.

As I browsed initial options, there were a lot of possibilities to consider - even more than the list here. Just do a quick search for "touring bicycles" and it's easy to become overwhelmed. I looked at and more seriously considered bike possibilities from Soma, Co-Motion, Salsa, Velo Orange, Surly, Rivendell, and I thought about custom options from Bruce Gordon  and even another Rodriguez. I also looked through used bicycles on Craigslist and eBay, thinking that perhaps there would be a good option in an older, steel Trek or other bicycle. I figured there's no reason to buy a new bike if something used will work just as well.

Realizing quickly that the list was already too long, I began narrowing down the possibilities. I really didn't want to look at a custom bike at this point. Having never toured, it just didn't make sense to spend the sort of money that would be necessary for a custom. Until I have some experience under my belt, and better understand what I like or don't, I really couldn't justify a custom bike for this purpose.

Rivendell Atlantis - *Image via Rivendell

Eventually, the list was narrowed down to include the Surly Long Haul Trucker, Rivendell Atlantis, a Velo Orange Camargue or Campeur, or finding a used bike that would work.

The one bit of wisdom most touring cyclists seem to share is that the "best" touring bike is one that you can/will ride and that is comfortable (of course, that wisdom is true of any bike). Obviously, there are other needs for touring, such as being able to carry the weight of the load for a tour, and for me, I wanted to be sure that I wouldn't be on a bike that was neither too big nor too small.

One problem with my narrowed down list was the ability to test ride. There were only two bikes available for testing locally: the Surly LHT and second-hand bike possibilities. Sam owned a Long Haul Trucker that I was able to ride in the past, so it was the one bike I didn't feel the need to actually test. I'd also considered it as an option after extensive test riding before ultimately purchasing my Sam Hillborne. The other possibility, a used bike, would be difficult to pin down locally, but if I could find one it would be the perfect opportunity to test ride before purchase.

I have never ridden Rivendell's Atlantis, but I like the ride quality of my Hillborne and I liked the Homer Hilsen, so I kept this in the mix. The Atlantis has a shorter top tube which would make it easier to set up and ride long distances. I had also never ridden any Velo Orange bicycle. These two possibilities from VO were the options that scared me most on the list because it would be a dive into the complete unknown.

After more research, I wanted to narrow down the two VO options to just one. I had done a lot of mental (and verbal, to the utter annoyance of poor Sam) back and forth between the Camargue and the Campeur. I was fine with either the quill or the threadless stem, but what had begun to sink in was reading on a website that the smallest Campeur had an effective top tube of 53cm, which seemed a tad long for me. I also feared the forward/down sloping top tube. In the past, this hasn't been a good position for me. It is technically a horizontal top tube, but I could see from photos that there was a tendency to lean down toward the handlebars.

While the Campeur seemed like a great possibility, I dropped it off the list because I feared some of the potential pitfalls. The Camargue, however, had the choice of a 51 or 52cm effective top tube and the top tube had more of an upward slope, an angle that seemed more reasonable for my needs. It also had the possibility of wider tires which had me thinking that it would make riding on dirt and rocks easier.

Velo Orange Camargue - *Image via Velo Orange

And so it came that I had the list narrowed to the LHT, the Atlantis, the Camargue, or a used, yet-to-be-discovered option.

In addition to this soon-to-be bicycle functioning as the touring bike, it also needed to work as a city bike. Of course, just about anything that works as a touring bike could also easily do double duty as a city bike, but the idea of comfort and hauling became the primary mission of this future bike.

Thoughts of my comfort on the current Rivendell were circling. If the top tube was just a bit shorter, perhaps that would make the difference and the Atlantis could be the ideal bike? The more I pondered this option though, the more I thought of it inline with the cost of a custom frame and decided that I probably wasn't ready to plunk down that sort of money for a bike that I would be using as a means to gauge my interest in touring, and if I were going to spend, perhaps a custom would be a better route to go anyway.

So, it was down to the LHT, the Camargue, and the possibility of a used find. I held out hope for finding something used, but realized that it was unlikely that something in the proper small size would materialize, so I viewed the potentials as a list of two. Two fine bicycles. Two great options.

As I'd wander back and forth between Surly and VO's website, I couldn't help but continue to glance at the Campeur. I had to admit I was drawn to it, but I had eliminated it for solid reasons, and so I would have brief thoughts of selecting this frame, but then return to the debate between the aforementioned two.

One day, I decided I just needed to make a decision. The back and forth, the pros and cons, the unknown possibilities were getting to me. I had decided that the LHT was going to be my bike. For better or worse, the choice needed to happen.

Surly Disc Trucker - *Image via Surly Bikes

I went to a local bike shop and quickly learned that the proper size was not available. At home, I did more research and realized that every location seemed to be unable to obtain the size needed. I thought I had my hands on one for a brief moment, and quickly learned that it was in fact already spoken for. Because of the dock strikes out west, there were backups and delays for manufacturers with frames made overseas. If I wanted the LHT, I was going to have to wait.

Time is an interesting component to decisions. The longer I had to think, the more I thought back to the ride of the LHT. I had recalled liking the bike, but also remembered that it had a heavier, slower, more "dead" feel to it. I also recalled feeling in between two sizes with one feeling a bit small and the next up feeling too large. There are ways to work with this, but I would prefer an option that was a bit more precise.  The more I thought, I wasn't entirely sure that the LHT would be the best option.

While I continued to look for a used possibility, I went back to the Camargue. Maybe it was a better choice? Since I had the time, I continued to debate.

It was about this time that I received some information from MG and friends of Chasing Mailboxes. MG was very kind and accommodating with my request in which I asked for thoughts and feelings regarding the Atlantis, the Camargue, and the LHT. The information she sent was both extremely beneficial and added to my internal dilemma. As I went through all the information I'd gathered, and re-read the thoughts received from MG, I was struck by a statement from one of her friends who stated that he believed he preferred the Campeur to the Camargue for touring, unless the rider needed extra stout tubing and/or really big tires.

Would I ever actually ride on rocks? I mean, who am I trying to kid... this is me we're talking about. Dirt is about the extent of my off-road riding, so how wide a tire would I actually need? And, at this juncture, any touring I would be doing would either be supported partially or completely, or it would be for only a few days at most with minimal packing.

I went back to look at the geometry of the Campeur and realized that the measurement listed for the top tube was actually 52cm, not 53cm as I'd previously believed. In reality, it was not a bad starting point at all. In addition, the quill stem would allow me to raise the handlebars up as needed with ease. It looked as though I may have given up on this option too quickly.

Sam had grown weary of my debating. He was patient though as I spoke fondly of one choice and then switched over to the next, and I'd even sucked him into reading about the different possibilities. While he was hesitant to tell me what to do (partially, I'm sure, because he didn't want to influence my decision or feel responsible if the choice didn't work out), I continued to press for his thoughts. He believed that he would go with one of the two VO options as it was difficult to find anyone with anything bad to say about either. I certainly couldn't disagree with that statement.

Still, it's difficult to choose something that I've never ridden. After having very little luck finding something used that I could actually ride before buying, I decided that I had to make a choice. What was the worst that would happen? The frame would arrive and be built up and it wouldn't work. Yes, I was trying to avoid this problem, but without making a decision, I'd never know.

And with that thought, I hovered the mouse cursor over the online cart. I couldn't believe how sick I was feeling about making this decision, but I was ready to move on with life and other happenings, and this was taking up far too much time during my days.

"I'm going to do it," I announced to Sam, my face grimacing. Hardly the sort of feeling one wants to have when making such an exciting purchase. "Really. I'm going to get it." He just laughed and told me, "Just do it already."

And with that, the decision was made. I pressed the checkout button and decided to move on with life. "It's done. No turning back now, right?" I'm not usually so slow or fretful when making bike decisions, but this decision seemed to really weigh on me as though my life depended on it in some way. Sam reassured me that it would be fine - regardless of the outcome.

The frame coming my way was the Velo Orange Campeur.  I was excited. I was nervous. I was hopeful. And then, I went back to looking at other options for a brief time, thinking that perhaps I'd made the wrong decision... but, what could I do about it now?

*Note: I'll have the second part of this post up soon, which will include more specific information on the bike itself and less of my rambling-indecisiveness.

The second part of this post is up now and can be found by clicking here.

Summer Bicycle Touring

In the past, I have mentioned that I would very much like to do a short bicycle tour. While I'm not one to take off for weeks or months at a time to engage in a bicycle trek, I really would love to go for a few days and simply take in scenery and see how a shorter adventure would go. At the moment, I'm trying to work my mental state up to the idea of going on a short tour early next summer, possibly travelling from San Diego to the central coast of California. Why Cali? Well, I'm somewhat familiar with the state having grown up there, but I also know that there's so much I haven't seen. Additionally, the weather tends to stay more moderate, so I wouldn't have to worry as much about extreme heat and cool (at least in the summer). I also have relatives up and down the coast, so if all hell broke loose, I know there would be someone to rescue me. Sam, whether he likes it or not, will likely be suckered into this adventure with me (though I am fairly certain he would want to come along regardless), so that will allow a partner on the roads to help keep me moving along. I have also had the opportunity to take the scenic Hwy 1 route from Oregon down through northern California and it was quite beautiful (though not by bike as it was many years ago), so I thought perhaps trying out a southern route by bicycle could be a great option.

A bicycle tour likely wouldn't include a lot of this... but it might be a great time!

While this is the area that is currently in my head to do a short tour, I am open to other locations, and thought perhaps others might have suggestions on a good route to try out for a 2-5 day bicycle tour.   I'm also concerned about the southern Hwy 1 route in California. From the quick reads I have done online, it looks as though that route goes either back inland significantly (which I would prefer to avoid), or it travels through some rather iffy terrain with few directional signs (it seems more than one individual has become lost on this route).

web survey

Another option to get some experience and not be gone for days would be to try out a quick over night locally - basically traveling as far as I can in a day, camping, and coming home. This option is probably the most sensible in the immediate future, and while I'm open to the idea of starting such a trip before summer ends, I still think I'd like to have a slightly longer one at some point in the future. What do you think? If you were going to do such a trip, would you want to try out a shorter time period close to home first, or would you just go for a longer round first so you don't talk yourself out of it? I think I'm somewhere on the fence with this, so thoughts are certainly welcomed.

Me? Touring? I Think it's Possible

"It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus, you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle. - Ernest Hemingway

Recently, I've truly been hung up on the idea of bicycle touring. I've talked about it in the past in an idealized kind of way, but I'd really like to get serious about it, so that hopefully I can actually do this in the next year. I'm not ready to take on an entire cross-country kind of tour (both time and money won't permit that presently), but I'd love to start small (like traveling parts of the state) and see how things go. There's something about the idea of living off of only what I can carry that truly intrigues me. 

It hasn't helped matters that I've been reading Around the United States by Bicycle written by Claude C. Murphy (who is one of the cyclists in the book), which basically gives the run down of a bicycle tour taken by two young guys (age 19 and 20) in the early 1900s. Their mission:  to hit every state in a wager they decided to take on. They rode more than 13,000 miles over the course of their tour, and on bicycles not nearly as comfortable as today's.  The book has its amusing portions, but much of it also reads more like a diary of the happenings in each place they stop. Perhaps not the most riveting book choice, but I'm fascinated nonetheless by their travels.

So, for the time being I'm soaking up information on touring, getting in as much riding as I can, and looking forward to the day when I can take off on a bit of a longer adventure via bike.  I'm not sure logistically how I can make this happen (have to find someone to dog-sit while away, and have enough time to go for an extended trip, not to mention extra money for whatever needs arise along the way), but I think it's definitely doable. If nothing else, it gives me something to look forward to planning. As always, I'm up for suggestions from those who have toured (both shorter and longer stints). 

A 10-City Bike Tour Trip through Holland

Today I received an interesting announcement:  an opportunity for a couple of readers to potentially bike through Holland's towns and countryside. If you'd be interested in such a trip, please take a read below.  Sounds like it could be great fun, and a wonderful opportunity!  Here is the message...

For the first time ever, the Netherlands Board of Tourism and Conventions (NBTC), KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Schiphol) have created a 10-City Bike Tour of Holland using KLM’s iconic ceramic blue houses as inspiration for the trail! And now we’re on the search for two incredible duos to bike their way through Holland, serving as travel hosts and sharing their experiences online with our thousands of fans across the globe!

We’re looking for entries that showcase engaging on-air personalities, prove the team’s adept biking ability, and of course, demonstrates a passion for Holland! Audition videos can be uploaded and entered via Holland or KLM’s Facebook pages starting today through May 1, so to enter this unique trip of a lifetime, upload your audition video today!

We will announce the two winning biking teams and how readers can follow their adventures (and win special prizes just for watching!) in mid-May, so be on the lookout for a second announcement in a few weeks!

To enter or find out more info about this exciting contest, please go to either http://www.facebook.com/visitholland or http://www.facebook.com/KLMUSA.

Please feel free to pass this information on to others who might have interest. I hope some people will take the opportunity to look into this, as it sounds fascinating. Good luck!

Local Couple Cycle Across the U.S.

I'm not entirely sure how I missed this article, but the Times-Call wrote a story a few weeks ago about a local couple who decided to take an 87-day "vacation," and bicycle from Yorktown, Virginia, to Florence, Oregon. Apparently, they started cycling again after moving to Colorado 17 years ago.

What an amazing trip it must have been! Just to see the countryside from a different perspective is a treat, but to see so much of it, and during a gorgeous time of year, well, that's just icing on the cake.