Yo Bill, as one 65 year old fart to another, you're gonna have a
blast. I have to say that because I'm about to do the Colorado segment with
another 65 yr old. We gotta stick together.
I like the comments so far. Food for thought is wonderful when you
have that hunger of anticipation. Patrick made a good point. If you've ever
thought ultralight now's the time. And keep as much off the front as
possible. It's much easier to push a loaded bike without awkwardly
bulgeous front panniers. There's less manhandling, which can be
exhausting. If you can forgo the front panniers altogether do it.
Which leads me to a suggestion. Get a Nitto lampholder 2-70 (SJS
Cycles) and hang a Nelson long flap or Camper off of it. This makes pushing
uphill much more manageable as your legs don't end up knocking into the
panniers when the bike is being unwieldly. Here is a lampholder in action
on the front of my Condor touring bike (with front panniers in this
instance) and then my set up on the Dave Bohm in steep country:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/24722971@N05/34136413404/in/album-72157684433492685/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/24722971@N05/2619731131/in/album-72157605875983685/
The Condor has small front panniers (Carradice Super C's) on this
particular trip. Sometimes I like front panniers because I carry a lot of
water here in desert country. Up there in the northern country water is
less of an issue. Since you're going on an organized tour I'd ask one of
the leaders what he/she thinks about this. A light front end in rough
country is handy.
As far as bears go I've not had any experience with bear spray but I
have had experience with bears. I take a marine whistle. These things are
killer loud and they make bears go away in rapid retreat. At least brown
bears. You might just piss off a grizzly. At which point you'd probably
wish you'd brought bear spray.
https://www.campmor.com/c/harmony-tornado-t2000-marine-whistle
As you're on an organized tour you probably won't need these things but I
always bring a chain tool, a headset/pedal wrench combo, and a crank
wrench. Have never had a bottom bracket come loose but have had cranks
loosen up. Have also had a loose headset or two. Weird things happen on
rough roads.
I prefer rain capes to rain jackets. Don't care about wet legs. But
that is a desert adaptation. You're less worried about warmth and capes are
much cooler when riding. They also make a great mini-tent when you sit
cross-legged and wait out a storm.
Have fun.
Craig in Tucson
On Friday, May 11, 2018 at 3:52:24 PM UTC-7, Bill Schairer wrote:
>
> Just received final confirmation (on my 65th birthday) from AC that our
> tour from Banff to Whitefish on the GDMBR is officially a go. I have been
> excitedly prepping myself and my Atlantis for this adventure. Hanging from
> the frame will be:
>
>
> Bruce Gordon front and rear racks
>
> VO decaleur front rack
>
> 3 cheapo/clearance water bottle cages from Nashbar
>
> B17 saddle, very well broken in and so comfortable
>
> Sugino triple 46/36/24
>
> Shimano A530 pedals (spd one side, platform the other)
>
> Suntour Cyclone FD
>
> Suntour VGT RD
>
> Suntour bar-end friction shifters
>
> Shimano HG-400-9 12-36 cassette
>
> Crane Creek brake levers on Specialized 40mm drop bars (swapped from
> stoker position on tandem for Albastache)
>
> Shimano cantilever brakes
>
> Deore LX 32/36 hubs laced by RL to Velocity Synergy 700C rims
>
> Schwalbe Mondial 50mm tires (measure at 47-48 @ 40 psi on the Velocity
> rims)
>
>
> I’ve decided against fenders because clearance is so tight, I am not sure
> I can fit them in the bike box, it will simplify break down and reassembly
> (which I’ll be doing myself), and it will reduce toe overlap. I may decide
> to borrow 40 hole, White Industries, Velocity Dyad front wheel from tandem
> but probably not. I’ll box the bike myself in a Bikeflights cardboard box
> and check for $25 on Alaskan Airlines.
>
> May opt for a smaller water bottle on the bottom - that’s pretty tight.
> 40+ year old Kirtland handlebar bag, Beckman front and rear panniers. I
> suspect there will be some modifications yet as I ride and fiddle.
> Certainly, this is no UL rig but I can and have lifted it over obstacles as
> much as 2 ft high. Maybe I'll be lucky and get a "whatever it takes"
> comment.
>
> I have plenty of touring experience but do not have a lot of off-pavement
> experience. I have been doing some practicing here in San Diego to try to
> get ready. I have successfully taken this unloaded up a about half-mile
> 15-22% gravel grade but only made it up about half way on my one and only
> loaded attempt. Pushing the rest of the way was no picnic. I will try again
> doubtlessly. I’m a little concerned about climbs like this at altitude but
> one way or another, I’ll manage. Interestingly (to me), I’ve found riding
> loaded on gravel is easier for me (except for steepest grades) than
> unloaded. I don’t have to concentrate so much on keeping my weight back or
> worry about lifting the front wheel. The load also seems to smooth out the
> rough a bit and the ride feels more stable to me. It is harder to correct
> my line if I lose it though, especially climbing.
>
>
> As excited as I am, my wife is a bit peeved as I start on her birthday.
> I’ve tried to explain that this is when the tour is offered so there really
> wasn’t any choice and I’m getting to the point in life where I have to stop
> dreaming of doing these things and just do them.
>
>
> Oh, and other RBW content, MUSA pants will double as my off bike pants and
> rain/wind pants. My wife even gave me another pair for my birthday because
> she knows I like them so much. Sorry for the length of post but I’m excited!
>
>
> Unloaded and loaded (projected) attached?
>
>
> Bill
>
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