Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Stephen Edmondson]

I bought without riding first. But, I did ride a Homer, Sam and Cheviot 
ahead of time thanks to some local owners. This gave me a good point of 
reference for overall feel and I knew how I wanted the bike setup. What did 
it for me was calling in and chatting with Will. Had all my questions 
answered and got the info I needed. Would recommend.

Already thinking about n+1. Whenever that happens I'm planning on visiting 
HQ.

-Stephen in Dallas

On Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 7:25:17 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> It was the first thing everyone told me when I moved here and said I was 
> joining the bike club. One of the survivors is in my women’s group.
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jan 19, 2026, at 9:01 PM, George Schick  wrote:
>
> While most of your cycling experience among these SW Michigan people has 
> been great and friendly, please don't forget about the very tragic event 
> that occurred ten years ago on one of those very K-zoo roads which you ride 
> where 5 cyclists were run over and killed by some drugged-up redneck in a 
> pickup truck up driver.  He's in prison for life now, but that does not 
> mean that there aren't more of the same out there.  You can't be too 
> careful out there.
>
>
> https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/kzoo-bc/kalamazoo/kalamazoo-bike-tragedy-victims-remembered-six-years-later-through-memorial-ride
>
>
> On Monday, January 19, 2026 at 7:37:06 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> Mine was a total lapse in judgment. Impulse buy of the highest order.  I 
>> never test rode it and barely knew what a Charlie looked like; I just read 
>> the copy and felt like it had been written for ME. I had been mulling over 
>> getting a road bike and the day of the pre-sale the idea hit me like 
>> lightning and I did it. Reckless. 
>>
>> But, now I’m in love with Charlie and nothing can come between us. Not 
>> even my husband, who hates Charlie and calls him “Chuck” because he is 
>> jealous of the wild times we’ve been having together.
>>
>> I hope you are getting one of these, Jim, because you won’t be 
>> disappointed, and it’s a bike that is actually in stock at Riv. Let us know 
>> if you adopt one.
>> L
>>
>> On Jan 19, 2026, at 8:14 PM, Jim Schultz  wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>> Hi all - apologies for resurrecting this thread, but wanted to know if 
>> most of you CHG owners ended up buying the bike sight unseen w/o a test 
>> ride? Was it a leap of blind faith?
>> On Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 4:14:41 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding 
>> Ding! wrote:
>>
>>> Chester,
>>> Yes, a camera would be nice. The Varia had some version of that for $400 
>>> but there was a bunch of drawbacks I briefly read about so didn’t purchase. 
>>> One of the gals in my club said her friend has VR glasses or whatever they 
>>> are called these days and she would turn her head to look at the license 
>>> plate and command the glasses to take a photo. Worked brilliantly!
>>>
>>> Drivers seem to have less patience this time of year. We are only riding 
>>> in daylight hours now, of which there are not many. And snow is in the 
>>> forecast this weekend. Sigh.
>>>
>>> On Nov 4, 2025, at 9:37 PM, Chester  wrote:
>>>
>>> 
>>>
>>> On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 4:37:18 AM UTC-7 Ryan Fleming wrote:
>>>
>>> Yikes Leah! What's up with these guys?!...yes I've had similar things 
>>> happen to me...too bad you didn't get his license plate and report the son 
>>> of a bitch. If that Varia helps to keep you and your riding buddies safe, 
>>> it's a good investment...a camera app would be nice :)
>>>
>>>
>>> Ryan: not sure if you're bringing up having a camera in addition to, or 
>>> in, a Varia, the Varia RCT715 model has radar, light, and camera integrated 
>>> in it. 1080p/30fps. 
>>>
>>> https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/721258/
>>>
>>> And earlier this year, Garmin released the Garmin Varia Vue, which is a 
>>> front headlight with integrated camera that can do up to 4K/30fps.
>>>
>>> Both units can be controlled from a compatible Garmin Edge computer, as 
>>> well as mobile app. 
>>>
>>> Cycliq has been doing camera/light combos for a while, but their 
>>> rear-facing unit doesn't have radar like the Garmin Varia. And the front 
>>> light is not as bright as the Garmin Varia Vue. 
>>>
>>> Chester
>>> SF Bay Area 
>>>
>>>
>>>  
>>>
>>>  
>>>
>>> On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 6:01:52 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding 
>>> Ding! wrote:
>>>
>>> Oh gosh, I hope you find a way to love those bars, Jay because upright 
>>> bars have been so good to me. I always see my friends lifting hands off 
>>> drop bars and shaking the numbness out of them. My bars cost me in 
>>> headwinds, but otherwise I find myself unlimited by them. 
>>>
>>> The Varia. Let me tell you a story. We’ll depart from the Charlie 
>>> content for a moment.
>>>
>>> I was at the MNR (Monday Night Ride) one fine September night. The 
>>> participation has dropped way off now that we’re losing the light. That 
>>> left only Li

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Leah Peterson]

It was the first thing everyone told me when I moved here and said I was joining the bike club. One of the survivors is in my women’s group.Sent from my iPhoneOn Jan 19, 2026, at 9:01 PM, George Schick  wrote:While most of your cycling experience among these SW Michigan people has been great and friendly, please don't forget about the very tragic event that occurred ten years ago on one of those very K-zoo roads which you ride where 5 cyclists were run over and killed by some drugged-up redneck in a pickup truck up driver.  He's in prison for life now, but that does not mean that there aren't more of the same out there.  You can't be too careful out there.https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/kzoo-bc/kalamazoo/kalamazoo-bike-tragedy-victims-remembered-six-years-later-through-memorial-rideOn Monday, January 19, 2026 at 7:37:06 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:Mine was a total lapse in judgment. Impulse buy of the highest order.  I never test rode it and barely knew what a Charlie looked like; I just read the copy and felt like it had been written for ME. I had been mulling over getting a road bike and the day of the pre-sale the idea hit me like lightning and I did it. Reckless. But, now I’m in love with Charlie and nothing can come between us. Not even my husband, who hates Charlie and calls him “Chuck” because he is jealous of the wild times we’ve been having together.I hope you are getting one of these, Jim, because you won’t be disappointed, and it’s a bike that is actually in stock at Riv. Let us know if you adopt one.LOn Jan 19, 2026, at 8:14 PM, Jim Schultz  wrote:Hi all - apologies for resurrecting this thread, but wanted to know if most of you CHG owners ended up buying the bike sight unseen w/o a test ride? Was it a leap of blind faith?On Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 4:14:41 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:Chester,Yes, a camera would be nice. The Varia had some version of that for $400 but there was a bunch of drawbacks I briefly read about so didn’t purchase. One of the gals in my club said her friend has VR glasses or whatever they are called these days and she would turn her head to look at the license plate and command the glasses to take a photo. Worked brilliantly!Drivers seem to have less patience this time of year. We are only riding in daylight hours now, of which there are not many. And snow is in the forecast this weekend. Sigh.On Nov 4, 2025, at 9:37 PM, Chester  wrote:On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 4:37:18 AM UTC-7 Ryan Fleming wrote:Yikes Leah! What's up with these guys?!...yes I've had similar things happen to me...too bad you didn't get his license plate and report the son of a bitch. If that Varia helps to keep you and your riding buddies safe, it's a good investment...a camera app would be nice :)Ryan: not sure if you're bringing up having a camera in addition to, or in, a Varia, the Varia RCT715 model has radar, light, and camera integrated in it. 1080p/30fps. https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/721258/And earlier this year, Garmin released the Garmin Varia Vue, which is a front headlight with integrated camera that can do up to 4K/30fps.Both units can be controlled from a compatible Garmin Edge computer, as well as mobile app. Cycliq has been doing camera/light combos for a while, but their rear-facing unit doesn't have radar like the Garmin Varia. And the front light is not as bright as the Garmin Varia Vue. ChesterSF Bay Area   On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 6:01:52 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:Oh gosh, I hope you find a way to love those bars, Jay because upright bars have been so good to me. I always see my friends lifting hands off drop bars and shaking the numbness out of them. My bars cost me in headwinds, but otherwise I find myself unlimited by them. The Varia. Let me tell you a story. We’ll depart from the Charlie content for a moment.I was at the MNR (Monday Night Ride) one fine September night. The participation has dropped way off now that we’re losing the light. That left only Linda and me in our group. We had only gotten to the stop sign out of the park and a woman in a minivan was screaming at us. We were confused - had we done something? Was she really screaming at us? I watched her through her rear window (she had passed us and we were now stopped at the stop sign behind her) and she definitely was directing it at us. We rode on, got honked at. Rode another mile, got honked at again. I turned to Linda and said, “Geez, what’s with the aggression tonight?” Usually the Michiganders are the nicest people.But soon after, we had our first vehicle pass us closely. It’s a rare but terrifying tactic drivers use to make you feel like they might hit you as they pass by. And shortly after, a 2nd vehicle pulled the same stunt. We were only the two of us. We are far right in our lane and easy to pass. We are obeying the law. But the grand finale came on a quiet, 2-lane, paved, rural road. I heard t

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[George Schick]

While most of your cycling experience among these SW Michigan people has 
been great and friendly, please don't forget about the very tragic event 
that occurred ten years ago on one of those very K-zoo roads which you ride 
where 5 cyclists were run over and killed by some drugged-up redneck in a 
pickup truck up driver.  He's in prison for life now, but that does not 
mean that there aren't more of the same out there.  You can't be too 
careful out there.
https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/kzoo-bc/kalamazoo/kalamazoo-bike-tragedy-victims-remembered-six-years-later-through-memorial-ride


On Monday, January 19, 2026 at 7:37:06 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Mine was a total lapse in judgment. Impulse buy of the highest order.  I 
> never test rode it and barely knew what a Charlie looked like; I just read 
> the copy and felt like it had been written for ME. I had been mulling over 
> getting a road bike and the day of the pre-sale the idea hit me like 
> lightning and I did it. Reckless. 
>
> But, now I’m in love with Charlie and nothing can come between us. Not 
> even my husband, who hates Charlie and calls him “Chuck” because he is 
> jealous of the wild times we’ve been having together.
>
> I hope you are getting one of these, Jim, because you won’t be 
> disappointed, and it’s a bike that is actually in stock at Riv. Let us know 
> if you adopt one.
> L
>
> On Jan 19, 2026, at 8:14 PM, Jim Schultz  wrote:
>
> 
>
>
> Hi all - apologies for resurrecting this thread, but wanted to know if 
> most of you CHG owners ended up buying the bike sight unseen w/o a test 
> ride? Was it a leap of blind faith?
> On Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 4:14:41 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding 
> Ding! wrote:
>
>> Chester,
>> Yes, a camera would be nice. The Varia had some version of that for $400 
>> but there was a bunch of drawbacks I briefly read about so didn’t purchase. 
>> One of the gals in my club said her friend has VR glasses or whatever they 
>> are called these days and she would turn her head to look at the license 
>> plate and command the glasses to take a photo. Worked brilliantly!
>>
>> Drivers seem to have less patience this time of year. We are only riding 
>> in daylight hours now, of which there are not many. And snow is in the 
>> forecast this weekend. Sigh.
>>
>> On Nov 4, 2025, at 9:37 PM, Chester  wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>> On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 4:37:18 AM UTC-7 Ryan Fleming wrote:
>>
>> Yikes Leah! What's up with these guys?!...yes I've had similar things 
>> happen to me...too bad you didn't get his license plate and report the son 
>> of a bitch. If that Varia helps to keep you and your riding buddies safe, 
>> it's a good investment...a camera app would be nice :)
>>
>>
>> Ryan: not sure if you're bringing up having a camera in addition to, or 
>> in, a Varia, the Varia RCT715 model has radar, light, and camera integrated 
>> in it. 1080p/30fps. 
>>
>> https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/721258/
>>
>> And earlier this year, Garmin released the Garmin Varia Vue, which is a 
>> front headlight with integrated camera that can do up to 4K/30fps.
>>
>> Both units can be controlled from a compatible Garmin Edge computer, as 
>> well as mobile app. 
>>
>> Cycliq has been doing camera/light combos for a while, but their 
>> rear-facing unit doesn't have radar like the Garmin Varia. And the front 
>> light is not as bright as the Garmin Varia Vue. 
>>
>> Chester
>> SF Bay Area 
>>
>>
>>  
>>
>>  
>>
>> On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 6:01:52 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>> Oh gosh, I hope you find a way to love those bars, Jay because upright 
>> bars have been so good to me. I always see my friends lifting hands off 
>> drop bars and shaking the numbness out of them. My bars cost me in 
>> headwinds, but otherwise I find myself unlimited by them. 
>>
>> The Varia. Let me tell you a story. We’ll depart from the Charlie content 
>> for a moment.
>>
>> I was at the MNR (Monday Night Ride) one fine September night. The 
>> participation has dropped way off now that we’re losing the light. That 
>> left only Linda and me in our group. We had only gotten to the stop sign 
>> out of the park and a woman in a minivan was screaming at us. We were 
>> confused - had we done something? Was she really screaming at *us*? I 
>> watched her through her rear window (she had passed us and we were now 
>> stopped at the stop sign behind her) and she definitely was directing it at 
>> us. 
>>
>> We rode on, got honked at. Rode another mile, got honked at again. I 
>> turned to Linda and said, “Geez, what’s with the aggression tonight?” 
>> Usually the Michiganders are the nicest people.
>>
>> But soon after, we had our first vehicle pass us closely. It’s a rare but 
>> terrifying tactic drivers use to make you feel like they might hit you as 
>> they pass by. And shortly after, a 2nd vehicle pulled the same stunt. We 
>> were only the two of us. We are far right in our lane and e

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Jason Fuller]

It's quite encouraging that, beyond the glowing reviews here, the Riv staff
have noted on multiple occasions that their most-loved test ride bikes have
been the Charlies. Somewhat ironically, I would be comfortable purchasing
without a test-ride for the same reason that arguably it warrants a test
ride more than usual: there's nothing else really like it. If you want a
bike that's long and comfortable and designed to work best with Rivvy swept
bars, but also a bike that's not overbuilt for road riding and has some
nice flex to it ... I think the Charlie is basically the start and end of
that list, as far as I know anyway. I'd be curious if there's anything out
there comparable.

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Leah Peterson]

Mine was a total lapse in judgment. Impulse buy of the highest order.  I never test rode it and barely knew what a Charlie looked like; I just read the copy and felt like it had been written for ME. I had been mulling over getting a road bike and the day of the pre-sale the idea hit me like lightning and I did it. Reckless. But, now I’m in love with Charlie and nothing can come between us. Not even my husband, who hates Charlie and calls him “Chuck” because he is jealous of the wild times we’ve been having together.I hope you are getting one of these, Jim, because you won’t be disappointed, and it’s a bike that is actually in stock at Riv. Let us know if you adopt one.LOn Jan 19, 2026, at 8:14 PM, Jim Schultz  wrote:Hi all - apologies for resurrecting this thread, but wanted to know if most of you CHG owners ended up buying the bike sight unseen w/o a test ride? Was it a leap of blind faith?On Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 4:14:41 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:Chester,Yes, a camera would be nice. The Varia had some version of that for $400 but there was a bunch of drawbacks I briefly read about so didn’t purchase. One of the gals in my club said her friend has VR glasses or whatever they are called these days and she would turn her head to look at the license plate and command the glasses to take a photo. Worked brilliantly!Drivers seem to have less patience this time of year. We are only riding in daylight hours now, of which there are not many. And snow is in the forecast this weekend. Sigh.On Nov 4, 2025, at 9:37 PM, Chester  wrote:On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 4:37:18 AM UTC-7 Ryan Fleming wrote:Yikes Leah! What's up with these guys?!...yes I've had similar things happen to me...too bad you didn't get his license plate and report the son of a bitch. If that Varia helps to keep you and your riding buddies safe, it's a good investment...a camera app would be nice :)Ryan: not sure if you're bringing up having a camera in addition to, or in, a Varia, the Varia RCT715 model has radar, light, and camera integrated in it. 1080p/30fps. https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/721258/And earlier this year, Garmin released the Garmin Varia Vue, which is a front headlight with integrated camera that can do up to 4K/30fps.Both units can be controlled from a compatible Garmin Edge computer, as well as mobile app. Cycliq has been doing camera/light combos for a while, but their rear-facing unit doesn't have radar like the Garmin Varia. And the front light is not as bright as the Garmin Varia Vue. ChesterSF Bay Area   On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 6:01:52 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:Oh gosh, I hope you find a way to love those bars, Jay because upright bars have been so good to me. I always see my friends lifting hands off drop bars and shaking the numbness out of them. My bars cost me in headwinds, but otherwise I find myself unlimited by them. The Varia. Let me tell you a story. We’ll depart from the Charlie content for a moment.I was at the MNR (Monday Night Ride) one fine September night. The participation has dropped way off now that we’re losing the light. That left only Linda and me in our group. We had only gotten to the stop sign out of the park and a woman in a minivan was screaming at us. We were confused - had we done something? Was she really screaming at us? I watched her through her rear window (she had passed us and we were now stopped at the stop sign behind her) and she definitely was directing it at us. We rode on, got honked at. Rode another mile, got honked at again. I turned to Linda and said, “Geez, what’s with the aggression tonight?” Usually the Michiganders are the nicest people.But soon after, we had our first vehicle pass us closely. It’s a rare but terrifying tactic drivers use to make you feel like they might hit you as they pass by. And shortly after, a 2nd vehicle pulled the same stunt. We were only the two of us. We are far right in our lane and easy to pass. We are obeying the law. But the grand finale came on a quiet, 2-lane, paved, rural road. I heard the threat before I saw it. An aggressive-sounding engine belonging to the biggest black pickup with hugest mirrors turned onto our road. It revved its engine. “Linda, I have a bad feeling about this guy,” I said. “I’m going to single up.” There is no one on that road but us. We are single file. We are on the shoulder of the road. We are not impeding this driver in any way. He can easily pass us because we’ve left him room and there are no other vehicles around. He guns it. Rushes up in the passing lane, cuts in in front of us and absolutely coal rolls us. Thick, black smoke. What a big, tough guy, harassing two women on bicycles who had done him no wrong. I was shook. Not once did we yell, gesture or retaliate against anyone. Since our manners mattered not, we cut our ride short and went back to the park. It just felt like a bad night to be out after 22 miles with that many encounters. I wrote 

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Jim Schultz]

Hi all - apologies for resurrecting this thread, but wanted to know if most 
of you CHG owners ended up buying the bike sight unseen w/o a test ride? 
Was it a leap of blind faith?
On Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 4:14:41 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Chester,
> Yes, a camera would be nice. The Varia had some version of that for $400 
> but there was a bunch of drawbacks I briefly read about so didn’t purchase. 
> One of the gals in my club said her friend has VR glasses or whatever they 
> are called these days and she would turn her head to look at the license 
> plate and command the glasses to take a photo. Worked brilliantly!
>
> Drivers seem to have less patience this time of year. We are only riding 
> in daylight hours now, of which there are not many. And snow is in the 
> forecast this weekend. Sigh.
>
> On Nov 4, 2025, at 9:37 PM, Chester  wrote:
>
> 
>
> On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 4:37:18 AM UTC-7 Ryan Fleming wrote:
>
> Yikes Leah! What's up with these guys?!...yes I've had similar things 
> happen to me...too bad you didn't get his license plate and report the son 
> of a bitch. If that Varia helps to keep you and your riding buddies safe, 
> it's a good investment...a camera app would be nice :)
>
>
> Ryan: not sure if you're bringing up having a camera in addition to, or 
> in, a Varia, the Varia RCT715 model has radar, light, and camera integrated 
> in it. 1080p/30fps. 
>
> https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/721258/
>
> And earlier this year, Garmin released the Garmin Varia Vue, which is a 
> front headlight with integrated camera that can do up to 4K/30fps.
>
> Both units can be controlled from a compatible Garmin Edge computer, as 
> well as mobile app. 
>
> Cycliq has been doing camera/light combos for a while, but their 
> rear-facing unit doesn't have radar like the Garmin Varia. And the front 
> light is not as bright as the Garmin Varia Vue. 
>
> Chester
> SF Bay Area 
>
>
>  
>
>  
>
> On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 6:01:52 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
> Oh gosh, I hope you find a way to love those bars, Jay because upright 
> bars have been so good to me. I always see my friends lifting hands off 
> drop bars and shaking the numbness out of them. My bars cost me in 
> headwinds, but otherwise I find myself unlimited by them. 
>
> The Varia. Let me tell you a story. We’ll depart from the Charlie content 
> for a moment.
>
> I was at the MNR (Monday Night Ride) one fine September night. The 
> participation has dropped way off now that we’re losing the light. That 
> left only Linda and me in our group. We had only gotten to the stop sign 
> out of the park and a woman in a minivan was screaming at us. We were 
> confused - had we done something? Was she really screaming at *us*? I 
> watched her through her rear window (she had passed us and we were now 
> stopped at the stop sign behind her) and she definitely was directing it at 
> us. 
>
> We rode on, got honked at. Rode another mile, got honked at again. I 
> turned to Linda and said, “Geez, what’s with the aggression tonight?” 
> Usually the Michiganders are the nicest people.
>
> But soon after, we had our first vehicle pass us closely. It’s a rare but 
> terrifying tactic drivers use to make you feel like they might hit you as 
> they pass by. And shortly after, a 2nd vehicle pulled the same stunt. We 
> were only the two of us. We are far right in our lane and easy to pass. We 
> are obeying the law. 
>
> But the grand finale came on a quiet, 2-lane, paved, rural road. I heard 
> the threat before I saw it. An aggressive-sounding engine belonging to the 
> biggest black pickup with hugest mirrors turned onto our road. It revved 
> its engine. “Linda, I have a bad feeling about this guy,” I said. “I’m 
> going to single up.” There is no one on that road but us. We are single 
> file. We are on the shoulder of the road. We are not impeding this driver 
> in any way. He can easily pass us because we’ve left him room and there are 
> no other vehicles around. 
>
> He guns it. Rushes up in the passing lane, cuts in in front of us and 
> absolutely coal rolls us. Thick, black smoke. What a big, tough guy, 
> harassing two women on bicycles who had done him no wrong. I was shook. Not 
> once did we yell, gesture or retaliate against anyone. Since our manners 
> mattered not, we cut our ride short and went back to the park. It just felt 
> like a bad night to be out after 22 miles with that many encounters. I 
> wrote on the club social media about it. Asked if anyone else had 
> aggression and one group had. A small tan pickup had cut in front of them, 
> came to a complete stop and they only barely managed to avoid a collision 
> by hitting their brakes. That guy got reported to the police. 
>
> The next morning at work I was recounting the tale to an anesthesiologist 
> who also rides, and he said one of the CRNAs had just told him the same - 
> he’d been harassed last night, too. That doc 

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Leah Peterson]

Chester,Yes, a camera would be nice. The Varia had some version of that for $400 but there was a bunch of drawbacks I briefly read about so didn’t purchase. One of the gals in my club said her friend has VR glasses or whatever they are called these days and she would turn her head to look at the license plate and command the glasses to take a photo. Worked brilliantly!Drivers seem to have less patience this time of year. We are only riding in daylight hours now, of which there are not many. And snow is in the forecast this weekend. Sigh.On Nov 4, 2025, at 9:37 PM, Chester  wrote:On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 4:37:18 AM UTC-7 Ryan Fleming wrote:Yikes Leah! What's up with these guys?!...yes I've had similar things happen to me...too bad you didn't get his license plate and report the son of a bitch. If that Varia helps to keep you and your riding buddies safe, it's a good investment...a camera app would be nice :)Ryan: not sure if you're bringing up having a camera in addition to, or in, a Varia, the Varia RCT715 model has radar, light, and camera integrated in it. 1080p/30fps. https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/721258/And earlier this year, Garmin released the Garmin Varia Vue, which is a front headlight with integrated camera that can do up to 4K/30fps.Both units can be controlled from a compatible Garmin Edge computer, as well as mobile app. Cycliq has been doing camera/light combos for a while, but their rear-facing unit doesn't have radar like the Garmin Varia. And the front light is not as bright as the Garmin Varia Vue. ChesterSF Bay Area   On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 6:01:52 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:Oh gosh, I hope you find a way to love those bars, Jay because upright bars have been so good to me. I always see my friends lifting hands off drop bars and shaking the numbness out of them. My bars cost me in headwinds, but otherwise I find myself unlimited by them. The Varia. Let me tell you a story. We’ll depart from the Charlie content for a moment.I was at the MNR (Monday Night Ride) one fine September night. The participation has dropped way off now that we’re losing the light. That left only Linda and me in our group. We had only gotten to the stop sign out of the park and a woman in a minivan was screaming at us. We were confused - had we done something? Was she really screaming at us? I watched her through her rear window (she had passed us and we were now stopped at the stop sign behind her) and she definitely was directing it at us. We rode on, got honked at. Rode another mile, got honked at again. I turned to Linda and said, “Geez, what’s with the aggression tonight?” Usually the Michiganders are the nicest people.But soon after, we had our first vehicle pass us closely. It’s a rare but terrifying tactic drivers use to make you feel like they might hit you as they pass by. And shortly after, a 2nd vehicle pulled the same stunt. We were only the two of us. We are far right in our lane and easy to pass. We are obeying the law. But the grand finale came on a quiet, 2-lane, paved, rural road. I heard the threat before I saw it. An aggressive-sounding engine belonging to the biggest black pickup with hugest mirrors turned onto our road. It revved its engine. “Linda, I have a bad feeling about this guy,” I said. “I’m going to single up.” There is no one on that road but us. We are single file. We are on the shoulder of the road. We are not impeding this driver in any way. He can easily pass us because we’ve left him room and there are no other vehicles around. He guns it. Rushes up in the passing lane, cuts in in front of us and absolutely coal rolls us. Thick, black smoke. What a big, tough guy, harassing two women on bicycles who had done him no wrong. I was shook. Not once did we yell, gesture or retaliate against anyone. Since our manners mattered not, we cut our ride short and went back to the park. It just felt like a bad night to be out after 22 miles with that many encounters. I wrote on the club social media about it. Asked if anyone else had aggression and one group had. A small tan pickup had cut in front of them, came to a complete stop and they only barely managed to avoid a collision by hitting their brakes. That guy got reported to the police. The next morning at work I was recounting the tale to an anesthesiologist who also rides, and he said one of the CRNAs had just told him the same - he’d been harassed last night, too. That doc said, “Do you have a Varia?” I said no, I have a Garmin but no radar, and he said, “Leah, you really should get one. It is the best thing I’ve ever bought for my bike.” And then he pulled it up online and showed it to me. “I really think you need this,” he said. I was skeptical. That day my bike shop sent their e-newsletter and guess what was on sale? I rode my Platypus to the shop the next day and got a Varia for $50 off.So now Charlie is sporting a radar/tail light and I really like it so far. Did you know you can let your friends hook 

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Chester]

On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 4:37:18 AM UTC-7 Ryan Fleming wrote:

Yikes Leah! What's up with these guys?!...yes I've had similar things 
happen to me...too bad you didn't get his license plate and report the son 
of a bitch. If that Varia helps to keep you and your riding buddies safe, 
it's a good investment...a camera app would be nice :)


Ryan: not sure if you're bringing up having a camera in addition to, or in, 
a Varia, the Varia RCT715 model has radar, light, and camera integrated in 
it. 1080p/30fps. 

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/721258/

And earlier this year, Garmin released the Garmin Varia Vue, which is a 
front headlight with integrated camera that can do up to 4K/30fps.

Both units can be controlled from a compatible Garmin Edge computer, as 
well as mobile app. 

Cycliq has been doing camera/light combos for a while, but their 
rear-facing unit doesn't have radar like the Garmin Varia. And the front 
light is not as bright as the Garmin Varia Vue. 

Chester
SF Bay Area 


 

 

On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 6:01:52 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

Oh gosh, I hope you find a way to love those bars, Jay because upright bars 
have been so good to me. I always see my friends lifting hands off drop 
bars and shaking the numbness out of them. My bars cost me in headwinds, 
but otherwise I find myself unlimited by them. 

The Varia. Let me tell you a story. We’ll depart from the Charlie content 
for a moment.

I was at the MNR (Monday Night Ride) one fine September night. The 
participation has dropped way off now that we’re losing the light. That 
left only Linda and me in our group. We had only gotten to the stop sign 
out of the park and a woman in a minivan was screaming at us. We were 
confused - had we done something? Was she really screaming at *us*? I 
watched her through her rear window (she had passed us and we were now 
stopped at the stop sign behind her) and she definitely was directing it at 
us. 

We rode on, got honked at. Rode another mile, got honked at again. I turned 
to Linda and said, “Geez, what’s with the aggression tonight?” Usually the 
Michiganders are the nicest people.

But soon after, we had our first vehicle pass us closely. It’s a rare but 
terrifying tactic drivers use to make you feel like they might hit you as 
they pass by. And shortly after, a 2nd vehicle pulled the same stunt. We 
were only the two of us. We are far right in our lane and easy to pass. We 
are obeying the law. 

But the grand finale came on a quiet, 2-lane, paved, rural road. I heard 
the threat before I saw it. An aggressive-sounding engine belonging to the 
biggest black pickup with hugest mirrors turned onto our road. It revved 
its engine. “Linda, I have a bad feeling about this guy,” I said. “I’m 
going to single up.” There is no one on that road but us. We are single 
file. We are on the shoulder of the road. We are not impeding this driver 
in any way. He can easily pass us because we’ve left him room and there are 
no other vehicles around. 

He guns it. Rushes up in the passing lane, cuts in in front of us and 
absolutely coal rolls us. Thick, black smoke. What a big, tough guy, 
harassing two women on bicycles who had done him no wrong. I was shook. Not 
once did we yell, gesture or retaliate against anyone. Since our manners 
mattered not, we cut our ride short and went back to the park. It just felt 
like a bad night to be out after 22 miles with that many encounters. I 
wrote on the club social media about it. Asked if anyone else had 
aggression and one group had. A small tan pickup had cut in front of them, 
came to a complete stop and they only barely managed to avoid a collision 
by hitting their brakes. That guy got reported to the police. 

The next morning at work I was recounting the tale to an anesthesiologist 
who also rides, and he said one of the CRNAs had just told him the same - 
he’d been harassed last night, too. That doc said, “Do you have a Varia?” I 
said no, I have a Garmin but no radar, and he said, “Leah, you really 
should get one. It is the best thing I’ve ever bought for my bike.” And 
then he pulled it up online and showed it to me. “I really think you need 
this,” he said. I was skeptical. That day my bike shop sent their 
e-newsletter and guess what was on sale? I rode my Platypus to the shop the 
next day and got a Varia for $50 off.

So now Charlie is sporting a radar/tail light and I really like it so far. 
Did you know you can let your friends hook up to it, too? So now some of 
the other girls who don’t have them have connected to Charlie’s Varia and 
we are all better off for it.

On Oct 8, 2025, at 10:15 PM, Jay  wrote:

You're great with the flowery language, Leah!


The Varia is the single best accessory I ever bought for cycling.  I ride 
on the road a lot, and I'm so relaxed having this companion behind me, 
letting me know with an audio and visual cue that a car is coming, I stick 
out my hand to wave, easing over to my ri

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Bill Lindsay]

I measured the wheelbase of my 57 Charlie H Gallop.  It's around 47.75 
inches.  Wheelbase by definition is hub to hub.  That's 121cm give or take. 
 

I think that if I was worried about hanging bus racks, I may be more 
interested in total overall length rather than just wheelbase.  I measured 
the total overall length of my 57 Charlie H Gallop.  It's around 74 inches. 
 

A number that can be useful to keep in one's pocket is 1m, 100cm, 1000mm. 
 Typical road bikes have a wheelbase in the neighborhood of 1m.  Shorter 
than 1m is a short wheelbase.  Touring bikes may have a wheelbase in the 
neighborhood of 110cm.  Riv long-bikes are indeed pretty long.  

I just got back from Japan, where 19 of 20 urban bikes were step-through 
and probably 1 in 10 were mini velos of some kind.  I did not get outside 
the big cities of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.  

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA



On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 3:47:38 PM UTC-7 dt...@pm.me wrote:

> Curious as to how long the Charlie's wheelbase is. In particular the 53 cm 
> size.  If anyone could measure who has one? The buses around here 
> (Cincinnati) have bike carriers on the front of them and wonder if the 
> Charlie will be too big. Thanks.
>
> Chuck 
>  
> On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 1:06:17 PM UTC-4 pi...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> On Mon, Oct 6, 2025 at 10:26 PM Joe Bernard  wrote:
>>
>>> I think it's a very cool frame (your build is AMAZING) but definitely a 
>>> niche within the Riv niche. The road bike world is still quite conservative 
>>> and getting them to accept pullback bars to match the long toptube is never 
>>> going to be an easy sell. The dropped toptube is also a quirk some will 
>>> balk at.
>>>
>>
>> It's certainly true that the Charlie Gallop isn't a conventional road 
>> bike. To be honest, though, there are plenty of reasons non racers won't 
>> pick the Charlie Gallop as well. For instance, the ultra long chainstays 
>> mean that the Charlie Gallop would be difficult to fit into a bike box to 
>> get onto a plane to do a bike tour far from home. (That's also what turned 
>> me off the Homer as well) That long wheelbase also can make it hard to fit 
>> into trains or vans or cars. (I've done it with a tandem which is even 
>> longer, but let's just say that I've had evil stares from fellow 
>> passengers, and obviously some bus drivers are more helpful than others)
>>
>> The pullback bars also are much much wider than narrow drop bars. So for 
>> instance, while I can easily fit 2-3 drop bar bikes into the back of a 
>> Honda Odyssey with the rear seats down), my wife's Cheviot would take up so 
>> much room that I'd have to move it onto the roof rack instead even when I'm 
>> planning to only move 2 bikes. In fact, a pull back bar at a crowded school 
>> bike rack would necessitate that you'd park the bike backwards with the 
>> rear wheel first, and in many cases a standard cable lock would have a hard 
>> time reaching the rack in those situations, and don't even start talking 
>> about a U-lock!
>>
>> Don't get me wrong, I like my Roadini (my wife shot this video on 
>> Saturday's ride: https://youtu.be/6hBpmSL6lRc?si=v7gIUKY-4WelAjk3), but 
>> the additional weight is definitely felt when I lift it, and even with its 
>> relatively short chainstays (still 2cm longer than my touring bike!), I 
>> find that when I have to stand up and sprint it just doesn't accelerate the 
>> way more touring bike does.
>>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

['dt...@pm.me' via RBW Owners Bunch]

Just ordered a 53 cm Orange Charlie on Saturday. I'm going to have RBW 
build it. They did such a great job with my Sam from last year that I 
couldn't see doing it myself! I chose the "you pick the fun stuff" build 
with Choco bars. I requested one of their blue Newbaum tapes for the bars, 
thinking it would match the blue Charlie signature and the horses on the 
chainstay, but now I'm wondering if it's going to be too garish (at least 
for me!) in contrast with the orange. Thinking now one of the brown, orange 
or copper colors with amber shellac might tone down the orange a bit. Of 
course, it's going to be a couple months before they get to the build 
though, so I've got some time to make up my mind. 

Like I mentioned, I bought a Sam last year, and though I'm very happy with 
it, I kind of miss a lightish road bike. The Sam's frame is a bit stouter 
than I need, especially at my weight (about 145 lbs), and I'm not really 
ready to go back to drop bars (if ever!). The lighter tubes and from all 
that I've been reading about it here and on RBW's website makes it seem 
like will fit my needs pretty well. Hope to get it in time for some good 
rides before winter really sets in around here!

On Friday, October 3, 2025 at 5:47:37 PM UTC-4 gds...@gmail.com wrote:

> I too scored me a 61 CM in Mermaid, which color I may be calling Sea Foam 
> Green after an old Cannondale frame that was advertised to be that color. 
> The colors are similar but of course the Charlie is quite a bit more 
> elegant. On a recent (and enjoyable!) trip out to Rivendell World 
> Headquarters in Walnut Creek I had a chance to ride Will's 61 CM Charlie 
> that sealed the deal. 
>
> My sister, brother in law, and nephew joined me on the visit and we had a 
> good time talking bicycles and baseball. 
>
> On Monday, September 29, 2025 at 4:16:00 PM UTC-6 Mike Gillespie wrote:
>
>> I ordered a 61cm in mermaid.  Looking forward to building up what appears 
>> to be a pretty unique bike.  I’m on the low end of the recommended size 
>> range for the 61, which pretty much restricts me to an alt style bar. I 
>> guess I’ve finally come to the conclusion that drop bars aren’t what they 
>> used to be for me. It will replace one of my last two drop bar bikes, so 
>> we’ll see how much use that last one actually gets. Anyone want to buy a 
>> set of drops?
>>
>> Mike
>>
>> On Monday, September 29, 2025 at 2:24:15 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding 
>> Ding! wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Alright, who are the new lucky owners of the ‘25 Charlies? I’m still 
>>> quite taken with mine!
>>>
>>> On Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 1:09:18 PM UTC-4 Drew Saunders wrote:
>>>
 If you're curious about Muybridge, I just got this book and can 
 recommend it: https://drawnandquarterly.com/books/muybridge/

 There is a historical marker for the "Birth of Motion Pictures" near 
 the Stanford Equestrian Center.

 On Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 5:21:35 PM UTC-7 Jason Fuller wrote:

> To add further background to the horses on the chainstay, as I 
> understand these are referencing a historically important moment in 
> photography: 
>
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Horse_in_Motion
>
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Ryan Fleming]

Yikes Leah! What's up with these guys?!...yes I've had similar things 
happen to me...too bad you didn't get his license plate and report the son 
of a bitch. If that Varia helps to keep you and your riding buddies safe, 
it's a good investment...a camera app would be nice :)

Stay safe!

On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 6:01:52 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Oh gosh, I hope you find a way to love those bars, Jay because upright 
> bars have been so good to me. I always see my friends lifting hands off 
> drop bars and shaking the numbness out of them. My bars cost me in 
> headwinds, but otherwise I find myself unlimited by them. 
>
> The Varia. Let me tell you a story. We’ll depart from the Charlie content 
> for a moment.
>
> I was at the MNR (Monday Night Ride) one fine September night. The 
> participation has dropped way off now that we’re losing the light. That 
> left only Linda and me in our group. We had only gotten to the stop sign 
> out of the park and a woman in a minivan was screaming at us. We were 
> confused - had we done something? Was she really screaming at *us*? I 
> watched her through her rear window (she had passed us and we were now 
> stopped at the stop sign behind her) and she definitely was directing it at 
> us. 
>
> We rode on, got honked at. Rode another mile, got honked at again. I 
> turned to Linda and said, “Geez, what’s with the aggression tonight?” 
> Usually the Michiganders are the nicest people.
>
> But soon after, we had our first vehicle pass us closely. It’s a rare but 
> terrifying tactic drivers use to make you feel like they might hit you as 
> they pass by. And shortly after, a 2nd vehicle pulled the same stunt. We 
> were only the two of us. We are far right in our lane and easy to pass. We 
> are obeying the law. 
>
> But the grand finale came on a quiet, 2-lane, paved, rural road. I heard 
> the threat before I saw it. An aggressive-sounding engine belonging to the 
> biggest black pickup with hugest mirrors turned onto our road. It revved 
> its engine. “Linda, I have a bad feeling about this guy,” I said. “I’m 
> going to single up.” There is no one on that road but us. We are single 
> file. We are on the shoulder of the road. We are not impeding this driver 
> in any way. He can easily pass us because we’ve left him room and there are 
> no other vehicles around. 
>
> He guns it. Rushes up in the passing lane, cuts in in front of us and 
> absolutely coal rolls us. Thick, black smoke. What a big, tough guy, 
> harassing two women on bicycles who had done him no wrong. I was shook. Not 
> once did we yell, gesture or retaliate against anyone. Since our manners 
> mattered not, we cut our ride short and went back to the park. It just felt 
> like a bad night to be out after 22 miles with that many encounters. I 
> wrote on the club social media about it. Asked if anyone else had 
> aggression and one group had. A small tan pickup had cut in front of them, 
> came to a complete stop and they only barely managed to avoid a collision 
> by hitting their brakes. That guy got reported to the police. 
>
> The next morning at work I was recounting the tale to an anesthesiologist 
> who also rides, and he said one of the CRNAs had just told him the same - 
> he’d been harassed last night, too. That doc said, “Do you have a Varia?” I 
> said no, I have a Garmin but no radar, and he said, “Leah, you really 
> should get one. It is the best thing I’ve ever bought for my bike.” And 
> then he pulled it up online and showed it to me. “I really think you need 
> this,” he said. I was skeptical. That day my bike shop sent their 
> e-newsletter and guess what was on sale? I rode my Platypus to the shop the 
> next day and got a Varia for $50 off.
>
> So now Charlie is sporting a radar/tail light and I really like it so far. 
> Did you know you can let your friends hook up to it, too? So now some of 
> the other girls who don’t have them have connected to Charlie’s Varia and 
> we are all better off for it.
>
> On Oct 8, 2025, at 10:15 PM, Jay  wrote:
>
> You're great with the flowery language, Leah!
>
>
> The Varia is the single best accessory I ever bought for cycling.  I ride 
> on the road a lot, and I'm so relaxed having this companion behind me, 
> letting me know with an audio and visual cue that a car is coming, I stick 
> out my hand to wave, easing over to my right without slowing down or 
> looking behind me.  Close to half of the drivers wave, most getting way 
> over to the left.
>
> Charlie looks to be a great bike, if you like swept bars.  I have them on 
> another bike and I'm still trying to figure them out (6 months later).  I 
> think there is a huge potential for more road bikes with good tire 
> clearance, tall head tubes, and short top tubes to allow for drop bars.  My 
> Roadini is my baby, but there is potential there for more!
>
> On Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 5:42:59 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> Aw, thanks, 

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Leah Peterson]

Chuck, I’ll try to remember to measure my 53 for you tomorrow. But I would be surprised if it didn’t fit on a bus rack. Charlie is positively petite compared to my 55 Platypus!On Oct 7, 2025, at 6:47 PM, 'dt...@pm.me' via RBW Owners Bunch  wrote:Curious as to how long the Charlie's wheelbase is. In particular the 53 cm size.  If anyone could measure who has one? The buses around here (Cincinnati) have bike carriers on the front of them and wonder if the Charlie will be too big. Thanks.Chuck  On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 1:06:17 PM UTC-4 pi...@gmail.com wrote:On Mon, Oct 6, 2025 at 10:26 PM Joe Bernard  wrote:I think it's a very cool frame (your build is AMAZING) but definitely a niche within the Riv niche. The road bike world is still quite conservative and getting them to accept pullback bars to match the long toptube is never going to be an easy sell. The dropped toptube is also a quirk some will balk at.It's certainly true that the Charlie Gallop isn't a conventional road bike. To be honest, though, there are plenty of reasons non racers won't pick the Charlie Gallop as well. For instance, the ultra long chainstays mean that the Charlie Gallop would be difficult to fit into a bike box to get onto a plane to do a bike tour far from home. (That's also what turned me off the Homer as well) That long wheelbase also can make it hard to fit into trains or vans or cars. (I've done it with a tandem which is even longer, but let's just say that I've had evil stares from fellow passengers, and obviously some bus drivers are more helpful than others)The pullback bars also are much much wider than narrow drop bars. So for instance, while I can easily fit 2-3 drop bar bikes into the back of a Honda Odyssey with the rear seats down), my wife's Cheviot would take up so much room that I'd have to move it onto the roof rack instead even when I'm planning to only move 2 bikes. In fact, a pull back bar at a crowded school bike rack would necessitate that you'd park the bike backwards with the rear wheel first, and in many cases a standard cable lock would have a hard time reaching the rack in those situations, and don't even start talking about a U-lock!Don't get me wrong, I like my Roadini (my wife shot this video on Saturday's ride: https://youtu.be/6hBpmSL6lRc?si=v7gIUKY-4WelAjk3), but the additional weight is definitely felt when I lift it, and even with its relatively short chainstays (still 2cm longer than my touring bike!), I find that when I have to stand up and sprint it just doesn't accelerate the way more touring bike does.





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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Jay]

You're great with the flowery language, Leah!

The Varia is the single best accessory I ever bought for cycling.  I ride 
on the road a lot, and I'm so relaxed having this companion behind me, 
letting me know with an audio and visual cue that a car is coming, I stick 
out my hand to wave, easing over to my right without slowing down or 
looking behind me.  Close to half of the drivers wave, most getting way 
over to the left.

Charlie looks to be a great bike, if you like swept bars.  I have them on 
another bike and I'm still trying to figure them out (6 months later).  I 
think there is a huge potential for more road bikes with good tire 
clearance, tall head tubes, and short top tubes to allow for drop bars.  My 
Roadini is my baby, but there is potential there for more!

On Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 5:42:59 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Aw, thanks, friends. I have had a ball on these bikes and I wish everyone 
> else got to experience the same. And lots of other RivSisters will echo 
> what I wrote. And it’s not hard to romanticize about bikes. The flowery 
> language comes easy!
>
> I have little bits of conversion I didn’t mean to make. I got dyno 
> swearing that I’d never be a slave to charging my lights. But now I have a 
> Garmin and a Varia that get charged anyway, because suddenly, I can’t live 
> without either of those. So Charlie is looking a little odd, running around 
> here with his Garmin up front and his Varia on his rear. 
>
> But he’s still pure Rivendell. 
> Leah
>
> On Oct 8, 2025, at 10:03 AM, zem...@gmail.com  wrote:
>
> Leah, you should really be getting paid by Riv. No post on this forum has 
> ever made me want a bicycle more than you're description of Charlie here!
>
>
>
> On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 8:52:16 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> Well they’re all missing out, Piaw! Charlie and I are in LOVE. We’ve been 
>> running off together a summer and we have thousands of miles together 
>> now. Charlie is What Women Want. Long wheelbases…we are into them. Pullback 
>> bars? Say less; we’re sold. Oh, the racers in the group say Charlie isn’t a 
>> Real Road Bike? Hold my earrings.
>>
>> I came home tonight from yet another club ride and my husband met me at 
>> the door. We did the schtick where he pretends to be suspicious of me and 
>> Charlie’s activities and confess Charlie and I were out in the night 
>> together again but it didn’t mean anything. 
>>
>> Charlie is a looker and a *scoundrel.* And those racers don’t know any 
>> of this joy.
>>
>> On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 1:06:17 PM UTC-4 pi...@gmail.com wrote:
>>
>>> On Mon, Oct 6, 2025 at 10:26 PM Joe Bernard  wrote:
>>>
 I think it's a very cool frame (your build is AMAZING) but definitely a 
 niche within the Riv niche. The road bike world is still quite 
 conservative 
 and getting them to accept pullback bars to match the long toptube is 
 never 
 going to be an easy sell. The dropped toptube is also a quirk some will 
 balk at.

>>>
>>> It's certainly true that the Charlie Gallop isn't a conventional road 
>>> bike. To be honest, though, there are plenty of reasons non racers won't 
>>> pick the Charlie Gallop as well. For instance, the ultra long chainstays 
>>> mean that the Charlie Gallop would be difficult to fit into a bike box to 
>>> get onto a plane to do a bike tour far from home. (That's also what turned 
>>> me off the Homer as well) That long wheelbase also can make it hard to fit 
>>> into trains or vans or cars. (I've done it with a tandem which is even 
>>> longer, but let's just say that I've had evil stares from fellow 
>>> passengers, and obviously some bus drivers are more helpful than others)
>>>
>>> The pullback bars also are much much wider than narrow drop bars. So for 
>>> instance, while I can easily fit 2-3 drop bar bikes into the back of a 
>>> Honda Odyssey with the rear seats down), my wife's Cheviot would take up so 
>>> much room that I'd have to move it onto the roof rack instead even when I'm 
>>> planning to only move 2 bikes. In fact, a pull back bar at a crowded school 
>>> bike rack would necessitate that you'd park the bike backwards with the 
>>> rear wheel first, and in many cases a standard cable lock would have a hard 
>>> time reaching the rack in those situations, and don't even start talking 
>>> about a U-lock!
>>>
>>> Don't get me wrong, I like my Roadini (my wife shot this video on 
>>> Saturday's ride: https://youtu.be/6hBpmSL6lRc?si=v7gIUKY-4WelAjk3), but 
>>> the additional weight is definitely felt when I lift it, and even with its 
>>> relatively short chainstays (still 2cm longer than my touring bike!), I 
>>> find that when I have to stand up and sprint it just doesn't accelerate the 
>>> way more touring bike does.
>>>
>> -- 
>
> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the 
> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit 

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

['dt...@pm.me' via RBW Owners Bunch]

Curious as to how long the Charlie's wheelbase is. In particular the 53 cm 
size.  If anyone could measure who has one? The buses around here 
(Cincinnati) have bike carriers on the front of them and wonder if the 
Charlie will be too big. Thanks.

Chuck 
 
On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 1:06:17 PM UTC-4 pi...@gmail.com wrote:

> On Mon, Oct 6, 2025 at 10:26 PM Joe Bernard  wrote:
>
>> I think it's a very cool frame (your build is AMAZING) but definitely a 
>> niche within the Riv niche. The road bike world is still quite conservative 
>> and getting them to accept pullback bars to match the long toptube is never 
>> going to be an easy sell. The dropped toptube is also a quirk some will 
>> balk at.
>>
>
> It's certainly true that the Charlie Gallop isn't a conventional road 
> bike. To be honest, though, there are plenty of reasons non racers won't 
> pick the Charlie Gallop as well. For instance, the ultra long chainstays 
> mean that the Charlie Gallop would be difficult to fit into a bike box to 
> get onto a plane to do a bike tour far from home. (That's also what turned 
> me off the Homer as well) That long wheelbase also can make it hard to fit 
> into trains or vans or cars. (I've done it with a tandem which is even 
> longer, but let's just say that I've had evil stares from fellow 
> passengers, and obviously some bus drivers are more helpful than others)
>
> The pullback bars also are much much wider than narrow drop bars. So for 
> instance, while I can easily fit 2-3 drop bar bikes into the back of a 
> Honda Odyssey with the rear seats down), my wife's Cheviot would take up so 
> much room that I'd have to move it onto the roof rack instead even when I'm 
> planning to only move 2 bikes. In fact, a pull back bar at a crowded school 
> bike rack would necessitate that you'd park the bike backwards with the 
> rear wheel first, and in many cases a standard cable lock would have a hard 
> time reaching the rack in those situations, and don't even start talking 
> about a U-lock!
>
> Don't get me wrong, I like my Roadini (my wife shot this video on 
> Saturday's ride: https://youtu.be/6hBpmSL6lRc?si=v7gIUKY-4WelAjk3), but 
> the additional weight is definitely felt when I lift it, and even with its 
> relatively short chainstays (still 2cm longer than my touring bike!), I 
> find that when I have to stand up and sprint it just doesn't accelerate the 
> way more touring bike does.
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Joe Bernard]

I'm a bus driver and yes, I've fit some quite long bikes on the rack. Not 
sure my Clem would do it but it's markedly longer than a Charlie. 
I


On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 6:32:48 AM UTC-7 jonca...@gmail.com wrote:

> I see MTBs on bus racks here in DC quite often which should be longer than 
> a Charlie 
>
> On Thu, Oct 9, 2025 at 7:37 AM Ryan Fleming  wrote:
>
>> Yikes Leah! What's up with these guys?!...yes I've had similar things 
>> happen to me...too bad you didn't get his license plate and report the son 
>> of a bitch. If that Varia helps to keep you and your riding buddies safe, 
>> it's a good investment...a camera app would be nice :)
>>
>> Stay safe!
>>
>> On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 6:01:52 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Oh gosh, I hope you find a way to love those bars, Jay because upright 
>>> bars have been so good to me. I always see my friends lifting hands off 
>>> drop bars and shaking the numbness out of them. My bars cost me in 
>>> headwinds, but otherwise I find myself unlimited by them. 
>>>
>>> The Varia. Let me tell you a story. We’ll depart from the Charlie 
>>> content for a moment.
>>>
>>> I was at the MNR (Monday Night Ride) one fine September night. The 
>>> participation has dropped way off now that we’re losing the light. That 
>>> left only Linda and me in our group. We had only gotten to the stop sign 
>>> out of the park and a woman in a minivan was screaming at us. We were 
>>> confused - had we done something? Was she really screaming at *us*? I 
>>> watched her through her rear window (she had passed us and we were now 
>>> stopped at the stop sign behind her) and she definitely was directing it at 
>>> us. 
>>>
>>> We rode on, got honked at. Rode another mile, got honked at again. I 
>>> turned to Linda and said, “Geez, what’s with the aggression tonight?” 
>>> Usually the Michiganders are the nicest people.
>>>
>>> But soon after, we had our first vehicle pass us closely. It’s a rare 
>>> but terrifying tactic drivers use to make you feel like they might hit you 
>>> as they pass by. And shortly after, a 2nd vehicle pulled the same stunt. We 
>>> were only the two of us. We are far right in our lane and easy to pass. We 
>>> are obeying the law. 
>>>
>>> But the grand finale came on a quiet, 2-lane, paved, rural road. I heard 
>>> the threat before I saw it. An aggressive-sounding engine belonging to the 
>>> biggest black pickup with hugest mirrors turned onto our road. It revved 
>>> its engine. “Linda, I have a bad feeling about this guy,” I said. “I’m 
>>> going to single up.” There is no one on that road but us. We are single 
>>> file. We are on the shoulder of the road. We are not impeding this driver 
>>> in any way. He can easily pass us because we’ve left him room and there are 
>>> no other vehicles around. 
>>>
>>> He guns it. Rushes up in the passing lane, cuts in in front of us and 
>>> absolutely coal rolls us. Thick, black smoke. What a big, tough guy, 
>>> harassing two women on bicycles who had done him no wrong. I was shook. Not 
>>> once did we yell, gesture or retaliate against anyone. Since our manners 
>>> mattered not, we cut our ride short and went back to the park. It just felt 
>>> like a bad night to be out after 22 miles with that many encounters. I 
>>> wrote on the club social media about it. Asked if anyone else had 
>>> aggression and one group had. A small tan pickup had cut in front of them, 
>>> came to a complete stop and they only barely managed to avoid a collision 
>>> by hitting their brakes. That guy got reported to the police. 
>>>
>>> The next morning at work I was recounting the tale to an 
>>> anesthesiologist who also rides, and he said one of the CRNAs had just told 
>>> him the same - he’d been harassed last night, too. That doc said, “Do you 
>>> have a Varia?” I said no, I have a Garmin but no radar, and he said, “Leah, 
>>> you really should get one. It is the best thing I’ve ever bought for my 
>>> bike.” And then he pulled it up online and showed it to me. “I really think 
>>> you need this,” he said. I was skeptical. That day my bike shop sent their 
>>> e-newsletter and guess what was on sale? I rode my Platypus to the shop the 
>>> next day and got a Varia for $50 off.
>>>
>>> So now Charlie is sporting a radar/tail light and I really like it so 
>>> far. Did you know you can let your friends hook up to it, too? So now some 
>>> of the other girls who don’t have them have connected to Charlie’s Varia 
>>> and we are all better off for it.
>>>
>>
>>> On Oct 8, 2025, at 10:15 PM, Jay  wrote:
>>>
>>> You're great with the flowery language, Leah!
>>>
>>>
>>> The Varia is the single best accessory I ever bought for cycling.  I 
>>> ride on the road a lot, and I'm so relaxed having this companion behind me, 
>>> letting me know with an audio and visual cue that a car is coming, I stick 
>>> out my hand to wave, easing over to my right without slowing down or 
>>> looking behind me.  

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

['dt...@pm.me' via RBW Owners Bunch]

Hi Leah, 

Pics will be forthcoming once it arrives. The Rivendell website says the 
frames will arrive late October, so maybe by late November?  I hope so, if 
not sooner!

Chuck

On Monday, October 6, 2025 at 7:57:40 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Well congrats to the Charlie owners! I just got back from another club 
> ride tonight. I am trying for 4,000 miles and tonight Charlie and I were 
> brought to 3675.9 miles. We are going out for another club ride tomorrow 
> and that should get us to 3700. 
>
> Dt - you will love the 53 Charlie. So fast and light and nimble. I’m sure 
> most of my miles this year are Charlie miles and they’ve been good ones. I 
> am shocked these don’t fly off shelves the way some other models do; maybe 
> not a lot of club riders in Rivendell world. But I’m grateful they made 
> this bike because I like being in my local club and I have a fast, 
> comfortable, safe bike to ride in it. 
>
> Show us the pics! (When its built.)
> Leah
>
> On Oct 6, 2025, at 7:44 PM, Gordon Stam  wrote:
>
> 
>
> dt - Congrats on the purchase of the orange 53! That's why I bought the 
> Charlie, to complement the Clem as a speedier and lighter alternative. I 
> thought my old Romulus would do the trick with a swap to flat bars but the 
> frame is just too tight. While the stem to seat distance is okay I get some 
> pretty good toe overlap with the flat pedals, size 11 shoes, and the 40C 
> tires I'm wanting to run. Back in the day with clipless pedals and 33c 
> tires - and drop bars - it was no problem but times, and my body, have 
> changed.
>
> Everything from the Rom ought to swap over to the Charlie including my 
> long cherished Mavic Open Pro rims on Dura Ace hubs (130mm rear dropout 
> spacing!). I'll probably need to fiddle with stem lengths and try a 
> handlebar or two, and I know I'll need another one of the Rivendell 
> universal shifter adapters because I intend to mount the shifters to the 
> stem like on the Clem, but other than that I should be able to build up Sir 
> Charle (or Madame Charlie) without going broke. But you know how that is - 
> I always spend more than I originally anticipated on a bike build. But what 
> are hobbies for?
>
> On Mon, Oct 6, 2025, 3:24 PM 'dt...@pm.me' via RBW Owners Bunch <
> rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
>
>> Just ordered a 53 cm Orange Charlie on Saturday. I'm going to have RBW 
>> build it. They did such a great job with my Sam from last year that I 
>> couldn't see doing it myself! I chose the "you pick the fun stuff" build 
>> with Choco bars. I requested one of their blue Newbaum tapes for the bars, 
>> thinking it would match the blue Charlie signature and the horses on the 
>> chainstay, but now I'm wondering if it's going to be too garish (at least 
>> for me!) in contrast with the orange. Thinking now one of the brown, orange 
>> or copper colors with amber shellac might tone down the orange a bit. Of 
>> course, it's going to be a couple months before they get to the build 
>> though, so I've got some time to make up my mind. 
>>
>> Like I mentioned, I bought a Sam last year, and though I'm very happy 
>> with it, I kind of miss a lightish road bike. The Sam's frame is a bit 
>> stouter than I need, especially at my weight (about 145 lbs), and I'm not 
>> really ready to go back to drop bars (if ever!). The lighter tubes and from 
>> all that I've been reading about it here and on RBW's website makes it seem 
>> like will fit my needs pretty well. Hope to get it in time for some good 
>> rides before winter really sets in around here!
>>
>> On Friday, October 3, 2025 at 5:47:37 PM UTC-4 gds...@gmail.com wrote:
>>
>>> I too scored me a 61 CM in Mermaid, which color I may be calling Sea 
>>> Foam Green after an old Cannondale frame that was advertised to be that 
>>> color. The colors are similar but of course the Charlie is quite a bit more 
>>> elegant. On a recent (and enjoyable!) trip out to Rivendell World 
>>> Headquarters in Walnut Creek I had a chance to ride Will's 61 CM Charlie 
>>> that sealed the deal. 
>>>
>>> My sister, brother in law, and nephew joined me on the visit and we had 
>>> a good time talking bicycles and baseball. 
>>>
>>> On Monday, September 29, 2025 at 4:16:00 PM UTC-6 Mike Gillespie wrote:
>>>
 I ordered a 61cm in mermaid.  Looking forward to building up what 
 appears to be a pretty unique bike.  I’m on the low end of the recommended 
 size range for the 61, which pretty much restricts me to an alt style bar. 
 I guess I’ve finally come to the conclusion that drop bars aren’t what 
 they 
 used to be for me. It will replace one of my last two drop bar bikes, so 
 we’ll see how much use that last one actually gets. Anyone want to buy a 
 set of drops?

 Mike

 On Monday, September 29, 2025 at 2:24:15 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding 
 Ding! wrote:

>
> Alright, who are the new lucky owners of the ‘25 Charlies? I’m still 
> q

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

Well they’re all missing out, Piaw! Charlie and I are in LOVE. We’ve been 
running off together a summer and we have thousands of miles together 
now. Charlie is What Women Want. Long wheelbases…we are into them. Pullback 
bars? Say less; we’re sold. Oh, the racers in the group say Charlie isn’t a 
Real Road Bike? Hold my earrings.

I came home tonight from yet another club ride and my husband met me at the 
door. We did the schtick where he pretends to be suspicious of me and 
Charlie’s activities and confess Charlie and I were out in the night 
together again but it didn’t mean anything. 

Charlie is a looker and a *scoundrel.* And those racers don’t know any of 
this joy.

On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 1:06:17 PM UTC-4 pi...@gmail.com wrote:

> On Mon, Oct 6, 2025 at 10:26 PM Joe Bernard  wrote:
>
>> I think it's a very cool frame (your build is AMAZING) but definitely a 
>> niche within the Riv niche. The road bike world is still quite conservative 
>> and getting them to accept pullback bars to match the long toptube is never 
>> going to be an easy sell. The dropped toptube is also a quirk some will 
>> balk at.
>>
>
> It's certainly true that the Charlie Gallop isn't a conventional road 
> bike. To be honest, though, there are plenty of reasons non racers won't 
> pick the Charlie Gallop as well. For instance, the ultra long chainstays 
> mean that the Charlie Gallop would be difficult to fit into a bike box to 
> get onto a plane to do a bike tour far from home. (That's also what turned 
> me off the Homer as well) That long wheelbase also can make it hard to fit 
> into trains or vans or cars. (I've done it with a tandem which is even 
> longer, but let's just say that I've had evil stares from fellow 
> passengers, and obviously some bus drivers are more helpful than others)
>
> The pullback bars also are much much wider than narrow drop bars. So for 
> instance, while I can easily fit 2-3 drop bar bikes into the back of a 
> Honda Odyssey with the rear seats down), my wife's Cheviot would take up so 
> much room that I'd have to move it onto the roof rack instead even when I'm 
> planning to only move 2 bikes. In fact, a pull back bar at a crowded school 
> bike rack would necessitate that you'd park the bike backwards with the 
> rear wheel first, and in many cases a standard cable lock would have a hard 
> time reaching the rack in those situations, and don't even start talking 
> about a U-lock!
>
> Don't get me wrong, I like my Roadini (my wife shot this video on 
> Saturday's ride: https://youtu.be/6hBpmSL6lRc?si=v7gIUKY-4WelAjk3), but 
> the additional weight is definitely felt when I lift it, and even with its 
> relatively short chainstays (still 2cm longer than my touring bike!), I 
> find that when I have to stand up and sprint it just doesn't accelerate the 
> way more touring bike does.
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Jonathan Carmack]

I see MTBs on bus racks here in DC quite often which should be longer than
a Charlie

On Thu, Oct 9, 2025 at 7:37 AM Ryan Fleming  wrote:

> Yikes Leah! What's up with these guys?!...yes I've had similar things
> happen to me...too bad you didn't get his license plate and report the son
> of a bitch. If that Varia helps to keep you and your riding buddies safe,
> it's a good investment...a camera app would be nice :)
>
> Stay safe!
>
> On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 6:01:52 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!
> wrote:
>
>> Oh gosh, I hope you find a way to love those bars, Jay because upright
>> bars have been so good to me. I always see my friends lifting hands off
>> drop bars and shaking the numbness out of them. My bars cost me in
>> headwinds, but otherwise I find myself unlimited by them.
>>
>> The Varia. Let me tell you a story. We’ll depart from the Charlie content
>> for a moment.
>>
>> I was at the MNR (Monday Night Ride) one fine September night. The
>> participation has dropped way off now that we’re losing the light. That
>> left only Linda and me in our group. We had only gotten to the stop sign
>> out of the park and a woman in a minivan was screaming at us. We were
>> confused - had we done something? Was she really screaming at *us*? I
>> watched her through her rear window (she had passed us and we were now
>> stopped at the stop sign behind her) and she definitely was directing it at
>> us.
>>
>> We rode on, got honked at. Rode another mile, got honked at again. I
>> turned to Linda and said, “Geez, what’s with the aggression tonight?”
>> Usually the Michiganders are the nicest people.
>>
>> But soon after, we had our first vehicle pass us closely. It’s a rare but
>> terrifying tactic drivers use to make you feel like they might hit you as
>> they pass by. And shortly after, a 2nd vehicle pulled the same stunt. We
>> were only the two of us. We are far right in our lane and easy to pass. We
>> are obeying the law.
>>
>> But the grand finale came on a quiet, 2-lane, paved, rural road. I heard
>> the threat before I saw it. An aggressive-sounding engine belonging to the
>> biggest black pickup with hugest mirrors turned onto our road. It revved
>> its engine. “Linda, I have a bad feeling about this guy,” I said. “I’m
>> going to single up.” There is no one on that road but us. We are single
>> file. We are on the shoulder of the road. We are not impeding this driver
>> in any way. He can easily pass us because we’ve left him room and there are
>> no other vehicles around.
>>
>> He guns it. Rushes up in the passing lane, cuts in in front of us and
>> absolutely coal rolls us. Thick, black smoke. What a big, tough guy,
>> harassing two women on bicycles who had done him no wrong. I was shook. Not
>> once did we yell, gesture or retaliate against anyone. Since our manners
>> mattered not, we cut our ride short and went back to the park. It just felt
>> like a bad night to be out after 22 miles with that many encounters. I
>> wrote on the club social media about it. Asked if anyone else had
>> aggression and one group had. A small tan pickup had cut in front of them,
>> came to a complete stop and they only barely managed to avoid a collision
>> by hitting their brakes. That guy got reported to the police.
>>
>> The next morning at work I was recounting the tale to an anesthesiologist
>> who also rides, and he said one of the CRNAs had just told him the same -
>> he’d been harassed last night, too. That doc said, “Do you have a Varia?” I
>> said no, I have a Garmin but no radar, and he said, “Leah, you really
>> should get one. It is the best thing I’ve ever bought for my bike.” And
>> then he pulled it up online and showed it to me. “I really think you need
>> this,” he said. I was skeptical. That day my bike shop sent their
>> e-newsletter and guess what was on sale? I rode my Platypus to the shop the
>> next day and got a Varia for $50 off.
>>
>> So now Charlie is sporting a radar/tail light and I really like it so
>> far. Did you know you can let your friends hook up to it, too? So now some
>> of the other girls who don’t have them have connected to Charlie’s Varia
>> and we are all better off for it.
>>
>
>> On Oct 8, 2025, at 10:15 PM, Jay  wrote:
>>
>> You're great with the flowery language, Leah!
>>
>>
>> The Varia is the single best accessory I ever bought for cycling.  I ride
>> on the road a lot, and I'm so relaxed having this companion behind me,
>> letting me know with an audio and visual cue that a car is coming, I stick
>> out my hand to wave, easing over to my right without slowing down or
>> looking behind me.  Close to half of the drivers wave, most getting way
>> over to the left.
>>
>> Charlie looks to be a great bike, if you like swept bars.  I have them on
>> another bike and I'm still trying to figure them out (6 months later).  I
>> think there is a huge potential for more road bikes with good tire
>> clearance, tall head tubes, and short top tubes to allow for drop bar

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Joe Bernard]

"not flying off shelves"

Hi Leah, 

I think it's a very cool frame (your build is AMAZING) but definitely a 
niche within the Riv niche. The road bike world is still quite conservative 
and getting them to accept pullback bars to match the long toptube is never 
going to be an easy sell. The dropped toptube is also a quirk some will 
balk at. Personally I think Charlie as a concept is perfect. 

Joe Bernard 
Clearlake CA 

On Monday, October 6, 2025 at 4:57:40 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Well congrats to the Charlie owners! I just got back from another club 
> ride tonight. I am trying for 4,000 miles and tonight Charlie and I were 
> brought to 3675.9 miles. We are going out for another club ride tomorrow 
> and that should get us to 3700. 
>
> Dt - you will love the 53 Charlie. So fast and light and nimble. I’m sure 
> most of my miles this year are Charlie miles and they’ve been good ones. I 
> am shocked these don’t fly off shelves the way some other models do; maybe 
> not a lot of club riders in Rivendell world. But I’m grateful they made 
> this bike because I like being in my local club and I have a fast, 
> comfortable, safe bike to ride in it. 
>
> Show us the pics! (When its built.)
> Leah
>
> On Oct 6, 2025, at 7:44 PM, Gordon Stam  wrote:
>
> 
>
> dt - Congrats on the purchase of the orange 53! That's why I bought the 
> Charlie, to complement the Clem as a speedier and lighter alternative. I 
> thought my old Romulus would do the trick with a swap to flat bars but the 
> frame is just too tight. While the stem to seat distance is okay I get some 
> pretty good toe overlap with the flat pedals, size 11 shoes, and the 40C 
> tires I'm wanting to run. Back in the day with clipless pedals and 33c 
> tires - and drop bars - it was no problem but times, and my body, have 
> changed.
>
> Everything from the Rom ought to swap over to the Charlie including my 
> long cherished Mavic Open Pro rims on Dura Ace hubs (130mm rear dropout 
> spacing!). I'll probably need to fiddle with stem lengths and try a 
> handlebar or two, and I know I'll need another one of the Rivendell 
> universal shifter adapters because I intend to mount the shifters to the 
> stem like on the Clem, but other than that I should be able to build up Sir 
> Charle (or Madame Charlie) without going broke. But you know how that is - 
> I always spend more than I originally anticipated on a bike build. But what 
> are hobbies for?
>
> On Mon, Oct 6, 2025, 3:24 PM 'dt...@pm.me' via RBW Owners Bunch <
> rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
>
>> Just ordered a 53 cm Orange Charlie on Saturday. I'm going to have RBW 
>> build it. They did such a great job with my Sam from last year that I 
>> couldn't see doing it myself! I chose the "you pick the fun stuff" build 
>> with Choco bars. I requested one of their blue Newbaum tapes for the bars, 
>> thinking it would match the blue Charlie signature and the horses on the 
>> chainstay, but now I'm wondering if it's going to be too garish (at least 
>> for me!) in contrast with the orange. Thinking now one of the brown, orange 
>> or copper colors with amber shellac might tone down the orange a bit. Of 
>> course, it's going to be a couple months before they get to the build 
>> though, so I've got some time to make up my mind. 
>>
>> Like I mentioned, I bought a Sam last year, and though I'm very happy 
>> with it, I kind of miss a lightish road bike. The Sam's frame is a bit 
>> stouter than I need, especially at my weight (about 145 lbs), and I'm not 
>> really ready to go back to drop bars (if ever!). The lighter tubes and from 
>> all that I've been reading about it here and on RBW's website makes it seem 
>> like will fit my needs pretty well. Hope to get it in time for some good 
>> rides before winter really sets in around here!
>>
>> On Friday, October 3, 2025 at 5:47:37 PM UTC-4 gds...@gmail.com wrote:
>>
>>> I too scored me a 61 CM in Mermaid, which color I may be calling Sea 
>>> Foam Green after an old Cannondale frame that was advertised to be that 
>>> color. The colors are similar but of course the Charlie is quite a bit more 
>>> elegant. On a recent (and enjoyable!) trip out to Rivendell World 
>>> Headquarters in Walnut Creek I had a chance to ride Will's 61 CM Charlie 
>>> that sealed the deal. 
>>>
>>> My sister, brother in law, and nephew joined me on the visit and we had 
>>> a good time talking bicycles and baseball. 
>>>
>>> On Monday, September 29, 2025 at 4:16:00 PM UTC-6 Mike Gillespie wrote:
>>>
 I ordered a 61cm in mermaid.  Looking forward to building up what 
 appears to be a pretty unique bike.  I’m on the low end of the recommended 
 size range for the 61, which pretty much restricts me to an alt style bar. 
 I guess I’ve finally come to the conclusion that drop bars aren’t what 
 they 
 used to be for me. It will replace one of my last two drop bar bikes, so 
 we’ll see how much use that last one actually gets. A

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[藍俊彪]

On Mon, Oct 6, 2025 at 10:26 PM Joe Bernard  wrote:

> I think it's a very cool frame (your build is AMAZING) but definitely a
> niche within the Riv niche. The road bike world is still quite conservative
> and getting them to accept pullback bars to match the long toptube is never
> going to be an easy sell. The dropped toptube is also a quirk some will
> balk at.
>

It's certainly true that the Charlie Gallop isn't a conventional road bike.
To be honest, though, there are plenty of reasons non racers won't pick the
Charlie Gallop as well. For instance, the ultra long chainstays mean that
the Charlie Gallop would be difficult to fit into a bike box to get onto a
plane to do a bike tour far from home. (That's also what turned me off the
Homer as well) That long wheelbase also can make it hard to fit into trains
or vans or cars. (I've done it with a tandem which is even longer, but
let's just say that I've had evil stares from fellow passengers, and
obviously some bus drivers are more helpful than others)

The pullback bars also are much much wider than narrow drop bars. So for
instance, while I can easily fit 2-3 drop bar bikes into the back of a
Honda Odyssey with the rear seats down), my wife's Cheviot would take up so
much room that I'd have to move it onto the roof rack instead even when I'm
planning to only move 2 bikes. In fact, a pull back bar at a crowded school
bike rack would necessitate that you'd park the bike backwards with the
rear wheel first, and in many cases a standard cable lock would have a hard
time reaching the rack in those situations, and don't even start talking
about a U-lock!

Don't get me wrong, I like my Roadini (my wife shot this video on
Saturday's ride: https://youtu.be/6hBpmSL6lRc?si=v7gIUKY-4WelAjk3), but the
additional weight is definitely felt when I lift it, and even with its
relatively short chainstays (still 2cm longer than my touring bike!), I
find that when I have to stand up and sprint it just doesn't accelerate the
way more touring bike does.

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[zem...@gmail.com]

Leah, you should really be getting paid by Riv. No post on this forum has 
ever made me want a bicycle more than you're description of Charlie here!

On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 8:52:16 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Well they’re all missing out, Piaw! Charlie and I are in LOVE. We’ve been 
> running off together a summer and we have thousands of miles together 
> now. Charlie is What Women Want. Long wheelbases…we are into them. Pullback 
> bars? Say less; we’re sold. Oh, the racers in the group say Charlie isn’t a 
> Real Road Bike? Hold my earrings.
>
> I came home tonight from yet another club ride and my husband met me at 
> the door. We did the schtick where he pretends to be suspicious of me and 
> Charlie’s activities and confess Charlie and I were out in the night 
> together again but it didn’t mean anything. 
>
> Charlie is a looker and a *scoundrel.* And those racers don’t know any of 
> this joy.
>
> On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 1:06:17 PM UTC-4 pi...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> On Mon, Oct 6, 2025 at 10:26 PM Joe Bernard  wrote:
>>
>>> I think it's a very cool frame (your build is AMAZING) but definitely a 
>>> niche within the Riv niche. The road bike world is still quite conservative 
>>> and getting them to accept pullback bars to match the long toptube is never 
>>> going to be an easy sell. The dropped toptube is also a quirk some will 
>>> balk at.
>>>
>>
>> It's certainly true that the Charlie Gallop isn't a conventional road 
>> bike. To be honest, though, there are plenty of reasons non racers won't 
>> pick the Charlie Gallop as well. For instance, the ultra long chainstays 
>> mean that the Charlie Gallop would be difficult to fit into a bike box to 
>> get onto a plane to do a bike tour far from home. (That's also what turned 
>> me off the Homer as well) That long wheelbase also can make it hard to fit 
>> into trains or vans or cars. (I've done it with a tandem which is even 
>> longer, but let's just say that I've had evil stares from fellow 
>> passengers, and obviously some bus drivers are more helpful than others)
>>
>> The pullback bars also are much much wider than narrow drop bars. So for 
>> instance, while I can easily fit 2-3 drop bar bikes into the back of a 
>> Honda Odyssey with the rear seats down), my wife's Cheviot would take up so 
>> much room that I'd have to move it onto the roof rack instead even when I'm 
>> planning to only move 2 bikes. In fact, a pull back bar at a crowded school 
>> bike rack would necessitate that you'd park the bike backwards with the 
>> rear wheel first, and in many cases a standard cable lock would have a hard 
>> time reaching the rack in those situations, and don't even start talking 
>> about a U-lock!
>>
>> Don't get me wrong, I like my Roadini (my wife shot this video on 
>> Saturday's ride: https://youtu.be/6hBpmSL6lRc?si=v7gIUKY-4WelAjk3), but 
>> the additional weight is definitely felt when I lift it, and even with its 
>> relatively short chainstays (still 2cm longer than my touring bike!), I 
>> find that when I have to stand up and sprint it just doesn't accelerate the 
>> way more touring bike does.
>>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Gordon Stam]

dt - Congrats on the purchase of the orange 53! That's why I bought the
Charlie, to complement the Clem as a speedier and lighter alternative. I
thought my old Romulus would do the trick with a swap to flat bars but the
frame is just too tight. While the stem to seat distance is okay I get some
pretty good toe overlap with the flat pedals, size 11 shoes, and the 40C
tires I'm wanting to run. Back in the day with clipless pedals and 33c
tires - and drop bars - it was no problem but times, and my body, have
changed.

Everything from the Rom ought to swap over to the Charlie including my long
cherished Mavic Open Pro rims on Dura Ace hubs (130mm rear dropout
spacing!). I'll probably need to fiddle with stem lengths and try a
handlebar or two, and I know I'll need another one of the Rivendell
universal shifter adapters because I intend to mount the shifters to the
stem like on the Clem, but other than that I should be able to build up Sir
Charle (or Madame Charlie) without going broke. But you know how that is -
I always spend more than I originally anticipated on a bike build. But what
are hobbies for?

On Mon, Oct 6, 2025, 3:24 PM 'dt...@pm.me' via RBW Owners Bunch <
rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com> wrote:

> Just ordered a 53 cm Orange Charlie on Saturday. I'm going to have RBW
> build it. They did such a great job with my Sam from last year that I
> couldn't see doing it myself! I chose the "you pick the fun stuff" build
> with Choco bars. I requested one of their blue Newbaum tapes for the bars,
> thinking it would match the blue Charlie signature and the horses on the
> chainstay, but now I'm wondering if it's going to be too garish (at least
> for me!) in contrast with the orange. Thinking now one of the brown, orange
> or copper colors with amber shellac might tone down the orange a bit. Of
> course, it's going to be a couple months before they get to the build
> though, so I've got some time to make up my mind.
>
> Like I mentioned, I bought a Sam last year, and though I'm very happy with
> it, I kind of miss a lightish road bike. The Sam's frame is a bit stouter
> than I need, especially at my weight (about 145 lbs), and I'm not really
> ready to go back to drop bars (if ever!). The lighter tubes and from all
> that I've been reading about it here and on RBW's website makes it seem
> like will fit my needs pretty well. Hope to get it in time for some good
> rides before winter really sets in around here!
>
> On Friday, October 3, 2025 at 5:47:37 PM UTC-4 gds...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> I too scored me a 61 CM in Mermaid, which color I may be calling Sea Foam
>> Green after an old Cannondale frame that was advertised to be that color.
>> The colors are similar but of course the Charlie is quite a bit more
>> elegant. On a recent (and enjoyable!) trip out to Rivendell World
>> Headquarters in Walnut Creek I had a chance to ride Will's 61 CM Charlie
>> that sealed the deal.
>>
>> My sister, brother in law, and nephew joined me on the visit and we had a
>> good time talking bicycles and baseball.
>>
>> On Monday, September 29, 2025 at 4:16:00 PM UTC-6 Mike Gillespie wrote:
>>
>>> I ordered a 61cm in mermaid.  Looking forward to building up what
>>> appears to be a pretty unique bike.  I’m on the low end of the recommended
>>> size range for the 61, which pretty much restricts me to an alt style bar.
>>> I guess I’ve finally come to the conclusion that drop bars aren’t what they
>>> used to be for me. It will replace one of my last two drop bar bikes, so
>>> we’ll see how much use that last one actually gets. Anyone want to buy a
>>> set of drops?
>>>
>>> Mike
>>>
>>> On Monday, September 29, 2025 at 2:24:15 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding
>>> Ding! wrote:
>>>

 Alright, who are the new lucky owners of the ‘25 Charlies? I’m still
 quite taken with mine!

 On Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 1:09:18 PM UTC-4 Drew Saunders wrote:

> If you're curious about Muybridge, I just got this book and can
> recommend it: https://drawnandquarterly.com/books/muybridge/
>
> There is a historical marker for the "Birth of Motion Pictures" near
> the Stanford Equestrian Center.
>
> On Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 5:21:35 PM UTC-7 Jason Fuller wrote:
>
>> To add further background to the horses on the chainstay, as I
>> understand these are referencing a historically important moment in
>> photography:
>>
>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Horse_in_Motion
>>
>>
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> 

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Leah Peterson]

Well congrats to the Charlie owners! I just got back from another club ride tonight. I am trying for 4,000 miles and tonight Charlie and I were brought to 3675.9 miles. We are going out for another club ride tomorrow and that should get us to 3700. Dt - you will love the 53 Charlie. So fast and light and nimble. I’m sure most of my miles this year are Charlie miles and they’ve been good ones. I am shocked these don’t fly off shelves the way some other models do; maybe not a lot of club riders in Rivendell world. But I’m grateful they made this bike because I like being in my local club and I have a fast, comfortable, safe bike to ride in it. Show us the pics! (When its built.)LeahOn Oct 6, 2025, at 7:44 PM, Gordon Stam  wrote:dt - Congrats on the purchase of the orange 53! That's why I bought the Charlie, to complement the Clem as a speedier and lighter alternative. I thought my old Romulus would do the trick with a swap to flat bars but the frame is just too tight. While the stem to seat distance is okay I get some pretty good toe overlap with the flat pedals, size 11 shoes, and the 40C tires I'm wanting to run. Back in the day with clipless pedals and 33c tires - and drop bars - it was no problem but times, and my body, have changed.Everything from the Rom ought to swap over to the Charlie including my long cherished Mavic Open Pro rims on Dura Ace hubs (130mm rear dropout spacing!). I'll probably need to fiddle with stem lengths and try a handlebar or two, and I know I'll need another one of the Rivendell universal shifter adapters because I intend to mount the shifters to the stem like on the Clem, but other than that I should be able to build up Sir Charle (or Madame Charlie) without going broke. But you know how that is - I always spend more than I originally anticipated on a bike build. But what are hobbies for?On Mon, Oct 6, 2025, 3:24 PM 'dt...@pm.me' via RBW Owners Bunch  wrote:Just ordered a 53 cm Orange Charlie on Saturday. I'm going to have RBW build it. They did such a great job with my Sam from last year that I couldn't see doing it myself! I chose the "you pick the fun stuff" build with Choco bars. I requested one of their blue Newbaum tapes for the bars, thinking it would match the blue Charlie signature and the horses on the chainstay, but now I'm wondering if it's going to be too garish (at least for me!) in contrast with the orange. Thinking now one of the brown, orange or copper colors with amber shellac might tone down the orange a bit. Of course, it's going to be a couple months before they get to the build though, so I've got some time to make up my mind. Like I mentioned, I bought a Sam last year, and though I'm very happy with it, I kind of miss a lightish road bike. The Sam's frame is a bit stouter than I need, especially at my weight (about 145 lbs), and I'm not really ready to go back to drop bars (if ever!). The lighter tubes and from all that I've been reading about it here and on RBW's website makes it seem like will fit my needs pretty well. Hope to get it in time for some good rides before winter really sets in around here!On Friday, October 3, 2025 at 5:47:37 PM UTC-4 gds...@gmail.com wrote:I too scored me a 61 CM in Mermaid, which color I may be calling Sea Foam Green after an old Cannondale frame that was advertised to be that color. The colors are similar but of course the Charlie is quite a bit more elegant. On a recent (and enjoyable!) trip out to Rivendell World Headquarters in Walnut Creek I had a chance to ride Will's 61 CM Charlie that sealed the deal. My sister, brother in law, and nephew joined me on the visit and we had a good time talking bicycles and baseball. On Monday, September 29, 2025 at 4:16:00 PM UTC-6 Mike Gillespie wrote:I ordered a 61cm in mermaid.  Looking forward to building up what appears to be a pretty unique bike.  I’m on the low end of the recommended size range for the 61, which pretty much restricts me to an alt style bar. I guess I’ve finally come to the conclusion that drop bars aren’t what they used to be for me. It will replace one of my last two drop bar bikes, so we’ll see how much use that last one actually gets. Anyone want to buy a set of drops?MikeOn Monday, September 29, 2025 at 2:24:15 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:Alright, who are the new lucky owners of the ‘25 Charlies? I’m still quite taken with mine!On Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 1:09:18 PM UTC-4 Drew Saunders wrote:If you're curious about Muybridge, I just got this book and can recommend it: https://drawnandquarterly.com/books/muybridge/There is a historical marker for the "Birth of Motion Pictures" near the Stanford Equestrian Center.On Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 5:21:35 PM UTC-7 Jason Fuller wrote:To add further background to the horses on the chainstay, as I understand these are referencing a historically important moment in photography: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Horse_in_Motion



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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Doug H.]

I've said before that Leah should be a Rivendell brand ambassador. I'm 
tempted as well by the Charlie Gallop in large part due to Leah's ride 
reports and description of the ride qualities. I also have been doing group 
rides lately on a borrowed road bike so am in the market. 
Doug
On Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 10:02:51 AM UTC-4 zem...@gmail.com wrote:

> Leah, you should really be getting paid by Riv. No post on this forum has 
> ever made me want a bicycle more than you're description of Charlie here!
>
> On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 8:52:16 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> Well they’re all missing out, Piaw! Charlie and I are in LOVE. We’ve been 
>> running off together a summer and we have thousands of miles together 
>> now. Charlie is What Women Want. Long wheelbases…we are into them. Pullback 
>> bars? Say less; we’re sold. Oh, the racers in the group say Charlie isn’t a 
>> Real Road Bike? Hold my earrings.
>>
>> I came home tonight from yet another club ride and my husband met me at 
>> the door. We did the schtick where he pretends to be suspicious of me and 
>> Charlie’s activities and confess Charlie and I were out in the night 
>> together again but it didn’t mean anything. 
>>
>> Charlie is a looker and a *scoundrel.* And those racers don’t know any 
>> of this joy.
>>
>> On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 1:06:17 PM UTC-4 pi...@gmail.com wrote:
>>
>>> On Mon, Oct 6, 2025 at 10:26 PM Joe Bernard  wrote:
>>>
 I think it's a very cool frame (your build is AMAZING) but definitely a 
 niche within the Riv niche. The road bike world is still quite 
 conservative 
 and getting them to accept pullback bars to match the long toptube is 
 never 
 going to be an easy sell. The dropped toptube is also a quirk some will 
 balk at.

>>>
>>> It's certainly true that the Charlie Gallop isn't a conventional road 
>>> bike. To be honest, though, there are plenty of reasons non racers won't 
>>> pick the Charlie Gallop as well. For instance, the ultra long chainstays 
>>> mean that the Charlie Gallop would be difficult to fit into a bike box to 
>>> get onto a plane to do a bike tour far from home. (That's also what turned 
>>> me off the Homer as well) That long wheelbase also can make it hard to fit 
>>> into trains or vans or cars. (I've done it with a tandem which is even 
>>> longer, but let's just say that I've had evil stares from fellow 
>>> passengers, and obviously some bus drivers are more helpful than others)
>>>
>>> The pullback bars also are much much wider than narrow drop bars. So for 
>>> instance, while I can easily fit 2-3 drop bar bikes into the back of a 
>>> Honda Odyssey with the rear seats down), my wife's Cheviot would take up so 
>>> much room that I'd have to move it onto the roof rack instead even when I'm 
>>> planning to only move 2 bikes. In fact, a pull back bar at a crowded school 
>>> bike rack would necessitate that you'd park the bike backwards with the 
>>> rear wheel first, and in many cases a standard cable lock would have a hard 
>>> time reaching the rack in those situations, and don't even start talking 
>>> about a U-lock!
>>>
>>> Don't get me wrong, I like my Roadini (my wife shot this video on 
>>> Saturday's ride: https://youtu.be/6hBpmSL6lRc?si=v7gIUKY-4WelAjk3), but 
>>> the additional weight is definitely felt when I lift it, and even with its 
>>> relatively short chainstays (still 2cm longer than my touring bike!), I 
>>> find that when I have to stand up and sprint it just doesn't accelerate the 
>>> way more touring bike does.
>>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

['dt...@pm.me' via RBW Owners Bunch]

Thanks for the comment Joe. I have good confidence now that the Charlie 
will have no trouble fitting on the rack. 

Chuck

On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 5:14:00 PM UTC-4 Joe Bernard wrote:

I'm a bus driver and yes, I've fit some quite long bikes on the rack. Not 
sure my Clem would do it but it's markedly longer than a Charlie. 
I


On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 6:32:48 AM UTC-7 jonca...@gmail.com wrote:

I see MTBs on bus racks here in DC quite often which should be longer than 
a Charlie 

On Thu, Oct 9, 2025 at 7:37 AM Ryan Fleming  wrote:

Yikes Leah! What's up with these guys?!...yes I've had similar things 
happen to me...too bad you didn't get his license plate and report the son 
of a bitch. If that Varia helps to keep you and your riding buddies safe, 
it's a good investment...a camera app would be nice :)

Stay safe!

On Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 6:01:52 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

Oh gosh, I hope you find a way to love those bars, Jay because upright bars 
have been so good to me. I always see my friends lifting hands off drop 
bars and shaking the numbness out of them. My bars cost me in headwinds, 
but otherwise I find myself unlimited by them. 

The Varia. Let me tell you a story. We’ll depart from the Charlie content 
for a moment.

I was at the MNR (Monday Night Ride) one fine September night. The 
participation has dropped way off now that we’re losing the light. That 
left only Linda and me in our group. We had only gotten to the stop sign 
out of the park and a woman in a minivan was screaming at us. We were 
confused - had we done something? Was she really screaming at *us*? I 
watched her through her rear window (she had passed us and we were now 
stopped at the stop sign behind her) and she definitely was directing it at 
us. 

We rode on, got honked at. Rode another mile, got honked at again. I turned 
to Linda and said, “Geez, what’s with the aggression tonight?” Usually the 
Michiganders are the nicest people.

But soon after, we had our first vehicle pass us closely. It’s a rare but 
terrifying tactic drivers use to make you feel like they might hit you as 
they pass by. And shortly after, a 2nd vehicle pulled the same stunt. We 
were only the two of us. We are far right in our lane and easy to pass. We 
are obeying the law. 

But the grand finale came on a quiet, 2-lane, paved, rural road. I heard 
the threat before I saw it. An aggressive-sounding engine belonging to the 
biggest black pickup with hugest mirrors turned onto our road. It revved 
its engine. “Linda, I have a bad feeling about this guy,” I said. “I’m 
going to single up.” There is no one on that road but us. We are single 
file. We are on the shoulder of the road. We are not impeding this driver 
in any way. He can easily pass us because we’ve left him room and there are 
no other vehicles around. 

He guns it. Rushes up in the passing lane, cuts in in front of us and 
absolutely coal rolls us. Thick, black smoke. What a big, tough guy, 
harassing two women on bicycles who had done him no wrong. I was shook. Not 
once did we yell, gesture or retaliate against anyone. Since our manners 
mattered not, we cut our ride short and went back to the park. It just felt 
like a bad night to be out after 22 miles with that many encounters. I 
wrote on the club social media about it. Asked if anyone else had 
aggression and one group had. A small tan pickup had cut in front of them, 
came to a complete stop and they only barely managed to avoid a collision 
by hitting their brakes. That guy got reported to the police. 

The next morning at work I was recounting the tale to an anesthesiologist 
who also rides, and he said one of the CRNAs had just told him the same - 
he’d been harassed last night, too. That doc said, “Do you have a Varia?” I 
said no, I have a Garmin but no radar, and he said, “Leah, you really 
should get one. It is the best thing I’ve ever bought for my bike.” And 
then he pulled it up online and showed it to me. “I really think you need 
this,” he said. I was skeptical. That day my bike shop sent their 
e-newsletter and guess what was on sale? I rode my Platypus to the shop the 
next day and got a Varia for $50 off.

So now Charlie is sporting a radar/tail light and I really like it so far. 
Did you know you can let your friends hook up to it, too? So now some of 
the other girls who don’t have them have connected to Charlie’s Varia and 
we are all better off for it.


On Oct 8, 2025, at 10:15 PM, Jay  wrote:

You're great with the flowery language, Leah!


The Varia is the single best accessory I ever bought for cycling.  I ride 
on the road a lot, and I'm so relaxed having this companion behind me, 
letting me know with an audio and visual cue that a car is coming, I stick 
out my hand to wave, easing over to my right without slowing down or 
looking behind me.  Close to half of the drivers wave, most getting way 
over to the left.

Charlie looks to be a great bike, if you like sw

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Leah Peterson]

Oh gosh, I hope you find a way to love those bars, Jay because upright bars have been so good to me. I always see my friends lifting hands off drop bars and shaking the numbness out of them. My bars cost me in headwinds, but otherwise I find myself unlimited by them. The Varia. Let me tell you a story. We’ll depart from the Charlie content for a moment.I was at the MNR (Monday Night Ride) one fine September night. The participation has dropped way off now that we’re losing the light. That left only Linda and me in our group. We had only gotten to the stop sign out of the park and a woman in a minivan was screaming at us. We were confused - had we done something? Was she really screaming at us? I watched her through her rear window (she had passed us and we were now stopped at the stop sign behind her) and she definitely was directing it at us. We rode on, got honked at. Rode another mile, got honked at again. I turned to Linda and said, “Geez, what’s with the aggression tonight?” Usually the Michiganders are the nicest people.But soon after, we had our first vehicle pass us closely. It’s a rare but terrifying tactic drivers use to make you feel like they might hit you as they pass by. And shortly after, a 2nd vehicle pulled the same stunt. We were only the two of us. We are far right in our lane and easy to pass. We are obeying the law. But the grand finale came on a quiet, 2-lane, paved, rural road. I heard the threat before I saw it. An aggressive-sounding engine belonging to the biggest black pickup with hugest mirrors turned onto our road. It revved its engine. “Linda, I have a bad feeling about this guy,” I said. “I’m going to single up.” There is no one on that road but us. We are single file. We are on the shoulder of the road. We are not impeding this driver in any way. He can easily pass us because we’ve left him room and there are no other vehicles around. He guns it. Rushes up in the passing lane, cuts in in front of us and absolutely coal rolls us. Thick, black smoke. What a big, tough guy, harassing two women on bicycles who had done him no wrong. I was shook. Not once did we yell, gesture or retaliate against anyone. Since our manners mattered not, we cut our ride short and went back to the park. It just felt like a bad night to be out after 22 miles with that many encounters. I wrote on the club social media about it. Asked if anyone else had aggression and one group had. A small tan pickup had cut in front of them, came to a complete stop and they only barely managed to avoid a collision by hitting their brakes. That guy got reported to the police. The next morning at work I was recounting the tale to an anesthesiologist who also rides, and he said one of the CRNAs had just told him the same - he’d been harassed last night, too. That doc said, “Do you have a Varia?” I said no, I have a Garmin but no radar, and he said, “Leah, you really should get one. It is the best thing I’ve ever bought for my bike.” And then he pulled it up online and showed it to me. “I really think you need this,” he said. I was skeptical. That day my bike shop sent their e-newsletter and guess what was on sale? I rode my Platypus to the shop the next day and got a Varia for $50 off.So now Charlie is sporting a radar/tail light and I really like it so far. Did you know you can let your friends hook up to it, too? So now some of the other girls who don’t have them have connected to Charlie’s Varia and we are all better off for it.On Oct 8, 2025, at 10:15 PM, Jay  wrote:You're great with the flowery language, Leah!The Varia is the single best accessory I ever bought for cycling.  I ride on the road a lot, and I'm so relaxed having this companion behind me, letting me know with an audio and visual cue that a car is coming, I stick out my hand to wave, easing over to my right without slowing down or looking behind me.  Close to half of the drivers wave, most getting way over to the left.Charlie looks to be a great bike, if you like swept bars.  I have them on another bike and I'm still trying to figure them out (6 months later).  I think there is a huge potential for more road bikes with good tire clearance, tall head tubes, and short top tubes to allow for drop bars.  My Roadini is my baby, but there is potential there for more!On Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 5:42:59 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:Aw, thanks, friends. I have had a ball on these bikes and I wish everyone else got to experience the same. And lots of other RivSisters will echo what I wrote. And it’s not hard to romanticize about bikes. The flowery language comes easy!I have little bits of conversion I didn’t mean to make. I got dyno swearing that I’d never be a slave to charging my lights. But now I have a Garmin and a Varia that get charged anyway, because suddenly, I can’t live without either of those. So Charlie is looking a little odd, running around here with his Garmin up front and his Varia on his rear. But he’s still pure Rivendell. LeahO

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

['dt...@pm.me' via RBW Owners Bunch]

Thanks Bill, I may be switching my order to a 57 from a 53. The 53 has very 
similar stack, reach, and top tube numbers as my 54 Sam, so I thought that 
was the right size, but after considering the rest of the geometry, the 57 
will be a better fit (as the Gallop product page suggests, as well, given 
my 85.85 PBH). I was asking for wheelbase, because the bike fits in a tray 
on the front (outside) of the  bus, and as long as the wheels fit in the 
tray, it can be carried.

Chuck

On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 8:39:00 PM UTC-4 Bill Lindsay wrote:

I measured the wheelbase of my 57 Charlie H Gallop.  It's around 47.75 
inches.  Wheelbase by definition is hub to hub.  That's 121cm give or take. 
 

I think that if I was worried about hanging bus racks, I may be more 
interested in total overall length rather than just wheelbase.  I measured 
the total overall length of my 57 Charlie H Gallop.  It's around 74 inches. 
 

A number that can be useful to keep in one's pocket is 1m, 100cm, 1000mm. 
 Typical road bikes have a wheelbase in the neighborhood of 1m.  Shorter 
than 1m is a short wheelbase.  Touring bikes may have a wheelbase in the 
neighborhood of 110cm.  Riv long-bikes are indeed pretty long.  

I just got back from Japan, where 19 of 20 urban bikes were step-through 
and probably 1 in 10 were mini velos of some kind.  I did not get outside 
the big cities of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.  

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA



On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 3:47:38 PM UTC-7 dt...@pm.me wrote:

Curious as to how long the Charlie's wheelbase is. In particular the 53 cm 
size.  If anyone could measure who has one? The buses around here 
(Cincinnati) have bike carriers on the front of them and wonder if the 
Charlie will be too big. Thanks.

Chuck 
 
On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 1:06:17 PM UTC-4 pi...@gmail.com wrote:

On Mon, Oct 6, 2025 at 10:26 PM Joe Bernard  wrote:

I think it's a very cool frame (your build is AMAZING) but definitely a 
niche within the Riv niche. The road bike world is still quite conservative 
and getting them to accept pullback bars to match the long toptube is never 
going to be an easy sell. The dropped toptube is also a quirk some will 
balk at.


It's certainly true that the Charlie Gallop isn't a conventional road bike. 
To be honest, though, there are plenty of reasons non racers won't pick the 
Charlie Gallop as well. For instance, the ultra long chainstays mean that 
the Charlie Gallop would be difficult to fit into a bike box to get onto a 
plane to do a bike tour far from home. (That's also what turned me off the 
Homer as well) That long wheelbase also can make it hard to fit into trains 
or vans or cars. (I've done it with a tandem which is even longer, but 
let's just say that I've had evil stares from fellow passengers, and 
obviously some bus drivers are more helpful than others)

The pullback bars also are much much wider than narrow drop bars. So for 
instance, while I can easily fit 2-3 drop bar bikes into the back of a 
Honda Odyssey with the rear seats down), my wife's Cheviot would take up so 
much room that I'd have to move it onto the roof rack instead even when I'm 
planning to only move 2 bikes. In fact, a pull back bar at a crowded school 
bike rack would necessitate that you'd park the bike backwards with the 
rear wheel first, and in many cases a standard cable lock would have a hard 
time reaching the rack in those situations, and don't even start talking 
about a U-lock!

Don't get me wrong, I like my Roadini (my wife shot this video on 
Saturday's ride: https://youtu.be/6hBpmSL6lRc?si=v7gIUKY-4WelAjk3), but the 
additional weight is definitely felt when I lift it, and even with its 
relatively short chainstays (still 2cm longer than my touring bike!), I 
find that when I have to stand up and sprint it just doesn't accelerate the 
way more touring bike does.

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Leah Peterson]

Aw, thanks, friends. I have had a ball on these bikes and I wish everyone else got to experience the same. And lots of other RivSisters will echo what I wrote. And it’s not hard to romanticize about bikes. The flowery language comes easy!I have little bits of conversion I didn’t mean to make. I got dyno swearing that I’d never be a slave to charging my lights. But now I have a Garmin and a Varia that get charged anyway, because suddenly, I can’t live without either of those. So Charlie is looking a little odd, running around here with his Garmin up front and his Varia on his rear. But he’s still pure Rivendell. LeahOn Oct 8, 2025, at 10:03 AM, zem...@gmail.com  wrote:Leah, you should really be getting paid by Riv. No post on this forum has ever made me want a bicycle more than you're description of Charlie here!On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 8:52:16 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:Well they’re all missing out, Piaw! Charlie and I are in LOVE. We’ve been running off together a summer and we have thousands of miles together now. Charlie is What Women Want. Long wheelbases…we are into them. Pullback bars? Say less; we’re sold. Oh, the racers in the group say Charlie isn’t a Real Road Bike? Hold my earrings.I came home tonight from yet another club ride and my husband met me at the door. We did the schtick where he pretends to be suspicious of me and Charlie’s activities and confess Charlie and I were out in the night together again but it didn’t mean anything. Charlie is a looker and a scoundrel. And those racers don’t know any of this joy.On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 1:06:17 PM UTC-4 pi...@gmail.com wrote:On Mon, Oct 6, 2025 at 10:26 PM Joe Bernard  wrote:I think it's a very cool frame (your build is AMAZING) but definitely a niche within the Riv niche. The road bike world is still quite conservative and getting them to accept pullback bars to match the long toptube is never going to be an easy sell. The dropped toptube is also a quirk some will balk at.It's certainly true that the Charlie Gallop isn't a conventional road bike. To be honest, though, there are plenty of reasons non racers won't pick the Charlie Gallop as well. For instance, the ultra long chainstays mean that the Charlie Gallop would be difficult to fit into a bike box to get onto a plane to do a bike tour far from home. (That's also what turned me off the Homer as well) That long wheelbase also can make it hard to fit into trains or vans or cars. (I've done it with a tandem which is even longer, but let's just say that I've had evil stares from fellow passengers, and obviously some bus drivers are more helpful than others)The pullback bars also are much much wider than narrow drop bars. So for instance, while I can easily fit 2-3 drop bar bikes into the back of a Honda Odyssey with the rear seats down), my wife's Cheviot would take up so much room that I'd have to move it onto the roof rack instead even when I'm planning to only move 2 bikes. In fact, a pull back bar at a crowded school bike rack would necessitate that you'd park the bike backwards with the rear wheel first, and in many cases a standard cable lock would have a hard time reaching the rack in those situations, and don't even start talking about a U-lock!Don't get me wrong, I like my Roadini (my wife shot this video on Saturday's ride: https://youtu.be/6hBpmSL6lRc?si=v7gIUKY-4WelAjk3), but the additional weight is definitely felt when I lift it, and even with its relatively short chainstays (still 2cm longer than my touring bike!), I find that when I have to stand up and sprint it just doesn't accelerate the way more touring bike does.





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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Gordon Stam]

I too scored me a 61 CM in Mermaid, which color I may be calling Sea Foam 
Green after an old Cannondale frame that was advertised to be that color. 
The colors are similar but of course the Charlie is quite a bit more 
elegant. On a recent (and enjoyable!) trip out to Rivendell World 
Headquarters in Walnut Creek I had a chance to ride Will's 61 CM Charlie 
that sealed the deal. 

My sister, brother in law, and nephew joined me on the visit and we had a 
good time talking bicycles and baseball. 

On Monday, September 29, 2025 at 4:16:00 PM UTC-6 Mike Gillespie wrote:

> I ordered a 61cm in mermaid.  Looking forward to building up what appears 
> to be a pretty unique bike.  I’m on the low end of the recommended size 
> range for the 61, which pretty much restricts me to an alt style bar. I 
> guess I’ve finally come to the conclusion that drop bars aren’t what they 
> used to be for me. It will replace one of my last two drop bar bikes, so 
> we’ll see how much use that last one actually gets. Anyone want to buy a 
> set of drops?
>
> Mike
>
> On Monday, September 29, 2025 at 2:24:15 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>>
>> Alright, who are the new lucky owners of the ‘25 Charlies? I’m still 
>> quite taken with mine!
>>
>> On Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 1:09:18 PM UTC-4 Drew Saunders wrote:
>>
>>> If you're curious about Muybridge, I just got this book and can 
>>> recommend it: https://drawnandquarterly.com/books/muybridge/
>>>
>>> There is a historical marker for the "Birth of Motion Pictures" near the 
>>> Stanford Equestrian Center.
>>>
>>> On Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 5:21:35 PM UTC-7 Jason Fuller wrote:
>>>
 To add further background to the horses on the chainstay, as I 
 understand these are referencing a historically important moment in 
 photography: 

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Horse_in_Motion




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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Mike Gillespie]

I ordered a 61cm in mermaid.  Looking forward to building up what appears 
to be a pretty unique bike.  I’m on the low end of the recommended size 
range for the 61, which pretty much restricts me to an alt style bar. I 
guess I’ve finally come to the conclusion that drop bars aren’t what they 
used to be for me. It will replace one of my last two drop bar bikes, so 
we’ll see how much use that last one actually gets. Anyone want to buy a 
set of drops?

Mike

On Monday, September 29, 2025 at 2:24:15 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

>
> Alright, who are the new lucky owners of the ‘25 Charlies? I’m still quite 
> taken with mine!
>
> On Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 1:09:18 PM UTC-4 Drew Saunders wrote:
>
>> If you're curious about Muybridge, I just got this book and can recommend 
>> it: https://drawnandquarterly.com/books/muybridge/
>>
>> There is a historical marker for the "Birth of Motion Pictures" near the 
>> Stanford Equestrian Center.
>>
>> On Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 5:21:35 PM UTC-7 Jason Fuller wrote:
>>
>>> To add further background to the horses on the chainstay, as I 
>>> understand these are referencing a historically important moment in 
>>> photography: 
>>>
>>> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Horse_in_Motion
>>>
>>>
>>>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Drew Saunders]

If you're curious about Muybridge, I just got this book and can recommend 
it: https://drawnandquarterly.com/books/muybridge/

There is a historical marker for the "Birth of Motion Pictures" near the 
Stanford Equestrian Center.

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 5:21:35 PM UTC-7 Jason Fuller wrote:

> To add further background to the horses on the chainstay, as I understand 
> these are referencing a historically important moment in photography: 
>
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Horse_in_Motion
>
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Ryan]

ha ha 
jason you read my mind and pipped me at the post

Edward Muybridge...was what I was thinking of too. Appropriate given 
Rivendell's fascination with horses and photography

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEqccPhsqgA&ab_channel=silentfilmhouse

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 7:21:35 PM UTC-5 Jason Fuller wrote:

> To add further background to the horses on the chainstay, as I understand 
> these are referencing a historically important moment in photography: 
>
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Horse_in_Motion
>
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Jason Fuller]

To add further background to the horses on the chainstay, as I understand 
these are referencing a historically important moment in photography: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Horse_in_Motion


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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Bill Lindsay]

Both very good.  Blue Lug gets it when it comes to Rivendell bikes.  They 
are a very good dealer for Rivendell to have.  

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 5:52:31 AM UTC-7 Takashi wrote:

> Here's a recent post from Blue Lug blog:
> https://bluelug.com/blog/hatagaya/charlie-h-gallop/
>
> When I translated this post with Google Translator, there are inaccurate 
> translations here and there, but I think you can get the idea.
>
> And, if you haven't read this already, here's a post from Dec 2024.
> https://bluelug.com/blog/global/i-just-misunderstood-charlie-h-gallop/
>
> Takashi
>
>
> 2025年5月18日日曜日 20:46:01 UTC+9 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!:
>
>> Oh, no, we must never part with our Platys. There’s probably some law 
>> about that, somewhere. Even I have not violated it! I have three of them 
>> and one of them is wholly unnecessary and do you see any for sale signs 
>> around here? 
>>
>> Ok, I’m joking, but only half joking. Platys are like air - we need 
>> them!!!
>>
>> On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 11:10:46 PM UTC-4 JAS wrote:
>>
>>> Leah, the answer is yes, I am having trouble deciding what to ride.  My 
>>> favorite riding is on dirt trails, so Clem is the winner there.  However, 
>>> Charlie is for the road and I have lots of non-busy roads I can ride from 
>>> my house.  Charlie would be my choice for paved rail trails as well.  Platy 
>>> is going to become the hauler for trips to the grocery store and with the 
>>> Travoy for recycling duty.  It's such a hard choiceI almost don't need 
>>> the Platy.  (Horrors!)  I need a year to work through the rides, get some 
>>> fenders onto Charlie and see how it all plays out.  Meanwhile, I love 
>>> having choices!
>>>
>>> On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 7:15:17 PM UTC-7 Joe Bernard wrote:
>>>
 Jay, you need a barcon which matches the Exact Actuation pull ratio of 
 SRAM road derailleurs. SRAM makes one for tri bikes. 

 https://www.sram.com/en/sram/models/sl-500-aero-a2

 I assume Microshift makes one also but all I could find was stuff 
 matched to mountain X-Actuation derailleurs. I have a Microshift thumby 
 (index/friction, Exact Actuation) shifting a Rival 1. 

 Joe Bernard 

 On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 5:05:41 PM UTC-7 Jay wrote:

> A question for you, Bill.  I picked up on this from your post: "*I 
> could convert to a 1x11 with GRX rear Der, and an 11-speed indexed 
> barcon, 
> with an 11-42 cassette*"
>
> On my Fargo I'm currently running Sram Apex 1x.  Down the road I was 
> thinking of switching to a barcon, Tektro RRL brake levers, as they're my 
> favourite and I want to try 24-36 degree flared bars and I think the 
> shape 
> of these levers would work okay on the angle resulting from the flared 
> bar 
> (to my existing TRP Spryre callipers), using the existing Apex rear 
> derailleur and 11-42 cassette.   I thought of running a barcon shifter 
> but 
> wasn't sure what would work with my set-up...what barcon were you going 
> to 
> run with GRX?  Would that work with Sram Apex rear der?  I welcome yours 
> and anyone else's thoughts as to how I can add a barcon for my 1x Sram 
> Apex.
>
> On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 12:36:43 PM UTC-4 Ted Durant wrote:
>
>> On Friday, May 16, 2025 at 9:06:41 PM UTC-5 JAS wrote:
>>
>> And.here she is!  Charlie III in all her glory, named after two 
>> special dogs I know who are, of course, Charlie I and Charlie II.  She's 
>> fast and light compared to my Clem and Platy and such a delight to ride. 
>>  
>> Joyful, zippy, and beautiful!  I tried for all-silver components and did 
>> pretty well except for the rear derailleur.  Be careful not to be 
>> blinded 
>> by the polished Velocity rims!  
>>
>>
>> I love how Rivendells in general, and Charlies in particular, are 
>> inspiring people to do very personal builds. Keep 'em coming!
>>
>> Ted Durant
>> Milwaukee, WI USA
>>
>>  
>>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Takashi]

Here's a recent post from Blue Lug blog:
https://bluelug.com/blog/hatagaya/charlie-h-gallop/

When I translated this post with Google Translator, there are inaccurate 
translations here and there, but I think you can get the idea.

And, if you haven't read this already, here's a post from Dec 2024.
https://bluelug.com/blog/global/i-just-misunderstood-charlie-h-gallop/

Takashi


2025年5月18日日曜日 20:46:01 UTC+9 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!:

> Oh, no, we must never part with our Platys. There’s probably some law 
> about that, somewhere. Even I have not violated it! I have three of them 
> and one of them is wholly unnecessary and do you see any for sale signs 
> around here? 
>
> Ok, I’m joking, but only half joking. Platys are like air - we need them!!!
>
> On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 11:10:46 PM UTC-4 JAS wrote:
>
>> Leah, the answer is yes, I am having trouble deciding what to ride.  My 
>> favorite riding is on dirt trails, so Clem is the winner there.  However, 
>> Charlie is for the road and I have lots of non-busy roads I can ride from 
>> my house.  Charlie would be my choice for paved rail trails as well.  Platy 
>> is going to become the hauler for trips to the grocery store and with the 
>> Travoy for recycling duty.  It's such a hard choiceI almost don't need 
>> the Platy.  (Horrors!)  I need a year to work through the rides, get some 
>> fenders onto Charlie and see how it all plays out.  Meanwhile, I love 
>> having choices!
>>
>> On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 7:15:17 PM UTC-7 Joe Bernard wrote:
>>
>>> Jay, you need a barcon which matches the Exact Actuation pull ratio of 
>>> SRAM road derailleurs. SRAM makes one for tri bikes. 
>>>
>>> https://www.sram.com/en/sram/models/sl-500-aero-a2
>>>
>>> I assume Microshift makes one also but all I could find was stuff 
>>> matched to mountain X-Actuation derailleurs. I have a Microshift thumby 
>>> (index/friction, Exact Actuation) shifting a Rival 1. 
>>>
>>> Joe Bernard 
>>>
>>> On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 5:05:41 PM UTC-7 Jay wrote:
>>>
 A question for you, Bill.  I picked up on this from your post: "*I 
 could convert to a 1x11 with GRX rear Der, and an 11-speed indexed barcon, 
 with an 11-42 cassette*"

 On my Fargo I'm currently running Sram Apex 1x.  Down the road I was 
 thinking of switching to a barcon, Tektro RRL brake levers, as they're my 
 favourite and I want to try 24-36 degree flared bars and I think the shape 
 of these levers would work okay on the angle resulting from the flared bar 
 (to my existing TRP Spryre callipers), using the existing Apex rear 
 derailleur and 11-42 cassette.   I thought of running a barcon shifter but 
 wasn't sure what would work with my set-up...what barcon were you going to 
 run with GRX?  Would that work with Sram Apex rear der?  I welcome yours 
 and anyone else's thoughts as to how I can add a barcon for my 1x Sram 
 Apex.

 On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 12:36:43 PM UTC-4 Ted Durant wrote:

> On Friday, May 16, 2025 at 9:06:41 PM UTC-5 JAS wrote:
>
> And.here she is!  Charlie III in all her glory, named after two 
> special dogs I know who are, of course, Charlie I and Charlie II.  She's 
> fast and light compared to my Clem and Platy and such a delight to ride.  
> Joyful, zippy, and beautiful!  I tried for all-silver components and did 
> pretty well except for the rear derailleur.  Be careful not to be blinded 
> by the polished Velocity rims!  
>
>
> I love how Rivendells in general, and Charlies in particular, are 
> inspiring people to do very personal builds. Keep 'em coming!
>
> Ted Durant
> Milwaukee, WI USA
>
>  
>


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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

Oh, no, we must never part with our Platys. There’s probably some law about 
that, somewhere. Even I have not violated it! I have three of them and one 
of them is wholly unnecessary and do you see any for sale signs around 
here? 

Ok, I’m joking, but only half joking. Platys are like air - we need them!!!

On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 11:10:46 PM UTC-4 JAS wrote:

> Leah, the answer is yes, I am having trouble deciding what to ride.  My 
> favorite riding is on dirt trails, so Clem is the winner there.  However, 
> Charlie is for the road and I have lots of non-busy roads I can ride from 
> my house.  Charlie would be my choice for paved rail trails as well.  Platy 
> is going to become the hauler for trips to the grocery store and with the 
> Travoy for recycling duty.  It's such a hard choiceI almost don't need 
> the Platy.  (Horrors!)  I need a year to work through the rides, get some 
> fenders onto Charlie and see how it all plays out.  Meanwhile, I love 
> having choices!
>
> On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 7:15:17 PM UTC-7 Joe Bernard wrote:
>
>> Jay, you need a barcon which matches the Exact Actuation pull ratio of 
>> SRAM road derailleurs. SRAM makes one for tri bikes. 
>>
>> https://www.sram.com/en/sram/models/sl-500-aero-a2
>>
>> I assume Microshift makes one also but all I could find was stuff matched 
>> to mountain X-Actuation derailleurs. I have a Microshift thumby 
>> (index/friction, Exact Actuation) shifting a Rival 1. 
>>
>> Joe Bernard 
>>
>> On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 5:05:41 PM UTC-7 Jay wrote:
>>
>>> A question for you, Bill.  I picked up on this from your post: "*I 
>>> could convert to a 1x11 with GRX rear Der, and an 11-speed indexed barcon, 
>>> with an 11-42 cassette*"
>>>
>>> On my Fargo I'm currently running Sram Apex 1x.  Down the road I was 
>>> thinking of switching to a barcon, Tektro RRL brake levers, as they're my 
>>> favourite and I want to try 24-36 degree flared bars and I think the shape 
>>> of these levers would work okay on the angle resulting from the flared bar 
>>> (to my existing TRP Spryre callipers), using the existing Apex rear 
>>> derailleur and 11-42 cassette.   I thought of running a barcon shifter but 
>>> wasn't sure what would work with my set-up...what barcon were you going to 
>>> run with GRX?  Would that work with Sram Apex rear der?  I welcome yours 
>>> and anyone else's thoughts as to how I can add a barcon for my 1x Sram Apex.
>>>
>>> On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 12:36:43 PM UTC-4 Ted Durant wrote:
>>>
 On Friday, May 16, 2025 at 9:06:41 PM UTC-5 JAS wrote:

 And.here she is!  Charlie III in all her glory, named after two 
 special dogs I know who are, of course, Charlie I and Charlie II.  She's 
 fast and light compared to my Clem and Platy and such a delight to ride.  
 Joyful, zippy, and beautiful!  I tried for all-silver components and did 
 pretty well except for the rear derailleur.  Be careful not to be blinded 
 by the polished Velocity rims!  


 I love how Rivendells in general, and Charlies in particular, are 
 inspiring people to do very personal builds. Keep 'em coming!

 Ted Durant
 Milwaukee, WI USA

  

>>>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[JAS]

Leah, the answer is yes, I am having trouble deciding what to ride.  My 
favorite riding is on dirt trails, so Clem is the winner there.  However, 
Charlie is for the road and I have lots of non-busy roads I can ride from 
my house.  Charlie would be my choice for paved rail trails as well.  Platy 
is going to become the hauler for trips to the grocery store and with the 
Travoy for recycling duty.  It's such a hard choiceI almost don't need 
the Platy.  (Horrors!)  I need a year to work through the rides, get some 
fenders onto Charlie and see how it all plays out.  Meanwhile, I love 
having choices!

On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 7:15:17 PM UTC-7 Joe Bernard wrote:

> Jay, you need a barcon which matches the Exact Actuation pull ratio of 
> SRAM road derailleurs. SRAM makes one for tri bikes. 
>
> https://www.sram.com/en/sram/models/sl-500-aero-a2
>
> I assume Microshift makes one also but all I could find was stuff matched 
> to mountain X-Actuation derailleurs. I have a Microshift thumby 
> (index/friction, Exact Actuation) shifting a Rival 1. 
>
> Joe Bernard 
>
> On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 5:05:41 PM UTC-7 Jay wrote:
>
>> A question for you, Bill.  I picked up on this from your post: "*I could 
>> convert to a 1x11 with GRX rear Der, and an 11-speed indexed barcon, with 
>> an 11-42 cassette*"
>>
>> On my Fargo I'm currently running Sram Apex 1x.  Down the road I was 
>> thinking of switching to a barcon, Tektro RRL brake levers, as they're my 
>> favourite and I want to try 24-36 degree flared bars and I think the shape 
>> of these levers would work okay on the angle resulting from the flared bar 
>> (to my existing TRP Spryre callipers), using the existing Apex rear 
>> derailleur and 11-42 cassette.   I thought of running a barcon shifter but 
>> wasn't sure what would work with my set-up...what barcon were you going to 
>> run with GRX?  Would that work with Sram Apex rear der?  I welcome yours 
>> and anyone else's thoughts as to how I can add a barcon for my 1x Sram Apex.
>>
>> On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 12:36:43 PM UTC-4 Ted Durant wrote:
>>
>>> On Friday, May 16, 2025 at 9:06:41 PM UTC-5 JAS wrote:
>>>
>>> And.here she is!  Charlie III in all her glory, named after two 
>>> special dogs I know who are, of course, Charlie I and Charlie II.  She's 
>>> fast and light compared to my Clem and Platy and such a delight to ride.  
>>> Joyful, zippy, and beautiful!  I tried for all-silver components and did 
>>> pretty well except for the rear derailleur.  Be careful not to be blinded 
>>> by the polished Velocity rims!  
>>>
>>>
>>> I love how Rivendells in general, and Charlies in particular, are 
>>> inspiring people to do very personal builds. Keep 'em coming!
>>>
>>> Ted Durant
>>> Milwaukee, WI USA
>>>
>>>  
>>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Joe Bernard]

Jay, you need a barcon which matches the Exact Actuation pull ratio of SRAM 
road derailleurs. SRAM makes one for tri bikes. 

https://www.sram.com/en/sram/models/sl-500-aero-a2

I assume Microshift makes one also but all I could find was stuff matched 
to mountain X-Actuation derailleurs. I have a Microshift thumby 
(index/friction, Exact Actuation) shifting a Rival 1. 

Joe Bernard 

On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 5:05:41 PM UTC-7 Jay wrote:

> A question for you, Bill.  I picked up on this from your post: "*I could 
> convert to a 1x11 with GRX rear Der, and an 11-speed indexed barcon, with 
> an 11-42 cassette*"
>
> On my Fargo I'm currently running Sram Apex 1x.  Down the road I was 
> thinking of switching to a barcon, Tektro RRL brake levers, as they're my 
> favourite and I want to try 24-36 degree flared bars and I think the shape 
> of these levers would work okay on the angle resulting from the flared bar 
> (to my existing TRP Spryre callipers), using the existing Apex rear 
> derailleur and 11-42 cassette.   I thought of running a barcon shifter but 
> wasn't sure what would work with my set-up...what barcon were you going to 
> run with GRX?  Would that work with Sram Apex rear der?  I welcome yours 
> and anyone else's thoughts as to how I can add a barcon for my 1x Sram Apex.
>
> On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 12:36:43 PM UTC-4 Ted Durant wrote:
>
>> On Friday, May 16, 2025 at 9:06:41 PM UTC-5 JAS wrote:
>>
>> And.here she is!  Charlie III in all her glory, named after two 
>> special dogs I know who are, of course, Charlie I and Charlie II.  She's 
>> fast and light compared to my Clem and Platy and such a delight to ride.  
>> Joyful, zippy, and beautiful!  I tried for all-silver components and did 
>> pretty well except for the rear derailleur.  Be careful not to be blinded 
>> by the polished Velocity rims!  
>>
>>
>> I love how Rivendells in general, and Charlies in particular, are 
>> inspiring people to do very personal builds. Keep 'em coming!
>>
>> Ted Durant
>> Milwaukee, WI USA
>>
>>  
>>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Jay]

A question for you, Bill.  I picked up on this from your post: "*I could 
convert to a 1x11 with GRX rear Der, and an 11-speed indexed barcon, with 
an 11-42 cassette*"

On my Fargo I'm currently running Sram Apex 1x.  Down the road I was 
thinking of switching to a barcon, Tektro RRL brake levers, as they're my 
favourite and I want to try 24-36 degree flared bars and I think the shape 
of these levers would work okay on the angle resulting from the flared bar 
(to my existing TRP Spryre callipers), using the existing Apex rear 
derailleur and 11-42 cassette.   I thought of running a barcon shifter but 
wasn't sure what would work with my set-up...what barcon were you going to 
run with GRX?  Would that work with Sram Apex rear der?  I welcome yours 
and anyone else's thoughts as to how I can add a barcon for my 1x Sram Apex.

On Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 12:36:43 PM UTC-4 Ted Durant wrote:

> On Friday, May 16, 2025 at 9:06:41 PM UTC-5 JAS wrote:
>
> And.here she is!  Charlie III in all her glory, named after two 
> special dogs I know who are, of course, Charlie I and Charlie II.  She's 
> fast and light compared to my Clem and Platy and such a delight to ride.  
> Joyful, zippy, and beautiful!  I tried for all-silver components and did 
> pretty well except for the rear derailleur.  Be careful not to be blinded 
> by the polished Velocity rims!  
>
>
> I love how Rivendells in general, and Charlies in particular, are 
> inspiring people to do very personal builds. Keep 'em coming!
>
> Ted Durant
> Milwaukee, WI USA
>
>  
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Ted Durant]

On Friday, May 16, 2025 at 9:06:41 PM UTC-5 JAS wrote:

And.here she is!  Charlie III in all her glory, named after two special 
dogs I know who are, of course, Charlie I and Charlie II.  She's fast and 
light compared to my Clem and Platy and such a delight to ride.  Joyful, 
zippy, and beautiful!  I tried for all-silver components and did pretty 
well except for the rear derailleur.  Be careful not to be blinded by the 
polished Velocity rims!  


I love how Rivendells in general, and Charlies in particular, are inspiring 
people to do very personal builds. Keep 'em coming!

Ted Durant
Milwaukee, WI USA

 

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

Joyce!!! I love to see it. You thought of everything and it’s turned out so 
elegant. Charlie III, so funny. Do you have a hard time choosing between 
your 3 bikes now or does each have its place? 

On Friday, May 16, 2025 at 10:09:39 PM UTC-4 JAS wrote:

> More photos...
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Joe Bernard]

Hey, it's a Charlie thread again! With pretty pics of pretty Charlies!!! 
I'd long since given up reading this thing, it's good to see order restored 
to the universe. 

Joe Bernard 

On Friday, May 16, 2025 at 4:59:15 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:

> I agree, Jason! Where are all the Charlies? Who is riding them? There are 
> at least 4 of us women I know who got a Charlie, but they are less inclined 
> to post. Today was a weird day here. The severe storms brought down power 
> lines and trees everywhere. Only 3 women were attending the club ride, and 
> since I’m the only one who has a 30 min drive to attend, I decided to skip 
> it and do my own ride, about 25 mi,  around the lake. I took Charlie and we 
> had a ball. We had to navigate some downed trees but no power lines.
>
> I love the look of this bike and how it rides. I have so many gear 
> choices! I got higher gearing for him and it’s been great. Here is Charlie, 
> among the victims of the storms. 
> [image: image0.jpeg][image: image1.jpeg][image: image2.jpeg][image: 
> image3.jpeg][image: image4.jpeg]
>
> On May 16, 2025, at 6:37 PM, Jason Fuller  wrote:
>
> Far too few CHG photos lately - seems we're still waiting to see who they 
> all went to, save a half dozen or so! From the internet: 
>
> <470918225_8797474027017627_1613891054189862021_n.jpg>
>
>
>
>
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>  
> 
> .
> <470918225_8797474027017627_1613891054189862021_n.jpg>
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Patrick Moore]

I was refuting the presumed — note — opinion that bar and rider position
don’t matter for riding against wind, not a Grantian text. If he didn’t
actually mean that, then my rebuttal was unneeded.

If Grant simply meant that you can ride upright and have fun, then I fully
agree, tho’ it would be harder in a 20 mph steady gusts to 28 mph headwind.

On Fri, May 16, 2025 at 2:32 PM Richard Rose  wrote:

> Patrick wrote “Grand is wrong on this one.” Now I do not follow Grant’s
> writings all that closely but did he actually say that a very upright rider
> is not at a disadvantage to a more “aerodynamic” positioned rider into the
> wind? Or, did he say something more along the lines of “who cares?”.
> If it’s the latter what did he get wrong?
> Richard - used to ride long, fast pace lines. Doesn’t any more.
> Sent from my iPhone
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Bill Lindsay]

What's the subject of this thread?  Oh! Right, the Charlie H. Gallop.   ;-P 
 

My Charlie H. Gallop is still yellow, and I'm thinking about a change: 
using a traditional non-clutch rear derailleur, mated with the long chain 
stays make it extra susceptible to chain slap.  On other Rivs, I'd just 
wrap the chain stay in Newbaums and call it good, but I like the galloping 
horses down the chain stay.  So, I'm considering swapping to a Shimano ZEE 
rear derailleur, which has a clutch and a short cage so it'll still fit the 
general look of the bike.  

The other alternative is that I've got a few GRX bits that I've just 
inherited from another bike reconfiguration in my stable.   I could convert 
to a 1x11 with GRX rear Der, and an 11-speed indexed barcon, with an 11-42 
cassette.  That's also a clutch RD.  My long-horizon use case for my Gallop 
includes a cycle tour in France in the summer of 2027, and the extra gear 
range would fit in there.  

That's the latest on my Charlie H. Gallop from Rivendell Bicycle Works

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 6:49:42 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Nah, Jay, you’re plenty fast. I’m riding 16-17  in a group ride. But 
> riding with a friend I bet 25k/hr would be about right! It really does make 
> a difference with a group pulling you along. I don’t go that fast on solo 
> rides for SURE. 
>
> On May 14, 2025, at 9:44 PM, Jay  wrote:
>
> You're faster than me, Leah.  I rode with my friend last Sunday.  I had 
> my Roadini with lighter wheels, 30mm tires.  I averaged 25k/hr.  60km 
> distance, 500M elevation.  I felt like I was going fast.  I've never tried 
> a ride of that distance with upright position, mainly because that bike 
> isn't what I reach to for such rides (2.2" wheels, mainly used on trails). 
>  You're just a speed demon, so a windy day hurts you more than me ;-)
>
>
>
> On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 9:24:18 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> Daniel - you’d love Charlie. I actually feel (in normal conditions) that 
>> I do zip around quicker than on a Platypus. 
>>
>> Both Daniel and Jay: 
>>
>> How fast are your road rides, out of curiosity? Because I never get 
>> slowed down by my bars in rides UNLESS there is wind. But you’re 
>> experiencing something different - that your upright bikes are always 
>> slower than the drop bar bikes. Which makes me think you must be a lot 
>> faster and that’s the difference. I ride in 16-17 mph groups. But I’ve 
>> never tried to hang with the 18+ mph guys. I bet I couldn’t hang with them. 
>> And I don’t know if that’s me or my bars that’s the problem…
>>
>>
>>
>> On May 14, 2025, at 9:15 PM, Daniel Grilli  wrote:
>>
>> My experience matches yours, Jay. 
>>
>> When I’m riding with my Ortho-bar Appaloosa, I struggle to keep up with 
>> others on drop bar gravel bikes on the paved sections of a ride. 
>>
>> On my Noodle bar Roadini, I keep up with others on ‘road’ bikes on a 
>> social ride just fine. My friend on an upright bike with Jones bars did 
>> not, and struggled to the point of it being unpleasant. The rest of us were 
>> not struggling or even trying particularly hard at all. 
>>
>> When I ride my Appaloosa with that same friend, we are perfectly matched. 
>>
>> All that is to say there are swings and roundabouts, apples and oranges, 
>> horses for courses or whatever. No bike is good at everything and there are 
>> no wrong answers, only trade offs to be had!
>>
>> I’d love to try a Charlie, sounds so fun. 
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Daniel
>>
>> 15/5/2025 9:36、Jay のメール:
>>
>> Great story Leah.  I've never ridden with a kid, and when I started 
>> reading your story I wasn't sure how it would go (like would he not be able 
>> to keep up, out of shape, asking you to call his mom to pick him up; would 
>> he leave you and others in the dust; so many things can happen).  It was 
>> entertaining.
>>
>> Regarding wind, the bike and its weight, I think it's more about 
>> aerodynamics (how much frontal area exposed to the wind, for one).  Even 
>> though I ride weekly with a buddy who is faster (more aero, lighter bike), 
>> he knows I'm more upright on my Roadini (drop bars level w/saddle) and is 
>> okay going a few km slower than he would like.  The camaraderie is worth 
>> it!  When I ride along, I'm a few km/hr slower, so I'm pedaling harder to 
>> keep up, he's going slower, but it's all good.  If I put an Albatross bar 
>> on the bike and was 15-20 degrees more upright, I think I would really 
>> struggle to keep up.  That said, I have a bike with alt bars and I'm more 
>> upright, and I like riding like that, just not when I'm trying to go fast 
>> or in a group ride.  Lastly, comfort.  If being a little more stretched out 
>> would not work for you, don't do it in any case.  Whatever works for you, 
>> keeps you happy and riding more, that's the ticket.
>>
>> On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 7:57:04 PM UTC-4 Doug H. wrote:
>>
>>> Leah,
>>> On a group

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Richard Rose]

Patrick wrote “Grand is wrong on this one.” Now I do not follow Grant’s writings all that closely but did he actually say that a very upright rider is not at a disadvantage to a more “aerodynamic” positioned rider into the wind? Or, did he say something more along the lines of “who cares?”. If it’s the latter what did he get wrong?Richard - used to ride long, fast pace lines. Doesn’t any more. Sent from my iPhoneOn May 14, 2025, at 8:47 PM, Patrick Moore  wrote:You read Ted wrong. He wasn’t pontificating, just being factual.Ted is entirely right. Wind slows any cyclist down, but it slows cyclists with tall and wide profiles down a lot more than those low and narrow. Grant is wrong on this one.I ride fixed gears into 20 mph and higher head or quartering winds regularly. Thank God for 38 cm drop bars. I actually enjoy this, in moderation.On Wed, May 14, 2025 at 6:39 PM Leah Peterson  wrote:Oh lighten up, Ted. Have a glass of wine and then read my stories. They’re mostly fun and hardly dogmatic. You know this by now.LeahSent from my iPhoneOn May 14, 2025, at 8:32 PM, Ted Durant  wrote:On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 4:16:23 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:But wind is the mortal enemy of a Rivendell, I think, even if it’s a road bike. Wind is an impediment to speed on any bicycle. The stronger the apparent wind (either from speed or headwind) the bigger the impediment. The disadvantage of a large frontal area and otherwise increased Cd goes up with the square of the apparent wind velocity. You've chosen a bike and position that have a great deal more Cd than what most people think of as a road bike and position. It's certainly not anything like my Rivendells, so I don't think it's fair to generalize your experience to all Rivendell bikes..Grant once published a photo of himself descending Diablo sitting bolt upright and wearing a big sombrero. He titled the article "In Favor of Blowing Off Aerodynamics". You've discovered the limits of that philosophy.  Ted DurantMilwaukee, WI USA



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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Patrick Moore]

+ 1 for drop bar comfort when properly set up. I just took the dog out for
a very slow ~2 mile jog (the dog jogged, I rode) on the Matthews drop bar
dirt road bike. Even tho’ I was riding at only 8-10 mph I was once again
struck at how comfortable the drop bar setup is with sufficient saddle
setback so that your torso basically holds itself up and leaves your hands
“floating” over the bar. The bar is 2-3 cm higher than on my pavement bikes
but the stem is also 2 cm longer so the overall position is largely the
same.

+1 too for the added action of other muscles if the bar is positioned low
enough.

Now going out for a ride without the dog on another drop bar bike ...


On Thu, May 15, 2025 at 11:25 AM Piaw Na  wrote:

> …  It’s difficult to get people who're used to the upright position to try
> what looks like an uncomfortable racing style position, but being able to
> use your glutes in addition to your quads really makes a big difference.
> That's also why bike fit matters --- you won't be able to sustain that
> position if it wasn't comfortable or anatomically compatible with your body.

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Piaw Na]

On my Noodle bar Roadini, I keep up with others on ‘road’ bikes on a social 
ride just fine. My friend on an upright bike with Jones bars did not, and 
struggled to the point of it being unpleasant. The rest of us were not 
struggling or even trying particularly hard at all. 


Drop bars by themselves are not magic. It's a combination of the lower 
frontal profile and the position they afford that lets you use the most 
powerful muscles in your body to propel the bike. When my wife switched 
from her Cheviot to her Ritchey Road Logic with drop bars, we did a 
fitting. The changes were significant. She went from 13mph on the Cheviot 
position to 20mph on the Ritchey Road Logic, and 8 mile rides to 60 mile 
rides within a few months (granted the Ritchey is also a good 10 pounds 
lighter than the Cheviot). It's difficult to get people who're used to the 
upright position to try what looks like an uncomfortable racing style 
position, but being able to use your glutes in addition to your quads 
really makes a big difference. That's also why bike fit matters --- you 
won't be able to sustain that position if it wasn't comfortable or 
anatomically compatible with your body.

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Jason Fuller]

Headwinds are almost the only time I use the drops on my drop bars. They 
truly do make all the difference in this scenario, as I suspect the 
difference between your effort and that of your fellow club riders is all 
up to aerodynamics. 


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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Doug H.]

I don't focus on speed or at least try not to. I use Strava to track my 
rides and it is tempting to check my speed on similar routes with other 
local riders. But, that can be a joy killer so I really do try to as Grants 
says, Just Ride. This is easier said than done for me.
Doug

On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 9:49:42 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Nah, Jay, you’re plenty fast. I’m riding 16-17  in a group ride. But 
> riding with a friend I bet 25k/hr would be about right! It really does make 
> a difference with a group pulling you along. I don’t go that fast on solo 
> rides for SURE. 
>
> On May 14, 2025, at 9:44 PM, Jay  wrote:
>
> You're faster than me, Leah.  I rode with my friend last Sunday.  I had 
> my Roadini with lighter wheels, 30mm tires.  I averaged 25k/hr.  60km 
> distance, 500M elevation.  I felt like I was going fast.  I've never tried 
> a ride of that distance with upright position, mainly because that bike 
> isn't what I reach to for such rides (2.2" wheels, mainly used on trails). 
>  You're just a speed demon, so a windy day hurts you more than me ;-)
>
>
>
> On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 9:24:18 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> Daniel - you’d love Charlie. I actually feel (in normal conditions) that 
>> I do zip around quicker than on a Platypus. 
>>
>> Both Daniel and Jay: 
>>
>> How fast are your road rides, out of curiosity? Because I never get 
>> slowed down by my bars in rides UNLESS there is wind. But you’re 
>> experiencing something different - that your upright bikes are always 
>> slower than the drop bar bikes. Which makes me think you must be a lot 
>> faster and that’s the difference. I ride in 16-17 mph groups. But I’ve 
>> never tried to hang with the 18+ mph guys. I bet I couldn’t hang with them. 
>> And I don’t know if that’s me or my bars that’s the problem…
>>
>>
>>
>> On May 14, 2025, at 9:15 PM, Daniel Grilli  wrote:
>>
>> My experience matches yours, Jay. 
>>
>> When I’m riding with my Ortho-bar Appaloosa, I struggle to keep up with 
>> others on drop bar gravel bikes on the paved sections of a ride. 
>>
>> On my Noodle bar Roadini, I keep up with others on ‘road’ bikes on a 
>> social ride just fine. My friend on an upright bike with Jones bars did 
>> not, and struggled to the point of it being unpleasant. The rest of us were 
>> not struggling or even trying particularly hard at all. 
>>
>> When I ride my Appaloosa with that same friend, we are perfectly matched. 
>>
>> All that is to say there are swings and roundabouts, apples and oranges, 
>> horses for courses or whatever. No bike is good at everything and there are 
>> no wrong answers, only trade offs to be had!
>>
>> I’d love to try a Charlie, sounds so fun. 
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Daniel
>>
>> 15/5/2025 9:36、Jay のメール:
>>
>> Great story Leah.  I've never ridden with a kid, and when I started 
>> reading your story I wasn't sure how it would go (like would he not be able 
>> to keep up, out of shape, asking you to call his mom to pick him up; would 
>> he leave you and others in the dust; so many things can happen).  It was 
>> entertaining.
>>
>> Regarding wind, the bike and its weight, I think it's more about 
>> aerodynamics (how much frontal area exposed to the wind, for one).  Even 
>> though I ride weekly with a buddy who is faster (more aero, lighter bike), 
>> he knows I'm more upright on my Roadini (drop bars level w/saddle) and is 
>> okay going a few km slower than he would like.  The camaraderie is worth 
>> it!  When I ride along, I'm a few km/hr slower, so I'm pedaling harder to 
>> keep up, he's going slower, but it's all good.  If I put an Albatross bar 
>> on the bike and was 15-20 degrees more upright, I think I would really 
>> struggle to keep up.  That said, I have a bike with alt bars and I'm more 
>> upright, and I like riding like that, just not when I'm trying to go fast 
>> or in a group ride.  Lastly, comfort.  If being a little more stretched out 
>> would not work for you, don't do it in any case.  Whatever works for you, 
>> keeps you happy and riding more, that's the ticket.
>>
>> On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 7:57:04 PM UTC-4 Doug H. wrote:
>>
>>> Leah,
>>> On a group ride a few years ago, okay maybe 12 years ago, one of the 
>>> guys brought his son along. His son was on a full suspension mountain bike 
>>> and we were all on carbon road bikes.  He kept up with us pretty easily and 
>>> rode a wheelie about half the time. We weren't pushing it by any means but 
>>> it seems that youth always wins out. I do agree with you that wind is the 
>>> ultimate speed killer and an upright position catches the wind like a sail. 
>>> With drop bars in the drops you really can be out of the wind. When I had 
>>> drop bars I would enjoy getting down into the drops now and then to stretch 
>>> out my back. I don't remember any specific group rides in windy conditions 
>>> but I have ridden in the wind many times solo. I would almost rather ride 

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Leah Peterson]

Nah, Jay, you’re plenty fast. I’m riding 16-17  in a group ride. But riding with a friend I bet 25k/hr would be about right! It really does make a difference with a group pulling you along. I don’t go that fast on solo rides for SURE. On May 14, 2025, at 9:44 PM, Jay  wrote:You're faster than me, Leah.  I rode with my friend last Sunday.  I had my Roadini with lighter wheels, 30mm tires.  I averaged 25k/hr.  60km distance, 500M elevation.  I felt like I was going fast.  I've never tried a ride of that distance with upright position, mainly because that bike isn't what I reach to for such rides (2.2" wheels, mainly used on trails).  You're just a speed demon, so a windy day hurts you more than me ;-)On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 9:24:18 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:Daniel - you’d love Charlie. I actually feel (in normal conditions) that I do zip around quicker than on a Platypus. Both Daniel and Jay: How fast are your road rides, out of curiosity? Because I never get slowed down by my bars in rides UNLESS there is wind. But you’re experiencing something different - that your upright bikes are always slower than the drop bar bikes. Which makes me think you must be a lot faster and that’s the difference. I ride in 16-17 mph groups. But I’ve never tried to hang with the 18+ mph guys. I bet I couldn’t hang with them. And I don’t know if that’s me or my bars that’s the problem…On May 14, 2025, at 9:15 PM, Daniel Grilli  wrote:My experience matches yours, Jay. When I’m riding with my Ortho-bar Appaloosa, I struggle to keep up with others on drop bar gravel bikes on the paved sections of a ride. On my Noodle bar Roadini, I keep up with others on ‘road’ bikes on a social ride just fine. My friend on an upright bike with Jones bars did not, and struggled to the point of it being unpleasant. The rest of us were not struggling or even trying particularly hard at all. When I ride my Appaloosa with that same friend, we are perfectly matched. All that is to say there are swings and roundabouts, apples and oranges, horses for courses or whatever. No bike is good at everything and there are no wrong answers, only trade offs to be had!I’d love to try a Charlie, sounds so fun. Regards,Daniel15/5/2025 9:36、Jay のメール:Great story Leah.  I've never ridden with a kid, and when I started reading your story I wasn't sure how it would go (like would he not be able to keep up, out of shape, asking you to call his mom to pick him up; would he leave you and others in the dust; so many things can happen).  It was entertaining.Regarding wind, the bike and its weight, I think it's more about aerodynamics (how much frontal area exposed to the wind, for one).  Even though I ride weekly with a buddy who is faster (more aero, lighter bike), he knows I'm more upright on my Roadini (drop bars level w/saddle) and is okay going a few km slower than he would like.  The camaraderie is worth it!  When I ride along, I'm a few km/hr slower, so I'm pedaling harder to keep up, he's going slower, but it's all good.  If I put an Albatross bar on the bike and was 15-20 degrees more upright, I think I would really struggle to keep up.  That said, I have a bike with alt bars and I'm more upright, and I like riding like that, just not when I'm trying to go fast or in a group ride.  Lastly, comfort.  If being a little more stretched out would not work for you, don't do it in any case.  Whatever works for you, keeps you happy and riding more, that's the ticket.On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 7:57:04 PM UTC-4 Doug H. wrote:Leah,On a group ride a few years ago, okay maybe 12 years ago, one of the guys brought his son along. His son was on a full suspension mountain bike and we were all on carbon road bikes.  He kept up with us pretty easily and rode a wheelie about half the time. We weren't pushing it by any means but it seems that youth always wins out. I do agree with you that wind is the ultimate speed killer and an upright position catches the wind like a sail. With drop bars in the drops you really can be out of the wind. When I had drop bars I would enjoy getting down into the drops now and then to stretch out my back. I don't remember any specific group rides in windy conditions but I have ridden in the wind many times solo. I would almost rather ride in the rain that wind...almost.DougOn Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 7:01:10 PM UTC-4 ttoshi wrote:I can commiserate with high winds! For my Bosco bars, I place my hands on the front of the handlebars near the stem and tuck down--not ideal for pacelining because my brakes are at the end of the handlebar. On my Albastache, it is wrapped, and I've placed my brake levers at the front, so I can use the most aerodynamic option as the default. Don't give up on the Charlie yet!Toshi




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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Jay]

You're faster than me, Leah.  I rode with my friend last Sunday.  I had my 
Roadini with lighter wheels, 30mm tires.  I averaged 25k/hr.  60km 
distance, 500M elevation.  I felt like I was going fast.  I've never tried 
a ride of that distance with upright position, mainly because that bike 
isn't what I reach to for such rides (2.2" wheels, mainly used on trails). 
 You're just a speed demon, so a windy day hurts you more than me ;-)

On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 9:24:18 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Daniel - you’d love Charlie. I actually feel (in normal conditions) that I 
> do zip around quicker than on a Platypus. 
>
> Both Daniel and Jay: 
>
> How fast are your road rides, out of curiosity? Because I never get slowed 
> down by my bars in rides UNLESS there is wind. But you’re experiencing 
> something different - that your upright bikes are always slower than the 
> drop bar bikes. Which makes me think you must be a lot faster and that’s 
> the difference. I ride in 16-17 mph groups. But I’ve never tried to hang 
> with the 18+ mph guys. I bet I couldn’t hang with them. And I don’t know if 
> that’s me or my bars that’s the problem…
>
>
>
> On May 14, 2025, at 9:15 PM, Daniel Grilli  wrote:
>
> My experience matches yours, Jay. 
>
> When I’m riding with my Ortho-bar Appaloosa, I struggle to keep up with 
> others on drop bar gravel bikes on the paved sections of a ride. 
>
> On my Noodle bar Roadini, I keep up with others on ‘road’ bikes on a 
> social ride just fine. My friend on an upright bike with Jones bars did 
> not, and struggled to the point of it being unpleasant. The rest of us were 
> not struggling or even trying particularly hard at all. 
>
> When I ride my Appaloosa with that same friend, we are perfectly matched. 
>
> All that is to say there are swings and roundabouts, apples and oranges, 
> horses for courses or whatever. No bike is good at everything and there are 
> no wrong answers, only trade offs to be had!
>
> I’d love to try a Charlie, sounds so fun. 
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Daniel
>
> 15/5/2025 9:36、Jay のメール:
>
> Great story Leah.  I've never ridden with a kid, and when I started 
> reading your story I wasn't sure how it would go (like would he not be able 
> to keep up, out of shape, asking you to call his mom to pick him up; would 
> he leave you and others in the dust; so many things can happen).  It was 
> entertaining.
>
> Regarding wind, the bike and its weight, I think it's more about 
> aerodynamics (how much frontal area exposed to the wind, for one).  Even 
> though I ride weekly with a buddy who is faster (more aero, lighter bike), 
> he knows I'm more upright on my Roadini (drop bars level w/saddle) and is 
> okay going a few km slower than he would like.  The camaraderie is worth 
> it!  When I ride along, I'm a few km/hr slower, so I'm pedaling harder to 
> keep up, he's going slower, but it's all good.  If I put an Albatross bar 
> on the bike and was 15-20 degrees more upright, I think I would really 
> struggle to keep up.  That said, I have a bike with alt bars and I'm more 
> upright, and I like riding like that, just not when I'm trying to go fast 
> or in a group ride.  Lastly, comfort.  If being a little more stretched out 
> would not work for you, don't do it in any case.  Whatever works for you, 
> keeps you happy and riding more, that's the ticket.
>
> On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 7:57:04 PM UTC-4 Doug H. wrote:
>
>> Leah,
>> On a group ride a few years ago, okay maybe 12 years ago, one of the guys 
>> brought his son along. His son was on a full suspension mountain bike and 
>> we were all on carbon road bikes.  He kept up with us pretty easily and 
>> rode a wheelie about half the time. We weren't pushing it by any means but 
>> it seems that youth always wins out. I do agree with you that wind is the 
>> ultimate speed killer and an upright position catches the wind like a sail. 
>> With drop bars in the drops you really can be out of the wind. When I had 
>> drop bars I would enjoy getting down into the drops now and then to stretch 
>> out my back. I don't remember any specific group rides in windy conditions 
>> but I have ridden in the wind many times solo. I would almost rather ride 
>> in the rain that wind...almost.
>> Doug
>>
>> On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 7:01:10 PM UTC-4 ttoshi wrote:
>>
>>> I can commiserate with high winds! For my Bosco bars, I place my hands 
>>> on the front of the handlebars near the stem and tuck down--not ideal for 
>>> pacelining because my brakes are at the end of the handlebar. On my 
>>> Albastache, it is wrapped, and I've placed my brake levers at the front, so 
>>> I can use the most aerodynamic option as the default. Don't give up on the 
>>> Charlie yet!
>>>
>>> Toshi
>>>
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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Leah Peterson]

Daniel - you’d love Charlie. I actually feel (in normal conditions) that I do zip around quicker than on a Platypus. Both Daniel and Jay: How fast are your road rides, out of curiosity? Because I never get slowed down by my bars in rides UNLESS there is wind. But you’re experiencing something different - that your upright bikes are always slower than the drop bar bikes. Which makes me think you must be a lot faster and that’s the difference. I ride in 16-17 mph groups. But I’ve never tried to hang with the 18+ mph guys. I bet I couldn’t hang with them. And I don’t know if that’s me or my bars that’s the problem…On May 14, 2025, at 9:15 PM, Daniel Grilli  wrote:My experience matches yours, Jay. When I’m riding with my Ortho-bar Appaloosa, I struggle to keep up with others on drop bar gravel bikes on the paved sections of a ride. On my Noodle bar Roadini, I keep up with others on ‘road’ bikes on a social ride just fine. My friend on an upright bike with Jones bars did not, and struggled to the point of it being unpleasant. The rest of us were not struggling or even trying particularly hard at all. When I ride my Appaloosa with that same friend, we are perfectly matched. All that is to say there are swings and roundabouts, apples and oranges, horses for courses or whatever. No bike is good at everything and there are no wrong answers, only trade offs to be had!I’d love to try a Charlie, sounds so fun. Regards,Daniel15/5/2025 9:36、Jay のメール:Great story Leah.  I've never ridden with a kid, and when I started reading your story I wasn't sure how it would go (like would he not be able to keep up, out of shape, asking you to call his mom to pick him up; would he leave you and others in the dust; so many things can happen).  It was entertaining.Regarding wind, the bike and its weight, I think it's more about aerodynamics (how much frontal area exposed to the wind, for one).  Even though I ride weekly with a buddy who is faster (more aero, lighter bike), he knows I'm more upright on my Roadini (drop bars level w/saddle) and is okay going a few km slower than he would like.  The camaraderie is worth it!  When I ride along, I'm a few km/hr slower, so I'm pedaling harder to keep up, he's going slower, but it's all good.  If I put an Albatross bar on the bike and was 15-20 degrees more upright, I think I would really struggle to keep up.  That said, I have a bike with alt bars and I'm more upright, and I like riding like that, just not when I'm trying to go fast or in a group ride.  Lastly, comfort.  If being a little more stretched out would not work for you, don't do it in any case.  Whatever works for you, keeps you happy and riding more, that's the ticket.On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 7:57:04 PM UTC-4 Doug H. wrote:Leah,On a group ride a few years ago, okay maybe 12 years ago, one of the guys brought his son along. His son was on a full suspension mountain bike and we were all on carbon road bikes.  He kept up with us pretty easily and rode a wheelie about half the time. We weren't pushing it by any means but it seems that youth always wins out. I do agree with you that wind is the ultimate speed killer and an upright position catches the wind like a sail. With drop bars in the drops you really can be out of the wind. When I had drop bars I would enjoy getting down into the drops now and then to stretch out my back. I don't remember any specific group rides in windy conditions but I have ridden in the wind many times solo. I would almost rather ride in the rain that wind...almost.DougOn Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 7:01:10 PM UTC-4 ttoshi wrote:I can commiserate with high winds! For my Bosco bars, I place my hands on the front of the handlebars near the stem and tuck down--not ideal for pacelining because my brakes are at the end of the handlebar. On my Albastache, it is wrapped, and I've placed my brake levers at the front, so I can use the most aerodynamic option as the default. Don't give up on the Charlie yet!Toshi




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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Daniel Grilli]

My experience matches yours, Jay. When I’m riding with my Ortho-bar Appaloosa, I struggle to keep up with others on drop bar gravel bikes on the paved sections of a ride. On my Noodle bar Roadini, I keep up with others on ‘road’ bikes on a social ride just fine. My friend on an upright bike with Jones bars did not, and struggled to the point of it being unpleasant. The rest of us were not struggling or even trying particularly hard at all. When I ride my Appaloosa with that same friend, we are perfectly matched. All that is to say there are swings and roundabouts, apples and oranges, horses for courses or whatever. No bike is good at everything and there are no wrong answers, only trade offs to be had!I’d love to try a Charlie, sounds so fun. Regards,Daniel15/5/2025 9:36、Jay のメール:Great story Leah.  I've never ridden with a kid, and when I started reading your story I wasn't sure how it would go (like would he not be able to keep up, out of shape, asking you to call his mom to pick him up; would he leave you and others in the dust; so many things can happen).  It was entertaining.Regarding wind, the bike and its weight, I think it's more about aerodynamics (how much frontal area exposed to the wind, for one).  Even though I ride weekly with a buddy who is faster (more aero, lighter bike), he knows I'm more upright on my Roadini (drop bars level w/saddle) and is okay going a few km slower than he would like.  The camaraderie is worth it!  When I ride along, I'm a few km/hr slower, so I'm pedaling harder to keep up, he's going slower, but it's all good.  If I put an Albatross bar on the bike and was 15-20 degrees more upright, I think I would really struggle to keep up.  That said, I have a bike with alt bars and I'm more upright, and I like riding like that, just not when I'm trying to go fast or in a group ride.  Lastly, comfort.  If being a little more stretched out would not work for you, don't do it in any case.  Whatever works for you, keeps you happy and riding more, that's the ticket.On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 7:57:04 PM UTC-4 Doug H. wrote:Leah,On a group ride a few years ago, okay maybe 12 years ago, one of the guys brought his son along. His son was on a full suspension mountain bike and we were all on carbon road bikes.  He kept up with us pretty easily and rode a wheelie about half the time. We weren't pushing it by any means but it seems that youth always wins out. I do agree with you that wind is the ultimate speed killer and an upright position catches the wind like a sail. With drop bars in the drops you really can be out of the wind. When I had drop bars I would enjoy getting down into the drops now and then to stretch out my back. I don't remember any specific group rides in windy conditions but I have ridden in the wind many times solo. I would almost rather ride in the rain that wind...almost.DougOn Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 7:01:10 PM UTC-4 ttoshi wrote:I can commiserate with high winds! For my Bosco bars, I place my hands on the front of the handlebars near the stem and tuck down--not ideal for pacelining because my brakes are at the end of the handlebar. On my Albastache, it is wrapped, and I've placed my brake levers at the front, so I can use the most aerodynamic option as the default. Don't give up on the Charlie yet!Toshi




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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Toshi Takeuchi]

C'mon y'all, Grant was a bike racer. He knows that surface area in the wind
slows you down. He was just showing us that you can have fun riding down
Mt. Diablo with a sombrero on your head.

If Grant were riding uphill with gale-force winds, then he'd probably put
an extra parachute behind him and call it extra exercise that he enjoys
having anyway.

In fun,
Toshi

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Patrick Moore]

You read Ted wrong. He wasn’t pontificating, just being factual.

Ted is entirely right. Wind slows any cyclist down, but it slows cyclists
with tall and wide profiles down a lot more than those low and narrow.
Grant is wrong on this one.

I ride fixed gears into 20 mph and higher head or quartering winds
regularly. Thank God for 38 cm drop bars. I actually enjoy this, in
moderation.



On Wed, May 14, 2025 at 6:39 PM Leah Peterson 
wrote:

> Oh lighten up, Ted. Have a glass of wine and then read my stories. They’re
> mostly fun and hardly dogmatic. You know this by now.
> Leah
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On May 14, 2025, at 8:32 PM, Ted Durant  wrote:
>
> On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 4:16:23 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!
> wrote:
>
> But wind is the mortal enemy of a Rivendell, I think, even if it’s a road
> bike.
>
>
> Wind is an impediment to speed on any bicycle. The stronger the apparent
> wind (either from speed or headwind) the bigger the impediment. The
> disadvantage of a large frontal area and otherwise increased Cd goes up
> with the square of the apparent wind velocity. You've chosen a bike and
> position that have a great deal more Cd than what most people think of as a
> road bike and position. It's certainly not anything like my Rivendells, so
> I don't think it's fair to generalize your experience to all Rivendell
> bikes..
>
> Grant once published a photo of himself descending Diablo sitting bolt
> upright and wearing a big sombrero. He titled the article "In Favor of
> Blowing Off Aerodynamics". You've discovered the limits of that philosophy.
>
>
> Ted Durant
> Milwaukee, WI USA
>
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-- 

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Leah Peterson]

Oh lighten up, Ted. Have a glass of wine and then read my stories. They’re mostly fun and hardly dogmatic. You know this by now.LeahSent from my iPhoneOn May 14, 2025, at 8:32 PM, Ted Durant  wrote:On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 4:16:23 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:But wind is the mortal enemy of a Rivendell, I think, even if it’s a road bike. Wind is an impediment to speed on any bicycle. The stronger the apparent wind (either from speed or headwind) the bigger the impediment. The disadvantage of a large frontal area and otherwise increased Cd goes up with the square of the apparent wind velocity. You've chosen a bike and position that have a great deal more Cd than what most people think of as a road bike and position. It's certainly not anything like my Rivendells, so I don't think it's fair to generalize your experience to all Rivendell bikes..Grant once published a photo of himself descending Diablo sitting bolt upright and wearing a big sombrero. He titled the article "In Favor of Blowing Off Aerodynamics". You've discovered the limits of that philosophy.  Ted DurantMilwaukee, WI USA



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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Ted Durant]

On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 4:16:23 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

But wind is the mortal enemy of a Rivendell, I think, even if it’s a road 
bike. 


Wind is an impediment to speed on any bicycle. The stronger the apparent 
wind (either from speed or headwind) the bigger the impediment. The 
disadvantage of a large frontal area and otherwise increased Cd goes up 
with the square of the apparent wind velocity. You've chosen a bike and 
position that have a great deal more Cd than what most people think of as a 
road bike and position. It's certainly not anything like my Rivendells, so 
I don't think it's fair to generalize your experience to all Rivendell 
bikes..

Grant once published a photo of himself descending Diablo sitting bolt 
upright and wearing a big sombrero. He titled the article "In Favor of 
Blowing Off Aerodynamics". You've discovered the limits of that philosophy. 
 

Ted Durant
Milwaukee, WI USA

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Jay]

Great story Leah.  I've never ridden with a kid, and when I started reading 
your story I wasn't sure how it would go (like would he not be able to keep 
up, out of shape, asking you to call his mom to pick him up; would he leave 
you and others in the dust; so many things can happen).  It was 
entertaining.

Regarding wind, the bike and its weight, I think it's more about 
aerodynamics (how much frontal area exposed to the wind, for one).  Even 
though I ride weekly with a buddy who is faster (more aero, lighter bike), 
he knows I'm more upright on my Roadini (drop bars level w/saddle) and is 
okay going a few km slower than he would like.  The camaraderie is worth 
it!  When I ride along, I'm a few km/hr slower, so I'm pedaling harder to 
keep up, he's going slower, but it's all good.  If I put an Albatross bar 
on the bike and was 15-20 degrees more upright, I think I would really 
struggle to keep up.  That said, I have a bike with alt bars and I'm more 
upright, and I like riding like that, just not when I'm trying to go fast 
or in a group ride.  Lastly, comfort.  If being a little more stretched out 
would not work for you, don't do it in any case.  Whatever works for you, 
keeps you happy and riding more, that's the ticket.

On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 7:57:04 PM UTC-4 Doug H. wrote:

> Leah,
> On a group ride a few years ago, okay maybe 12 years ago, one of the guys 
> brought his son along. His son was on a full suspension mountain bike and 
> we were all on carbon road bikes.  He kept up with us pretty easily and 
> rode a wheelie about half the time. We weren't pushing it by any means but 
> it seems that youth always wins out. I do agree with you that wind is the 
> ultimate speed killer and an upright position catches the wind like a sail. 
> With drop bars in the drops you really can be out of the wind. When I had 
> drop bars I would enjoy getting down into the drops now and then to stretch 
> out my back. I don't remember any specific group rides in windy conditions 
> but I have ridden in the wind many times solo. I would almost rather ride 
> in the rain that wind...almost.
> Doug
>
> On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 7:01:10 PM UTC-4 ttoshi wrote:
>
>> I can commiserate with high winds! For my Bosco bars, I place my hands on 
>> the front of the handlebars near the stem and tuck down--not ideal for 
>> pacelining because my brakes are at the end of the handlebar. On my 
>> Albastache, it is wrapped, and I've placed my brake levers at the front, so 
>> I can use the most aerodynamic option as the default. Don't give up on the 
>> Charlie yet!
>>
>> Toshi
>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Doug H.]

Leah,
On a group ride a few years ago, okay maybe 12 years ago, one of the guys 
brought his son along. His son was on a full suspension mountain bike and 
we were all on carbon road bikes.  He kept up with us pretty easily and 
rode a wheelie about half the time. We weren't pushing it by any means but 
it seems that youth always wins out. I do agree with you that wind is the 
ultimate speed killer and an upright position catches the wind like a sail. 
With drop bars in the drops you really can be out of the wind. When I had 
drop bars I would enjoy getting down into the drops now and then to stretch 
out my back. I don't remember any specific group rides in windy conditions 
but I have ridden in the wind many times solo. I would almost rather ride 
in the rain that wind...almost.
Doug

On Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 7:01:10 PM UTC-4 ttoshi wrote:

> I can commiserate with high winds! For my Bosco bars, I place my hands on 
> the front of the handlebars near the stem and tuck down--not ideal for 
> pacelining because my brakes are at the end of the handlebar. On my 
> Albastache, it is wrapped, and I've placed my brake levers at the front, so 
> I can use the most aerodynamic option as the default. Don't give up on the 
> Charlie yet!
>
> Toshi
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Toshi Takeuchi]

I can commiserate with high winds! For my Bosco bars, I place my hands on
the front of the handlebars near the stem and tuck down--not ideal for
pacelining because my brakes are at the end of the handlebar. On my
Albastache, it is wrapped, and I've placed my brake levers at the front, so
I can use the most aerodynamic option as the default. Don't give up on the
Charlie yet!

Toshi

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Eric Daume]

Stay tuned for our next episode, when Leah buys a drop bar Roadini. :)

Eric

On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <
jonasandle...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Ok, here’s what I have decided after Monday night’s club ride. Charlie is
> easy and breezy and quick on the draw, yes. But in headwind, he gives me
> the same struggle as a Platypus.  I am not fooling the wind with Charlie.
>
> I’ll tell you a story. Skip to the end if you are here for the nuts and
> bolts and not for the tea.
>
> I looked around at my group for the evening and there were many of the
> usual suspects. There was one new rider, a male, and he appeared young. Was
> he a kid? You know how you just can’t tell how old people are once you
> reach a certain age? Well, I dread making that mistake. “Hi, are you new?”
> I asked.
>
> He smiled at me with a mouthful of braces. “Yes! This is my first time
> here. My name is D [using in place of his real name].”
>
> This is somebody’s baby!
>
> “What grade are you in?”
>
> “I’m in 8th, and I’m 14.”
>
> Ooookkk. I have never seen a kid on our club rides. “Are your parents
> here?”
>
> “No, my little sister is. She’s riding with another group. Mom took my
> brother to a soccer game, and Dad can’t be around people because of his
> immune system. It could kill him.”
>
> When you encounter them outside, kids are communal property, I say. We
> gotta all take care of them. This is probably why I get picked to be the
> baby nurse at work, come to think of it. I love the cherubs. Bring me the
> cherubs! So I pair up with D and we end up taking the first pull of the
> ride. D tells me he is truly a mountain biker, but he knows how to road
> ride. He’s training 130-140 miles a week. We are in a 17 mph headwind and I
> am dying. I was counting on Charlie to really make life easy for me,
> because Charlie is a road bike, and road bikes are supposed to have
> advantages over Platypuses, but I look at my heart rate and it is 182. D is
> chatting away about all his goals and his homeschooling and I am gasping.
> After several miles of this, I say, “I am ready to fall to the back. Are
> you coming or do you want to stay and pull?”
>
> “I’m going to stay here and keep the pace up.”
>
> And he did, y’all. He drug us over hill and dale, and we suffered the
> whole time. For most of the 27 mile ride. I kept trying to feed him at stop
> signs figuring he must be about dead but he never accepted any food. And
> then he shot ahead like a slingshot at the end and beat everyone home. “Our
> KID!” I said to the woman beside me. “I know,” she said, “but he’s
> experienced on the roads.” I watched trucks pass our group and then
> approach D, worrying they’d hit him.
>
> “HE’S FOURTEEN HE’S A BABY,” I croaked. He made it back fine.
>
> Back to Charlie. When my heart was 182, my friends’ hearts were in the
> 150s. After we got out of the wind I could just *fly* without effort on
> Charlie. I have decided that the weight of my bike, the flat pedals,
> upright bars - all that stuff - doesn’t make me slow. But wind is the
> mortal enemy of a Rivendell, I think, even if it’s a road bike. If it’s
> windy, it’s work and it’s hard to be fast. I still say Charlie is otherwise
> a fast bike and great fun to ride.
>
> Leah
> On Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 5:05:24 PM UTC-4 Mackenzy Albright wrote:
>
>> I've been seeing such incredible builds lately!  Both Leah and Matt's
>> bikes are particularly inspiring, Kudos. I love the playfulness. It reminds
>> me of  the golden days of bmx/fixed gear days with flamboyant colors (or
>> just color coordination) and uniquely outfitted components.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 11:45:14 AM UTC-7 bch...@gmail.com wrote:
>>
>>> I was fortunate enough to test ride a Charlie Gallop at Riv HQ recently
>>> and entered the experience without expectations. Granted, this was my first
>>> time trying a Riv. I had my sights set on a Homer but there wasn't one
>>> available to try, so I grabbed a CHG to test its Homer-like tubing. While I
>>> wasn't initially a fan of the CHG due to the top tube (purely aesthetic for
>>> personal preference), everything changed once I started riding it. Not that
>>> speed was the goal, but the bike felt much faster than the Roaduno and
>>> Platypus that I also test rode. I was instantly sold on this bike and if I
>>> weren't on the market for a Homer, the CHG would be second in line.
>>>
>>> Hope to see more CHGs in this thread!
>>>
>>> On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 6:36:22 PM UTC-4 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>>>
 Fashion!  Here's a photo or two of Lord Charles with his lovely
 new-used White Industries VBC crankset on there:

 Cranks 
 Bike 

 My latest indulgence on the cute bike clothes front has been cycling
 specific button up shirts.  I've got four or five Ostroy Resort Shirts, and
 just bought two more button up bike 

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

Ok, here’s what I have decided after Monday night’s club ride. Charlie is 
easy and breezy and quick on the draw, yes. But in headwind, he gives me 
the same struggle as a Platypus.  I am not fooling the wind with Charlie. 

I’ll tell you a story. Skip to the end if you are here for the nuts and 
bolts and not for the tea. 

I looked around at my group for the evening and there were many of the 
usual suspects. There was one new rider, a male, and he appeared young. Was 
he a kid? You know how you just can’t tell how old people are once you 
reach a certain age? Well, I dread making that mistake. “Hi, are you new?” 
I asked. 

He smiled at me with a mouthful of braces. “Yes! This is my first time 
here. My name is D [using in place of his real name].” 

This is somebody’s baby!

“What grade are you in?”

“I’m in 8th, and I’m 14.” 

Ooookkk. I have never seen a kid on our club rides. “Are your parents 
here?” 

“No, my little sister is. She’s riding with another group. Mom took my 
brother to a soccer game, and Dad can’t be around people because of his 
immune system. It could kill him.”

When you encounter them outside, kids are communal property, I say. We 
gotta all take care of them. This is probably why I get picked to be the 
baby nurse at work, come to think of it. I love the cherubs. Bring me the 
cherubs! So I pair up with D and we end up taking the first pull of the 
ride. D tells me he is truly a mountain biker, but he knows how to road 
ride. He’s training 130-140 miles a week. We are in a 17 mph headwind and I 
am dying. I was counting on Charlie to really make life easy for me, 
because Charlie is a road bike, and road bikes are supposed to have 
advantages over Platypuses, but I look at my heart rate and it is 182. D is 
chatting away about all his goals and his homeschooling and I am gasping. 
After several miles of this, I say, “I am ready to fall to the back. Are 
you coming or do you want to stay and pull?”

“I’m going to stay here and keep the pace up.”

And he did, y’all. He drug us over hill and dale, and we suffered the whole 
time. For most of the 27 mile ride. I kept trying to feed him at stop signs 
figuring he must be about dead but he never accepted any food. And then he 
shot ahead like a slingshot at the end and beat everyone home. “Our KID!” I 
said to the woman beside me. “I know,” she said, “but he’s experienced on 
the roads.” I watched trucks pass our group and then approach D, worrying 
they’d hit him.

“HE’S FOURTEEN HE’S A BABY,” I croaked. He made it back fine.

Back to Charlie. When my heart was 182, my friends’ hearts were in the 
150s. After we got out of the wind I could just *fly* without effort on 
Charlie. I have decided that the weight of my bike, the flat pedals, 
upright bars - all that stuff - doesn’t make me slow. But wind is the 
mortal enemy of a Rivendell, I think, even if it’s a road bike. If it’s 
windy, it’s work and it’s hard to be fast. I still say Charlie is otherwise 
a fast bike and great fun to ride.

Leah
On Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 5:05:24 PM UTC-4 Mackenzy Albright wrote:

> I've been seeing such incredible builds lately!  Both Leah and Matt's 
> bikes are particularly inspiring, Kudos. I love the playfulness. It reminds 
> me of  the golden days of bmx/fixed gear days with flamboyant colors (or 
> just color coordination) and uniquely outfitted components. 
>
>
>
> On Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 11:45:14 AM UTC-7 bch...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> I was fortunate enough to test ride a Charlie Gallop at Riv HQ recently 
>> and entered the experience without expectations. Granted, this was my first 
>> time trying a Riv. I had my sights set on a Homer but there wasn't one 
>> available to try, so I grabbed a CHG to test its Homer-like tubing. While I 
>> wasn't initially a fan of the CHG due to the top tube (purely aesthetic for 
>> personal preference), everything changed once I started riding it. Not that 
>> speed was the goal, but the bike felt much faster than the Roaduno and 
>> Platypus that I also test rode. I was instantly sold on this bike and if I 
>> weren't on the market for a Homer, the CHG would be second in line.
>>
>> Hope to see more CHGs in this thread!
>>
>> On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 6:36:22 PM UTC-4 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>>
>>> Fashion!  Here's a photo or two of Lord Charles with his lovely new-used 
>>> White Industries VBC crankset on there:
>>>
>>> Cranks 
>>> Bike 
>>>
>>> My latest indulgence on the cute bike clothes front has been cycling 
>>> specific button up shirts.  I've got four or five Ostroy Resort Shirts, and 
>>> just bought two more button up bike shirts at REI by maker FlyLow.  They're 
>>> cute!
>>>
>>> Bill Lindsay
>>> El Cerrito, CA
>>>
>>> On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 3:13:53 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 Also, for clarity’s sake, Bill said his stable is like a closet fu

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Mackenzy Albright]

I've been seeing such incredible builds lately!  Both Leah and Matt's bikes 
are particularly inspiring, Kudos. I love the playfulness. It reminds me 
of  the golden days of bmx/fixed gear days with flamboyant colors (or just 
color coordination) and uniquely outfitted components. 



On Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 11:45:14 AM UTC-7 bch...@gmail.com wrote:

> I was fortunate enough to test ride a Charlie Gallop at Riv HQ recently 
> and entered the experience without expectations. Granted, this was my first 
> time trying a Riv. I had my sights set on a Homer but there wasn't one 
> available to try, so I grabbed a CHG to test its Homer-like tubing. While I 
> wasn't initially a fan of the CHG due to the top tube (purely aesthetic for 
> personal preference), everything changed once I started riding it. Not that 
> speed was the goal, but the bike felt much faster than the Roaduno and 
> Platypus that I also test rode. I was instantly sold on this bike and if I 
> weren't on the market for a Homer, the CHG would be second in line.
>
> Hope to see more CHGs in this thread!
>
> On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 6:36:22 PM UTC-4 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>
>> Fashion!  Here's a photo or two of Lord Charles with his lovely new-used 
>> White Industries VBC crankset on there:
>>
>> Cranks 
>> Bike 
>>
>> My latest indulgence on the cute bike clothes front has been cycling 
>> specific button up shirts.  I've got four or five Ostroy Resort Shirts, and 
>> just bought two more button up bike shirts at REI by maker FlyLow.  They're 
>> cute!
>>
>> Bill Lindsay
>> El Cerrito, CA
>>
>> On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 3:13:53 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Also, for clarity’s sake, Bill said his stable is like a closet full of 
>>> outfits and he has to choose which one to wear [use] any given day 
>>> according to the Rules. My use of “Cute Bike Outfits” refers to Bill’s 
>>> BIKES in his closet. Don’t come to me with actual bike clothing questions. 
>>> I have no idea!
>>>
>>>
>>> On Apr 15, 2025, at 4:48 PM, Leah Peterson  wrote:
>>>
>>> 
>>>
>>> 
>>> Bill Lindsay is a self-professed Bike Clothes Horse with a plethora of 
>>> cute bike outfits being held captive to Bill Lindsay’s Arbitrary Rules that 
>>> he cannot change. Bill Lindsay would have to go to Bill Lindsay to change 
>>> the Rules, and not even Bill Lindsay is brave enough for THAT. 
>>>
>>> Leah Peterson, a known lover of cute bike outfits, and first-rate 
>>> bossypants, is unafraid of her Big RivBros (well, maybe a little afraid of 
>>> Bill Lindsay) and would like nothing more than to get into Bill Lindsay’s 
>>> closet and rearrange his cute bike outfits *and* his mileage pyramid. 
>>> She would like to move Bill’s Rocket Charlie to the top position, weight 
>>> him down with some colorful bits, toss out a few of those imposters 
>>> (several non-Rivs will have to go!) and replace them with a paddle of 
>>> Platypuses in a rainbow of colors to really brighten Bill Lindsay’s Bike 
>>> Outfits up and round it all out. Then she would like a photo shoot.
>>>
>>> Fortunately for Bill Lindsay, Leah Peterson lives several timezones away 
>>> and his closet is probably safe for now.
>>>
>>> Leah
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Apr 14, 2025, at 10:20 AM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>>>
>>> "How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a 
>>> rocket, I’m riding that one."
>>>
>>> The answer is I'm not sure how I have the willpower; I just do.  Grant 
>>> once told me: "It must be hard being you".  I guess I think about it the 
>>> way a "clothes horse" thinks about a new outfit.  No matter how cute that 
>>> new outfit is, I'm not wearing it every day.  I still pick my spots for 
>>> when to wear it, and I'm definitely not forgetting about my other cute 
>>> outfits, nor will I resist buying the next cute outfit.  
>>>
>>> I'm definitely a compulsive.  For a minute there I had four new builds 
>>> that were off-limits to ride.  At the moment there are still three I can't 
>>> ride.  What I've got is a mileage pyramid.  One bike is assigned to the 100 
>>> mile level of the pyramid, another assigned to 200 miles and so on.  Twenty 
>>> bikes cover 100 miles up to 2000 miles cumulatively on Strava.  Above 2000 
>>> miles the steps are 200 miles each and there are two bikes up there: one 
>>> assigned to 2200 miles and the current top of the pyramid is at 2400 miles. 
>>>  That's 22 bikes.  I spread the use to get each bike to its assigned level, 
>>> and I'm allowed some margin over that assigned level, but I won't bleed 
>>> over to the next level up.  That's a no-no.  I'm very close to having all 
>>> those slots filled: My Black Mountain Model Zero needs 48 miles, and my 
>>> Crust Lightning Bolt Single Speed needs 45 miles.  At that point, I add the 
>>> 2600 mile level to the top of the pyramid and have a wide open stable to 
>>> ride whatev

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Brian Choy]

I was fortunate enough to test ride a Charlie Gallop at Riv HQ recently and 
entered the experience without expectations. Granted, this was my first 
time trying a Riv. I had my sights set on a Homer but there wasn't one 
available to try, so I grabbed a CHG to test its Homer-like tubing. While I 
wasn't initially a fan of the CHG due to the top tube (purely aesthetic for 
personal preference), everything changed once I started riding it. Not that 
speed was the goal, but the bike felt much faster than the Roaduno and 
Platypus that I also test rode. I was instantly sold on this bike and if I 
weren't on the market for a Homer, the CHG would be second in line.

Hope to see more CHGs in this thread!

On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 6:36:22 PM UTC-4 Bill Lindsay wrote:

> Fashion!  Here's a photo or two of Lord Charles with his lovely new-used 
> White Industries VBC crankset on there:
>
> Cranks 
> Bike 
>
> My latest indulgence on the cute bike clothes front has been cycling 
> specific button up shirts.  I've got four or five Ostroy Resort Shirts, and 
> just bought two more button up bike shirts at REI by maker FlyLow.  They're 
> cute!
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
> On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 3:13:53 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> Also, for clarity’s sake, Bill said his stable is like a closet full of 
>> outfits and he has to choose which one to wear [use] any given day 
>> according to the Rules. My use of “Cute Bike Outfits” refers to Bill’s 
>> BIKES in his closet. Don’t come to me with actual bike clothing questions. 
>> I have no idea!
>>
>>
>> On Apr 15, 2025, at 4:48 PM, Leah Peterson  wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>> 
>> Bill Lindsay is a self-professed Bike Clothes Horse with a plethora of 
>> cute bike outfits being held captive to Bill Lindsay’s Arbitrary Rules that 
>> he cannot change. Bill Lindsay would have to go to Bill Lindsay to change 
>> the Rules, and not even Bill Lindsay is brave enough for THAT. 
>>
>> Leah Peterson, a known lover of cute bike outfits, and first-rate 
>> bossypants, is unafraid of her Big RivBros (well, maybe a little afraid of 
>> Bill Lindsay) and would like nothing more than to get into Bill Lindsay’s 
>> closet and rearrange his cute bike outfits *and* his mileage pyramid. 
>> She would like to move Bill’s Rocket Charlie to the top position, weight 
>> him down with some colorful bits, toss out a few of those imposters 
>> (several non-Rivs will have to go!) and replace them with a paddle of 
>> Platypuses in a rainbow of colors to really brighten Bill Lindsay’s Bike 
>> Outfits up and round it all out. Then she would like a photo shoot.
>>
>> Fortunately for Bill Lindsay, Leah Peterson lives several timezones away 
>> and his closet is probably safe for now.
>>
>> Leah
>>
>>
>>
>> On Apr 14, 2025, at 10:20 AM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>>
>> "How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a 
>> rocket, I’m riding that one."
>>
>> The answer is I'm not sure how I have the willpower; I just do.  Grant 
>> once told me: "It must be hard being you".  I guess I think about it the 
>> way a "clothes horse" thinks about a new outfit.  No matter how cute that 
>> new outfit is, I'm not wearing it every day.  I still pick my spots for 
>> when to wear it, and I'm definitely not forgetting about my other cute 
>> outfits, nor will I resist buying the next cute outfit.  
>>
>> I'm definitely a compulsive.  For a minute there I had four new builds 
>> that were off-limits to ride.  At the moment there are still three I can't 
>> ride.  What I've got is a mileage pyramid.  One bike is assigned to the 100 
>> mile level of the pyramid, another assigned to 200 miles and so on.  Twenty 
>> bikes cover 100 miles up to 2000 miles cumulatively on Strava.  Above 2000 
>> miles the steps are 200 miles each and there are two bikes up there: one 
>> assigned to 2200 miles and the current top of the pyramid is at 2400 miles. 
>>  That's 22 bikes.  I spread the use to get each bike to its assigned level, 
>> and I'm allowed some margin over that assigned level, but I won't bleed 
>> over to the next level up.  That's a no-no.  I'm very close to having all 
>> those slots filled: My Black Mountain Model Zero needs 48 miles, and my 
>> Crust Lightning Bolt Single Speed needs 45 miles.  At that point, I add the 
>> 2600 mile level to the top of the pyramid and have a wide open stable to 
>> ride whatever I like.  
>>
>> The four other builds (22+4=26 bikes) waiting to be used included my 
>> Gallop.  I have it at the 0 mile level, which means I can ride it, but not 
>> over 100 miles because then it would get up into the next level which is 
>> already occupied.  There are three more bikes assigned to the -100, -200 
>> and -300 levels, which are imaginary, so I can't ride them at all.  When I 
>> get to ratchet up the framework, then one more bike will b

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[George Schick]

Can't you guys go to a doc-in-a-box and whine for a prednisone shot when 
this happens?


On Monday, April 21, 2025 at 4:22:40 PM UTC-5 ttoshi wrote:

> Hi Bill,
>
> Poison oak is the worst. I'm usually very careful, but many years ago I 
> got a stem across the knee during a bike ride when I was riding on a fire 
> trail. I missed it because it was the winter and it didn't have any leaves 
> on the stem. I could hardly walk for 2 weeks as the boils became a weeping 
> mess and I was getting cortisone shots that did nothing. I'm glad it's not 
> as bad for you. SFR is always grateful for volunteers, and we need to keep 
> some goals on the list to look forward to. I'm keeping the Marin Mountains 
> off my list until you finish it. I'm thinking if Bill finishes, then I can 
> contemplate trying it, so I'll let you lead the way!
>
> Toshi
>
>
> On Mon, Apr 21, 2025 at 9:53 AM Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>
>> Thanks for the encouragement but Marin Mountains is something I have to 
>> affirmatively commit to WAY in advance.  I don't think it's in the cards 
>> for me this year.  My general fitness is decent and my weight is in a good 
>> spot, but I would have wanted to do a lot more off road hill repeats in 
>> preparation, plus I've got a nasty case of poison oak on my legs 
>> distracting me, plus my Black Mountain Model Zero is in the stand and I 
>> don't particularly feel like working on it.  It's halfway between an old 
>> setup that is broken versus a new setup that is incomplete.  
>>
>> I think my better move for this weekend may be to just volunteer.  Even 
>> then I still want to get this poison oak under control.  It's gross!
>>
>> Bill Lindsay
>> El Cerrito, CA
>>
>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Leah Peterson]

Oh! Another one on here! I love this Charlie, G Ram, and would love to hear more about it.LeahOn Apr 22, 2025, at 1:21 PM, G Ram  wrote:My lovely King Charles atop Montebello road (south bay area).On Monday, April 21, 2025 at 2:22:40 PM UTC-7 ttoshi wrote:Hi Bill,Poison oak is the worst. I'm usually very careful, but many years ago I got a stem across the knee during a bike ride when I was riding on a fire trail. I missed it because it was the winter and it didn't have any leaves on the stem. I could hardly walk for 2 weeks as the boils became a weeping mess and I was getting cortisone shots that did nothing. I'm glad it's not as bad for you. SFR is always grateful for volunteers, and we need to keep some goals on the list to look forward to. I'm keeping the Marin Mountains off my list until you finish it. I'm thinking if Bill finishes, then I can contemplate trying it, so I'll let you lead the way!ToshiOn Mon, Apr 21, 2025 at 9:53 AM Bill Lindsay  wrote:Thanks for the encouragement but Marin Mountains is something I have to affirmatively commit to WAY in advance.  I don't think it's in the cards for me this year.  My general fitness is decent and my weight is in a good spot, but I would have wanted to do a lot more off road hill repeats in preparation, plus I've got a nasty case of poison oak on my legs distracting me, plus my Black Mountain Model Zero is in the stand and I don't particularly feel like working on it.  It's halfway between an old setup that is broken versus a new setup that is incomplete.  I think my better move for this weekend may be to just volunteer.  Even then I still want to get this poison oak under control.  It's gross!Bill LindsayEl Cerrito, CA




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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Toshi Takeuchi]

Hi Bill,

Poison oak is the worst. I'm usually very careful, but many years ago I got
a stem across the knee during a bike ride when I was riding on a fire
trail. I missed it because it was the winter and it didn't have any leaves
on the stem. I could hardly walk for 2 weeks as the boils became a weeping
mess and I was getting cortisone shots that did nothing. I'm glad it's not
as bad for you. SFR is always grateful for volunteers, and we need to keep
some goals on the list to look forward to. I'm keeping the Marin Mountains
off my list until you finish it. I'm thinking if Bill finishes, then I can
contemplate trying it, so I'll let you lead the way!

Toshi


On Mon, Apr 21, 2025 at 9:53 AM Bill Lindsay  wrote:

> Thanks for the encouragement but Marin Mountains is something I have to
> affirmatively commit to WAY in advance.  I don't think it's in the cards
> for me this year.  My general fitness is decent and my weight is in a good
> spot, but I would have wanted to do a lot more off road hill repeats in
> preparation, plus I've got a nasty case of poison oak on my legs
> distracting me, plus my Black Mountain Model Zero is in the stand and I
> don't particularly feel like working on it.  It's halfway between an old
> setup that is broken versus a new setup that is incomplete.
>
> I think my better move for this weekend may be to just volunteer.  Even
> then I still want to get this poison oak under control.  It's gross!
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Leah Peterson]

Hi Reginald,The blond leather grips? Yes, Deb at Rivet Cycle Works was at the Philly Bike Expo and was selling them. I thought they would be perfect on Charlie in that color. I have another pair in a rich chestnut color on my raspberry Platypus.LOn Apr 21, 2025, at 1:02 PM, R. Alexis  wrote:Leah,You are cracking me up! LolIs it me or did you change out your grips? Thanks,Reginald AlexisOn Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 3:48:49 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:Bill Lindsay is a self-professed Bike Clothes Horse with a plethora of cute bike outfits being held captive to Bill Lindsay’s Arbitrary Rules that he cannot change. Bill Lindsay would have to go to Bill Lindsay to change the Rules, and not even Bill Lindsay is brave enough for THAT. Leah Peterson, a known lover of cute bike outfits, and first-rate bossypants, is unafraid of her Big RivBros (well, maybe a little afraid of Bill Lindsay) and would like nothing more than to get into Bill Lindsay’s closet and rearrange his cute bike outfits and his mileage pyramid. She would like to move Bill’s Rocket Charlie to the top position, weight him down with some colorful bits, toss out a few of those imposters (several non-Rivs will have to go!) and replace them with a paddle of Platypuses in a rainbow of colors to really brighten Bill Lindsay’s Bike Outfits up and round it all out. Then she would like a photo shoot.Fortunately for Bill Lindsay, Leah Peterson lives several timezones away and his closet is probably safe for now.LeahOn Apr 14, 2025, at 10:20 AM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:"How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a rocket, I’m riding that one."The answer is I'm not sure how I have the willpower; I just do.  Grant once told me: "It must be hard being you".  I guess I think about it the way a "clothes horse" thinks about a new outfit.  No matter how cute that new outfit is, I'm not wearing it every day.  I still pick my spots for when to wear it, and I'm definitely not forgetting about my other cute outfits, nor will I resist buying the next cute outfit.  I'm definitely a compulsive.  For a minute there I had four new builds that were off-limits to ride.  At the moment there are still three I can't ride.  What I've got is a mileage pyramid.  One bike is assigned to the 100 mile level of the pyramid, another assigned to 200 miles and so on.  Twenty bikes cover 100 miles up to 2000 miles cumulatively on Strava.  Above 2000 miles the steps are 200 miles each and there are two bikes up there: one assigned to 2200 miles and the current top of the pyramid is at 2400 miles.  That's 22 bikes.  I spread the use to get each bike to its assigned level, and I'm allowed some margin over that assigned level, but I won't bleed over to the next level up.  That's a no-no.  I'm very close to having all those slots filled: My Black Mountain Model Zero needs 48 miles, and my Crust Lightning Bolt Single Speed needs 45 miles.  At that point, I add the 2600 mile level to the top of the pyramid and have a wide open stable to ride whatever I like.  The four other builds (22+4=26 bikes) waiting to be used included my Gallop.  I have it at the 0 mile level, which means I can ride it, but not over 100 miles because then it would get up into the next level which is already occupied.  There are three more bikes assigned to the -100, -200 and -300 levels, which are imaginary, so I can't ride them at all.  When I get to ratchet up the framework, then one more bike will be unlocked.  The other way to earn the privilege of riding another bike is to sell a bike and make a new vacancy in the pyramid.  Unlocking the stable is really close, but I'm stalled getting those last two bikes over the finish line:  The ModelZero has a new drive train set up in the works, and I'm missing a critical part for another week or two.  It's in the work stand disassembled.  The Crust is stationed at my office in San Jose, and I don't get out there more than once a week, and when I do get to the office it's usually for full-days of meetings and such that make it hard to get out.  I can still ride, because I can carefully use up that surplus that each bike carries.  That surplus is over 2100 miles, so I can ride plenty and I can ride pretty much any of my bikes.  The Gallop carries 88 miles of surplus.  I can even do my next 200k brevet using up surplus miles: My Ebisu is assigned to 2200 miles, and it's at 2215 miles, so it is carrying 185 miles of surplus.  I can use it for my May 200k, and still have 60 miles of surplus left over.  Don't blame me!  I don't make up the rules! (said the person who literally made up the rules)Bill LindsayEl Cerrito, CAOn Monday, April 14, 2025 at 2:30:15 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:A rocket! Pretty exciting! How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a rocket, I’m riding that one. I don’t know if my Charlie is a rocket; it doesn’t have those tires and certainly weighs more than yours. I was h

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[R. Alexis]

Leah,

You are cracking me up! Lol

Is it me or did you change out your grips? 

Thanks,

Reginald Alexis

On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 3:48:49 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> 
> Bill Lindsay is a self-professed Bike Clothes Horse with a plethora of 
> cute bike outfits being held captive to Bill Lindsay’s Arbitrary Rules that 
> he cannot change. Bill Lindsay would have to go to Bill Lindsay to change 
> the Rules, and not even Bill Lindsay is brave enough for THAT. 
>
> Leah Peterson, a known lover of cute bike outfits, and first-rate 
> bossypants, is unafraid of her Big RivBros (well, maybe a little afraid of 
> Bill Lindsay) and would like nothing more than to get into Bill Lindsay’s 
> closet and rearrange his cute bike outfits *and* his mileage pyramid. She 
> would like to move Bill’s Rocket Charlie to the top position, weight him 
> down with some colorful bits, toss out a few of those imposters (several 
> non-Rivs will have to go!) and replace them with a paddle of Platypuses in 
> a rainbow of colors to really brighten Bill Lindsay’s Bike Outfits up and 
> round it all out. Then she would like a photo shoot.
>
> Fortunately for Bill Lindsay, Leah Peterson lives several timezones away 
> and his closet is probably safe for now.
>
> Leah
>
>
>
> On Apr 14, 2025, at 10:20 AM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>
> "How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a 
> rocket, I’m riding that one."
>
> The answer is I'm not sure how I have the willpower; I just do.  Grant 
> once told me: "It must be hard being you".  I guess I think about it the 
> way a "clothes horse" thinks about a new outfit.  No matter how cute that 
> new outfit is, I'm not wearing it every day.  I still pick my spots for 
> when to wear it, and I'm definitely not forgetting about my other cute 
> outfits, nor will I resist buying the next cute outfit.  
>
> I'm definitely a compulsive.  For a minute there I had four new builds 
> that were off-limits to ride.  At the moment there are still three I can't 
> ride.  What I've got is a mileage pyramid.  One bike is assigned to the 100 
> mile level of the pyramid, another assigned to 200 miles and so on.  Twenty 
> bikes cover 100 miles up to 2000 miles cumulatively on Strava.  Above 2000 
> miles the steps are 200 miles each and there are two bikes up there: one 
> assigned to 2200 miles and the current top of the pyramid is at 2400 miles. 
>  That's 22 bikes.  I spread the use to get each bike to its assigned level, 
> and I'm allowed some margin over that assigned level, but I won't bleed 
> over to the next level up.  That's a no-no.  I'm very close to having all 
> those slots filled: My Black Mountain Model Zero needs 48 miles, and my 
> Crust Lightning Bolt Single Speed needs 45 miles.  At that point, I add the 
> 2600 mile level to the top of the pyramid and have a wide open stable to 
> ride whatever I like.  
>
> The four other builds (22+4=26 bikes) waiting to be used included my 
> Gallop.  I have it at the 0 mile level, which means I can ride it, but not 
> over 100 miles because then it would get up into the next level which is 
> already occupied.  There are three more bikes assigned to the -100, -200 
> and -300 levels, which are imaginary, so I can't ride them at all.  When I 
> get to ratchet up the framework, then one more bike will be unlocked.  The 
> other way to earn the privilege of riding another bike is to sell a bike 
> and make a new vacancy in the pyramid.  
>
> Unlocking the stable is really close, but I'm stalled getting those last 
> two bikes over the finish line:  The ModelZero has a new drive train set up 
> in the works, and I'm missing a critical part for another week or two. 
>  It's in the work stand disassembled.  The Crust is stationed at my office 
> in San Jose, and I don't get out there more than once a week, and when I do 
> get to the office it's usually for full-days of meetings and such that make 
> it hard to get out.  I can still ride, because I can carefully use up that 
> surplus that each bike carries.  That surplus is over 2100 miles, so I can 
> ride plenty and I can ride pretty much any of my bikes.  The Gallop carries 
> 88 miles of surplus.  I can even do my next 200k brevet using up surplus 
> miles: My Ebisu is assigned to 2200 miles, and it's at 2215 miles, so it is 
> carrying 185 miles of surplus.  I can use it for my May 200k, and still 
> have 60 miles of surplus left over.  
>
> Don't blame me!  I don't make up the rules! (said the person who literally 
> made up the rules)
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
> On Monday, April 14, 2025 at 2:30:15 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> A rocket! Pretty exciting! How do you have the willpower to keep rotating 
>> bikes? If I have a rocket, I’m riding that one. I don’t know if my Charlie 
>> is a rocket; it doesn’t have those tires and certainly weighs more than 
>> yours. I was hoping to ride him tonight in the club ride but they

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Doug H.]

I think it is just about handlebar reach and style.
Doug

On Monday, April 21, 2025 at 12:51:09 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Why is this so accurate?!?!?
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Apr 21, 2025, at 11:31 AM, Joe Bernard  wrote:
>
> Ryan, yes! For reference..
> 
>
> 
>
>
> On Monday, April 21, 2025 at 7:34:58 AM UTC-7 Ryan wrote:
>
>> Bill's cafe racer versus Leah's Gold Wing
>>
>> On Sunday, April 20, 2025 at 10:19:35 PM UTC-5 ttoshi wrote:
>>
>>> Bill, it was great to see you yesterday, and I can attest to all  that 
>>> the Charlie is a very handsome bike! Are you planning on doing the Marin 
>>> Mountains next Saturday? Apparently they were forced to make the route 
>>> harder, but they are giving more time under gravel randonee rules. I am 
>>> hoping that for you, more time, despite the extra hills, will be welcome. I 
>>> am rooting for you to finish that beast of a ride! (Have some kind thoughts 
>>> for me the following weekend for the 600k!)
>>>
>>> Best wishes,
>>> Toshi
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sat, Apr 19, 2025 at 1:39 PM Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>>>
 In honor of Leah's rain club ride, I took Lord Charles out on a proper 
 road ride today.  I had considered doing a Diablo Summit, but instead 
 decided to knock out the next route of the East Bay Bike Trails book that 
 my daughter gave me for Christmas.  Next in the book was ride 7A, which 
 was 
 a 27 mile loop through the Berkeley Hills.  Rather than drive and park 
 near 
 the start point at the landmark Claremont Hotel, instead I rode out my 
 front door through Berkeley so I could stop and pay my respects to 
 Jitensha 
 Studio, which is losing their storefront.  

 https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/54461661667

 It was cool to start (high 40s) but looked like it might get into the 
 60s by the end of the ride.  It had been a while since I did the climb up 
 Claremont to Grizzly Peak.  Normally I treat Claremont as the shortcut 
 DOWN 
 if I'm in a hurry.  It's quite steep, with the steepest bits getting over 
 15%.  Lord Charles handled it just fine though, and it was the beginning 
 of 
 the ride, and it was a good way to get warm.  After climbing up Claremont 
 and Grizzly Peak the route passed the famous Steam Trains and dropped down 
 South Park into Tilden.  South Park is another steep road, and in the 
 early 
 days of Strava, death wish riders would take huge risks battling for the 
 KOM down this hill.  It's not hard to get over 50MPH.  I picked one of the 
 safer sections to let Charlie run, and took it up to ~68kph.  I'm not 
 completely dialed on my descending position on a flat bar road bike, but 
 the stability of the bike definitely was "like a Riv".  

 After South Park I headed out Wildcat Canyon to San Pablo Dam Road and 
 took that through Orinda.  There Toshi passed me with a small group and 
 said hello.  He was on his green Riv Custom, fresh off his 400k last 
 weekend and looking sharp in Grizly Peak Cyclists kit.  SPDR became Moraga 
 and then I turned right on Canyon and then up Pinehurst, another steep 
 climb.  Before that I tried to grab a springtime green hills photo:

 https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/54462855130

 On the climb two different roadies on standard-issue carbon 
 complimented my bike.  After that steep climb the route followed Skyline 
 to 
 Old Tunnel Road and back down into Oakland/North Berkeley.  I was going to 
 stop by Jitensha Studio again and hopefully catch Natsumi or Hiroshi there 
 in the store so I could buy something for the last time, but today is "CAL 
 Day" and the whole campus area was a total zoo.  I sort of avoided the 
 area 
 and went home.  43 miles 4200ft of climbing and a lovely day on the bike.  
 Lord Charles is a solid road bike, and I'm happy to have him in my stable. 
  

 Bill Lindsay
 El Cerrito, CA

 On Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 5:55:22 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding 
 Ding! wrote:

> Finally got out on Charlie for a proper club ride yesterday. Oh my 
> gosh, the skies blackened and dumped on us just minutes into our ride. 
> This 
> was NOT in the forecast, but…Michigan. Anyway, suddenly there was thunder 
> and lightning and this has not happened to me before. Well, what they 
> apparently do in Michigan is knock on strangers’ doors and ask to be let 
> in 
> their garages! 
>
> Charlie has fenders, and oh, how I hand wrung about fenders. I wanted 
> to keep him Pure Road Bike but then I also know we have wet roads…well, I 
> was ever so grateful to have fenders yesterday! And so was whoever was 
> behind me. The rest of us got “rooster tails” to the face for 20-some 
> miles. Road water. In your mouth. Gross.
>
> Charlie was trashed at the end and I had to 

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Bill Lindsay]

Thanks for the encouragement but Marin Mountains is something I have to 
affirmatively commit to WAY in advance.  I don't think it's in the cards 
for me this year.  My general fitness is decent and my weight is in a good 
spot, but I would have wanted to do a lot more off road hill repeats in 
preparation, plus I've got a nasty case of poison oak on my legs 
distracting me, plus my Black Mountain Model Zero is in the stand and I 
don't particularly feel like working on it.  It's halfway between an old 
setup that is broken versus a new setup that is incomplete.  

I think my better move for this weekend may be to just volunteer.  Even 
then I still want to get this poison oak under control.  It's gross!

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

On Sunday, April 20, 2025 at 8:19:35 PM UTC-7 ttoshi wrote:

> Bill, it was great to see you yesterday, and I can attest to all  that the 
> Charlie is a very handsome bike! Are you planning on doing the Marin 
> Mountains next Saturday? Apparently they were forced to make the route 
> harder, but they are giving more time under gravel randonee rules. I am 
> hoping that for you, more time, despite the extra hills, will be welcome. I 
> am rooting for you to finish that beast of a ride! (Have some kind thoughts 
> for me the following weekend for the 600k!)
>
> Best wishes,
> Toshi
>
>
> On Sat, Apr 19, 2025 at 1:39 PM Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>
>> In honor of Leah's rain club ride, I took Lord Charles out on a proper 
>> road ride today.  I had considered doing a Diablo Summit, but instead 
>> decided to knock out the next route of the East Bay Bike Trails book that 
>> my daughter gave me for Christmas.  Next in the book was ride 7A, which was 
>> a 27 mile loop through the Berkeley Hills.  Rather than drive and park near 
>> the start point at the landmark Claremont Hotel, instead I rode out my 
>> front door through Berkeley so I could stop and pay my respects to Jitensha 
>> Studio, which is losing their storefront.  
>>
>> https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/54461661667
>>
>> It was cool to start (high 40s) but looked like it might get into the 60s 
>> by the end of the ride.  It had been a while since I did the climb up 
>> Claremont to Grizzly Peak.  Normally I treat Claremont as the shortcut DOWN 
>> if I'm in a hurry.  It's quite steep, with the steepest bits getting over 
>> 15%.  Lord Charles handled it just fine though, and it was the beginning of 
>> the ride, and it was a good way to get warm.  After climbing up Claremont 
>> and Grizzly Peak the route passed the famous Steam Trains and dropped down 
>> South Park into Tilden.  South Park is another steep road, and in the early 
>> days of Strava, death wish riders would take huge risks battling for the 
>> KOM down this hill.  It's not hard to get over 50MPH.  I picked one of the 
>> safer sections to let Charlie run, and took it up to ~68kph.  I'm not 
>> completely dialed on my descending position on a flat bar road bike, but 
>> the stability of the bike definitely was "like a Riv".  
>>
>> After South Park I headed out Wildcat Canyon to San Pablo Dam Road and 
>> took that through Orinda.  There Toshi passed me with a small group and 
>> said hello.  He was on his green Riv Custom, fresh off his 400k last 
>> weekend and looking sharp in Grizly Peak Cyclists kit.  SPDR became Moraga 
>> and then I turned right on Canyon and then up Pinehurst, another steep 
>> climb.  Before that I tried to grab a springtime green hills photo:
>>
>> https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/54462855130
>>
>> On the climb two different roadies on standard-issue carbon complimented 
>> my bike.  After that steep climb the route followed Skyline to Old Tunnel 
>> Road and back down into Oakland/North Berkeley.  I was going to stop by 
>> Jitensha Studio again and hopefully catch Natsumi or Hiroshi there in the 
>> store so I could buy something for the last time, but today is "CAL Day" 
>> and the whole campus area was a total zoo.  I sort of avoided the area and 
>> went home.  43 miles 4200ft of climbing and a lovely day on the bike.  Lord 
>> Charles is a solid road bike, and I'm happy to have him in my stable.  
>>
>> Bill Lindsay
>> El Cerrito, CA
>>
>> On Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 5:55:22 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Finally got out on Charlie for a proper club ride yesterday. Oh my gosh, 
>>> the skies blackened and dumped on us just minutes into our ride. This was 
>>> NOT in the forecast, but…Michigan. Anyway, suddenly there was thunder and 
>>> lightning and this has not happened to me before. Well, what they 
>>> apparently do in Michigan is knock on strangers’ doors and ask to be let in 
>>> their garages! 
>>>
>>> Charlie has fenders, and oh, how I hand wrung about fenders. I wanted to 
>>> keep him Pure Road Bike but then I also know we have wet roads…well, I was 
>>> ever so grateful to have fenders yesterday! And so was whoever was behind 
>>> me. The rest of us got “rooster tails” to the f

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Leah Peterson]

Why is this so accurate?!?!?Sent from my iPhoneOn Apr 21, 2025, at 11:31 AM, Joe Bernard  wrote:Ryan, yes! For reference..On Monday, April 21, 2025 at 7:34:58 AM UTC-7 Ryan wrote:Bill's cafe racer versus Leah's Gold WingOn Sunday, April 20, 2025 at 10:19:35 PM UTC-5 ttoshi wrote:Bill, it was great to see you yesterday, and I can attest to all  that the Charlie is a very handsome bike! Are you planning on doing the Marin Mountains next Saturday? Apparently they were forced to make the route harder, but they are giving more time under gravel randonee rules. I am hoping that for you, more time, despite the extra hills, will be welcome. I am rooting for you to finish that beast of a ride! (Have some kind thoughts for me the following weekend for the 600k!)Best wishes,ToshiOn Sat, Apr 19, 2025 at 1:39 PM Bill Lindsay  wrote:In honor of Leah's rain club ride, I took Lord Charles out on a proper road ride today.  I had considered doing a Diablo Summit, but instead decided to knock out the next route of the East Bay Bike Trails book that my daughter gave me for Christmas.  Next in the book was ride 7A, which was a 27 mile loop through the Berkeley Hills.  Rather than drive and park near the start point at the landmark Claremont Hotel, instead I rode out my front door through Berkeley so I could stop and pay my respects to Jitensha Studio, which is losing their storefront.  https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/54461661667It was cool to start (high 40s) but looked like it might get into the 60s by the end of the ride.  It had been a while since I did the climb up Claremont to Grizzly Peak.  Normally I treat Claremont as the shortcut DOWN if I'm in a hurry.  It's quite steep, with the steepest bits getting over 15%.  Lord Charles handled it just fine though, and it was the beginning of the ride, and it was a good way to get warm.  After climbing up Claremont and Grizzly Peak the route passed the famous Steam Trains and dropped down South Park into Tilden.  South Park is another steep road, and in the early days of Strava, death wish riders would take huge risks battling for the KOM down this hill.  It's not hard to get over 50MPH.  I picked one of the safer sections to let Charlie run, and took it up to ~68kph.  I'm not completely dialed on my descending position on a flat bar road bike, but the stability of the bike definitely was "like a Riv".  After South Park I headed out Wildcat Canyon to San Pablo Dam Road and took that through Orinda.  There Toshi passed me with a small group and said hello.  He was on his green Riv Custom, fresh off his 400k last weekend and looking sharp in Grizly Peak Cyclists kit.  SPDR became Moraga and then I turned right on Canyon and then up Pinehurst, another steep climb.  Before that I tried to grab a springtime green hills photo:https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/54462855130On the climb two different roadies on standard-issue carbon complimented my bike.  After that steep climb the route followed Skyline to Old Tunnel Road and back down into Oakland/North Berkeley.  I was going to stop by Jitensha Studio again and hopefully catch Natsumi or Hiroshi there in the store so I could buy something for the last time, but today is "CAL Day" and the whole campus area was a total zoo.  I sort of avoided the area and went home.  43 miles 4200ft of climbing and a lovely day on the bike.  Lord Charles is a solid road bike, and I'm happy to have him in my stable.  Bill LindsayEl Cerrito, CAOn Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 5:55:22 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:Finally got out on Charlie for a proper club ride yesterday. Oh my gosh, the skies blackened and dumped on us just minutes into our ride. This was NOT in the forecast, but…Michigan. Anyway, suddenly there was thunder and lightning and this has not happened to me before. Well, what they apparently do in Michigan is knock on strangers’ doors and ask to be let in their garages! Charlie has fenders, and oh, how I hand wrung about fenders. I wanted to keep him Pure Road Bike but then I also know we have wet roads…well, I was ever so grateful to have fenders yesterday! And so was whoever was behind me. The rest of us got “rooster tails” to the face for 20-some miles. Road water. In your mouth. Gross.Charlie was trashed at the end and I had to take him to a manual car wash and gently hose him off. I wasn’t looking much better than he was. But that was because of other people’s bikes!He rode as nice as could be, even though we fought a lot of wind and conditions were not ideal. I think he did better than my Platy would have done. I’m really glad to have a Charlie Gallop.LOn Apr 16, 2025, at 4:03 PM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:If there is a supreme favorite, it is favorite because of the act of self-_expression_ that a build represents for me.  I put a lot of myself into each of my builds and my current stable really has zero duds from that standpoint.  Each of them has a lot of me in them but the one bu

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Ryan]

Bill's cafe racer versus Leah's Gold Wing

On Sunday, April 20, 2025 at 10:19:35 PM UTC-5 ttoshi wrote:

> Bill, it was great to see you yesterday, and I can attest to all  that the 
> Charlie is a very handsome bike! Are you planning on doing the Marin 
> Mountains next Saturday? Apparently they were forced to make the route 
> harder, but they are giving more time under gravel randonee rules. I am 
> hoping that for you, more time, despite the extra hills, will be welcome. I 
> am rooting for you to finish that beast of a ride! (Have some kind thoughts 
> for me the following weekend for the 600k!)
>
> Best wishes,
> Toshi
>
>
> On Sat, Apr 19, 2025 at 1:39 PM Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>
>> In honor of Leah's rain club ride, I took Lord Charles out on a proper 
>> road ride today.  I had considered doing a Diablo Summit, but instead 
>> decided to knock out the next route of the East Bay Bike Trails book that 
>> my daughter gave me for Christmas.  Next in the book was ride 7A, which was 
>> a 27 mile loop through the Berkeley Hills.  Rather than drive and park near 
>> the start point at the landmark Claremont Hotel, instead I rode out my 
>> front door through Berkeley so I could stop and pay my respects to Jitensha 
>> Studio, which is losing their storefront.  
>>
>> https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/54461661667
>>
>> It was cool to start (high 40s) but looked like it might get into the 60s 
>> by the end of the ride.  It had been a while since I did the climb up 
>> Claremont to Grizzly Peak.  Normally I treat Claremont as the shortcut DOWN 
>> if I'm in a hurry.  It's quite steep, with the steepest bits getting over 
>> 15%.  Lord Charles handled it just fine though, and it was the beginning of 
>> the ride, and it was a good way to get warm.  After climbing up Claremont 
>> and Grizzly Peak the route passed the famous Steam Trains and dropped down 
>> South Park into Tilden.  South Park is another steep road, and in the early 
>> days of Strava, death wish riders would take huge risks battling for the 
>> KOM down this hill.  It's not hard to get over 50MPH.  I picked one of the 
>> safer sections to let Charlie run, and took it up to ~68kph.  I'm not 
>> completely dialed on my descending position on a flat bar road bike, but 
>> the stability of the bike definitely was "like a Riv".  
>>
>> After South Park I headed out Wildcat Canyon to San Pablo Dam Road and 
>> took that through Orinda.  There Toshi passed me with a small group and 
>> said hello.  He was on his green Riv Custom, fresh off his 400k last 
>> weekend and looking sharp in Grizly Peak Cyclists kit.  SPDR became Moraga 
>> and then I turned right on Canyon and then up Pinehurst, another steep 
>> climb.  Before that I tried to grab a springtime green hills photo:
>>
>> https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/54462855130
>>
>> On the climb two different roadies on standard-issue carbon complimented 
>> my bike.  After that steep climb the route followed Skyline to Old Tunnel 
>> Road and back down into Oakland/North Berkeley.  I was going to stop by 
>> Jitensha Studio again and hopefully catch Natsumi or Hiroshi there in the 
>> store so I could buy something for the last time, but today is "CAL Day" 
>> and the whole campus area was a total zoo.  I sort of avoided the area and 
>> went home.  43 miles 4200ft of climbing and a lovely day on the bike.  Lord 
>> Charles is a solid road bike, and I'm happy to have him in my stable.  
>>
>> Bill Lindsay
>> El Cerrito, CA
>>
>> On Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 5:55:22 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Finally got out on Charlie for a proper club ride yesterday. Oh my gosh, 
>>> the skies blackened and dumped on us just minutes into our ride. This was 
>>> NOT in the forecast, but…Michigan. Anyway, suddenly there was thunder and 
>>> lightning and this has not happened to me before. Well, what they 
>>> apparently do in Michigan is knock on strangers’ doors and ask to be let in 
>>> their garages! 
>>>
>>> Charlie has fenders, and oh, how I hand wrung about fenders. I wanted to 
>>> keep him Pure Road Bike but then I also know we have wet roads…well, I was 
>>> ever so grateful to have fenders yesterday! And so was whoever was behind 
>>> me. The rest of us got “rooster tails” to the face for 20-some miles. Road 
>>> water. In your mouth. Gross.
>>>
>>> Charlie was trashed at the end and I had to take him to a manual car 
>>> wash and gently hose him off. I wasn’t looking much better than he was. But 
>>> that was because of other people’s bikes!
>>>
>>> He rode as nice as could be, even though we fought a lot of wind and 
>>> conditions were not ideal. I think he did better than my Platy would have 
>>> done. I’m really glad to have a Charlie Gallop.
>>>
>>> L
>>> [image: image0.jpeg][image: image1.jpeg][image: image2.jpeg]
>>>
>>> On Apr 16, 2025, at 4:03 PM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>>>
>>> If there is a supreme favorite, it is favorite because of the act of 
>>> self-exp

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Toshi Takeuchi]

Bill, it was great to see you yesterday, and I can attest to all  that the
Charlie is a very handsome bike! Are you planning on doing the Marin
Mountains next Saturday? Apparently they were forced to make the route
harder, but they are giving more time under gravel randonee rules. I am
hoping that for you, more time, despite the extra hills, will be welcome. I
am rooting for you to finish that beast of a ride! (Have some kind thoughts
for me the following weekend for the 600k!)

Best wishes,
Toshi


On Sat, Apr 19, 2025 at 1:39 PM Bill Lindsay  wrote:

> In honor of Leah's rain club ride, I took Lord Charles out on a proper
> road ride today.  I had considered doing a Diablo Summit, but instead
> decided to knock out the next route of the East Bay Bike Trails book that
> my daughter gave me for Christmas.  Next in the book was ride 7A, which was
> a 27 mile loop through the Berkeley Hills.  Rather than drive and park near
> the start point at the landmark Claremont Hotel, instead I rode out my
> front door through Berkeley so I could stop and pay my respects to Jitensha
> Studio, which is losing their storefront.
>
> https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/54461661667
>
> It was cool to start (high 40s) but looked like it might get into the 60s
> by the end of the ride.  It had been a while since I did the climb up
> Claremont to Grizzly Peak.  Normally I treat Claremont as the shortcut DOWN
> if I'm in a hurry.  It's quite steep, with the steepest bits getting over
> 15%.  Lord Charles handled it just fine though, and it was the beginning of
> the ride, and it was a good way to get warm.  After climbing up Claremont
> and Grizzly Peak the route passed the famous Steam Trains and dropped down
> South Park into Tilden.  South Park is another steep road, and in the early
> days of Strava, death wish riders would take huge risks battling for the
> KOM down this hill.  It's not hard to get over 50MPH.  I picked one of the
> safer sections to let Charlie run, and took it up to ~68kph.  I'm not
> completely dialed on my descending position on a flat bar road bike, but
> the stability of the bike definitely was "like a Riv".
>
> After South Park I headed out Wildcat Canyon to San Pablo Dam Road and
> took that through Orinda.  There Toshi passed me with a small group and
> said hello.  He was on his green Riv Custom, fresh off his 400k last
> weekend and looking sharp in Grizly Peak Cyclists kit.  SPDR became Moraga
> and then I turned right on Canyon and then up Pinehurst, another steep
> climb.  Before that I tried to grab a springtime green hills photo:
>
> https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/54462855130
>
> On the climb two different roadies on standard-issue carbon complimented
> my bike.  After that steep climb the route followed Skyline to Old Tunnel
> Road and back down into Oakland/North Berkeley.  I was going to stop by
> Jitensha Studio again and hopefully catch Natsumi or Hiroshi there in the
> store so I could buy something for the last time, but today is "CAL Day"
> and the whole campus area was a total zoo.  I sort of avoided the area and
> went home.  43 miles 4200ft of climbing and a lovely day on the bike.  Lord
> Charles is a solid road bike, and I'm happy to have him in my stable.
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
> On Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 5:55:22 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!
> wrote:
>
>> Finally got out on Charlie for a proper club ride yesterday. Oh my gosh,
>> the skies blackened and dumped on us just minutes into our ride. This was
>> NOT in the forecast, but…Michigan. Anyway, suddenly there was thunder and
>> lightning and this has not happened to me before. Well, what they
>> apparently do in Michigan is knock on strangers’ doors and ask to be let in
>> their garages!
>>
>> Charlie has fenders, and oh, how I hand wrung about fenders. I wanted to
>> keep him Pure Road Bike but then I also know we have wet roads…well, I was
>> ever so grateful to have fenders yesterday! And so was whoever was behind
>> me. The rest of us got “rooster tails” to the face for 20-some miles. Road
>> water. In your mouth. Gross.
>>
>> Charlie was trashed at the end and I had to take him to a manual car wash
>> and gently hose him off. I wasn’t looking much better than he was. But that
>> was because of other people’s bikes!
>>
>> He rode as nice as could be, even though we fought a lot of wind and
>> conditions were not ideal. I think he did better than my Platy would have
>> done. I’m really glad to have a Charlie Gallop.
>>
>> L
>> [image: image0.jpeg][image: image1.jpeg][image: image2.jpeg]
>>
>> On Apr 16, 2025, at 4:03 PM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>>
>> If there is a supreme favorite, it is favorite because of the act of
>> self-expression that a build represents for me.  I put a lot of myself into
>> each of my builds and my current stable really has zero duds from that
>> standpoint.  Each of them has a lot of me in them but the one build that
>> has the most of me in it is Bambi.
>>
>>
>> 

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Richard Rose]

It sounds like a perfect bike ride. Why do I always want to ride where other folks ride? I mean, it sounds so good.Sent from my iPhoneOn Apr 19, 2025, at 7:26 PM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:Like, is that all the water you had? Are you carrying extra on your person? Lord Charles is minimalist, so it's only got one water bottle cage.  I refilled it once on the ride.  Where is your emergency food? In that tiny bag? What is in there?  I had a cortado at Domingo Peet's.  I didn't pack any food.  I generally don't eat if it's under 50 miles.  On long rides I put food in around every 50km, but that food at the first 50km usually feels like I'm forcing it in.  What about clothing? You said it started in the 40s and was warming up to the 60s - what did you do with whatever layer you must have shed? I wore a lightish long sleeve wool jersey, so I didn't take anything off.  I had MUSA knickers over bib shorts.  I wore a light wool base layer as well.  It was just barely enough clothes to start.  I got good and sweaty on the last climb, but wool insulates fine when wet.  I thought about stowing my reflective vest in a jersey pocket, but my wife prefers me to remain visible at all times.  Lastly, 68KPH?!?!? Absolutely!Bill LindsayEl Cerrito, CAOn Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 2:52:48 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:That is SO much climbing. And a lot of miles. I have questions.See, Lord Charles is set up so differently than Charlie (that scoundrel) and I want to know things. Like, is that all the water you had? Are you carrying extra on your person? Because with that many miles and feet of climbing I’m requiring more water. Where is your emergency food? In that tiny bag? What is in there?What about clothing? You said it started in the 40s and was warming up to the 60s - what did you do with whatever layer you must have shed? Lastly, 68KPH?!?!? No. Absolutely not. I fear Lord Charlie is liable to shake himself loose and fall into pieces beneath you! Terrifying! I have too much crap and I’m trying to pare down. But I look at the tiny little pouch which is all anyone else has on group rides and it stresses me out. Too much stuff in the bags, yes, but GUESS WHO HAD TOILET PAPER FOR US on that ride when there wasn’t any in the bathrooms!Actually, as I type this, I am rigging up a cyclometer on Charlie. I want to know from start to end of his lifespan how many miles we got together. The red bike has one, too. This was an idea I took from our own Pam, who is upwards of 90k on her tiny 2011 Betty Foy. So much for paring down. I’m still adding stuff.LeahOn Apr 19, 2025, at 4:39 PM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:In honor of Leah's rain club ride, I took Lord Charles out on a proper road ride today.  I had considered doing a Diablo Summit, but instead decided to knock out the next route of the East Bay Bike Trails book that my daughter gave me for Christmas.  Next in the book was ride 7A, which was a 27 mile loop through the Berkeley Hills.  Rather than drive and park near the start point at the landmark Claremont Hotel, instead I rode out my front door through Berkeley so I could stop and pay my respects to Jitensha Studio, which is losing their storefront.  https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/54461661667It was cool to start (high 40s) but looked like it might get into the 60s by the end of the ride.  It had been a while since I did the climb up Claremont to Grizzly Peak.  Normally I treat Claremont as the shortcut DOWN if I'm in a hurry.  It's quite steep, with the steepest bits getting over 15%.  Lord Charles handled it just fine though, and it was the beginning of the ride, and it was a good way to get warm.  After climbing up Claremont and Grizzly Peak the route passed the famous Steam Trains and dropped down South Park into Tilden.  South Park is another steep road, and in the early days of Strava, death wish riders would take huge risks battling for the KOM down this hill.  It's not hard to get over 50MPH.  I picked one of the safer sections to let Charlie run, and took it up to ~68kph.  I'm not completely dialed on my descending position on a flat bar road bike, but the stability of the bike definitely was "like a Riv".  After South Park I headed out Wildcat Canyon to San Pablo Dam Road and took that through Orinda.  There Toshi passed me with a small group and said hello.  He was on his green Riv Custom, fresh off his 400k last weekend and looking sharp in Grizly Peak Cyclists kit.  SPDR became Moraga and then I turned right on Canyon and then up Pinehurst, another steep climb.  Before that I tried to grab a springtime green hills photo:https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/54462855130On the climb two different roadies on standard-issue carbon complimented my bike.  After that steep climb the route followed Skyline to Old Tunnel Road and back down into Oakland/North Berkeley.  I was going to stop by Jitensha Studio again and hopefully catch Natsumi or Hiroshi there in the store so I could buy something for 

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Bill Lindsay]

*Like, is that all the water you had? Are you carrying extra on your 
person? *

Lord Charles is minimalist, so it's only got one water bottle cage.  I 
refilled it once on the ride.  

*Where is your emergency food? In that tiny bag? What is in there?  *

I had a cortado at Domingo Peet's.  I didn't pack any food.  I generally 
don't eat if it's under 50 miles.  On long rides I put food in around every 
50km, but that food at the first 50km usually feels like I'm forcing it in. 
 

*What about clothing? You said it started in the 40s and was warming up to 
the 60s - what did you do with whatever layer you must have shed? *

I wore a lightish long sleeve wool jersey, so I didn't take anything off. 
 I had MUSA knickers over bib shorts.  I wore a light wool base layer as 
well.  It was just barely enough clothes to start.  I got good and sweaty 
on the last climb, but wool insulates fine when wet.  I thought about 
stowing my reflective vest in a jersey pocket, but my wife prefers me to 
remain visible at all times.  

*Lastly, 68KPH?!?!? *

Absolutely!

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

On Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 2:52:48 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> That is SO much climbing. And a lot of miles. I have questions.
>
> See, Lord Charles is set up so differently than Charlie (that scoundrel) 
> and I want to know things. 
>
> Like, is that all the water you had? Are you carrying extra on your 
> person? Because with that many miles and feet of climbing I’m requiring 
> more water. 
>
> Where is your emergency food? In that tiny bag? What is in there?
>
> What about clothing? You said it started in the 40s and was warming up to 
> the 60s - what did you do with whatever layer you must have shed? 
>
> Lastly, 68KPH?!?!? No. Absolutely not. I fear Lord Charlie is liable to 
> shake himself loose and fall into pieces beneath you! Terrifying! 
>
> I have too much crap and I’m trying to pare down. But I look at the tiny 
> little pouch which is all anyone else has on group rides and it stresses me 
> out. Too much stuff in the bags, yes, but GUESS WHO HAD TOILET PAPER FOR US 
> on that ride when there wasn’t any in the bathrooms!
>
> Actually, as I type this, I am rigging up a cyclometer on Charlie. I want 
> to know from start to end of his lifespan how many miles we got together. 
> The red bike has one, too. This was an idea I took from our own Pam, who is 
> upwards of 90k on her tiny 2011 Betty Foy. 
>
> So much for paring down. I’m still adding stuff.
>
> Leah
>
> On Apr 19, 2025, at 4:39 PM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>
> In honor of Leah's rain club ride, I took Lord Charles out on a proper 
> road ride today.  I had considered doing a Diablo Summit, but instead 
> decided to knock out the next route of the East Bay Bike Trails book that 
> my daughter gave me for Christmas.  Next in the book was ride 7A, which was 
> a 27 mile loop through the Berkeley Hills.  Rather than drive and park near 
> the start point at the landmark Claremont Hotel, instead I rode out my 
> front door through Berkeley so I could stop and pay my respects to Jitensha 
> Studio, which is losing their storefront.  
>
>
> https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/54461661667
>
> It was cool to start (high 40s) but looked like it might get into the 60s 
> by the end of the ride.  It had been a while since I did the climb up 
> Claremont to Grizzly Peak.  Normally I treat Claremont as the shortcut DOWN 
> if I'm in a hurry.  It's quite steep, with the steepest bits getting over 
> 15%.  Lord Charles handled it just fine though, and it was the beginning of 
> the ride, and it was a good way to get warm.  After climbing up Claremont 
> and Grizzly Peak the route passed the famous Steam Trains and dropped down 
> South Park into Tilden.  South Park is another steep road, and in the early 
> days of Strava, death wish riders would take huge risks battling for the 
> KOM down this hill.  It's not hard to get over 50MPH.  I picked one of the 
> safer sections to let Charlie run, and took it up to ~68kph.  I'm not 
> completely dialed on my descending position on a flat bar road bike, but 
> the stability of the bike definitely was "like a Riv".  
>
> After South Park I headed out Wildcat Canyon to San Pablo Dam Road and 
> took that through Orinda.  There Toshi passed me with a small group and 
> said hello.  He was on his green Riv Custom, fresh off his 400k last 
> weekend and looking sharp in Grizly Peak Cyclists kit.  SPDR became Moraga 
> and then I turned right on Canyon and then up Pinehurst, another steep 
> climb.  Before that I tried to grab a springtime green hills photo:
>
> https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/54462855130
>
> On the climb two different roadies on standard-issue carbon complimented 
> my bike.  After that steep climb the route followed Skyline to Old Tunnel 
> Road and back down into Oakland/North Berkeley.  I was going to stop by 
> Jitensha Studio again and hopefully catch Natsumi or Hiroshi there in th

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Leah Peterson]

That is SO much climbing. And a lot of miles. I have questions.See, Lord Charles is set up so differently than Charlie (that scoundrel) and I want to know things. Like, is that all the water you had? Are you carrying extra on your person? Because with that many miles and feet of climbing I’m requiring more water. Where is your emergency food? In that tiny bag? What is in there?What about clothing? You said it started in the 40s and was warming up to the 60s - what did you do with whatever layer you must have shed? Lastly, 68KPH?!?!? No. Absolutely not. I fear Lord Charlie is liable to shake himself loose and fall into pieces beneath you! Terrifying! I have too much crap and I’m trying to pare down. But I look at the tiny little pouch which is all anyone else has on group rides and it stresses me out. Too much stuff in the bags, yes, but GUESS WHO HAD TOILET PAPER FOR US on that ride when there wasn’t any in the bathrooms!Actually, as I type this, I am rigging up a cyclometer on Charlie. I want to know from start to end of his lifespan how many miles we got together. The red bike has one, too. This was an idea I took from our own Pam, who is upwards of 90k on her tiny 2011 Betty Foy. So much for paring down. I’m still adding stuff.LeahOn Apr 19, 2025, at 4:39 PM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:In honor of Leah's rain club ride, I took Lord Charles out on a proper road ride today.  I had considered doing a Diablo Summit, but instead decided to knock out the next route of the East Bay Bike Trails book that my daughter gave me for Christmas.  Next in the book was ride 7A, which was a 27 mile loop through the Berkeley Hills.  Rather than drive and park near the start point at the landmark Claremont Hotel, instead I rode out my front door through Berkeley so I could stop and pay my respects to Jitensha Studio, which is losing their storefront.  https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/54461661667It was cool to start (high 40s) but looked like it might get into the 60s by the end of the ride.  It had been a while since I did the climb up Claremont to Grizzly Peak.  Normally I treat Claremont as the shortcut DOWN if I'm in a hurry.  It's quite steep, with the steepest bits getting over 15%.  Lord Charles handled it just fine though, and it was the beginning of the ride, and it was a good way to get warm.  After climbing up Claremont and Grizzly Peak the route passed the famous Steam Trains and dropped down South Park into Tilden.  South Park is another steep road, and in the early days of Strava, death wish riders would take huge risks battling for the KOM down this hill.  It's not hard to get over 50MPH.  I picked one of the safer sections to let Charlie run, and took it up to ~68kph.  I'm not completely dialed on my descending position on a flat bar road bike, but the stability of the bike definitely was "like a Riv".  After South Park I headed out Wildcat Canyon to San Pablo Dam Road and took that through Orinda.  There Toshi passed me with a small group and said hello.  He was on his green Riv Custom, fresh off his 400k last weekend and looking sharp in Grizly Peak Cyclists kit.  SPDR became Moraga and then I turned right on Canyon and then up Pinehurst, another steep climb.  Before that I tried to grab a springtime green hills photo:https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/54462855130On the climb two different roadies on standard-issue carbon complimented my bike.  After that steep climb the route followed Skyline to Old Tunnel Road and back down into Oakland/North Berkeley.  I was going to stop by Jitensha Studio again and hopefully catch Natsumi or Hiroshi there in the store so I could buy something for the last time, but today is "CAL Day" and the whole campus area was a total zoo.  I sort of avoided the area and went home.  43 miles 4200ft of climbing and a lovely day on the bike.  Lord Charles is a solid road bike, and I'm happy to have him in my stable.  Bill LindsayEl Cerrito, CAOn Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 5:55:22 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:Finally got out on Charlie for a proper club ride yesterday. Oh my gosh, the skies blackened and dumped on us just minutes into our ride. This was NOT in the forecast, but…Michigan. Anyway, suddenly there was thunder and lightning and this has not happened to me before. Well, what they apparently do in Michigan is knock on strangers’ doors and ask to be let in their garages! Charlie has fenders, and oh, how I hand wrung about fenders. I wanted to keep him Pure Road Bike but then I also know we have wet roads…well, I was ever so grateful to have fenders yesterday! And so was whoever was behind me. The rest of us got “rooster tails” to the face for 20-some miles. Road water. In your mouth. Gross.Charlie was trashed at the end and I had to take him to a manual car wash and gently hose him off. I wasn’t looking much better than he was. But that was because of other people’s bikes!He rode as nice as could be, even though we fought a lot of wind and conditions were not 

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Bill Lindsay]

In honor of Leah's rain club ride, I took Lord Charles out on a proper road 
ride today.  I had considered doing a Diablo Summit, but instead decided to 
knock out the next route of the East Bay Bike Trails book that my daughter 
gave me for Christmas.  Next in the book was ride 7A, which was a 27 mile 
loop through the Berkeley Hills.  Rather than drive and park near the start 
point at the landmark Claremont Hotel, instead I rode out my front door 
through Berkeley so I could stop and pay my respects to Jitensha Studio, 
which is losing their storefront.  

https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/54461661667

It was cool to start (high 40s) but looked like it might get into the 60s 
by the end of the ride.  It had been a while since I did the climb up 
Claremont to Grizzly Peak.  Normally I treat Claremont as the shortcut DOWN 
if I'm in a hurry.  It's quite steep, with the steepest bits getting over 
15%.  Lord Charles handled it just fine though, and it was the beginning of 
the ride, and it was a good way to get warm.  After climbing up Claremont 
and Grizzly Peak the route passed the famous Steam Trains and dropped down 
South Park into Tilden.  South Park is another steep road, and in the early 
days of Strava, death wish riders would take huge risks battling for the 
KOM down this hill.  It's not hard to get over 50MPH.  I picked one of the 
safer sections to let Charlie run, and took it up to ~68kph.  I'm not 
completely dialed on my descending position on a flat bar road bike, but 
the stability of the bike definitely was "like a Riv".  

After South Park I headed out Wildcat Canyon to San Pablo Dam Road and took 
that through Orinda.  There Toshi passed me with a small group and said 
hello.  He was on his green Riv Custom, fresh off his 400k last weekend and 
looking sharp in Grizly Peak Cyclists kit.  SPDR became Moraga and then I 
turned right on Canyon and then up Pinehurst, another steep climb.  Before 
that I tried to grab a springtime green hills photo:

https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/54462855130

On the climb two different roadies on standard-issue carbon complimented my 
bike.  After that steep climb the route followed Skyline to Old Tunnel Road 
and back down into Oakland/North Berkeley.  I was going to stop by Jitensha 
Studio again and hopefully catch Natsumi or Hiroshi there in the store so I 
could buy something for the last time, but today is "CAL Day" and the whole 
campus area was a total zoo.  I sort of avoided the area and went home.  43 
miles 4200ft of climbing and a lovely day on the bike.  Lord Charles is a 
solid road bike, and I'm happy to have him in my stable.  

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

On Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 5:55:22 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Finally got out on Charlie for a proper club ride yesterday. Oh my gosh, 
> the skies blackened and dumped on us just minutes into our ride. This was 
> NOT in the forecast, but…Michigan. Anyway, suddenly there was thunder and 
> lightning and this has not happened to me before. Well, what they 
> apparently do in Michigan is knock on strangers’ doors and ask to be let in 
> their garages! 
>
> Charlie has fenders, and oh, how I hand wrung about fenders. I wanted to 
> keep him Pure Road Bike but then I also know we have wet roads…well, I was 
> ever so grateful to have fenders yesterday! And so was whoever was behind 
> me. The rest of us got “rooster tails” to the face for 20-some miles. Road 
> water. In your mouth. Gross.
>
> Charlie was trashed at the end and I had to take him to a manual car wash 
> and gently hose him off. I wasn’t looking much better than he was. But that 
> was because of other people’s bikes!
>
> He rode as nice as could be, even though we fought a lot of wind and 
> conditions were not ideal. I think he did better than my Platy would have 
> done. I’m really glad to have a Charlie Gallop.
>
> L
> [image: image0.jpeg][image: image1.jpeg][image: image2.jpeg]
>
> On Apr 16, 2025, at 4:03 PM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>
> If there is a supreme favorite, it is favorite because of the act of 
> self-expression that a build represents for me.  I put a lot of myself into 
> each of my builds and my current stable really has zero duds from that 
> standpoint.  Each of them has a lot of me in them but the one build that 
> has the most of me in it is Bambi.  
>
>
> https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/albums/72157720131270829/
>
> Is it a fat tire road bike?  A gravel bike?  An all road randonneur?  It's 
> a lot of those things.  Beyond that it has a narrower Q-factor than 99.99% 
> of bikes made in the last half-century.  That's probably the bike I love 
> the most.  That's the bike I guarantee I'll never sell.  What's the rush, 
> riding it?  I'll have it forever.  We've got time...
>
> BL in EC
> On Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 12:20:14 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> Bill, 
>> So is there really no bike that you just favor above all others and want 
>> to

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Ryan]

That's what we do in Manitoba, too. Lightening is nothing to mess around 
with

Love the matching Keen sandals

On Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 7:55:22 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Finally got out on Charlie for a proper club ride yesterday. Oh my gosh, 
> the skies blackened and dumped on us just minutes into our ride. This was 
> NOT in the forecast, but…Michigan. Anyway, suddenly there was thunder and 
> lightning and this has not happened to me before. Well, what they 
> apparently do in Michigan is knock on strangers’ doors and ask to be let in 
> their garages! 
>
> Charlie has fenders, and oh, how I hand wrung about fenders. I wanted to 
> keep him Pure Road Bike but then I also know we have wet roads…well, I was 
> ever so grateful to have fenders yesterday! And so was whoever was behind 
> me. The rest of us got “rooster tails” to the face for 20-some miles. Road 
> water. In your mouth. Gross.
>
> Charlie was trashed at the end and I had to take him to a manual car wash 
> and gently hose him off. I wasn’t looking much better than he was. But that 
> was because of other people’s bikes!
>
> He rode as nice as could be, even though we fought a lot of wind and 
> conditions were not ideal. I think he did better than my Platy would have 
> done. I’m really glad to have a Charlie Gallop.
>
> L
> [image: image0.jpeg][image: image1.jpeg][image: image2.jpeg]
>
> On Apr 16, 2025, at 4:03 PM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>
> If there is a supreme favorite, it is favorite because of the act of 
> self-expression that a build represents for me.  I put a lot of myself into 
> each of my builds and my current stable really has zero duds from that 
> standpoint.  Each of them has a lot of me in them but the one build that 
> has the most of me in it is Bambi.  
>
>
> https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/albums/72157720131270829/
>
> Is it a fat tire road bike?  A gravel bike?  An all road randonneur?  It's 
> a lot of those things.  Beyond that it has a narrower Q-factor than 99.99% 
> of bikes made in the last half-century.  That's probably the bike I love 
> the most.  That's the bike I guarantee I'll never sell.  What's the rush, 
> riding it?  I'll have it forever.  We've got time...
>
> BL in EC
> On Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 12:20:14 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> Bill, 
>> So is there really no bike that you just favor above all others and want 
>> to ride outside of the rules? You’re never tempted to say, “Ok, this 
>> (insert name) bike needs another 500 miles butt, I’m running off 
>> with Lord Charlie for the foreseeable future…. There is really no supreme 
>> favorite? 
>>
>> I don’t even like having 4 choices. I have 4 bikes and that’s 1 too many. 
>> The mermaid bike is my least favorite and it sits. Actually, maybe that’s 
>> why you make The Rules - to avoid choice paralysis. You have a system and 
>> you follow it. 
>>
>> My bikes are all late models so your theory about people getting excited 
>> about new bikes and selling off old bikes might apply to me. I have sold a 
>> Betty and a Clem L. In my defense, a lot has changed as I’ve learned more 
>> about the type of rider I am and what I want to do on the bike. I don’t 
>> have a system, but I have purpose bikes. Well, they are *supposed *to 
>> be, but the Platy Trio is pretty interchangeable. Everyone had clear roles 
>> but they all got messed up when Charlie came.
>>
>> Speaking of him (he is *such *a scoundrel), Randi Jo et all sent his 
>> custom-color bag and it arrived today. Now I can give back my younger son’s 
>> RJ bag!
>> L
>> [image: image0.jpeg][image: image1.jpeg]
>>
>> On Apr 16, 2025, at 12:31 PM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>>
>> "She would like to move Bill’s Rocket Charlie to the top position"
>>
>>
>> That's totally allowed when the mileage tiers ratchet up.  It's kind of 
>> like musical chairs; when I add the 2600 mile level up on top, there's 
>> nothing technically stopping me from just riding Lord Charles 
>> *exclusively* for the next three months and putting him at that 2600 
>> mile level.  I've got a *little bit *of leapfrogging planned, but as 
>> that plan sits, I've just got three bikes that will stay put, allowing 
>> three other bikes to leapfrog those spots.  Lord Charles is one of those. 
>>  It'll leapfrog over my Hetchins townie, to the 200 mile level, while the 
>> Hetchins stays put at 100.  
>>
>> I think that's what some people end up doing: They have a number of 
>> bikes, but get excited about a brand new bike, ride that bike exclusively 
>> and fall out of love with one or more of the "old" bikes and get rid of 
>> them: "It's just not getting ridden anymore..."  
>>
>> I rode Lord Charles today.  I drove my car down to the shop, and rode 
>> Lord Charles back up the hill.  It's a dreamy bike.  
>>
>> Bill Lindsay
>> El Cerrito, CA
>>
>> On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 1:48:49 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> 
>>> Bill Lindsay is a self-profess

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Bill Lindsay]

If there is a supreme favorite, it is favorite because of the act of 
self-expression that a build represents for me.  I put a lot of myself into 
each of my builds and my current stable really has zero duds from that 
standpoint.  Each of them has a lot of me in them but the one build that 
has the most of me in it is Bambi.  

https://flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/albums/72157720131270829/

Is it a fat tire road bike?  A gravel bike?  An all road randonneur?  It's 
a lot of those things.  Beyond that it has a narrower Q-factor than 99.99% 
of bikes made in the last half-century.  That's probably the bike I love 
the most.  That's the bike I guarantee I'll never sell.  What's the rush, 
riding it?  I'll have it forever.  We've got time...

BL in EC
On Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 12:20:14 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Bill, 
> So is there really no bike that you just favor above all others and want 
> to ride outside of the rules? You’re never tempted to say, “Ok, this 
> (insert name) bike needs another 500 miles butt, I’m running off 
> with Lord Charlie for the foreseeable future…. There is really no supreme 
> favorite? 
>
> I don’t even like having 4 choices. I have 4 bikes and that’s 1 too many. 
> The mermaid bike is my least favorite and it sits. Actually, maybe that’s 
> why you make The Rules - to avoid choice paralysis. You have a system and 
> you follow it. 
>
> My bikes are all late models so your theory about people getting excited 
> about new bikes and selling off old bikes might apply to me. I have sold a 
> Betty and a Clem L. In my defense, a lot has changed as I’ve learned more 
> about the type of rider I am and what I want to do on the bike. I don’t 
> have a system, but I have purpose bikes. Well, they are *supposed *to be, 
> but the Platy Trio is pretty interchangeable. Everyone had clear roles but 
> they all got messed up when Charlie came.
>
> Speaking of him (he is *such *a scoundrel), Randi Jo et all sent his 
> custom-color bag and it arrived today. Now I can give back my younger son’s 
> RJ bag!
> L
> [image: image0.jpeg][image: image1.jpeg]
>
> On Apr 16, 2025, at 12:31 PM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>
> "She would like to move Bill’s Rocket Charlie to the top position"
>
>
> That's totally allowed when the mileage tiers ratchet up.  It's kind of 
> like musical chairs; when I add the 2600 mile level up on top, there's 
> nothing technically stopping me from just riding Lord Charles 
> *exclusively* for the next three months and putting him at that 2600 mile 
> level.  I've got a *little bit *of leapfrogging planned, but as that plan 
> sits, I've just got three bikes that will stay put, allowing three other 
> bikes to leapfrog those spots.  Lord Charles is one of those.  It'll 
> leapfrog over my Hetchins townie, to the 200 mile level, while the Hetchins 
> stays put at 100.  
>
> I think that's what some people end up doing: They have a number of bikes, 
> but get excited about a brand new bike, ride that bike exclusively and fall 
> out of love with one or more of the "old" bikes and get rid of them: "It's 
> just not getting ridden anymore..."  
>
> I rode Lord Charles today.  I drove my car down to the shop, and rode Lord 
> Charles back up the hill.  It's a dreamy bike.  
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
> On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 1:48:49 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> 
>> Bill Lindsay is a self-professed Bike Clothes Horse with a plethora of 
>> cute bike outfits being held captive to Bill Lindsay’s Arbitrary Rules that 
>> he cannot change. Bill Lindsay would have to go to Bill Lindsay to change 
>> the Rules, and not even Bill Lindsay is brave enough for THAT. 
>>
>> Leah Peterson, a known lover of cute bike outfits, and first-rate 
>> bossypants, is unafraid of her Big RivBros (well, maybe a little afraid of 
>> Bill Lindsay) and would like nothing more than to get into Bill Lindsay’s 
>> closet and rearrange his cute bike outfits *and* his mileage pyramid. 
>> She would like to move Bill’s Rocket Charlie to the top position, weight 
>> him down with some colorful bits, toss out a few of those imposters 
>> (several non-Rivs will have to go!) and replace them with a paddle of 
>> Platypuses in a rainbow of colors to really brighten Bill Lindsay’s Bike 
>> Outfits up and round it all out. Then she would like a photo shoot.
>>
>> Fortunately for Bill Lindsay, Leah Peterson lives several timezones away 
>> and his closet is probably safe for now.
>>
>> Leah
>>
>>
>>
>> On Apr 14, 2025, at 10:20 AM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>>
>> "How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a 
>> rocket, I’m riding that one."
>>
>> The answer is I'm not sure how I have the willpower; I just do.  Grant 
>> once told me: "It must be hard being you".  I guess I think about it the 
>> way a "clothes horse" thinks about a new outfit.  No matter how cute that 
>> new outfit is, I'm not wearing it every day.  I still pick my s

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Bill Lindsay]

"She would like to move Bill’s Rocket Charlie to the top position"

That's totally allowed when the mileage tiers ratchet up.  It's kind of 
like musical chairs; when I add the 2600 mile level up on top, there's 
nothing technically stopping me from just riding Lord Charles *exclusively* 
for the next three months and putting him at that 2600 mile level.  I've 
got a *little bit *of leapfrogging planned, but as that plan sits, I've 
just got three bikes that will stay put, allowing three other bikes to 
leapfrog those spots.  Lord Charles is one of those.  It'll leapfrog over 
my Hetchins townie, to the 200 mile level, while the Hetchins stays put at 
100.  

I think that's what some people end up doing: They have a number of bikes, 
but get excited about a brand new bike, ride that bike exclusively and fall 
out of love with one or more of the "old" bikes and get rid of them: "It's 
just not getting ridden anymore..."  

I rode Lord Charles today.  I drove my car down to the shop, and rode Lord 
Charles back up the hill.  It's a dreamy bike.  

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 1:48:49 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> 
> Bill Lindsay is a self-professed Bike Clothes Horse with a plethora of 
> cute bike outfits being held captive to Bill Lindsay’s Arbitrary Rules that 
> he cannot change. Bill Lindsay would have to go to Bill Lindsay to change 
> the Rules, and not even Bill Lindsay is brave enough for THAT. 
>
> Leah Peterson, a known lover of cute bike outfits, and first-rate 
> bossypants, is unafraid of her Big RivBros (well, maybe a little afraid of 
> Bill Lindsay) and would like nothing more than to get into Bill Lindsay’s 
> closet and rearrange his cute bike outfits *and* his mileage pyramid. She 
> would like to move Bill’s Rocket Charlie to the top position, weight him 
> down with some colorful bits, toss out a few of those imposters (several 
> non-Rivs will have to go!) and replace them with a paddle of Platypuses in 
> a rainbow of colors to really brighten Bill Lindsay’s Bike Outfits up and 
> round it all out. Then she would like a photo shoot.
>
> Fortunately for Bill Lindsay, Leah Peterson lives several timezones away 
> and his closet is probably safe for now.
>
> Leah
>
>
>
> On Apr 14, 2025, at 10:20 AM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>
> "How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a 
> rocket, I’m riding that one."
>
> The answer is I'm not sure how I have the willpower; I just do.  Grant 
> once told me: "It must be hard being you".  I guess I think about it the 
> way a "clothes horse" thinks about a new outfit.  No matter how cute that 
> new outfit is, I'm not wearing it every day.  I still pick my spots for 
> when to wear it, and I'm definitely not forgetting about my other cute 
> outfits, nor will I resist buying the next cute outfit.  
>
> I'm definitely a compulsive.  For a minute there I had four new builds 
> that were off-limits to ride.  At the moment there are still three I can't 
> ride.  What I've got is a mileage pyramid.  One bike is assigned to the 100 
> mile level of the pyramid, another assigned to 200 miles and so on.  Twenty 
> bikes cover 100 miles up to 2000 miles cumulatively on Strava.  Above 2000 
> miles the steps are 200 miles each and there are two bikes up there: one 
> assigned to 2200 miles and the current top of the pyramid is at 2400 miles. 
>  That's 22 bikes.  I spread the use to get each bike to its assigned level, 
> and I'm allowed some margin over that assigned level, but I won't bleed 
> over to the next level up.  That's a no-no.  I'm very close to having all 
> those slots filled: My Black Mountain Model Zero needs 48 miles, and my 
> Crust Lightning Bolt Single Speed needs 45 miles.  At that point, I add the 
> 2600 mile level to the top of the pyramid and have a wide open stable to 
> ride whatever I like.  
>
> The four other builds (22+4=26 bikes) waiting to be used included my 
> Gallop.  I have it at the 0 mile level, which means I can ride it, but not 
> over 100 miles because then it would get up into the next level which is 
> already occupied.  There are three more bikes assigned to the -100, -200 
> and -300 levels, which are imaginary, so I can't ride them at all.  When I 
> get to ratchet up the framework, then one more bike will be unlocked.  The 
> other way to earn the privilege of riding another bike is to sell a bike 
> and make a new vacancy in the pyramid.  
>
> Unlocking the stable is really close, but I'm stalled getting those last 
> two bikes over the finish line:  The ModelZero has a new drive train set up 
> in the works, and I'm missing a critical part for another week or two. 
>  It's in the work stand disassembled.  The Crust is stationed at my office 
> in San Jose, and I don't get out there more than once a week, and when I do 
> get to the office it's usually for full-days of meetings and such that make 
> it hard to get out.  I can still ride, because I c

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Dorothy C]

I would love one, but I feel as I already have two Roadinis, a tigged with 
Wavies and a lugged with Noodles, that my bike stable is already well 
provided for for that kind of riding. ESpecially as I don’t go on club rides

On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 3:36:22 PM UTC-7 Bill Lindsay wrote:

> Fashion!  Here's a photo or two of Lord Charles with his lovely new-used 
> White Industries VBC crankset on there:
>
> Cranks 
> Bike 
>
> My latest indulgence on the cute bike clothes front has been cycling 
> specific button up shirts.  I've got four or five Ostroy Resort Shirts, and 
> just bought two more button up bike shirts at REI by maker FlyLow.  They're 
> cute!
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
> On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 3:13:53 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> Also, for clarity’s sake, Bill said his stable is like a closet full of 
>> outfits and he has to choose which one to wear [use] any given day 
>> according to the Rules. My use of “Cute Bike Outfits” refers to Bill’s 
>> BIKES in his closet. Don’t come to me with actual bike clothing questions. 
>> I have no idea!
>>
>>
>> On Apr 15, 2025, at 4:48 PM, Leah Peterson  wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>> 
>> Bill Lindsay is a self-professed Bike Clothes Horse with a plethora of 
>> cute bike outfits being held captive to Bill Lindsay’s Arbitrary Rules that 
>> he cannot change. Bill Lindsay would have to go to Bill Lindsay to change 
>> the Rules, and not even Bill Lindsay is brave enough for THAT. 
>>
>> Leah Peterson, a known lover of cute bike outfits, and first-rate 
>> bossypants, is unafraid of her Big RivBros (well, maybe a little afraid of 
>> Bill Lindsay) and would like nothing more than to get into Bill Lindsay’s 
>> closet and rearrange his cute bike outfits *and* his mileage pyramid. 
>> She would like to move Bill’s Rocket Charlie to the top position, weight 
>> him down with some colorful bits, toss out a few of those imposters 
>> (several non-Rivs will have to go!) and replace them with a paddle of 
>> Platypuses in a rainbow of colors to really brighten Bill Lindsay’s Bike 
>> Outfits up and round it all out. Then she would like a photo shoot.
>>
>> Fortunately for Bill Lindsay, Leah Peterson lives several timezones away 
>> and his closet is probably safe for now.
>>
>> Leah
>>
>>
>>
>> On Apr 14, 2025, at 10:20 AM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>>
>> "How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a 
>> rocket, I’m riding that one."
>>
>> The answer is I'm not sure how I have the willpower; I just do.  Grant 
>> once told me: "It must be hard being you".  I guess I think about it the 
>> way a "clothes horse" thinks about a new outfit.  No matter how cute that 
>> new outfit is, I'm not wearing it every day.  I still pick my spots for 
>> when to wear it, and I'm definitely not forgetting about my other cute 
>> outfits, nor will I resist buying the next cute outfit.  
>>
>> I'm definitely a compulsive.  For a minute there I had four new builds 
>> that were off-limits to ride.  At the moment there are still three I can't 
>> ride.  What I've got is a mileage pyramid.  One bike is assigned to the 100 
>> mile level of the pyramid, another assigned to 200 miles and so on.  Twenty 
>> bikes cover 100 miles up to 2000 miles cumulatively on Strava.  Above 2000 
>> miles the steps are 200 miles each and there are two bikes up there: one 
>> assigned to 2200 miles and the current top of the pyramid is at 2400 miles. 
>>  That's 22 bikes.  I spread the use to get each bike to its assigned level, 
>> and I'm allowed some margin over that assigned level, but I won't bleed 
>> over to the next level up.  That's a no-no.  I'm very close to having all 
>> those slots filled: My Black Mountain Model Zero needs 48 miles, and my 
>> Crust Lightning Bolt Single Speed needs 45 miles.  At that point, I add the 
>> 2600 mile level to the top of the pyramid and have a wide open stable to 
>> ride whatever I like.  
>>
>> The four other builds (22+4=26 bikes) waiting to be used included my 
>> Gallop.  I have it at the 0 mile level, which means I can ride it, but not 
>> over 100 miles because then it would get up into the next level which is 
>> already occupied.  There are three more bikes assigned to the -100, -200 
>> and -300 levels, which are imaginary, so I can't ride them at all.  When I 
>> get to ratchet up the framework, then one more bike will be unlocked.  The 
>> other way to earn the privilege of riding another bike is to sell a bike 
>> and make a new vacancy in the pyramid.  
>>
>> Unlocking the stable is really close, but I'm stalled getting those last 
>> two bikes over the finish line:  The ModelZero has a new drive train set up 
>> in the works, and I'm missing a critical part for another week or two. 
>>  It's in the work stand disassembled.  The Crust is stationed at my office 
>> in San Jose, and I don't get

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Bill Lindsay]

Fashion!  Here's a photo or two of Lord Charles with his lovely new-used 
White Industries VBC crankset on there:

Cranks 
Bike 

My latest indulgence on the cute bike clothes front has been cycling 
specific button up shirts.  I've got four or five Ostroy Resort Shirts, and 
just bought two more button up bike shirts at REI by maker FlyLow.  They're 
cute!

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 3:13:53 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Also, for clarity’s sake, Bill said his stable is like a closet full of 
> outfits and he has to choose which one to wear [use] any given day 
> according to the Rules. My use of “Cute Bike Outfits” refers to Bill’s 
> BIKES in his closet. Don’t come to me with actual bike clothing questions. 
> I have no idea!
>
>
> On Apr 15, 2025, at 4:48 PM, Leah Peterson  wrote:
>
> 
>
> 
> Bill Lindsay is a self-professed Bike Clothes Horse with a plethora of 
> cute bike outfits being held captive to Bill Lindsay’s Arbitrary Rules that 
> he cannot change. Bill Lindsay would have to go to Bill Lindsay to change 
> the Rules, and not even Bill Lindsay is brave enough for THAT. 
>
> Leah Peterson, a known lover of cute bike outfits, and first-rate 
> bossypants, is unafraid of her Big RivBros (well, maybe a little afraid of 
> Bill Lindsay) and would like nothing more than to get into Bill Lindsay’s 
> closet and rearrange his cute bike outfits *and* his mileage pyramid. She 
> would like to move Bill’s Rocket Charlie to the top position, weight him 
> down with some colorful bits, toss out a few of those imposters (several 
> non-Rivs will have to go!) and replace them with a paddle of Platypuses in 
> a rainbow of colors to really brighten Bill Lindsay’s Bike Outfits up and 
> round it all out. Then she would like a photo shoot.
>
> Fortunately for Bill Lindsay, Leah Peterson lives several timezones away 
> and his closet is probably safe for now.
>
> Leah
>
>
>
> On Apr 14, 2025, at 10:20 AM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>
> "How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a 
> rocket, I’m riding that one."
>
> The answer is I'm not sure how I have the willpower; I just do.  Grant 
> once told me: "It must be hard being you".  I guess I think about it the 
> way a "clothes horse" thinks about a new outfit.  No matter how cute that 
> new outfit is, I'm not wearing it every day.  I still pick my spots for 
> when to wear it, and I'm definitely not forgetting about my other cute 
> outfits, nor will I resist buying the next cute outfit.  
>
> I'm definitely a compulsive.  For a minute there I had four new builds 
> that were off-limits to ride.  At the moment there are still three I can't 
> ride.  What I've got is a mileage pyramid.  One bike is assigned to the 100 
> mile level of the pyramid, another assigned to 200 miles and so on.  Twenty 
> bikes cover 100 miles up to 2000 miles cumulatively on Strava.  Above 2000 
> miles the steps are 200 miles each and there are two bikes up there: one 
> assigned to 2200 miles and the current top of the pyramid is at 2400 miles. 
>  That's 22 bikes.  I spread the use to get each bike to its assigned level, 
> and I'm allowed some margin over that assigned level, but I won't bleed 
> over to the next level up.  That's a no-no.  I'm very close to having all 
> those slots filled: My Black Mountain Model Zero needs 48 miles, and my 
> Crust Lightning Bolt Single Speed needs 45 miles.  At that point, I add the 
> 2600 mile level to the top of the pyramid and have a wide open stable to 
> ride whatever I like.  
>
> The four other builds (22+4=26 bikes) waiting to be used included my 
> Gallop.  I have it at the 0 mile level, which means I can ride it, but not 
> over 100 miles because then it would get up into the next level which is 
> already occupied.  There are three more bikes assigned to the -100, -200 
> and -300 levels, which are imaginary, so I can't ride them at all.  When I 
> get to ratchet up the framework, then one more bike will be unlocked.  The 
> other way to earn the privilege of riding another bike is to sell a bike 
> and make a new vacancy in the pyramid.  
>
> Unlocking the stable is really close, but I'm stalled getting those last 
> two bikes over the finish line:  The ModelZero has a new drive train set up 
> in the works, and I'm missing a critical part for another week or two. 
>  It's in the work stand disassembled.  The Crust is stationed at my office 
> in San Jose, and I don't get out there more than once a week, and when I do 
> get to the office it's usually for full-days of meetings and such that make 
> it hard to get out.  I can still ride, because I can carefully use up that 
> surplus that each bike carries.  That surplus is over 2100 miles, so I can 
> ride plenty and I can ride pretty much any of my bikes.  The Gallop carries 
> 88 miles of surplus.  I can even

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Leah Peterson]

Also, for clarity’s sake, Bill said his stable is like a closet full of outfits and he has to choose which one to wear [use] any given day according to the Rules. My use of “Cute Bike Outfits” refers to Bill’s BIKES in his closet. Don’t come to me with actual bike clothing questions. I have no idea!On Apr 15, 2025, at 4:48 PM, Leah Peterson  wrote:Bill Lindsay is a self-professed Bike Clothes Horse with a plethora of cute bike outfits being held captive to Bill Lindsay’s Arbitrary Rules that he cannot change. Bill Lindsay would have to go to Bill Lindsay to change the Rules, and not even Bill Lindsay is brave enough for THAT. Leah Peterson, a known lover of cute bike outfits, and first-rate bossypants, is unafraid of her Big RivBros (well, maybe a little afraid of Bill Lindsay) and would like nothing more than to get into Bill Lindsay’s closet and rearrange his cute bike outfits and his mileage pyramid. She would like to move Bill’s Rocket Charlie to the top position, weight him down with some colorful bits, toss out a few of those imposters (several non-Rivs will have to go!) and replace them with a paddle of Platypuses in a rainbow of colors to really brighten Bill Lindsay’s Bike Outfits up and round it all out. Then she would like a photo shoot.Fortunately for Bill Lindsay, Leah Peterson lives several timezones away and his closet is probably safe for now.LeahOn Apr 14, 2025, at 10:20 AM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:"How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a rocket, I’m riding that one."The answer is I'm not sure how I have the willpower; I just do.  Grant once told me: "It must be hard being you".  I guess I think about it the way a "clothes horse" thinks about a new outfit.  No matter how cute that new outfit is, I'm not wearing it every day.  I still pick my spots for when to wear it, and I'm definitely not forgetting about my other cute outfits, nor will I resist buying the next cute outfit.  I'm definitely a compulsive.  For a minute there I had four new builds that were off-limits to ride.  At the moment there are still three I can't ride.  What I've got is a mileage pyramid.  One bike is assigned to the 100 mile level of the pyramid, another assigned to 200 miles and so on.  Twenty bikes cover 100 miles up to 2000 miles cumulatively on Strava.  Above 2000 miles the steps are 200 miles each and there are two bikes up there: one assigned to 2200 miles and the current top of the pyramid is at 2400 miles.  That's 22 bikes.  I spread the use to get each bike to its assigned level, and I'm allowed some margin over that assigned level, but I won't bleed over to the next level up.  That's a no-no.  I'm very close to having all those slots filled: My Black Mountain Model Zero needs 48 miles, and my Crust Lightning Bolt Single Speed needs 45 miles.  At that point, I add the 2600 mile level to the top of the pyramid and have a wide open stable to ride whatever I like.  The four other builds (22+4=26 bikes) waiting to be used included my Gallop.  I have it at the 0 mile level, which means I can ride it, but not over 100 miles because then it would get up into the next level which is already occupied.  There are three more bikes assigned to the -100, -200 and -300 levels, which are imaginary, so I can't ride them at all.  When I get to ratchet up the framework, then one more bike will be unlocked.  The other way to earn the privilege of riding another bike is to sell a bike and make a new vacancy in the pyramid.  Unlocking the stable is really close, but I'm stalled getting those last two bikes over the finish line:  The ModelZero has a new drive train set up in the works, and I'm missing a critical part for another week or two.  It's in the work stand disassembled.  The Crust is stationed at my office in San Jose, and I don't get out there more than once a week, and when I do get to the office it's usually for full-days of meetings and such that make it hard to get out.  I can still ride, because I can carefully use up that surplus that each bike carries.  That surplus is over 2100 miles, so I can ride plenty and I can ride pretty much any of my bikes.  The Gallop carries 88 miles of surplus.  I can even do my next 200k brevet using up surplus miles: My Ebisu is assigned to 2200 miles, and it's at 2215 miles, so it is carrying 185 miles of surplus.  I can use it for my May 200k, and still have 60 miles of surplus left over.  Don't blame me!  I don't make up the rules! (said the person who literally made up the rules)Bill LindsayEl Cerrito, CAOn Monday, April 14, 2025 at 2:30:15 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:A rocket! Pretty exciting! How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a rocket, I’m riding that one. I don’t know if my Charlie is a rocket; it doesn’t have those tires and certainly weighs more than yours. I was hoping to ride him tonight in the club ride but they’re predicting 37 mph winds. I don’t think that will be fun and it might not even be safe, so

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Ryan]

lovely photo as usual, Jason. Your Bombadil looks totally at home with that 
green. And yes, Bill is definitely one-of-a-kind

On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 4:36:34 PM UTC-5 Jason Fuller wrote:

> One thing is for sure: there is only one Bill Lindsay.  I too am impressed 
> by the level of organization, not to mention the mileage.  I don't have the 
> same ambition, though I do meticulously track my per-bike mileage as well 
> and very much enjoy keeping those numbers in mind.  I have per-year mileage 
> goals for each bike as well, though both my mileage and quiver are paltry 
> by comparison. 
>
> Last night I rode over the bridge a few miles from home to beta test a 
> route I plan to take some folks on in a few days. I ended up off-trail both 
> on purpose and by accident at various points; this was the accidental one. 
> Hard not to get distracted with this forest around me, though.  
>
> [image: PXL_20250415_014330821.jpg] 
>
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Bill Lindsay]

That would be fun to have a bike stylist who just picks my bike and my 'Fit 
for today and sends me on my way...

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 1:48:49 PM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> 
> Bill Lindsay is a self-professed Bike Clothes Horse with a plethora of 
> cute bike outfits being held captive to Bill Lindsay’s Arbitrary Rules that 
> he cannot change. Bill Lindsay would have to go to Bill Lindsay to change 
> the Rules, and not even Bill Lindsay is brave enough for THAT. 
>
> Leah Peterson, a known lover of cute bike outfits, and first-rate 
> bossypants, is unafraid of her Big RivBros (well, maybe a little afraid of 
> Bill Lindsay) and would like nothing more than to get into Bill Lindsay’s 
> closet and rearrange his cute bike outfits *and* his mileage pyramid. She 
> would like to move Bill’s Rocket Charlie to the top position, weight him 
> down with some colorful bits, toss out a few of those imposters (several 
> non-Rivs will have to go!) and replace them with a paddle of Platypuses in 
> a rainbow of colors to really brighten Bill Lindsay’s Bike Outfits up and 
> round it all out. Then she would like a photo shoot.
>
> Fortunately for Bill Lindsay, Leah Peterson lives several timezones away 
> and his closet is probably safe for now.
>
> Leah
>
>
>
> On Apr 14, 2025, at 10:20 AM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>
> "How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a 
> rocket, I’m riding that one."
>
> The answer is I'm not sure how I have the willpower; I just do.  Grant 
> once told me: "It must be hard being you".  I guess I think about it the 
> way a "clothes horse" thinks about a new outfit.  No matter how cute that 
> new outfit is, I'm not wearing it every day.  I still pick my spots for 
> when to wear it, and I'm definitely not forgetting about my other cute 
> outfits, nor will I resist buying the next cute outfit.  
>
> I'm definitely a compulsive.  For a minute there I had four new builds 
> that were off-limits to ride.  At the moment there are still three I can't 
> ride.  What I've got is a mileage pyramid.  One bike is assigned to the 100 
> mile level of the pyramid, another assigned to 200 miles and so on.  Twenty 
> bikes cover 100 miles up to 2000 miles cumulatively on Strava.  Above 2000 
> miles the steps are 200 miles each and there are two bikes up there: one 
> assigned to 2200 miles and the current top of the pyramid is at 2400 miles. 
>  That's 22 bikes.  I spread the use to get each bike to its assigned level, 
> and I'm allowed some margin over that assigned level, but I won't bleed 
> over to the next level up.  That's a no-no.  I'm very close to having all 
> those slots filled: My Black Mountain Model Zero needs 48 miles, and my 
> Crust Lightning Bolt Single Speed needs 45 miles.  At that point, I add the 
> 2600 mile level to the top of the pyramid and have a wide open stable to 
> ride whatever I like.  
>
> The four other builds (22+4=26 bikes) waiting to be used included my 
> Gallop.  I have it at the 0 mile level, which means I can ride it, but not 
> over 100 miles because then it would get up into the next level which is 
> already occupied.  There are three more bikes assigned to the -100, -200 
> and -300 levels, which are imaginary, so I can't ride them at all.  When I 
> get to ratchet up the framework, then one more bike will be unlocked.  The 
> other way to earn the privilege of riding another bike is to sell a bike 
> and make a new vacancy in the pyramid.  
>
> Unlocking the stable is really close, but I'm stalled getting those last 
> two bikes over the finish line:  The ModelZero has a new drive train set up 
> in the works, and I'm missing a critical part for another week or two. 
>  It's in the work stand disassembled.  The Crust is stationed at my office 
> in San Jose, and I don't get out there more than once a week, and when I do 
> get to the office it's usually for full-days of meetings and such that make 
> it hard to get out.  I can still ride, because I can carefully use up that 
> surplus that each bike carries.  That surplus is over 2100 miles, so I can 
> ride plenty and I can ride pretty much any of my bikes.  The Gallop carries 
> 88 miles of surplus.  I can even do my next 200k brevet using up surplus 
> miles: My Ebisu is assigned to 2200 miles, and it's at 2215 miles, so it is 
> carrying 185 miles of surplus.  I can use it for my May 200k, and still 
> have 60 miles of surplus left over.  
>
> Don't blame me!  I don't make up the rules! (said the person who literally 
> made up the rules)
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
> On Monday, April 14, 2025 at 2:30:15 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> A rocket! Pretty exciting! How do you have the willpower to keep rotating 
>> bikes? If I have a rocket, I’m riding that one. I don’t know if my Charlie 
>> is a rocket; it doesn’t have those tires and certainly weighs more than 
>> yours. I was hoping to ride him tonig

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Leah Peterson]

Bill Lindsay is a self-professed Bike Clothes Horse with a plethora of cute bike outfits being held captive to Bill Lindsay’s Arbitrary Rules that he cannot change. Bill Lindsay would have to go to Bill Lindsay to change the Rules, and not even Bill Lindsay is brave enough for THAT. Leah Peterson, a known lover of cute bike outfits, and first-rate bossypants, is unafraid of her Big RivBros (well, maybe a little afraid of Bill Lindsay) and would like nothing more than to get into Bill Lindsay’s closet and rearrange his cute bike outfits and his mileage pyramid. She would like to move Bill’s Rocket Charlie to the top position, weight him down with some colorful bits, toss out a few of those imposters (several non-Rivs will have to go!) and replace them with a paddle of Platypuses in a rainbow of colors to really brighten Bill Lindsay’s Bike Outfits up and round it all out. Then she would like a photo shoot.Fortunately for Bill Lindsay, Leah Peterson lives several timezones away and his closet is probably safe for now.LeahOn Apr 14, 2025, at 10:20 AM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:"How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a rocket, I’m riding that one."The answer is I'm not sure how I have the willpower; I just do.  Grant once told me: "It must be hard being you".  I guess I think about it the way a "clothes horse" thinks about a new outfit.  No matter how cute that new outfit is, I'm not wearing it every day.  I still pick my spots for when to wear it, and I'm definitely not forgetting about my other cute outfits, nor will I resist buying the next cute outfit.  I'm definitely a compulsive.  For a minute there I had four new builds that were off-limits to ride.  At the moment there are still three I can't ride.  What I've got is a mileage pyramid.  One bike is assigned to the 100 mile level of the pyramid, another assigned to 200 miles and so on.  Twenty bikes cover 100 miles up to 2000 miles cumulatively on Strava.  Above 2000 miles the steps are 200 miles each and there are two bikes up there: one assigned to 2200 miles and the current top of the pyramid is at 2400 miles.  That's 22 bikes.  I spread the use to get each bike to its assigned level, and I'm allowed some margin over that assigned level, but I won't bleed over to the next level up.  That's a no-no.  I'm very close to having all those slots filled: My Black Mountain Model Zero needs 48 miles, and my Crust Lightning Bolt Single Speed needs 45 miles.  At that point, I add the 2600 mile level to the top of the pyramid and have a wide open stable to ride whatever I like.  The four other builds (22+4=26 bikes) waiting to be used included my Gallop.  I have it at the 0 mile level, which means I can ride it, but not over 100 miles because then it would get up into the next level which is already occupied.  There are three more bikes assigned to the -100, -200 and -300 levels, which are imaginary, so I can't ride them at all.  When I get to ratchet up the framework, then one more bike will be unlocked.  The other way to earn the privilege of riding another bike is to sell a bike and make a new vacancy in the pyramid.  Unlocking the stable is really close, but I'm stalled getting those last two bikes over the finish line:  The ModelZero has a new drive train set up in the works, and I'm missing a critical part for another week or two.  It's in the work stand disassembled.  The Crust is stationed at my office in San Jose, and I don't get out there more than once a week, and when I do get to the office it's usually for full-days of meetings and such that make it hard to get out.  I can still ride, because I can carefully use up that surplus that each bike carries.  That surplus is over 2100 miles, so I can ride plenty and I can ride pretty much any of my bikes.  The Gallop carries 88 miles of surplus.  I can even do my next 200k brevet using up surplus miles: My Ebisu is assigned to 2200 miles, and it's at 2215 miles, so it is carrying 185 miles of surplus.  I can use it for my May 200k, and still have 60 miles of surplus left over.  Don't blame me!  I don't make up the rules! (said the person who literally made up the rules)Bill LindsayEl Cerrito, CAOn Monday, April 14, 2025 at 2:30:15 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:A rocket! Pretty exciting! How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a rocket, I’m riding that one. I don’t know if my Charlie is a rocket; it doesn’t have those tires and certainly weighs more than yours. I was hoping to ride him tonight in the club ride but they’re predicting 37 mph winds. I don’t think that will be fun and it might not even be safe, so we’ll see…LOn Apr 13, 2025, at 8:59 PM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:I hinted that my Charlie Gallop might make its appearance in my rotation this weekend, and it has.  I did not ride it up Mount Diablo, but I did ride it down into Berkeley and back.  It is most definitely a rocket.  Blazing fast down the hill on 700x38 Barlow Pass Extra

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Bill Lindsay]

"How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a rocket, 
I’m riding that one."

The answer is I'm not sure how I have the willpower; I just do.  Grant once 
told me: "It must be hard being you".  I guess I think about it the way a 
"clothes horse" thinks about a new outfit.  No matter how cute that new 
outfit is, I'm not wearing it every day.  I still pick my spots for when to 
wear it, and I'm definitely not forgetting about my other cute outfits, nor 
will I resist buying the next cute outfit.  

I'm definitely a compulsive.  For a minute there I had four new builds that 
were off-limits to ride.  At the moment there are still three I can't ride. 
 What I've got is a mileage pyramid.  One bike is assigned to the 100 mile 
level of the pyramid, another assigned to 200 miles and so on.  Twenty 
bikes cover 100 miles up to 2000 miles cumulatively on Strava.  Above 2000 
miles the steps are 200 miles each and there are two bikes up there: one 
assigned to 2200 miles and the current top of the pyramid is at 2400 miles. 
 That's 22 bikes.  I spread the use to get each bike to its assigned level, 
and I'm allowed some margin over that assigned level, but I won't bleed 
over to the next level up.  That's a no-no.  I'm very close to having all 
those slots filled: My Black Mountain Model Zero needs 48 miles, and my 
Crust Lightning Bolt Single Speed needs 45 miles.  At that point, I add the 
2600 mile level to the top of the pyramid and have a wide open stable to 
ride whatever I like.  

The four other builds (22+4=26 bikes) waiting to be used included my 
Gallop.  I have it at the 0 mile level, which means I can ride it, but not 
over 100 miles because then it would get up into the next level which is 
already occupied.  There are three more bikes assigned to the -100, -200 
and -300 levels, which are imaginary, so I can't ride them at all.  When I 
get to ratchet up the framework, then one more bike will be unlocked.  The 
other way to earn the privilege of riding another bike is to sell a bike 
and make a new vacancy in the pyramid.  

Unlocking the stable is really close, but I'm stalled getting those last 
two bikes over the finish line:  The ModelZero has a new drive train set up 
in the works, and I'm missing a critical part for another week or two. 
 It's in the work stand disassembled.  The Crust is stationed at my office 
in San Jose, and I don't get out there more than once a week, and when I do 
get to the office it's usually for full-days of meetings and such that make 
it hard to get out.  I can still ride, because I can carefully use up that 
surplus that each bike carries.  That surplus is over 2100 miles, so I can 
ride plenty and I can ride pretty much any of my bikes.  The Gallop carries 
88 miles of surplus.  I can even do my next 200k brevet using up surplus 
miles: My Ebisu is assigned to 2200 miles, and it's at 2215 miles, so it is 
carrying 185 miles of surplus.  I can use it for my May 200k, and still 
have 60 miles of surplus left over.  

Don't blame me!  I don't make up the rules! (said the person who literally 
made up the rules)

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

On Monday, April 14, 2025 at 2:30:15 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> A rocket! Pretty exciting! How do you have the willpower to keep rotating 
> bikes? If I have a rocket, I’m riding that one. I don’t know if my Charlie 
> is a rocket; it doesn’t have those tires and certainly weighs more than 
> yours. I was hoping to ride him tonight in the club ride but they’re 
> predicting 37 mph winds. I don’t think that will be fun and it might not 
> even be safe, so we’ll see…
>
> L
>
> On Apr 13, 2025, at 8:59 PM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>
> I hinted that my Charlie Gallop might make its appearance in my rotation 
> this weekend, and it has.  I did not ride it up Mount Diablo, but I did 
> ride it down into Berkeley and back.  It is most definitely a rocket. 
>  Blazing fast down the hill on 700x38 Barlow Pass Extralight tires, and 
> blazing fast up the hills in part because it's so darn light.  It'll take a 
> little getting used to the handling with a Jitensha bar, but the fit felt 
> super natural.  
>
>
> I also hinted at a tweak or two, and one of those conceptual tweaks did 
> happen.  It turned out I needed a lightish 110BCD crank for a project, so I 
> stole the Silver 3 crank off the Gallop for that application, and put on a 
> White Industries VBC crank with a single 36T narrow-wide ring.  That's a 
> perfect match for the White Industries Titanium BB that was already on 
> there, and it dropped ~15g.  I don't have new photos yet.  
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
> On Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 5:39:41 AM UTC-7 Bill Lindsay wrote:
>
>> I've probably disappointed some people because I spent a ton of time 
>> talking about my Gallop build and have spent zero time talking about my 
>> Charlie Gallop gallops.  That's because I haven't ridden it yet.  It's not 
>> laziness or neglect or a lack

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Bill Lindsay]

No, I rarely ride the same bike even twice in a row.  It's more like having 
a closet full of options and musing "what bike do I feel like riding 
today?"  The mileage status of each bike determines how many are available 
in the closet that day.  I don't have a traditional every-day work-commute. 
 The closest thing I have to a commute is my ~12 mile coffee run to Vine 
Street Peet's.  

I like your mixing up of your multi-modal commute and the big picture 
negative-space accomplishment of "miles-not-driven".  That's genius.

Bill Lindsay
El Cerrito, CA

On Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 6:37:11 AM UTC-7 Dorothy C wrote:

> Bill, do you mean you put 100 on one bike at a time for the year, then set 
> it aside until each bike has been ridden 100 miles each ( or 200 miles for 
> the top two bikes) ?
> My little peccadillo is keeping a spreadsheet of how I got to work all 
> year, with timings from my house to the station if by bike, and a note of 
> which bike I took, because I just use an Apple watch.  Possiblities are car 
> / train / walk; bike / train / bike ; or  car / train / bike, or drive the 
> whole way. So far this year, I haven’t driven all the way to work and back 
> once, it is a 23 mile round trip. Weather permitting I try to do bike / 
> train / bike mostly. I drove 4 times in 2024, I go to the office every day. 
> Spreadsheet keeps a tally of how many car miles I avoided, last year’s 
> total was around 4500 miles saved. 
> Hey I have to do something to justify a fleet of five Rivs, six if you 
> count the 47cm Roadini which is a bit small for me ;)
> On Monday, April 14, 2025 at 6:29:48 PM UTC-7 steve...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> Bill. your compulsive disposition could probably be treated with the 
>> right medication, but I think you have it worked out perfectly.  You've 
>> assembled a stable of  impressively curated bikes and you are clearly 
>> dedicated to enjoying them --- my hat's off to that!  
>>
>> Steve in AVL
>>
>>
>> On Monday, April 14, 2025 at 8:02:42 PM UTC-4 SallyG wrote:
>>
>>> Bill,
>>> Excited to see that someone else is trying the Jitensha bar! I'm 
>>> changing over from a drop bar (for a mixte) and bought a black one a couple 
>>> weeks ago. My mixte may be a Cessna, but bar is first step to rocket 
>>> launch, right? (Actually, I am just looking for glamour...). 
>>>
>>> On Mon, Apr 14, 2025 at 11:52 AM Richard Rose  wrote:
>>>
 Fascinating. Too complex of a formula for me to comprehend let alone 
 follow. The “rocket” comment really got my attention though. So much so 
 that I looked at the cost (very reasonable) to have a Charlie shipped from 
 Blue Lug. But thankfully I know exactly how to keep the N+1 feelings at 
 bay 
 - I go for a ride. This always happens to me. If I am in a riding rut, for 
 whatever reason, I ponder other bikes. A good ride always sets me 
 straight. 
 It’s not another bike I need, it’s more rides! That said, the idea of a 
 rocket bike, especially such a pretty one will continue to hold my 
 interest 
 during my “down times”.
 Richard - who just finished a nice 25+ mile ride on the lovely Clem.
 Sent from my iPhone

 On Apr 14, 2025, at 10:20 AM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:

 "How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a 
 rocket, I’m riding that one."

 The answer is I'm not sure how I have the willpower; I just do.  Grant 
 once told me: "It must be hard being you".  I guess I think about it the 
 way a "clothes horse" thinks about a new outfit.  No matter how cute that 
 new outfit is, I'm not wearing it every day.  I still pick my spots for 
 when to wear it, and I'm definitely not forgetting about my other cute 
 outfits, nor will I resist buying the next cute outfit.  

 I'm definitely a compulsive.  For a minute there I had four new builds 
 that were off-limits to ride.  At the moment there are still three I can't 
 ride.  What I've got is a mileage pyramid.  One bike is assigned to the 
 100 
 mile level of the pyramid, another assigned to 200 miles and so on.  
 Twenty 
 bikes cover 100 miles up to 2000 miles cumulatively on Strava.  Above 2000 
 miles the steps are 200 miles each and there are two bikes up there: one 
 assigned to 2200 miles and the current top of the pyramid is at 2400 
 miles.  That's 22 bikes.  I spread the use to get each bike to its 
 assigned 
 level, and I'm allowed some margin over that assigned level, but I won't 
 bleed over to the next level up.  That's a no-no.  I'm very close to 
 having 
 all those slots filled: My Black Mountain Model Zero needs 48 miles, and 
 my 
 Crust Lightning Bolt Single Speed needs 45 miles.  At that point, I add 
 the 
 2600 mile level to the top of the pyramid and have a wide open stable to 
 ride whatever I like.  

 The four other builds (22+4=26 bikes) waiting to be us

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Dorothy C]

Bill, do you mean you put 100 on one bike at a time for the year, then set 
it aside until each bike has been ridden 100 miles each ( or 200 miles for 
the top two bikes) ?
My little peccadillo is keeping a spreadsheet of how I got to work all 
year, with timings from my house to the station if by bike, and a note of 
which bike I took, because I just use an Apple watch.  Possiblities are car 
/ train / walk; bike / train / bike ; or  car / train / bike, or drive the 
whole way. So far this year, I haven’t driven all the way to work and back 
once, it is a 23 mile round trip. Weather permitting I try to do bike / 
train / bike mostly. I drove 4 times in 2024, I go to the office every day. 
Spreadsheet keeps a tally of how many car miles I avoided, last year’s 
total was around 4500 miles saved. 
Hey I have to do something to justify a fleet of five Rivs, six if you 
count the 47cm Roadini which is a bit small for me ;)
On Monday, April 14, 2025 at 6:29:48 PM UTC-7 steve...@gmail.com wrote:

> Bill. your compulsive disposition could probably be treated with the right 
> medication, but I think you have it worked out perfectly.  You've assembled 
> a stable of  impressively curated bikes and you are clearly dedicated to 
> enjoying them --- my hat's off to that!  
>
> Steve in AVL
>
>
> On Monday, April 14, 2025 at 8:02:42 PM UTC-4 SallyG wrote:
>
>> Bill,
>> Excited to see that someone else is trying the Jitensha bar! I'm changing 
>> over from a drop bar (for a mixte) and bought a black one a couple weeks 
>> ago. My mixte may be a Cessna, but bar is first step to rocket launch, 
>> right? (Actually, I am just looking for glamour...). 
>>
>> On Mon, Apr 14, 2025 at 11:52 AM Richard Rose  wrote:
>>
>>> Fascinating. Too complex of a formula for me to comprehend let alone 
>>> follow. The “rocket” comment really got my attention though. So much so 
>>> that I looked at the cost (very reasonable) to have a Charlie shipped from 
>>> Blue Lug. But thankfully I know exactly how to keep the N+1 feelings at bay 
>>> - I go for a ride. This always happens to me. If I am in a riding rut, for 
>>> whatever reason, I ponder other bikes. A good ride always sets me straight. 
>>> It’s not another bike I need, it’s more rides! That said, the idea of a 
>>> rocket bike, especially such a pretty one will continue to hold my interest 
>>> during my “down times”.
>>> Richard - who just finished a nice 25+ mile ride on the lovely Clem.
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>> On Apr 14, 2025, at 10:20 AM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>>>
>>> "How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a 
>>> rocket, I’m riding that one."
>>>
>>> The answer is I'm not sure how I have the willpower; I just do.  Grant 
>>> once told me: "It must be hard being you".  I guess I think about it the 
>>> way a "clothes horse" thinks about a new outfit.  No matter how cute that 
>>> new outfit is, I'm not wearing it every day.  I still pick my spots for 
>>> when to wear it, and I'm definitely not forgetting about my other cute 
>>> outfits, nor will I resist buying the next cute outfit.  
>>>
>>> I'm definitely a compulsive.  For a minute there I had four new builds 
>>> that were off-limits to ride.  At the moment there are still three I can't 
>>> ride.  What I've got is a mileage pyramid.  One bike is assigned to the 100 
>>> mile level of the pyramid, another assigned to 200 miles and so on.  Twenty 
>>> bikes cover 100 miles up to 2000 miles cumulatively on Strava.  Above 2000 
>>> miles the steps are 200 miles each and there are two bikes up there: one 
>>> assigned to 2200 miles and the current top of the pyramid is at 2400 
>>> miles.  That's 22 bikes.  I spread the use to get each bike to its assigned 
>>> level, and I'm allowed some margin over that assigned level, but I won't 
>>> bleed over to the next level up.  That's a no-no.  I'm very close to having 
>>> all those slots filled: My Black Mountain Model Zero needs 48 miles, and my 
>>> Crust Lightning Bolt Single Speed needs 45 miles.  At that point, I add the 
>>> 2600 mile level to the top of the pyramid and have a wide open stable to 
>>> ride whatever I like.  
>>>
>>> The four other builds (22+4=26 bikes) waiting to be used included my 
>>> Gallop.  I have it at the 0 mile level, which means I can ride it, but not 
>>> over 100 miles because then it would get up into the next level which is 
>>> already occupied.  There are three more bikes assigned to the -100, -200 
>>> and -300 levels, which are imaginary, so I can't ride them at all.  When I 
>>> get to ratchet up the framework, then one more bike will be unlocked.  The 
>>> other way to earn the privilege of riding another bike is to sell a bike 
>>> and make a new vacancy in the pyramid.  
>>>
>>> Unlocking the stable is really close, but I'm stalled getting those last 
>>> two bikes over the finish line:  The ModelZero has a new drive train set up 
>>> in the works, and I'm missing a critical part for another week or tw

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Steve]

Bill. your compulsive disposition could probably be treated with the right 
medication, but I think you have it worked out perfectly.  You've assembled 
a stable of  impressively curated bikes and you are clearly dedicated to 
enjoying them --- my hat's off to that!  

Steve in AVL


On Monday, April 14, 2025 at 8:02:42 PM UTC-4 SallyG wrote:

> Bill,
> Excited to see that someone else is trying the Jitensha bar! I'm changing 
> over from a drop bar (for a mixte) and bought a black one a couple weeks 
> ago. My mixte may be a Cessna, but bar is first step to rocket launch, 
> right? (Actually, I am just looking for glamour...). 
>
> On Mon, Apr 14, 2025 at 11:52 AM Richard Rose  wrote:
>
>> Fascinating. Too complex of a formula for me to comprehend let alone 
>> follow. The “rocket” comment really got my attention though. So much so 
>> that I looked at the cost (very reasonable) to have a Charlie shipped from 
>> Blue Lug. But thankfully I know exactly how to keep the N+1 feelings at bay 
>> - I go for a ride. This always happens to me. If I am in a riding rut, for 
>> whatever reason, I ponder other bikes. A good ride always sets me straight. 
>> It’s not another bike I need, it’s more rides! That said, the idea of a 
>> rocket bike, especially such a pretty one will continue to hold my interest 
>> during my “down times”.
>> Richard - who just finished a nice 25+ mile ride on the lovely Clem.
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Apr 14, 2025, at 10:20 AM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>>
>> "How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a 
>> rocket, I’m riding that one."
>>
>> The answer is I'm not sure how I have the willpower; I just do.  Grant 
>> once told me: "It must be hard being you".  I guess I think about it the 
>> way a "clothes horse" thinks about a new outfit.  No matter how cute that 
>> new outfit is, I'm not wearing it every day.  I still pick my spots for 
>> when to wear it, and I'm definitely not forgetting about my other cute 
>> outfits, nor will I resist buying the next cute outfit.  
>>
>> I'm definitely a compulsive.  For a minute there I had four new builds 
>> that were off-limits to ride.  At the moment there are still three I can't 
>> ride.  What I've got is a mileage pyramid.  One bike is assigned to the 100 
>> mile level of the pyramid, another assigned to 200 miles and so on.  Twenty 
>> bikes cover 100 miles up to 2000 miles cumulatively on Strava.  Above 2000 
>> miles the steps are 200 miles each and there are two bikes up there: one 
>> assigned to 2200 miles and the current top of the pyramid is at 2400 
>> miles.  That's 22 bikes.  I spread the use to get each bike to its assigned 
>> level, and I'm allowed some margin over that assigned level, but I won't 
>> bleed over to the next level up.  That's a no-no.  I'm very close to having 
>> all those slots filled: My Black Mountain Model Zero needs 48 miles, and my 
>> Crust Lightning Bolt Single Speed needs 45 miles.  At that point, I add the 
>> 2600 mile level to the top of the pyramid and have a wide open stable to 
>> ride whatever I like.  
>>
>> The four other builds (22+4=26 bikes) waiting to be used included my 
>> Gallop.  I have it at the 0 mile level, which means I can ride it, but not 
>> over 100 miles because then it would get up into the next level which is 
>> already occupied.  There are three more bikes assigned to the -100, -200 
>> and -300 levels, which are imaginary, so I can't ride them at all.  When I 
>> get to ratchet up the framework, then one more bike will be unlocked.  The 
>> other way to earn the privilege of riding another bike is to sell a bike 
>> and make a new vacancy in the pyramid.  
>>
>> Unlocking the stable is really close, but I'm stalled getting those last 
>> two bikes over the finish line:  The ModelZero has a new drive train set up 
>> in the works, and I'm missing a critical part for another week or two.  
>> It's in the work stand disassembled.  The Crust is stationed at my office 
>> in San Jose, and I don't get out there more than once a week, and when I do 
>> get to the office it's usually for full-days of meetings and such that make 
>> it hard to get out.  I can still ride, because I can carefully use up that 
>> surplus that each bike carries.  That surplus is over 2100 miles, so I can 
>> ride plenty and I can ride pretty much any of my bikes.  The Gallop carries 
>> 88 miles of surplus.  I can even do my next 200k brevet using up surplus 
>> miles: My Ebisu is assigned to 2200 miles, and it's at 2215 miles, so it is 
>> carrying 185 miles of surplus.  I can use it for my May 200k, and still 
>> have 60 miles of surplus left over.  
>>
>> Don't blame me!  I don't make up the rules! (said the person who 
>> literally made up the rules)
>>
>> Bill Lindsay
>> El Cerrito, CA
>>
>> On Monday, April 14, 2025 at 2:30:15 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> A rocket! Pretty exciting! How do you have the willpower to keep 
>>> rotating bikes? If I

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Sally Bidleman]

Bill,
Excited to see that someone else is trying the Jitensha bar! I'm changing
over from a drop bar (for a mixte) and bought a black one a couple weeks
ago. My mixte may be a Cessna, but bar is first step to rocket launch,
right? (Actually, I am just looking for glamour...).

On Mon, Apr 14, 2025 at 11:52 AM Richard Rose  wrote:

> Fascinating. Too complex of a formula for me to comprehend let alone
> follow. The “rocket” comment really got my attention though. So much so
> that I looked at the cost (very reasonable) to have a Charlie shipped from
> Blue Lug. But thankfully I know exactly how to keep the N+1 feelings at bay
> - I go for a ride. This always happens to me. If I am in a riding rut, for
> whatever reason, I ponder other bikes. A good ride always sets me straight.
> It’s not another bike I need, it’s more rides! That said, the idea of a
> rocket bike, especially such a pretty one will continue to hold my interest
> during my “down times”.
> Richard - who just finished a nice 25+ mile ride on the lovely Clem.
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Apr 14, 2025, at 10:20 AM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>
> "How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a
> rocket, I’m riding that one."
>
> The answer is I'm not sure how I have the willpower; I just do.  Grant
> once told me: "It must be hard being you".  I guess I think about it the
> way a "clothes horse" thinks about a new outfit.  No matter how cute that
> new outfit is, I'm not wearing it every day.  I still pick my spots for
> when to wear it, and I'm definitely not forgetting about my other cute
> outfits, nor will I resist buying the next cute outfit.
>
> I'm definitely a compulsive.  For a minute there I had four new builds
> that were off-limits to ride.  At the moment there are still three I can't
> ride.  What I've got is a mileage pyramid.  One bike is assigned to the 100
> mile level of the pyramid, another assigned to 200 miles and so on.  Twenty
> bikes cover 100 miles up to 2000 miles cumulatively on Strava.  Above 2000
> miles the steps are 200 miles each and there are two bikes up there: one
> assigned to 2200 miles and the current top of the pyramid is at 2400
> miles.  That's 22 bikes.  I spread the use to get each bike to its assigned
> level, and I'm allowed some margin over that assigned level, but I won't
> bleed over to the next level up.  That's a no-no.  I'm very close to having
> all those slots filled: My Black Mountain Model Zero needs 48 miles, and my
> Crust Lightning Bolt Single Speed needs 45 miles.  At that point, I add the
> 2600 mile level to the top of the pyramid and have a wide open stable to
> ride whatever I like.
>
> The four other builds (22+4=26 bikes) waiting to be used included my
> Gallop.  I have it at the 0 mile level, which means I can ride it, but not
> over 100 miles because then it would get up into the next level which is
> already occupied.  There are three more bikes assigned to the -100, -200
> and -300 levels, which are imaginary, so I can't ride them at all.  When I
> get to ratchet up the framework, then one more bike will be unlocked.  The
> other way to earn the privilege of riding another bike is to sell a bike
> and make a new vacancy in the pyramid.
>
> Unlocking the stable is really close, but I'm stalled getting those last
> two bikes over the finish line:  The ModelZero has a new drive train set up
> in the works, and I'm missing a critical part for another week or two.
> It's in the work stand disassembled.  The Crust is stationed at my office
> in San Jose, and I don't get out there more than once a week, and when I do
> get to the office it's usually for full-days of meetings and such that make
> it hard to get out.  I can still ride, because I can carefully use up that
> surplus that each bike carries.  That surplus is over 2100 miles, so I can
> ride plenty and I can ride pretty much any of my bikes.  The Gallop carries
> 88 miles of surplus.  I can even do my next 200k brevet using up surplus
> miles: My Ebisu is assigned to 2200 miles, and it's at 2215 miles, so it is
> carrying 185 miles of surplus.  I can use it for my May 200k, and still
> have 60 miles of surplus left over.
>
> Don't blame me!  I don't make up the rules! (said the person who literally
> made up the rules)
>
> Bill Lindsay
> El Cerrito, CA
>
> On Monday, April 14, 2025 at 2:30:15 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!
> wrote:
>
>> A rocket! Pretty exciting! How do you have the willpower to keep rotating
>> bikes? If I have a rocket, I’m riding that one. I don’t know if my Charlie
>> is a rocket; it doesn’t have those tires and certainly weighs more than
>> yours. I was hoping to ride him tonight in the club ride but they’re
>> predicting 37 mph winds. I don’t think that will be fun and it might not
>> even be safe, so we’ll see…
>>
>> L
>>
>> On Apr 13, 2025, at 8:59 PM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>>
>> I hinted that my Charlie Gallop might make its appearance in my rotation
>> this weekend, and it has.  I d

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Richard Rose]

Fascinating. Too complex of a formula for me to comprehend let alone follow. The “rocket” comment really got my attention though. So much so that I looked at the cost (very reasonable) to have a Charlie shipped from Blue Lug. But thankfully I know exactly how to keep the N+1 feelings at bay - I go for a ride. This always happens to me. If I am in a riding rut, for whatever reason, I ponder other bikes. A good ride always sets me straight. It’s not another bike I need, it’s more rides! That said, the idea of a rocket bike, especially such a pretty one will continue to hold my interest during my “down times”.Richard - who just finished a nice 25+ mile ride on the lovely Clem.Sent from my iPhoneOn Apr 14, 2025, at 10:20 AM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:"How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a rocket, I’m riding that one."The answer is I'm not sure how I have the willpower; I just do.  Grant once told me: "It must be hard being you".  I guess I think about it the way a "clothes horse" thinks about a new outfit.  No matter how cute that new outfit is, I'm not wearing it every day.  I still pick my spots for when to wear it, and I'm definitely not forgetting about my other cute outfits, nor will I resist buying the next cute outfit.  I'm definitely a compulsive.  For a minute there I had four new builds that were off-limits to ride.  At the moment there are still three I can't ride.  What I've got is a mileage pyramid.  One bike is assigned to the 100 mile level of the pyramid, another assigned to 200 miles and so on.  Twenty bikes cover 100 miles up to 2000 miles cumulatively on Strava.  Above 2000 miles the steps are 200 miles each and there are two bikes up there: one assigned to 2200 miles and the current top of the pyramid is at 2400 miles.  That's 22 bikes.  I spread the use to get each bike to its assigned level, and I'm allowed some margin over that assigned level, but I won't bleed over to the next level up.  That's a no-no.  I'm very close to having all those slots filled: My Black Mountain Model Zero needs 48 miles, and my Crust Lightning Bolt Single Speed needs 45 miles.  At that point, I add the 2600 mile level to the top of the pyramid and have a wide open stable to ride whatever I like.  The four other builds (22+4=26 bikes) waiting to be used included my Gallop.  I have it at the 0 mile level, which means I can ride it, but not over 100 miles because then it would get up into the next level which is already occupied.  There are three more bikes assigned to the -100, -200 and -300 levels, which are imaginary, so I can't ride them at all.  When I get to ratchet up the framework, then one more bike will be unlocked.  The other way to earn the privilege of riding another bike is to sell a bike and make a new vacancy in the pyramid.  Unlocking the stable is really close, but I'm stalled getting those last two bikes over the finish line:  The ModelZero has a new drive train set up in the works, and I'm missing a critical part for another week or two.  It's in the work stand disassembled.  The Crust is stationed at my office in San Jose, and I don't get out there more than once a week, and when I do get to the office it's usually for full-days of meetings and such that make it hard to get out.  I can still ride, because I can carefully use up that surplus that each bike carries.  That surplus is over 2100 miles, so I can ride plenty and I can ride pretty much any of my bikes.  The Gallop carries 88 miles of surplus.  I can even do my next 200k brevet using up surplus miles: My Ebisu is assigned to 2200 miles, and it's at 2215 miles, so it is carrying 185 miles of surplus.  I can use it for my May 200k, and still have 60 miles of surplus left over.  Don't blame me!  I don't make up the rules! (said the person who literally made up the rules)Bill LindsayEl Cerrito, CAOn Monday, April 14, 2025 at 2:30:15 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:A rocket! Pretty exciting! How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a rocket, I’m riding that one. I don’t know if my Charlie is a rocket; it doesn’t have those tires and certainly weighs more than yours. I was hoping to ride him tonight in the club ride but they’re predicting 37 mph winds. I don’t think that will be fun and it might not even be safe, so we’ll see…LOn Apr 13, 2025, at 8:59 PM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:I hinted that my Charlie Gallop might make its appearance in my rotation this weekend, and it has.  I did not ride it up Mount Diablo, but I did ride it down into Berkeley and back.  It is most definitely a rocket.  Blazing fast down the hill on 700x38 Barlow Pass Extralight tires, and blazing fast up the hills in part because it's so darn light.  It'll take a little getting used to the handling with a Jitensha bar, but the fit felt super natural.  I also hinted at a tweak or two, and one of those conceptual tweaks did happen.  It turned out I needed a lightish 110BCD crank for a project, so I stol

Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Leah Peterson]

A rocket! Pretty exciting! How do you have the willpower to keep rotating bikes? If I have a rocket, I’m riding that one. I don’t know if my Charlie is a rocket; it doesn’t have those tires and certainly weighs more than yours. I was hoping to ride him tonight in the club ride but they’re predicting 37 mph winds. I don’t think that will be fun and it might not even be safe, so we’ll see…LOn Apr 13, 2025, at 8:59 PM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:I hinted that my Charlie Gallop might make its appearance in my rotation this weekend, and it has.  I did not ride it up Mount Diablo, but I did ride it down into Berkeley and back.  It is most definitely a rocket.  Blazing fast down the hill on 700x38 Barlow Pass Extralight tires, and blazing fast up the hills in part because it's so darn light.  It'll take a little getting used to the handling with a Jitensha bar, but the fit felt super natural.  I also hinted at a tweak or two, and one of those conceptual tweaks did happen.  It turned out I needed a lightish 110BCD crank for a project, so I stole the Silver 3 crank off the Gallop for that application, and put on a White Industries VBC crank with a single 36T narrow-wide ring.  That's a perfect match for the White Industries Titanium BB that was already on there, and it dropped ~15g.  I don't have new photos yet.  Bill LindsayEl Cerrito, CAOn Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 5:39:41 AM UTC-7 Bill Lindsay wrote:I've probably disappointed some people because I spent a ton of time talking about my Gallop build and have spent zero time talking about my Charlie Gallop gallops.  That's because I haven't ridden it yet.  It's not laziness or neglect or a lack of wanting to ride it.  It's my weird self-discipline.  I have a mileage framework with rules I entirely made up for myself, and the consequence is that I won't ride the Gallop until I can insert it into the framework, and I can't insert it into the framework until I make a spot for it, and the way I make a spot is by riding each of my other bikes to its assigned mileage level.  The punch-line is that I'm just a few days away from having a spot for Charlie in my riding framework and then stuff can begin.  One of the first things I'll do is gallop the Gallop up Mount Diablo, perhaps as soon as next weekend.  Meanwhile, independent from riding, there are always projects parading through my brain, and some of those thoughts end up happening in my work stand, and there is a real non-zero chance that Charlie is going to get a couple more unconventional tweaks.  For those who missed the build, here's the album:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/45758191@N04/albums/72177720322843646/Bill LindsayEl Cerrito, CaOn Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 4:17:52 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:Hi Kat! I would have chosen the Roadini if the Charlie didn’t exist. The Charlie is, in size 53, lighter in tubing. And I love a dropped tube. Also the graphics and head badge and horses running along the chain stay are just YUMMY. And who doesn’t love that gold color?The above all made it the winner.



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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Jay]

The second photo was good, picked up some nice details and contrast between 
the gold and splashes of aurora borealis.  Not sure if you'll get a good 
photo of the entire bike as there is a lot of good things going on.

On Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 12:11:18 PM UTC-4 shannon@gmail.com 
wrote:

> Leah -
>
> It looks from the pictures that Charlie's got enough room for one of the 
> smaller Carradice bags. A Barley or Pendle would fit for sure, and a 
> Lowsaddle Longflap wouldn't surprise me. That would allow you to carry a 
> load between "a couple of bananas" and "the kitchen sink"... maybe like a 
> crock pot or something?
>
> Anyhow, they're great sport-touring bags. I love my Lowsaddle. And the 
> green & honey would look the business with the dark gold paint on the 
> Gallop.
>
> Just a thought...
>
> --Shannon
> On Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 5:44:13 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
> wrote:
>
>> I don’t know why it is so difficult to get a photo that shows how lovely 
>> Charlie really is. Maybe when the sun finally returns to SW Michigan for 
>> another golden summer, then I will master photography of Charlie. 
>> [image: image0.jpeg]
>>
>> The “dark gold” actually has pearl in it; gorgeous in sunshine and a 
>> treat to look at while riding.
>> [image: image1.jpeg]
>>
>> I got 12ish miles on him yesterday; it was cool and a little windy, so 
>> still not a pleasure ride, but it is allowing me to get acquainted with 
>> him. This is a bike that just goes. Tracks easily and feels great. It will 
>> finally be nice enough to take him on the Monday Night Ride next week, and 
>> I’m hoping for no wind and then we can really evaluate him in a normal club 
>> ride. I raised the bars back up an inch yesterday. I know I’m supposed to 
>> leave them lower and all that, but I just hate weight on my hands and 
>> holding the very ends of the grips. We’ll see how it feels today.
>>
>> I admit it’s a struggle to choose which bike to ride for pleasure. Riding 
>> the newest is always a draw, but then the Platys are just so READY. I can 
>> carry whatever I want on them and lock them up. Charlie is truly a road 
>> rider, and if it doesn’t fit into a Bananasax, you can’t take him.
>>
>> It is 31 degrees, but there is sun, and the promise of 57 by the end of 
>> the day. It’s looking promising!
>> L
>>
>> On Apr 9, 2025, at 11:23 PM, Evan E.  wrote:
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>> Yes, Matt in Walnut Creek: drive-side photo, please! 
>>
>>
>> On Apr 9, 2025, at 1:06 PM, Mackenzy Albright  
>> wrote:
>>
>> Matt - Your Gallop SS looks incredible! Would you be so kind as to share 
>> a drive side photograph? :) 
>>
>>
>>
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>> .
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>>  
>> 
>> .
>>
>>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Shannon Menkveld]

Leah -

It looks from the pictures that Charlie's got enough room for one of the 
smaller Carradice bags. A Barley or Pendle would fit for sure, and a 
Lowsaddle Longflap wouldn't surprise me. That would allow you to carry a 
load between "a couple of bananas" and "the kitchen sink"... maybe like a 
crock pot or something?

Anyhow, they're great sport-touring bags. I love my Lowsaddle. And the 
green & honey would look the business with the dark gold paint on the 
Gallop.

Just a thought...

--Shannon
On Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 5:44:13 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> I don’t know why it is so difficult to get a photo that shows how lovely 
> Charlie really is. Maybe when the sun finally returns to SW Michigan for 
> another golden summer, then I will master photography of Charlie. 
> [image: image0.jpeg]
>
> The “dark gold” actually has pearl in it; gorgeous in sunshine and a treat 
> to look at while riding.
> [image: image1.jpeg]
>
> I got 12ish miles on him yesterday; it was cool and a little windy, so 
> still not a pleasure ride, but it is allowing me to get acquainted with 
> him. This is a bike that just goes. Tracks easily and feels great. It will 
> finally be nice enough to take him on the Monday Night Ride next week, and 
> I’m hoping for no wind and then we can really evaluate him in a normal club 
> ride. I raised the bars back up an inch yesterday. I know I’m supposed to 
> leave them lower and all that, but I just hate weight on my hands and 
> holding the very ends of the grips. We’ll see how it feels today.
>
> I admit it’s a struggle to choose which bike to ride for pleasure. Riding 
> the newest is always a draw, but then the Platys are just so READY. I can 
> carry whatever I want on them and lock them up. Charlie is truly a road 
> rider, and if it doesn’t fit into a Bananasax, you can’t take him.
>
> It is 31 degrees, but there is sun, and the promise of 57 by the end of 
> the day. It’s looking promising!
> L
>
> On Apr 9, 2025, at 11:23 PM, Evan E.  wrote:
>
> 
>
>
> Yes, Matt in Walnut Creek: drive-side photo, please! 
>
>
> On Apr 9, 2025, at 1:06 PM, Mackenzy Albright  
> wrote:
>
> Matt - Your Gallop SS looks incredible! Would you be so kind as to share 
> a drive side photograph? :) 
>
>
>
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>  
> 
> .
>
>

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Piaw Na]

What makes the Charlie so unique in the lineup is that it's the first 
roadish Riv with proper flat/swept bar geometry.  Puts it in quite a 
different category from Roadini / Homer. Also IMO Riv BB's are plenty low 
already even with max tire size.  I would not want lower.  Maybe with super 
short cranks an argument can be made for more BB drop, but that's an edge 
case. 


That makes no sense. With 25mm tires, 172.5mm cranks and a 8cm BB drop, I 
might have pedal strike once or twice a year when riding aggressively off 
road. With 28mm tires that I'm running today, I have no pedal strikes. I'm 
confident that with 35mm tires, 170mm cranks, and an 85mm BB drop my 
brother will not pedal strike no matter what he does. With 40mm tires, he 
could probably run 180mm cranks and still have no pedal strikes.

Are you running cinder blocks for pedals?

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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Evan E.]

Yes, Matt in Walnut Creek: drive-side photo, please! 


On Apr 9, 2025, at 1:06 PM, Mackenzy Albright  wrote:

Matt - Your Gallop SS looks incredible! Would you be so kind as to share a 
drive side photograph? :) 



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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Jason Noonievut]

Have you seen Pretty in Pink?!  Must see.  Psychedelic Furs are an 80’s band and the title track is their song.JasonOn Apr 9, 2025, at 1:06 PM, Mackenzy Albright  wrote:Matt - Your Gallop SS looks incredible! Would you be so kind as to share a drive side photograph? :) On Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 9:55:44 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:Alright you two, I have no idea what these Duckie and Psychedelic Furs references are but has not stopped me from embracing and running off with them. I’m having a good laugh over here!DuckieOn Apr 9, 2025, at 10:45 AM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:...then Leah pedals away saying "I'm off like a dirty shirt", and the Psychedelic Furs soundtrack echoes from the forestBL in ECOn Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 6:51:42 AM UTC-7 Johnny Alien wrote:There is a scene at the end of Pretty In Pink where Duckie shows up at the prom in a fancy suit but then says to Andie "despite my appearance at this function I remain now and will always be the Duckman" and points at his classic white shoes.  That is how I imagine Leah and her Gallop (and she points to her dynamo light)



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Re: [RBW] Re: The Charlie Gallop Thread

[Mackenzy Albright]

Matt - Your Gallop SS looks incredible! Would you be so kind as to share a 
drive side photograph? :) 

On Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 9:55:44 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! 
wrote:

> Alright you two, I have no idea what these Duckie and Psychedelic Furs 
> references are but has not stopped me from embracing and running off with 
> them. I’m having a good laugh over here!
> Duckie
>
>
> On Apr 9, 2025, at 10:45 AM, Bill Lindsay  wrote:
>
> ...then Leah pedals away saying "I'm off like a dirty shirt", and the 
> Psychedelic Furs soundtrack echoes from the forest
>
>
> BL in EC
>
> On Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 6:51:42 AM UTC-7 Johnny Alien wrote:
>
>> There is a scene at the end of Pretty In Pink where Duckie shows up at 
>> the prom in a fancy suit but then says to Andie "despite my appearance at 
>> this function I remain now and will always be the Duckman" and points at 
>> his classic white shoes.  That is how I imagine Leah and her Gallop (and 
>> she points to her dynamo light)
>
> -- 
>
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>  
> 
> .
>
>

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