High Adventure, Low Impact bike tours in the Indian Himalayas
Sadly, it’s time to send back On One’s Scandal. No more excuses to go for ‘just one more ride’ for ‘research purposes.’ I’ve written up some words for What Mountain Bike, so the report should be in an issue soon.
Not that I don’t love my tough steel frames. But… twenty four pounds of springy scandium has a nice ring to it!
A quick pic of WTB’s Mountain Road Bar – a homage to the classic Dirt Drop. As fitted expertly by Cara.
That Brookes tape is doing well. On its third bike now.
Update: there’s now some pics of it in action on the Tunisia post.
The Surly LHT and BOB were back in Cargo Mode today, as we did a clearout in the house to take down to the recyclers. Makes you realise the ridiculous amount of packaging comes that with everything these days. We bungied everything on, courtesy of Bike Trailer Shop’s handy elasticated netting, and took some fun little urban shortcuts to the centre. We met BTS’s creator Josh at a bike show in Holland, who set up Bike Trailer Shop to cater for all things BOB, and were very inspired by his enthusiasm for using bikes and trailers as a transport solutions – have a look at his blogs here and here.
I’ve been enjoying the Surly of late; it’s been flitting from drops to flats to tourer to commuter. It’s a great rig, ideal for testing kit – Cycling Plus racks and panniers for upcoming issues at the moment. Even managed to (just) squeeze in some 2.1in 29er tyres (albeit unusually narrow Contis) the other day, with no toe overlap. Just this evening, it’s morphed again – WTB’s super-splayed Dirt Drop reissue bars, old Dura Ace bar end shifters and some well worn Brooks honey handlebar tape. Very nice.
On our travels round the city, we passed the old Audi garage on Cheltenham Road. It’s been empty and run down for a while, and at the moment, it’s been turned into a kind of renegade art gallery. Some interesting stuff has been painted on the windows.
All things considered, we’re pretty lucky in Bristol when it comes to riding. Fifteen minutes ride from the front door unravel miles of lovely, hilly backroads. 20 minutes away Ashton Court and Leigh Woods promise a web of offroad action. A 50 minute car journey lie between us and the most excellent Quantocks (or half an hour to Taunton by train, then a six mile road ride), and it’s not much more to Cwm Carn in Wales. Last but not least is the gentle ripple of hills known as the Mendips, a tasty platter of small but succulent slices of singletrack.
With the sun beaming happily down, we headed out that way with the usual suspects. Conditions were a bit gloopy in places, resulting in some squirrely handling. Up at the trig point, the clear skies offered a fine panororama of views.
Cara was on a test bike – a Marin Alpine Trail and I gave On One’s Scandal an airing. With the carbon fork, it’s trimmed down to 24lbs or so (this fact is for the benefit of ‘doubter’ Pete, who refused to humour me by picking it up). Not too shabby for a big bike with Deore kit. Anyway, it certainly propels up the hills nicely, and (in the right hands, of course) is pretty tidy on the way down too (-;
We’re back in Blighty. It feels good to leave the house in a t-shirt, no longer layered up like Michelin Man for the sub zero environment. Even the drizzle is a novelty.
Despite any preconceived ideas, our trip to the US was great. Awesome, even. We hung out with the extended Coolbaugh family and their pets (Ice, Fat Cat and Smokey) and met some wonderful, like-minded people who showed us their favourite places to ride and x country ski (a first for both of us). Thanks Matthew, Sue, Justin, Heidi, ‘trackstand’ Jason, Marcia and Marshall! And all the folks at Shenandoah bike shop in Harrisonburg. Without exception, everyone was warm and welcoming.
What can you say about America? For all its similarities, it’s bizarrely different. A larger than life world that both captivates and confounds me. So much endulgent choice! Like the 12, mouthwatering varieties of bagels at Mr J’s – even though I knew I’d be happy with just one. The pumped, muscled cars that clutter the identi-stripmalls. Where do people walk?!
Wide. Open. Spaces. The fantastic trails! (that you need to drive to).
To those brought up on a diet of American TV culture, it’s strangely seductive. Take this big old lump of Americana. I know it’s an antiquitated gas guzzler, that no one in their right mind should be driving in this day and age. Yet… just look at it. Why can’t they make electric cars with charisma like this?!
