Project: Budget Touring Bike - Part 3

The front racks came in for the bike yesterday, and though they needed some bit of modification to make them work with my front fork, they are mounted up and ready for some camping! The bike as you see it is pretty much Trail Travel ready, but with some upgrades to be seen in the future. So I wont call this the final chapter... It will continue to be a work in progress as is any bike, however, with less than $250 and some bit of patience I was able to put a touring bike together that could haul me across the country if I asked it to. Woofreakinoot!
These front bags (for some reason) did not have the spring attachment that the rear bags did to hold the panniers to the racks, so I got a flat bungee cord and made some modifications to make it useful. The front racks also seemed to be intended for a fork with less rake than mine, so I used some old disc brake adapters as extenders to make the whole thing fit. I will say that some of these mods were much more helpful being mechanically enclined, and extremely much more so since I am employed by a bike shop. but either way, I made things work and it looks stock.

It feels great to be on a bike.

Rode the touring bike into downtown Tampa yesterday. Got a couple decent shots with the cell phone camera. There is a certain peace that comes with leaving early for work, but especially when you have a couple hours to kill before you have to clock in. It was beautiful to see the river and some parts of the city I have never ridden through. It feels great to be on a bike.

Wisdom comes with age

This is a beautiful place. I went for an early morning ride through south Tampa on the Peugot, from Ellen's work on Henderson near Dale Mabry, down to Bayshore Blvd and out Davis Island and out to the point near Peter O'Night Airport. Starting to realize the appeal of this place... as a child you become complaisant of your home town, I guess wisdom comes with age, or maybe I'm starting to settle for this area. Either way, there is beauty to be found, and the subsequent joy that comes with viewing it, in the Tampa Bay area. Whether I am settling or truly starting to find joy in my home town, either way I'm sure I'll be happy with either.

Looking forward to the next chance

What could be better than riding to work? Takes the dullness out of the morning commute, turns a normal ritual into a nice ride, gives you a chance to see things you usually hate to see whilst headed to work all day. Great ride this morning! I also had the chance to test out my new rear panniers... I have to say, it felt great to be on a touring bike again... after loosing my LHT I was ecstatic to be on a real touring bike again. It just makes me wish that much harder for a chance to take another tour. I have been riding and running a bit lately to get in shape for my next tour... as soon as my bike is ready i'll be looking forward to the next chance.

Project: Budget Touring Bike - Part 2

I got the Panniers in today, and yesterday I got a free rear rack from work that was intended for the donation heap. The front pannier is not mounted to a rack yet as those were much harder to find. In this picture the front panniers are hanging from the brakes. Two seconds after this picture took they both fell off, you can kinda see the left one going. I like the red though... it really pops off of the black bike. Im planning on making some darker rain covers for them to keep them discreet for stealth camping. so far though the bike is REALLY coming along.
The Cannondale panniers are very small but more than enough to carry all of my backpacking gear with plenty of room for food and souvenirs. All 4 bags have an outside pouch for organizing smaller things. My tent doesnt fit in the bags but will fit nicely on top of the rear rack. Which will be necessary anyway after rainy nights, to allow the tent to dry.
These panniers are great... it seems as if someone bought them years and years ago and just kept them in storage... they are in perfect condition and if they were used it could only have been once or twice. there is no sun damage to them at all, and not a bit of dirt. GREAT ebay find!
I am waiting on front racks, rims, and need to find fenders and possibly a better headset that is easier to adjust.
So far I have spent less than $200 and with my front rack and rim order I will still be at just under $250. I do understand that for most this number might be a little higher as I do work in a bike shop and have access to things others do not, but so far I have only purchased the tires, rims, and front rack through the shop. The rest of the stuff could be found on craig's list or ebay.
Until next time....

30th Century

Neat shop in Iowa City... take a look! http://30thcentury.wordpress.com/
The owners are completely car free and their shop promotes utilitarian cycling and touring. If I am ever in Iowa city this will sure to be a stop on my route.

The Health of the Planet!

It has occurred to me that I have not said much about the daily grind here... I am again working at a shop that I worked for years ago. I left then to concentrate on school full time, but recently was invited back by the fine folks at Flying Fish Bikes in South Tampa. I am again wrenching on bikes, this time though, it feels more permanent as my major is Environmental Science... now i dont think I really need to explain the correlation, but for the sake of having something to blog about im going to go ahead and say it anyway: I am not merely a bicycle mechanic, but rather, an ambassador for environmentalism. Let me explain. Bicycles are the most efficient form of transportation as they have ZERO emissions, get INFINITY miles per gallon, and are much less expensive than cars. I am doing a service to the environment by keeping folks rolling on two wheels. I am not merely working a job repairing and cleaning POS BSO's, I am doing a service to my field and to the world! So if you ask me what I do I will no longer tell you simply that "I am a bicycle mechanic" I will have much more to say about the things I do for the health of the planet.