Mini one night tour coming up

[jay clock]

I am prepping for LEJOG (subject to work, which annoyingly is looking like I will be offered something next week). That will be 20th May for 2-3 weeks.

As I have a new touring bike I plan to go out tomorrow afternoon to the New Forest, camp and come back Tuesday. Only about 35km each way, but a chance to see how it handles with a full load

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xarncurbsqti3vm/IMG_1732.jpg?dl=0 is the new bike

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Nice!

 

[Vantage]

Watch that steerer tube doesn't harpoon your chest!

 

[jay clock]

Watch that steerer tube doesn't harpoon your chest!

That pic was last Autumn. Been chopped now! Will post action pics once on the way

 

[raleighnut]

Have fun.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

I love those one-nighters! Sometimes more refreshing than a normal 2 week vacation.
Enjoy!

 

[jay clock]

Back safely! 4 pics here
View: https://www.instagram.com/p/BxJ8eudhW2C1TZ4LdBqSdigsV4UOgkFht9DaXA0/


39 km each way. I deliberately loaded with heavy stuff (2 x sleeping bags, and my Mantis chair) to offset having less clothes to carry than normal. Chair I usually leave at home. My new "lightweight" bike (Ridgeback Panorama 853) is not as light as I thought. I weighed it at the bike shop on the way home. With toolbag removed (1kg!) and without bottles and Garmin it is about 14.3kg. The two panniers were 14.2. Handling seemed ok. Gearing OK too _ though there might not be enough 50/39/30 and 36 at the back, but seems ok.

Asleep by 10 and woke a few times but straight back to sleep and alarm at 0645. Very cool night, but my winter PHD bag is perfect from about 3 to 9 degrees and Big Agnes airbed very comfy. The summer PHD bag goes down to about 8 degrees I think. If I do LEJOG as planned that one will be my choice and if cold I will just use the liner and all my clothes!

Was off by 0815 and home slower (more uphill!)

If I do LEJOG here is the placeholder website (links will be updated once I push the button and commit!) www.acrossbritain.uk - currently a risk that I get offered work I can't refuse!