Thorn Cycles Forum
Community => Cycle Tours => Topic started by: Slammin Sammy on December 26, 2013, 11:05:32 AM
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Greetings, fellow Thornians!
It's been too long since my last posting, but I've got a pretty good excuse – my home-built Attila the Nomad and I have been to England and the Continent, having the time of our lives!! Along the way, Attila picked up a mate - a beautiful red Raven named Honoria. Attila chased Honoria throughout most of the adventure, only catching her occasionally on the downhills!
My wife Kavlyn and I flew out of Sydney on 23 August with Attila tightly wrapped in a CTC plastic bag.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7377/11266076723_bfb1943936_b.jpg)
I settled on this mode of packing after purchasing a CRC bike bag and finding it too short (it would have required removal or modifications to both wheels, mudguards, racks, pedals, handlebars and seat post. Then there would be the problem of where to store the bag whilst travelling, etc. Procuring or purchasing a box had similar challenges, and lacked the castors that at least made the bag somewhat useful.
The CTC bag drew some dubious reactions from British Airways staff in Sydney, but when I showed them my iPad logged into their web site where the bag and dimensions are explicitly permitted, they relented and very graciously checked us in. The check-in chick actually suggested I tie my two rear panniers together so she could count it as one bag. As we were credit card touring (no camping gear), we were able to collapse one front pannier into one rear bag, and tie the rear bags together (Ortlieb Plus bags). The second front bag went over our shoulders as carry-on, along with the handlebar bags and a shopping bag with helmets. (Hand luggage was to be an ongoing but tolerable hassle throughout the trip).
Upon arrival at Heathrow, it was a simple matter to fold up the CTC bag into a pannier (less than a kg), fit the pedals, re-inflate the tyres, straighten the stem (lock the n’Lock) and roll Attila on to the Heathrow Express for the half-hour ride into Paddington Station. (Apologies for the bleary photo - after 24 hours travelling, even the camera couldn't see straight! ::))
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5547/11562714834_8417933334_b.jpg)
After a few days in a very crowded and touristy London (we stayed at Westminster, where Attila was properly ensconced in his royal quarters), we returned to Paddington to catch our pre-booked train to Bridgwater. This first trip introduced us to the idiosyncrasies of train travel in the UK - my first mistake not realising our tickets needed to be printed out at a special machine. By the time we were properly informed by the ever/never helpful staff, it was too late to get Attila on board and we had to re-purchase tickets to the next train.
After some tuition in strapping the bike into the special compartment, and then racing with 5 bags apiece to find our booked carriage and seats in the 3.5 minutes allotted prior to departure, we managed to arrive in Bridgwater about mid-day, and immediately made our way to the Admiral Blake guest house, where Pauline made us feel extremely welcome.
We had booked in for two nights, so were able to have numerous relaxed chats with Pauline and Dave. If you’re going to overnight in Bridgwater, go no further than the Admiral Blake B&B!
We fronted up to SJS the next morning bright and early, to collect Honoria. Steve was assigned to set the red Raven step-through up for Kavlyn, and he was very thorough and professional in his work. After walking her through the various operations (Rohloff shifting, etc.), we took the bike around the corner to Eastover Park to put it through its paces and try out the setup. Kav was immediately happy with the fit, and it was only then that Steve fitted the n’Lock stem I had ordered to be waiting for us. I had brought a new set of Shimano A530 pedals with me, which Steve kindly fitted as part of the delivery. Honoria was set to roll!
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7318/11562952006_1b7d689c4e_b.jpg)
After a pleasant lunch back with Pauline, we decided to pedal out on the Taunton-Bridgwater canal to test out the bikes, prior to our fully laden departure the next morning. Better than in my wildest dreams, Kav instantly fell in love with her Raven, which was a huge relief since I had pretty much determined each detail of the bike without her direct involvement. Whew, what a relief! Only one problem – the bikes picked up the dust of the trail, and were never “new” again!
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7306/10610538156_f103078a05_b.jpg)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5476/10610488826_944b40d2f3_b.jpg)
The following morning, 29 August 2013, was a momentous occasion for the two of us. Not only were we both proud owners of the finest touring bikes made, but we embarked, in a (somewhat) foreign land, on our first-ever unsupported, fully loaded tour. All of the doubts, fears, worries and misconceptions faded away as Attila and Honoria drifted effortlessly, in perfect weather, along the canal to Taunton. We’ve had many great days in the saddle, but this was the most blissful cycling experience we’ve ever had.
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3787/10610939774_384f54df51_b.jpg)
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2873/10610951185_ef041c9afc_b.jpg)
Along the way, we met a Thorn rider – Sean O’Connor (I’m sorry, Sean, if I’ve got your name wrong…). Sean was recovering from an illness, but was so thrilled to find us on the track mid-morning on that beautiful day, he shouted us coffee and an hour of chat at the Boat & Anchor.
Much as we were reluctant to leave, we were anxious to get back on the trail to Taunton. We were already behind “schedule”, but who could possibly care on this special day?!
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2868/11562824355_febe82d4f2_b.jpg)
We were away, Devon and Cornwall beckoned, and Attila and Honoria were going to carry us there in the most astonishing fashion…
To be continued…
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Fantastic pictures and a great story Sammy!
The bikes are just stunning, can't wait for the next instalment ;D
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Thanks Sammy! That all looks and sounds just so delightful!
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A pair of fine bikes (and riders) Sammy. When you continue please let us know your gearing sizes and how it worked for you two.
Tom
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Hey great photos and am looking forward to the next instalment Sammy..
Steve
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That red low-stepthrough bike really looks the business. A rare and wonderful thing. Super photographs too. Don't let rail staff put you off; they're the last bastion of begrudgery in Britain; the rest of the British are lovely people. Enjoy your tour! Send more photos!
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can't get to read this yet house full of grandkids, i'll wait until there tucked up in bed and i'll make me a coffee and have a look .great photos btw your wifes thorn is a cracker as is your wife. ;)
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Sam,
Like jags, I'm swamped at the moment and will return for a fuller look/read and comment at length, but I couldn't even glance at these without saying "Wonderful!" "Fantastic!" "Well done you two!" and "Thanks for posting!".
All the best,
Dan.
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Great stuff, guys -- love the photos, and esp the red/yellow combinations! Sounds like a splendid trip -- and thanks for the tip on the CTC bag and British Airways! Looking forward to the next instalments.
J.
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very good and you were lucky with super weather which always makes for a good tour,
the bikes look stunning ,look forward to the next part.
btw that guy you met had to be irish with a name like that ;)
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Looking forward to the next part. Great bikes.
Cheers
Chris
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btw that guy you met had to be Irish with a name like that ;)
Well jags, he was of Irish origin but had lived in England all of his life - Norfolk, if memory serves... (It often fails... :P) A retired school principal and a real gentleman.
Anyway, I thought I'd introduce Attila and Honoria before I get much further into the tale. I have found that the easiest way to display a table is to grab a screen image of it ! ;) (BTW, if my photos are the wrong size for your bandwidth, monitors or formatting, please let me know.)
(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5476/11599221404_ba164e3842_b.jpg)
(http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2851/11599110753_9447bab346_b.jpg)
Attila has been slightly modified since the trip. I have cut another 30mm off the steerer (60mm in total). This still gives me a relaxed ride, and allows a fairly even weight distribution between my arms and my sit bones (arse!). Taken after the tour in my office at work:
(http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3679/11599362684_2a8e3b34c0_b.jpg)
Still more to come...
Slammin!
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Hi Slammin'
What a great start to your tour.
First impressions are so important and I've no doubt that after such a great introduction, Mrs Slammin' will be keen to try it all again.
Great looking bikes and I lurve the colour coordination.
Cheers,
pj
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That's a mighty fine bike (and no doubt the other too), just loving the color - many thanks for the sharing of the build details (for both).
Robbie
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I was showing my wife the photo of Honoria, in the faint hope that it might inspire her to get back to cycling ... she liked it, but suggested I adjust my RST so she could try it out when the weather gets better!
Geez, I could lose a bike at this rate ::)
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(BTW, if my photos are the wrong size for your bandwidth, monitors or formatting, please let me know.)
Sammy, everything looks good and is loading just fine, so no worries.
Now I've had a few moments free and had the chance to read and fully appreciate your posts, I want to comment, telling you how impressed I am with the outcome on both bikes. The're simply gorgeous and make a wonderful matched set. Can't wait to see more photos of them in use, and very thoughtful of you to post your specs, especially as you built-up Atilla locally from a frame/fork set, the preferred method for those living Down Under. Seeing this is bound to help others, just as it has to see the results for both Petes' bikes (Il Padrone and NZPeterG) and that of Tony. All yellow, yet so individual!
I'm always amazed at how our Thorn bikes have the same basic DNA except for size and color, yet come out so differently, reflecting individual owner preference in setup. Both yours and Mrs. Sammy's are just wonderful, Sam. Many happy rides and tours lie ahead, and a pleasure every time, I'm sure.
Thanks sharing, and looking forward to seeing more.
EDIT: Three more comments: 1) Yours is the first "Thorn shirt" we've seen on the Forum. Yay! Flying the colors.... 2) Like the idea of the cross-matched bag colors, red on the yellow bike, yellow on the red. There's all sorts of combos you could try! 3) Love seeing an open-frame Thorn in the gallery; only our first or perhaps second, I believe. Honoria is a worthy match for Attila.
Best,
Dan.
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Sammy
Being a new Nomad owner (10 days only!) really interested with your experience using the CTC plastic bag for such a long trip, Aus to UK. I bought my Nomad specifically for a UK tour in a year or so, (I'm in NZ) so good to see your photos of it. I know it's half dozen one, and half dozen the other between Plastic Bags and Bike Boxes, but the CTC bag does look so much simpler, especially putting the bike together at your destination.
I went down the same route as you with my Nomad build - imported the frame/forks etc from SJS and had it built up here in NZ. My panniers arrive shortly (they are with UPS in San Francisco as I write) but not 100% if I've chosen the right colour - I will find out soon!
Very much looking forward to more photos and write ups of your trip, the more photos the better.
best regards from New Zealand
Tony
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Hi guys,
Sorry, holidays are interfering with extending this thread.
EDIT: Three more comments: 1) Yours is the first "Thorn shirt" we've seen on the Forum. Yay! Flying the colors....
Thanks Dan. Steve at SJS (as well as several other staff) were wearing the Thorn shirt when we arrived, prompting me to enquire about purchasing one over the counter. I received a comment about it just earlier today, in fact. I wore it whilst cycling around Newcastle harbour with my wife and my sister, and a fellow stopped to enthuse about the bike and take our photo! (Photo below.)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7426/11652535264_9e865ef651_b.jpg)
And Tony, wrt the CTC bag, it really is a far superior method of packing up the bike, especially when you consider:
1) "Proper" bags or boxes aren't necessarily safer or more reliable,
2) They can't be carried on the bike,
3) They require extensive dismantling and reassembly, which in my case, would have involved the handlebar, seat post, pedals, mudguards, racks, wheels and wiring for the lights!
The biggest drawback is that, once in the bag, the bikes are difficult to maneuver around the airport. I took to inserting a small bag with shoes underneath the bottom bracket, making it easier to balance the bike on luggage trolleys. We managed two bikes one one trolley, and all of the panniers on the other.
On a short duration, Multi-destination tour such as ours, the biggest bugbear was trains, planes and automobiles, not the bikes themselves. I await the release of a Rohloff-equipped, expedition-capable Thorn folder! ;D
Sam
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Thanks for the update on the CTC bag Sam, the more I read the more I like the CTC method.
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Sam,
Do you know how much your Nomad weighed once packed up in the CTC Bag? I know my bike, a 590L is bigger than yours, but it will give me a rough guide for now. (I've just ordered 2 x CTC bags from Wiggle for an upcoming trip.)
Or... does anyone know the basic weight of a 590L with Expedition Racks but no panniers etc, just the basic bike with wheels, pedals, handbars, seat, etc etc. I know then that I'll just add the tiny weight of the CTC Bag to get the weight of the bike for air travel.
Many thanks
Tony
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Sam,
Do you know how much your Nomad weighed once packed up in the CTC Bag? I know my bike, a 590L is bigger than yours, but it will give me a rough guide for now. (I've just ordered 2 x CTC bags from Wiggle)
Hi Tony,
This is weird - I replied to this earlier today, but it seems to have disappeared. I'll repeat:
Although my frame is slightly smaller, I built my Nomad with some "non-standard" components, like the n'lock stem and Abus Amparo lock, so I would expect it to weigh a little more. When built, it weighed a little over 19kg (racks but no add-ons, 2 inch Duremes).
At check-in, I removed the pedals and carried them separately, but added a bag with my shoes under the BB to support the bike on airport trolleys. It weighed a little over 20kg, including a Topeak MM pump.
Hope this helps.
Sam
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Sam it's a cracking bike its great to think you could load as much gear on her and travel the planet knowing the bike would be trouble free ,Well except from baggage handlers.
enjoy every pedal stroke your also a lucky guy that you have the perfect touring partener in your wife.
happy travels stay safe.
jags.
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Sam it's a cracking bike its great to think you could load as much gear on her and travel the planet knowing the bike would be trouble free ,Well except from baggage handlers.
enjoy every pedal stroke your also a lucky guy that you have the perfect touring partener in your wife.
happy travels stay safe.
jags.
Thanks Anto - I very much appreciate the sentiments!
And like I have said, one place on the planet we'll definitely be returning to is your Emerald Isle. We'll see if we can organise a catch-up!
I'm hoping to get time to write a review of Attila's and Honoria's performance to date very soon. I'm in Singapore this week, so maybe I'll knock it over on the return flight...
Best regards,
Sam
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Sam,
Many thanks for the reply - I've been busy doing some long rides lately (getting in some good practice) and haven't logged into the forum for a few days.
Yesterday at the end of long ride (long for me any way, at 95km two days in a row) I stopped at a friend's house and used the his electronic scales with a hook on it for weighing suitcases etc and my Thorn 590L came out at 17.5kg including the front and rear racks (without panniers though.) I was pleasantly surprised at that, as I can fly in NZ with up to 23kg before I get hit with weight penalties. Although I will get hit with some kind of financial penalty as it will be my second bag. Watch this space, I may have a little trip to report shortly. Actually I completed my first 4 day, 3 night tour on it a couple of weeks ago, but as per usual, I haven't processed all the photos yet, so I will wait until that they are all done - 75% there!.
Thanks
Tony
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Yesterday at the end of long ride (long for me any way, at 95km two days in a row) I stopped at a friend's house and used the his electronic scales with a hook on it for weighing suitcases etc and my Thorn 590L came out at 17.5kg including the front and rear racks (without panniers though.)
Hmmm... 2kg lighter than mine? I'll have to check mine again. I'm in Singapore on business but will be home on the weekend. I have one of those Park Tools digital scales, but I've no idea if it's calibrated. I also have a cheaper spring-loaded luggage scale, which I'll use to back-check, but it's hard to read.
I'll weight the bike with all fixings (brackets, racks etc), but with no attachments (panniers, pump etc.). I'm interested to know why I'm carrying an extra 2kg.
BTW, you're having quite the time on your bike - I haven't been able to join two riding days together in weeks!
Regards,
Sam
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Sam quick question did you try out your headlight yet,i will some time or other buy a front dynamo wheel and headlight well when i can afford it.i'll be going for the shimano hub well pleased with the one i had on the sherpa,but i'm dead curious to know if you think that top of the line headlight is worth it,basically is it any good at lighting up the road ::)
Man i went round the houses asking that> :)
jags
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Sam
I have checked with my workmate and he is pretty sure they are good as they give the same readout as the Airport Scales when he checks in for his frequent NZ to Aust flights. I think I used the scales correctly - and I did it twice, in fact knowing me, a third time just to check!
The bike was just under 23kg before removing one rear pannier that had a rain jacket, long sleeved base layer, an empty coke bottle (how did that get there - one of my weaknessess) and removing my rear rack day bag with several tools, two tubes, wallet, keys, pump etc. I even carry a Personal Location Beacon, but only as I used it for my hiking and as I do cycle in areas with no cellphone coverage, I usually carry that too, which may be slight overkill, but since I own it, I may as well take it.
Got my plastic bag from Wiggle yesterday, so will take my Nomad on her maiden flight next week.
Tony
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Sam quick question did you try out your headlight yet,
Hey Anto, I 'm finally getting 'round to catching up with the forum! Answer is YES - I've been meaning to post a separate review in the appropriate place, etc...
I find the Luxos U to be a fantastic light, with one potential flaw - wet weather unreliability. It failed on me in Europe in the first rainstorm encountered, but that may have been my error in wiring. When I returned home, I dried it out and reconnected both lights, also ensuring the USB cable was fully inserted and protected from direct rain splash. So far the lights work perfectly, and I love having them on (although I will continue to be wary of them in heavy showers, of which we thankfully have very few).
My wife has the B model, which has also worked fine, but is rated at a lower light output. If, as I suspect, the problems with the U are due to the jack for the USB cable allowing moisture into the housing, then hers ((with no USB capability) should be totally reliable.
We both have the Topline Braketec Plus tail lights, which work perfectly as advertised. It's great to see her tail light brighten as she brakes, just like a motor vehicle!
I've just decked out my Nomad in commuter mode with additional running lights (Fibre Flares) in preparation for our winter (daylight savings ends in ten days, I think), and I'm planning to post a video to show them off. Very impressive! Hopefully they'll prevent incidents like the little twerp P-plater who raced me to a corner yesterday and cut me off at less than 0.5 meters! I said some nasty things very loudly in his/her direction. >:(
Which reminds me - Has anyone seen the Fly6 yet? https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fly6/fly6-cycling-accessory-hd-camera-and-tail-light-co
I've already got one on order!
Slammin!
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thanks sam another one for the wishlist. ;)
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I find the Luxos U to be a fantastic light, with one potential flaw - wet weather unreliability. It failed on me in Europe in the first rainstorm encountered, but that may have been my error in wiring. When I returned home, I dried it out and reconnected both lights, also ensuring the USB cable was fully inserted and protected from direct rain splash. So far the lights work perfectly, and I love having them on (although I will continue to be wary of them in heavy showers, of which we thankfully have very few).
There are many reports online of the Luxos U failing in wet weather and B&M have now redesigned it with the output cable to the USB hardwired into the light body, suggesting they recognise it as a problem. Might be worth contacting them to see if they will replace yours.