Thorn Cycles Forum

Community => Member's Gallery => Topic started by: freddered on July 04, 2007, 03:52:14 pm

Title: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on July 04, 2007, 03:52:14 pm: 18 months and 3500 miles on the clock, here are some more images of my Raven Tour (I still love it).

Quarley Church, Hampshire. This morning on a 32 mile 'commute'.
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/july4.jpg)

Bournemouth on the final stretch of a 3-day mini camping tour

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/Beer%20Camping/BournemouthProm.jpg)

Proof that it can off-road a bit (should you take a wrong turn)

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/Beer%20Camping/LiftingThornraven.jpg)

Thorn - Dawes - Thorn. The natural habitat of a touring bike

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/Beer%20Camping/2Bikes1Tearoom.jpg)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on July 05, 2007, 11:11:07 pm: I just like my bike..OK?

Apart from that, when I was considering buying it, all I wanted was as many photos of other people's as possible.

Let me know if any of these photos help make up your mind one way or another.

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/IMG_5329b.jpg)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: john28july on July 06, 2007, 08:33:08 am: Hello,
I used to live in Poole-I am sure you know where that is! Due to family circumstance I and my wife and daughter had to move to Gloucestershire. We still have two sons in Poole area and visit regularly and hope to move back one day. In answer to your question, yes its great to look at pictures of other bikes. But on this occasion it makes me very very sad and homesick!
No offence intended of course, so keep the pictures coming.
Here are mine www.pbase.com/john28july

John.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Fred A-M on July 06, 2007, 10:44:26 am: I just completed a round 140 mile training trip from Basingstoke to Bournemouth incorporating the New Forest over a couple days this last w/end. A very nice neck of the woods indeed: was pleasantly surprised though possibly a little too much traffic for liking, which is why I generally do my touring on the continent!
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on July 07, 2007, 11:26:58 am: Hi Fred,

The New Forest can get quite busy, as can the Bournemouth area (Both tourist hotspots) however it depend on which roads you choose.

My technique is to use Digital Maps to plot a route on the very smallest lanes I can find then upload the route into GPS. A lot of the time I don't really know where I am since I am just following an arrow but it does mean I don't meet many cars.

Most of my riding is around Andover, Hampshire near the A303 Caravan route to the SW. Some days I can cycle for hours and meet less than 10 cars but, as I cross the A303, can see thousands of cars in huge traffic jams.

The problem with the New Forest is there aren't that many small lanes so you get to share the few roads with people who like to look at the lovely view from their cars at 50mph.

Becasue I know the area so well I would suggest sticking a pin in a map, in the centre of Andover and then drawing a 20mile radius.

You could spend a day cycling a hundred miles within that circle and not meet many cars (if you choose the small lanes). You'd also get to see some beautiful old villages and some beautiful old pubs.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on July 07, 2007, 11:44:43 am: John28July

I don't know Poole all that well but we got a good look at it on that trip as we took the Studland to Sandbanks Ferry (one of 5 ferry trips on that same day).

There's something a bit special about ferries, makes you feel like a Global Traveller for some reason. I'd highly recommend the 5 Ferry route we took. Remember that Bicycles are not allowed on Bournemouth prom in high summer.

1 - Studland to Sandbanks
2 - Hengistbury to Christchurch
3 - Lymington to Yarmouth
4 - Cowes
5 - Fishbourne to Portsmouth

I think the whole lot cost about £15, superb day.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Fred A-M on July 07, 2007, 01:42:31 pm: Hi Fred

I had a 200,000:1 map which enabled me to stay on quiet lanes most of the time, the stretch from Basingstoke to Whitchurch and the New Forest excepted which both on the Sunday and Monday were busy, though the New Forest agreeably less so on the Monday.

I agree totally ref your comments on the area surrounding Andover. I passed to the south of it which was very quiet with lots of picturesque thatched villages: I'd really forgotten that England could be quite so peaceful and quaint (as effectively illustrated by your pics). I actually managed to sandwich a job interview in between the two rides and I'm hopeful that I'll be working in Ringwood as of Autumn, though wont know any outcome till early August. If so, it will certainly represent a massive improvement in immediate cycling possibilities compared to being stuck in London.

My comments ref traffic are general really: yes there are lots of quiet areas in the English countryside but comparitively, the volume of traffic is much less off the main roads on the continent and this becomes most apparent at school and rush hours here in England where the tranquility often is substantially diminished for an hour or two: certainly in southern England due to the density of the population.

Maybe I'm too much of an idealist, but have often managed to cycle for hours and hours in Spain without seeing a single vehicle! The only place in the UK I've encountered the total escapist seclusion I yearn for has been on the Isle of Harris (mindblowingly stunning) in the Hebrides: but then I've pretty much neglected the UK as a destination other than for training purposes really, so any UK recommendations welcomed! Off to northern Spain in 2 weeks time, though I'm amalgamating this particular expedition with a camping holiday with my girlfriend's family: how quiet the region will be in mid August, given much of Spain migrates there to escape the summer heat, I'm not sure, but will report back!
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: PH on July 08, 2007, 01:14:53 am: Nice photos, there's something about 26" wheeled tourers, they look better loaded than not...
How does it handle with all the weight at the back? You look like you're carrying about as much as I do when camping, except I use four small panniers and nothing on top of the rack. My Raven rides better like that than unloaded.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on July 08, 2007, 08:28:59 pm: PH, I noticed the weight on the first day (I've never used 1st and 2nd gear before), less on the second and not at all on the third. I had to remember not to 'honk' out of the saddle though.

The only problem I had carrying all the gear at the back was up very steep hills in 1st and 2nd gear. It had a tendancy to wheelie which lo-riders at the front would, I suspect, cure.

Overall though it didn't handle much differently and I had no issues with fast descents. I was carrying about 12 kilos. Small tent, sleeping bag, sleep mat, stove, pans, clothing, shoes, wash gear and so on. It was only a 3 days tour but I doubt if I'd need much more to do a longer tour The Ortlieb panniers are superb, really pleased with them. note, my buddy on the Blue Raven (pictures) has 'upgraded' to ortlieb since he saw them in use on the tour.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on July 08, 2007, 08:31:35 pm: Fred AM

Next year I have persuaded a few work colleagues to come with us on a 3 day Tour-de-France.

St Malo to Caen (using Portsmouth ferries).

I am looking specifically for traffic-free lanes thru small French villages (and camp-sites).

I would appreciate any info/routes.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: DomT on July 08, 2007, 10:57:01 pm: Don't worry about the roads in France, where possible simply avoid the Route Nationals (and of course, the motorways!), they're all good over there!

There is an off road cycle path linking the ferry terminal at Ouistreham to the center of Caen. It follows the canal and passes Pegasus Bridge (and cafe).

It is possible to go cross country from Le Mont-Saint Michel, but you have to make it up as you go along (jump over a fence on the D75 and head east). I had a good time doing that a few years back, but heading in the opposite direction:

(http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m4/domt79/Normandie_Brittany/P8020013.jpg)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Fred A-M on July 09, 2007, 11:32:33 am: Dom T has hit the nail on the head with the picture of the Mont St Michel which is pretty much going to be your first goal if you only have 3 days starting from St Malo. Unfortunately it was a sight that I never got to see on my intended tour of Brittany/Normandy. Did a loop SW of St Malo to the west coast but never made it east into Normandy due to the inclement weather, hopping back onto the ferry at St Malo instead of continuing eastwards.

Assuming you don't want to fork out on the mapping software for a 3 day trip: Michelin Local series (200,000:1) is sufficient detail to keep away from the main roads, though as Dom states, unless you're prepared to improvise a bit to get off the D75, the coastline between St Malo and the MSM is liable to be busy.

Not sure what kind of mileages you intend clocking up in 3 days, but my first suggestion would be not to head directly eastwards, but to catch a ferry from St Malo across the water to Dinard and cycle down to Dinan, a stunning medieval town. But you may feel that heading directly southwards leaves you too much to do in 3 days.

My other suggestions are that approx 50 miles south of Caen is an area called Swiss Normandy (Suisse Normande) which from my research looked pretty attractive, heading NE towards Caen I think up a what looks like a pretty hilly river valley; which I would definitely have covered had I made it to Normandy. Alternatively, there's also an area called the Bocages Normandes located in the southern half of the Cherbourg Peninsula: hundreds of presumably quiet country lanes going through villages & orchards and not too hilly juding from the map.

Personally, I'd try and persuade your mates to go for a day or two longer: I think you'd manage to get much more reward from the trip. Hope this helps!
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on July 10, 2007, 10:01:43 pm: It needs to be 3 days from St Malo to Caen at no more than 45 miles a day. That means a fairly straight line route.

I may buy Digital Maps so I can use a GPS to follow small lanes though.

Re. Dinan, I love the town and have camped there many times but it's in the wrong place to fit in with mileage plans.

Hopefully I can find a quiet route
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Fred A-M on July 10, 2007, 10:46:18 pm: Bocages Normandes it is then, as based on the above, you won't really have any other choice! Probably not worth buying the digital maps for the info that you'll get from 2 x £5 Michelin maps!
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on July 12, 2007, 01:23:27 pm: A few more photos for anyone wanting to drool over Thorn ravens (as I did)

Newbury Downs (Walbury Hill)
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/IMG_5365b.jpg)

St Peter's Church, Linkenholt, Hants.
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/IMG_5370.jpg)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 (5500) miles on
Post by: freddered on August 19, 2007, 08:40:02 pm: In case anyone was wondering what my Raven Tour would look like if I swapped Panaracer HiRoads for 26x1.5" Schwalbe Marathons.

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/ravenschwalbe.jpg)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on September 24, 2007, 03:10:24 pm: Another 'marketing shot' of my lovely Raven Tour

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/chilboton1.jpg)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on October 19, 2007, 09:02:25 pm: tyres look fantastic ,but what make are the wheels
and is that saddle ,standard b17,,.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on November 05, 2007, 08:06:44 pm: Sun CR18 (mid-weight rims I think)

Brooks B17 Champion Special (Copper-plated rails).
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: lancer17 on November 11, 2007, 10:00:28 am: nice looking bike, looked at it many times while i waited for mine to be ready, and wondering if i should have gone for drops rather than comfort bars
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on November 19, 2007, 12:10:27 pm: I made a mistake by going with comfort bars initially.

It turns out that my body has evolved into a postiion most comfortable on Drops. Luckily it was a mistake that didn't cost me anything, thanks to the warranty on Thorn Bikes.

If you prefer Drops then go for Drops.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on November 21, 2007, 04:23:22 pm: In case you were wondering what a Thorn Raven looked like from behind, with Ortleib Panniers and on a beautiful forest road (Savernake Forest Nov 2007), they look like this (me in the middle)

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/Clyffe%20Pypard%202007/SavernakeForest1.jpg?t=1195661844)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on December 13, 2007, 02:36:47 pm: In case anyone was wondering what a Thorn Raven Tour looked like stood in front of a Fishing Hut on the river Test in December. They look a lot like this.

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/bikehut.jpg?t=1197556169)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on January 04, 2008, 02:21:57 pm: In case anyone was wondering what a Thorn Raven Tour looked like after riding up to Danebury Hill Fort in Hampshire. It looks like this

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/IMG_6289a.jpg?t=1199456003)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: lancer17 on January 05, 2008, 01:10:39 am: How do they ride compared to the Panracers? I like the look of them
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on January 05, 2008, 03:58:24 pm: I won't be buying Panaracers for it again.

1) The Marathons look better (obviously a key factor) and have a great reflective sidewall.
2) They are better made so they talke High-Pressures better, the Panaracer sidewalls started to crack.
3) They appear to last much longer
4) They have deeper tread pattern. No way could I have cycled up the muddy/grassy path with the almost slick Panaracer Hi-Roads. Makes it a more 'go-anywhere' bike.
5) I haven't spotted any performance difference at all (I have a times 14 mile circuit).

All my opinion of course, not much science to back up my views.

I see them as hassle-free tyres for a hassle-free bike and they were only about £12 each.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: geocycle on January 05, 2008, 08:33:49 pm: I agree with fred about the virtues of Schwalbe marathons. I swapped from the standard Panaracers TGs after 100 miles when the sidewall ripped on the first off road venture. The replacement marathons have now done another 3500 miles without further problems or serious signs of wear despite serious abuse. Like Fred I think they are an excellent accompaniment to a hassle free bike and not significantly slower in my experience. That said, I did like the squarer profile of the panaracer TGs and found them a very comfortable ride. I inflate to about 60psi on the front and 70psi on the rear although marathons will handle more.

Tyres and saddles are very personal choices but as I'd also had 10,000 miles on a previous bike equipped with marathons and had only 2-3 punctures I was always going to find it hard to be convinced by anything else. I went for the 1.5 inch standard marathons which are excellent on my commute and on-road tours. They also handle offroad forest tracks OK and only really struggle in mud or seriously rocky mtb routes. They have been a bit skittish in the recent ice where maybe a wider tyre would have helped.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on January 22, 2008, 05:51:53 pm: In case you were wondering what a Thorn Raven Tour looked like after 400 miles of January rain and muddy roads whilst leaning against a woodland log-pile, they look like this:

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/RavenLogs.jpg?t=1201024168)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: DavidH on January 22, 2008, 08:52:13 pm: Thanks - I was wondering just that

Do the mudguards get clogged, particularly with the Schwalbe Marathons filling up more of the space?

What made you upgrade the brakes, and what were they before. I am looking for the LX brakes with carbide rims. Couldn't justify the XTRs for another £135 - that would be another month of waiting.

And is that Savernake again? Looks like a mix of Beech and Oak
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: DavidH on January 24, 2008, 08:55:22 pm: Is the list equally limited with cantilivers? - I say this as I expect I might end up putting the drops back on my old tourer, for when I want a different ride. I had canti bosses brazed on when I got it resprayed 12 years ago.

Your comments about left / right made me wonder when / if Rohloff would make a grip shift for us left handed cyclists. Its a little foible of mine to make a mental note of the occassions when right handed people make us left handed people alter what comes naturally. Chainsaws and photocopiers being two of my favourites - and have you noticed how the text is written the wrong way round?
...xobpaos ym ffo kcab wohyna

Your saracen seems better cared for than my similarly aged bike. But is that a standard thorn raven saddle? I will be swapping my current B17 with the Selle Royal Travellite, and wondered if you've done the same

Don't know the Clatfords - is that the big stretch of beech wood near the 303
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: stutho on January 28, 2008, 03:56:24 pm: Hi DavidH,

I use the shifter with my left hand, there is no problem mounting it on the left at all. Unless you count the confusion I get when I try to ride my wife’s bike that has the shifter on the right.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on January 29, 2008, 09:55:15 am: Quote from: DavidH on January 24, 2008, 08:55:22 pm
Is the list equally limited with cantilivers? - I say this as I expect I might end up putting the drops back on my old tourer, for when I want a different ride. I had canti bosses brazed on when I got it resprayed 12 years ago.

Your comments about left / right made me wonder when / if Rohloff would make a grip shift for us left handed cyclists. Its a little foible of mine to make a mental note of the occassions when right handed people make us left handed people alter what comes naturally. Chainsaws and photocopiers being two of my favourites - and have you noticed how the text is written the wrong way round?
...xobpaos ym ffo kcab wohyna

Your saracen seems better cared for than my similarly aged bike. But is that a standard thorn raven saddle? I will be swapping my current B17 with the Selle Royal Travellite, and wondered if you've done the same

Don't know the Clatfords - is that the big stretch of beech wood near the 303

The issue with Brake Levers and cable routing affects V-Brakes (long-pull, Linear-pull) only. Cantilevers are centre-pull (symmetric) and also use 'Normal' brake levers rather than long-pull Dia-Compe287V levers.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on May 12, 2008, 11:05:36 am: Update:

My Thorn Raven Tour has now completed:

1) 7000 miles
2) several 100km Audaxes
3) several 200km Audaxes
4) sereral 300km Audaxes
5) loaded camping trip

It is about to attempt

6) a 600km Audax
7) a 400km Audax

In 2011 it may attempt

8) 1200km Paris-Brest-Paris Audax

You really can do everything with this bike.

PS. It hasn't missed a gear-change yet.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: geocycle on May 12, 2008, 03:50:49 pm: Glad everything is still going well with the bike -not that there was much doubt! Items 7, 8 and 9 on your hit list look challenging. I'm doing my first 100 mile in a day this year (and the bike's approaching its 5000 miles) but I don't know how I'd cope with something like the PBP... sounds very painful!
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on May 12, 2008, 08:18:10 pm: I think once you get over 100 miles then you stand a chance of being uncomfortable. Audax has taught me that a lot can go wrong if you don't prepare well and start treating 100 mile rides too casually.

All the >100 mile rides I have prepared for have been easy (ish). All the ones I didn't prepare for haven't.

Examples of not preparing:

- Not doing enough miles in the weeks leading up to the 'Big One'
- Too much alcohol the night before
- Not enough to eat the night before
- Not snacking regularly on the ride
- Not drinking enough water during the ride

Personally I consider 100 miles as a sort of threshold into the world of long-distance cycling (some people think less and some think a lot more). I consider it a threshold becasue it moves out of 50 mile Charity Ride territory. Many non-cyclists I know can ride a 50 mile Charity Ride, however, they tend to finish in the sort of pain that would prevent them ever continuing for another 50.

So good luck with your 100, treat it with a bit of respect and it won't be a problem.

Oh yes, if it starts to get really tough, eat something and keep pedalling. It's just your body complaining, that's natural every so often, it will stop after 20 minutes and let you get on with it.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: geocycle on May 13, 2008, 09:29:51 am: That's really interesting. I know from my own experience of 60-80 mile touring days that once you get above 50 you really have to keep eating and drinking regularly or everything goes wrong. It's often tempting to push on but eventually you'll hit the wall (sometimes literally). Once you have a basic level of fitness, a lot of distance cycling is in the head.

I think the 1200 PBP must be one of the hardest single sport events I am aware of.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Cake on May 13, 2008, 10:00:27 am: Coincidentally, i completed my first ever century day ride on Saturday (105.6 miles). It had been a target of mine since i got back into cycling last August. I have been gradually upping the distance of my longer rides with the century as a goal (as well as getting used to the RT i've had since February). My longest ride previous to this was an 80 mile effort.

Preparation was/is key to myself - it allows to me to relax because i know i have most eventualities covered, which makes the ride more enjoyable - which is the main objective!

Eating and drinking regularly is most important - i drank loads on Saturday (twas baking!), mainly water with a pinch of salt and sugar. I have found keeping salt levels up stops me feeling peculiar afterwards and prevents post-ride cramps. Plenty has been written about electrolyte levels during exercise and loads of drinks are available - has anyone tried any that they have found to make a difference?

The most important factor for me though was pacing myself from the start. I must admit to being quite proud of myself - as Fred said 100 miles seems to be a bit of a threshold for long distance cycling (in my mind at least) and i consider it a personal achievement!

The RT was superb, i had no problems or issues with comfort whatsoever considering i was cycling for 9.5 hours (including an hour of stoppage), and was surprised to feel as spritely as i did afterwards. A bike for every occasion indeed!

My next target is 125 miles (200km) and after a couple of these i may enter an audax event, with a bit of confidence.

Fred, how close to the wind were you sailing time-wise with the 300km audaxes? I suppose if you are considering a 600km (600km!!!), you must have been relatively happy during the 300?

This cycling lark is really quite addictive....
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Cake on May 13, 2008, 10:06:56 am: Geocycle, i find the mental aspect of it fascinating. I was fading a bit at 75 miles and then got back onto a road i knew. Knowing where i was in relation to home told me i was going to crack it which instantly renewed my strength etc. - a physical manifestation of a totally mental event. I suppose it is good to experience this and remember it during future struggles - it is all in the head!
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: lewis noble on May 13, 2008, 12:32:09 pm: Some excellent observations and advice here, especially as I get ready to start a ride from Lancaster to Liverpool on Tuesday next week, then over the Trans Pennine Trail to Sheffield . . . for me at 61 and never the strongest of cyclists, not bad going I think. In support of Back Up Trust, a spinal cord injury charity and supported by Origin, a care provider based in Lancaster.

I also would be very interested in people's ideas re 'home-made' drinks, which I suspect are just as good as the commercial variety, and what sort of foods best keep you going. If you get tired and hungry, it is very easy to get demoralised and give up too soon.

And good luck, Fred!

Lewis
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on May 13, 2008, 01:33:01 pm: I tried some Sports Drinks but they made me feel nauseus. Now I take note of cravings. If I start craving a Ham & Cheese sandwich then I have one at a petrol station. I think your body knows best. Milk-shakes seem to be popular even amongst cyclists who never drink them at other times.

My most common craving is Bitter-Shandy. Beer is a no-no for me on rides but Bitter-Shandy seems to be a real pick-me-up (I guess it's a sugar/carb rush). Especially last Saturday when I was dehydrating on a 271km ride around the New Forest.

The only home-made drink I use is adding some blackcurrent squash to water to make it a bit more palatable (warm plastic water doesn't hit the spot sometimes).

As for my 300km ride, I finished in plenty of time. I target 5.5Hrs/100km normally. That is usually enough in the rolling countryside around here. Allows for a few stops/repairs and keeps you well on time.

Denmead 300 took exactly 16 hours and you are allowed 20. If you can cycle 100 miles then you can tackle a 300km. It's more about controlling the boredom and negative thoughts than pedalling I find.

The beauty of Audax is that you have a control every 50km or so where you get to chat with others. You realise that everyone goes thru bad spells and that a snack, drink and 20 mins off the bike can usually get you over it. I did a 202mile solo ride last year and it was much, much harder than a similar distance on an Audax. When you ride solo all you have to occupy yourself with is thinking how much it all hurts and how comfy your bed was (when you left it at 5am, 13 hours previously).

It IS addictive though. 12 months ago I met a lunatic on a 200km Audax who cycled 45km to the start (in the dark, cold and rain) then cycled 45km back home when it was finished (in dark, cold and rain).

12 months on that's exactly what I did on Lymington 200 this weekend (except it was nice weather AT 5am and 10pm).
You start thinking, "It's only 60km to the start in Lymington, if I set off at 5am I'll be there for the 8am start"). Then YOU are the lunatic people are pointing at.

Mainly though I think it's about finding a pace you can deal with all day. Sometimes it's hard to bring your speed down from your natural 25mile pace to a more leisurely one. I find that reducing it by just 1mph-2mph means I can keep pedalling all day instead of burning out after 5-6 hours. It becomes a matter of dealing with aches and pains (contact points, shoulders, neck) rather than fitness

As for foods that keep me going, remember that calories are your friend. On a 100 mile ride it's unlikely you will eat more than you will burn up. Eat what you fancy but MOST IMPORTANTLY, eat what you fancy before you get hungry. If you wait until you a really hungry then you are probably about 20 minutes away from trying to find gears below 1st.

Over the last 2 years my metabolism has changed (I was told it would) such that I can last much longer without needing to eat desperately (you start burning fat easier, which lasts days, and becoming less dependent on Blood Sugars, which last about 3 hours). Until this happens though you walk a fine line of depleting blood sugars. I highly recommend a small snack (energy bar, slice of Malt-Loaf) every 30-60 mins after the first 2 hours cycling.

if your mind or conversation turns to food IT'S AN EARLY WARNING from your brain, take heed, eat.

You are never quite as in touch with your metabolism as when you cycle beyond 100 miles. You learn that you have never REALLY been hungry before. Hungry is actually when you are in 1st gear on the flat, wishing you had stopped to eat an hour ago when your brain started flashing you images of a Ploughman's Lunch.

It's great when you get it right though

Good luck. .
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: geocycle on May 14, 2008, 09:12:10 am: Well fred, I am really impressed. I've been largely oblivious to the whole audax thing, being mainly a tourer/commuter but these distances are really fantastic. Thanks for the nutrition, advice most helpful. You are right that your perceptions of 'the lunatic' constantly changes as you attain different goals.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: lewis noble on May 14, 2008, 09:32:32 am: Very useful observations, Fred.

Lewis
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Cake on May 14, 2008, 09:38:01 am: Yes, very useful indeed - they certainly are very long distances!

Good luck with your trip Lewis, let us know how it goes.

Gary
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on May 14, 2008, 11:12:02 am: Quote from: geocycle on May 14, 2008, 09:12:10 am
Well fred, I am really impressed. I've been largely oblivious to the whole audax thing, being mainly a tourer/commuter but these distances are really fantastic. Thanks for the nutrition, advice most helpful. You are right that your perceptions of 'the lunatic' constantly changes as you attain different goals.

It's well worth turning up to a local 100km Audax, paying your entry fee 'on the line' and giving it a go. Someone else does the work of plotting a route and you get to pick up loads of useful tips plus a nice ride out. Some riders never go beyond 100km or 200km rides.

I like the loose association and non-competetive nature (well, you compete with yourself really) of Audax. You can chat or not with other cyclists, tag along with them or not.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: ians on May 16, 2008, 09:21:17 am: Fred

I enjoy your missives. It's always useful to know what a Thorn looks like in various situations. If I get stuck at a party with someone who's done their own conveyancing or installed their own underfloor heating system, I'll have something to talk about too.

I also find your posts informative. I aspire to ride my bike long distances ... and who knows ... maybe one day I might. In the meantime your experiences show me what's possible.

So thanks.

ians
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: PH on May 16, 2008, 11:55:41 am: Congratulations on the 300 and good luck with the 400 & 600.
I’ve only done one 300k on my Raven, though I've done several 200s as DIYs with camping load, some on consecutive days and most well over distance. I find that 200 is really my preferred limit with this bike, I wonder how much set up has to do with that? I find the armchair like comfort ideal for the first 150k then on each hill after that I resent every extra gram over the weight of my usual Audax bike. Hardly surprising, it isn't what I specced the bike for, even its ability on the 200s is more than I was expecting.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on May 16, 2008, 02:13:38 pm: I have to confess that 200km is my maximum enjoyable distance right now. 300km got a bit boring and uncomfortable. 400km and 600km will hurt, I'm not kidding myself. That's nothing to do with the bike though, sitting in your most comfortable armchair would become torture after 40 hours I reckon.

I do those (>200km) distances for the enjoyment of finishing them. Like bashing your head against a wall, it feels great when you stop.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on June 02, 2008, 02:54:17 pm: For those of you following this thread:

I successfully negotiated the Midhurst 600km Audax on May 24/25 on my trusty Thorn Raven Tour.

This, to me, proves it can do just about anything but race (well, you COULD race but you wouldn't win).

I couldn't find any hotels/motels/B&Bs along the ride at appropriate places so I kept cycling and took longer than normal rests at Tesco cafes & Motorway Services that were en-route. I got back with 45 minutes to spare (but could have easily knocked a couple of hours off if I'd needed to.

I'm really rather pleased with myself and the bike. I know there are quicker bikes out there and there's an element of doing it on the Thorn to prove a point, but it got me round in as much comfort as you can expect after 40 hours (I did have some issues with all contact points but nothing Thorn-specific, just specific to being sat on a bike for 2 days straight).

To put it in perspective, get a map and plot:

Midhurst (Sussex) - 6am Saturday
Chichester
Ropley
Malborough
Cirencester
Winchcombe
Newent
Hay on Wye
Magor
Leigh Deleamere
Sutton Scotney
Petersfield
Midhurst 377 miles later @ 9:45pm Sunday

It was quite an adventure and quite remote at 2am around the Brecon Beacon valleys. It's taken under 2 years of Audaxing to get to this point, starting with 100km Audaxes in 2007.

I haven't sat on the bike since I got off it in Midhurst (377 miles in under 2 days is enough to put you off for a while) but I need to get myself busy for a 400km in 3 weeks. This will get me my "Super Randonneur" title (200km, 300km, 400km & 600km in same year). At which point I intend to use the RT for shorter pleasure rides until 2009, at which point I may do an SR series again. I need to keep in shape until 2011 so I can stand a chance of doing PBP. I am undecided what bike to use for that although the RT would definitely get me around.

Summary, don't think you can't cycle a long way on a Thorn RT.

Here's me (painfully close to my house) with 330 miles done and 47 left to go. Everything on the rack and in the bag are soaking wet (including the shoes I am wearing). I am wearing any dry clothing I have left after a horrendous morning, starting with crossing the Severn Bridge at Chepstow around 7am just after it reopened (high winds and torrential rain).

Like I say, Audax can be a mini-adventure. I highly recommend it.

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/Audax/60012.jpg?t=1212414954)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: lewis noble on June 02, 2008, 04:56:21 pm: From a mere mortal to Fred, well done!!

A fantastic ride.

Lewis
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: geocycle on June 02, 2008, 05:10:05 pm: Awesome achievement! I cannot imagine that kind of distance in one day, but you addressed that in an earlier post. What would your concern be about using the RT in the PBP -lack of basic speed?
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: PH on June 02, 2008, 10:34:49 pm: Great stuff, the bits of that route that I know are not exactly flat either. Did you do that without sleep :o :o
I wonder if yours will be the first SR Raven. The last edition of Arrivee was asking for stories, you ought to send yours in.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on June 03, 2008, 09:45:30 am: Quote from: PH on June 02, 2008, 10:34:49 pm
Great stuff, the bits of that route that I know are not exactly flat either. Did you do that without sleep :o :o
I wonder if yours will be the first SR Raven. The last edition of Arrivee was asking for stories, you ought to send yours in.

There was a Rugby final on in Cardiff so every bed between Bristol and Cardiff was taken. In the end it wasn't so bad going without sleep. It caught up with me all last week though. It starts getting light around 4am so, if you can get through the real tough hours (2am-4am) then your spirits get a lift when dawn arrives and you get distracted by the great light and the dawn chorus. You have the roads to yourself and the World seems a lot brighter. Once it started getting dark again though (with an hour to go) I reckon I yawned my way to the finish.

It's a long way for sure but I suspect anyone capable of doing 100 miles without problems could tackle a 600km. It's more about your brain dealing with the distance than your legs. My PB until then was 322km so it was quite a prospect to have nearly 300km left to go. I'm not convinced you need an intermediate step of a 400km. If anything it may demoralise you becasue you have all the difficulty of the 600 (a night ride and no time to sleep) without the fairly straightforward daylight 200km after dawn. With a 600 you are mentally prepared for a tough 2 days, I suspect a 400 may take people by surprise at how hard it is. I am under 3 weeks from finding out and I will let you all know.

As for Arrivee stories, I am the worst person for that. I have really poor recollection of events during a ride. I can't differentiate between roads, hills, times as they just blur into tarmac passing under my front wheel. I remember leaving Midhurst and I remember arriving back, between those 2 events I remember the Severn Bridge in Monsoon conditions, a few steep climbs and lots of Tarmac. Not good but possibly helps me deal with the boredom a bit.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Cake on June 03, 2008, 10:54:42 am: Well done Freddered, that certainly is an achievement to be proud of - i'm in need of a rest after looking at the route on a map.

I think i would opt for a sleepless ride, i have the feeling that a couple of hours sleep mid-ride would probably make me feel more lethargic than energized.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on June 03, 2008, 01:37:23 pm: Quote from: Cake on June 03, 2008, 10:54:42 am
Well done Freddered, that certainly is an achievement to be proud of - i'm in need of a rest after looking at the route on a map.

I think i would opt for a sleepless ride, i have the feeling that a couple of hours sleep mid-ride would probably make me feel more lethargic than energized.

My knees really locked-up after within a couple of hours of getting home and putting my feet up. I also prefer to keep moving whenever possible to avoid this.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: lancer17 on June 09, 2008, 12:24:42 pm: Well done having just returned home sooner than expected with knee problems I can understand the feeling, of knee pain! as for the Rohloff i can agree I have done 7800Km with mine and it just gets better and better
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on June 09, 2008, 02:18:52 pm: Quote from: lancer17 on June 09, 2008, 12:24:42 pm
Well done having just returned home sooner than expected with knee problems I can understand the feeling, of knee pain! as for the Rohloff i can agree I have done 7800Km with mine and it just gets better and better

Actually my knees were fine during the ride. I'm going into Physio for a recurrent neck/shoulder problem tomorrow though. It's really the only reason I find long distances an issue, what starts out as an annoying ache becomes truly unbearably painful on rides >300km. Once it all cramps-up the whole ride is dominated by trying to deal with it. Not good if you have 20 hours left to ride.

It's not the Thorn, it started on a LEJoG ride 6 years ago.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Fred A-M on June 09, 2008, 08:11:42 pm: Fred

Congrats on your Audax feat: family demands have meant that I've not even managed do an Audax, despite promising myself that this was the year. However, your progress gives me hope that I might yet see you at PBP in 2011.

Ref your neck and shoulder pains, have you ever tried swimming? I've had similar problems in the past, but a few bouts of swimming has always sorted in out for years at a time. I've had no need to continue, but have just gone a few times on the occassional flare-up. Good luck in getting it sorted!

Lancer, sorry also to hear of your knee troubles and that it's put paid to an amazing sounding adventure which I'd followed with interest. Hopefully you'll get to give it another go!
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on June 25, 2008, 11:27:30 pm: Well, I did it (and so did my Raven Tour)

I am now a Super Randonneur and all done on the RT.

SR = in same year:
200km in under 13hr 20min
300km in under 20 hours
400km in under 26hr 40min
600km in under 40 hours

I finished the final piece, Denmead 400 on Sunday morning at 7am (basically a whole day and night spent in the wind and rain).

I was let down by my front Schwalbe Marathon which deformed badly at 200km (like a golf-ball pushing its way through the centre of my tread). Luckily (considering some of the dark, wet and remote places we spent most of the ride, it expired in Weston Super Mare and my friend was able to get me a Panaracer Tourguard 1.75 (anything will do) at 10 minutes before closing at a local bike shop. I shudder to think about my predicament if it had occurred a few hours later, say 2am in the rain. We were so remote, so wet and so cold it's scary to dwell on what my night would have been like. Lucky, Lucky, Lucky (as Ripley said in 'Alien').

Apart from that the bike performed flawlessly again. I won't say it was comfy because I was sat on it for the best part of 24 hours and I don't believe anything is comfy after that long.

Anyway, the photos depict me changing tyres in Weston-s-M and the RT back home with the 1.75 up-front and what will soon be cut into tyre boots strapped to my Carradice.

Personally I think it looks pretty 'Butch'. I'm very proud of it actually, it never missed a gear shift in all those rides. Derailleurs were clunking and clanking all around me, I cycled past several people putting their chains back on deraiileurs.

There are many things to worry about during SR rides but changing gears is not one of them when you ride a Raven Tour I have found.

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/Audax/WestonsMtyreb.jpg?t=1214432807)

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/Audax/DSC00120.jpg?t=1214432834)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: peter jenkins on June 26, 2008, 12:32:27 am: Congratulations Fred,

I've done some 200KM Audaxes (on a Club Tour) and still aspire to acheiving Super Randonneur status, so I can only marvel at your accomplishment.

Now the dust has had time to settle are you planning your next epic ride?

Cheers,

pj
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on June 26, 2008, 09:33:30 am: Quote from: peter jenkins on June 26, 2008, 12:32:27 am
Congratulations Fred,

I've done some 200KM Audaxes (on a Club Tour) and still aspire to acheiving Super Randonneur status, so I can only marvel at your accomplishment.

Now the dust has had time to settle are you planning your next epic ride?

Cheers,

pj

The plan is to do Paris-Brest-Paris in 2011 (basically 2x600km back to back). That means doing at least one more SR series before the start. I imagine I'll do an SR in 2009, 2010 and 2011 leading up to PBP itself. Having dragged my body up to 600km level I don't really want to let it slip and have to go through it all again.

We'll see how it goes, I'm a bit 'Audaxed-out' right now and looking forward to pootling about for the rest of the year.

Remember, if you can do a 200km then you can do a 300km (and so on). A 300 is the most you can realistically expect to do without riding through the night, although, at this time of year, night is actually only 11pm-4am.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: stutho on June 26, 2008, 09:50:13 am: Fantastic achievement Fred. Well done
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Cake on June 26, 2008, 11:17:02 am: Yep, great stuff Fred - an achievement to be extremely proud of. Well done indeed.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on June 26, 2008, 11:50:48 am: Thanks all. I think it was very tough but it's a blur now.

It's strange but it stopped feeling like a fantastic achievement the moment I had done it.

Some people cry when they arrive at John O Groats, overcome with the achievement of their amibition. I think I said "OK, that's done. Now,where's the pub?"

Groucho Marx once said "I wouldn't want to be a member of any club that would have me as a member"

Similarly, I seem to have an outlook that says "That couldn't have been all that difficult because I just did it".

I suppose I'm doomed to a life of disappointing achievements. The best I can say I felt about getting SR was "Thank God that's done, now I can do something else for a while"
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: geocycle on June 26, 2008, 01:41:50 pm: Well done Fred, great achievement.

What do you think caused the tyre problem? I've not come across anything like that before -except a memorable moment with an electric fire!
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on June 26, 2008, 02:34:23 pm: Quote from: geocycle on June 26, 2008, 01:41:50 pm
Well done Fred, great achievement.

What do you think caused the tyre problem? I've not come across anything like that before -except a memorable moment with an electric fire!

I'm not sure. They are rated at 100psi and I put 100psi in them. the tyre didn't tear or anything, it just ballooned and stretched the tread-pattern alarmingly. I was waiting for a loud bang to be honest as I quickly tried to deflate the tyre.

I've inspected it and I can't even tell where it deformed now. The tread looks fine as do all the threads inside.

The problem is of course that once it's stretched once it's likely to do it again so I can't take any chances.

Any long rides in future will be done with a folding spare in the bag(The 1.5" Tourguard is quite light). Shorter ones will be done with a tyre boot to patch over weak spots.

Tip: Take a small stick of chalk so you can quickly highlight any defects/punctures on tyre and/or tube.

Oh yes, and one of the best tips I have seen (and used on the ride):

When you have a puncture/breakdown on a long ride have a snack and a drink BEFORE making plans or starting the repair.

Doing this means 1. You eat and drink with clean hands, 2. you calm down and make better decisions 3. You calm down and make less mistakes during the repair.

IT REALLY WORKS
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: stutho on June 26, 2008, 04:24:27 pm: Hi Fred,

Re the tyre problem,

I've twice had a problem with tire deformation - both times it was in a 26 X 1.5 tyre (but not a Schwalbe). I found that the root cause was my pressure gauge, it was under reading by about 15PSI.

Stuart
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: PH on July 06, 2008, 04:44:17 pm: Congratulations, are you enjoying a break?
I'm having a year off Audax, after a disappointing season last year with several DNFs. It was a good decision as I'm already looking forward to next season and the things I've done instead should make me more comfortable with those distances.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: stutho on July 06, 2008, 09:33:44 pm: Excellent renovation Fred. I've got an old British Eagle 531 Frame sitting in the garage. I keep promising myself that I am going to get resprayed and the build it up as a single speed. Looking at your photo is a big incentive to actually start the project.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: stutho on July 06, 2008, 11:48:21 pm: Yep very similar - except mine is in purple with rust highlighting! It was a hand-me-down from my brother and my first real bike. It initially saw me through University and has seen a number of tours since then. It was also my main commuting bike for a number of years. In short it has being hammered. In more recent times I have almost scraped it a number of time but every time my hand has being stayed - I must be getting sentimental or something.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: vik on September 18, 2008, 12:56:40 am: Quote from: freddered on January 29, 2008, 09:55:15 am
The issue with Brake Levers and cable routing affects V-Brakes (long-pull, Linear-pull) only. Cantilevers are centre-pull (symmetric) and also use 'Normal' brake levers rather than long-pull Dia-Compe287V levers.

Cane Creek now makes some very nice v-brake compatible drop bar brake levers. I have 287V's in service on my Surly LHT touring bike with no complaints.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on September 26, 2008, 10:51:20 am: Quote from: vik on September 18, 2008, 12:56:40 am
Cane Creek now makes some very nice v-brake compatible drop bar brake levers. I have 287V's in service on my Surly LHT touring bike with no complaints.

The Cane Creek and the Tektros are the same brake lever I think. I fitted the Tektros becasue they are so cheap. Much, much nicer than the 287v.

Nicer looking, better made, better braking but possibly a bit 'fat' for some hands.

Here is a comparison between my old 287 and my new Tektro.

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/tektro1.jpg?t=1222422636)

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/tektro2.jpg?t=1222422732)

No comparison in my opinion.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on January 14, 2009, 08:26:28 am: (Actually "My Raven Tour 9000 miles on")

IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING....

What a Thorn Raven Tour looked like during a heavy frost that turned mid-Hampshire into a winter wonderland.

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/ride%20photos/frost1.jpg?t=1231921262)

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/ride%20photos/frost3.jpg?t=1231921361)

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/ride%20photos/frost2.jpg?t=1231921394)

It also got me around my first Audax ride of the year (200km) (Oxford -> Malmesbury -> Cirencester -> Chipping Campden -> Oxford), through wind, rain and darkness, without any fuss or discomfort whatsoever.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: geocycle on January 14, 2009, 09:30:15 am: Great pictures fred and congrats on the first audax of the year. I'm tempted to enter one this year to give my rides more focus.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on January 14, 2009, 09:42:23 am: Quote from: geocycle on January 14, 2009, 09:30:15 am
Great pictures fred and congrats on the first audax of the year. I'm tempted to enter one this year to give my rides more focus.

Of course you should. Even the smaller ones are mini-adventures.

What area are you in?

What is your maximum comfortable distance currently?
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: geocycle on January 14, 2009, 10:52:38 am: I'm in north Lancashire - south Cumbria. My maximum single day has been about 105 miles over hilly terrain in the Yorkshire dales, although I only ride slowly. If I remember correctly, this took about 8 3/4 hours including lunch and drink stops.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on January 14, 2009, 11:05:03 am: Quote from: geocycle on January 14, 2009, 10:52:38 am
I'm in north Lancashire - south Cumbria. My maximum single day has been about 105 miles over hilly terrain in the Yorkshire dales, although I only ride slowly. If I remember correctly, this took about 8 3/4 hours including lunch and drink stops.

http://www.aukweb.net/cal/index.htm (http://www.aukweb.net/cal/index.htm)

Use the calendar months (JFMAMJJASOND) to bypass any problems looking ahead more than a few months.

I reckon there are quie a few rides within a short drive.

100 miles in under 9 hours is perfectly reasonable for a Audax speeds. I usually allow myself 5.5hrs per 100km (including stops). This lets me have a fairly leisurely ride whilst not risking missing the cut-off time.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: geocycle on January 14, 2009, 11:45:46 am: Cheers Fred, that's helpful.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: bobs on January 14, 2009, 01:56:49 pm: Great photo's as usual.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on January 14, 2009, 04:55:14 pm: brilliant pic's were the road's NOT to dangerious to ride (ICE PATCHES)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Cake on January 14, 2009, 05:06:13 pm: Great pics Fred.

Can i ask what upper body clothing that is that you have on?

Gary.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on January 15, 2009, 02:38:51 pm: Hi Jags. The roads were perfect and dry. It had been dry for weeks and the frost was a wierd one, the air was full of tiny ice crystals for a couple of days. It looked like the result of a heavy snow that never made it to the ground.

Cake. I'm ALDI-sponsored in that photo.

Red ALDI winter jacket (£14 and superb value, I should have bought some more).
Black ALDI Windproof Gilet (£7 I think). I like Gilets because they add a layer without making you overheat (mesh back panel). The Zip is a bit crappy and I think I may have just broken it but it's still a quarter the price of a 'known' brand.

Underneath is an ALDI winter jersey (£7). Another decent enough bit of kit. Not a great fit but perfectly good enough for commuting/training.

I wear a ski-band (ear-band) and a cap under my helmet and a buff. Bib-longs and lovely Shimano Winter shoes (MW02)

I think everything I'm wearing, combined,cost less than an ASSOS short sleeve Jersey.

Oh yes, ALDI winter gloves (£4)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on January 15, 2009, 02:53:03 pm: great stuff fred.. so tell me is there another tour planned for the comming season,
i know bob's,tours, with just two panniers ,and i always meant to ask what gear you take on a tour (packing list) have you had any bike problems over the last 9000 miles.
anyway thanks for the pic's, any help on the packing list would be great ,for my up and comming tour of france in june.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on January 15, 2009, 03:20:10 pm: Quote from: jags on January 15, 2009, 02:53:03 pm
great stuff fred.. so tell me is there another tour planned for the comming season,
i know bob's,tours, with just two panniers ,and i always meant to ask what gear you take on a tour (packing list) have you had any bike problems over the last 9000 miles.
anyway thanks for the pic's, any help on the packing list would be great ,for my up and comming tour of france in june.

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/Beer%20Camping/BournemouthProm.jpg)

I've only ever done this 3 day camping trip but I don't think you'd need much more stuff for 2 weeks.

Ortleib Bike Packer Plus panniers. Brilliant kit, the external mesh pockets are good for repait kit, inner tubes, wet gloves, overshoes and so on. The straps on top are great for carrying jerseys, waterproofs and so on.

In one pannier I have my Thermarest sleep mat and my tent. I don't use a tent bag, I just stuff the tent into the pannier (the poles fit in vertically). pans and stove go in same pannier. On my rack I have my sleeping bag in a dry-bag. The other pannier has clothing. If the tent was wet then I would put sleeping bag in pannier and tent on rack.

I have a bar bag for wallet, phone, camera and other valuables. It unclips in a second so I can take it into a cafe/shop.

I also carry a very small cable lock to stop an opportunist theif wheeling my bike away but it wouldn't stop a determined thief. I don't think I'd need front panniers unless it was a very wet and/or cold country. The more space you have, the more you will carry.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on January 15, 2009, 03:38:50 pm: thank's for that fred, yeah you have or should i say, i have the same set up as yourself.
im trying to keep things as light as possible ,without sacrificeing comfort.
i did buy the carradice camper saddlebag for my tent and spares but im going to have to rethink this one.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: bobs on January 15, 2009, 04:41:33 pm: Jags,
2 rear panniers and a bar bag should enough space. I strap my Atko on top of the rack so it doesn't matter if its wet or not.
Last time I was away it was wet. I packed everything away in the panniers while still in the tent, then quickly packed the tent away. As you know the Atko tent bag is oversized so its easy to roll it up and put it away.
It's one thing packing eyery thing away neat and tidy when doing it in your living room another thing when away on tour.
I'm going to Germany in april/May and taking front panniers. The only reason for this is to balance the bike and to have plenty of space. I will ensure it doesn't encourage me to take too much.

Bob
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on January 15, 2009, 05:11:14 pm: thank's bob's yeah your wright the akto is going on the rear rack,do you use the the footprint for your tent,im thinking of buying one ,the plastic i have is a pain to fold up and it's heavy enough,
i emailed alpenstock for a price for the footprint,so i'll wait and see what it cost's.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: PH on January 17, 2009, 08:53:02 pm: Nice photos as usual.

Quote
I've only ever done this 3 day camping trip but I don't think you'd need much more stuff for 2 weeks.

I'd pretty much agree, over a week and I take a complete extra set of cycling clothes, not strictly necessary, just eases the pressure of getting the laundry done (or more commonly, dry again)

Quote
2 rear panniers and a bar bag should enough space. I strap my Atko on top of the rack so it doesn't matter if its wet or not.

I find my Raven handles better with the weight spread about, I can carry the same kit in a pair of 40 ltr rear panniers (I do on another bike) but with it in 4 panniers a saddlebag and a bar bag the Raven handles better than it does unloaded.(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/3203891719_a532c83215.jpg?v=0)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on January 17, 2009, 10:04:33 pm: nice photo ph,like the brolly very dandy.i don't have that much seat post showing,
so my camper bag sit's on the rear rack,do you mind me asking ,what have you in the saddle bag.as i said in another post, i have my tent along with footprint and bike spares.but i find it's to hard to take the bag on and off the bike.i have it strapped to the brook's and seat post.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: bobs on January 17, 2009, 10:13:19 pm: Iv'e not got a foot print but will get one. The Climbers shop has them for about £30 posted.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on January 18, 2009, 01:05:12 am: bob have you a link for that thanks,
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: bobs on January 18, 2009, 04:48:29 am: Jags, here is the link;

http://www.outdoorwarehouse.co.uk/index.cfm?action=shop.detail&pid=30BE92FB-FF29-08BD-48B5B7CC0F395D20&ref=gbase (http://www.outdoorwarehouse.co.uk/index.cfm?action=shop.detail&pid=30BE92FB-FF29-08BD-48B5B7CC0F395D20&ref=gbase)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on January 18, 2009, 02:04:00 pm: thank's bob's your a gent.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: PH on January 18, 2009, 03:27:50 pm: Quote from: jags on January 17, 2009, 10:04:33 pm
like the brolly very dandy.

Brolly ??? ???What brolly ???

Quote
i don't have that much seat post showing,
so my camper bag sit's on the rear rack,do you mind me asking ,what have you in the saddle bag.as i said in another post, i have my tent along with footprint and bike spares.but i find it's to hard to take the bag on and off the bike.i have it strapped to the brook's and seat post.

The saddlebag is permanently on the bike. I use it to carry what I'll need in the day, tools, tubes, waterproof... it also carries my cooker so I can brew up when I want, there's also a bit of room for shopping. The advantage of packing the stuff needed on the road separately is there's no need to repack if you take the bike out after you've set up camp. I've been caught out that way, 10 miles from camp with a puncture, no tube or tools...once is enough. Sometimes at the end of a rally or festival, someone will offer to carry my panniers back in their car, while I ride home, I can get them to do this without having to think about what I need to take out.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on January 18, 2009, 04:21:32 pm: ooops soppy ph taught i spotted a brolly on the rear rack oviously not damm.
thanks for advice on s/bag that makes sense .
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: PH on January 18, 2009, 04:54:31 pm: Quote from: jags on January 18, 2009, 04:21:32 pm
ooops soppy ph taught i spotted a brolly on the rear rack oviously not damm.

That's my poles and pegs bag.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on January 18, 2009, 05:31:43 pm: ah hah mystery solved.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on January 30, 2009, 11:21:58 am: Dear Mr Thorn. Please forgive me for getting my bike in this condition:

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/email0001.jpg?t=1233314419)

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/thornwinter.jpg?t=1233314446)

The good news is that it worked just as well like that as it ever did.

This is underneath somewhere:

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/ravenschwalbe.jpg)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on January 30, 2009, 12:52:17 pm: i clean my little beauty after every spin,got into the habit of this when my son was racing, his bike was gleaming ,at the start of every race.(could have made it in the cycling world ,but found love)ah well.
fred love that bike it's class,are you heading off anywhere this year.
edit
fred meant to ask ,your tyres are they marathon plus,i changed mine to conti city contacts ,and find them way better ,much lighter great on wet tarmac (the main reason i changed ,hated the m/plus on wet roads) mind you tricky to get on, but im well pleased with the change.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on January 30, 2009, 03:02:50 pm: They are cheap Marathon Kevlar (£15 each). Nothing else deals with the flints around here (excpet even heavier Marathons which I don't want)

I have a puncture about 4 times a year (5000 miles) which is an improvement on any other tyre I've tried.

I may do a long-weekend camping trip with buddies but my only plans are to do an Audax SR series again (Super Randonneur). Done the 200km earlier this month (got another one tomorrow and in Feb) . 300km in March, 400km in April and the Bryan Chapman Memorial 600km in May (Chepstow-Anglessey-Chepstow).

Proabably a few 'no-pressure' fun audaxes and social rides mixed in with that.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on January 30, 2009, 03:40:41 pm: good stuff fred ,that audex sounds very hard,only for the brave and hearty i think.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on January 30, 2009, 04:26:52 pm: Quote from: jags on January 30, 2009, 03:40:41 pm
good stuff fred ,that audex sounds very hard,only for the brave and hearty i think.

Not really. It's full of a cross-section of the public.

I think most of struggled with our first 100km ride. Many people get comfortable with 100km and stick to that. A nice enough distance to keep yourself fit, see some new countryside, grab a pub-lunch and be back in time for tea. (9am - 3pm is typical).

From there you take it a step at a time. My first 200km left me collapsed in a comfy chair, too tired to even eat the cake provided. Now I class 200km as my 'comfort zone', in that I don't really need to prepare so much for them and they don't leave me feeling wiped-out any more. (8am - 7pm is typical)

300km is getting serious. Many people never bother trying them but, if you can do a 200 then you can do a 300 (albeit feeling wiped-out for a couple of days after your first ones). (7am - 11pm is typical)

400km is serious. Unless you are very quick (I'm not) you can't avoid riding through the night (not that it's something to avoid, it can be extremely nice to cycle whilst the world is asleep). (7am Sat - 7am Sun is typical)

600km is serious (some people think they are easier than 400s because you can bank enough time to have a rest for a few hours (sleep even). I'm too slow to take a sleep break and my, single, experience is that they are 200km harder than a 400. (6am Sat - 10pm Sun is typical).

At one time or another all these distances have seemed impossible to me (I only started 3 years ago, at 42). Slumped in a chair after my first 200km ride, it seemed impossible to do another 100km, never mind another 400km ("what?, 3 x 200km rides, one after the other? No chance").

100km leads to a 200km, 200km leads to 300km. I think that, if you can cycle 300km then you can do a 600km (I did).

I'd urge any cyclist to try a local 100km. They are strictly non-competetive. You may see ages from 12 to 80, male, female, MTBs, recumbents, touring bikes, carbon road bikes, hybrids (although touring bikes are most prominent). Some people chat to you, some don't, some people stop at pubs and some don't.

Mostly though, you pay a few quid to have someone organise the route, provide tea and cakes at the start and finish and leave you free to enjoy roads you would never have otherwise seen.

AUDAX UK (http://www.aukweb.net/)

Remember, it's NON competetive. Finishing times are not published. The fact that you completed the ride or not is published. You are awarded medals based on completing the distance within a fairly generous time. If Lance Armstrong enters an Audax then you will both get the same medal (even if he does finish 4 hours before you).
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on July 09, 2009, 03:29:48 pm: If you wanted to know what a Raven Tour (and it's rider) looked like at 7am, on a Salisbury firing range track , after riding 100 miles through the night, to arrive at Stonehenge at 4:30am for Summer Solstice... it looks like this

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/ride%20photos/LeeMCN45email.jpg?t=1247149506)
Photo courtesy of TimO from YACF.

crossbar is covered in pipe-insulation as a guard against a nasty bike rack at work (although it actually makes a nice seat now)

I don't ride the RT so much any more (favouring my more sprightly British Eagle 531 tourer) but I do use it when I need something nice and reliable, capable of getting me across rough roads, thru the night in comfort.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on July 23, 2009, 05:56:31 pm: just seen this one,wow looking good fred your certainly getting in the miles on that beauty.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on September 01, 2010, 05:58:48 pm: I thought I'd provide an update of my Raven Tour (which I bought in Feb 2006).

I can't believe four and a half years have passed by (and I reckon a few people who saw my original post will suddenly feel older).

I have to admit that I haven't used it much this year and only 1400 miles last year (out of 5500 miles). I generally use it in winter because it shakes off the grunge of winter much better than my other bikes and it rides over those surprise pot-holes, you find when riding at night in the rain, much better than my quicker bikes.

It's covered about 10,500 miles I think, 9,000 of which in the first 3 years.

I'm always surprised just how comfy, reliable and solid it feels when I ride it for the first time in a while.

HOWEVER...right now it has a real problem. The seat post is jammed solid. I have truly mashed up the alloy post trying to trist and saw it out.

I am about to send it off to Mercian cycles (the only shop who confidently said they could remove it). Let it be a warning to you all to remove and grease yours before it's too late. 4 years and 4 winters without moving mine was a bad policy.

Hopefully Mercian can get it out because I need my winter workhorse back before November kicks in.

Also, once I complete (or fail to complete) the Paris-Brest-Paris 1200km Audax in 2011, I shall be looking forward to less miles and more cycle camping. I fully expect the Raven to become my main bike once more.

PS. It has NEVER missed a gear-shift in all those miles
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: RA1 on September 02, 2010, 08:20:18 pm: I was glad to read your post on here Freddered. I, for one, have found your descriptions of the purchase and setting up of your Raven Tour extremely interesting and very helpful. They certainly helped me to decide and so I also have a Thorn Raven Tour - and love it. Yes it's much slower than my Mercian Audax, but its comfort and ease of maintenance are outstanding.
Mercian Cycles should do a good job - I've always found them to be knowledgeable and helpful....so, Good luck!
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: geocycle on September 03, 2010, 10:34:14 am: Glad you are still enjoying the RT and sorry to hear of the seatpost problem. There are a lot of threads on various fora about stuck seatposts which I'm sure you've seen. I guess most of us just get the post the right height and forget about it. I checked mine last night and all is well but thanks for the warning. I've heard people use something called plus gas http://www.lawson-his.co.uk/scripts/details.php?cat=Penetrating%20Oils&product=30700 quite efectively.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on November 14, 2010, 06:18:29 pm: Quote from: freddered on September 01, 2010, 05:58:48 pm

HOWEVER...right now it has a real problem. The seat post is jammed solid. I have truly mashed up the alloy post trying to trist and saw it out.

I am about to send it off to Mercian cycles (the only shop who confidently said they could remove it). Let it be a warning to you all to remove and grease yours before it's too late. 4 years and 4 winters without moving mine was a bad policy.

Hopefully Mercian can get it out because I need my winter workhorse back before November kicks in.

An update:

When I asked for details from Mercian it turned out they were going to use a torch to melt the old seat post out.

This would have meant a respray, suddenly £25 for removing the seat post became an expensive option.

So, after reading about the Alloy-dissolving properties of Caustic Soda, I spent the last 7 days repeatedly pouring a highly concentrated mix of the stuff into my seat tube. This morning I was able to extract the remaining bits of foil-thin seat post (most of it, probably 15cm, had totally dissolved into black gunk which I rinsed out each morning.).

Caustic Soda attacks alloy but not steel (so this is not a good fix for Alloy frames).

Tips (for anyone who comes by this thread in desperation):

1 - Blu-Tack makes a perfect "bung" to seal the seat tube at the bottom bracket. Caustic Soda doesn't seem to have any effect on it.

2 - I used 150ml of water to 150g of Caustic Soda granules. This is VERY concentrated (Drain-cleaning strength is 500ml to 100g)

3 - When you add this sort of mix to the seat tube it all gets VERY hot and VERY bubbly, I advise you wear industrial rubber gloves, boots and goggles. Boiling hot Caustic Soda in the eyes is probably a recipe for permanent eye damage.

4 - Have a running hose-pipe handy to rinse off the spillage as it boils and bubbles from the seat tube. My paint seems to have survived but I made sure I was hosing the frame for the initial 10 minutes (when reaction is most extreme).

5 - Use an offcut of seat post to experiment with first and get the mix to a good strength. It's reassuring to see that it's working. After 3 days I wasn't convinced it was going to work but my offcut piece started to show real signs of thinning.

Good luck and take care.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 10,000 miles on
Post by: freddered on November 23, 2010, 02:57:28 pm: Well, It's back on the road again.

New seat post fitted, "T-cut" paintwork with a "Mer" polish. All nuts & bolts removed and greased before replacing. Chain cleaned and lubed..the works. It looks great again.

It turns out that I haven't ridden it for nearly 6 months, 105 miles in total this year.

Anyway, here is a photo taken during its test ride this lunchtime. I plan to ride it throughout winter so this is as nice as it will look until next summer.

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/Bike%20Stable/Thorn.jpg?t=1290523924)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Cake on November 23, 2010, 06:02:08 pm: Tis a beauty. Well done with the Caustic Soda - that is quite a dramatic fix!

I've pulled my seat post and it is all lovely and greasy, as delivered from SJSC. Thankfully.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on November 26, 2010, 10:18:00 pm: look's great fred great to hear your back in the saddle.
is there much snow and ice your way if so be careful out there. :o
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on January 09, 2011, 07:01:00 pm: A quick update to let you know that the Raven Tour is going strong.

I used it for its first Audax in 2 years. The roads conditions were reported as poor so I thought I'd take "The Tank" as it shakes off the sort of abuse that potholes and gravel-strewn lanes dish out at this time of year.

I managed the 206km in a respectable time and with absolutely no issues (despite passing many "faster" riders as they attended to punctures, broken mudguards and such like).

Yes, it's heavy, no, it isn't sprightly up the hills, but you know it's going to get you home.

This is me at Malmesbury, after 80km. It was still relatively warm and I was still feeling pretty strong. These 2 things changed once we got into the Costwolds and night fell.

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/Paris-Brest-Paris/PoorStudent200Jan2011b.jpg?t=1294570734)

It was my first qualification ride for Paris-Brest-Paris.

I won't be using the RT for PBP but you certainly could.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: lewis noble on January 09, 2011, 09:10:18 pm: Well done freddered!!

I have not ridden my RT much for the last 6 months, work issues / health problems - arthritis in my wrists, thumbs / hand joints that make anything other than a perfect surface very painful - and there aren't many perfect surfaces around . . . . . .

So I have now re-tyred the bike, and changed riding position, to hopefully get back in the saddle again - will post separately about that, the reasons and the solutions - and taking the opportunity to renew all cables etc.

Lewis - Sheffield
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on January 10, 2011, 05:36:04 pm: I use 1.5" Marathons but they give a very hard ride I think.

If I had problems with my hands/wrists then I'd be tempted to get some fatter, say 1/75", Panaracer Paselas. I used to use their Hi-Roads. A lot more forgiving but not as robust as Marathons.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: lewis noble on January 11, 2011, 10:50:29 am: Yes, Fred, that's the line I've gone along. I seriously considered selling the RT and looking for a bike with 'soft' suspension forks. I went to 3 bike shops; one identified the 'perfect' hybrid for me, a Cube, the other 2, both of whom know me well, recommended re-tyring. Robin Thorn said much the same and advised change of posture.

Puncture resistance v important, as I can no longer get the tyre back on the rim without help or a tyre gadget - so I might have to wait for another rider to come along!!

I had been riding on 1.5 Marathons, running at a pretty high pressure. Fast but harsh ride. I have put on Schwalbe Duremes, 2.00. They fit OK in the frame, and my original mudguards are also OK. Pricey, but first impressions are very good - much more comfortable, and even at a much lower pressure, currently around 35 - 40, roll along very well indeed. Far less jarring up through the wrists. And I changed the stem for a steeper rise.

No decent rides yet, as re-cabling the whole bike - somewhat overdue. But if it keeps me riding comfortably I will be more than happy.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: geocycle on January 11, 2011, 02:06:09 pm: Hi Lewis, Sorry to hear of your problems. I hope the tyre solution works. I now use Ergon GR3's (standard Ergon grips with a big curved bar end) which helps. You could also try a suspension fork on your RT. When I bought my RT they were still an option although they don't seem to feature now. Good luck with your riding in 2011.

Fred: when's the PBP? Did you do it before, or were you just doing the qualifying distances?
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Cedric on January 13, 2011, 01:17:36 pm: What mudguards do you use for Marathon 1.5?
I'm searching something with full coverage and narrow clearance.

Thanks
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on January 13, 2011, 04:06:36 pm: Quote from: geocycle on January 11, 2011, 02:06:09 pm

Fred: when's the PBP? Did you do it before, or were you just doing the qualifying distances?

August 21-25.

I did the pre-qualification rides last year 200km/300km/400km/600km. That allows you to enter slightly earlier (priority entry) than people doing just the qualification rides this year (again 200km/300km/400km/600km). However, I still need to do the qualification rides as well. The nice thing is that I know I can do the distances now, that alone makes it a lot easier. (If a 600 can ever be said to be "easier").

That photo above is the first qualification ride of 2011, 200km.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: geocycle on January 13, 2011, 05:31:13 pm: Quote from: freddered on January 13, 2011, 04:06:36 pm
August 21-25.

I did the pre-qualification rides last year 200km/300km/400km/600km. That allows you to enter slightly earlier (priority entry) than people doing just the qualification rides this year (again 200km/300km/400km/600km). However, I still need to do the qualification rides as well. The nice thing is that I know I can do the distances now, that alone makes it a lot easier. (If a 600 can ever be said to be "easier").

That photo above is the first qualification ride of 2011, 200km.

Awesome, as out antipodean friends would say. The PBP has to be one of the great endurance cycling challenges. Keep posting updates as you near the event.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on January 20, 2011, 02:35:32 pm: Quote from: Cedric on January 13, 2011, 01:17:36 pm
What mudguards do you use for Marathon 1.5?
I'm searching something with full coverage and narrow clearance.

Thanks

I think they are SKS 45mm. SJSC fitted them for the original Panaracer Hi Road 1.5"
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on March 30, 2012, 08:25:57 pm: Well, I've fallen back in love with my RT.

6 years on and with new front panniers (today) I am prepared for a mini-tour of Brittany in May. Just 4 days but the front panniers have transformed the handling of the bike, it feels like it's on rails, perfect.

Finally it will be doing what it was built to do.

Here's my test ride tonight

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/Bike%20Stable/ThornRavenMar2012.jpg)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: JimK on March 30, 2012, 08:58:07 pm: That just looks like heaven, Fred!
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on March 30, 2012, 09:16:02 pm: Quote from: JimK on March 30, 2012, 08:58:07 pm
That just looks like heaven, Fred!

It's not too bad at all.

Longstock, on the River Test in Hampshire. That's a Fishing Hut in the background.

Heaven would have been having another hour so I could have had a pint in the nearby "Peat Spade Inn".
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Danneaux on March 30, 2012, 09:37:58 pm: Fred,

This is just lovely, and the bike and scene couldn't look more "right"; everything as it should be and not a thing less or more.

I, too, have always found my bikes more stable and predictable in their handling with the load split between front and rear panniers, rather than with only rear panniers and a handlebar bag. I do usually take a HB bag simply because it is a nice place for those little touring "Extras" like arm warmers or a hat and my camera and a snack and such. I consider it a substitute or extension for my jersey pockets, and it is easy to just unlatch the thing and take it with me at store stops. Not he best place for heavy things, in my experience.

My, you've done a wonderful job with that photo...it's always nice to see into the "touring lives" of others, and this makes we wish I could join you. Early good wishes for a wonderful, safe, fun tour in May, Fred.

All the best,

Dan.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on March 30, 2012, 10:26:39 pm: Thanks Danmeaux, nice comments.

Some more from this evening.

Here you can see the "Gripshift" under the handlebars, on an accessory bar from SJSC. I find it an ideal solution for touring.

You can also see my home-made mudguard extension. Hopefully this will shield my friends from road spray. They are essential if you ride Audaxes in company.

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/Bike%20Stable/IMG_2346.jpg)

And here...just to prove I am in England.

I don't think the Telephone Box is used by anyone but the villagers have filled it with books so it is now an informal Library.
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u249/freddered/Bike%20Stable/IMG_2342.jpg)

I just realised it needs a good clean
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Danneaux on March 30, 2012, 10:34:47 pm: I like the little skull on the rear fender. :D

I do so love the classic British Racing Green of your bike.

Please, Fred, send me a package of your current weather. I will pay postage and the increment to send it Expedited Post.

It looks like genuine spring there, while here, we are having one storm after the other and are under flood watch on our rivers and streams.

Alternatively, if that is a Magic Phone Box a la Dr. Who, I'll come enjoy your weather myself! ;D

Just gorgeous!

Best,

Dan.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on March 30, 2012, 10:36:39 pm: Class ;)
Fred what have you in those panniers serious question i trying to figure out a packing list for my two week tour of ireland, but i dont want to use front panniers,yours look pretty empty to me or a least you could certainly get a hell of a lot more gear in the rear. ;)
great photos btw.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on March 31, 2012, 11:55:44 am: Quote from: jags on March 30, 2012, 10:36:39 pm
Class ;)
Fred what have you in those panniers serious question i trying to figure out a packing list for my two week tour of ireland, but i dont want to use front panniers,yours look pretty empty to me or a least you could certainly get a hell of a lot more gear in the rear. ;)
great photos btw.

Ha...I was just testing how it handled on Friday night for an hour so my packing list consists of all the clothes I could grab and stuff into panniers. One pannier has my tent in it and looks half full.

However..my plan is to stuff my sleeping bag into one front pannier and possibly my tent into the other (tent pole on the rack maybe). That would leave my mattress to be rolled up on the rack (in a drybag) and leave 2 large panniers for clothes, wash bag, cooking stuff and so on.

To be honest I may have more capacity than I need but the idea was about balancing the load rather than increasing it. That has clearly worked because the bike handles very nicely. It will also enable me to keep a (possibly) wet tent separate, in it's own pannier.

I should also mention that the Tubus "Duo" rack is superb, very high quality, solid, and fairly discreet as front racks go.

I needed to dig out a couple of spacers to make it fit properly (chrome V-Brake lock nuts seem to have been designed especially for this purpose) and it may need a bit of innertube, where the hooks fasten to the rack, to stop the tiniest amount of rattling, but otherwise I'm delighted with the combination.

My aim for this thread was to post photos of my bike in as many situations as possible. I remember when I was deciding on the Thorn, I wanted to see as many photos as possible myself. There's more to buying a bike than technical specs, there's a touch of imagining yourself in some distant country, self sufficient and sleeping under the stars.

It was seeing Thorn Ravens, "fully loaded" that did it for me. I loved the fact that the bike was 100% designed to have panniers bolted to it, front and back, that it handled better the more luggage you hung off it.

I've thought about selling it more than once. I went for 2 years hardly using it, choosing a "fast tourer" for my Audax adventures (there's no doubt the RT can't compete against my Condor Fratello when it comes to covering miles quickly in comfort) but now, when my mind has turned to cycle camping, there's really only one bike in my garage suited.

I'm fairly sure now that I'll own the bike for life, even if it's just for the occasional camping trip and to get me through winter (it really does shake off the worst of winter with no complaints).

Hopefully the photos continue to let people imagine themselves owning such a bike and helps them make a decision about buying one.

Whatever people say about it being heavy, remember that mine has got me round a 600km (370 miles) Audax ride in under 2 days. It really is fast enough for most people and is also suited to travelling the globe with luggage. That's a rare combination I think.

Mind you....there may be some different choices to make from Thorn shortly..hint hint.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on March 31, 2012, 12:19:35 pm: Here is a link to my very first thread ....

Freddered's Raven Tour 2006 (http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=796.0)

What I changed in 6 years:

1 - Tyres are now Schwalbe Marathon 26x1.5". They have proved themselves to be THE MOST RELIABLE on Hampshire/Wiltshire flint on many of my bikes. They are fairly cheap in the normal (just Kevlar) version (around £16). I reckon 1 puncture every 1000 miles or so for >20,000 miles.

2 - Handlebars. I changed all my bars to NITTO "Noodle" bars. I love them, extremely comfortable for touring offering more space on the "tops" for extra hand positions. Compare old vs new photos and you will see that the original bars slope towards the brake levers steeply...not good for my hands on a 600km ride I found.

3 - Lighting. I changed to B&M "CYO" lights with a B&M "IXON" battery backup. The Solidlights set a new standard but couldn't keep up.

4 - Brakes. I swapped the brake calipers for AVID "Ultimate". Expensive but superb. You can swap the "noodle" over to get a much nicer cable run into them (remember that ALL brake calipers are designed for a front brake lever on the left hand). Highly recommended upgrade.

Given unlimited budget I'd get a SUPERNOVA E3 front light, the quality is incredible but the B&M has got me down Llanberis Pass, Snowdonia, at night, in sleet a couple of times and it doesn't get much more demanding than that.

That's it I think. The Carradice Barley saddlebag looks a bit weather-beaten but it's been a superb day bag and has decades of life left in it.

The Brooks Saddle is more Freddered-shaped now.

The pedals are still original and are totally worn out. I can pull my cleats out on steep hills..which is a bad thing so I need to buy new ones before I knee myself in the chin.

I never use the bar-bag..I just don't like them. They ARE useful on tours though so I may buy a smaller Ortlieb one for passport/camera/wallet.

I've had a couple of new wheels (they tend to wear out and crack 2 days before a big Audax ride, turning my life into a panic).

I use exclusively Cateye rear lights. LD600 and LD610. I think they are superb when aimed correctly (you must aim any rear LED light correctly). I don't see the point in looking beyond a Cateye LD610 whatever happens in LED technology.

Finally, the Skull on the rear mudguard/fender has become a trademark on all my bikes. My Audax friends have said that it gets burned onto their retina on a long night stage.

Hope this all helps someone make a decision about something.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on March 31, 2012, 02:39:50 pm: thanks fred i'm actually up staires with all my gear spread out on the bed i did try and pact everything into the rear ortlieb plus but failed miserably >:(
so it look's like i will have to use the front panniers.
have you a system where to put stuff.my bedding takes up near enough one pannier.
anyway any help greatly appreaciared ;)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Relayer on March 31, 2012, 04:08:19 pm: Fred

I am so glad you have got the RT bug back, after all you have done with/to that bike it is almost as if it deserves to stay with you for life!

I read all your posts and looked at all your pictures several times before I got my RST, so you (and the other Fred!) had an influence in me taking the plunge. And, I also fall a bit out of love with my RST from time to time, but it is reassuring to see that this happens to others as well ... and more importantly that the process can come full circle.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Pavel on March 31, 2012, 05:03:51 pm: So ... now .... I wonder all of a sudden if my Nomad could do some Audax's? I think I'd enjoy the funny looks! 8)

I want to chime in that in my experience, carrying the same amount of luggage and weight I find it better even if I can squeeze it all onto the back to put some weight on the front. It seems to change the handling much for the better if there are about 4 - 7 killos up front. In fact if I only carry a bit ... it is in the front.

I've got the large Ortieb bike packer bags which carry a fair amount and also the medium size rack pack. I used to have my tent and sleeping bag in the rack pack but somehow I just don't like using the rack pack with the Thorn rear rack as the bags rise up over the top of the rack by a good five inches when full.

Does anyone of you here with Audax experience find that for Audax riding it is of benefit to have a slightly smaller frame than for regular riding or touring?
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: geocycle on April 01, 2012, 05:28:33 pm: Good to hear your update Fred. There's no question that rt's re designed for load carrying. For me the shock is that I sometimes forget hat I am hauling!
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on April 01, 2012, 06:01:16 pm: a frien of my son went touring in norhern ireland the other day on his beautiful top of the line raven tour.i seen the bike in the flesh only a few weeks ago, what a machine and so light but he did have all top notch gear on it.
he tours a lot in france but its credit card touring :-[ but he was telling me the bike is faultless over any terraine.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Pavel on April 01, 2012, 07:32:13 pm: I wonder if there is a great difference between the Raven and Raven sport in handling. With lightweight tyres and rims and no racks I wonder how light the Raven could be made?
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on April 01, 2012, 07:42:01 pm: emm much lighter i would have thought, carbon cranks/ carbon seat post/ carbon stem and bars/ rims and tires TI racks/carbon cages. fizik alanti saddle with carbon rails..

that should just about do the trick. ;D
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Pavel on April 01, 2012, 08:02:58 pm: That does sound like a worthy project!

Let's see, where did I put that panhandling cup? :D
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: sg37409 on April 01, 2012, 09:24:27 pm: Nice pics, looking forward to a up-coming tour is a real pleasure.
Not got anything as good as a brittany camping trip planned myself, but got a few longer day & weekend rides planned this summer on my rst. Entered a 300 audax later this month and think I'll use this bike for it.

(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6118/6890129516_c51cc07a7e_z.jpg)
(http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6037/6890130528_a440f6501f_c.jpg)
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7245/7036225145_449ef57a64_c.jpg)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on April 01, 2012, 09:44:24 pm: Class ;)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Pavel on April 01, 2012, 10:58:30 pm: Yes, very nice. The scenery in the background on that last shot is impressive too. What size is that RST and how do you like the shifter on the accessory bar?
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on April 01, 2012, 11:09:30 pm: Quote from: Pavel on March 31, 2012, 05:03:51 pm
So ... now .... I wonder all of a sudden if my Nomad could do some Audax's? I think I'd enjoy the funny looks! 8)

Why would you think a Nomad would get you funny looks?

(http://thedailyrandonneur.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/p8210521.jpg)

Drew Buck did 1225km (760 miles) in less than 4 days on this. I think he was a few hours quicker than me.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: jags on April 01, 2012, 11:17:19 pm: Wow that is class when i was at the benson cycle rally couple years back thee was lots of guys and bikes like ths all in perfect working order that includes the pilots as well. ;D
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: sg37409 on April 01, 2012, 11:32:55 pm: I like the shifter on the accessory bar a lot. I like drops and changing via the accessory bar is no hassle at all. I hit my knee on it a couple of times at first but I learned not not now. I see fredderered uses same set-up but has no spacer between accessory bar and 'bars. I still need to do a few tweaks in this area.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on April 02, 2012, 08:46:59 am: Quote from: sg37409 on April 01, 2012, 11:32:55 pm
I like the shifter on the accessory bar a lot. I like drops and changing via the accessory bar is no hassle at all. I hit my knee on it a couple of times at first but I learned not not now. I see fredderered uses same set-up but has no spacer between accessory bar and 'bars. I still need to do a few tweaks in this area.

It's a balancing act between bashing your knee on the shifter and having enough room for your knuckles when turning the shifter.

I use a very long stem which gives me lots of knuckle clearance. That means I can have the shifter set very high to avoid knee clearance problems. It looks like your stem won't allow that so you'll need a few spacers. Your stem also slopes down which gives even less clearance.

It's not a bike I honk out of the saddle much on, certainly not fully loaded.

I was considering the Gilles Berthoud shifter...I still am in fact. I'm just worried it will take up too much space on the bar tops. It would make touring even more relaxed if it worked though.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Danneaux on April 02, 2012, 03:41:45 pm: Quote
It's a balancing act between bashing your knee on the shifter and having enough room for your knuckles when turning the shifter.
Would it be possible to mount the shifter on Thorn's longer 105mm Accessory T-bar, thus putting it forward of one's knee? Would it still be reachable?

My, what gorgeous bikes and scenery!

Best,

Dan.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: sg37409 on April 02, 2012, 04:10:33 pm: Yes, I'm looking at the GB shifter also. I saw one in the flesh recently and its nice, but was a bit bigger / bulkier than I thought.
The trouble with putting the shifter too far forward is that I might not be able to use a 'bar bag.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: richie thornger on April 02, 2012, 06:33:28 pm: I'll definitely chip in with others that weight on the front makes a Raven Tour handle better.
I've been gradually adding the weight on to mine to get used to riding fully loaded again for my RTW trip.
It wasn't until I put about 5 kilos on the front, that it felt like my bike again.
I'll probably top out at about 8kg each side on the front and a few in the bar bag on the accessory bar.
I was up to 130kg this Saturday. Bike,Luggage & Rider. I weigh 76kg. I've still got another 10kg or so to go until all my gear is on. So I think my total weight will be about 150kg allowing for gifts of half an apple tree or 6 pots of honey that I will no doubt collect on my travels from kind people.
I ride on as low pressures as I can get away with. I find the heavy weight just takes all the spring out of the bike.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: Danneaux on April 02, 2012, 06:59:31 pm: Richie,

The weights you mentioned are just about spot-on for mine when setting off on a big tour in remote areas, and also about par for most world-tourists. Thanks for detailing your weights; the triangulation always helps.

Yes, carrying weight up front makes a tremendous positive difference in bike handling. And yes, a heavy load like that does take all the spring out of a bike. Well said!

May I suggest some dehydrated water to ease your load? It helps a lot. See: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=3868.0 ;)

Best,

Dan.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: freddered on May 15, 2012, 12:35:51 pm: If you ever wondered what a Raven Tour looks like, fully loaded with camping gear, stood outside a Normandy Bakery......well, it looks exactly like this.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-R03ROhhj7wg/T7Iufqh0p3I/AAAAAAAAAI0/JfE_QW_JlHg/s640/img_2464.jpg)

I snapped a rear spoke on day 2 of a 4 day tour but the wheel hung on in there with only a slight loosening of the brake calipers required to stop rubbing. The fully loaded setup was VERY heavy so I'm happy it got me back.

Note. The Raven Tour handling improved (in my opinion) with the addition of low-riders at the front. It damped the steering and it all became extremely relaxed. I was forced into 2nd gear on a few occasions around North West (coastal) Normandy, it gets very much like Devon around there and I was very glad of the Rohloff to help winch myself out of some small harbour towns.

Apart from the spoke (which could happen to any bike at any time) it performed flawlessly. I'm glad I finally got to use it for it's intended purpose.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on
Post by: JimK on May 15, 2012, 02:14:51 pm: Quote from: freddered on May 15, 2012, 12:35:51 pm
exactly like this.

Oooo, I could have mistaken that for heaven!

We're lucky to have a good bakery nearby, http://www.breadalone.com/ (http://www.breadalone.com/). I'll get a multigrain baguette and fold it into my saddlebag. A handful every hour or so and I can ride happily for many miles!
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: Danneaux on May 15, 2012, 02:22:50 pm: A very fine photo, Fred, and a nice summary account of your trip.

Any chance we'll be seeing more in the Gallery? Judging by this one photo, it would be a genuine treat to see more!

Sorry about the spoke breaking, but that wasn't too bad considering.

Thanks for sharing with us (going back for another look; as Jim said, "heaven on earth").

Best,

Dan.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on May 15, 2012, 07:50:59 pm: Well, you asked for more...

St Malo
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Veni72lySOE/T7IuB4QIzZI/AAAAAAAAABs/T2vJu6XMgNM/s640/IMG_2367_1.JPG)

Supermarche (check out the bottle cages)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uI6VVfQhmKU/T7IuJyhqdfI/AAAAAAAAAD0/eeUyJbWZG0w/s640/IMG_2395_1.JPG)

Normandy Beach (with my mate's Raven Tour in Blue)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-enempblz2iU/T7IuLCGzABI/AAAAAAAAAEM/xgnVbuvvo40/s640/IMG_2401_1.JPG)

Me, at some beach
(http://i379.photobucket.com/albums/oo237/chillmoister/St%20Malo%20to%20Cherbourg%20-%20May%202012/189.jpg)

Me, discovering that northen Normandy is bloody hilly
(http://i379.photobucket.com/albums/oo237/chillmoister/St%20Malo%20to%20Cherbourg%20-%20May%202012/269.jpg)

Finally, me securing Raven Tour to A Brittany Ferries "Fast Cat" car deck.
(http://i379.photobucket.com/albums/oo237/chillmoister/St%20Malo%20to%20Cherbourg%20-%20May%202012/291.jpg)

That's enough photos of my Raven Tour for now, you all need to go and lie down for a while and calm down I think.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: Danneaux on May 15, 2012, 07:55:01 pm: Quote
...northen Normandy is bloody hilly...
I thought so, too!

Fred, these are really marvelous photos, and I surely do thank you for posting them. Outstanding!

Quote
...you all need to go and lie down for a while and calm down I think...
Yeah, I reckon. Too much hyperventilating over wonderful touring locales isn't good. Will be back for the occasional look-see in small doses. ;)

Really nice job, Fred. Thanks so much for sharing.

All the best,

Dan. (back for another quick peek...can't hurt to have one more looksee...)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: sg37409 on May 15, 2012, 08:17:18 pm: Great pics, that looks a brilliant wee tour. You carried a lot of gear: did you find you had too much ?
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on May 16, 2012, 09:41:52 am: Quote from: sg37409 on May 15, 2012, 08:17:18 pm
Great pics, that looks a brilliant wee tour. You carried a lot of gear: did you find you had too much ?

Mostly my rear panniers are full of bulk, not weight. I use a big self-inflating mattress (Alpkit Airic) because you can't beat a good night's sleep and a luxurious Sleeping Bag (Mountain Equipment Sleepwalker) for the same reason. They are both bulky items but I don't care as they make for a nicer experience. My friends complained of thin sleep mats and restricting sleeping bags.

I also used my new Vango Spirit 200+ tent. Another fairly bulky item but it's huge when erected and would make life a lot more bearable in the rain, something I expected which never occurred.

If I'd known that the rain would hold off I could have taken a lot less but the RT managed perfectly well and we were only aiming for around 90km a day so we could take our time, enjoy some nice lunches, and be on a campsite around 6pm.

We covered about 320km over the 4 days. To put that into perspective we did that distance every day for 4 days during Paris-Brest-Paris (and the qualifiers) so it was a great experience being able to forget about Audax time constraints and plod along, not caring about the clock.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: jags on May 16, 2012, 12:19:08 pm: great pic's fred only just seen this post ,when we toured northern france we were washed out of it never seen rain like it in all my life ;D ;D and they say it rains in ireland.

anyway fred great to see your clocking up the miles on that beauti ;)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on May 21, 2012, 02:18:08 pm: A closer view of my fully loaded RT

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GMujtekU68s/T7o8WT9KMII/AAAAAAAAAKM/NZCpt3rDWC0/s640/Thorn%2520Raven%2520Luggage.jpg)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on June 18, 2013, 04:49:37 pm: Hard to believe a year has passed since that tour from St Malo to Cherbourg.

I just returned from a similar camping trip from Le Havre to Cherbourg (the east coast of the peninsula this time).
Once again it performed flawlessly. A dream to ride 50-60 miles a day for 4 days with full luggage on board.

I can't think what else to say about it any more. It sits in my garage most of the year and, when the time comes, I dig it out, squirt some oil on the chain, hang a ton of luggage on it and ride it between campsites. It's no fuss, comfy and works better the heavier you load it.

I'd probably recommend another Thorn for a general purpose bike. Unless you are going to carry a lot of luggage then the Raven is a bit of an overkill. For a start the gearing that suits loaded touring isn't ideal for the road, you just won't use those bottom 4 gears.

It's the perfect "mule" though.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qSV5prK5t8o/UcAP02oFkAI/AAAAAAAABQM/Rw4k9SBDFcw/w958-h719-no/IMG_8925.JPG)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JLGdetguqUw/UcAP2hKVxBI/AAAAAAAABQY/KzqQ2qM-4ys/w958-h719-no/IMG_8936.JPG)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Djc6Kucgea8/UcAP9gUaUZI/AAAAAAAABR0/5ZdpAkS1eTk/w958-h719-no/IMG_8990.JPG)

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ndVfWZwG2rQ/UcA9ZTqcMjI/AAAAAAAABXg/uRI9OKSdWxU/w958-h719-no/IMG_9058.JPG)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bdKV6zq1j-U/UcAQJSLDnNI/AAAAAAAABUE/B_Zro3EKxY0/w958-h719-no/IMG_9111.JPG)

OK, I admit it....I take pictures with a view to posting on this forum...marketing shots if you like.

However I know that many people, like me a couple of years ago, wanted to see as many photos of these "Mules" in as many situations as possible before buying.

I also know that others, like me even further back, just like looking at photos of Thorn Ravens.

Hope this provides a nice "fix".

Note. It still hasn't missed a gearshift. It gives you a smug feeling, hearing people with full luggage, desperately crunching gears when a hill kicks in. With a Rohloff you can (a) get in the correct gear while stationary at the traffic lights (b) just click-click-click as the gradient increases, knowing that a "click" means it's perfectly in gear. This is all very reassuring when you are hauling a big load up a steep hill.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: Danneaux on June 18, 2013, 04:54:05 pm: Quote
Hope this provides a nice "fix".
Oh, indeed it does, Fred, indeed it does!

Lovely photos as usual from you, and they portray the bike and the nice time you have so well. I am familiar with the area, and think you got some fantastic shots; so glad you were able to go.

Nothing like the right tool for the job, is there? Kitted out and built up so nicely, the bike looks as fresh as always.

May you have many more such wonderful vacations in years to come, Fred; thanks so much for sharing.

All the best,

Dan. (...who -- yes -- will be returning for more looks at these)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: jags on June 18, 2013, 05:27:41 pm: Fred that last photo it class did that bird just happen along or is it a bit of trickery ;D ;D
thanks for posting fred great photos bike and pilot looking good capt. ;)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on June 18, 2013, 06:20:58 pm: Quote from: jags on June 18, 2013, 05:27:41 pm
Fred that last photo it class did that bird just happen along or is it a bit of trickery ;D ;D
thanks for posting fred great photos bike and pilot looking good capt. ;)

Ah yes. It's actually a huge plate-glass window (I guess to keep the Fort du Cap Levi sheltered for tourists) with bird sticker on it. Maybe to stop birds flying into the glass.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on June 18, 2013, 06:28:39 pm: Just realised it's 7 & 1/2 years old !!!!!!!
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: Matt2matt2002 on June 18, 2013, 08:45:04 pm: Great to see these pictures since I have a Raven as well.
Did you mention a RTW tour last year? Did it happen?

I hope to kick off a long tour next year, East from Turkey.

Interested to hear your comments on front weight. I have the panniers but have not yet been out with a load fore and aft.

Matthew
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on June 20, 2013, 11:08:38 am: Round The World? Me? No.

It doesn't appeal to me to be honest. Western Europe will probably be my limit and there's still a lifetime of France to discover by bike.
I prefer to get to know somewhere well rather than just travel through it, seeing the things everyone thinks I need to see.

If I ever get the opportunity to go out playing with my mates on bikes for more than a week then I'd like to ride from Santander to Cherbourg, camping every 50 miles along the Atlantic coast. Alternatively a similar ride down to Nice or Barcelona. So there's 3 to 4 weeks.

It would be great to do but not worth the messy divorce.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on June 28, 2013, 11:51:35 am: (https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-RYPSe61E_Kg/Uc1nipHuLVI/AAAAAAAABgA/Ci4h23bNqbg/w958-h719-no/Raven+Tour+Normandy+D-Day+2500.jpg)

A close-up so you can see more of the setup (including the shifter mounted on an accessory bar)
Note Milk Bottle mudflap extension.
Note toe-strap around 3rd bottle cage (toe straps are invaluable. I carry 4 spares so I can secure wine bottles in cages and as "parking brakes", tightened around brake levers. A parking brake is essential on ferries. You can also string a few together to anchor your bike to the ferry). Most of all though a parking brake on your front wheel stops that annoying tendency of your bike to roll and collapse in a big heap.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: JimK on June 28, 2013, 12:11:16 pm: great photo, great bike!
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: jags on June 28, 2013, 01:43:04 pm: Class photo fred .
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: Planet X on June 28, 2013, 01:56:05 pm: Good idea about the toe straps.
Going to buy a few now.
Thanks.
:)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: Planet X on June 28, 2013, 02:02:53 pm: Then again.............the price of them!!!!!!
Going to go for Velcro as below, seems better valve......
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cable-Tex-Black-Velcro-Strap-Lengths/dp/B004AF25RM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1372424454&sr=8-5&keywords=velcro+straps
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: John Saxby on June 28, 2013, 02:59:55 pm: Thanks, Fred. Very helpful foto--good details of a fine-looking bike which has served you well. Finalizing my specs for a new Raven purchase this fall, so your shifter mount for drop bars is of particular interest. Ditto your use of toe-straps for bottles and brake-lever locks. I use Q-R rubber ties of different lengths for similar purposes -- will check my supply of discarded toe-straps in the workshop, however. (Here's the link to the QR ties: http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=65393&cat=2,43319,33283 Dirt cheap, multiple uses.)

Safe riding for many more years! - J.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: Danneaux on June 28, 2013, 03:03:57 pm: Fred!

I do so very much enjoy seeing photos of your RT; it is just beautifully turned out and trimmed oh-so-neatly for touring. "Every hair in place", so to speak, and right off the cover of a touring/travel magazine -- well done!
Quote
toe straps are invaluable.
I surely agree! Their uses only seem to grow. I use mine as a "bottle truss" under the downtube as well. Very handy for preventing loss and wear.

Seeing your bike makes me wish I had acquired my Ortlieb Packers when they still had the straps over the caps, as your rear ones do. Seems like such a useful design, it is hard to imagine why they removed them. I surely like the colors you chose as well. I kept returning to photos of your shifter mount as I looked for a solution myself.

Very nice, indeed. Thanks for favoring us with another terrific photo of a wonderful bike.

Best,

Dan.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on July 04, 2013, 12:35:52 pm: Thanks all (Hi praise coming from you Danneaux...I've seen your rig).

1 - Toe Straps. Yes they seem expensive but they are better than the alternatives (actually is £9 a pair expensive for something that will last a lifetime?)

2 - Here's a photo showing a better view of my shifter (as people seem to find it useful). I occasionally bang my knee on it, but usually only the first 5 minutes after I ride it, climbing out of the saddle, then I must adapt subconsciously. I never honk out of the saddle when I'm fully loaded so it's never been an issue.

This setup has been perfect for 7 years, I personally see no need to look at an alternative.

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Cv3b8GmY5vU/UdVXVd47D7I/AAAAAAAABig/Ipe-Dn7oDj4/w958-h719-no/IMG_9166.JPG)

Here's my touring "cockpit" showing Garmin Etrex (and toestraps in side of Bar Bag). Looking at this makes me a bit homesick for the touring life (if you can be homesick for being away from home). Wunderlust maybe.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QdFS57PqhSw/UdVei-5739I/AAAAAAAABi4/MRsYCTM-2m4/w958-h719-no/IMG_9139.JPG)

3 - Finally, I just bought a Tubus rack to replace my Blackburn. Nothing wrong with the Blackburn, just that Evans Cycles were selling the Tubus for £25! What was I supposed to do? Anyway I was so impressed with the front Tubus low-riders that I wanted the same high quality at the rear. Those Tubus racks are rock solid, very, very impressed with them.

Also new Chain, Chain ring and sprocket (and oil..but you can't see that). It was in need of some new drive components.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7GBD7GeH5oQ/UdVXUG1BF2I/AAAAAAAABiU/s7bd-jlnWdY/w958-h719-no/IMG_9165.JPG)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: jags on July 04, 2013, 09:26:38 pm: Fred how exactly do you plan a route on the legend. ;)

bike still looking class.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: Danneaux on July 04, 2013, 10:41:19 pm: Quote
bike still looking class.
...And a half!

Every detail: Love how the Garmin sits alongside the stem on the other side of the T-bar, and the T-bar is flipped to echo the upward angle of the stem. Even the FSA logo on the steerer cap is aligned fore and aft; don't always see that. Still madly enthused about the color.

Best,

Dan.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on July 29, 2013, 11:02:51 am: Quote from: jags on July 04, 2013, 09:26:38 pm
Fred how exactly do you plan a route on the legend. ;)

For UK routes I use FUGAWI digital OS Maps on my PC.
I plot a route and then upload it to the Garmin using Mapsource (supplied).

For France I use Open Source Maps http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/ (http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/) and do basically the same.

Out on the road the GPS is just invaluable. OSM maps tend to include a good amount of local detail (train stations, camp sites, cafes..etc) that really help. I just locate what I want and press the "Navigate" button. It's not as clear as a car's satnav but it keeps you heading in the right direction when you get really off track and disorientated. If I don't know an area then it travels with me.

It also has an "Estimated Time of Arrival" display. It's not sophisticated, using just your current speed, but it's a really reassuring feeling knowing you'll arrive at camp somewhere around 5pm, and not 10pm. Use 2x AA batteries (which last 2 full days) and I highly recommend it.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on July 29, 2013, 11:08:09 am: Quote from: Danneaux on July 04, 2013, 10:41:19 pm
...And a half!

Every detail: Love how the Garmin sits alongside the stem on the other side of the T-bar, and the T-bar is flipped to echo the upward angle of the stem. Even the FSA logo on the steerer cap is aligned fore and aft; don't always see that. Still madly enthused about the color.

Best,

Dan.

Thanks.

You give me too much credit. The steerer cap is aligned by pure chance and the steerer bolt makes up for that by being rusty.

The T-bar (SJS Accessory bar) is superb and means the shifter falls perfectly to hand without any reaching.

This all acts as a reminder to go and finish my long-sue maintenance. I fitted a new Sprocket, chain, Chainwheel before my holidays.

I took the opportunity to take a look at the internal cable-pulley and wire. Somehow I managed to turn it into a 13 speed hub.
I haven't had chance to find my error yet but I expect it was in 9th or 7th (not 8th) when I refitted the pulley.
Does that sound about right?
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on March 30, 2014, 04:14:20 pm: An upcoming 200k Audax in Devon (including lots of gratuitous climbing around Lynmouth) tempted me to get the Raven Tour out of semi-retirement.

For the last few years it's been getting used once a year, for French camping trips. Now I'm in desperate need of it's MTB-like gearing.

New chain, chainring, sprocket, inner gear cable (thank goodness for Youtube to explain how to do that) and finally a much needed oil-change. I took all the racks off to make it lighter (well..less heavy anyway) and took it into some local hills to test out the "granny gears". It worked perfectly as usual, the 1.5" tyres soaking up the worst of the potholes, the AVID "Ultimate" brakes making light work of the steep descents.

Yes it's a heavy old thing but I just need something bomb-proof with good brakes and a "winch" gear for next weekend. Even then I expect I'll be pushing it up and out of some Devon fishing villages.

Photos - Near Combe Gibbet - Mar 30 2014. ("Newbury Downs" - just over the border into Berkshire, in the corner where Wiltshire meets Hampshire meets Berkshire).

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-E_GF5t95hVQ/Uzg0Orlg6WI/AAAAAAAAClQ/Ti4OJNi8d8E/w1486-h865-no/thorn+raven+2014.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_HtEvTmbZX8/Uzg0cPsYReI/AAAAAAAACmA/hGxlHP8I8Ck/w1153-h865-no/IMG_9269-002.JPG)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: Danneaux on March 30, 2014, 04:45:27 pm: Hi Fred!

The bike looks as good and determined as ever...and so does the rider.

Best of luck on your upcoming Audax. You'll do well, I'm sure!

Absolutely terrific photos, nicely shared; thanks!

Best,

Dan.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: sg37409 on April 06, 2014, 11:28:42 am: How did the audax go ? I was also planning a 200k+ ride and thought I'd use my RST. Based on the "white knuckle" audax I did years back, I decided I'd use the C7 cycle path, which is nothing but muddy forrest track for a while, and thought the rohloff would be good for that. It was a great ride, and the highlight was coming back over the last hill in the dark and seeing the city lights all laid out below. Took this pic on the C7 path near to the (misty) top of glen ogle, in the only weather I've got up there. The climb from Kenmore over Glen Quaich forced me into gear 1 for the 1st time on this bike and was in it for ages. Absolute Killer Climb !!

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7063/13663420683_57295deebe_z.jpg)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: Danneaux on April 06, 2014, 04:40:17 pm: Terrific shot going into the mist, Steve.

Best,

Dan.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: Donerol on April 06, 2014, 05:01:42 pm: I'm trying to work out how Freddered has managed to fit his v-brakes so that the noodles are on the opposite side of 'normal', allowing a straighter cable run than is usual with a UK set up (front lever on the right)?

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7GBD7GeH5oQ/UdVXUG1BF2I/AAAAAAAABiU/s7bd-jlnWdY/w958-h719-no/IMG_9165.JPG)

Am I just being stupid and missing the obvious? (Feel free to tell me :D )
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: sweats on April 07, 2014, 09:05:41 pm: Does he fit them back to front if you see what I mean (front right on front left)?
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: geocycle on April 07, 2014, 09:08:56 pm: Are they avid ultimates which have a reversible noodle?
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: Donerol on April 07, 2014, 11:37:54 pm: Quote from: sweats on April 07, 2014, 09:05:41 pm
Does he fit them back to front if you see what I mean (front right on front left)?
It doesn't make any difference - I've tried!

Quote from: geocycle on April 07, 2014, 09:08:56 pm
Are they avid ultimates which have a reversible noodle?
Yes, he mentioned that upthread - so that is the answer. I didn't know you could gets brakes with a reversible noodle - shame about the price :( .

Thanks!
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on April 09, 2014, 04:20:55 pm: Quote from: geocycle on April 07, 2014, 09:08:56 pm
Are they avid ultimates which have a reversible noodle?

To confirm - Yes, they are AVID Ultimate. Reversible "Noodle" and proper bearings. Very smooth, very powerful.

Are they worth it? Absolutely. A high quality item, expensive if you don't intend to keep the bike for life but cheap if you do. A noticeable improvement on the supplied Shimanos.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on April 09, 2014, 04:45:33 pm: Quote from: sg37409 on April 06, 2014, 11:28:42 am
How did the audax go ? I was also planning a 200k+ ride and thought I'd use my RST.

Time to be honest. The Audax didn't go well. I abandoned after 120km, after a long climb out of Lynmouth and Lynton.

1) I was picking up a cold, nothing serious, just enough I think to knock my fitness back by 5%-10%.

2) I haven't got my fitness back for seriously hilly rides like this yet (There are several long, long climbs...and steep, in Devon).

3) The Thorn wasn't ideal. Yes, I know..heresy on the Thorn Forum but let me explain.

My Raven Tour is a heavy bike, with heavy tyres but with very low gears when I need them. I thought the low gears would outweigh the heavy bike and heavy tyres (so to speak).
In reality I didn't ever get to use the lowest 2 gears and it all felt a bit ponderous trying to keep up with the lighter road bikes.
Schwalbe Marathon 26x1.5" tyres do not spin-up long steep climbs. When you are carrying a heavy camping load this is all irrelevant as the extra weight of the bike is lost in the overall scheme of things and the slow pace of loaded touring.

My Raven Tour is absolutely perfect for carrying luggage around the world, I'd have no hesitation using it for a round-the-world trip.

The front-end handling actually improves when you hang Low-Rider panniers off it (It's rather twitchy otherwise, surprisingly).

It's also a perfect bike if you only ever need one bike for everything (although, if you never intend to go fully-loaded touring, you should look at a lighter Thorn Rohloff bike)

I've done 100km, 200km, 300km & 600km Audaxes on it but generally I was riding alone, at my own, Raven, pace. In a group of Fast Tourers and Carbon road bikes you just can't keep up and, in my constant attempt to keep up, I burnt out.
I'm sure the ride is possible if I addressed (1) and (2) above but only if I stuck to my own pace, which is largely dictated by riding a bomb-proof Global Tourer.

In the end I rode 120km and climbed 2500metres, which is a not insignificant amount of climbing in such a short distance.

That's me at the front, climbing to the top of Exmoor..it's a very long drag to get there but the most amazing descent down to Lynmouth harbour.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ddGxAS6azQw/U0VpmNc-2fI/AAAAAAAACn0/LsYhhkbkDc4/w1150-h865-no/VOTR+5+crop.jpg)

Me from the reverse angle. Yes, I am completely finished at this point.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-epGejHrsy84/U0VpjhUkWpI/AAAAAAAACng/u8U2iWJUDTY/w1534-h865-no/VOTR+Lee+crop+16x9+-+Kieran+photo+1.jpg)

And finally, me, 10 minutes before I said "enough of all this Devon climbing, I'm heading for Barnstaple Train Station".
This is the Toll Road out of Lynton, en-route to Combe Martin.
My friends had plenty of time to take photos as they patiently waited for me. If you listen carefully you can hear me swearing "F***ing Devon!"
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xH5DPrWYOsU/U0VppS3ZXAI/AAAAAAAACn4/Bexw_v5ruUg/w1538-h865-no/Lee+VOTR+Toll+Road+2014-001.jpg)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: Danneaux on April 09, 2014, 05:56:54 pm: Wonderful photos and a terrific effort, Fred'; I think you did well given the coming head-cold, the hills, and the pace whilst astride a bike not best suited for that task. 120km in *those* hills? Respect -- big-time!

Loved the followup report.

All the best,

Dan.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: JimK on April 09, 2014, 06:06:48 pm: 2500 m of climbing! That is monstrous! My biggest day was a couple years ago and more like 1500 m. Near the end I was sitting by the side of the road for a quick snack and a fellow driving by stopped to ask whether he should call an ambulance!

My Nomad is very nice for slow and steady but forget keeping up with anybody else, especially on the hills!
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on April 09, 2014, 07:14:00 pm: Quote from: JimK on April 09, 2014, 06:06:48 pm
2500 m of climbing! That is monstrous! My biggest day was a couple years ago and more like 1500 m.

Well it's all relative to the distance you ride I suppose. 1500m in 150km is an average of 1% as is 6000m in 600km. 1% and less is fairly benign.

Anything above 1.5% I'd call strenuous, anything above 1.9% I'd call extremely challenging.

That's based on a spreadsheet of many rides I have kept, ranging from 50km - 600km rides.

I would think long and hard before I attempted a ride of >200km with an average gradient >2%, especially around Hampshire/Wiltshire because the hills are usually short and sharp. The same climbing in Wales can be done on longer, less steep, hills which suit my lardy build better.
I wouldn't be concerned at all about any distance with an average gradient of <1%.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: jags on April 09, 2014, 07:33:14 pm: when i cycled with the group on my sherpa i suffered like a dog when the speed went up many a time i took the short cut home on my todd its called using the head.well done fred you rode until you droped hard as feckin nails. ;)

anto.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: JimK on April 09, 2014, 08:53:43 pm: I've been using MapMyRide.com to track my rides. Going back to look at that big ride... the elevation gain it gives me now is 2800 feet whereas when I first plotted it, it said 4100 feet. Over 70 miles it should be pretty easy either way, by your rating. 50 feet of climbing per mile actually should be reasonable. I get the idea that MapMyRide gives flaky numbers!

What do you use to tally up the climbing on a ride?

It was though one gnarly hill that really took it out of me:

http://www.mapmyride.com/us/delhi-ny/pepacton-double-bonus-route-96862877 (http://www.mapmyride.com/us/delhi-ny/pepacton-double-bonus-route-96862877)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: sg37409 on April 09, 2014, 11:37:17 pm: Nae luck but good effort anyway. I did a hilly 200 on my RST and stuck with my usual groups. Managed it for a while but dropped off them (mercifully) to finish on my own miles back. I walked up a hill for the 1st time on an audax, and also had a lie down in a bus shelter. Such is the effort of staying in a group on a RST on a long hilly ride.

I was more confident I'd be ok on the RST on my recent solo 230k, and I was, but the speed was very slow (18.2 kph)
Its a really nice ride if you take your time, but if I try to hurry it along, I'll suffer. I'd assume the RT is like this only more so.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on April 10, 2014, 12:18:48 pm: Quote from: JimK on April 09, 2014, 08:53:43 pm
What do you use to tally up the climbing on a ride?

I plot it in FUGAWI.

Ascent is one of those things it's unwise to compare with people, especially if they use different tools to measure it.
Some GPS devices are wildly innacurate, as proved on many rides where 2 devices can be out of synch by hundreds of metres.

I've always used FUGAWI so my figures are consistent...but just for me (and any other FUGAWI users).
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on April 10, 2014, 12:26:27 pm: Quote from: sg37409 on April 09, 2014, 11:37:17 pm
I'd assume the RT is like this only more so.

I think so.

It hurts me to criticise my RT but it's quite ponderous when compared to even a lightweight tourer (never mind a Carbon Road bike).

Although the shifter position is fine for leisurely touring it really doesn't lend itself to making regular, quick, shifts on steep and undulating terrain. Some Devon climbs were so sudden and steep that I was nervous about letting go of the bar to reach for the shifter.

I'll stop now because it sounds like the RT is a hopeless bike when, in truth, it's perfect...for what it was designed for.

I made an error of judgement, that I paid for, all day, when I tried to make it do something it just wasn't built for. I shall be re-attaching all the Racks and Low-riders this weekend, ready for it's Normandy mini-tour in September.

Seriously, the moment you hang 4 panniers off the RT, and load up the rack, it suddenly transforms into the most perfect bike for the job possible. Hard to imagine that adding so much weight improves the handling of anything but it really does.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on April 10, 2014, 12:39:52 pm: Just to remind myself that it is perfect at what it was designed for...and to remind me where I'll be going later this year...

Here it is being perfect in Deauville, Normandy.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/JTrCsYWSb49RMWTJXwNdCr9VZQa4A470YYJNH6C6LD0=w1153-h865-no)

And here being perfect as I approach the Pont du Normandie

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1XvMpCUswv8/UcHRSfKmiCI/AAAAAAAABZ4/oeXFJrd-R4k/w1147-h865-no/100_3825.jpg)

And here is what I was taking a photo of. It was steeper than it looks but no problem for a loaded RT.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-FAr7Dh1NJS4/UcAPyIB7vvI/AAAAAAAABPo/tQVJtcdwTSg/w1153-h865-no/IMG_8910.JPG)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on April 10, 2014, 12:53:17 pm: And...from a similar French mini-tour the year before..

Here's my mate Pete, on his similarly-loaded (but flat bar) Raven Tour on the West coast of the Cherbourg peninsula. Absolutely perfect cycling country. Lots of respect and interest from the locals and local drivers. Quiet roads and even quieter beaches.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vTsqNQEFgDc/U0aFk6qxdOI/AAAAAAAACow/E96ruVdmjnM/w1153-h865-no/Pete+Raven+Tour.jpg)

Note. Pete ordered his RT immediately after riding mine around the company car park for 5 minutes.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: geocycle on April 10, 2014, 03:18:35 pm: Thanks for the pictures and the update fred. i agree with all you are saying about the RT. A great bike but not a quick one! I recently swapped frames for an RST. This is noticeably lighter and more manouvrable as well as being very comfortable. However, it's not quick (or at least I'm not quick on it)! I'd say 1 mph quicker than the RT on the moving average. I am a slow rider and I ride for the experience of the journey rather than breaking records, in fact my average is probably only around 12 mph and I would struggle to keep up with the carbon crew. I'd be really interested to hear how the mercury owners are fairing in comparison.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on September 09, 2014, 01:48:09 pm: It must be that time of year when I go camping in Normandy and Brittany again....

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mGs-jNzMcAs/VA71bj1XLSI/AAAAAAAAEJg/3NVXk6NhLLE/w1153-h865-no/Raven%2BLoaded.jpg)

1st gear was deployed a few times. The beauty of a Rohloff is that you can quickly engage "Winch Drive" quickly (or even from standstill) whilst derailleur-equipped friends are frantically mashing gears and shipping chains under full load.

Combination pedals (flat one side, SPD the other) make it ridable in CROCS (not fashionable but the perfect camping footwear as they don't weigh anything and can be worn in rain, the Shower..etc).
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: geocycle on September 09, 2014, 03:12:30 pm: Looks like the perfect bike for the job! I was in Normandy and Brittany this year and loved the experience. The voie verte are mostly great and Brittany has just the right mixture of hills, views and flatlands.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on September 10, 2014, 02:03:01 pm: Yes, it really comes into its own fully loaded, especially on hilly terrain when you really can't afford to miss a gear shift.

The loudest noise you heard from my Rohloff was the barely audible "click" of a shift and the occasional whirring of (what I like to call) the "Egg Whisk" ratios.

These noises are generally nothing in comparison to the mech-crunching, chain-bending, noises you hear from the laden dereilleurs.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: jags on September 10, 2014, 02:49:05 pm: Quote from: freddered on April 10, 2014, 12:53:17 pm
And...from a similar French mini-tour the year before..

Here's my mate Pete, on his similarly-loaded (but flat bar) Raven Tour on the West coast of the Cherbourg peninsula. Absolutely perfect cycling country. Lots of respect and interest from the locals and local drivers. Quiet roads and even quieter beaches.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vTsqNQEFgDc/U0aFk6qxdOI/AAAAAAAACow/E96ruVdmjnM/w1153-h865-no/Pete+Raven+Tour.jpg)

Note. Pete ordered his RT immediately after riding mine around the company car park for 5 minutes.
guy leaning over his bars,obviously not you fred ::) i see he has no front panniers any idea of his set up photo would be great thanks.
jags.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: triaesthete on September 10, 2014, 07:05:06 pm: Fred, what are those huge bottles you have? How much do they hold, and do they do the Profile cages any harm?

Intrigued (and sometimes thirsty)
Ian
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on September 10, 2014, 11:40:39 pm: Quote from: jags on September 10, 2014, 02:49:05 pm
guy leaning over his bars,obviously not you fred ::) i see he has no front panniers any idea of his set up photo would be great thanks.
jags.

Here's a photo of his 2014 setup

(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rL7M0rCtE-Y/VA64u41eC6I/AAAAAAAAEIQ/11NMUgF6pHI/w1153-h865-no/IMG_0164.JPG)

Sorry to disappoint, but he bought front panniers like mine.

The setup you wanted is exactly this minus the front panniers and Tubus rack.

I carry more weight in my front panniers than rear ones, despite the rear ones being larger. I don't like all the weight at the back and 4 panniers make it much easier to organise your life when camping.
My clothing and wash-bag is in my front, right, pannier. When I park on the ferry I just grab that, plus my bar-bag, and head for the cabin.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on September 10, 2014, 11:43:21 pm: Quote from: triaesthete on September 10, 2014, 07:05:06 pm
Fred, what are those huge bottles you have? How much do they hold, and do they do the Profile cages any harm?

Intrigued (and sometimes thirsty)
Ian

I bought them from Halfords because:

1) They have a "nipple cover" which protects me from drinking farming slurry and getting stomach upsets.
2) They are large (750ml ?)
3) They fit the Profile cages fine (as do 750ml Wine Bottles...but secure them with a toe-strap).

FYI..another method of carrying a lot of wine (thanks Mr Ortlieb)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dNQmlNO29t8/VA62WpSJdhI/AAAAAAAAD_k/Mrf5ng7FEqc/w1153-h865-no/IMG_0069.JPG)

NOTE. The Red bottle is Meths (not for drinking).

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fg87h4bzqO8/VA641LWex2I/AAAAAAAAEIs/rvpQg5xNIAw/w1153-h865-no/IMG_0167.JPG)

NOTE 2. The Toe-Strap around the front brake lever is a "Parking Brake". If you don't use one then you should consider using one, because it makes a fully loaded bike an immovable object on a ferry or sloping surface.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: jags on September 11, 2014, 12:04:40 am: class bike for sure ah if ever i get some money i'l buy a rig like that rohloff and all way to go. ::)

thanks for info and photos fred,have you a blog on any of your tours.

anto.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: in4 on September 11, 2014, 03:39:52 pm: Anyone come across a bottle cage that will take a 950mm diameter bottle?
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: Bill C on September 11, 2014, 11:13:45 pm: 950mm diameter bottle? thats a barrel innit?
i have a couple of minura cages that'll take 1.5l pop bottles,,
also got a couple of salsa anything cages that will hold 2.5l cider plastic bottles
2 x 1.5 and a katadyn pocket is normally all i need
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on September 16, 2014, 12:12:10 pm: Quote from: jags on September 11, 2014, 12:04:40 am
class bike for sure ah if ever i get some money i'l buy a rig like that rohloff and all way to go. ::)

thanks for info and photos fred,have you a blog on any of your tours.

anto.

No, I don't have a blog. To be honest I have a very poor memory of any ride. Some people seem to remember every detail but I just seem to slip into a trance-state when I'm cycling.

I tend to take photos instead. My trusty Canon A495 (£49) is now held together with rubber bands but it's the perfect "tour camera" as I can operate it one-handed from my jersey pocket (and I don't mind if I drop it).

What I will say is that I've now done 3 mini-tours (4 days) around Brittany and Normandy over the last 3 years:

1 - St Malo to Cherbourg

2 - Le Havre to Cherbourg

3 - St Malo to Caen.

They all work out about 50 miles a day or less.

The roads are generally superb quality and very quiet. Sometimes, even on the main roads there are no cars visible for miles. Once you turn onto a country lane you can ride for ages without seeing a car.
It's all very stress-free and the drivers you do meet are very courteous.

Campsites in the centre of that peninsula are more scarce than on the coast (where there are several in each town) but it's no problem to find one.

I use Open Source Maps (OSM) downloads (free) onto Garmin Mapsource (or Basecamp) (also free) to plot the route.

OSM is getting very detailed now. 3 years ago there were some gaps but they seem to have been filled now. It shows campsites and supermarkets which is all you really need to know.

I upload a very general Mapsource route onto my old Garmin Etrex and follow that.

It's all very pleasant and relaxed. I can't recommend the area highly enough.

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WUMGwaAsJg0/VA630ecnvOI/AAAAAAAAEEg/qfI7mWZc6lc/w1153-h865-no/IMG_0119.JPG)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8_lR4FkVUs0/VBgWtLkonTI/AAAAAAAAEMU/wFcnPnKO00s/w609-h457-no/Lee%2BNormandy%2Bcycle%2B1.jpg)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZaFjTqkaC6c/VA61O_qOV9I/AAAAAAAAD7U/1Vi0OJcIjlM/w1153-h865-no/IMG_0024.JPG)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xRxj6BCPUds/VA6120fx6qI/AAAAAAAAD9k/wtitL9m5mq4/w1153-h865-no/IMG_0047.JPG)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-myynZQCDSeE/VA64ot7GpRI/AAAAAAAAEH4/ZIeZrH9sQRQ/w649-h865-no/IMG_0161.JPG)

Also my friend's new NOMAD (if you want to go up silly inclines on terrible road surfaces with a full load. It appears that nothing will stop a NOMAD)

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TIUhedJPaN4/VA64vrOz4TI/AAAAAAAAEIY/j0ejqXW3vMk/w1153-h865-no/IMG_0165.JPG)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: jags on September 16, 2014, 12:50:57 pm: CLASS ;)i guess your a bit like me so when it comes to remembering things.someone asks me was i out the weekend i have to ask the wife. ::)

anto.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: Slammin Sammy on September 16, 2014, 03:07:46 pm: Wow, I'm really warming to a tour in France next northern summer! Thanks for the heads-up! It looks amazing.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: jags on September 16, 2014, 03:20:38 pm: only if the sun is out i toured there few years back and boy when it rains it rains.
but yeah it is beautifull great campsites.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on September 16, 2014, 04:28:13 pm: Quote from: Slammin Sammy on September 16, 2014, 03:07:46 pm
Wow, I'm really warming to a tour in France next northern summer! Thanks for the heads-up! It looks amazing.

If I had 2 weeks I think I'd
- head for St Malo (on overnight ferry so you can spend the evening in the bar, get a sleep in a cabin and arrive for breakfast).
- Spend the first week heading slowly up the west coast to Cherbourg
- via Dinan
- bypass Cherbourg and head to Barfleur
- head down the east coast to visit the D-Day beach towns
- head to Le Havre via the seaside towns of Deauville and Honfleur.

I'd spend a couple of nights near some towns, such as St Malo and Dinan, Deauville and Trouville then Honfleur.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: Matt2matt2002 on September 16, 2014, 08:13:15 pm: I did that run 30 years ago.

Only thing is, I was on a motorbike.
I had not discovered the joys of cycling.
But great area for a tour.
Matt
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: playlord on September 20, 2014, 10:00:52 pm: What a wonderful 'Fred' - I'd have paid to read this...release it as an eBook!

Thank you. I've learned a lot

Joe
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on May 03, 2016, 02:28:54 pm: Well, who would have thought?

It was 10 years ago that this turned up in a big cardboard box.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z_3Np6gD7xE/VyinNvlBp_I/AAAAAAAAHZc/lhbbDPkuzBgAIIeO1mqWrz_SjmxgcBX0QCCo/s1024/ravenlarge.jpg)

and today, just over 10 years later (Actually a different frame... swapped under 100 day warranty by SJSC when I didn't get on with Flat Handlebars).

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XNKJZKfwGUM/VyiuFxQQ3FI/AAAAAAAAHZs/iV33MV4arlAFErZ2lS84BLQPpl-juThEgCCo/s1024/a%2BThorn%2BRaven%2B2016%2Ba.jpg)

..and doing what it does best, transporting you and lots of luggage about, with the minimum of fuss.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mGs-jNzMcAs/VA71bj1XLSI/AAAAAAAAEJg/3NVXk6NhLLE/w1153-h865-no/Raven%2BLoaded.jpg)

To my shame I haven't ridden it since November 2014. 2015 was devoted to Paris-Brest-Paris so no camping trips. This year will involve a couple of short lightweight ("credit-card") tours in France.

It may be unridden another year which is criminal really, considering it's now a £2300 RRP bike.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: Danneaux on May 03, 2016, 05:18:05 pm: Freddered!

So good to see "anniversary" photos of your lovely RavenTour.

It has been nice to read of your tours on it, but no less so to read of the Brevets you've taken together.

All best wishes for many more happy rides together.

Dan.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: Raven_Roller on May 04, 2016, 06:30:44 pm: I have just spent a most enjoyable hour reading this whole thread and looking at the lovely pics, along with a cup of coffee and a danish pastry. Life could only be better if I was somehow able to have read it whilst on my Raven!

Thanks freddered.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: geocycle on May 04, 2016, 08:57:18 pm: Quote from: Raven_Roller on May 04, 2016, 06:30:44 pm
I have just spent a most enjoyable hour reading this whole thread and looking at the lovely pics, along with a cup of coffee and a danish pastry. Life could only be better if I was somehow able to have read it whilst on my Raven!

Thanks freddered.

Yes indeed. I bought my Raven at a similar time to Fred so learnt a lot from his experiences. Glad the bike is still doing its job!
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on September 06, 2016, 04:01:03 pm: Well, it's with great sadness that I have decided to sell my Raven Tour.

I don't want to Ebay it, I'd prefer someone on the Forum to buy it (that sort of guarantees a good owner I feel).

My cycling has changed so much since I've owned it, I managed to accumulate way too many bikes and my Raven Tour is a lot of bike to have waiting around for an occasional camping trip.

It needs to be used rather than become a wall hanging.

I don't think I need to do a sales pitch, this whole thread should provide any potential owner with enough details about what the bike is good at.

From a care point of view it hasn't even been wet for about 3 years that I can remember.

Anyway, check out the For Sale section. I'm in no rush so feel free to come over to Hampshire to have a look and a ride.

I'll give full details on the For Sale item but I'm 5'10" and I think it would suit 5'8 -5'11" ish. It's impossible to know until you sit on a bike I find.

I feel it's the end of an era just typing this.

Fred.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: John Saxby on September 06, 2016, 07:56:17 pm: Fred, that must feel like the end of a major stage in your life :-( You and your Raven Tour have always been a source of fine photographs and good stories. Your setup of your bike was a very useful reference point for me as I was ordering my own New Raven in 2013. But if as you say you weren't using your RT much -- well, these bikes are made to be ridden, aren't they?

Trust you'll find a good home. £1400 strikes me as a good price, especially for that nice dark green.

Cheers,

John
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: freddered on November 25, 2016, 04:43:35 pm: Well the Raven Tour has moved on.

10 years of trouble-free ownership (apart from the seat post sticking that one time).

Hopefully the new owner, Alex, will have as much fun and adventure as I did.

I took it for one last (2 mile) ride this morning, to check it was running OK.. of course it was. I forgot just how solid and reassuring they are, pot-holes are just a distant dull "thud" rather than teeth-smashing affairs. I wish I had a reason to use it and keep it but I really don't.

Sooo... I really hope my posts have helped people decide on whether the Raven Tour was for them or not. I knew that I loved looking at owners' Thorns in various situations and it seems my ongoing gallery has helped others cope with dull days in the office and/or conference calls.

Bye for now.

Freddered (Actually LEE, on YACF Cycle forum)
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: Danneaux on November 25, 2016, 04:46:29 pm: All congratulations to buyer and seller alike.

Freddered (as we know you here), you've done a great service with your long-term thread. It surely was a factor in my own purchase.

All the best,

Dan.
Title: Re: My Raven Tour. 3500 miles on (11,000 miles on)
Post by: jags on November 25, 2016, 05:40:08 pm: well done Fred the new owner is getting a class bike for sure fair play to you for keeping it in pristine condition always helps when your selling.

anto.