Raven Tour in Darwin

[garyper]

Well two of them actually as the wife got one as well.

Have put just over 200km on mine so far and I rode home from work today via a walking/MTB track along the coast to test out the Schwalbe Supremes on the dirt.  Bloody fantastic ride and the Raven just keeps getting better and better.  I dont know what it is but I feel like I'm attacking my riding again coming from a Cannondale T1 that didnt quite fit me.  I dont need to say anything about the Rohloff that hasnt been said, it's my first one and I'm happy with the choice. 

I was a bit shocked at the weight of the Raven but I dont really notice it anymore.  We loaded them up on the weekend for a quick ride to see how they feel with a bit of weight and we both were very happy.  Took the panniers off again and the bikes felt light so it's all relative



My Raven


Sandy's Raven

Oh and the Supremes surprised me on the dirt, they're not nobbies but not a scary as I thought.  I'm doing this because we are heading off to the UK next year and on the way are thinking of riding the Munda Biddi Trail in Western Australia and I was worried that we might need a more aggressive tire but they might be OK.

Anyway thought I'd better let the forum know that I had joined the ranks of biased Raven owners.

Cheers
Gary
Darwin NT

http://garysandyperkins.blogspot.com/

[Cake]

Very very nice indeed!

And i'm not in the least bit envious of your travels...... not me.

Enjoy!

[jags]

garyper those are two fantastic looking bikes hope you and the wife have plenty of safe miles on them.
are they solid when fully loaded ,i ride the sherpa myself it's a great little bike (im a little guy )  built like a bloody tank,i found the sherpa heavy but when you ride it, well it's only fantastic magic carpet ride. ;)im not a big fan of the rohloff hub mind you i never used one ,just that im old fashion like things i can fix,anyway well done on the new bikes few more pic's would be great.
cheers
jags.

[garyper]

I also bought a shiny new Brooks B17 Imperial to fit on the Raven so expect a review soon.  So far though, it's OK but not as comfy as my nicely worn-in B17 special but that's to be expected but it does seem better in the middle.  The lacing is needed to prevent sagging and it appears you have to play with the tension to get it right.

I like your description 'magic carpet ride' that is so close to how it feels.

Gary
Darwin, NT

[Relayer]

Just realised from your pics what I need if I want to do some cycle-camping ...  I need my wife to come along with the biggest panniers and an extra huge bag over the top of them!!   

Great looking bikes, I'm sure you'll both have some great times with them.     

[garyper]

Ha, that's funny, it does look like Sandy has bigger panniers

As an aside, we sold our house yesterday, were committed now to our little adventure.

Cheers
Gary
Darwin, NT

[mylesau]

Are you going to keep a journal of your adventure Gary?

[garyper]

We plan to keep some sort of journal, we haven't decided on a format.  We are both aiming to minimise 'stuff' so have decided not to take a laptop...for now.  If we find we want one later on then we'll just buy one.  I know the joy I get from reading the adventures of others so it would only be fair to return the favour.   When we decide on a format and if it's not paper then I'll let everyone know on this forum.

Cheers
Gary
Darwin, NT

[garyper]

What better use of the Ravens then getting to our Xmas party at my brothers place.  We rode because there was a small chance that we may drink some bubbly.  The bikes are going great and we have booked our tickets to Perth for the 13th Feb.  The house sale settles in a couple of weeks.




We had to cable tie a milk crate onto Sandy's bike to hold the pavlova and eclairs.  My bike had the booze.

I guess you guys in the northern hemishere werent wearing shorts on Xmas day

Cheers
Gaz
Darwin, NT

http://garysandyperkins.blogspot.com/

[Crudson]

I guess you guys in the northern hemishere werent wearing shorts on Xmas day

On the contrary old boy, we traditionally wear knitted shorts to match our reindeer decorated
tank-tops that Santa gave us....

We had to cable tie a milk crate onto Sandy's bike to hold the pavlova and eclairs.  My bike had the booze..

Could have squeezed a couple of, ahem, "tinnies" in your bottle holders aswell..!
Good luck with the adventure - sounds superb.

[vik]

I guess you guys in the northern hemishere werent wearing shorts on Xmas day

Cheers
Gaz
Darwin, NT

http://garysandyperkins.blogspot.com/

Some of us were!!!....

Sweet bikes.....here's to many happy miles on them...

safe riding,

Vik
www.thelazyrando.com