My Sterling...

[rafiki]

This morning at Praia Do Almargen, Portugal.

[jags]

Wow Just WOW.

class.

jags.

[Danneaux]

Oh! What terrific photos in such a beautiful place, Brian!

Thanks for sharing them with it. The bike looks great!

Best,

Dan.

[alfie1952]

I was out walking the dog about 40 minutes ago when I got absolutely hammered with hailstones, and freezing cold winds.  But would I change places with you.................................... Too bloody right I would.  Stunning !!

Regards Alfie

[rafiki]

Thanks all. The wind is very strong here today thus rather cool and not many people around (the way I like it!). It is rather full of golfers the year round. The area is Vilamoura on the Algarve, a couple of hours drive from where we live in Spain. This is a shot of the coastline just there.....

[in4]

Wonderful to see a Sterling on the board, and in such a wonderful place. I think there is a long distance cycleway not too far away from there; finishes on the Atlantic coast I believe.

[rafiki]

Wonderful to see a Sterling on the board, and in such a wonderful place. I think there is a long distance cycleway not too far away from there; finishes on the Atlantic coast I believe.

Yes the Ecovia do Litoral. http://www.visit-eastalgarve.com/travel_guide/Ecovia.html I haven't followed it much but I read it's poorly marked and somewhat badly maintained. But there you go PT has no money!

[rafiki]

Wonderful to see a Sterling on the board, and in such a wonderful place.

A fuller picture of the bike. The Sterling is about 6 years old, the Kirtland rack bag and the Sigg bottles 20 years old this year. 

[geocycle]

Terrific to have a sterling thread.  It looks well suited to the terrain. What a splendid part of the world as well!

[rafiki]

Whilst on the Sterling topic what happened to the model? Why was it's production discontinued?

[jags]

Just looking at that bike it must be super comfy to ride what with front suspension and thudbuster seatpost .certainly handle rough stuff no problems but (theres always a but).
what is it like on smooth  tarmac  loaded up, is it very sluggish tough animal climbing hills i would imagine.

jags.

[in4]

I've often thought that the Sterling was ahead of its time; a bit of a good all rounder that would suit many cycling styles. I think they call it a Hybrid these days! Perhaps the return of the Sterling is well overdue, but please do not rename it the Euro

PS Those Kirtland bags are legendary and much sought after these days. Your Sterling ensemble is a great set up and ideal for exploring the Spanish/Portugese coast. Which tyres are you running?

[rafiki]

Hi jags and in4. Yes, the Sterling can be a feel a bit heavy on the hills at times but where we live it's quite flat. It is a comfortable ride. When I bought it I had plans for touring but for a variety of reasons that never happened so it is never loaded. In fact I am looking at increasing the size of the chainring because I feel the gearing is a little low in daily use. I have Conti Town and Country 2.0 tyres on at the moment. I am amazed that the Kirtland bag has survived for so long. Black has faded to grey and everything feels a bit brittle but the zips still work smoothly so I don't feel the need to change. I am very happy with the Sterling and run her together with my 20+ year old hybrid Dawes Mean Street.