Another step closer....

With the Troll having been given a bit of a service along with a couple of modifications, I realised that it was time to start looking at my list of potential "European Adventure" travel requirements, working out what & how I wanted to sort / carry them on my bike, etc.

In the process of going down this line of thinking, I contemplated the idea of using the Melbourne Edition of the Swift Campout, organised by my good friends at Commuter Cycles as a bit of a trial run. During the packing process however I realised that I should apply a water proofer to my tent, given the problems I had experienced in South America and noting that the weather forecast for Melbourne was a bit sketchy! Unfortunately however because I spent time applying then waiting for the "Storm - Fast Dry Proofer" to dry, I missed the boat as it were to meet up with the Commuter Cycle crew.

The Yarra River

I did manage however to get a bit of a ride in on the beloved Troll, along some of the bike paths of Melbourne, including a stretch of road typically used by the road cycling crew, including myself, as a bit of a training ground - The Kew Boulevard. 

Studley Park Boathouse Cafe

As I was in somewhat "relaxed" mode and waiting for the water proofer stuff to dry on my tent, I decided to stop for a coffee at the Studley Park Boathouse Cafe, something that I haven't done in I can't think how long! Years I suspect, despite having ridden past it's driveway countless times in the last 4 - 5 years. 

Essentially it would seem that there's a need / requirement to have at least one cup of coffee when out on a bike, regardless of what type of bike one is riding. 😊 😊 😊

The Troll undergoes a bit of surgery!

As you may recall, a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that I was contemplating the idea of buying a new bike, in the form of a Surly Long Haul Trucker a concept that had been brewing ever since I returned from South America, having seen how well they coped with all manner of conditions on the open road and having been bitten by the bike touring bug.....

The more I started planning & visualizing myself cycling around Europe, the stronger the urge became, to the point I'd started thinking how I'd set it up, etc. Heck, I even had a couple of chats with my mate from Commuter Cycles about potentially putting an order in to get something built up....

It was only when another friend reminded me that I was "touring" and should be taking it easy rather than worrying about Strava segment times or time spent in the saddle getting from Point A to Point B, that I realised that a few minor modifications to the Troll would not only make the trip a little easier / more reliable but would also save me money & storage space in the bike room....

As a consequence, I've revised my "list of essential equipment", I mean it is Europe after all, with towns or villages every 50-100KM or so, not like I am riding the Birdsville Track or The Canning Stock Route. 

Hence the need to buy / fit some additional panniers on the front forks, etc, went out the window as it would after all just encourage me to buy / carry more stuff and I probably wouldn't use it all anyhow, so why bother..... 

Instead, I have invested in a Dynamo Hub and properly mounted lights as opposed to USB rechargeable ones, which now means I can charge a number of my electronic gizzmos, whilst on the go as well as running a set of lights, front & rear, whether I am riding with panniers, handlebar bag or not... 

It also means, I can now ride all night, should I choose to do so, without worrying about batteries going flat.

During the course of my conversations with the good folk at Commuter Cycles I also came to the conclusion that, should I wish to fit panniers to the front of my bike, I'd be better off doing so, with fixed forks rather than the set of suspension forks currently adorning the Troll. Why, cause the weight within the panniers, dampens the effectiveness of the suspension anyhow, as well as limiting the number of suppliers of racks on which to hang the panniers, etc. 

Really...

Whilst at a dinner party on Saturday night, a couple of people asked about where I'd been on my bike, having heard that I was a bit of a fan of using a bicycle as a means of exploring foreign lands... Unfortunately however there were also a couple of others who used it as an opportunity to vent their spleens about how cyclists ran red lights, blocked their roads, and so on, which then initiated the whole almost inevitable argument that cyclists:

• Should carry / require a license if they want to ride on the road;
• Should display a registration plate of one form or another;
• Should pay a tax for the use of said road infrastructure

Having heard all this nonsense before, knowing that their views were entrenched. I decided rather than biting and trying respond to their argument to instead simply get up from the table, help the host with the dishes in the kitchen before departing for the evening. 

Oh, as a bit of a hint as to why I get so hot under about these sorts of stupid suggestions and as a bit of a post-script, here are some comments / thoughts from the endurance cyclist Mike Hall, about cycling in Australia, before he was killed by a motorist on the outskirts of Canberra, earlier this year. 

European Adventure Update No.2

Well the planning & commitment to cycling through Europe just got a little more "real" the other day, when I realised that:

• Whilst it may not change nor cure anything, I have unfinished business to complete in Europe;
• Expecting a more "traditional" life to unfold, in terms of careers, partners, etc, isn't necessarily going to happen;
• All manner of things can change in the blink of an eye, particularly in respect to health and/or lifestyle;
• Having been refused entry through the Pearly Gates twice now, I may not be as lucky next time;
• It's only money and you can't take it with you!

As a result, whilst there's still a few things I'll need to organise before I can go and purchase airline tickets, I have at least dealt with one of the more important issues - I've renewed my passports, though I'll probably "travel" on my British one..... 

Why travel on my British rather than Australian passport I hear you ask? Well, essentially cause I have a little more faith in the British Foreign Office, then I do Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade and secondly because I also suspect it opens a few more doors in terms of relocating to Europe than my Aussie passport does.... 

Thanks Dad for having been a ten pound Pom!

How much I'll have the piss taken out of me for doing so, given their propensity for going to the polls and the subsequent outcomes which ensue, or how well it will serve me given the current debacle / hype around the Brexit 'divorce' proceedings however who knows.... I'll just have to remember to tell those I meet on the road, particularly in France, that I am a dinky-di Aussie, cause I'd hate to be confused for a POM in terms of my sporting allegiances or what have you! 😊 😊 😊 

That just then leaves me in the next couple of weeks to:

• Re-organise my financial affairs.

• Have a chat with my local real estate agent.

• Potentially buy a new bike - A Surly Long Haul Trucker

Now I should explain, that last item on the agenda. Whilst the Surly Troll would work, it's likely to mean more time in the saddle per day to cover the same distance and carrying the same load, than if I rode something with a larger wheel size.

Essentially, I've found (and it's a slightly a biased trial) that when I ride the same route, with what feels like the same effort, that I can only ride the Troll at 75% of the speed of the Felt, something I'm putting down primarily to the difference in wheel size, though weight is probably also a contributing factor. The bike's that is, not mine, you cheeky buggers!

Finally in closing I have to admit that I am beginning to wonder how far North I want to go, given that I may have left my prospective departure date a little late. IE: Is it likely to be getting cold by the time I get to Berlin. 

Decisions, decisions....