[KayakCyndi]

@bmif 172506 wrote:

I’ll gopher it.

Careful there… you may inspire competition.

[KayakCyndi]

@bmif 172506 wrote:

I’ll gopher it.

Careful there …. you may inspire competition.

[KayakCyndi]

@bmif 172183 wrote:

Open to suggestions for location from TEAM MEMBERS. Go.

Beach Shack, Kindred, Westover Beer Garden … Oh wait, never mind. You said TEAM MEMBERS!

[KayakCyndi]

@hozn 164599 wrote:

…. I think I can get this closer to 30 with a little more practice and maybe a couple additional (small) tools.

Sounds like as good as an excuse for bike travel as I can think of …

[KayakCyndi]

@EasyRider 162586 wrote:

Thanks for the ride report. Any pics? I was thinking of doing the non-competitive event, but never got my act together. Maybe I’ll retrace the route in the fall when it’s cooler.

Also, if you opt to try the route anytime other than right around race time the grassy descent (otherwise know as forest road 916) will likely be blocked off and not mowed. You can avoid it but it wouldn’t be as much fun.

[KayakCyndi]

@EasyRider 160083 wrote:

How do you like the tires? A little more tread than WTB Horizons, looks like?

This is just day one. They roll nicely on pavement. I’ll have to report back once I get them out on the canal, Loudoun gravel and/or local mtb trails ….

[KayakCyndi]

@dkel 160075 wrote:

Put Cyndi’s wheels on your bike.

Of course Hans is welcome to do that but he needs thru-axle and specs that I don’t have. But just to test fit, anytime.

[KayakCyndi]

Makeover on the Classique Viaje is done. Converted to SRAM 1x (38 chain ring 11/42 cassette), hydro brakes, Stans 650b Crest S1s, and WTB byway road+ tires in a 47 set up tubeless. Nowhere this bike can’t go now.

[KayakCyndi]

Ah, Spring in DC. Gotta love it.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]14533[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]14534[/ATTACH]

[KayakCyndi]

@EasyRider 158190 wrote:

Wonderful. What’s the most comparable ride close to home, besides the canal towpath? I’m looking for some longer off-pavement routes, non-technical. For scenery and to avoid riding paved country roads with cars. Some of the forest roads in GWNF qualify, but I haven’t gotten around to stringing several together into a day ride.

Loudoun County is where we go for gravel. If you are looking for an overnighter look for routes out to Sky Meadows. Dirt and I did that last year riding from and back to Falls Church. Here are our routes. While not technical there may be a wee little hill here or there though ….

https://www.strava.com/activities/605172021 and https://www.strava.com/activities/605172118

And here is one I have on tap for later this year. Note though that 1) this uses some C&O and 2) also includes more technical trails.

http://www.bikepacking.com/routes/moco-bikepacking-montgomery-county/

[KayakCyndi]

@drevil 158145 wrote:

The last reason I can think of using packs over racks is that you spread the load out more on the bike. If I put most/all of my stuff in the rear panniers, the bike is very rear heavy, obvs. It makes maneuvers where I have to lift the rear (e.g., to get over a rock or a step-up) more difficult. With the rackless packs, I’ll put some weight behind the saddle, some in front or beside the fork, and put the heaviest stuff low in the center frame pack to make the center of gravity lower and more central. Basically, it balances the bike better.

This. I’ve toured on the Viaje with just a rear rack and panniers and much prefer the way the bike handles with the weight more distribute in bikepacking bags between front/frame/rear. Surprisingly the Pika bag, while extended in that photo, didn’t sway at all and was really solid. Also gear expands to fit the space provided so if I have a full pannier set-up I somehow manage to pack them full resulting is more weight of stuff I don’t really need. Bikepacking style helps me think more about my choices and allows me to move faster.

A happy medium though was this:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]14525[/ATTACH]

That is the Sweetroll up front and my Tubus Fly rack int the back with the new superlight drybag style Arkel panniers. It makes packing a bit easier and probably is closer to a three pound rack/bag penalty rather than the six pounds of a standard rack and Ortleibs.

[KayakCyndi]

I love Bikepacking, bike touring, bike travel, really any excuse to get outside and away on my bike. Alas my bikepacking has been limited to the around here usuals — GAP and C&O but end to end and in various bits and pieces, fun overnighters to Sky Meadows, Erie canal etc but that doesn’t stop me from dreaming big! I’ve finally acquired the bags and gear to be able to ditch the rack and panniers. Here is what I use for bags:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]14521[/ATTACH]

Those are all Relevate Design bags and include their Sweetroll for the bars, a feedbag, a tangle frame bag and the smaller Pika seat bag. With this and a few dry bags attached to the outside I was able to carry pretty much everything needed for a C&O canal two nighter when temps were going to be in the now thirties overnight (i.e. I was carrying a tent, thermarest, heavier sleeping bag and cold weather gear).

It ended up looking like this:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]14522[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]14523[/ATTACH]

If you want the details on what all was in the bags on this trip see my facebook post I did on it: https://www.facebook.com/KayakCyndi/posts/10210963889712455. (It is public so viewable).

(And have I mentioned today that I love my Viaje?).

[KayakCyndi]

[QUOTE=ctankcycles;156519 …

Re tire clearance, I’m planning on a 700c wheelset that I’ll run for cx and gravel rides and a 650b so I have the option to run tires like the WTB Horizon or a 2.2 knobby. …

I’ve been mulling the 650B option for the Classique as well. That Crema look sweet!

[KayakCyndi]

@ShawnoftheDread 156327 wrote:

I just inherited Cyndi’s. I like when she upgrades stuff. I wish she were bigger.

Speaking of upgrades meet the recently overhauled Viaje Classique as I have renamed her. Figured after 25,843.5 miles it was time. Converted to SRAM Force 1 — 38 front chainring 11×42 rear cassette and brakes from the aforementioned Spyres to hydro. Bring on the gravel!

[KayakCyndi]

Realized I never posted my newest Volagi addition:

[Author]

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