Ya Darn Tootin!
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f109/levinpugsley/HPIM2391.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f109/levinpugsley/HPIM2400.jpg

cranky, is that the stock RD, or did you add a long-cage RD to handle an 11/34 cassette?

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f109/levinpugsley/065_65.jpg

No, we added a SRAM long arm DER

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f109/levinpugsley/HPIM2461.jpg
Good thing we upgraded her bike with some lower gears because she definately needed them!

I just want to mention that you definately do not need to spend much money for a reliable touring bike. With upgrades, the DT came in under $500. I bought that ugly city bike at a Go sport for 120 euros and then added barends and a Brooks. Both steeds have been trusty and reliable, but I sold mine....and bought a MINI!! It is now tour worthy as well:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f109/levinpugsley/CIMG1198Small.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f109/levinpugsley/HPIM2438.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f109/levinpugsley/001_1.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f109/levinpugsley/083_83.jpg

Awesome stuff! Looks like you had a lot of fun (despite the fog..)

Obviously I've guessed you were in France, but it would be cool to hear more about your route, maps, how you got there, did you camp etc etc? Thanks!

Magnus

Hello and thanks for your interest MAgnus. I was living in Montpellier, France for two years with my wife, and we would take off on tours during our school breaks and part of the summers. We had a Lonely Planet touring France by bike, and really put it to good use doing practically every ride in Southern France as well as Corsica. These photos were taken on our last ride over the Pyrenees from Couliere on the Mediterranean to Bayonne on the Atlantic. We were on a budget, stealth camping with tarps, but respectful of our surroundings. http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f109/levinpugsley/069_69.jpg

We were on a budget, stealth camping with tarps, but respectful of our surroundings.
Hey, you don't need to excuse yourself for stealth camping to me :) In Norway, where I grew up, the land belongs to the people, and you have the right to walk or camp almost anywhere*. So that's what I've grown up with, and I find it really awkward and inconvenient to have to think about finding a proper campsite every night.

(* within 200 m of houses you are supposed to ask if the owner minds)

Nice pictures. You are only missing the trailer for the dog!

Super awesome pics! Makes me want to think about touring on my Swift.

Hey Cranky, the bike looks great, but are you worried about the small wheels being unstable on descents if you hit a rough patch of road?

Crankypants, this is exactly why I went for my DT! Thanks for showing us what's possible. I hope to post some of my own trips here. Maybe even see and 'hear' from other riders. A photo guide, even....

I just want to mention that you definately do not need to spend much money for a reliable touring bike. With upgrades, the DT came in under $500

You're both good encouragement for others contemplating a tour with perhaps similar spec' bikes, thanks.

Hey Cranky, the bike looks great, but are you worried about the small wheels being unstable on descents if you hit a rough patch of road?
Actually, I have experimented with fast descents while being fully loaded. So far, I feel pretty comfortable with bombing downhill, although I do so with more caution than on my "regular" bike. Gravel would be something that you would want to be more careful about. I just put on some Big Apples, and the bike feels even more stable than before. Actually, the SA 8 speed gearing is almost perfect for a mini touring bike, although a 42 tooth chainring upfront would be useful in mountainous country. The high gear is about as fast as I feel comfortable going anyway, so you wouldn't really need anything taller IMO.;)

Crankypants, are you the fellow that was trying to arrange to have your mother buy a DT and then simply bring it over to France as checked luggage? If so, how did the logistics work out in bringing the bike over (to France, I believe)?

Following some of the comments posted earlier, I am impressing Crankypants. It took some "gusto" to buy the bike and modify it to fit you by raising both the saddle and handlebar without a testride.

Some quick questions:

You wrote that the bike remained stable on some loaded descents. Are you happy with the stability of the bike in general?

How have you changed your riding habits and style to accomodate the super-small wheels during touring?

Let's hope Yan offers the "tall mini" modifications in the future.

Crankypants, are you the fellow that was trying to arrange to have your mother buy a DT and then simply bring it over to France as checked luggage? If so, how did the logistics work out in bringing the bike over (to France, I believe)?
Yeah, my mother packed the bike up in a cardboard box and then brought it over as checked luggage, no questions, no fee.

Following some of the comments posted earlier, I am impressing Crankypants. It took some "gusto" to buy the bike and modify it to fit you by raising both the saddle and handlebar without a testride.

Some quick questions:

You wrote that the bike remained stable on some loaded descents. Are you happy with the stability of the bike in general?

How have you changed your riding habits and style to accomodate the super-small wheels during touring?

Let's hope Yan offers the "tall mini" modifications in the future.
I am happy with the stability of the bike. For me, the responsiveness of the steering is fun to ride, but I have a friend who was very nervous about riding it. Maybe its kinda like standing on a stationary skateboard for the first time. It can feel completely dangerous or stable if you feel comfortable. There are many steep hills where I live, and I feel that I have created a riding position that fit my frame and is comfortable for a more upright touring position. I know that I ride the mini differently than my full size bikes, but I can't say exactly what I do differently. Its been just a fun way to get around, and I find that I am neglecting the other bikes in my stable............:o

This is Nick who came over with my mom to do the ride with us in Languedoc-Rousillon. Here, we are on our 2nd day about 80 kilometers from Montpellier.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f109/levinpugsley/CIMG0198.jpgThis is Nick who came over with my mom to do the ride with us in Languedoc-Rousillon. Here, we are on our 2nd day about 80 kilometers from Montpellier.

Nick crusin'
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f109/levinpugsley/CIMG0304.jpg