Touring - This guy has spent nine months on this bike!

I met this guy in Natchez Miss a couple of weeks ago, and wanted to share with the group.

This guy has spent the last nine months on this rig! I have never heard
of this brand, but it was a little large for his build. Front panniers
were matching backpacks hung from a basket Rear panniers were Harley
nylon beer coolers. No waterbottle cages, block pedals, and judging from
the mounting of the shifters,(at the stem) I would date the bike at somewhere
around 20-30 years old! Notice the cast on his leg . . Some kids gave him
a shove in Yuma Arizona and broke it.
http://bike.wbdesigns.com/P1010134.JPG

Additional photos here (http://bike.wbdesigns.com/natchezdaynine.htm)

Thanks for sharing. What's his story? Where has he been? How long is he travelling for? Where is he going?

And all those other kinds of questions. Enquiring minds want to know!

Koffee

I was talking to an old ranger at a campground in california that spent like 3 years and $3000 traveling around the world in the 70s he said he used gal water jugs for front paniers, got a hole in one when a kid threw a rock at him on a mt. pass in afganistan or pakistan or one of them places but he didn't stop riding for like 100 miles because, as he put it, 'even then people disapeared in that location' so he just rode lopsided, as the water slowly drained. He said he weighed 300lbs when he left his house, one month after buying a bike, and 145 when he got home 3 years later. And he stopped at the public scales just before leaving town and him+ gear+ bike was about 600lbs he said he had the wheels rebuilt 3 times. I'm sure he found certain items unnessesary as it went on. :D hes back to 300 lbs now.

Thanks for sharing. What's his story? Where has he been? How long is he travelling for? Where is he going?

And all those other kinds of questions. Enquiring minds want to know!

Koffee

Here is his story in a nutshell . . .
He has epilepsy, and has never owned a car because of this.
He was born and raised in Vegas, but left on this journey from Washington State.
He has been back to Arizona Three times, since he left on this journey. At present, Mississippi is the farthest east he has come. There is no reasoning in his approach. Like he put it to me. He was in Wisconsin, and was riding east, when he hit a really bad headwind, so he said, what the heck, I think I will ride south, and ended up in Natchez, MISS! On his tent is a sign that says, "biking the world" He said he plans to do a similar approach in Canada, before heading to europe. He had a zero tent that a fellow touring cyclist went and bought for him, because he was in the northern midwest in Feb. He is writing a book, and selling copies for donations to keep him on the road. I gave him $5.00 for a copy and must say, I really enjoyed it, mis-spelled words and all! He also will take odd jobs. He said he never stays in Motels, but has come across many Touring Cyclists that pull him over on the road and put him up for a night or two. He also has a thing for Hooters. He stopped at one in the southwest, just to get water, and got a free meal, then was taken home by one of the girls and got a lot more! :beer: So he says now, he kind of hunts for a Hooters along his route! He also has a mailing list that he updates whenever he can. I gave him my email addie, but haven't heard from him yet.
If your interested I will get you this address.

He showed me pics he had taken along the way, and he was quite a bit heavier when he started out. But very fit now.

But I do love it when I come across someone like this. Because I can come to this board and watch someone argue over the merits of Steel,vs aluminum, vs Titanium, vs, recumbents, verses campy, vs etc. and then I think of Willie. He bought that bike at a salvation army for $20.00, slapped a couple of backpacks on it, and said I am ready to tour the World! I love it!

There are more pics of Willie and Bike here (http://bike.wbdesigns.com/natchezdaynine.htm)

But I do love it when I come across someone like this. Because I can come to this board and watch someone argue over the merits of Steel,vs aluminum, vs Titanium, vs, recumbents, verses campy, vs etc. and then I think of Willie. He bought that bike at a salvation army for $20.00, slapped a couple of backpacks on it, and said I am ready to tour the World! I love it!

You said it Stillrockin...Drives me nuts when I hear should I buy carbon this or that. What many Lance wanabees may or may not know is that carbon bits do not last very long. The reason Lance rides a carbon Trek is so that Trek can sell more carbon Treks....period. It makes no difference to the amateur racer whether he or she has a carbon, aluminum or steel bike. The main thing is to get out and ride and enjoy it. This fellow from Natchez reminds me of Dervla Murphy. She has been all over the world on an old heavyweight one speed. It's not the bike that makes the trip...it's the trip itself. It's not keeping current with the fashon trends that makes you a cyclist...it's the fact you ride a bike...any bike :)

In my opinion, this fellow from natchez is more a cyclist than half the brightly clad saturday morning "cyclists" I see in my town. One time I was going mountain biking and met a fellow at the trail head with a beautiful, expensive bike with matching uniform. We chatted for a while and then I hit the trail. When I came back he was still spinning around the parking lot. I asked him whether he was going to ride on the trails and he said he didn't want to get the bike dirty as he had just bought it and paid several thousands for it. I left shaking my head.

Anyway, sorry to rant. Kudos to your Natchez cyclist. I admire him. He is out there riding.

Wow! What a story. Thanks for the fresh view of the world.

This is what it's all about. Thanks for posting.

That's awesome. My brother is somewhat like that, as he just about lives on his Raleigh R-300 touring bike, but definitely not to that extreme.

Me? I'm just a poseur. ;)

I got his book out and looked at his stats, and figured you guys would like to know this:


Type of Bike: Legran 27" Tour 10 speed
States so far according to the book which is slightly out of date: Washington, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Arizona, (three times) and Nevada.
Total Miles = 5450
Cost of Bike = $20.00 Salvation Army
Weight of Bike with Accessories = 150#
Willie's starting weight = 203# Current Weight = 160#
Number of Flats = 34
Average Speed = 8mph
Average Day = 65 miles
Worst Day = 17 miles (30 mile headwinds all day)
Best Day = 130 miles (35 mile Tailwinds)
What has been replaced on the bike since he started: Forks, front rim, 28 spokes, back rim, pedal bearings, seat and handlebars
Special comments: didn't need a stove, never change a seat you like, and don't buy clear adhesive patch kits

Here is his story in a nutshell . . .
But I do love it when I come across someone like this. Because I can come to this board and watch someone argue over the merits of Steel,vs aluminum, vs Titanium, vs, recumbents, verses campy, vs etc. and then I think of Willie. He bought that bike at a salvation army for $20.00, slapped a couple of backpacks on it, and said I am ready to tour the World! I love it!

There are more pics of Willie and Bike here (http://bike.wbdesigns.com/natchezdaynine.htm)
$20 :mad: I paid $75 for my pre owned Le Tour last month, very good condition mind you but still it weighs 30lbs in race ;) trim.

"What many Lance wanabees may or may not know is that carbon bits do not last very long. The reason Lance rides a carbon Trek is so that Trek can sell more carbon Treks....period."

Actualy Lance rides carbon because he races against other 'Lances' and needs the slight edge. Most shmucks would loose even if they had Carbon Treks and Lance or any of his cronies were relegated to my LeTour. :p

Actualy Lance rides carbon because he races against other 'Lances' and needs the slight edge. Most shmucks would loose even if they had Carbon Treks and Lance or any of his cronies were relegated to my LeTour. :p

Lets not forget, that his first tour win was on Litespeeds painted to look like Treks . . . But you are right! At that level, you need every advantage, and still need to be great! I would be willing to bet that you could give Willie a Carbon Trek, and he would hate it!

Thanks... great story! Well... except the hooters obsession stuff. ;) I wish I had the courage and freedom to do something like that. Maybe someday...

Koffee

Thanks... great story! Well... except the hooters obsession stuff. ;) I wish I had the courage and freedom to do something like that. Maybe someday...

Koffee

Koffee, I am not built that way either! Upon my return home, I shared Willie's story with everyone. He was the highlight of my nine days out. Someone asked me if I envied Willie . . I do envy him, but certainly not enough to be him! Like I told them, I couldn't leave my dog that long! I love to tour, but when I dream of touring, its for a month or maybe two. I have never dreamed a Willie Dream! I am not sure I really ever will . . .

Willie rocks. 'nuff said.

The guy definitely looks happy :)