Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - New commuter bike - Salsa Vaya, bike pics & commute pics

N+1 strikes again! I got a commuter bike. I wanted something with disc brakes, fairly wide tires for a smooth ride, able to handle racks and fenders well, and prefer SRAM. In researching, I found the Salsa Vaya bike, just what I was looking for.

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SRAM Apex, 34-48 crank, 11-34 cassette, BB5 brakes, Continental Tour ride 700C X 42 tires. Rides great, even with the panniers and clothes, shoes, tools, snacks and lunch in them. I could have gotten something more road oriented, but I am happy with this bike. Smooth ride over bumps, and the tires handle loose gravel on the road and short dirt sections really well.

Pics from my ride to work this morning, starting out in the dark. One way is 16-1/2 miles.
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff293/aaron858/Salsa%20Vaya%20Commute%20Pics/IMG_0072.jpg
The first 8 miles or so are on the bike path that follows the train tracks through town.

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Short path through a park, connects to the North County Mall. Hard to beat views like this instead of the gridlock on I-15.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff293/aaron858/Salsa%20Vaya%20Commute%20Pics/IMG_0076.jpg
Of course, there are many intersections like this too. It's not all secluded paths.

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Entrance to the Lake Hodges bike path area.

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A cloudy San Diego sunrise over Lake Hodges.

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Pic of the recently built bike/pedestrian bridge across Lake Hodges. Prior to this, cyclists had to use the shoulder of I-15.

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Shot along the shore of Lake Hodges. Lots of ducks out this morning.

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Stairstep hills the last couple miles to the office. This section maxes out about 8%, not terrible but a decent workout with a loaded commuter bike.

Beautiful bike, congrats!

Where are the fenders?

Haven't gotten them yet. Next purchase, I need to make sure they fit the bigger tires. We don't get much rain here, but there is enough sprinkler runoff I am going to get them.

Nice bike and looks like an awesome ride too.

Thanks for the post!! Love to see others commutes - and the bike is very cool! Of course I'm a little biased.... I've got a 2010 Vaya myself. :rolleyes:

Love the bike!!
I've been eyeing one myself however if I follow the n+1 rule again, my wife may enact the m-1 testicle rule... :)
By the way, the color is awesome!!

Sweet ride!

Beautiful bike, great color, nice ride and pics. Thanks.

Awesome bike, but WOW that commute looks great!

Yea, I don't have much to complain about. I probably spend a total of 6 miles out of 16 on the road, with 2 of those miles getting in/out of my neighborhood, the rest is dedicated bike paths. Going home in the PM there is enough traffic in Escondido it is still a pain, but doesn't last long.