trailers no good?
#26
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Originally Posted by Rogerinchrist
With the Burly Nomad coming in at 25 inchs overall width, and I do believe that the tracking is still offset, the right tire doesn't get much to the right of your bike wheel. Now other 2 wheel trailers might be different.
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Panniers vs trailers. One of the great cycling debates. People travel the world over with each so they both must work. some people convert from panniers to trailer, others from trailer to panniers. What's a poor cycletourist to do?
Someone expresses concern that trailers have more moving parts to break. Yet panniers are not without their failures. The bags can tear, the attachments can break, and I have read numerous journals where racks and screws break.
Handling is bad on trailers, but poorly loaded panniers can cause dangerous shimmy. In either case, any bike with 50+ lbs of dead weight is going to ride like a drunken hippo.
I'm a BOB user. I got the BOB to pull behind a mountain bike on the rough, rocky backcountry roads at Big Bend National Park. I've had great luck with the trailer. It's very stable and doesn't give me any problem. My trailer does not have the rear suspension, yet it does fine bouncing along behind me.
Someone expresses concern that trailers have more moving parts to break. Yet panniers are not without their failures. The bags can tear, the attachments can break, and I have read numerous journals where racks and screws break.
Handling is bad on trailers, but poorly loaded panniers can cause dangerous shimmy. In either case, any bike with 50+ lbs of dead weight is going to ride like a drunken hippo.
I'm a BOB user. I got the BOB to pull behind a mountain bike on the rough, rocky backcountry roads at Big Bend National Park. I've had great luck with the trailer. It's very stable and doesn't give me any problem. My trailer does not have the rear suspension, yet it does fine bouncing along behind me.
#28
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Originally Posted by Machka
Yes, but you don't have to go with the most expensive stuff out there! My panniers (one set - that's all you need) cost me $100, my Carradice cost about $100, and my handlebar bag about $30. The racks (front and back) were in total about $30. TOTAL: $260 for the whole setup.
And if you question the durability of all that ... I have toured (in Europe, Australia, Canada, and the US) a total of about 18-20 weeks over the past two years with those items, and I've done most of my riding (approx. 10,000 kms a year) over the past two years with the handlebar bag, and the Carradice. In all that time, the mount on the handlebar bag broke once, and was replaced for free by the company who made it, and I sheared a bolt on the front rack, which was removed and replaced for free by a friend of a friend.
And if you question the durability of all that ... I have toured (in Europe, Australia, Canada, and the US) a total of about 18-20 weeks over the past two years with those items, and I've done most of my riding (approx. 10,000 kms a year) over the past two years with the handlebar bag, and the Carradice. In all that time, the mount on the handlebar bag broke once, and was replaced for free by the company who made it, and I sheared a bolt on the front rack, which was removed and replaced for free by a friend of a friend.
You can certainly go cheaper than the Tubus and Ortlieb but I was changing all of my touring gear (other stuff was way old and not waterproof any more) anyway so I went with good stuff. Not sorry I did. YMMV.
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#29
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I did a 5 day tour with a cheapy aluminum rack and not surprisingly, the steel passier hooks have worn about 20% of the way through one of the cross bars of the rack. No way that I could have gotten any decent tour out of the way without having to replace that rack.
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Originally Posted by BikePDX
In my opinion, the two greatest shortcomings of the Burley are lack of weather resistance and unavailability of fenders. The former is mitigated by the necessity of a design that enables easy dismantling for storage or packing. Merriwether packs his stuff in bags. I generally line the compartment with a common garden debris bag--fits just right and it can be used to discard garbage at tour's end. I once rode 65 miles with rain all the way and everything stayed nice and dry. The latter is a different matter. With all the rain we get here in the Pacific Northwest, the top of my Burley gets covered with mud splatterings. I wish Burley or an after-market provider would see a market here and respond accordingly.
https://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/...qx/product.htm
#31
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Originally Posted by cyclintom
I did a 5 day tour with a cheapy aluminum rack and not surprisingly, the steel passier hooks have worn about 20% of the way through one of the cross bars of the rack. No way that I could have gotten any decent tour out of the way without having to replace that rack.
Some people like trailers. Some don't. Some people like panniers. Some don't. Some people will use a trailer is some situations and not others. There is no black and white here. Pick the one that works best for you. If someone asks give them your opinions but don't be a zealot about it. I give people my opinions based on my experience and, I hope, thoughtful reasons for why I don't like one system over another. If they choose something else, I'm not offended because there is no one "true" way to load a bike or, for that matter, to tour. Do what's best for you but be open to other possibilities.
For example, if I tour off road, I'd use a trailer because off-road a loaded bike is hard to handle. If I toured with a tandem, I'd probably use a trailer and/or panniers because I'd need the space. If I tour on-road, I use panniers because I don't like the handling at high speeds when using a trailer. It may not bother you but it does me. Having another wheel and more equipment to care for may not bother you, I'd rather not deal with it.
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#32
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cyccommute -- I think you may have offered your best advice in that post. Both for people with questions and other posters. Offer honest opinions and information and then let people make up their own minds. There is no one true answer to most questions about bike touring, commuting etc. The best we can do is make informed personal choices about what seems to work best for us. Use the form as one more source of information in your decision making -- not as some sort of unerring oracle.
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How about someone start a poll on panniers vs. BOB trailers vs. Burley nomad trailers, or has this already been done. I would be interested in what the people use in this respect. Just a thought...
#35
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I went with what I instinctually wanted, after much research, and Merriweathers amazing log. I am now on Day 16 of my 28 Day tour, with the Burley Nomad. I go as fast as 35 mph with no problem, it never hits a curb...ever, I hitch it on and off easy, sure it's heavy, I'm pulling a trailer for god's sake, but hey, it's all about working out anyway!!! Now, I don't even notice. It ain't squirley, the wind doesn't seem to bother it, I love the compartments, I love how cars really go around me, it feels very steady, due to the 2 wheels and couldn't imagine using anything else. HOWEVER, I'm sure you will hear the exact same sentiments from whoever started with Panniers, or a BOB.
Good luck with your decision!!!!!!!!
Good luck with your decision!!!!!!!!
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I started with panniers many years ago. Then I went to a BOB trailer. I enjoyed the BOB but it was not for me. I then went to a Burley Nomad and for my purpose, the Nomad was better than the BOB. But I still haven't been able to decide on the panniers vs. the Nomad issue. There are just too many choices. But I have the same problem with bikes. I ride a recumbent and a DF and towing the Nomad is great with both.
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Originally Posted by HelenHeart
I went with what I instinctually wanted, after much research, and Merriweathers amazing log. I am now on Day 16 of my 28 Day tour, with the Burley Nomad. I go as fast as 35 mph with no problem, it never hits a curb...ever, I hitch it on and off easy, sure it's heavy, I'm pulling a trailer for god's sake, but hey, it's all about working out anyway!!! Now, I don't even notice. It ain't squirley, the wind doesn't seem to bother it, I love the compartments, I love how cars really go around me, it feels very steady, due to the 2 wheels and couldn't imagine using anything else. HOWEVER, I'm sure you will hear the exact same sentiments from whoever started with Panniers, or a BOB.
Good luck with your decision!!!!!!!!
Good luck with your decision!!!!!!!!
As for your observation that cars give you a lot more room, I think that's the nature of the Burley. It's wider, VERY visible, YELLOW, and we are all conditioned to seeing trailers like that with kids in the back. I think that drivers, even aggressive drivers, are much more likely to give a bit extra room due to the 'Kid Factor' in their brain.
Hope all keeps going well, last I recall you were fighting headwinds in Kansas. (or was that Dorothy?)
Steve W.
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Another positive for panniers is if you are riding with someone else you can enjoy the advantages of drafting behind each other which is mostly lost if you're pulling a trailer. Personally, I've always toured with at least one other person and I love to use drafting to ease the workload, especially on a windy day.
#39
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I started touring in the early 70's, then it was racks and panniers. Later I used a BOB briefly, there great for single track. However my Burley Nomad rules for me. I just got back today from a tour. When the sign says 'no services for the next 67 miles' I sure was glad to have my Burley. Carrying extra water, food, my heavier sleeping bag, and extra warm clothes is no problem. I'm glad I was prepared, 2-4" of snow and mr wind! The Nomad pulls and tracks beautiful. No exageration, I've had it over 50 mph easy. I have flipped it after hitting a curb on the LEFT side. Thankfully I was going slow. Warning; if your trailer rolls your going down! I think the tracking offset is designed for city riding as it is a bit much for me. Controversialy, I cut off the " safety leash" . You need good brakes when braking with a trailer. I take the Nomad off road frequently, no problem. Hope this helps, personally, all things considered and many tried, I'd rather pull a trailer.
.........mtb
.........mtb
#40
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Originally Posted by mikethebike
No exageration, I've had it over 50 mph easy.
Ummmmm... holy ****.
Pardon the language.
Holy ****, man.
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#41
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Originally Posted by Mentor58
Hey Helen, Good to hear from you out there in the wilderness. I remember your thread asking about trailers vs. panniers and am very pleased that it's working out for you.
As for your observation that cars give you a lot more room, I think that's the nature of the Burley. It's wider, VERY visible, YELLOW, and we are all conditioned to seeing trailers like that with kids in the back. I think that drivers, even aggressive drivers, are much more likely to give a bit extra room due to the 'Kid Factor' in their brain.
Hope all keeps going well, last I recall you were fighting headwinds in Kansas. (or was that Dorothy?)
Steve W.
As for your observation that cars give you a lot more room, I think that's the nature of the Burley. It's wider, VERY visible, YELLOW, and we are all conditioned to seeing trailers like that with kids in the back. I think that drivers, even aggressive drivers, are much more likely to give a bit extra room due to the 'Kid Factor' in their brain.
Hope all keeps going well, last I recall you were fighting headwinds in Kansas. (or was that Dorothy?)
Steve W.
It's wild to think that someone on the forum actually 'knows' me, or about me!!!!
Yep, LOVE LOVE my Burley, and my T2000. I'm giving both away when I get to Baton Rogue, as part of my charity trip, but I will most definately be replacng both, and my LBS is gonna let me have them at cost. The headwinds in KS were exhausting, but the GUSTY WINDS IN OKLAHOMA, nearly knocked me off my bike and forced me to hitch hike to the next hotel, I was quite terrified. Now, I'm a day away from Texarkana. I passed 1000 miles today. Yipee! The longest trip I'd done before this was 20!!!
Tomorrow, the wind will be at my back. The SECOND time in 16 days!!!!
www.theheartride.org
#42
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Originally Posted by HelenHeart
Hi Steve
It's wild to think that someone on the forum actually 'knows' me, or about me!!!!
Yep, LOVE LOVE my Burley, and my T2000. I'm giving both away when I get to Baton Rogue, as part of my charity trip, but I will most definately be replacng both, and my LBS is gonna let me have them at cost. The headwinds in KS were exhausting, but the GUSTY WINDS IN OKLAHOMA, nearly knocked me off my bike and forced me to hitch hike to the next hotel, I was quite terrified. Now, I'm a day away from Texarkana. I passed 1000 miles today. Yipee! The longest trip I'd done before this was 20!!!
Tomorrow, the wind will be at my back. The SECOND time in 16 days!!!!
www.theheartride.org
It's wild to think that someone on the forum actually 'knows' me, or about me!!!!
Yep, LOVE LOVE my Burley, and my T2000. I'm giving both away when I get to Baton Rogue, as part of my charity trip, but I will most definately be replacng both, and my LBS is gonna let me have them at cost. The headwinds in KS were exhausting, but the GUSTY WINDS IN OKLAHOMA, nearly knocked me off my bike and forced me to hitch hike to the next hotel, I was quite terrified. Now, I'm a day away from Texarkana. I passed 1000 miles today. Yipee! The longest trip I'd done before this was 20!!!
Tomorrow, the wind will be at my back. The SECOND time in 16 days!!!!
www.theheartride.org
P.S. Glad you're having a good time.
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Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
#43
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Originally Posted by cyccommute
Jeeze woman! Of course we know you! You come here and ask advice and then hold out on us when you hit the road! We want details! We want stories! We want to know about the disasters and triumphs (but mostly disasters )! If you haven't had any, make some up! (Not that I would ever make anything up ) You're a writer...write!
P.S. Glad you're having a good time.
P.S. Glad you're having a good time.
First of all...I don't know how I would have done without this forum (sounds like I'm giving a speech at The Oscars!!). The wealth of knowledge is so vast, and the members so supportive, I couldn't have learned all of what I learned, from books, in a million years. Stumbling on this forum was the best thing that happened to me. And you, cyccommute...your answers, on all sorts of topics, never cease to amaze me, you are amazing, and as someone commented on the trailer issue, sometimes without bias or opinion, just perfectly stating the facts, in all their grandness.
I left Aspen, 3 weeks ago today. My first day, was climbing Independence Pass!! 4000' climb! That was a tough way to start, and I felt for sure that I would pay for it the next morning, but NO...I awoke feeling fabulous and excited to be finally on the road, and away from the somewhat stressful task of leaving town. The next 2 days were thru Colorado and every moment, I was sooooo aware that, I was about to travel thru KS, OK and TX, and the views would never be this good again. I WAS RIGHT!!! O, was I right!
As I left Pueblo, it was bye bye God's Country, hello Every Where Else. I took a photo in KS, I named it 'my first o my god moment'. Bleak, flat nothingness. What I did not realize at the time, is that I had the wind behind me. Because I am a novice, I didn't realize that going 20/22 mph, with little effort, meant a tailwind. I had never really ridden on the flat before, due to living in the mountains, and there is no wind, per se, due to living in a tight valley, I had yet to be introduced to The National Weather Service (another forum thank you) and didn't really know that wind could, and does, make or break you. Once that wind turned around, and blew in my face, and not up my a**, life changed for me!! After a desperate thread, I put the Weather Service as a favorite, and would log into it, as soon as I got into my hotel, each night. As a single female, and also over 40, mainly the over 40 part, I did not ever contemplate camping, and now, on day 21 would DEFINATLEY never contemplate it. I walk into my room at night, fill the tub up with hot hot water and bath oils, and soak away the day. It is without doubt, the highlight of each day, no matter how great the day has been. I slather myself with more wonderful smelly stuff, put on my bathrobe, remove the DNA laden top cover off the bed, and relax on the clean white sheets...ahhhhhhhhhh. No wind, no smelly clothes, no awful awful roadkill aromas, no 18 wheelers, just the silence and my clean clean horizontal body. What is it, that makes me smell so damn bad at the end of each day********** You'd think I'd been in my bike clothes for days, not hours. I clean them each night!!
I'm proud of my packing job, (another thank you forum, moment), I have exactly the right amount of clothes, 2 bike sets, 2 night sets (plus thin bathrobe!!). All synthetic fibers that wash easy and dry easy. I didn't bring leggings and arm thingies cos of where I was headed, plus I heat up so quickly anyway, and I brought raingear, that I have yet to need! Can ya believe it?? Not a drop! My digital camera and laptop have been a blessing. I would not do a trip without them, or my cell phone. Having those in the evenings, have made the solo trip rewarding and fun. Someone said, the hardest part of touring solo, is touring solo, and the hardest part of touring with someone, is the company!!!! Was that you Cyccommute??? O so true, but I like the solo idea, the best. I am enjoying talking to strangers, more than I normally do, and the occasions I've stayed at homes, with friends of friends, have been great, but I would not want that every night. I was disappointed not to have hooked up with forum members along the way, but I think my route was mainly to blame, for that ( I hope so, anyway).
I would be described as someone who likes, and is comfortable, with attention, but have definately had enough for this trip. I am a very strange sight, indeed, to most people I have passed, and I am not enjoying being stared at so much, stopping roomfuls of conversations, and being honked at so frequently. But, it is unavoidable, and the price you pay.
Wow, I could go on for many many more pages. I think I'd better stop. Feel free to PM me, if you have specific questions, and please read my website, and donate, if the spirit moves you
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#44
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I didn't like the rattling sounds my old school bags made on my racks, which may also be what dug holes in your cheapo racks. I am going to try wrapping the racks with tape to build out the contact point. If that wears through, I may try some fiberglass tow, soaked in epoxy, wrapped around the racks contact point.
#45
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Originally Posted by cradduck
i have seen an overwhelming number of bikes on this forum that use panniers and racks instead of trailers...like the B.O.B. trailers i see at REI. are the trailers no good or is it the expense that people are steering away from? i am planning on doing a ride from SF to OC this comming spring/summer and don't want to start laying out cash for the wrong equipment.
#46
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In my opinion, the two greatest shortcomings of the Burley are lack of weather resistance and unavailability of fenders. The former is mitigated by the necessity of a design that enables easy dismantling for storage or packing. Merriwether packs his stuff in bags. I generally line the compartment with a common garden debris bag--fits just right and it can be used to discard garbage at tour's end. I once rode 65 miles with rain all the way and everything stayed nice and dry. The latter is a different matter. With all the rain we get here in the Pacific Northwest, the top of my Burley gets covered with mud splatterings. I wish Burley or an after-market provider would see a market here and respond accordingly.[/QUOTE]
Hey BikePDX...
Check out this guy's page on home made fenders for the burley.
www.adamk.ca/custom_bits.htm
Hey BikePDX...
Check out this guy's page on home made fenders for the burley.
www.adamk.ca/custom_bits.htm
#47
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The downsides to trailers.
1. weight. (And i ride a loaded xtra so i'm not a weight wienee)
A trailer means on or two extra wheels which add weight, plus the frame, plus the bag. A BOB comes in around 14 pounds. Sure you can carry 70 pounds but the trailer is 1/7th the weight of the total capacity.
2. Handleing. At a good downhill cruise they have a habit of wandering, braking can be a little tough, if you're on a 2 wheel trailer they can get caught in the verge (the shoulder) and they track differently, still better than high loaded panniers.
3. Drag. Less aerodynamic drag than bulky panniers but more wheels means more drag.
4. Frame stress. I don't really count this one much. Arguments about frame stress points with trailers vs xtra's still forget the key point. When you addd weight you add stress. You're as likely to bend one way or another. Still, i see BOB's on carbon rear racers and wince. Definately not built for that load and asking for a cracked frame.
Still, they have their uses. I'd love to have the lockability of a BOB Coz and use it as a picnic table in camp, the removability of a trailer. For city use though i'll stick with my Xtracycle, i never forget it, never wish i'd brought it, and never run out of room. I can still lane split and turn tighter than a trailer, handle better at speed. Wouldn't trade it.
1. weight. (And i ride a loaded xtra so i'm not a weight wienee)
A trailer means on or two extra wheels which add weight, plus the frame, plus the bag. A BOB comes in around 14 pounds. Sure you can carry 70 pounds but the trailer is 1/7th the weight of the total capacity.
2. Handleing. At a good downhill cruise they have a habit of wandering, braking can be a little tough, if you're on a 2 wheel trailer they can get caught in the verge (the shoulder) and they track differently, still better than high loaded panniers.
3. Drag. Less aerodynamic drag than bulky panniers but more wheels means more drag.
4. Frame stress. I don't really count this one much. Arguments about frame stress points with trailers vs xtra's still forget the key point. When you addd weight you add stress. You're as likely to bend one way or another. Still, i see BOB's on carbon rear racers and wince. Definately not built for that load and asking for a cracked frame.
Still, they have their uses. I'd love to have the lockability of a BOB Coz and use it as a picnic table in camp, the removability of a trailer. For city use though i'll stick with my Xtracycle, i never forget it, never wish i'd brought it, and never run out of room. I can still lane split and turn tighter than a trailer, handle better at speed. Wouldn't trade it.
#48
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Vancouver, Washington
Posts: 13
Bikes: Trek 520
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Originally Posted by sth
In my opinion, the two greatest shortcomings of the Burley are lack of weather resistance and unavailability of fenders . . . .
Hey BikePDX...
Check out this guy's page on home made fenders for the burley.
www.adamk.ca/custom_bits.htm[/QUOTE]
Hey back, sth...
I checked out the site. Great idea! I will look into fashioning some fenders after following the innovative design presented there. Thanks for introducing it.
#50
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
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Bikes: Trek 4400, Scott Speedster P3, a road bike soon!
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Hello Peterpan1!
Just read your thread about the fella on the Cycling Plus forum who crashed with his BOB. Well, unless there's another poor fool out there, I think you're referring to ME!
I've just become a new memeber to this forum and as ever I'm looking for hints, advice, tips, good stories, etc. and came across this thread.
Yep, I fell in the Nordkap tunnel on day one of a three-month trip to Gibraltar. Spent two nights in hospital in northernmost Norway with a broken collarbone and a VERY bruised left-side of the body.
That was nearly four weeks ago. Tomorrow I pick up my new bike WITH panniers. The BOB is staying at home. One wobble was enough; I wasn't over the weight limit, nor was I going particularly fast but after only fifty km (out of a possible 7,000) I rated my chances of another spill as pretty high.
I have DRASTICALLY cut back on the stuff I was originally taking (dirty, smelly clothes is no big deal).
After an X-ray tomorrow and (hopefully) the all clear, it's back in the saddle.
I'm sure a lot of riders are more than happy with their trailers, but when I return there'll be an ad going out for a 'slightly second-hand' trailer.
Hopefully I'll get to the rock without much further ado, but it's all an adventure all the same.
More later, maybe!
Ride well,
Dayvo
Don't stop 'til you've had enough
Just read your thread about the fella on the Cycling Plus forum who crashed with his BOB. Well, unless there's another poor fool out there, I think you're referring to ME!
I've just become a new memeber to this forum and as ever I'm looking for hints, advice, tips, good stories, etc. and came across this thread.
Yep, I fell in the Nordkap tunnel on day one of a three-month trip to Gibraltar. Spent two nights in hospital in northernmost Norway with a broken collarbone and a VERY bruised left-side of the body.
That was nearly four weeks ago. Tomorrow I pick up my new bike WITH panniers. The BOB is staying at home. One wobble was enough; I wasn't over the weight limit, nor was I going particularly fast but after only fifty km (out of a possible 7,000) I rated my chances of another spill as pretty high.
I have DRASTICALLY cut back on the stuff I was originally taking (dirty, smelly clothes is no big deal).
After an X-ray tomorrow and (hopefully) the all clear, it's back in the saddle.
I'm sure a lot of riders are more than happy with their trailers, but when I return there'll be an ad going out for a 'slightly second-hand' trailer.
Hopefully I'll get to the rock without much further ado, but it's all an adventure all the same.
More later, maybe!
Ride well,
Dayvo
Don't stop 'til you've had enough