I've haunted the 'touring' forum here for decades but never posted. Until today.


Since the late 70's I've built lots of one-off custom hybrids for touring. Mostly I build the bikes for specific tours. Just added pics in my album of the most recent plaything. After giving up 700c's a long time ago I wanted to get back into the swing of things 'roady.' Got the Fuji cross bike as new-old-stock and took it home to put it on the workstand. Tossed everything but the frame, carbon fork, and rear derailleur. The pics tell the story. Still can't post a link. add the usual http,etc then: bikeforums.net/g/album/15203286


Well, not all of the story.


Leaned a brand new wheelset against the shop wall and for the first time ever in my life I lost consciousness. Fell smack on the front wheel. I could have straightened the rim but that's not my style. In a few months I'll be 70 y/o. During forty of those years I've been a hard-core bike tourist/bike packer, hooked on endorphins. Anyone else out there buy a new bike and have a stroke the same day? No harm done, though.


A tick bite is the most probable cause of heart failure in my later years (Lyme didease). But maybe not. It's too late to tell. I will say that if any of you hard riding cyclists notice an arrythmia of any kind, or if you're in tick country, keep in mind that there are risks. It make no difference how strong you are in your early years. Always consult a cardiologist if you notice an arrythmia or missed heartbeats. My resting rate used to be around 48bpm and for me that was normal. Trained athelete, I was. Now, pacemaker I have.


Thankfully I've kicked the endorphin habit. I don't miss those fully loaded 200 mile days, or the bug infested Arctic rides. But just can't kick the urge to put strange parts together to make weird touring concoctions. The cross bike handes like an F-18 Hornet. Put a bit of a load on it and it's somewhat subued, but still handles better than any factory touring bike can hope to.


Cheers, people! I love all your stories. Oh, by the way, there was a time when there was no 'Crazy Guy on a Bike.' You had to hang out in Marin County to get 'crazy' ideas for hybrid bikes that could go anywhere, anytime. How about five-speed freewheels, one on the front and one on the rear - swap the wheels for higher or lower gearing. A common trick that the pro's used to use.