Wooly S240

    We went on a S24O to Wooly Hollow this past weekend, as planned. The weather was great!  The wind wasn't that bad, it has been a lot worse.  There was a little bit of a sprinkle, but wasn't enough to get anything wet.  It was just a really good trip. 
     As for the new gear, everything worked perfectly.  Anthony's Surly Nice rack is so strong and stable.  His new Novara Safari bike rode like a Cadillac, one the old ones.  He thinks it actually rides better loaded.  Yes it's heavy, but it's not race.  It's about taking our time, seeing the scenery.  Oh, the strangest thing I saw this weekend, a light blue toilet seat on the side of the road.  Never know what you will see on a bike.
     The solar charger did better than I thought it could ever do.  Charged my phone on the way over, while running Map My Ride app.  In camp I charged my Light and Motion Urban 550.  Anthony charged his phone the next day on the way home.  The rides were about two hours long, so it didn't have a lot of time to charge.  I was impressed.
     The new rack pack by Ortlieb was really handy.  Made packing and loading a snap.  I just need a better rack.  I did modify the bottom connections after getting back, it should be better next time.
It will be nice to get a front low rider rack, but that's next month.
     I am sure Wooly Hollow will be our go to campsite.  It's the perfect distant at 24 miles.  Just the right amount of hills.  Subway along the way, if we go through Quitman.  Now, how do we get other people to join us? 

Traci, Ortlieb panniers and rack pack



Tent, using tarp as extra rain fly.
If you look close, there is a Confederate flag behind us.
(Oh joy)

Testing out new gear

     We are going on a S24O tomorrow, heading back to Wooly Hollow.  Since our last and first ever
trip, a lot has changed.  Biggest of all, Anthony has a new bike.  Last night we put a new Surly Nice
front rack on it. It looks awesome!  He said it was extremely stable.  We did just about ten miles today to test out the rack.  With this rack, his front panniers are mounted way lower.  He is so happy with his new bike and front rack.  I think tomorrow's trip will be much more pleasant than the last one for him.
     As for me, I got an Ortlieb Rack Pack (size medium).  It goes across the back panniers, giving me an extra 31 liters of storage. So far I like it. It attaches easily and opens really wide.  I was able to put my sleeping bag, liner, sleeping pad, and pillows and still could put a little more in it.
     We also got a Gold Zero Nomad Seven solar charger.  It charged Anthony's I-Touch from totally dead to full charge in about an hour.  That was directly in the sun, at home not moving on a bike.  It kept my Android phone fully charged on our hour long test ride today, with Map My Ride app running.  It is sunny today with zero clouds.  We plan on getting a battery pack for it, that will charge AA and AAA batteries.  Hopefully we can keep lights, phone, and I-Touch charged with this.  I think it's cool.
    I am excited about tomorrow. I almost suggested with leave today.

Ortlieb Rack Pack

Anthony in action.
Solar charger on front.

Surly Nice Front Rack

Gold Zero Nomad 7, solar charger.

   

Sunday, April 7, 2013

     Anthony and I went on a little ride today, just north of 20 miles. Today's ride was to break in
Anthony's new touring bike. The Secteur he has just can't handle all the weight of touring. He is
keeping the bike, to do training rides and one day tours like the Big Dam Bridge 100.
     He got a Novara Safari. The only bad reviews we read were about the bar tape unraveling and
the seat. Well we switch the seat with the Specialized Riva off my Secteur since I'm using a Fizik
saddle. The bar tape did unravel, just like the reviews said it would, but that's not a big issue. As for the rest of the bike, it performed better than expectations.  It has Deore hubs, derailleurs, brakes, Sram attack twist shifters, and Reynolds 520 steel frame. He was very impressed with the ride quality, commenting on how stable it was and smooth. (Thanks to 700 42c tires.)
     There is some small modifications he wants to do, but nothing major. We still have to get a
front rack and fenders for it. It is going to be a very good touring bike. I hope he puts thousands of
miles on it. With me riding along side of course, he better not leave me at home while he has all the fun.
   Next weekend we are planning another S24O to Wooly Hollow. Not sure how he will carry all of
his stuff without a front rack, but we will figure it out. I'm ready to go again. I can't wait to get out on the road again. The Katy Trail trip should be next month. The only thing holding us back is getting the front racks for both bikes and small items. Those small items add up way to fast. Seems that cycling always has something to buy.

Anthony's new ride.



He wanted a picture with the cows.