Retrobike Touring.

[hamster]

It's quite amusing that since touring has become in vogue with the hipster bunch, touring can now be done on carbon race bikes, with carbon wheels with only 14 spokes & you don't needs racks or carriers with panniers, but just an oversized saddlebag & a frame pack. Genius!

They also say the big advantage to all those frame packs is that they are more aero.

I think it's missing the point somewhat, as the point of touring is taking your time and enjoying the journey.
Clearly some people's idea of fun is joyless maximisation of miles.

 

[Stanflashm4n]

Your rims look fine. You've chosen a sensible distance for a week. Not too much strain on your steed, or yourself. If you forget anything let me know. Ideas on your route?

Very kind, thanks! Route 78 the Caledonia way I think. I can’t pretend I have done much research - very much tagging along haha. I know we begin alongside Loch Ness, Im looking forward to it!
This is how the bike is looking now , not sure about this adjustable stem, seems to be some play in it. I’ve got a quill / ahead adapter thing coming so that should give me a few more options…

 

[Tootyred]

Credit card touring for me all the way.

However to feel like I've had an adventure, I slum it in 4 star hotels and only drink house champagne.

 

[bikeworkshop]

not sure about this adjustable stem, seems to be some play in it.

Don't be unsure about it.
Replace it before you go.

Once it starts to wobble, it will wear quite fast until it becomes dangerous.

Although at least it might have stopped creaking by then

 

[Stanflashm4n]

Haha yeah I replaced it, also replaced the crankset, both derailleurs , bars, stem, shifters and saddle!

Don't be unsure about it.
Replace it before you go.

Once it starts to wobble, it will wear quite fast until it becomes dangerous.

Although at least it might have stopped creaking by then

 

[bikeworkshop]

That is looking pretty good!

You'll want stiff soled shoes, gloves with a little padding, shorts too. Those contact points need looking after.

Your going to be putting weight on your arse there - I usually recommend pedalling out of the saddle every mile or two just for a couple of dozen pedal strokes - it just allows the muscles and tendons to stretch around and stops a lot of discomfort.

Good to see bar ends, they offer not only a change of position, but help climbing hills, and efficient use of your upper body muscles -
Also helps reduce the risk of wrist pain.

Stylistically unacceptable on a riser obvs... you could hide them in a pannier until you need them!


But Scotland's flat right?

 

[Stanflashm4n]

 

[Stanflashm4n]

Turns out I had misunderstood/underestimated our route slightly . We actually went from:
Day 1 - Inverness to Fort William
Day 2 - Fort William to Oban
Day 3 - Oban to Lochgilphead
Day 4 - Lochgilphead to Tarbert
Day 5 - Tarbert to The Isle of Arran - across Arran and back on the ferry to Androssan and then a train on to Glasgow. Almost all on NCR 78 . It was a brilliant route and the bike was great with no mechanical problems , not even a puncture! I did buy some chain lube mid trip because it developed a squeak. I found the frame flexing under the weight slightly unnerving at first but I got used to it haha. Was pleased I got the ortlieb panniers , they were really good, can see why they are recommended by so many. Bar ends were definitely a good idea, really helped with climbing. Cheers for all the advice I got in here.
First few days were maybe slightly too long, think it was 70 miles ish from Inverness to fort William with a diversion off the usual route due to forestry work. Quite hard work towards the end with a bit of weight on the bike and a lot of gravelly forest tracks, often cycling into the wind (apparently more people do this route the opposite direction to what we did because the wind is usually blowing this way…) but it was manageable.
Some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve ever cycled through (or seen generally) , I’d highly recommend the ncr78 , road surfaces were also often really good and traffic was minimal. The weather was changeable but not terrible…Or not terrible compared to everywhere else in the country the last week, terrible when you consider this is supposed to be summer! We did get very wet a couple of times . People told us they had not had any nice weather in that part of Scotland at all this year!

 

[Stanflashm4n]

 

[hamster]

Well done, that's some hard days in the saddle!
The routine of a complete clothes change every 20 mins for the weather also takes a lot of time out of the day.

Glad it all went well, there's nothing like doing it to solve nagging questions about what works / is comfortable etc.