My friends are really pressuring me to join them on the Tour Divide next June. I've pretty much resolved that I can get enough time from work and family for at least half - but who knows.
I've never done much MTB and in order to do the Tour I'd need to make an investment. The issue is that there are two other bikes I'd prefer to get before I invest in an MTB that I might not use that much.
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| Me with my thinking glasses on. Surely this is helping. |
So I've been looking into whether it is possible to do the Tour with either a Crosscheck (with tires at the max width - 44 I think), or a Pugsley. Neither have front end suspension and I am afraid of destroying my wrists unless I get suspension. I don't think the Pugsley needs suspension but is it the right bike for the job?
Most of us with jobs and families don't really have multiple opportunities to do the Tour Divide. Think about that. If your employer and family are willing to make that kind of sacrifice, why not buy/borrow/rent a suitable bike to make it the best experience possible (then, worst case, sell it to help fund whatever is next)? What is that bike? I don't know, but it should be fun to find out. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteWise words, Pondero. My thanks.
ReplyDeleteA girl finished the Tour Divide on a 1980s Shogun fixed gear conversion, a few years ago.Here is a link to her blog post about her bike:
ReplyDeletehttp://ultrarunbikevegan.blogspot.com/2009/01/phoenix-is-reborn.html
I think the rider's determination is more important than the bike.
What size bike do you ride? I might be able to hook you up with an mtb...
Thanks Jon. I'm going to look into that site.
ReplyDeleteAs for size...I don't know. I am 6'2" and 195lbs. Never had a MTB before.
Ah...bigger than anything I have. (I'm 5'10")
ReplyDeleteYou can run 29er wheels and tires in a Pugsley frame, as well as the big-ass Pugsley wheels. If you get the Pug and a set of wheels, you basically have two bikes.
I am considering a fat-tire bike, myself, and that is the only way I can justify it...
Of course, there is the 135mm front hub spacing to contend with. Might have to get a spare fork, as well...
ReplyDeleteJon thanks for the Pugsley advice and the kind words. Seems like everywhere I turn on the blog-o-sphere folks are riding Cross Checks and Pugsleys - but the more I read the more I understand why. Nice to know the Pugsley has the kind of versatility you speak of.
ReplyDeleteI can appreciate your wrist concerns, but I agree with Jon's determination view. I rode a Bicycle Tour of Colorado a few years back, and there's a guy who rode the whole thing on a Stingray with a banana seat and high bars.
ReplyDelete@jeff - Ha! That's quite the set-up the other fellow had! But I suppose high bars would be a wrist-beneficial option!
ReplyDelete