24/07/2014
location : field
Time : 02.04BST
I felt like camping out this night, like that out of blue. Interesting feeling to do something instantly. Then of you go I'm somewhere in the field, covered with my favourite, as I have only one, woolen blanket. Trying to capture the moment of star gazing for many days to come...
Just wonder where I'm bound... Where I'm bound... (Johnny Cash)
As I head on in the darkness. Half moon on my right. Empty Road and Surly me.
The finest egg poem.
_when the best and brightest years have passed, live each day as if it were your last.
Treasure them, as miners treasure gold, see the world before you too old.
Let is beauty sink into your mind, day by day more wonders you will find.
Learn to look, a new joy can be found, once you pause and start to look around.
Spare the time to gaze at lovely things, hardens, sunsets, blossom, waves and wings. Patience Strong. In loving memory of Beryl Ridgley - a lovely lady.
Surly disc trucker
I promised myself to publish a post depicting time when my companion was "born" out of carton. My previous bike, Gary Fisher mtam* was a 29er, a mountain bike build on an aluminium frame. On New year's day while cleaning my machine I had discovered worring signs of metal fatigue. I spotted 4 different cracks, hair size by the head tube on welding lines. This wasn't a laughing matter and instantly I had reached a conclusion. New frame is need it! From the beginning I planned to salvage some of the parts as they were recently fitted. It was then when, an idea of having my bike self-build, according to my specification.
For this trip decided to opt for a touring frame, preferably a steel. Then I came along Surly's frames available online, ideal solution for my project. Though for my height, only 26"wheel frame was a right move.
Then next, wheels - I wanted to build my own set, therefore I would learned principles of wheel truing while on the road. Then some serious calculations what length do I need. Rims where the same only dimensions of hubs changed slightly length of spokes. As a result, in total four lengths of spokes been used. Regarding spokes all of them made by DT Swiss, Interestingly those used as rear wheel ones were triple swagged and slightly reinforced than the front ones for an obvious reason.
Brakes, well as the expected terrain to be hilly and shear weight of Surly and loaded gear I opted for disc brakes. Mechanical ones made by Avid like, model BB7 are well tested examples.
Tires, Schwalbe with huge range, starting with Marathon sets an excellent benchmark for a touring tire. Though I have tried Continental Top Contact which was too heavy. Hence my choice, foldable Schwalbe Dureme.
Miscellaneous items would be Tubus racks, SKS mudguards and last but least awesome Brooks saddle.
Camping season for me is open all year round. This summer I'm testing this little one - DD travel hammock. Very interesting solution.
I do enjoy it, as you can see.:-)
