Expedition Bicycles?

[Jonathan Hanson]

. . . bicycles?




I started researching these in preparation for a project I'm planning. I want to circumnavigate the Grand Canyon by bicycle, taking in as much backcountry mileage as possible, and exploring and talking to people along the way. I plan to write a book about the trip, including a lot of natural history, but also stories about the people who live and work around and in the canyon--ranchers, rangers, the Hualapai and Navajo.

Anyway, there is a very minor worldwide industry in producing bicycles like the English Thorn models, which go beyond the normal touring bike in terms of strength and reliability. These bicycles are made for people who do things like pedal from Cape town to Cairo, or around Australia.

They're almost always steel-framed, either lugged or filet-brazed for rigidity, and incorporate braze-on fittings to carry racks and extra water bottles. They can be fitted with such things as front wheel hubs which double as generators for lights, and German Rohloff rear hubs, as in this photo, that have 14 internal gears (just this hub runs around $800), obviating the need for derailleurs and multiple front chainrings.

I'm thinking about ordering one of Thorn's Nomad frames to swap my existing components to. Here's Thorn's main website for anyone who likes the idea of a Land Cruiser in bike form:

http://www.sjscycles.com/thornwebsite/index.html

[Scott Brady]

This is very exciting Jonathan.

Having been an avid cyclist for nearly 20 years, I will follow your progress with great interest.

I would recommend that at least a front suspension is in order. It will make a considerable difference in your comfort and mileage per day.

My bike is dual suspension, and is like a Cadillac on the trail.


I would also be interested in how, as forum members (and friends) we can support your effort. Like bringing food and supplies, riding portions with you, etc.

[BajaTaco]

Fantastic! What a neat bike. And that sounds like a great ride too. I might have a few contacts (park personnel) on the South Rim that you may be interested in meeting/interviewing.

[Jonathan Hanson]

Thanks you guys. Contacts at the park will be very helpful, and it would be a blast to have friends join me for sections.

Regarding suspension, I've been riding an aluminum-framed MTB with a suspension fork for eight or nine years. It's a great bike (has to be--it's from a company named Scott!). But suspension is extremely problematic for carrying loads. I have a BOB trailer which carries a lot of gear and does well on rough roads, but I'd rather have all my kit on the bike for this trip. It's virtually impossible to equip a suspended bike with racks suitable for touring loads of 30-50 pounds or more.

What most people don't realize is how comfortable a non-suspended steel touring bike can be, when designed with long chainstays and a proper fork. I've ridden road touring bikes such as the Bruce Gordon models, and they soak up bumps extremely well. If you need a bit more shock absorption you can install a suspension seatpost.

Touring by bicycle is the land version of sea kayaking: you can go as far as you want, and have the satisfaction of getting there under your own power.

[Jonathan Hanson]

Two excellent resources for expedition cycling are:

www.adventurecycling.org

www.biketrip.org

[BajaTaco]

There is a couple from right here in Prescott named Tim and Cindie Travis, that are currently on a mammoth bike expedition - around the globe! And they have written a book about it too. They have been all through the Americas, and are currently in Asia. Tim offers some commentary on their site about selection of an expedition bike including a section titled "Please do not Repeat my Touring Bike Mistakes." They are using Koga World Traveler bikes




http://www.downtheroad.org/



Also, here is a nice collection of links to bicycle expeditions through South America. The site is on geocities though, so make sure you have your pop-up blocker turned on. (sorry, but it's worth it - it is a great set of links). LINK

[Jonathan Hanson]

I had heard about Tim and Cindie, but had no idea they were from Prescott! That is a superb site with tons of information.

Don't miss the list of records on the Biketrips.org site. Some are amazing, some just plain hilarious.

[BajaTaco]

I had heard about Tim and Cindie, but had no idea they were from Prescott! That is a superb site with tons of information.

Don't miss the list of records on the Biketrips.org site. Some are amazing, some just plain hilarious.

Excellent! Thanks for the tip!

One of the records for example...

Flat tires : 18 in 1 day
In China/Nepal in 1996. That's what I'd call a ****y day ! Check out Corax's site.
Record made by Janne Corax




Wow, the record holder named Heinz Stücke is something else. Amazing! Riding continuously for 40 years and still going...

I like this part of what he says...

" Although I never intended to travel for so long, I came to the conclusion that going into an area for a short time was simply not enough. It would be very unfair to the people who lived there. You might praise or condemn a country solely on the basis of one encounter, either pleasant or unpleasant. So I decided on a minimum of two to six months per country depending on its size. I felt this period of time would permit me to get a more realistic impression of the place. But in slowing down, time just passed by and there was always another country around the corner. I was hardly ever homesick or tired of travelling, although I have to admit that sometimes I longed for domestic comforts. "

[DesertRose]

Great information, BajaTaco, thanks!

Ironically, I had found Tim and Cindie's website earlier this year, looking for something unrelated to biking. I bookmarked it, it was so good.

I also just Googled Heinz Stücke, and found this wonderful article:
www.gluckman.com/Bikeman.html

Truly inspiring for all aspiring adventurers. Clearly the biggest limitation we all have for doing such things is . . . ourselves!

Roseann

[articulate]

There is a couple from right here in Prescott named Tim and Cindie Travis, that are currently on a mammoth bike expedition - around the globe! And they have written a book about it too. They have been all through the Americas, and are currently in Asia. Tim offers some commentary on their site about selection of an expedition bike including a section titled "Please do not Repeat my Touring Bike Mistakes." They are using Koga World Traveler bikes
http://www.downtheroad.org/

I don't post up much, but this thread has piqued my interest. I ran into that website years ago when they were "merely" in Mexico; and it ocurred to me that I could do what they were doing.

Partnering has been tough, though. My wife was willing to humor me for a Canyon de Chelly bike trek which only took a day to complete. Now she wants to bike across England someday soon.

So I have no social foundation to horn-in on Jonathan's trip, but I'm slobbering to do some extensive riding around the mighty Grand Canyon.

Either way, what an interesting trip. How much time do you anticipate the full circumnavigation to require? Grand total mileage?

Cheers!
Mark