This blog will focus on touring lighter and less encumbered. I am not an expert; I only know what works for me. I’ve been into ultralight backpacking for many years and now that I am beginning to tour more by bicycle I wanted to apply some of the same ideas. There’s very little information and resources out there specifically for ultralight bike touring, but plenty for backpackers. Fortunately, much of the same gear and techniques work well for both. I hope you enjoy and visit often. Please send any links, pictures or ideas you would like to share to velohobo@gmail.com Thanks, Jack

The Shape of Things to Come?

next, getting the crank off…

Yard Sale!!!

I placed an order this morning for a Surly 1×1 front fork and a crank puller from Jensen USA. Thanks to the Google brothers and their amazing information machine, I learned I needed a suspension corrected fork (if replacing a suspension fork with a rigid one.) The Surly 1×1 was the cheapest I could find that most closely matched the length of the old fork. I’ll start removing the old paint in a week or two. But for now the weather is beautiful and I’d rather be riding a bike than working on one.

If anyone has tips or suggestion, post a comment.

Thanks, Jack

Winter Bike Project

Before

Winter is fast approaching here in the mountains of Western North Carolina. The sun is dipping below the high peaks early in the day and our frequent rains are hinting at a snowy season ahead. It’s the perfect time to start planning a winter bike project. I’ve wanted to rebuild an old bike as a way to learn to wrench on my bikes. I’ve had a lustful eye toward the local flea markets for some misplaced gem, but sadly nothing has caught my eye.

Luckily, I just happen to have a POS in my tool shed. Perfect! This late 20th century hard-tail mountain bike has been collecting dust for about two years following a live demonstration of an almost perfect over-the-handlebars tuck and roll that left me with bruised, if not cracked ribs. I can hardly wait to start plucking things off it to show it who’s boss.

Jack

Nitto Mini Front Rack Review

Nitto Mini

A bit on the pricey side (97 bucks from Rivendell Bicycle Works) the Nitto Mini Front Rack is impressively well built and a perfect ultralight alternative to standard front racks. The Nitto Mini mounts with a threaded bolt through the hole in your bike’s fork crown. The bolt can also serve to hold the hanger hardware that comes with Berthoud fenders. The two support legs are clamped to the fork blades and seem as secure as any brazed-on attachment. The rack is a good match for the Ostrich handlebar bag and would also provide a place to bungee a tent or dry sack. Made of chromium-molybdenum (shiny steel), the welds are beautifully done if you’re into that kind of thing.

Jack

Featured Rider: Tom Stormcrowe

Photo at Tom's site

In my job as a social worker I have been honored to support many people on their road to recovery as they reclaim their wellness from various setbacks. All of these people are on a heroic journey of self discovery greater than any epic bike tour we could embark on. They battle daily to make small gains and often must persevere through stigma and prejudice in a judgmental society.

I found Tom’s blog the other day and was inspired, so I asked if he would mind sharing a bit about himself. Tom Stormcrowe is on a journey of recovery and he is using cycling as a wellness tool. Tom sent the following to share with The Velo Hobo readers:

I found myself in a position where I literally had no life, so I decided to change things. I was nearly dead, in a wheelchair and on oxygen, just to stay alive due to a Pituitary disorder. I did choose to have bariatric surgery to help me with the initial weight loss, because I was far past the point of being able to exercise, etc, at 581 pounds.

Since March, 2005, I have managed to drop down to 199 pounds, and then gained back up to 209 pounds, where I am currently holding. This level of weight loss is unusual, even for bariatric patients, who typically lose about 45%of their body weight successfully. I credit this to the more active lifestyle of cycling, and other activities I’ve been able to resume as I have gotten healthier.

To follow Tom on his journey, check out his blog, The Amazing Shrinking Man, and join me in wishing Tom all the best.

If you would like to be featured on The Velo Hobo, drop me an e-mail and a picture or two,
Thanks for reading, Jack

Doctors and Cyclists Agree

Featured Rider: Igor Kovse

If ultralight bike touring were compared to another human endeavor, say golf, Igor Kovse would be our Tiger Woods. Bicycle touring has very few people who have gained notoriety, Ian Hibell and Heinz Stücke to name two. Igor Kovse is another. Igor continues to push the limits of what is possible in ultralight bicycle touring and we can all benefit from incorporating some of his ideas into our own travels.

Igor sent this email to me the other day to share with The Velo Hobo readers:

My latest trip was a cost-to-coast North America crossing, from Vancouver to New York City. This was my longest and fastest ride so far (6000 km in 37 days) – it seems that I’m becoming faster as I get older. I enjoyed the ride, but I’m starting to miss a bit of the adventure which is usually present when touring in less developed countries. So, for my next tour I am thinking about Africa – it’s also the last continent where my present touring bike hasn’t been yet. Then, when things settle in Tibet, I wish to complete my unfortunately stopped trip from Kashgar to Lhasa in 2005. And after that it’ll be vacation time for me – enjoying the great passes in French Alps. Oh, I almost forgot: somewhere in between I’m planning one year Round The World trip.

All the best,

Igor Kovse

Check out Igor’s website and Crazy Guy on a Bike journal and join me in wishing Igor the best as he continues his travels.

This photo from Igor's web site.

Thanks to everyone who has visited

Only two months old and The Velo Hobo has had over 460 visitors!

If you would like to be featured on Velo Hobo, e-mail me a picture or two and a short paragraph about yourself with a link to your site if you have one.

Also, if you would like to connect to other like-minded folks, join the Google Groups discussion forum. Follow the link in the side bar.

Thanks again, Jack
E-Mail me at velohobo@gmail.com

Brooks Saddles: The Movie!

And here is a link to the Brooks web site and something I’m sure you don’t want to miss.

Thanks for reading, Jack

Ultralight Bike Touring Diva

My wife Raquel has a great strategy for touring lighter; bring a husband. It’s always interesting to open my handlebar bag and find things I know I didn’t pack or to walk out of a convenient store and find a pair of sandals bungeed to the back of my bike. “Thanks honey, I knew you wouldn’t mind”. I believe two can tour lighter than one by splitting up the tent and cooking gear. Raquel takes this a step further.

Raquel’s tip for touring lighter? Sneak things out of your bag and slip them into your partner’s bag.

Diva

(The opinions expressed in this blog entry are for entertainment purposes only and do not represent the views held by Jack. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.)