Piff 

Finally making my dreams happen. The idea of a bicycle tour has run around my head for years now. I thought it would be fun to document the journey to the journey. Basically, getting the bike set up properly and all the requisite gear to get the show on the road. The bike is a 1982 Miyata 1200. It isn't stock by any means, there isn't a single component left original. Not even the fork. I bought it from a man in Irvine that way, and swapped old, crusty parts for better replacements. The plan is to use a large saddle bag, small frame bag, and a front rack. Here's the bike as it is now, sans rack:



The frame bag is something I picked up today off of craigslist from a pretty cool dude who had a custom frame bag made and no longer needed it.

Plans for the future:

1. Get stronger/fitter to the point that a century is no problem. Easier said than done in San Diego where hills are everywhere.
2. Swap the cranks/rear derailleur for a triple/long cage. (Meeting a guy this coming Monday). Also, purchase a wider range freewheel, hopefully I'll find a 14-32, or a 12-30.
3. Install cateye reflector bracket to use as handlebar water bottle mount as seen here (Not my bike, wish it was).

4. Figure out saddle bag mount--to get it attached securely, without sway, and reduce the extent to which it rides up against the seat stays.
5. Read thread after thread on this forum and decide on what gear I need to buy (tent, sleeping bag, mini propane stove, etc).
6. Do a full tear down and rebuild of the bike.
7. Test out gear on some overnighters.
8. Plan a route
9. Tour!

I welcome any and all advice, and thanks for reading.

timdow

If staying away from hills is you goal, there is lots of flat riding in San Diego. Start with riding around the bays.

For convenience and ease of use, you may want to consider an isobutane stove. Under $20 for a Chinese knockoff on Amazon, and they have good reviews. If you want to get started inexpensively, tent, sleeping bag and ground pad can be had for low $ on Amazon also. REI sales are a good time to pick up quality gear at a discount.

i commute from La Mesa to Coronado 3X weekly, so might see you out there!

52telecaster

Cool that u are using vintage stuff

L134 

Hills are your friend for getting stronger/fitter.

Tourist in MSN

You said propane stove. I suggest instead a stove that runs on a butane mix. Propane tanks are easy to find at hardware stores, commonly used by plumbers for a torch, etc. But, propane fuel tanks are very heavy because the steel tank has to be much stronger than the steel canister for a butane mix stove. Some good butane mix stoves to choose from are made by MSR, Primus, Optimus, Snow Peak, etc.

djb

Indeedee
And we always come back to this, in cycling as in life, "there is always another hill"

Seriously, include hills in regular rides. You'll get stronger gradually and you'll start getting tougher mentally--cuz, remember, there's always another hill.

Piff 

That's quite the commute! I guess you take the ferry across? And thanks for the tip about using an isobutane.

I was unclear, I love hills! I find they are where I get into the zone most easily. I just meant that my fitness goal is to cruise hilly century rides in San Diego no problem.

Great, I'll definitely check out butane instead. I think I'm going to grab one of those mini stoves similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/MSR-PocketRoc...0805812&sr=8-3

Thanks! Your Miyata is an inspiration, I may do a 650b conversion down the line.



Bit of progress on my checklist, the stem-mounted bottle cage is ready!

timdow

That's a cool bottle cage! Did you buy the noodle like that?

Yes I take the ferry, but occasionally I add 15 to my ride by giong down to Imperial Beach.

Piff 

Man, you must be a morning person. A 10 mile commute to the escondido transit station to take the sprinter in the morning has been my limit.

The bottle cage mount is actually a stem-mount cateye reflector bracket that's been repurposed. Someone in the C&V section of this site came up with the idea, and it was exactly the sort of thing I was looking for. The bracket is...oddly robust for something intended to hold aloft a piece of reflective plastic. Back when steel was cheaper, I suppose. Here's an ebay listing of the sort of reflector I bought: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cat-Eye-B-1...MAAOSwZ3JeZaU~

Tourist in MSN

A lot of people on this forum have used the Pocket Rocket and are quite happy with it.

Lots of different companies make canisters that fit. REI and several other stores that sell camping gear sell the canisters.

timdow

Interesting... thanks for the link.

I do get up early to beat traffic, and so I can get out of work at a decent hour. Only way I can ride instead of drive.

I also have the Pocket Rocket, and I highly recommend it. In case you want to go a lot cheaper, here is a link to a review of the inexpensive Chinese knock-off stove: Folks that have used it recommend it.

Piff 

I should clarify that it isn't a stem mount, I mis-wrote. It's a headset mount for 1" threaded headset, it replaces a spacer. You could use it for a 1" threadless if you ground down the nub.

Thanks for the video! I decided to get the version that has a fuel line rather than the burner sitting on top of the canister. I like the idea of it not being quite so tall. I want to try using white gas stove though, seems like a much cheaper option in the long run even if the burners are quite expensive.
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Piff 

Some good progress today. Bottle cage: Done! Securing saddle bag: Halfway there!

The reflector/bottle cage bracket needed to be slightly modified in order to sit above the cable stop. You can see the teeth marks of the pliers I used to widen the flanges of the bracket.







Positioning the rear brake to be in front of the seat stays worked like a charm. The saddle bag now sits flush against the seat stays evenly. This was a fun part of the project because I've never really sat down to learn how to properly adjust and install single pivot brakes. They're definitely more involved than double pivots...it took me about an hour and half in total because I took this opportunity to slightly true up the rear wheel. Despite being a very nice vintage part (Gran Compe NGC400), they don't stop quite as well as double pivots. I may pick up some kool stop pads for peace of mind. The next step will be to wrap some inner tube around the seatpost so that the leather strap (as seen in the picture) can grab the seatpost more completely, which should reduce side-to-side sway.








As for ovens, I have decided to go for an alcohol stove. There's some interesting DIY options out there, and I have some ideas of how to create one that will allow for 2, or possible 3 flame settings. This video has some pretty cool ideas:

Doug64

Nice setup!

Depending on the time and location of your tour, you might want to reconsider an alcohol stove.

I posted this in another thread:

Piff 

Aw, man....though I can definitely see how quickly fire could spread if you absentmindedly spilled this next to some pine needles or some dry/dead vegetation. Lots of that down here in Southern California. .

Miele Man

I have a Gel alcohol stove that the canister of gel alcohol fits into. The stove folds flat when not in use and is virtually tip proof. It's very handy for day rides when I might want to stop and brew a cup of coffee or tea. The biggest drawback to alcohol stoves (in my opinion) is that they take a long time to heat up anything compared say toa butane stove.

Cheers

Miele Man

I remember reading many years ago that there are three times you enjoy a trip.
#1 . The planning of it
#2 . The trip itself
#3 . The reminiscing after the trip

A lot of times #1 and #3 are the most enjoyable.

Good luck and happy trails. May the wind be at your back and your punctures few.

Cheers

jlmonte

I just saw your thread, having posted my own. Simular thinking and I'm on your step 7 (Step 1 is continuous). Living in Ventura, the State Beaches starting at LA's Leo Cabrillo, and going north to Oxnard McGrath (maybe closed), Carpenteria, and Santa Barbara, are all cheap to stay and a flat route to reach. And, I kinda already know the routes. At some point, rail up to San Luis Obispo and head home, where there is a climb on day one. Ultimately, I want to start in Santa Cruz or San Jose.

BTW, I'm using my backpacking cooking gear; one man tent, inflatable pad, and sleeping bag liner (for summer). My main goal is transitioning from a carbon road bike, and being comfortable riding multiple days loaded.
I will have to keep an eye on your progress. Ciao, for now!

Piff 

Thanks for the comment! It is nice to have such a well documented tour right on our doorstep.