Help the big man on steel.....
08-16-18, 04:15 PM
#1
Help the big man on steel.....
After riding the Dairyland Dare last weekend, I thought I was both a stud and a wuss at the same time. It can do that to you.
Anyhow, I was treating my sister to breakfast at the Pointer Café, and a big guy came in, 6'8" I later learned. That size is not totally unusual in this area. Think of the UW offensive line being bigger than many NFL lines.... We have the beef.
Back to the story. Guy seemed nice, and quiet. I walk outside with my sister, and there is a massive steel bike, front/rear panniers, fully loaded. Unpainted but well clear-coated. Fenders were aluminum with scorches from a torch, then cleared. From a distance a massive old bike.
But not up close. Full-on custom steel frame, old school geometry, but a pair of twin outboard top tubes alongside the main, and the cables ran through them. Custom fork with braze-ons for racks, and more for a custom rack he hasn't gotten around to yet. Custom racks that look like they'd hold me. 40h rear wheel, 36h front, laced to a modern dyno hub and 11-speed rear. 700x35 tires. Disc brakes with small rotors. Running 1x11 with 34 on the front, 11-50 rear. Ortliebs fore and aft.
Fully loaded, 140 lbs. With rider, 400 lbs. This bike was carrying the torch for steel in a way I've not seen.
So, I ask him where he's coming from. We're in Wisconsin. "San Diego." "How old are you?" "59." He's just a few months younger than I am. "I'm guessing 68cm?" "67."
He left San Diego in May. He rode that day from the Mississipi River at Dubuque Iowa, to Mineral Point WI and was there around 10 am. That's all uphill, in a way. He was planning on Madison for lunch, 50 more miles.
He intends to cross Lake Michigan by ferry, and work his way to the Erie Canal. His name is John Murphy, and one of the nicest guys I've ever met.
Pics when I get them.
If you are on his route, and it's hit or miss, say hi. He uses warmshowers.com or something like that. He's passing my state by water, so I can't help. He's not asking for help. He's worth every minute you can spend with him. Cross country on a huge steel bike with 140 lbs of gear, at age 59. Some gods were sent to earth.
Ask him about Bill Walton.
Anyhow, I was treating my sister to breakfast at the Pointer Café, and a big guy came in, 6'8" I later learned. That size is not totally unusual in this area. Think of the UW offensive line being bigger than many NFL lines.... We have the beef.
Back to the story. Guy seemed nice, and quiet. I walk outside with my sister, and there is a massive steel bike, front/rear panniers, fully loaded. Unpainted but well clear-coated. Fenders were aluminum with scorches from a torch, then cleared. From a distance a massive old bike.
But not up close. Full-on custom steel frame, old school geometry, but a pair of twin outboard top tubes alongside the main, and the cables ran through them. Custom fork with braze-ons for racks, and more for a custom rack he hasn't gotten around to yet. Custom racks that look like they'd hold me. 40h rear wheel, 36h front, laced to a modern dyno hub and 11-speed rear. 700x35 tires. Disc brakes with small rotors. Running 1x11 with 34 on the front, 11-50 rear. Ortliebs fore and aft.
Fully loaded, 140 lbs. With rider, 400 lbs. This bike was carrying the torch for steel in a way I've not seen.
So, I ask him where he's coming from. We're in Wisconsin. "San Diego." "How old are you?" "59." He's just a few months younger than I am. "I'm guessing 68cm?" "67."
He left San Diego in May. He rode that day from the Mississipi River at Dubuque Iowa, to Mineral Point WI and was there around 10 am. That's all uphill, in a way. He was planning on Madison for lunch, 50 more miles.
He intends to cross Lake Michigan by ferry, and work his way to the Erie Canal. His name is John Murphy, and one of the nicest guys I've ever met.
Pics when I get them.
If you are on his route, and it's hit or miss, say hi. He uses warmshowers.com or something like that. He's passing my state by water, so I can't help. He's not asking for help. He's worth every minute you can spend with him. Cross country on a huge steel bike with 140 lbs of gear, at age 59. Some gods were sent to earth.
Ask him about Bill Walton.
08-16-18, 04:37 PM
#2
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Amazing!
Cycling is different to all of us. I do a nice 40 miler and I'm good. Or a nice fast 15 miler at 15.5 mph average and I come home and say" YEAH, I'm a beast!!!". Obviously "not". Some people can just take it to the next level, or in this guys case, 3 levels up!
Good stuff.
Cycling is different to all of us. I do a nice 40 miler and I'm good. Or a nice fast 15 miler at 15.5 mph average and I come home and say" YEAH, I'm a beast!!!". Obviously "not". Some people can just take it to the next level, or in this guys case, 3 levels up!
Good stuff.
08-16-18, 04:47 PM
#3
Senior Member
I want to see that bike. Sounds cool. A couple years ago I went to a gulls game and there was a statue of Bill Walton on a Holland. Huge bronze dude and bike!
08-17-18, 07:45 AM
#4
Senior Member
I am a big Bill Walton fan, even ended up with a big Holland (64cm), although not nearly as nice as his Grateful Dead special. He has a great attitude about riding.
Any idea who made the custom? As someone that rides 68cm frames it sound interesting.
Any idea who made the custom? As someone that rides 68cm frames it sound interesting.
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80 Mercian Olympic, 92 DB Overdrive, '07 Rivendell AHH, '16 Clockwork All-Rounder
80 Mercian Olympic, 92 DB Overdrive, '07 Rivendell AHH, '16 Clockwork All-Rounder
08-17-18, 07:41 PM
#5
Builder...
Iglehart? It's "I-something."
08-18-18, 11:40 AM
#6
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Chris Igleheart, longtime icon in the industry, also 1/2 of Page street cycles with Joseph Ahearne and their shop is across the street from Breadwinner cycles who they do work for as well.
I will ask him about John Murphy if he is at VC today, he said he was going on vacation a couple of weeks ago.
There is also Independant (Indy) fabrication in the " I something " category.
I will ask him about John Murphy if he is at VC today, he said he was going on vacation a couple of weeks ago.
There is also Independant (Indy) fabrication in the " I something " category.
08-18-18, 11:47 AM
#7
No doubt it's Iglehart. No doubt he'll remember Murphy. Hard guy to forget.
No doubt.
08-18-18, 10:58 PM
#8
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"Big" John Murphy, had Chris Igleheart build a single tandem, originally built for 280lb. while Chris knew it was more.
Here's a link to a pic.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl9gW7dh...en-by=iglebike
Here's a link to a pic.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl9gW7dh...en-by=iglebike
08-19-18, 11:45 AM
#9
Senior Member
By what stretch of the imagination is that ^^^^^ a tandem?
08-19-18, 12:04 PM
#10
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"Big" John Murphy, had Chris Igleheart build a single tandem, originally built for 280lb. while Chris knew it was more.
Here's a link to a pic.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl9gW7dh...en-by=iglebike
Here's a link to a pic.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl9gW7dh...en-by=iglebike
He picked a great time to go thru here, the weather has been incredible.
08-19-18, 12:07 PM
#11
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08-19-18, 06:34 PM
#12
Note the cable routing via the twin tubes.
08-19-18, 06:39 PM
#13
No need for an FD
Everything built for one reason.
custom racks/fenders
190.00 crank arms.
11-50
08-19-18, 06:46 PM
#14
This is the man. It would improve your day to meet him.
08-19-18, 07:53 PM
#15
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Fascinating bike and story. His bike isn’t much bigger than mine but he runs shorter cranks. I wasn’t aware of the Da Vinci crank: nice design and reasonable cost.
Seems like he needs a different order of magnitude strength than us mere mortals. I actually ride custom steel that is quite light in construction, but only a handlebar bag.
Seems like he needs a different order of magnitude strength than us mere mortals. I actually ride custom steel that is quite light in construction, but only a handlebar bag.
08-19-18, 10:45 PM
#16
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That is some interesting cables routing as the mid-tube looks open at the head tube junction. Given the tube angle, seems water would enter there quite often.
and a box one rd? Thats the first time I've seen one on a bike. Ever. Unique for sure.
and a box one rd? Thats the first time I've seen one on a bike. Ever. Unique for sure.
08-20-18, 05:20 AM
#17
My guess is he's Mid-Ohio, and on the Erie Canal route by now.
08-20-18, 06:52 AM
#19
I never finish anyth
What. An. Adventure. Would really have enjoyed riding along with him for a few miles. I'm sure he's got some great stories to tell.
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08-20-18, 10:15 AM
#20
Senior Member
Not very pretty is it? I guess you could say that about most touring bikes though. Is that a full size wood handled floor pump he's carrying? He takes his flats serious.
I am hoping to do something similar in 7 years when I turn 62. I hope to be as happy as he looks after months of riding.
I am hoping to do something similar in 7 years when I turn 62. I hope to be as happy as he looks after months of riding.
__________________
80 Mercian Olympic, 92 DB Overdrive, '07 Rivendell AHH, '16 Clockwork All-Rounder
80 Mercian Olympic, 92 DB Overdrive, '07 Rivendell AHH, '16 Clockwork All-Rounder
08-20-18, 10:41 AM
#21
Senior Member
Not a fan of the raw look but besides that the bike is amazing.
08-20-18, 02:11 PM
#22
Not very pretty is it? I guess you could say that about most touring bikes though. Is that a full size wood handled floor pump he's carrying? He takes his flats serious.
I am hoping to do something similar in 7 years when I turn 62. I hope to be as happy as he looks after months of riding.
I am hoping to do something similar in 7 years when I turn 62. I hope to be as happy as he looks after months of riding.
08-20-18, 02:13 PM
#23
We discussed that. He does not want it to get stolen, so the appearance is somewhat of a deterrent. I'd love to see someone try and pick it up, though. It's a monster, but I drove ahead of him to show him the non-road route from Mineral Point to Dodgeville and the trail to Madison. It's as quiet as any classic bike.
When you get close, you realize it's quite an expensive setup. Ortliebs, custom racks, custom frame, custom wheels, custom drivetrain. $6K more or less, as you see it, not including supplies.
When you get close, you realize it's quite an expensive setup. Ortliebs, custom racks, custom frame, custom wheels, custom drivetrain. $6K more or less, as you see it, not including supplies.
08-20-18, 02:18 PM
#24
Senior Member
We discussed that. He does not want it to get stolen, so the appearance is somewhat of a deterrent. I'd love to see someone try and pick it up, though. It's a monster, but I drove ahead of him to show him the non-road route from Mineral Point to Dodgeville and the trail to Madison. It's as quiet as any classic bike.
When you get close, you realize it's quite an expensive setup. Ortliebs, custom racks, custom frame, custom wheels, custom drivetrain. $6K more or less, as you see it, not including supplies.
When you get close, you realize it's quite an expensive setup. Ortliebs, custom racks, custom frame, custom wheels, custom drivetrain. $6K more or less, as you see it, not including supplies.
Just did a Madison->Dodgeville camping overnight this weekend on Military Ridge trail this weekend on the bike. Wonder if I passed him!
