My Vessel

I thought I’d show you the bike that I’ll be taking on tour. It’s not a designated touring bike, but I’ve converted it, as best as I could, from a Mountain bike to a Touring bike. It’s a 2005 Trek 3900. I’ve installed touring handle bars, cushion grips, 26” x 1.5” Bontrager Comfort Hardcase tires, front and rear racks, a compass, mirror, a two legged kickstand and fenders. I upgraded to touring pedals and a better computer. Also, I added a Brooks B-17 Flyer leather saddle. I was going to install my Brooks B-17 Champion saddle but thought I’d give the sprung version a try. So far, it’s not too bad.

Though it’s got an aluminum frame, it should be strong enough along with the mountain bike spokes for the trip. Its 24 gears will be better suited for climbing the hills (mountains?) than any other bike I own.

I debated about leaving the front shock on. It just adds weight and can be a hindrance going up steep hills. But, I thought that it might be better to leave it to absorb some of the bumps. My body could use all the help it can get. Plus, I’ll be hauling a Netbook in one of the front panniers and maybe it would help cushion its ride. I’ll be on some unpaved roads in Colorado and it might prove beneficial then as well.

A lot of cycling tourists name their bikes, some don’t. I’ve never actually named any of my bikes (I own six at this time, I think) but thought that maybe this one might could use one. I’m not that crazy about giving it a name the way some people would name their pets. I’d prefer to give it a name like you would a tool or a piece of useful machinery, a locomotive or a Space Shuttle. Some of the largest pieces of construction equipment had personalized names.

I’ve heard it said that touring bikes are like sailing ships. They travel at their best with a good tail wind and that’s what us bike riders prefer. Ships also carry large amounts of cargo and often are overloaded. A lot of touring bikes would appear that way as well. So, for now, I’ll try and come up with a name from an old, tall masted, cargo ship from the past to tag it with. Any ideas? One idea I had was The Pilgrim since I love the works of the Reformed Baptist Preacher John Bunyan and especially his book Pilgrim’s Progress. There was a cargo Brig in the 1830’s by that name. I’ll have to give it some thought.

I’ll show pictures of the bike fully loaded soon.