All in all this was a very successful trip. I had a lot more fun than I did on my Kyoto to Tokyo trip, despite the colder, wetter weather. That was due primarily to the distance travelled. During the Tokyo trip, I had to go 700km over five days, and I was pulling several 160 or 180km days. That was absolutely exhausting and since I had a definite timeline of needing to reach Tokyo in time for the BFF I felt rushed. This trip averaged about 100km a day with no need to get back on any specific day. I think 100km a day is about the ideal pace, at least for me, give or take a few kilometers depending on terrain. On top of that, the scenery was a lot better. Japan in the fall is an awesome site and I’d say the optimal time for anyone wanting to do a bit of bike touring as the weather isn’t too hot or too cold.
As for equipment, I am in absolute love with my new lighting system. The Edelux is quite bright and the fact that I no longer have to rely on batteries gives me great peace of mind, especially after the absolute lighting failure that was my Hurkey Creek 24-hour race experience. The new 11-34 cassette was a life-saver on those hills, or maybe not a life-saver but a knee-saver, and despite all the hills I had no need to walk up anything, which was not the case on the Tokyo trip. While many touring cyclists I’ve read advocate lower gearing than I’ve got, say a 22-tooth granny gear to a 34-tooth cog or sub-20 gear inches, I think my 26.8 gear inches is sufficient. The only drivetrain change I would like to make somewhere down the line is to outfit the bike with a wide-range double using a 50.4 bcd crankset like the Sugino PX, TA Pro 5 Vis, or (the most likely should it actually ever materialize) the Velo-Orange crankset. I’d run it as a 46/26 with my previous 12-27 cassette and put my Dura Ace derailleur back on, though I have gotten to like the Rapid Rise action of my LX derailleur.
My next goal will be to narrow down my packing list to lighten the load. I’ve been pretty good so far, managing to fit everything into a pair of (rather large) panniers and a handlebar bag. But I’d really like to aim for a setup more like this:
It’s still a loaded, self-supported setup, not a credit card touring setup. He’s got his tent and sleeping bag and stove, but has managed to whittle the list down to the necessities while still being comfortable. I think that with a front rack and a few less clothes I can get pretty close. I’d also need a larger saddlebag than the one I’ve currently got. I’ve got my eye on the Carradice Camper Longflap, though Acorn Bags says a larger saddlebag design is somewhere on the horizon. That’d be my preference if it does happen.
The packing list trimming is something I can practice in the coming months. Since it’s getting cold and snowy, I don’t think I’d like to pull another multi-day trip. However, I think some S24Os would be perfectly doable, and there are ample destinations for such a trip around Tottori.
Other equipment raves:
Keen Commuter Sandals – I need no other off-bike shoes when I ride with these. Perfectly comfortable to walk around or even hike in. Very comfortable on the bike, though not as stiff as my Sidi Dominators, but who cares? It’s a tour! With booties and wool socks I can stay warm, and since they’re sandals they dry quickly after the rain.
Velo Orange caliper brakes – I replaced the standard pads with some salmon Kool Stops and they served me well in the wet and hilly terrain, even after taking a smack from a large rusty chain.
Acorn Handlebar Bag – I love this thing. Looks great, fits plenty, has very convenient rear-facing pockets that are great for holding my camera and binoculars, and has attachments for a shoulder strap so I can bring it inside with me if I’m going into a store or restaurant. The only problem is it is not at all waterproof. It’s water resistant, but in a downpour things are going to get soaked inside. I just use a plastic bag, but I’ve still got to be careful about making sure everything is nicely wrapped up.
Brooks Saddles and Merino Wool Underwear – I am over padded bike shorts. I normally go without, but in the past on some longer rides I’ve worn a few different options and I ALWAYS end up with some pain or numbness. I attributed it to the miles. This time I around I opted to ride in plain merino wool boxer briefs and I had ZERO problems the whole way. I felt great, actually. No issues whatsoever. My now very well broken-in Brooks is extremely comfortable, while the merino wool underwear does a great job of keeping things comfy and dry down there. I might be interesting in trying bike shorts with really minimal padding, though I shouldn’t call it padding. I’m thinking more along the lines of a thin leather chamois like old-school riders used to wear to keep chafing in check. It’s not really a problem for me at the moment, but I’d be interested to try it out to see if there’s something I’m missing.
Grand Bois Cerf Green Label, 700x28c tires – I bought these in Kyoto from the source and while I didn’t ride with them during the tour (I was on Rivendell Ruffy-Tuffies), I have done a fair amount of riding since the tour including a couple of metric centuries with them since the tour. These have gained a lot of popularity in the iBOB and randonneuring worlds with people reporting fantastic ride quality, comfort, and performance. I have to admit that they live up to the hype. It’s a night-and-day difference, an absolute pleasure to ride on. What’s better is that they sell here for less than most other quality tires on the market. I may have to stock up before I return back to L.A.
