The Long Ride

[mkane53]

I had some vacation time coming so, on Saturday, August 30th, I packed up the Meridian that I built this summer and headed off for a week's bicycle tour.

With no particular destination in mind, it ended up working out to be a tour of the Parks and Rivers of Central and Northern, Illinois. I covered a bit over 400 miles in 6 days of riding (with one rest day waiting out the rain in a motel), fully loaded, panniers, camping gear, etc.

Initially, I couldn't decide whether to take my trusty Cannondale T-1000 touring bike or the Meridian. I figured it would be more of an adventure on the Meridian, so that's what I rode. I am SO glad I did. Not one mechanical issue the entire time. And at the end of each day's riding, I felt refreshed rather than spent. Not a single flat tire, not one dog chased me (and that's a record for sure) down the country roads.

The Meridian handled very well, even loaded. I tried to minimize the weight up front, but was still probably carrying 15 pounds between the two front panniers. The steering was a bit more sluggish, but that's true on any bike with loaded front panniers. I made some descents at over 30 mph, fully loaded and never felt the least bit unstable.

Below are a few pictures from the trip, and here's a link to the full slideshow (over a 100 photos so it's pretty boring) from the trip: http://s261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/The%20Long%20Ride/?albumview=slideshow

I got home the following Saturday without so much as any leg or butt soreness; it was amazing ... and an absolute blast.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/The%20Long%20Ride/P1000633_McNugget_Tree_the_beginnin.jpg

The above when I was just ready to roll out.


http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/The%20Long%20Ride/P1000644_Illinois_and_Michigan_Cana.jpg
The Illinois and Michigan Canal Bicycle Path is a beautiful ride.


http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/The%20Long%20Ride/P1000701_Ready_to_Leave_Campsite_Pr.jpg
A well-tuned, though somewhat heavily-laden machine, ready to begin another day of riding.


http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii54/mkane53/The%20Long%20Ride/P1000709_The_Great_River_Trail_Betw.jpg
Fellow funny-bike rider on "The Great River Trail" along the banks of the Mississippi River. A lot of this path was asphalt paved, non-motorized traffic only trail - it was a fantastic path.

[John Lewis]

Terrific ride. Thanks for sharing. I was intrigued by the sign that said "Falling Rock". The wind farms were interesting as we have one here supplying 75% of city's power (12 generators). Much smaller than yours. Great slide show.

The bike setup looks great. I wondered about front panniers on a LWB. Love your paint scheme.

John Lewis

[mkane53]

John -

Thank you for the kind words. I've followed a number of your threads and have noted that you're a rather prolific builder and rider yourself. Recently retired - school administrator?? - if I recall correctly.

The "Falling Rocks" sign is in an area where adjacent to the road are 150 - 200 foot cliffs. River on one side of the road, cliffs to the right. A beautiful area.

I wondered about using front panniers on a long wheelbase bike myself; so a couple weeks before heading out on my extended tour, I loaded up everything I planned on taking along and rode about 80 miles with the bike all loaded up. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it rode. I think a long wheelbase bicycle is just inherently stable to begin with. The added weight had some affect on the handling, certainly, but not noticeably more than it does on an upright bicycle. There was never a time during my tour when I felt like the extra weight on the front was adversely affecting the handling.

[trikeman]

I second the comments about the ride and the post. It looks like you really suceeded in setting that Meridian up as a touring bike. Thanks for the pics.

[John Lewis]

Thanks for that information mkane. I thought it might have been a place name. Would keep you on your toes riding through there at the wrong time of year.

Yes, you're right on my previous life. Many years with education. I've also run a flying school , worked as a magician and as a bike mechanic.

Building and riding /touring on these bikes though is the most fun I've had in a long time.

Hope you enjoy many more tours on your great bike.

John Lewis

[Sparky]

thats awesome!

ive wanted to do something similar, but then sanity kicks back in and reminds me that the farthest ive ever gone in one day was 34 miles, and that totally kicked my tail. not saying i'll never go on a long tour. just not ready yet :)

this just makes me want a meridian even more.

[SirJoey]

Dang man, that's an impressive ride, AND an impressive ride!

I wish I could ride like that, but I couldn't come close, even in my
younger days, when my longest ride ever, was a century in a marathon!

Congrats, & thanx for the inspiring report & pics! :)

http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/7131/sirjoeysigmedij1.gif

[KoolKat]

Way to go, Mike!