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"Bike Porn"-your rides and how/where you use them

Jonathan Duke said:
What a great thread!

So..... I'm new the the camper/california scene, having just acquired a T6 Beach, in January 2017..... The purchase was also a bit spare of the moment, but one I don't regret, for sure.....

Firstly, I've been a keen motorcyclist, since I got my first motorcycle at 5-years old.... I've toured Europe, most Summers (about 12 in a row,) on various motorbikes and also completed a Coast-to-Coast Tour across North America, and 2x tours in Morocco. My wife Sarah, has owned motorbikes also, and enjoyed some of the above Tours with me, either riding pillion, or on her own bike.

However, we have, since 2014 very much caught the cycling bug..... And our recent holidays/tours have general orientated around cycling.... And it's into cycling, that most of my spare time and disposable income disappears these days..... Cycling is healthier than motorcycling, for sure.... And for us, offers all the same benefits, of adventure and exploration. The California, we hope, will help us maximise this in many ways.....

So...... What's in the fleet currently.....

We both own Specialized AWOL's, both were initially the same, 2014 AWOL Deluxes. However, Sarah's was stolen, and was replace before it was recovered. So, her's is now a 2015 AWOL Elite.

The AWOL is my "go-to" bike, its a commuter, winter-hack, touring-ship and Sunday cruiser all-in-one.... My favourite bike for sure. I just love it. It's highlight of it's career thus far, is a Tour from Trondheim, to Bergen in Norway. Some photos below:

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I also own a 2015 Specialized Camber Comp Carbon, this is my full-sus 29er, for when I choose to have a shred around some of the fantastic MTB resorts, here in Northern Ireland. Rostrever's Red Run, is my go-to, but I like Davagh Forest also.

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Finally..... A Specialized Diverge, and a Genesis Equilibrium 10.... These are for when I cycle with a group, do sportive rides, like the Gran Fondo etc... I'm in the process of selling the Diverge and replacing it with the new Specialized Roubaix FutureShock. I might, just keep the Genesis, as it looks good..... But TBH, haven't got much use from it, and probably should sell it.

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Anyway..... Hope you enjoyed this, and it brings a cycling-inspired smile to your face! Maybe see some of you on the roads someday, either in the Cali with bikes loaded on the back, of on the bikes themselves.
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I love the Equilibrium - masterpiece of frame design. My Equi. Ti absolutely blew my mind when I first rode it and which is why I've since massively upgraded it. Just need to get some decent wheels on it now. So I concur - you must keep your Equilibrium!
 
@Jonatan Duke thanks for sharing! Great to see other people passion for cycling/biking/road biking or whatever! And great post to find some pros to buy more bikes :)

@MKRW Wow, skillful riding of your son! Location looks great. Is the place covered with tracks like this?
 
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@sapto thanks, yes the area is covered with all sorts of trails, but none of it is trail marked you've just got to go and explore, new trails appear all the time and old ones are changed or closed down....
 
MKRW said:
@sapto thanks, yes the area is covered with all sorts of trails, but none of it is trail marked you've just got to go and explore, new trails appear all the time and old ones are changed or closed down....
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Sounds like "heaven"
 
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It's Christmas to me...
 
Thanks @sapto

Just remember..... The number of bikes you require, is a simple equation of n+1 - Where "n" equals, the number of bikes you currently own. This is one of the "Cyclist Rules" so must be always true :D

From your box of Christmas presents, it looks like you've got some "speed and adrenaline" in-mind, hydro-brakes, hard-guards and nice grippy shoes. Enjoy!! Don't forgot to double-up on the underpants!
 
Here my steed in Grizedale forest.

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Any recommendations for a bike rack that fits the California (towbar) and will take four bikes with 'Boost' width forks and rear dropouts. Resigned to the fact I won't find one that also allows me to open the tailgate.

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk
 
4NT5 said:
Here my steed in Grizedale forest.

cbd92c6228b26d945136c1ba59bcb7f0.jpg


Any recommendations for a bike rack that fits the California (towbar) and will take four bikes with 'Boost' width forks and rear dropouts. Resigned to the fact I won't find one that also allows me to open the tailgate.

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk
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Great picture!
I'm happy with my Atera DL3 (I could extend to DL4... means carries 4 bikes). I can open my tailgate however to be honest: 3 proper MTB (normal bar of 720mm) will never fit without turning the bars or removing the pedals (click/crankbrothers mallet dh ones)...I also thought about the DL3 in combination with the original bike rack but I like the fact the height of my Cali isn't increasing over 2m...I'd rather take my bike inside...just my thoughts.
 
Great to see all kind of different bikes! And the California fits them all/looks always great with them
 
4NT5 said:
Here my steed in Grizedale forest.

Any recommendations for a bike rack that fits the California (towbar) and will take four bikes with 'Boost' width forks and rear dropouts. Resigned to the fact I won't find one that also allows me to open the tailgate.

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk
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Here's a picture about the tailgate, DL3 and a bike with a 750mm bar... it's okay because I am small and can get easy to my stuff however not great if you are taller...
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Strong said:
I love the Equilibrium - masterpiece of frame design. My Equi. Ti absolutely blew my mind when I first rode it and which is why I've since massively upgraded it. Just need to get some decent wheels on it now. So I concur - you must keep your Equilibrium!
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I love the equilibriums as well. Especially the Ti, being a mechanical engineer :) I have a croix de fer myself. Lovely bike. I upgraded my wheels to Hunt Aero Light Disc's and it completely transformed the bike! Also, with Schwalbe Pro One's fitted tubeless, it shaves over 1kg off the bike PER WHEEL. I keep the akasiums for riding with studded tires in the winter, or the cx tires in the summer.
 
sapto said:
Here's a picture about the tailgate, DL3 and a bike with a 750mm bar... it's okay because I am small and can get easy to my stuff however not great if you are taller...
8f2e52969b3592140cab3c288135058e.jpg
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The Thule 929 works fine in that regard, the holder goes down almost horisontal.
 
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Got an new (nearly) family member: Pivot Mach6.
Tested it last Sunday, was happy, found it in my size and now look forward to my next ride!
I am going to give my Trek Remedy 7 to a friends daughter and everybody is happy.
Enjoy your weekend.
 
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Bikepark Samerberg close to Munich. Small nice and cosy Bike Park offers everything you need to have fun. No need for a DH bike.
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Looks fantastic Norm. Your lucky that's a great part of the country to go beach riding.
 
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