Equipment:
The bicycle I rode and crashed in last year's C2C was a 10 year old carbon framed Trek Pilot with Shimano Ultegra components. It was inspected by a Trek dealer after the crash for damage. What appeared to be a crack was found around 40% of the seat tube diameter. Pictures were taken of the crack and sent to Trek. Trek looked at the pictures and determined the crack was only cosmetic and the bicycle was still safe to ride. Not understanding the technology Trek used to determine from a picture that the crack was only cosmetic, I decided to ride a different bicycle this year. I chose my eight year old, custom built carbon and titanium frame Serotta Ottrott. Last summer I upgraded the Serotta's original drive components to a new 11 speed Shimano Ultegra groupset. In the upgrade, I changed the standard-reach rear derailleur to a medium reach derailleur which will smoothly move the drive chain over a 11-33 tooth cassette rather than the standard 11-28 tooth cassette. The higher number of teeth allows lower gearing (and thus easier pedaling) which will be appreciated when riding over some of the steep hills and mountains that will be climbed during the C2C ride. I am reusing the same set of wheels used last year which were custom built with Velocity A23 rims and White Industries hubs with 32 spokes, designed to hold up well for long distance riding.
 |
| Serotta Ottrott set up for 2016 C2C. Note the click-stand used to support the bicycle. It is a handy little device! |
Four other bicycle items were changed or added to the Serotta compared to last year's Trek bicycle. First, for added safety, I added a high lumen front blinking white light to improve rider and bicycle visibility for approaching cars. (Bubba currently, as well as in the past, requires a bright red rear flashing light to enhance your visibility for rear approaching vehicles.) Second, I am bringing along a set of lightweight SKS Racerblade Long bicycle fenders with pre-installed mounting clips that can be quickly installed
if when we hit wet weather riding. I ride 700 x 25 Gatorskin tires and SKS recently modified their Racerblade fenders so they comfortably fit these slightly wider tires. Third, I added a Tubus lightweight titanium bicycle rack (8 ounces) which adds the capability to carry clothing items like rain gear, gloves, arm warmers, and any other items that may be needed (or shed) during a day's ride. Finally, I think most riders would tell you a major physical problem on long rides can be sore buttocks. In fact, one person last year developed blisters that became infected and caused her to miss many days of riding. Fortunately, since last year, I found a saddle made by
Selle Anatomica that is basically a piece of leather suspended on a metal seat frame. This seat when set up correctly forms to your butt and immediately provides seat comfort. Brooks also makes a leather saddle that is much firmer which I have never found comfortable. I believe this new bicycle saddle may prove to be the best long distance bicycling equipment addition I made this year!
 |
| Selle Anatomica X saddle. |
This year, the total weight of my bicycle set up ready to go with all accessories and gear is 26 pounds (Bare weight of bicycle before accessories was 17.8 pounds.) Not quite a sleek 16 pound racing bicycle, but a far cry from the 93 pound bicycle I rode in 2010 for 1331 miles on a self-contained ride!
Training:
Residing in the state of Washington for six months a year and in the Tucson, Arizona area for the other six months, one could say I am fortunate since I am basically in training all year long. Specifically, since January 11 to the end of February this year, I have ridden a few miles short of 1200 miles. The specific C2C training preparation I did within these riding miles was to ride mileages of 40 to 80 miles periodically on 3-4 consecutive days. I believe this riding cycle helps acclimate your body for the C2C daily average distance of 66 miles each day, within the daily range of 32 to 95 miles. I will know shortly how well prepared I actually am!
Hi Wayne. I've been reading your blog with interest, since I hope to do the C2C ride with Bubba next year. I've been training for it this summer, and the thing that seems to hold me back is my saddle. On my new Salsa Vaya bike, I installed a Brooks B17 Imperial saddle. Notwithstanding a lot of miles and efforts to break in the saddle, it still holds me back. I noticed in your post above you used the Selle Anatomica for your C2C ride. Can you give me a review? Was there no break-in required, as Selle claims? And how was the saddle on the C2C ride? Thanks so much for your input for a fellow Coaster to be!
ReplyDeleteHi Van,
ReplyDeleteBubba does a great job and I highly recommend his C2C! It sounds like you are serious about the trip with your research.
For me, the Selle Anatomica X type saddle has been an excellent fit. It is interesting that I also had a Brooks B-17 Imperial saddle that I had attempted to break in ahead of a self-contained ride six years ago from Spokane, Washington to the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Minnesota. I rode it many miles ahead of that ride and then rode it over 1300 miles on that trip. It never did break-in for me and I never had such a sore butt as during the entire trip. I put it on Craigslist upon my return and sold it. I know a lot of people love Brooks saddles, but I certainly didn't have a positive experience.
My first experience with the Selle Anatomica was a year ago this summer when I purchased a used bicycle with one installed. The very first time I rode it, I couldn't believe how comfortable it was. I had never experienced seat comfort like it provided. At Christmas, when Selle had their annual holiday sale, I purchased a second one (I think it was on sale for $40 less than the normal pricing.) It provided me the same comfort immediately as had the first used one. It is a saddle that I can ride on all day, even without Butt Butter and not get sore. There were two other coasters this year who used the same saddle and they both loved their's as much as I do mine. If you get one, just follow the setup instructions. The nose of the saddle rides a little higher than a typical saddle and the tension of the saddle (softness/sag) can easily be adjusted with the tension bolt. I would get a cover for covering it at night and I also left it covered if we rode in rain. If you don't keep it dry, it will develop a significant sag. The sag can be removed with the tension bolt, but at some point, you will run out of adjustment. I like the saddle will enough that I have on order the soon to be released lightweight Selle C (carbon) saddle which is only supposed to weigh 180 grams. It is an expensive saddle so I hope it is as comfortable as the X series.
Remember, saddles fit riders differently and I can't vouch your fit. I just know the fellow I purchased the used bicycle that came with the Selle loved the saddle, two other C2C'ers loved theirs, and I also have never ridden a more comfortable saddle. If you do get one, I hope you like it too and would appreciate your feedback after your evaluation.