BICYCLE STUFF

While I rode the Camino on a road bike, most of the cyclists (70-80%) I met on the Camino were riding on mountain bikes. While mountain bikes aren't typically used for touring in the United States, they make sense on the Camino, primarily because it gives you the option of riding on the walkers' footpath as well as on roads.

My bicycle cost $99.70 at Costco. It was a Motiv Versato. I think it was supposed to be a cyclocross bicycle. Whatever its original purpose, the components on the bike were worth far more than its selling price. Shimano integrated shifters and drivetrain? Check. Tektro Cantilever brakes? Check. Cane Creek headset? Check. Triple crank? Check. Fender mounts? Check. Despite its basic goodness, I did make a couple of changes. Some for aesthetics, most for practicality.

I had the frame painted white at a local auto body shop. Then I added my own decals. I found some water-transfer decal paper for inkjet printers online. I renamed the bike Bucephalus, after Alexander the Great's horse. Bucephalus means oxhead, which I think suited my ride.

I put the names of some of the towns I'd be riding through along the top tube. Additionally, I had the people I met autograph the frame.

I got a Brooks B-17 saddle from a great online shop, Wallingford Bicycle Parts. (Wallbike.com) The B-17 is the most comfortable seat I've ever used. I can't say enough about it.

I also got my panniers, handlebar bag, and small saddlebag from Wallbike. They're from France, are made by Gilles Berthoud, and are resolutely old-fashioned. Heavy duty cotton and leather. I think they're beautiful. The handlebar bag has one nod to modernity, in that it attaches to the handlebar via the Klickfix system. It's very simple to take off the handlebar bag when you stop and get off the bike. The black bag on the back is a Trek rack trunk.

The rack is an Old Man Mountain Sherpa. If you have a bike without rack mounts, or oddly shaped seat stays, (like Bucephalus) or a mountain bike, I recommend these racks without hesitation. Check out their website for more details than I can go into here.

I added fenders. They're made by Zefal.

I put on Time Atac pedals. Very easy to get in and out of, and they have plenty of float, so they're easy on the knees.

I replaced the 30-tooth inner chain ring that came on the bike with a 26-tooth ring.

I put on bar-end shifters and non-aero brake levers. I like bar-end shifters, and I think the non-aero brake levers with gum hoods look right with the Berthoud bags. The N.O.S. Diacompe brake levers cost $5.00. From Antoon's, near Detroit.

I used Tressostar cloth handlebar tape. Red. From Rivendell bicycles. (I would love to have a Rivendell bicycle some day.)

I found a nifty Topeak water bottle carrier online from Velotique in Canada. It fits a standard 1.5 liter mineral water bottle. Every gas station in Spain sells mineral water bottles that fit in it.

I changed the tires to Specialized Nimbus Armadillo (puncture-resistant) 700 x 28s. I had no flats. I have put nearly 3,000 miles on those tires, mostly riding around the glass-laden mean streets of Detroit. I had no flats. I repeat. I had no flats. I bought them from the Specialized online store.

I changed the brake pads to Kool Stops. Everyone says they're great. I can't disagree.

I bought a bell. It's a nice way to gently alert people you're behind them. Plus, you can signal walkers you pass. Put one on your bike.

I wore Specialized Sonoma shoes. They're very comfortable, look almost like regular, non-biking shoes, and don't clack when you walk around in them. Also from the Specialized online store.

My cycle computer is from Specialized. Cheap, and it works.

In my small saddlebag, I carried a lock, two spare tubes, a patch kit, tire levers, a tire pressure gauge, some chain lube, and a Crank Brothers multi-tool. You will need a multi-tool to reassemble and partially disassemble your bike for the plane ride. My multi-tool was a gift from my in-laws, who found it at Nashbar.com. The lock was the lightest I could find.

The pump is by Blackburn. I never had to use it.

I bought a bigger cassette, chain and rear derailleur in Spain, because I needed lower gearing.

My local bike store, Bikes, Blades, and Boards,did a great job boxing the bike for my trip to Spain.