I'm on a roll (of sorts).
I registered for my first micro-tour last week. This week, I installed my rear rack and panniers, AND registered for NYCC’s B SIG training program. I can’t be stopped!
Let’s start with the rack. After doing some research, I decided on purchasing the Tubus Logo Evo. This carrier was recommended by a few people and Tubus seems to be a respected brand amongst members of the bicycle touring community. I decided on this rack because of the flat top-shelf, which will allow me to carry items closer to the seat post and closer to my center of mass, and for its dual rail system, which will allow me to attach my panniers to a lower rail, in turn lowering the center of gravity of my bicycle. This review from Path Less Pedaled features an older model of the rack but was a great resource and helped me reach my decision.
If you read my post about my efforts to install the Surly 8 Pack Rack (and according to the analytics that I have access to, fifty-four of you did), you may have guessed that I was almost dreading having to install this new rack.
My well-equipped (LOL - I’m using plastic scissors) workshop, which also doubles (triples?!) as an office and foster kitten room. Please enjoy my tie dye Crocs.
Fortunately, the process was much easier and MUCH less harrowing than my experience with my front rack. The instructions that come with the rack are not the most helpful and there aren’t any how-to videos that I could find for this specific model so I did my best with what I had. This was my first time installing a rear carrier but I’m sure someone with experience would not have any issues (considering I had very few myself). I had two options of eyelets on my dropouts and picked the one that allowed the rack to sit in what looked like a normal position, but what do I know? I ran into an issue with leveling and this seems to stem from the struts not being long enough (240 mm struts were included). To get the rack closer to level, the struts have to be clamped right at the end of the tube (see below); the directions indicate that the struts should be clamped with at least 10 mm of clearance so this became a concern.
I posted some pictures to the Bike Wrench subreddit to get advice on how to resolve this issue and the responses ranged from me being told I’m overthinking it and to “just strap it tight on top and call it a day! ;),” to thorough explanations as to why the 10 mm clearance is suggested (if clamping the strut at the end, there is a risk of crimping the tube enough and in such a way that the clamping bolt could potentially slide off the end of the struts), to suggestions of longer struts, to words of support from another “person with a small frame carrying big bags.” Most people recommended longer struts and so I was able to find these Salsa long rack struts. They measure 370 mm and may need to be cut with a hacksaw to fit properly but it will be worth it if this helps the rack sit level (sorry to the people who tried to tell me to not worry about it and that it’s already level enough; I’m anal).
This thing is starting to look like a touring bike!
Once the rack was sorted, the panniers were next! I picked out the Ortlieb Back-Roller Free panniers, again based on the fact that the brand is highly recommended and because I have read so many great reviews about the bag’s durability and longevity. The panniers were delivered the day after I had installed the rack and to be honest, I had to spend a lot of time watching videos on mounting panniers so that I could get a better understanding. I still don’t think I have it down and will have to make more adjustments to make sure they are sitting properly but that shouldn’t be too difficult.
I finished messing around with the panniers just in time for NYCC’s “All About the SIG & STS” (virtual) club meeting. I’m a (not very active yet) member of NYCC but for some reason, don’t get any of their emails! So I actually found out about this meeting from WE Bike NYC's monthly newsletter.
I was interested in learning more about the Special Interest Groups (SIGs), which are immersive training series that teach skills and lead increasingly difficult rides over the course of 8-12 weeks. After reviewing the SIG comparison chart, I was leaning towards registering for the B SIG:
The B SIG is a 10 week, structured training program in group riding and cycling skills. Our goal is to create safe, competent and confident riders. By participating in the B SIG, you’ll also improve your conditioning, get exposure to a world of cycling knowledge, explore some of the best riding routes in the tri state area and get high quality instruction in bike maintenance, bike fit, nutrition, stretching, flexibility and first aid. Best of all, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie of a great group of leaders and fellow SIGgies.
The club meeting started with a welcome to new members and a brief overview of the club, including its expectations for its members.
I was digging Fred’s bicycle shirt.
The SIG and STS coordinators and team leaders gave short presentations on all of the different programs before we moved to breakout rooms specific to the ride program we were interested in signing up for. The B SIG breakout room had 70+ members in it and so there was some panic about whether or not we would all be able to register since the SIG does have capacity limits.
This is Colin, one of the B SIG group captains, reassuring us that we would all be able to register!
A qualification ride is required to help place riders on the proper B SIG team, which is divided up into 3 pace levels: 15/16, 17, and 18 mph. The two options for the qualification ride are three laps in Central Park or six laps in Prospect Park. There was discussion of practice laps/organized rides around Prospect Park with lots of people wanting to do 6 AM (or later) starts. I’m in work before 7 AM every day so I proposed some laps at 4 AM:
No one responded.
Anyway, it was a great meeting and it got me very excited about the training program and everything that it will afford. Shout out to the unmuted woman on the Zoom meeting who was chilling with her birds.
Just so you know, Colin WAS right, there was nothing to worry about and I was able to register successfully for the B SIG.
