In a previous recent post to this blog, I mentioned I empathised with Chris Boardman when he wrote that he no longer enjoyed riding on the road, constantly having to perform risk assessments for his own wellbeing.
Partly for such a reason, but for a while now I’ve had an idea at the back of my mind (or maybe a little nearer the front) to add a touring bike to my small collection once affordable. A couple of weeks ago, the idea came even further forward resulting in a search on eBay. Described as adventure bikes but still suited to touring, a couple came up in my search in the mix of the results for traditional touring bikes.
One in particular, well regarded in the value for money stakes, really excited me and I put it on my watch list while I did some further research and a few monetary calculations. I soon decided to buy this Pinnacle Arkose 3, 2015 model residing in Surrey; there were 14 other watchers and with a couple of weeks of the listing still to run, it looked and sounded too good to miss. Being in London a few days later for the Revolution Track Racing Series at Lee Valley Velo Park meant I could bring the bike home with me on the train, rather than make a dedicated, costly trip.
Loaded with my London overnight bag, including camera and extra lens, and with the spare set of (non folding) tyres, I managed to ride the 1 mile back from the seller to Sutton Train Station in Surrey, and from there on to Weymouth by train via Clapham Junction. Now with this adventure, gravel, touring bike I have so many more (away from traffic) options for cycling trips. It will even tackle some light mountain bike type trails. The sale included the SPD pedals, an additional set of (Schwalbe Marathon) tyres and some mudguards, albeit the rear one is held together by duct tape. Merry early Christmas!
