One big aspect of a global journey is keeping the bikes running and with a lack of convenient bike shops, having one bike type for all guests is a must. Having all bikes equipped with the same components drastically reduces the amount of spares that the mechanics have to carry with them, allows us to stock only a couple of sizes of inner tubes & tires and generally keeps things simpler for the crew.
For the guests however it means leaving your favorite bike behind for several months and adapting to a new steed. Of course everyone can bring their favorite, broken in saddle and pedals and enjoy a bit of comfort from home.
As we explored the available options (and there are many), one major headache loomed over our decision making process … how to make sure 40 bikes follow 40 guests on the same airplane. Most smaller jets such as 737s and A320s would have a difficult time fitting 40 full sized bike boxes in their cargo area. And even the larger jets such as 747s, A330, 777s, have limited space for such bulky items. An alternative was chartering combi’s, jets which offer both cargo space and passenger space inside the cabin. But this is an expensive alternative.
In the end we have settled on an elegant solution, a high performance folding road bike made in Eugene, Oregon by the folks at Bike Friday. While most people’s first reaction to the word “folding” is ‘that can’t be any good’ and when they see the small size they continue their skepticism, but once they hop on board and take it around the block that fear is lifted and once they have gone on tour they are hooked.
The folks at Bike Friday have engineered a bike that goes beyond simply convenience. The Pocket Rocket model that we have chosen is a high end road bike, that spins effortlessly across the flats, climbs like an animal and descends with the ease and handling of a Tour de France pro. These bikes are ridden by some of our crew on a regular basis, as well as by owners of a number of our competitors. Luminaries from the cycling world such as Phil Liggett and Lon Haldeman ride those little folding bikes. And every year we host a special tour through Thailand for owners of Bike Fridays.
For the journey, we have settled on the Pocket Rocket model, equipped with Shimano 105 drivetrain. We considered upgrading to Ultegra, but the 105 have been shown to have good durability and are less prone to problems. And since the performance characteristics are similar, we figure durability outweighs a prettier look. Each guest’s bike will be built to order, based on both physical characteristics and riding style. Colors ? heck there are lots to choose from and applied as durable powder coating.
