Tour de Orange Juice We are planning on taking quite a bit of gear on the trip (climbing, cycling, camping, clothes, and random stuff). While past trips prove that it is definitely possible to take it all on the bike, loading up a trailer with the heavy stuff seems like a logical choice. It also means we can bring back maximal amounts of olive oil and feta cheese.
So, without further ado, here is the new trailer (still thinking of a name for it) Shredmobile.
This is our new Burley Coho XC, designed for off-road trails and rated to hold up to 31 kg.
The maiden voyage
I took it for a test ride because:
- It makes sense to try it out before starting out on a long trip.
- The inner child excitement triggered by a new toy was too much to resist.
The first stop was to take some used glass jars to recycling because that’s what responsible adults (which someone who purchases a bike trailers must be) do.
I got a wave from a dad cyclist with a kid on the back, which never happens in the big city of Berlin. I waved back. The act made me feel like part of some secret cycling society that I didn’t know existed until I joined the trailer club.
Next, I wanted to try some off-roading, so I headed to the canal.
Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.
I’m sure it wouldn’t have looked so smart to try out the Shredmobile right by the water’s edge if I’d ended up swimming, but hey, no risk, no fun. At least now I am confident that the trailer will perform better than my pre-canal doubts anticipated.
Honestly the setup handled really good. It didn’t feel cumbersome and in some situations I literally wouldn’t have noticed the trailer was there, if I wasn’t aware of it. I will have to remember that I now have some extra length behind me, and I am sure things are definitely going to get interesting when its fully loaded. Lets see.
Overall I am really happy with the Shredmobile, and I am looking forward to using it on the trip and give it a proper test.