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Post by brianbutler on May 26, 2023 12:16:30 GMT
Yesterday, I did an interesting 67 mile ride on the Columbia Greenway and Farmington Canal Heritage Trail in Massachusetts and Connecticut, USA.
Most of the route is on paved bike trails in good condition. A few segments had problems with tree roots. There were a few miles of paved roads, and one section of gravel trail. I used the single-speed Viscount Aerospace GP with a 67-inch gear for this adventure and it was a good choice. There were three pitches where I could barely put enough weight on the pedals to top the hill but most of the ride was flat or very modest grades of less than 2%.
Starting from Westfield MA, I headed south 27 miles to Avon CT and the home of my daughter's parents-in-law, John and Margaret. John joined me for part of the ride. We rode south to Farmington CT, then northwest to the village of Collinsville CT for lunch, and finally northeast to Simsbury CT, where we parted company after 21 miles. John headed south toward home and I went north 20 miles back to Westfield.
I recommend setting up a single speed bike for this sort of ride. The occasional hill is more than offset by eliminating many pounds of gear (both derailleurs, shifters, cables, big chainring, multi-speed freewheel, and a length of chain), plus reduced drag by cutting out the serpentine chain route through the rear derailleur.
This weekend I am off to the mountains of New Hampshire where I definitely need low gears, so the single-speed will get some well-deserved rest.
Brian
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,418 
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Post by Jem on May 26, 2023 17:14:13 GMT
Superb photos Brian, I like the look of that ride! The weather looks pretty much the same as what we have at the moment.
That would be quite an intimidating distance on a single speed for me to contemplate though.
I had never thought about the 'offset' of weight on a single speed. Good point.
Jem
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Post by brianbutler on May 26, 2023 18:12:01 GMT
Superb photos Brian, I like the look of that ride! The weather looks pretty much the same as what we have at the moment. That would be quite an intimidating distance on a single speed for me to contemplate though. I had never thought about the 'offset' of weight on a single speed. Good point. Jem I'm not kidding. I really think the single speed is easier and less fatiguing on a ride like this with limited elevation changes.
Brian
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Jem
Viscount
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Posts: 3,418
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Post by Jem on May 26, 2023 18:22:31 GMT
Superb photos Brian, I like the look of that ride! The weather looks pretty much the same as what we have at the moment. That would be quite an intimidating distance on a single speed for me to contemplate though. I had never thought about the 'offset' of weight on a single speed. Good point. Jem I'm not kidding. I really think the single speed is easier and less fatiguing on a ride like this with limited elevation changes.
Brian
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Post by brianbutler on May 26, 2023 19:41:14 GMT
I'm not kidding. I really think the single speed is easier and less fatiguing on a ride like this with limited elevation changes.
Brian
And it's fixed wheel? No, it is a single speed freewheel. Threads on just like any other freewheel.
I did upgrade my rear hub to a flip-flop and put a 14T fixed cog on one side and the 14T freewheel on the other, I have not used the fixed gear yet. I will have to practice in the neighborhood because I do foresee some difficulties with it.
I have put on about 2160 single-speed miles so far this year, a major fraction of my total miles.
Brian
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Post by triitout on Jun 8, 2023 1:34:57 GMT
Glad I didn't miss this. We've been up to the Simsbury/Avon several times going back a few years. Nice area. There was a recent story in the news about a bakery that was "robbed" of several dozen donuts by a black bear! I recognize some of those spots on the Farmington Trail having walked them with my non cycling Mrs. I'll let you know if I ever get back up that way for a mini Viscount Death Fork Ralleye!
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