Back to Bald Hill

We went downtown and made our rounds to the bicycle shops in Corvallis. We were looking for the bike Pedal Poppers wants, but were unable to find it here in Corvallis. For now, we've decided against the Trek 520 and are looking more at the Specialized AWOL Elite, which is in the same price range. The components seem slightly better all around on the Specialized. I think as a bike for me, I was quick to write it off because of my size and because of its long reach and top tube, but for Pedal Poppers, it may be perfect. Being a lifelong fan of Specialized bikes, we were glad to rediscover it. This is a great complete bike, set up with very nice components for the price, racks and fenders included.

A number of the geometry sizes of the bike are what we are looking for in terms of comfort and touring in comparison to a number of measurements we've taken on ourselves in relationship to our current commuter bikes and the lack of comfort we have on them. Pedal Poppers could go with a medium sized bike here. With 794.1mm standover (the height between the ground and one's nether regions while standing over the top tube - basically your inseam plus your riding shoes), this is a great fit (at least on paper) for someone with a 30-34 inch inseam.

Take a look at that long wheelbase; at 1072 it's longer than most others in its class by about two inches, which spells better road bump absorption on this hearty steel frame. That spells more comfortable miles. The chainstays are nice and long as well adding to the overall comfort of this bike on those long rides, so overall, this looks like a well-designed touring bike. The racks, integrated shifters (for us, a bonus over the bar end shifters on other tourers), and Shimano Sora groupset put this in the same category as the Vaya 3, but I'm just not seeing as many of these around Corvallis as the Salsa bikes. The subdued color on this beats the Salsa's spicy green or sky blue beauties if you're hoping to keep your bike from getting too many sidelong glances from those with heavy-duty bolt cutters. To try it for fit, and perhaps to eventually purchase this bike, we'll head up to Portland's River City Bicycles - they have these in stock right now!

Here is a list of components that look like a pretty good deal to me after going through reviews on nearly every part. For touring, we'll be replacing the tires with Continental Gran Prix 4 Seasons (700x32) for a little more quickness and puncture protection on the road than the 42mm width slower-rolling stock tires. We're not off-pavement much, so this is will be beneficial for some hard packed trails, but mostly road touring. Hopefully we can find the 32s since prior to this year these tires appeared to only come in 23, 25, 28, widths, and I'm not finding many of the 32s online. Otherwise, Pedal Poppers will be willing to use this bike as is for weight loss, training, and touring (though we may eventually go to the Brooks B17 Imperial saddle).

What you're probably looking for is our Bald Hill photos. While I originally thought Bald Hill was by itself one of the better challenges for getting in shape, it does this without killing you and making it impossible to get out the following day. It is a moderate climb that you can take at your own pace, and like much of Corvallis, there are trails everywhere beyond the main trails up and down the hill. We have also seen quite a few folks with their horses up and around here - there is a horse designated trail as well. 

Pedal Poppers climbing the Bald Hill northside trail.

Here I am, Sprocket, at the top of Bald Hill.

Strangely, this little fluffy robin led us up the last steep turn of the trail. He then perched on a limb when I made the final turn to the top and sang a little song. When we returned to walk back down the trail, there he was waiting for us, and he led us back down a ways, walking just ahead of us and looking back several times to make sure we were still following. Just wonderful what an adventure in the great outdoors can do for your spirit! I'll keep this friendly robin in my memories for the rest of my days, and I hope to see him again on my next hike up this hill.

The view to the west from the top of Bald Hill. Lots of cute couples up here enjoying the sun today.

The view from the bottom, near the barn along Midge Cramer Path. The sun was setting behind us as we returned, and the mountains looked a lot clearer under a beautiful pink sky to the east, but leave it to my camera to pick up the haze instead. You can still see the mountains a bit. This just shows you, you have to get out and see this yourself, beautiful views from all sides bottom to top.

Hope to catch you all again soon.

-Sprocket