Month: January 2024

For the last 7-8 years, I have used a Bontrager Flare RT tail light when riding on the road. In my opinion, it is a fantastic piece of safety equipment. It has now become my backup, as I have found what I believe to be the number 1 safety device on the market.

Last fall, my brother, on his way to my house, saw me riding on Rt. 739. He could not believe that I was riding on a road that had no shoulder. I told him that if I wanted to ride on the road at all, my choices were limited to roads with no shoulder or start, stop and pedal every mile on Rt. 6. Then, For Christmas, he surprised me with a Garmin Varia RTL515 tail light.

I had vaguely heard about the attributes of this product, but was not sure that I needed something so safe. What’s next, a reflective vest (maybe). When I strapped it onto my seatpost for that first ride, I could not believe what a difference maker it really is. Simply trying to hear the sound of a car coming from behind me to now being able to see a car driving up the right side of my Garmin screen is mind blowing.

The tail light is bright in every mode and has several day time and night time modes to meet every cyclist’s needs. But that’s not why you buy this product. You buy it for the radar detection of cars. Garmin offers several versions of the Varia. The RTL515 gives you radar detection of cars with a great blinking taillight. The eRTL615 is specifically for E-Bikes. The RCT715 gives you everything that the RTL515 gives you with the added bonus of video footage of rear approaching vehicles. There’s also the RVR315 which is just radar and no taillight. Each Varia product pairs with any Edge bike computer and Garmin also offers the Varia app to use with any smartphone.

After about 400 miles, I see no reason to ever ride on the road without Varia. Action Bikes and Outdoor in Milford is a great place to find out about and purchase this can’t live without safety accessory.

With winter, pounding most of the country this year with lots of snow and cold weather and northeast Pennsylvania getting our share, I have finally taken to riding inside a little. Not having to prep the bike, prepare my bottles and layer up, has given me some time to finish my review of the Velo Orange Pass Hunter.

It seems that this may be a little late, as Velo Orange has discontinued the Pass Hunter in favor of their new Rando frame. Still, it may help some to know how the bike has performed after a couple thousand miles. I have also made a few changes to accommodate my riding style and comfort.

In my last review, I noted that the Pass Hunter was speedy and climbed very well. That has not changed. I did switch out the steel fork for a Whiskey #7 carbon fork. This reduced the weight of the full bike to just under 22lbs. Unfortunately, the clearance on this fork only allows a 700c X 28mm tire. So, I swapped the Bontrager R3 32mm tires for a set of 28s. I may switch back to the steel fork as the ride quality and comfort probably out weighs the weight savings. I also, swapped the 11-32 cassette for an 11-34 to help my old legs get up some of the steeper climbs.

That said, I’ve kept the Nouveau Randonneur handlebar, Grand Cru Headset, stem, seatpost and crankset (the beauty of these components enhance the appearance of the gorgeous cool blue color) as well as the Growtac Equal brakes, the Moderniste bottle cages, the SRAM Force derailleurs, SRAM Red shifters and Bontrager Aeolus carbon Wheelset.

The Pass Hunter has become my go to bike for longer rides. I’ve completed a couple of brevets and gotten lost for hours on end in northeast PA and the Hudson Valley of New York. I can’t get enough of the 46/30 chainrings, perfect for all day rides.

If you’re looking for that well rounded steel frameset, Velo Orange still has the Pass Hunter in all sizes.

What’s playing (what am I listening to while writing or what’s dancing around in my head while riding), today – Peter Wolf – Lights Out

With snow in the forecast for this weekend (3-5, 5-8 or 10 inches), whatever the total accumulation ends up being, it usually means that the roads and trails in the Delaware State Forest will be iced over until about late March. I have stayed away from the forest during hunting season and the holidays and did not want to wait another 10 weeks.

This morning, I decided to layer up and venture out. It was 28 degrees at 9:30am. That meant full balaclava, lobster claw gloves, 2 pairs of wool socks and thermal shoe covers. Although, I usually ride as much as I can throughout the winter, I really hate cold fingers and toes.

I headed out of my driveway, through the community to the deer trail that dumps out on Five Mile Meadow Road and right into the mud. Five Mile Meadow was rough. Ben Bush Road was not too bad. Standing Stone Trail as well as the Burnt Mills Trail were pretty wet. This made for a messy, but fun ride. coming back, Flat Ridge Road was wet in spots and the back half of Five Mile Meadow was pretty muddy at the bottom, but once I climbed in about a mile, it was dry enough. I did see some bike tire tracks on Flat Ridge and Standing Stone Trail.

I hate waiting until Spring to get back into the forest. I may have to wait for fresh snow and hop on the mountain bike for an adventure ride through the winter wonderland. Either way, today was just about being in the woods and enjoying the quiet.

What’s playing (what am I listening to while writing or what’s dancing around in my head while riding) , today – Rush – Red Barchetta