For this ride I’ll be on my 2006 Specialized Tricross Sport with added mudguards and rear-carrier. shown here when it was brand new. 9 speed cassette 11-32T with Deore LX derailleur and 3 chain wheels 28-50T Shimano Sora with Tiagra levers. I like a good low set of gears 28 front, 32 rear is good for sitting down and winding up a Cornish 25% hill however heavily laden. The shop were a bit sniffy when I insisted on adding carrier and mudguards.

My previous 3 bikes had all been Dawes Galaxy, the first lasted 14 years, the next was stolen after about 6 years and the last did another ten years (and to be honest was still serviceable with some new components – I sold it for a song). This Tricross is now 8 years old and still going strong. On its second rear cassette and about third chain. Must have done well over 10,000 miles by now as a mixture of commuting, leisure and touring – that’s credit-card touring, not hard-core carry-everything camping style.

The rear carrier is a Top-peak one with a bag that slides on and has side paniers that fold up when not in use. Slightly heavier than real lightweight stuff, but sturdy and serviceable.

RogerCO