MetaBike Randonneuring Rig for 2012

So, it's 2012, and my plans for the year are solidifying. Aside from a nicely overdone set of rides to attend, I decided it's time to try something New and Exciting for my brevet bike. My P-38 has served me well for the last four years, and I could certainly continue to utilize it for the foreseeable future, but it's nice to try something new once in a while. Since my semi-local shop is the US dealer for a line of bikes I've been eyeing since its inception, it wasn't hard to choose the base for my new ride.

The half-dozen or so people who read this blog last year may recall that I had picked up a lovely M5 Carbon High Racer go-fast for use in ultra-racing and club rides. The CHR is a blast to ride, and I've really enjoyed it; however, after looking at the rides I did last year, and the ones I've planned for this, I realized that I'm really not that into ultra races right now.

It's kind of funny; I've been really interested in racing in the abstract for the last year, but I've only signed up for one actual ultra road race. Everything else is brevets, challenge rides like CtC, or idle speculation about offoad adventures like D2R2 or the Hilly Billy Roubaix.

So, the upshot of all this is that I'm unloading the CHR, and am putting together a customized MetaBike with the help of Tom and Rob at RBR. It'll start with this:

and go from there.

Aside from basics like fenders and bags and whatnot, additional toys will include a set of Supernova lights, a SON dynamo hub, and a custom open cockpit to replace the default bars and riser. I've also ordered a set of Fiks rim strips for some extra retro-reflective goodness from the side, as additional glowiness whilst in the periphery of someone's headlights is rarely a bad idea.

I'm planning to get it put together in the next couple of months, and am really looking forward to seeing how it handles the brevet season this year.

Awww...you like me! You really like me!

It's not exactly Oscar acceptance material on my part, but thanks to MG on chasing mailboxes for the spotlight on my bike.

Even though this blog went dark last year, people keep digging it up, linking to it, nagging me about posting, etc., etc. I guess I have no choice but to get off my lazy fundament and start writing again. We'll see how long this stretch of motivation lasts...