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The Journey

This section of the website is dedicated to the experiences of my journey cycling from place to place.  Since the bike is a huge part of the Crafty Pedaler, it's going to be included in my writing. 
And I'm proud to share it because there's nothing like seeing the world from the saddle of a bike.

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The Bike

Introducing my home-built bike.

A custom made 1970's Dawes Galaxy fixed gear bike, the iron-horse that's ready to visit makers everywhere.

My bike looks like a rusty rat rod, made by smashing components of all different bikes together. And well, that's exactly what it is. But it’s not been built without decision and choice.
Using a Reynolds 531 frame, this 1970's Dawes galaxy was bought because of its strength, it's beauty and its feel.

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When I received it in the post it had a very well preserved, but quite nasty looking yellow finish to it. So, I spent 2 days scrubbing and abrading the finish to give me a rough and rugged luck that I personally love. This personal touch, I believe is how you make a bike your own.

From this frame I was able to install a gear ratio of 71 gear-inches. I did this and built up the rest of the bike in August 2021 with a close friend of mine only a few days before I cycled (the newly finished and plush bike) into a moving Landover.

Lesson: don't get so excited about your new bike that you cycle with a beer and a half in your belly and no helmet on your head.

People think I'm mad for bike touring on a fixed gear bike, is It mad to do the things you enjoy? I enjoy the retro and the feel of it, its connected and responsive.
The first bikes were fixed, tour de-France first rode on fixed before Campagnolo. And the fact that I built it with my own aesthetic preferences make it feel more of a craft piece than a bike.

The front end of the bike was destroyed, and I only had 2 weeks before setting off on a pilgrimage to France. so urgently, and with a concussion and a new scar on my face I replaced the fork set with a spare pair that I had from a Peugeot 103 I had lying around the family shed. Those of you who know the difference between bike brands will understand that French forks and English frames don't mix. but I had to make it work, it was my only choice.
But two weeks later I was hurtling across the countryside of Sussex from Oxford to the port of New Heaven, just outside of Brighton on this bike and a few square inches of tyre.

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