Louis-Philippe Véronneau - bicyclehttps://veronneau.org/2023-07-27T00:00:00-04:00My new friend Ted2023-07-27T00:00:00-04:002023-07-27T00:00:00-04:00Louis-Philippe Véronneautag:veronneau.org,2023-07-27:/my-new-friend-ted.html<p>About 6 months ago, I decided to purchase a bike trailer. I don't drive and
although I also have a shopping caddy, it often can't handle a week's
groceries.</p>
<p><img src="/media/blog/2023-07-27/bike_and_trailer.jpg" width="70%" style="margin-left:15%" title="The trailer, attached to my bike, hauling two storage crates" alt="The trailer, attached to my bike, hauling two storage crates"></p>
<p>Since the goal for the trailer was to haul encumbering and heavy loads, I
decided to splurge and got a <a href="https://surlybikes.com/parts/ted_trailer">Surly …</a></p><p>About 6 months ago, I decided to purchase a bike trailer. I don't drive and
although I also have a shopping caddy, it often can't handle a week's
groceries.</p>
<p><img src="/media/blog/2023-07-27/bike_and_trailer.jpg" width="70%" style="margin-left:15%" title="The trailer, attached to my bike, hauling two storage crates" alt="The trailer, attached to my bike, hauling two storage crates"></p>
<p>Since the goal for the trailer was to haul encumbering and heavy loads, I
decided to splurge and got a <a href="https://surlybikes.com/parts/ted_trailer">Surly Ted</a>. The 32" x 24" flat bed is very
versatile and the trailer is rated for up to 300 lbs (~135 kg).</p>
<p>At around 30 lbs (~13.5 kg), the trailer itself is light enough for me to climb
up the stairs to my apartment with it.</p>
<p>Having seldom driven a bike trailer before, I was at first worried about its
handling and if it would jerk me around (as some children's chariots tend to).
I'm happy to report the <a href="https://surlybikes.com/parts/surly_hitch">two pronged hitch</a> Surly designed works very
well and lets you do 180° turns effortlessly.</p>
<p><img src="/media/blog/2023-07-27/balcony.jpg" width="70%" style="margin-left:15%" title="The trailer on my balcony, ready to be hoisted" alt="The trailer on my balcony, ready to be hoisted"></p>
<p>So far, I've used the trailer to go grocery shopping, buy bulk food and haul
dirt and mulch. To make things easier, I've purchased two <a href="https://www.homedepot.ca/product/hdx-45l-stackable-strong-storage-tote-bin-plastic-organizer-box-black-base-yellow-snap-on-lid/1001057072">45L storing
crates</a> from Home Depot and added two planks of wood on each side of
the trailer to stabilise things when I strap the crates down to the bed.</p>
<p>Since my partner and I are subscribed to an organic farmer's box during the
summer and get baskets from <a href="https://montreal.lufa.com/en/about">Lufa</a> during the winter, picking up our
groceries at the pick-up point is as easy as dumping our order in the storing
crates and strapping them back to the trailer.</p>
<p><img src="/media/blog/2023-07-27/pulleys.jpg" width="70%" style="margin-left:15%" title="The pulleys on the roof of my balcony" alt="The pulleys on the roof of my balcony"></p>
<p>Although my housing cooperative has a (small) indoor bicycle parking space, my
partner uses our spot during the summer, which means I have to store the
trailer on my balcony. To make things more manageable and free up some space, I
set up a system of pulleys to hoist the trailer up the air when it's not in
use.</p>
<p>I did go through a few iterations, but I'm pretty happy with the current 8
pulleys block and tackle mechanism I rigged.</p>
<p><img src="/media/blog/2023-07-27/hoisted.jpg" width="70%" style="margin-left:15%" title="The trailer hoisted to the roof of the balcony" alt="The trailer hoisted to the roof of the balcony"></p>
<p>All and all, this trailer wasn't cheap, but I regret nothing. Knowing Surley's
reputation, it will last me many years and not having to drive a car to get
around always ends up being the cheaper solution.</p>New Winter Bicycle2021-06-30T00:00:00-04:002021-06-30T00:00:00-04:00Louis-Philippe Véronneautag:veronneau.org,2021-06-30:/new-winter-bicycle.html<p>Although I'm about 5 months early and we're in the middle of a terrible heat
wave where I live, I've just finished building my new winter bicycle!</p>
<p>I've been riding all year round for about 8 years now and the winters in
Montreal are harsh enough that a second winter-ready …</p><p>Although I'm about 5 months early and we're in the middle of a terrible heat
wave where I live, I've just finished building my new winter bicycle!</p>
<p>I've been riding all year round for about 8 years now and the winters in
Montreal are harsh enough that a second winter-ready bicycle is required to
have a fun and safe cold season.</p>
<p>I'm saying "new bicycle" because a few months ago I totaled the frame of my
previous winter bike. As you can see in the picture below (please disregard the
salt crust), I broke the seat tube at the lug.</p>
<p>I didn't notice it at first and while riding I kept hearing a "bang bang" sound
coming from the frame when going over bumps. To my horror, I eventually
realised the sound was coming from the seat tube hitting the bottom bracket
shell!</p>
<p><img src="/media/blog/2021-06-30/old_winter_bike.jpg" width="70%" style="margin-left:15%" title="A large crack my old bike frame" alt="A large crack in my old bike frame"></p>
<p>I'm sad to see this <a href="https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycles_Lejeune">Lejeune French frame</a> go, but it was probably
built in the 70's or the early 80's: it had a good life. Another great example
of how a high quality steel frame can last a lifetime.</p>
<p>Sparing no expense, I decided to replace it by a brand new <a href="https://surlybikes.com/bikes/cross_check">Surly
Cross-Check</a> frameset. Surly is known for making great bike frames
and the Cross-Check is a very versatile model. I'll finally be able to fit my
<a href="https://www.schwalbetires.com/marathon_winter_plus">Schwalbe Marathon Winter Plus tires</a> at the front <strong>and</strong> the back
<em>with full length mud guards</em>!!! Hard to ask for more.</p>
<p><img src="/media/blog/2021-06-30/new_winter_bike.jpg" width="70%" style="margin-left:15%" title="A picture of my new winter bike with CX Pro tires" alt="A picture of my new winter bike with CX Pro tires"></p>
<p>Summer has just started and I'm already looking forward to winter :)</p>