Col du Galibier on a Cycles Routens Tandem

Saint Michel de Maurienne. Our 'Cycles Routens' tandem - la 'belle machine',
ready to go, while...

... we enjoy second breakfast with coffee, pain au
chocolat and croissant aux amandes

A great view opens already after the first switchbacks.

First leg: Col du Télégraphe, time for early lunch.

On the long yet steep straights between Valloire and Plan Lachat.

The heat of the day rose faster than we could climb
to reach cooler elevations. Thanks to the many
water points along the route two large bottles were
sufficient for the two of us. 

Break at Plan Lachat with excellent blueberry cake
and panna cotta. We made another stop here on our
way down.

One of the last turns above Plan Lachat.

Its only about here that one can see the col for the first time.

Approaching the tunnel shortcutting the col for cars.

Unison. The stoker compartment is rather short compared to modern frames,
but we like the stability and the feeling of connectedness of this vintage
frame geometry.

The varied climb from Saint Michel de Maurienne alternates between tight
turns and long straights.

Summit picture of our Routens tandem on Col du Galibier.

Routens tandem in its natural habitat.

The view on la Meije recalls memories of numerous mountaineering and ski
mountaineering excursions (here) in the Massif des Ecrins. 

La Barre des Ecrins.

Descent. The old brake systems are reassuringly capable: the Maxi-Car rear
drum takes a lot of heat load and the overall speed in check, while  the
MAFAC Racer center pull brakes provide good control in the turns.

Hairpin turns above Plan Lachat.

Back on Col du Télégraphe. The last little
ascent from Valloire is already forgotten.

Col du Galibier from Saint Michel de Maurienne, map. 

Col du Galibier from Saint Michel de Maurienne, elevation profile.

More information on the climb on cols-cyclisme: Galibier depuis Saint Michel de Maurienne

Tandem restoration tidbits: cable guide

One of the first things I did after taking possession of our tandems was a restoration of the cockpit areas that had been changed by the previous owners. Both, the Peugeot and the Routens came  equipped with three brake systems: two rim brakes and a rear drum brake.

Vintage tandems often come equipped with three brake
systems and the rim brakes on a twin lever.

I decided to restore them in the original configuration with the two rim brakes operated from a twin lever on one side, and the drum from a conventional lever on the other side.

Peugeot with 3 brake systems. With non-aero brake levers of the time this
would make for busy air space with all the noodles, if there was no cable
guide.

With the non-aero levers of the time, this makes for busy air space with all the 'noodles'. When looking for ideas on how to organize the cable routing I got inspired by the Specialites T.A. brake cable guide (Velobase).

Cable guide on the Routens tandem. From left to right: Maxi-
Car drum brake, Mafac Racer front center pull, Mafac Racer
rear center pull.

I anyway had already considered to drill the stem to double as brake cable hanger and to do away with the flexy original ones mounted under the headset nut. Combining the two ideas led to the following solution:

DIY cable guide. The shape was inspired by the stem-bolt-
mounted Specialites T.A. cable guides.

Peugeot from the riders perspective. A stainless steel bolt
from the hardware store was modified to a domes shape and
polished to blend into the classic ensemble.

The stem was modified with a stepped bore (at 17 degrees, so that the cable runs parallel to the head tube) to act as brake cable hanger, a M5 tapped hole for the cable guide stem plate, and another M5 tapped hole for the Crane bell.

Cockpit of our Routens Tandem: Belleri stem JPR handlebar, Specialites T.A.
- style DIY cable guide, Crane bell. The stem was drilled in three places:
(i) to act as front brake cable hanger, (ii) to fix the cable guide, and (iii) to
mount the bell.

To mount the cable guide to the stem, stainless steel bolts from the hardware store were modified to a domed shape and given a high polish finish to blend into the classic look of the ensemble.

Routens: JPR handlebar, Belleri stem, Specialites T.A. - style DIY cable guide.

Peugeot: BLB Stem, 'Guidons Philippe Atax Professionel' handlebar, DIY
Cable guide. From left to right: rear cantilever, front cantilever, Atom rear
hub brake.

As a last little detail, the two brake cable housings coming from the twin brake lever were tied with stainless steel wire, in order to keep them organized without recurring to cable ties.

The brake cable housings coming from the twin lever were tied with stainless
stel wire, in order to keep them organized without recurring to cable ties.

If you would like to receive the pdf pattern for a jigsaw exercise or a dxf for laser cutting, drop me a line (contact).

Tandem restoration tidbits: headlight mount for the Peugeot TM 8

Fender mounted headlight. Modern interpretation of the original.

Our Peugeot Tandem came with a replacement front fender and had lost its original fender mounted headlight in the process. And while I don't really miss the glow of a conventional bulb powered by a bottle generator from a practical point of view, I do like the esthetics of those french fender mounted lights.

Interim solution. The affordable and quite capaple Busch and Müller Eyro
took over until new fenders were purchased, a generator wheel was laced and
a suitable led light selected.

For the creative restoration I was thus looking for a modern solution uniting the original spirit with the performance of modern led lights. Besides the obvious candidates with a classical look (Edelux and IQ-XS), I liked the shape of the EYC which could be taken for a descendant of the aleady modern looking fender mounted lights of the eighties.

The Busch and Müller is a little gem and fits nicely in the overall esthetics
after some modifications and with an appropriate mount.

And the realization that the upper body shell of the EYC is made from alloy and could be stripped and polished makes it a little gem in my eyes. I felt that the 'EYC' logo was looking too busy and filed it away when stripping the paint. The shell fortunately polished well and came out looking gorgeous.

Evolution of the light mount from first draft to final shape. I wanted to create
a modern interpretation of those vintage light mounts from folded sheet metal.

What was still lacking is a light and secure mount. There is a commercial solution available from Velo Lumino (here) but I wanted to create a modern interpretation of those vintage light mounts created from folded sheet metal.

Front and back view. The light holder is riveted with 4 mm plain rivets. The
burly edge of the EYC nicely mirrors that of the Gilles Berthoud fender.

The holder is securely mounted to the Gilles Berthoud Fender with 4 mm plain alu rivets, which have a low profile on the underside and won't rattle loose. As much as I like 'french fender cuts' I left the Gilles Berthoud fender untouched as the burly edge of the light nicely mirrors that of the fender.

Front view. In the background the quite efficient Weinmann brakes.

The mounting position turns out perfect, as the light has no chance to cast busy shadows from its vantage point. The illumination of the EYC is very even, and the moderate total output compared to the top of the line models has the benefit that its easier to accommodate to dim objects in the surroundings.

If you would like to receive the pdf pattern for a jigsaw exercise or a dxf for laser cutting, drop me a line (contact).

Cycles Routens Tandem

Since our first tandem experience and some memorable rides in the Vercors and Chartreuse mountains with a rental from Métrovélo in Grenoble last summer we were hooked.  Already during our holiday we scoured the internet for an affordable used bike made for two. We managed to locate a nice Peugeot TM8 Ladyback in Hannover that we picked up while still on our way home.

Tandem Routens sur fond de Grenoble et la chaine de Belledonne.

The Peugeot needed some work to get back in shape for longer excursions, and when browsing the web to source parts and learn more about tandems in general, we came across this beautiful Routens for sale at Cycles & Go. Although we had little hope it was still available, and we didn't really need a second tandem, we dropped a mail ...

Le Routens avant la restauration des postes de pilotage. Cadre à double
triangulation, derailleur avant côté capitaine et transmission par chaine
longue. Photo par Cycles & Go.

Le velo dans le 'magasin' Cycles & Go à Fontaine. Photo par Cycles & Go.

... and were lucky. After my first visit, Cycles & Go were kind enough to reserve the bike, replace some damaged components, and change the rear cassette from 14-26 to 14-28. They agreed to keep the bike for a while until we definitively could take possession of it during our next holiday in the region, and I was able to recover a few parts for restoration.

Cintre course JPR a l'avant, cintre plat ('Moon Bar) a l'arrière, guidoline en
cotton Tressostar protégée par 4 couches de vernis shellac clair.

Détails de la restauration de la potence et du cintre course. Sonnette Crane
Bell montée directement sur la potence Belleri qui a été modifie avec un
passage de cable pour le frein avant et un support cabe style T.A. pour les
cables du frein tambour et le frein M.A.F.A.C. arrière.

We had decided, that the handlebars, seat-posts and saddles needed some adjustement for a proper fit and a bit of attention for better looks. Clear shellaced tressostar cotton bar tape, a hole in the stem for the front brake cable, T.A. style diy cable guide, and a shiny Crane bell definitely improved the overall appearance.

Tandem Routens sur fond de Chartreuse.

Re- mounting the parts, and the first few small excursions in the foothills of Belledonne and on the plateau du Vercors confirmed both, a nice a ride, but also that a second french tandem meant opening another can of worms. That said, I have to admit that I actually do enjoy the hours spent in the workshop understanding 'french bicycle idiosyncrasies' combined with the particularities of tandem components when the weather does not allow any outside activity.

Freins (et leviers) MAFAC, tête de fourche Routens-esque. Le jeux de
direction n'arrête pas a nous poser des petits soucis. On trouvera la raison et
la solution.

Moyeux avant et arrière Maxi-Car. Le frein tambour arrière est assez efficace
pour contrôler la vitesse dans des longues descentes frequentes dans la region.

Eclairage 'vintage' Cibié, Soubitez, Cibié.

The bicycle is equipped with a range of nice french components: MAFAC brake levers, MAFAC Racer front and rear brakes mounted on braze-ons, Specialités T.A. tandem crankset, JPR pedals, Huret derailleurs, Maxi-Car tandem front hub, Maxi-Car drum brake in the rear, Mavic and Super Champion rims,  JPR handlebar, aluminum fenders, Cibié lights.

Sur le plateau du Vercors, vue sur la Moucherolle.

But despite the nice looks, Routens decals, and being partially equipped with what used to be high end components - there is some nagging doubt about the frame: the presence of JPR components places the bike in the era of Jean-Paul (rather than Jo) Routens, the fork resembles a Peugeot or Motobecane tandem fork at least as well as the ones with the famous biplane crowns, and the finish of the seat stays and twin laterals reminds the bike boom tandems more than a fine custom frame. At least some of the tubes are seamed, and with close to 23 kg, the bicycle is overall a bit on the heavy side. Could it be that the frame was subcontracted, and the bike 'only' assembled by Cycles Routens?

La passagère avec nôtre tandem devant les Trois
Pucelles.

In the end, this observation doesn't take anything away from our enjoyment, and we decided right away to take the bike on tour at the next best occasion - but this is another story.

Quand il pleut dehors nous voyageons dans les souvenirs.

Around Grenoble 'Cycles Routens' is still a household name and while tandems rarely fail to prompt cheerful comments, its even nicer to hear an "Oh! Le joli Routens ..." and to engage in a short conversation about beautiful bikes made in the region.

Time trial Hamburg - Berlin*

*Curslack - Spandau to be precise - 14.10.2017

Organizers website: HHB 2017

On the Velomobile forum: HHB 2017

The solo and team time trial Hamburg - Berlin is the seasons closing event of the Audax Club Schleswig Holstein. An inspiring mixture between brevet and race.  Its long enough to get brevet riders like myself interested, yet short enough to attract the fast racing crowd and triathletes. The course profile lets recumbents and faired HPVs play out their strength, and the fierce but friendly competition among them makes it feel like their informal championship. Accordingly there was a selection of the finest human powered vehicles on display, ranging from classic randonneur bicycles to the latest velomobiles. For my part, I rode the Pass Hunter. (VO Pass Hunter build). 

S21 to Bergedorf. "Powered by Nature"
one of the few rules for the time trial
Hamburg - Berlin.

The rules are pretty simple and leave a free choice of itinerary, as long the propulsion is human powered, traffic rules are respected, and two bridges over the river Elbe are crossed exactly once in the correct direction. 

There was a selection of the fines human powered vehicles on
display at the start.

The event is characterized by a mixture of nice touches on one side, and professionalism in its complex organization, that is executed entirely by the Audax Club SH on the other side.

Quattrovelo.

The inscription is literally worth the money, as it includes a generous breakfast buffet at the start in the Curslacker Landhaus, food, coffee and water at the only control in Dömitz, and luggage transport to the finish, where cheap beer, barbecue, and more excellent food wait to celebrate the days adventure.

Time trial bike.

The landscape along the Elbe has some marvelous stretches, and this year it was possible to actually enjoy it. Hamburg Berlin has a certain reputation for its autumnal weather, but this edition was the exception confirming the rule: The weather was dry, warm, and a steady tailwind procured a feeling of  smooth sailing. A welcome change after last years laborious ploughing into a consequent headwind accompanied by light rain.

On the road on the first leg. Mainly 'Elbuferstrasse'.

I had a late start at 7h44, and was quickly passed by a number of velomobiles, even though most of them had certainly chosen the latest possible starting times approaching 9h. No surprise, as the fastest hold average speeds around 50 km/h against which my 29 km/h for the first 95 km to the control in Dömitz are ridiculous at best.

Human powered Vehicle.

After mainly following the Elbuferstrasse, unsure whether the damage of Sturm 'Xavier' the week past had been cleaned up, I headed up the first hill in Alt Garge where I had cut through the forest last time.

This year, I visited the only real switchback (blue), where I,
had cut through the forest last time (red).

And who wouldn't invest a few hundred additional meters and a little climbing to take advantage of the only real switchback in 285 km? 

Most of the velomobiles started late yet still passed the
uprights on the first leg.

Single rider, - but the event is draft legal among participants.

Team drafting a velomobile.

Drafting a velomobile. Does it help, and for how long?

Predator: White Milan.

On the first col of the 'mountains' of Hitzacker the organizers had prepared a surprise feed stop for those choosing this route. Too early for me after the second breakfast at the start, I headed on.

Tiny hills close to Hitzacker.

Approaching Damnatz I decided in favor of the seemingly shorter zigzag through a maze of fields and farms where I had followed the meander of the Elbe last time.

What looks shorter (blue), turns out to be a maze of fields and
farms with a lot of sharp turns and dirty roads. Last year I
followed the meander of the Elbe (red).

Approaching the control. Bridge near Dömitz.

Tandem at the control.

A velomobile being scanned by the organizers.

After 3 h of comfortable riding with comparatively little effort, the second mandatory passage south to north over the bridge in Dömitz appeared in sight.

The organizers provided some food and water at the control.
(There even was a surprise feed station on top of one of the
hills close to Hitzacker).

Velomobiles at the control - for some the only stop.

Being a slow rider, I spent just a few minutes at the control to refill my water bottles, and enjoyed a short coffee and half a banana. Its a single stage event, the clock is always ticking, and it pays to be efficient in average.

Small villages ...

... linked by scenic backroads without traffic.

Most went without any luggage.

After some time I catched up with the well equipped race tandem, that had left the control just when I arrived, and wondered how our weathered vintage Peugeot TM8 that spends the weekend in the shed would fair on this course.

Say hello to the tandem. A melancholic thought to our vintage
Peugeot TM8 that spends this weekend in the shed.

I found the way to the dike, that I had missed last time, unsure whether the gravel route continues, and after I had seen other riders decide against. Its one of the beautifully desolate places, and the gravel path on top of the dike was fast rolling in the dry conditions.

I found the way to the dike (blue), that I had missed last time
(red).  

Many riders follow a route close to the Elbe for quite some time.

Back then they were watching us.

RG Sprinter Emden in one of the typical alleys. We played
cat and mouse for some time.

They were much faster, but had a different (longer) route and
longer stops.

I had been passed by many fast riders in the first leg, and to my initial surprise quite some of them now overtook me once again, a few even more than twice I believe, but its hard to distinguish riders with identical jerseys form clubs participating with several teams. They were already greeting me as 'le randonneur' for my conspicuous steel bike, front luggage, leather shoes, and unshaved legs.

Wittenberge - about half-way out.

I was passed by many riders.

Yet it shows, how different equipment-, route-choices and stop strategies can partially even out on a long event. Speaking of strategies, I have to admit, that I didn't have any this time and therefore rode a two stop strategy. I was hoping to find a gas station along the route in Havelberg, and got a little nervous heading into the rather deserted Havelland with little water left in the bottles after none had materialized. The Aldi in Friesack was still a long way to go. Just when I was about to run dry, the NP in Rhinow came to my rescue and  I refueled with  bottle of water, a coke, and a pack of 'Marzipankartoffeln'.

There was a lot going on on 'the course' and at the side of the
road. This handsome gentleman from Stendal happened to have
a track pump in his trunk, right when two participants had need
for it. He kindly took care of the inner tube no longer fit for the
purpose too. Honi soit qui mal y pense.

There were things going on at the side of the road. Cars at cycling speed, following roads that make more sense for participants but not so much for somebody providing support only at the control. May be all of them were vehicles of the organizers? Honi soit qui mal y pense. The organizers seem to have made similar observations...

The Havelland is full of beautiful alleys.

Just on the last stretch, when I already thought I had made it,  a roadsign unambiguously told me that I wouldn't cross the Havelkanal right here because of construction work. I followed the deviation, only to realize it might use the highway.  I turned around a second time laboriously rerouting myself with the tiny screen of my GPS.

In Paulinenaue it payed not to follow (blue) the concret slab
farm track, I considered shorter last year (red). I seem to
have been the only one not up-to-date that the bridge over the
Havelkanal was closed. Detour.

After a number of Berlin's traffic lights wearing my patience, I finally reached the Wassersportheim Gatow after 10h33 in the rapidly fading light of a beautiful day.

Finish at Wassersportheim Gatow. Beer,
sausages and memories of todays and past
adventures.

Way home from Berlin to Hamburg next day.
(Some 'real ones' ride back...)

This edition saw the introduction of a 'starters pass' (not
shown), QR-codes to scan start, passage at the control,
and finish, and a finishers medal. This mixture of nice touches
and professionalism characterized the entire event.

Ok, here are the numbers: A total of 285.82 km (including a small detour via
Brieselang - I was probably the only participant not up to date that bridge over
the Havelkanal was closed) in 10h33. This results in an average of 27 km/h,
stops included. As this year's conditions were perfect with a steady tailwind,
this is almost a bit shabby compared to last year's 11h29 into a consequent
headwind.