My New Touring Road Bike—Surly Long Haul Trucker

I became the owner of a brand-new Surly Long Haul Trucker last Thursday. I decided to purchase my new bike through Hiawatha Cyclery, a local bike shop in Minneapolis that specializes with Surly bikes. They run a Bike blog, and always quickly returns emails. The changes made with the bike consisted of swapping out the tires for 26″ 1.7 and the seat with a Brooks saddle. The additions to the bike are sliver fenders, and front and back racks. I will be keeping the stock handle bar and bar-end-shifters.

Hiawatha Cyclery is located on E 54th street near Hiawatha. I rode from south Minneapolis to Northeast Minneapolis (the location I am staying) which is around 15 miles+. On one of the hottest days of the month that broke a record from 1913, I decided to jump on Hiawatha (highway 55) and cruised in the drops. Immediately, I noticed that this style bike enjoys the open road and can handle extra weight.

Today, I rode a good 40 miles around the Grand Rounds circle parkway of Minneapolis. The bike-path circuit of the Grand Rounds in Minneapolis runs 55 miles around the city that includes four+ beautiful city lakes and the Mississippi River. There are also several new bike trails that connect with the Minneapolis city parkway system.

I rode with weighted down back panniers, a considerable Northwest wind, and tackled a few hills — today was a good workout. Halfway from Lake Harriet to Minnehaha Falls my calve muscles started to cramp up. The saddle seemed Ok; my tail bones seemed to get slightly sore. Hill climbing was getting to be very difficult as I continued on this ride. I took one break at Minnehaha Falls, and only dismounted a few times to take some pictures.

I will be heading into the cycle shop this week and look at the different types of necks for a better fit. Currently, the fit of the bike is great when I’m in the drops. Sprinting up a hill is another story, including riding in the break hoods.

This week I am ordering a handle bar bag for convenience, and will buy front panniers. This next week I will be hooking up the Bob Yak Trailer and start riding fully loaded down.

You may notice my Orgone Pyramid on the front rack, I will be searching for black or red bungie cords. I am hopping to keep the Pyramid in that location while touring.

I will be leaving Minneapolis no later than September 25th.