Most owners of the clearcoat-over-raw Bombadils have long since repainted their rides, spooked at the first indication of surface rust from the coating’s lackluster corrosion resistance.
I came to own my Bombadil after it had lived a decade in the PNW, and honestly, the corrosion situation didn’t seem too bad. However, the somewhat yellowed tint of the clearcoat didn’t really spark joy, and I knew that if this was going to be a lifetime bike, I should start anew with a fresh coat of paint sooner than later. That’s more time for me to add my own beausage to the new paint, after all!
The frame spent a couple months with Chris Dekerf, and no corners were cut. The result was a stiff bill but a beautiful frame. In addition to the new paint, I redecorated the bike with a host of new parts such as a nine-speed, friction shifted drivetrain and big Rene Herse knobbies under Velo Orange fenders.
I expect that most people take a spin around the block as a shakedown ride, but my first ride on this bike back when I got it was an ambitious 50km mountainous singletrack ride, so I felt compelled to at least get out into the woods so long as the bike felt more or less operational.
And more or less, it was. The initial brake installation left a lot to be desired, and even touching the rear brake was embarrassingly loud. Turns out I had the pads in backwards (don’t worry – not cartridge!) so that probably didn’t help. I have a list of other things I need to fix.. but the bike propels.
I chose to venture into the Seymour valley where this bike often calls home. I should note that we had a big dump of snow a couples weeks ago but temperatures have been well above freezing lately, and the snow is gone around town. I crossed the bridge into North Vancouver and climbed up residential streets to a trail network I knew would be good for photos, which is where the photo above was taken. No snow to be seen, and this was higher elevation than where I was headed, so I was good!
Narrator: He was not.
To my surprise, when I popped out of this completely snow-free trail, I was met with a packed snow and ice concoction blanketing the main trail. The lack of tree cover plus the packing of snow from this trail’s higher use meant that it stuck around during the recent rains, and those rains only served to encrust this snow and make it hard to walk on, let alone ride.
Stubbornly, I continued on with a mix of careful riding and walking as necessary. I made my way down Fisherman’s for a bit, even though my Strava had quit at this point so it didn’t even count!
I didn’t make it very far though, and instead climbed up a connector to the hill on the other side of this valley to visit a friend. Thankfully, once out of the valley, the snow relented.
Well – mostly.
It went back and forth.
I then was out on roads again, and any trace of snow disappeared. I didn’t take any photos of those roads because they weren’t interesting. As soon as I got back onto a trail though, I took the following shot. This trail took me down near the bridge which brought me back to my neighbourhood.
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