Bicycle touring using a Xtracycle

The following article was submitted by Hank Raines. Hank has no commerical affiliation with Xtracycle. What he does have is a deep appreciation for a product that he feels made it possible and enjoyable for him to cross the Southern United States while carrying the gear needed for fully loaded/self-contained touring while also carrying two (2) Jack Russell terriers along for the ride.

A Trek 520 with the Xtracycle attached.
Click to enlarge.

"You're going through the process of planning for your bicycle tour. You weigh everything, because you've been warned that every ounce will count when you're tired and trying to drag your tired rump up that last mountain. The closeup toothpaste weighs six ounces and with the toothbrush you're pushing a pound. You contemplate whether you could do without the toothbrush. You visit your local bike shop trying to decide between the beautiful new pink panniers that may or not be waterproof or go in style with the bob and a high flying flag. You're about to make the most important decision of your trip, and, about to make your biggest mistake.

Panniers and bicycle trailers have been around for years and are certainly a necessary evil if you're going to tour. Both have their plus and minuses and could quite possibly be the single most important decision that determines your success or failure. Just say no to the bob and walk away from the panniers that will inevitably make your bicycle wobble like a weeble. Instead, ask if they carry the Xtracycle or go to www.xtracycle.com and check out the Freeradical system. Test one, you'll surely end up buying one and for Pete's sake please remember to repack that toothbrush because you've just said yes to the Xtracycle and you are about to enter a world where weight is no longer your biggest problem. The Xtracycle will carry all your gear and make touring fun.

Why the Xtracycle? It's best attribute is it will carry all of your gear without changing the handling character of your favorite bike. Can you say that with your loaded panniers? How much fun are you having lugging that bob up that mountain? You spent all that time and money buying just the right bicycle to tour and now you're going to mess it all up with those "always in the way panniers" or that fifteen pound trailer? Add fifteen pounds to that $2,000 bicycle of yours and what do you have? You're no better off than hopping on your old forty pound Schwinn and trying to cross the country. Good luck.

The Xtracycle is a complete pannier system that extends your bicycle's length by eighteen inches. It's total weight is less than eight pounds and unlike that heavy trailer you have no third wheel. The extra wheel base of your bicycle will allow you to cruise around at speeds you thought were no longer obtainable since you got a little older and added those few extra pounds. The extra length of the Xtracycle makes for a smoother, quieter ride, using the same physics that makes your SUV more fun to drive than your Yugo. Your new Xtracycle will become your SUB and the single reason you can now pedal centuries with no problems and really start to believe that yes you truly can successfully tackle that TransAmerica you've always dreamed you could do. With the Xtracycle, now you can. Now that you've chosen the Xtracycle, not only can you put back that toothbrush but consider taking Fido along now and both of you will have the time of your life. "

Submitted by Hank Raines

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