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After too long clattering around on a 1947 Rudge in the process of declattering it in preparation for a veteran ride, I just wanted a nice simple bike ride with no issues.
And what could be better for that sort of ride than a 3 speed Pompino? It's been sitting neglected in favour of the veteran bikes since it did its 200km audax ride up to Dunnet Head last week,
I set off with the intention of riding past Beauly down to Cannich, then almost through to Drumnadrochit and then up the fine hill at Milton heading back through Inverness via Abriachan and the cafe in the woods. Probably end up doing a nice easy 60 miles with great scenery.
Intentions are wonderful things...
After about 20 miles I was finding the road a bit uninteresting and seeing I was near Erchless, I thought "Now there's a good test for a Pompino".
The stretch from Erchless to Orrin Dam is part of the HT550. I only intended to go a mile or so along it just to see how the Pompino would handle it.
Remember what I said about intentions?
The first part is a bloody steep climb - or it is if you're an ancient fossil on a 3 speed bike. Luckily years of riding singlespeed have taught me a few handy tricks (none of them elegant) for climbing hills and I needed them all for that bit.
Now my problem was I did not want to waste the climb, so I figured go on a bit further to get to the bits where the views get good.
One mile lead to another and eventually
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(Lochan Fada in the far background)
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From there I continued on to the dam at Loch Orrin and another 20 miles to get home.
Generally speaking the track up to there is in reasonable condition. Bit tricky on smooth 40mm tyres but almost all rideable. I walked some short bits where the climb was heavily eroded and the surface was basically loose rock, rather like riverbeds (which they probably were doing a good job of imitating just a few weeks ago). Once past the peak the track improves and is quite fast.
Some of the climbs were a bit stiff, but maybe I would have thought different with more than 3 speeds. The steeper descents required a fair bit of judgement because they usually ended in a load of loose rock or a ford at the bottom. The trick was guessing whether I could hold my speed and blast through to maintain momentum, or to slow right down to avoid snakebites or potential crashes.
Throughout the ride there was not one vice shown in the bike's handling. I think a lot of people underestimate the Pompino because it was cheap as chips. It doesn't perform that way.
I'd like to see On-One re-introduce it with the ability to take a slightly wider tyre (say 50mm) and it would be a gravel bike par excellence.
Loved the write up.
Love the pictures even more.
Have been even remotely near there but I will have to one day...
Not sure about the ancient fossil comment. I believe you would kill me trying to keep up with you or your mileage! 👍
Impressed with that! Testing ride for that bike and a great piece of writing too!
The Erchless Forest track to Orrin is known as "The track of a thousand puddles" in HT550 talk. That first climb is steep no matter what bike you are on, the one leading to your first photo is hard work as well.
How dry was it? I'm assuming that since you didn't mention it that it was OK.
I've the On-One Pompetamine which was basically the Alfine hubbed version of the Pompino (it's now in single speed guise), I used it on the Dirty Reiver and it handled fine.
The track was reasonably dry. Dry enough that in some cases the gravel was loose and sketchy on the steeper bits.
However in most depressions there were puddles, generally no more than about 2 - 4" deep but mostly with a solid base and rideable. There was one that had a hidden deep rut in it which nearly gave me a cooling immersion but the bike recovered.
Then were were some little fords, like this one not long past Lochan Fada , which would be "interesting" on wetter days.
I stopped there because I couldn't tell how deep it when I was coming down the hill. A pretty little spot - pic doesn't do the surrounds justice - had lunch there.
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Ah, I remember that ford, looked by far the most pleasant water for refilling along that way. I know what you mean about the drops to fords/gullies, invariably there was a climb out that was just as steep! The section from your second photo to the Hydro bothy (the old concrete store just before Orrin dam) had loads of them.
Back to the Pompino: I've 37c tyres on mine and they just fit in the frame. Like you say an adjustment to the stays and fork to take bigger tyres and you'd have a very capable frame.
It’s been sitting neglected since it did its 200km audax ride up to Dunnet Head last week
As someone who struggles to find time to ride even one bike* in any given week I can't quite get my head round the concept of a week constituting neglect 🙂
(* except the commuter for a mile and a half to the station)
Love your riding epicyclo...like Bez, I have an ambition that should be that much riding in my life...
I passed team Pips along there on 2015 HT550. It's the only time I've seen Tom without a smile on his face I think. The puddles that year were not insignificant. Oh, and don't be foolish OP - it's not possible to enjoy riding a bike that didn't cost at least 3 months wages.
boxelder
...Oh, and don’t be foolish OP – it’s not possible to enjoy riding a bike that didn’t cost at least 3 months wages.
Don't worry, there's a few carbon and Ti bikes in the shed too. Wouldn't want to get those dirty, would I? 🙂