It is 3 years this February since i got my Surly Moonlander...
The bike has not changed much since a year ago...
Brooks Cambium saddle and Alpkit medium Gas tank bag added a few months ago...
Why perfect for the coast?;
Here is the reason i think the Moonlander is the perfect coastal bicycle for soft sand and rock crawling;
Steel Frame set; No worries about crashing it on rocks, just a scratch or two...Once frame proofed it won`t rust through like some folk think, yes you will get a little surface rust after a few years but nothing to worry about..
5" Larry tyres on 100mm rims; maximum float on real soft sand and amazing grip on wet rocks...
135mm rear hub; or more exactly a Hope Pro 2, these hubs are proving to be bombproof if you re grease bearings with Marine or Graphite grease, adding an available steel free hub (£57) makes the hub even better esp if running steel cassettes. Also you have the option to fit any of the available Internal Gear Hubs like a Shimano Alfine or Rohloff IGH...
Perfect chain alignment; 2x9 with bash ring as stock is perfect for the coast, You need a granny ring to get the most out this bike, Going where even a 4" fatbike starts to struggle is possible and made easy, i run a 20t x 36t 1st gear, and still amazed what this bike rides through and across on the coast...
Here is a film from last year in April showing how soft sand it can ride through...
If Tonka made bicycles it would be one of these!...
And another showing it`s rock crawling ability on the coast...
Winter day high tide ride at John Muir Park;
This is one of my favourite parts of the coast to ride the big Moonie,
At a high tide there is still loads of riding, made easier with the big M,
Also there is some sweet trails in the woods...
Was a lovely winter sun adding a warm glow to the views today...
When high tide the bay looks so huge!, days like this is why i want to own a Sea Kayak, be great to have a paddle around the bay...
For now i will suffice with the best thing land based... :)
WW2 peg for securing something here once on the coastlines defences
lovely light today on the coast and again those blue sky's, never seen so much good skies in winter!...
Very soft going in places, i know my Pugsleys would be starting to struggle along here and i would have a bit of a sweat on...no worries with the Moonlander...
Inland around the incoming tide on the salt marsh o continue around Spike Island...
Soon around the water and back out towards the point...
From the point it is 2km to Belhaven Bay...
Its a long way when its as soft as this and your on the granny ring, spinning effortlessly, i enjoy this type of riding on the Moonlander even when as slow going as this in the soft conditions today, why?,
Because you can!, and here at JMP it is always so quiet and peacefull out around the point...
The red cliffs of Dunbar glowing in the low afternoon winter sun...
Its a long way today on the soft sand to Belhaven Bay, good to enjoy some `me time` and have the place to myself today...
I rode back out towards the point though the criss cross of sandy single track through the low grassy dunes...
And soaked up the winter sun...
Across the salt marsh with minimum footprint...
Around the coast in the woods to Hedderwick, there is still the west side of the park to ride, but will save that for another visit...
Back home and a quick airline down as not been in any salt water today...
Yep, The Surly Moonlander; is still very `Fit for Purpose` as a beach bike...
More soon...
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