DeLauney Delight

I have no idea if Boris Delaunay’s triangulation theory has anything to do with the ride characteristics of a bicycle frame. Perhaps you “math wizards” would care to comment?

I had not heard of DeLauney until consuming a few beers on a roof top bar in Ann Arbor in the company of a gentleman who was math gifted, an Olympic class fencer, and a brilliant conversationalist. He was working to apply Boris’s work to the stress analysis of a computer generated solid model. Well, enough of that.

I have been preparing for our “Circle the Vineyards” tour around the wineries in Galena and Jo Daviess County. The inspiration for this event is the enchanting and rigorous bicycle tour through the Italian Tuscan countryside. It is called L’Eroica (heroic), and it rolls over pristine white gravel roads or Strade Bianche.

L’Eroica obliges its participants to ride only steel bicycles made in 1987 or earlier. Shifters must be on the down tube, and clip-less pedals are not permitted. The heroics are in the hearts of gracious folks who get their vintage bikes up and down the hills wearing woolen cycling outfits of days gone by. L’Eroica celebrates that old roads and old bicycles should never die but be always there for us to enjoy.

And so, on this spectacular afternoon, of 15 settembre, I set forth from Stockton to shake-down of my old 1981 Trek 412 for our “Circle” tour.

We were bound through Elizabeth via old friends like Brown, Pleasant Hill, Reusch, and Skene Roads.

In preparation, we modified the 412’s gearing for the serious undulations. The original Silstar crank set with its 42 tooth small chain ring was relegated to the parts bin. On went Sugino’s compact crank with only 36 teeth. Our expectation was that six fewer teeth would significantly reduce the grinding of our own dentures and knocking of knees in the hills.

Our first test was up the hill to Massbach Ridge. To my great astonishment, the 412 jumped to the climb like a Labrador pup to a lake. Pedals turned freely considering that we also retained the services of the 412’s original six-speed freewheel and its 30 tooth sprocket.

The next phase of the shake-down was to test the sturdiness of the 412s frame. This commenced, as we plummeted off Massbach Ridge on Bethel Road. Again, my admiration for this old Trek swelled as sure as you can cry “Ishiwata 022!”

Up Bethel we went to Brown Road and up again to stunning ridge top views before dropping into Woodbine. From there we contended with a very rough and torn Woodbine Road on our decent into the Apple River valley. Again, the 412 proved steady and safe as houses-- its old Dia-Compe brakes keeping things in control.
As we rolled along Apple River Road, the harvest was in progress, although one wonders what yields will come of it. Another serious flood this summer slimed the cornstalks and spewed gravel across the road surface. Nevertheless, the 412 pedaled along comfortably up to Elizabeth.

We entered town by the old fort, crossed Route 20 and continued out the west end on Pleasant Hill. Turning south, we tucked into some really bold rollers before hitting the hell of the Hill. Nevertheless, my old Trek steel bike continued its climbing magic.

Last year, I installed a longer Nitto stem and their sensational Noodle Bars. The stem is formidable and the bars are so ergonomic— a positive addition to the 412’s solid feel.

Speaking of ergonomics, the Brooks saddle Bill Leibman sold me off his Waterford touring bike was blessedly comfortable. The way we test a saddle is to ride it on hard roads for more than 40 miles. Admittedly, fit, level, and bike frame make a difference, but they are constants in this inconstant design of fabrications per il fanny.

Once on top of Pleasant Hell, we took the first left on an unmarked gravel road heading east. The road forks in about a quarter mile, and we stayed to the right on Reusch Road. When the gravel turned to chipped seal, I stopped to have a snack in the sun. The air was warm and hushed disturbed only by my chewing the granola bar. I crunched quickly and was again at peace on a beautiful road.

Reusch Road descends through the forest into a lovely bucolic valley. I rounded the corner passed the Sullivans’ farm-- the 412’s mischief factor greatly enhanced by Nitto’s bar and stem and the big flat RMX pedals. I simply stood my weight on the outside pedal, pressed down with the inside hand, and around she went tight as a trout on the line.

At the next corner, I could hear barking and see tails wagging, but they were well back off the road as I spun past up the long hill. The climb continued in earnest up Derinda Road. At the crest, I turned back east on Skene Road for another rush through the woods.

I thought of my friendly Butterflies (Jilly & Colleen) and our near miss of a deer when we last flew down this hill. Skene Road runs through yet another scenic valley and climbs steadily back up to Massbach Ridge for the run into Stockton. There are days when you don’t want it to end.

On Saturday, we’ll do a full dress rehearsal of “Circle the Vineyards.”