All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

My youngest is the same, we got him a 100% Status full face (from Planet Cyclery I believe). Lightweight, but burly enough to take the inevitable smash. Seems to do the trick.

 

That pic is from a day ride after finishing the CT bikepack, never took the small bags off since I was doing big backcountry rides the rest of the trip and those bags are useful for day rides too. (CT bikepacking trip report here - https://www.mtbr.com/threads/tr-2021-colorado-trail-race-itt.1193361/#post-15417868)

The Spur is a great bike for bikepacking. I specifically wanted something with short-ish travel and as much front triangle space as possible for a frame bag. Forgot to mention, the frame bag bolts on using the water bottle holes so there is only one strap around the frame at the front, and they can customize its location to place nice with any top tube bag straps. Very slick...

I ran a hardtail for many years bikepacking and would have done fine on it, but planned to do some long road trips that would include both bikepacking and big day rides and I really wanted FS for the day rides. Problem with any FS bike is I can't run a seat bag of any size since I run small or medium frames. Not enough room for even a tiny seat bag. But I'd found out OldManMountain had been resurrected and was producing racks again that come with kits to fit any rear thru axle. And as a bonus this would allow full use of dropper. So I went with that rack, carrying a dry bag holding gear. I was definitely not a light traveler on the CT or any trip when storms are likely since I bring a tent and rain gear. I later picked up a Revelate mini pannier to go with the rack. I'll use dry bag and/or panniers depending on terrain and how much I need to carry.

 

Incredible writeup on your trip. I'll have to read some of your others too.

Your comment on not seeing hikers made me remember one summer I rode Durango to saguache. Earlier in the summer I was hiking around BV and ran into a couple guys summiting Elbert on a rest day. Later when I was biking the ct I ran into them again near the highest point. Was fun to see them twice.

Your post makes me even more excited for what I can get into with this new Spur I got. It's gonna be a super fun summer

 

Hung out at SOC. Then checked out the local goods.

 

Been on a weight loss journey, 25 pounds so far. 25 to go.

My riding group is mostly people over 60, and even the twice cancer survivor still kicks my ass.

Good times.

 

Well I’ve got 48 total miles on the motorcycle

I’ve got to say the first 18 weren’t so bad, but now I’ve got my leftover carbon WAO bars inside the oem stem cut down to I believe 770, maybe 760 anyways, got the controls how I like them and the Dominions on there.

The bikes a hoot in certain situations, overall riding I prefer my Arrival on technical and downs, however for long or quick rides the Wild wins. It also depends on who I’m riding with of course.

Also, the Mara Pro feels like a great shock. Super duper smooth ride. Hayes really is making some great stuff. Now if I can justify a Mezzer Pro.

My legs are smoked from riding that thing, I didn’t get the same heart rate / cardio, but as far as a strength workout it’s similar if not more simply due to how much more riding you can do without stopping.

 

3rd ride and starting to get'r dialed...Lost the chunky 2.6 tires for some 2.4's, dropped the stem 5mm, shortened the wheel base by 10mm (started in the center of adjustment) rolled the bars forward a bit. Feeling like a proper bike after this afternoons ride.

 

Went to get my bike from the shop today and left with a 2nd bike…

 

First real ride with the new wheelset. Mandatory pic at the water tanks in Santa Cruz

 

My ADD has me looking for a new vehicle.
Love our Taco but it’s less than comfortable for a road trip vehicle. Could use the collective to help me narrow it down.
Criteria:
~$40K
-4WD, with a low speed transfer case. Must be a real truck, body on frame.
-Quiet, comfortable
-Space for gear
-Rooftop tent compatible
-Aftermarket support
-Reliable
-Large, not giant
-Don’t care about towing big things
-Cool factor is a bonus

4Runners are fine, but kinda meh.
GX460 is a contender
I think pickup trucks are out
I like the Sequoia, but it huge and overpriced
LC200 is not realistic, too high miles for my price range
The Porsche Cayenne is cool, but no lo gear after 2011
Land Rovers are unreliable
Not a Jeep guy

What did I miss?

 

Just be a baller and get an excursion. Sure it’s big but capable as heck and cool factor is there

 

I’ve been tossing around the same idea haha. The more I think about it, Toyota/lexus is the only option. My GF has a Tacoma so we still have that covered. I was looking at 4Runners and when you really look at it the gx460 is cheaper for similar age/miles and has way more creature comforts stock. I prefer the 4Runner style wise but too many pros for the 460.

I think the 2nd gen tundra is in the running for me but kind of hard to find decent deals on them, plus if we have our dog, my gfs parent’s dog and another human the truck is out.

other options are probably the bronco and tahoe but I’m not sure what the prices are on those right now.

 

I’m missing the end goal. You want more room and comfort but a lot of the vehicles you listed at the same size or smaller than a Tacoma with a topper. I was going to suggest a half ton truck but I’m not seeing the vision or the problem you’re trying to solve.

 

I just got a new Canyon ATX4. Will see how it holds up. It is significantly more comfortable than the Taco ever was. I was considering getting another 3rd gen Taco but I drove one home from the dealer to show the wife and just couldn't see long trips in it. The Chevy version of the AT4 (I think it is the Trail Boss) would probably be around the top of you price range and is pretty much the same truck minus some fancy suspension bits. I was planning to get the AT4 but they had the X in a color I liked and none of the AT4s had the equipment on them that I wanted. If you need to use the back seat for humans though it is similar to the Taco and pretty tight back there.

I would agree Land Rover in that price range is probably not going to be reliable. Supposedly they have made some good improvements recently, there are a couple new Defenders and other Range Rover models in the neighborhood and they haven't had any issue with them. But they are pricey.

I seriously thought about a used GX. I was considering waiting for the new GX to come out but didn't want to tempt the first model year of a new design gods. I think a preowned GX this is the route I would go if a truck is out.

 

I went with a 100 Series for Atlanta. Now I barely drive the Taco.

 

Love our Taco but it’s less than comfortable for a road trip vehicle. Could use the collective to help me narrow it down.
Criteria:
~$40K
-4WD, with a low speed transfer case. Must be a real truck, body on frame.
-Quiet, comfortable
-Space for gear
-Rooftop tent compatible
-Aftermarket support
-Reliable
-Large, not giant
-Don’t care about towing big things
-Cool factor is a bonus

I forgot to add that you can pick one up that is in good condition for $15-20k, totally baseline it for about $10k (less if you can do the work yourself) and still have some money left over for toys. These 100 LCs ride so well that it's hard to choose the Taco over it for daily driving. The V8 is also nicer and the transmission doesn't hunt gears are much.

 

Driving that TuRD gen around all last week just confirmed for me that I could never buy one. It wasn't too bad for just myself but with my buddy and his gear we had that thing packed full. Not like we had a bunch of shit just two bikes , some gear, and the cooler. If we were camping, or the women were coming along that woulda been no bueno. If I have to put a bike rack on my truck for more space then it's basically an SUV in my eyes?

Personally I could really use a truck having dirt bikes and stuff, and I would like to be able to haul a car trailer too. The base level for me would be like an F-150. NGL I been looking at them for a while. A Lariat with the Coyote and low mileage can easily be had sub 40k. A bit of a pipe dream for me , already got 2 cars with the FJ and the Prius. I'd have to let the FJ go and which is unimaginable. (I could see myself in a J200 though...) The lady is getting due for a new car, maybe I can talk her into one. Yea right... looks like I'm gettin a utility trailer in the near future.

 

I've been in the contemplation phase of our car lineup for a while too. My wife has an Outback with 120k and we have my Taco. Neither really has enough space for road trips with the now 2 kids and the amount of outdoor gear we're usually hauling. The Outback makes the most sense to upgrade. High on the list would be a Grand Highlander but I it definitely doesn't have the off-road chops so it's a highway road tripper. New 4Runner and Landcruiser are attractive options and the hybrid powerplants will get the mileage up to Outback range. Thought about a used gx460 but premium along with that gas mileage would sting. I have loved having a truck, so the other option would be a full size, but I love the size of the Taco for my daily/weekend stuff. F150 or Tundra are probably what I'd look at. Either way I feel like you have to have a rack for road tripping with bikes so you can have the rest of the gear in the bed locked up.

 

Pretty much need a rack for bikes unless you're ok with breaking them down to take up less space in the bed. I use my 1up for day trips but put my bike in my bed under my topper if it's a camping trip where I have multiple activities planned like fishing and hiking where I'll be leaving my bike at my truck.

 

I feel you. I have been searching for something new/different as well. I sold my camp trailer and really don't use my truck for "truck stuff" anymore. The Taco is basically a commuter and road tripper now. My main goals for a new vehicle were better mpg and more room in the backseat for a 10 year old. I drove lots of cars and SUVs and finally put a deposit on a RAV4 hybrid Woodland Edition that should arrive in a few weeks. I actually haven't seen it in person, so we'll see how that goes...

Good luck on your search! The new Land Cruiser is all the things you mentioned except for the $40k price tag (and possibly availability).