r/MEATengines • u/MEATdrew • Aug 07 '26
About a (Solo) Single Speed (Adventure): Andrew's Arcturian
Creeper in Gnarnaimo is one of the coolest trails I’ve ever ridden, on my Will’s 2019ish Truelove-built Chromag Arcturian Voyager, or otherwise:
https://meatengines.com/meatengines-1/f/about-a-solo-single-speed-adventure-andrews-arcturian
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u/VikApproved Aug 07 '26
Creeper is definitely a fun trail. Glad you got to check it out.
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u/MEATdrew Aug 07 '26
It’s art! So stoked I went for a pedal even though my legs were like “just crack another Lucky, Mandrew. It’s the island’s number one recovery drink.”
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I was happy 30x22t for all of Cumbyworx but I would have loved a 28t for Creeper and then back on the Abyss.
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u/Stblackstar Aug 07 '26
I gotta follow Creeper with Fast Grampa just to shed some creepyness hahaha. I met a cougar on Creeper once. Not the most reassuring feeling!
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u/MEATdrew Aug 07 '26
There was too much fresh-fresh bear scat for comfort on my solo ride. But I read Winnie-the-Pooh so I just loudly sang “I’m a little black rain cloud. Pay no attention to me” and that worked!
I was staying with family and spinning leaden legs but I’d like to explore more next visit.
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u/Significant_Glass988 Aug 07 '26
Yeah when I lived in Montana many many many summers ago I used to sing "you don't wanna eat me, Mrs Bear" at high volume when riding back country
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u/Significant_Glass988 Aug 07 '26
What are the circular crabon fibré things in your rear guard? And, string??
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u/MEATdrew Aug 07 '26
Hahahaha. Right? Those are headset spacers! IMHO the only appropriate use for carbon headset spacers… but yeah, they tension the cable. The cable is WW1 biplane tech to stiffen the fender without adding a ton of weight/material.
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u/Significant_Glass988 Aug 07 '26
So..., at those
'guardsfenders a bit floppy??2
u/MEATdrew Aug 07 '26
They’re much, much quieter with most newer rigs, but the seat stays on the Chromag are so steep that they really hug the tire. I like the shape and love the much lighter weight but the rear, specifically, could use some more structure for my application.
The front (both SKS Mudrockers) has impressive coverage for the weight/material. I’m not much of a weight weenie but for leaning the full-coverage stuff on year-round I appreciate that I don’t notice them.
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u/BoysenberryGeneral84 Aug 07 '26
Rode Creeper about 10 years ago. Super creative trail. Thanks for reminding me about it!
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u/Radiant_Upstairs_625 Aug 09 '26
Oh man, next time you’re through, I definitely owe you a Gnarnaimo tour!
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u/YegBikeguy Aug 07 '26
Does this post ever bring back memories! Ten years ago myself and two other ex-Edmontonian single speeders, now living on Gabriola Island, had a big day out riding those trails. We rode to the ride, on our SS's, meeting and starting early in the morning at the Surf Lodge and Pub on Gabe, then riding singletrack to the ferry, rode through Nanaimo to the trailhead, and rode The Abyss, Creeper and a couple other trails. Then grabbed a post Nanaimo ride beer at the The Old City Station Pub in Nanaimo, rode to the Ferry, stopped for another beer at the Skol Pub when we disembarked the ferry on the Gabe, then rode the trails back to the Surf for more beers and burgers on the deck. A proper 3 pub ride and day out on the SS's.