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The
Moulton Marathon Package - 1970
I was delighted when Dr Alex Moulton built the 'Marathon' for me
in 1970. It proved to be a very reliable, efficient and comfortable
machine. The strength of the small wheels after riding through many
huge potholes, the comfort of the suspension during long daily rides
and the low centre of gravity when fully laden.
Even 32 years later I still believe that Moulton Bicycles are "the
best touring bikes in the world".
The 'Marathon' was designed from the ground up as a complete and
integrated machine for my 1970/71 ride from England to Australia.
In designing this bike the aim was to achieve the most efficient
equipment for travelling, feeding, sleeping and resting. The complete
pack weighed 63 lb - the two halves of the machine, plus some kit,
fell within the 44 lb free airline luggage allowance and the balance
of 18 lb was acceptable as cabin luggage. The 'Marathon' used the
familiar Mk 3 Moulton design with 16 inch diameter wheels and the
new triangular frame suspension unit behind the seat tube.
The transmission was unusual - a Fichtel and Sachs 2 speed automatic
rear hub with a combined backpedal brake which, with a double chain
ring and two sprockets provided a choice of two sets of gears (48"-67.5"
or 34"-48"). By appropriate choice of chain wheel and
sprockets sizes a high gear and a low gear is obtained by slipping
the wheel forward and moving the chain manually. I carried a spare
rear hub but, to reduce weight, I ceremoniously buried it in the
desert near Kandahar, Afghanistan (I hope a soldier isn't trying
to defuse it!).
A Mafac 'Driver' brake was fitted to the front wheel with the pivots
brazed onto the frame.
The tyres were a new Dunlop nylon corded high-pressure (80 psi)
with natural rubber tubes. Greater liability to tyre wear goes with
decreasing wheel diameter but these tyres gave me over two thousand
miles of riding before replacement. I carried 3 spare tyres and
picked up extras in Istanbul and New Delhi. The Swedish Termo G-66
double skin tent weighed just over 3 lb with sufficient space to
house me and the two halves of the bicycle in comfort and out of
the weather. The telescopic pole was carried inside the seat tube.
The sleeping bag was an Arctic 610 from the same company. A small
petrol stove sat in a cage between the panniers and a metal bottle
on the seat tube carried fuel. (This stove lasted many years until,
on a cycling trip in Nova Scotia, the fuel bottle was too close
to the stove while cooking my evening meal. A fireball erupted near
my tent and an elderly gentleman with a baseball bat hit the stove
about 30 yards through the air).
A canteen - plate, pot, pan, cup and cutlery were stored under the
rear rack.|
The saddle was a 'Unica' which I had used for quite a few years
while road racing in the 'West Country' of England. It's 'horses
for courses' when it comes to saddle comfort but this plastic saddle
served me well.
The front panniers and rear bag were made by Fjallraven - the latter
was a backpack with shoulder straps.
I remember walking through Customs when I entered Australia, the
Moulton under one arm and the small backpack hanging on my shoulder.
The Customs Officer looked up from a pile of suitcases and said
"now that's the only way to travel!"
How right he was!
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