Alcohol stove, 2012 edition...

Refinements galore! The stove is a multi-stage stove. It can be used with or without the Afterburner (which reduces boil time of a pint of water by 30 seconds in my tests). The Afterburner can be easily removed, allowing for a more efficient fuel usage. The Simmer Cap can (optionally) be placed on the stove, then the flame comes out of the side vents instead of the Center Vent. In this case the flame is much more diffuse, allowing for extended simmering, baking etc. Finally, the Simmer Ring can be slid into any desired position, during any chosen application of the stove. The Simmer Ring permits extremely fine flame control by choking off a percentage of the air supply to the flame. This is by far the most sophisticated stove I have ever developed and built. In addition there are several other refinements to the design: there is a built-in primer pan (only necessary for cold weather starts). The pot support legs can be easily disassembled from the stove and slid inside the Simmer Cap Handle for transport. The edge of the stove Center Vent has been partially rolled inwards, creating a stronger edge that is less likely to deform under the 700+ degree heat of the flame. Construction is of extremely lightweight aluminum which allows for the fastest time to operating temperature. Furthermore, unlike many other stoves, this stove can be used immediately after ignition: no need to wait for the stove to "bloom". Unused fuel is easily tipped back into the fuel bottle saving precious resources. Lastly, the entire stove is sized such that it will fit easily inside a standard Hiker's Mug which grants it total protection when carried on a hike.

Back in the day...

 Taken at the defunct Gopal Bicycle Shop in CHarlottesville Va about 1990. Store ManagerKervin, and fellow mechanic Andre are posing with me.

When even an Aluminum Wrench is too heavy...

 These Aluminum Wrenches were reasonably common back in the day, but were still too heavy for me.

I did test out the drilled and polished wrench before taking it on the road one trip. It worked fine, though it was a tad "springy". I never had to use the wrench in anger, on the trip, so it stayed in this pristine condition for the last 20 or so years.

Toolkits...

 As you might have guessed, when bike touring I liked to be both prepared *and* a light weight as possible. Pedal a loaded touring bike up a series of long, steep hills, and every ounce seems to count. So I spent a while back in the day developing tool kits that would (just about) do the job whilst shaving ounces.

I was going through my tool collection today and found these babies that I had almost forgotten about. Some are made by Topeak and some were made by me: cutting down Allen Wrenches to the absolute minimum size that can be grasped in a small Crescent Wrench. Not a perfect solution, but certainly lighter than the original wrenches.

If you go through my older posts here you'll see the contents of the Altoids Tin Toolkit, and also the Fishing Tackle Box Toolkit.

Woodland Camo Goat, 1989. Eclectic component mix.

Thought you might like to see some pics of my 1989 mountain Goat. Fall in New Hampshire today, all pics taken against my favorite tree in my back yard

Pics of my last five really rare Victorinox...

 

Woodland Camo Mountain Goat Deluxe....

 I still own this, but it's currently for sale. 

1989, 20 inches center to top. 

A few shots of my red and silver Mountain Goat....

 All fillet-brazed. 022085, so 20 inch, made 1985, the 20th frame made that year.

Ken Beach fillet-brazed stem, Fat Chance bar,

Shimano DeoreXT RD and FD.

Specialized crankset and BB (modded to be double-sealed).

Suntour Rollercam rear brake, Shimano DeoreXT front brake, Real levers.

WTB wheelset.

Shimano DeoreXT thumbshifters (modded with wood and copper).

Suntour XC Pro seatpost.

Selle San Marco Regal saddle.

I still own this bike, but I have it up for sale currently.

Pretty rare Fuso MTB

 A few shots, bike sold to the same guy who bought the Fuso road bike. So now he has breeding stock, and can produce some wonderful gravel bikes from the combined DNA. 

Bike got sold in May 2021, to a Long Islander.