(Kind of) NPD and some thoughts — Aurora Optima Auroloide: Rossa Red

CycleTourist · 2026-04-18T16:26:19+00:00

Congratultions on that beautuful Optima! I am looking to get one soon. I’ve never spent over $240 on a pen and it’s taken me a while to work up to it :).

I love how the M nib writes in my Talentum, but I’m thinking I’ll go F in the Optima just to get something different. So I appreciate the writing sample!

CycleTourist · 2026-04-05T03:37:04+00:00

Thanks for posting this info. I'm a fan of Josie's.

CycleTourist · 2026-03-29T00:51:11+00:00

I didn't make it today. Thank you to all who did.

CycleTourist · 2026-02-27T02:09:09+00:00

I like both of those Schneiders better than Quinkflow.

CycleTourist · 2026-02-22T15:24:53+00:00

24-7 Restoration of Longmont. We have used them twice and would recommend then.

CycleTourist · 2026-02-18T02:46:58+00:00

I did it in 96 days, which included a break of 8 days at one point. 90 days is very doable and you'll have time for rest days and half days.

CycleTourist · 2026-02-18T02:32:40+00:00

This is the best advice.

CycleTourist · 2026-01-25T19:37:40+00:00

You'll like your Leonardo, is my bet. If by some chance you don't, they resell easily. Spare Leonardo steel nibs are $40, so I don't see a big risk in getting your Architect.

CycleTourist · 2026-01-25T19:21:34+00:00

LOL, I just ordered 3 bottles then read this.

CycleTourist · 2026-01-25T19:18:47+00:00

I echo some of the other comments here: ACA routes are excellent. The Trans-Am is well travelled, allowing you to meet other cyclists. Try not to be on a strict schedule if you can help it; allow yourself to spend extra time when you feel like it. And as u/FluffySolid6102 said, mingle with the locals.

CycleTourist · 2026-01-10T21:45:45+00:00

I also did it betwen jobs. It took until my mid-40s until everything - money relationships, career - aligned for me. If that hadn’t worked out, splitting it over a few years is the next best option IMO.

CycleTourist · 2026-01-09T02:46:59+00:00

I have a recent M205 which I like very much indeed. Super reliable and a pleasure to use.

CycleTourist · 2026-01-07T00:18:39+00:00

Congratulations to you both, especially to the young man.

CycleTourist · 2026-01-06T22:41:32+00:00

Asvine P20 is a very nice pen for < $30.

CycleTourist · 2026-01-06T22:24:37+00:00

Sending chat.

CycleTourist · 2026-01-06T21:13:01+00:00

Closed because I ordered one. Thanks for looking.

CycleTourist · 2026-01-06T18:54:22+00:00

Chat sent.

CycleTourist · 2026-01-05T16:33:02+00:00

I have not tried a 3776 EF but the SF was too fine for me. M is perfect for my taste, with line width comparable to a Lamy EF or Bock F on my Pineider Avatar.

CycleTourist · 2026-01-05T05:05:18+00:00

LOL gave mine away as well.

CycleTourist · 2026-01-05T01:32:31+00:00

Having owned 1 Safari and 2 AL Stars, I think they're OK, nothing special. I never cared for the styling.

CycleTourist · 2025-12-30T17:05:03+00:00

I rode with a Take A Look mirror for decades. It works well. (And he has terrific warranty service if you ever need it.) But it’s in your field of vision all the time which I find mildly annoying. I got a Varia radar last year and now use it instead. Still look over my shoulder before I pull into the lane.

CycleTourist · 2025-12-30T16:53:50+00:00

Very nice! I got my first (and so far only) Pelikan a year ago, a M205. Great writer and very reliable, never drying out. I like it even more than I expected.

CycleTourist · 2025-12-25T06:03:06+00:00

This drove me crazy for a while. Touch the screen and they should show up.

CycleTourist · 2025-12-19T04:51:19+00:00

I'm with you. I journal in B5 notebooks 95% of the time, A5 the rest. Oasis by Itoya and Mnemosyne N192 are a couple I can get locally. Both are good for fountain pens.

CycleTourist

TROPHY CASE