First experience...off roading it
 

What an experience. Spent the afternoon riding trails in southern Wisconsin. The John Muir and Emma Carllin trails. Had no idea what to expect, and man was it challenging, intense riding. Even more of a challenge using vintage steel outfitted with cyclocross tubulars and just a basic bike boom bike.
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i pretty much stayed in my 42/28 low gear the entire way. Dismounted for insane grades and big rocks, fallen trees etc. Took 2 hours to complete an eight mile loop. Walked a few sections, stopped to catch my breath. Had one fall but it was at super slow speed. Kinda crazy, but exhilarating, and a great workout.

That’s a fun kind of riding! I love it. Gonna do more??

Yeah. Maybe head back there when the leaves turn. Just a couple weeks and colors will be popping.

I love that kind of riding! No rules say you have to be on the bike pedaling the whole time. It definitely shakes out the cobwebs to do adventures like that.

Looks great. Usually have the most fun going somewhere road bikes aren't supposed to go.

The Mercier 200 rides way better than it should. Congratulations on going out and having a great ride!

I used to love riding those trails in Kettle Moraine when I lived in Chicagoland. Don’t know that you could pay me to do it on a vintage bike like the OP’s Mercier. That’s a courageous choice.

I ride with a group who is fond of doing rides like that on old 3-speeds. We walk up lots of hills, but it’s also lots of fun.

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Wide tires, low gearing, can't lose

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Been there

What is this place, where road bikes aren't supposed to go? I've ridden mine lots of places but never found it.

Welcome to the dirt life! We trade miles for smiles and there are no cars here!

Looks pretty cool. 👍 I did a little off-roading myself, this morning, at the Presidio, next to the Golden Gate Bridge. Riding in sand ain’t for me, at least not on 700x28 tires. 😲🙄😉

Good gosh, they got lotsa pretty women here! 😍😍😍

😁

That's a tough ride on that bike Paul. Well done!!! The modern day MTBs just float over that stuff.