Crushed limestone trails
08-22-20, 01:17 PM
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Crushed limestone trails
Rode 20 miles yesterday on the Ohio Erie canal towpath trail. While very scenic I didn't care much for the crushed limestone trail. Hard on the hands and wrists and left the bike coated in limestone dust
08-22-20, 01:25 PM
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The alternative would be...... ?
08-22-20, 01:34 PM
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08-22-20, 02:08 PM
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You might want to try wider tires and/or lower pressure.
Being in California I have no experience with crushed limestone but I find that tire width and tire pressure make a big difference for my wrists and arthritic hands on our typically rocky fire roads and single track.
Incidentally the far ridge on the left side of this picture is the part of the Point Reyes National Seashore which is currently burning.
Brent
Being in California I have no experience with crushed limestone but I find that tire width and tire pressure make a big difference for my wrists and arthritic hands on our typically rocky fire roads and single track.
Incidentally the far ridge on the left side of this picture is the part of the Point Reyes National Seashore which is currently burning.
Brent
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08-22-20, 02:38 PM
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Wider tires eat up bumps.
And fenders.
They're not just for rain.
Paved MUPs are boring. Get out in the wilderness on some forestry roads in the PNW, sublime.
And fenders.
They're not just for rain.
Paved MUPs are boring. Get out in the wilderness on some forestry roads in the PNW, sublime.
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08-22-20, 02:40 PM
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I’ve been on the train ride alongside that trail of which you speak, and it does look nice. My sister and her husband rode it. As others said wider tires are the way to go Robert. 32s-35s like on your former touring bikes would do it. With the way you find em, you will probably soon find a pristine vintage sport touring bike in your size vs your sport bike.
Nearby in NW Ohio is a paved one near Bowling Green that I have never been on. I did recently just ride a nice paved one from Elmore to Fremont of 10 miles. I think that trail also is paved from Fremont to a few miles East of Clyde. Maps show a bunch of paved ones in SE Ohio, but that one in NE Ohio is noted for the Cuyahoga Valley scenery and history.
Happy riding.
Nearby in NW Ohio is a paved one near Bowling Green that I have never been on. I did recently just ride a nice paved one from Elmore to Fremont of 10 miles. I think that trail also is paved from Fremont to a few miles East of Clyde. Maps show a bunch of paved ones in SE Ohio, but that one in NE Ohio is noted for the Cuyahoga Valley scenery and history.
Happy riding.
08-22-20, 02:41 PM
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You might want to try wider tires and/or lower pressure.
Being in California I have no experience with crushed limestone but I find that tire width and tire pressure make a big difference for my wrists and arthritic hands on our typically rocky fire roads and single track.
Incidentally the far ridge on the left side of this picture is the part of the Point Reyes National Seashore which is currently burning.
Brent
Being in California I have no experience with crushed limestone but I find that tire width and tire pressure make a big difference for my wrists and arthritic hands on our typically rocky fire roads and single track.
Incidentally the far ridge on the left side of this picture is the part of the Point Reyes National Seashore which is currently burning.
Brent
One of the great arguements against pavement, IMO.
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08-22-20, 02:48 PM
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On a vintage road bike, you are likely limited to 32c-35c which is likely enough for the trails you describe. If you want something fatter, then your best options are a 650b conversion or a mountain bike rigged up for trail and road riding.
700 x35c fit on a 1979 Trek 510 I just rebuilt. I use my 1992 Trek 950 with its 26 x 1.75 tires and trekking bars when I want fatter tires.
700 x35c fit on a 1979 Trek 510 I just rebuilt. I use my 1992 Trek 950 with its 26 x 1.75 tires and trekking bars when I want fatter tires.
08-22-20, 02:53 PM
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You might want to try wider tires and/or lower pressure.
Being in California I have no experience with crushed limestone but I find that tire width and tire pressure make a big difference for my wrists and arthritic hands on our typically rocky fire roads and single track.
Incidentally the far ridge on the left side of this picture is the part of the Point Reyes National Seashore which is currently burning.
Brent
Being in California I have no experience with crushed limestone but I find that tire width and tire pressure make a big difference for my wrists and arthritic hands on our typically rocky fire roads and single track.
Incidentally the far ridge on the left side of this picture is the part of the Point Reyes National Seashore which is currently burning.
Brent
The lowcountry of SC is beautiful in its own way, but paths are sand, and roads are crappy and have no rider friendliness. I need me some forested paths, a decent non-rumble strip shoulder and hills.
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08-22-20, 02:56 PM
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08-22-20, 02:59 PM
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I’ve been on the train ride alongside that trail of which you speak, and it does look nice. My sister and her husband rode it. As others said wider tires are the way to go Robert. 32s-35s like on your former touring bikes would do it. With the way you find em, you will probably soon find a pristine vintage sport touring bike in your size vs your sport bike.
Nearby in NW Ohio is a paved one near Bowling Green that I have never been on. I did recently just ride a nice paved one from Elmore to Fremont of 10 miles. I think that trail also is paved from Fremont to a few miles East of Clyde. Maps show a bunch of paved ones in SE Ohio, but that one in NE Ohio is noted for the Cuyahoga Valley scenery and history.
Happy riding.
Nearby in NW Ohio is a paved one near Bowling Green that I have never been on. I did recently just ride a nice paved one from Elmore to Fremont of 10 miles. I think that trail also is paved from Fremont to a few miles East of Clyde. Maps show a bunch of paved ones in SE Ohio, but that one in NE Ohio is noted for the Cuyahoga Valley scenery and history.
Happy riding.
of my favorites a little further south is the Kokosing Gap trail from Mt. Vernon to Danville.
08-22-20, 03:09 PM
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PNW.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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08-22-20, 03:34 PM
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Crushed Limestone? You are pronouncing it incorrectly. It is a Strada Bianca,
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08-22-20, 03:40 PM
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I rather like that type of trail. Wider tires, lower pressures and bars at saddle level all help. I ride both bikes, depending on mood or conditions, so either 700x32 or 26x2.0. I see a lot of other riders using what appear to be 32, 35, and 38 mm tires. I run 700x32 at about 55 psi and 26x2.0 at 35 psi.
I ride between 3000 and 4000 miles per year on that type of surface. Both bikes are constantly dusty and it’s generally messy and wears parts. Chain cleaning is a weekly ritual when we are getting regular rains.
Last few weeks I’m back to riding SS and the chain seems to get junked up much less quickly than a derailleur setup and obviously less stuff to clean.
Otto
I ride between 3000 and 4000 miles per year on that type of surface. Both bikes are constantly dusty and it’s generally messy and wears parts. Chain cleaning is a weekly ritual when we are getting regular rains.
Last few weeks I’m back to riding SS and the chain seems to get junked up much less quickly than a derailleur setup and obviously less stuff to clean.
Otto
08-22-20, 03:47 PM
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08-22-20, 05:57 PM
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When I get the chance, I go to the WV mountains and bring the bike. Locally, it is always a search.
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08-22-20, 06:56 PM
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08-22-20, 08:58 PM
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08-22-20, 09:05 PM
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Eff that paved trail stuff.
As mentioned- the crushed limestone keeps the neighborhood nice.
I got a car rack just to drive out to where the paved trail stops.
As mentioned- the crushed limestone keeps the neighborhood nice.
I got a car rack just to drive out to where the paved trail stops.
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08-22-20, 10:19 PM
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I just think about riding the Tour de France with the likes of Fausto and Gino.... and try to enjoy the experience.
08-23-20, 07:11 AM
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You need another bike bike set up just for limestone trails. Check with the local managers of the trail, mixing in asphalt milling might keep the dust down.
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08-23-20, 07:48 AM
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Yesterday I did an out and back on our local rail-to-trail, the Kal-Haven trail. It runs east west from Kalamazoo to South Haven.
I rode my 1980 Trek 710. The trail is 33.5 miles of crushed limestone. While the trail is not my usual ride, the stock size 27" x 1 1/4" tires did fine. Make sure that you wash your bike when you're done as the dust can be corrosive. Fenders would definitely help minimize the dust.
I rode my 1980 Trek 710. The trail is 33.5 miles of crushed limestone. While the trail is not my usual ride, the stock size 27" x 1 1/4" tires did fine. Make sure that you wash your bike when you're done as the dust can be corrosive. Fenders would definitely help minimize the dust.
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08-23-20, 08:19 AM
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Hell, 90% of the roads where I live are crushed limestone that's been churned into a fine silt and washboard by farm machinery and heavy trucks. A nice "smooth" crushed limestone bike path is a luxury for me and chip and oil is heaven on earth! This is one of the "good" stretches.........
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