Crushed limestone trails
08-23-20, 09:34 AM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,624
Bikes: iele Latina, Miele Suprema, Miele Uno LS, Miele Miele Beta, MMTB, Bianchi Model Unknown, Fiori Venezia, Fiori Napoli, VeloSport Adamas AX
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1324 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
640 Posts
I too found that full fenders make a HUGE difference to the amount of dust and other grit that gets onto my bike when riding the crushed limestone trails around here.
I've converted a few MTBs to dropbar and barend shifters and they're terrific for riding these limestone trails or dirt/gravel roads. Here's one of mine with full fenders.
Cheers
I've converted a few MTBs to dropbar and barend shifters and they're terrific for riding these limestone trails or dirt/gravel roads. Here's one of mine with full fenders.
Cheers
08-24-20, 08:26 AM
#27
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 137
Bikes: Masi CXR, Trek Crossrip 3, Trek 5500 OCLV, 1982 Bianchi SS, Civia Kingfield Belt-Drive Commuter, Cannondale T700, Cannondale R600, Cannondale R800, Centurion Dave Scott Ironman Expert, 1988 Peugeot Nice, Marin Bobcat Trail 3 29er MTB.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 51 Post(s)
Liked 54 Times
in
26 Posts
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.
Last edited by cb400bill; 08-24-20 at 08:59 AM.
Likes For schundog:
08-24-20, 10:10 AM
#28
Newbie
Its a very pretty ride but I agree the dust is a pain. There is a paved bike/hike trail that runs parallel to the towpath from Alexander Road. Its not as scenic but still an interesting ride without the dust.
Likes For bOsscO:
08-24-20, 01:05 PM
#30
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,630
Bikes: It's complicated.
Mentioned: 1299 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4677 Post(s)
Liked 5,790 Times
in
2,279 Posts
While riding @scozim 's Tour of the Palouse ride in 2018, I learned to love washboard gravel. If it's not too deep and you're not climbing, you can ride hard and "float" on the tops a bit. It's a cool feeling.
Here's our group early in the ride (photo stolen from @Drillium Dude's Flickr account), no washboard that I can see, but there was plenty later that day.
Those with fenders kept their bikes fairly clean, btw.
Here's our group early in the ride (photo stolen from @Drillium Dude's Flickr account), no washboard that I can see, but there was plenty later that day.
Those with fenders kept their bikes fairly clean, btw.
__________________
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.
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.
08-24-20, 01:14 PM
#31
Ellensburg, WA
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ellensburg, WA
Posts: 3,755
Bikes: See my signature
Mentioned: 77 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 313 Post(s)
Liked 457 Times
in
160 Posts
While riding @scozim 's Tour of the Palouse ride in 2018, I learned to love washboard gravel. If it's not too deep and you're not climbing, you can ride hard and "float" on the tops a bit. It's a cool feeling.
Here's our group early in the ride (photo stolen from @Drillium Dude's Flickr account), no washboard that I can see, but there was plenty later that day.
Those with fenders kept their bikes fairly clean, btw.
Here's our group early in the ride (photo stolen from @Drillium Dude's Flickr account), no washboard that I can see, but there was plenty later that day.
Those with fenders kept their bikes fairly clean, btw.
__________________
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
08-24-20, 01:17 PM
#32
Senior Member
Paved trails are too labor intensive when you have extreme cold winters - frost heave. Crushed stone is self-draining. Would you rather ride on crushed stone or broken-up asphalt? Maintaining paved trails can get expensive!!! Heck, around here, they barely maintain the roads. I'm sure repaving a bike path would be waaaaaay down on the priority list!
08-24-20, 01:20 PM
#33
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,630
Bikes: It's complicated.
Mentioned: 1299 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4677 Post(s)
Liked 5,790 Times
in
2,279 Posts
__________________
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.
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.
08-24-20, 01:25 PM
#34
With a mighty wind
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,582
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1086 Post(s)
Liked 858 Times
in
487 Posts
The local mountain bike dump is all limestone. I've managed to cut two 29er sidewalls in a month there. Fortunately, it was the same tire on different days.
I think I've cut one or two tires on my gravel bike there too.
It's fun adjacent, not quite fully fun, and 6 miles from my doorstep so I keep going back. It is definitely some sharp rock though.
I think I've cut one or two tires on my gravel bike there too.
It's fun adjacent, not quite fully fun, and 6 miles from my doorstep so I keep going back. It is definitely some sharp rock though.
08-24-20, 01:49 PM
#35
Ellensburg, WA
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ellensburg, WA
Posts: 3,755
Bikes: See my signature
Mentioned: 77 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 313 Post(s)
Liked 457 Times
in
160 Posts
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.
__________________
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
Last edited by scozim; 08-24-20 at 01:54 PM.
Likes For scozim:
08-24-20, 02:51 PM
#36
bOsscO
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 746
Bikes: 2024 Spec Crux, 2015 Norco Search S1, 93 Mongoose IBOC COMP
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 296 Post(s)
Liked 355 Times
in
212 Posts
Took the dog for a walk at lunch today and took these pics on the Central Valley Greenway. This unpaved route is -5minute ride from my backdoor.
08-24-20, 05:53 PM
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,624
Bikes: iele Latina, Miele Suprema, Miele Uno LS, Miele Miele Beta, MMTB, Bianchi Model Unknown, Fiori Venezia, Fiori Napoli, VeloSport Adamas AX
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1324 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
640 Posts
Paved trails are too labor intensive when you have extreme cold winters - frost heave. Crushed stone is self-draining. Would you rather ride on crushed stone or broken-up asphalt? Maintaining paved trails can get expensive!!! Heck, around here, they barely maintain the roads. I'm sure repaving a bike path would be waaaaaay down on the priority list!
In Toronto, Canada, many years ago (early 1980s) they paved a number of trails in some of the parks. Then they had to put speed bumps on them in order to try and slow down the wannabe racers who would zoom along at very high rates of speed as if they were competing in a Grand Tour.
That's one advantage to crushed limestone trails but you have to watch out for the cross-country cyclo-cross or MTB riders who also seem to be training for some big race. That's not to mention the Ebikes.
Crushed limestone works pretty well for a surface and is indeed fairly self-draining and it's easy to maintain.
Cheers
08-24-20, 06:58 PM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Baltimore/DC
Posts: 2,930
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 170 Post(s)
Liked 156 Times
in
99 Posts
Lots of vintage gravel grinders! You should put some pixs in the Cyclocross/gravelgrinder forum.
Here is my Miyata 1000 with 36, Donnelly's MSO,rides like a dream. Love gravel touring with it
Here is my Miyata 1000 with 36, Donnelly's MSO,rides like a dream. Love gravel touring with it
