Chrome Molly

Tried some early spring gravel riding. When I wasn't up high beating the wind, I was rolling along in limestone soup. Wet limestone slurry makes a fantastic chain lube. 30 miles of riding, but it felt like much more given the lack of traction up the hills and the constant sliding around on the descents.

The starting area's ski trail was still skiable, barely.


Some sights along the Cannon River



The climb up from the river and a creek crossing down in the next valley

daf1009

Yeah...I know...no picture, it did not happen! But...I rode Riverside Drive in Roswell, GA...along the Chattahoochee River. Not so important where I rode, but, a thought I had...I was peddling along (amazing how much fitness my health issues took out of me...but that is another story!)...and saw a guy that wants to ride and wants to lose weight...riding a Wally-World special...the bike looked like it weight 50 lbs!

My thought...and wondering if others have had it...

Would it not be nice...if there was SOME way for us to help somebody like that...BEFORE they go to Wally World, plop down their hard earned cash, trying to do the right thing...and go home with a bike that will...most likely...discourage them from riding. If ONLY we could help them spend that $100 bucks on a bike that would ENCOURAGE them to ride more. You know, help them on CL, find a suitable...even it is a gas piper...bike that is lighter and will go better...

Ahhh....just a thought for the day...

Spaghetti Legs 

Sunshine and warm (15 mph) breezes today. Climbed the fence by our local landfill to get a panorama of my fair city.

Vonruden

That looks like Gods Country...gravel Grinding Gods Country.

reiker

Some coworkers and I did the Banks-Vernonia rail trail yesterday, starting at 7am. It is 21 miles each way. It started out slightly above freezing, and I regretted leaving my shoe covers at home.

My wife met me in Vernonia with our tandem so we could ride it back together. By the time we started the ride back, it had warmed up to the low 60's.



One of the trestles is still intact, and quite fun to ride across.

pastorbobnlnh 

Looks like Mud Season to me!
@Chrome Molly, you are braver soul then me! I stay away from the dirt roads until they dry after the winter thaw.

I'm still on the snowmobile. We have at least 3-4 feet of snow base left to melt.

seedsbelize 

I took my first real ride on the Cambium that I bought from Wheels of Steel, I think. 108 km and change. It's mounted on the very stiff 92 paramount, and the bulk of the roads were poor quality chip seal--not a good bike choice for that kind of riding. Did the saddle disappear under me? No, but it didn't hurt me either. I look forward to the next ride on a smoother surface. Partly sunny skies and temps in the mid 80s.

South side of Mococha Catholic church


And the trici-taxi stand

bmthom.gis

I didn't take any photos during the ride, but my friend and I took our schwinns for a nice ride. He has a super le tour 12.2, and I have the Prelude. The first half was rough feeling, but the 2nd half felt great!

gaucho777 

I rode most of the Eroica CA 65-mile route. It's a fun and scenic route. Varied terrain through vineyards and farms. The city of Paso Robles is a great venue. Downtown park was really lively and charming when I was then last night and all the locals seemed exceedingly friendly.

I wanted to do a trial run before committing to the event. Took my '72 Cilo Pacer rolling on a set of Campagnolo record HF hubs with Fiamme red rims and Dugast Pipistrello 32mm tires. They proved to be good choice for the course. I brought few back-up spares and a bottle of sealant but didn't need any of them.



I headed out about an hour after I planned, and road out to connect with the route, heading east and south into the farms and vineyard. Really picturesque country roads teaming with critters and birds, fresh air, and verdant hillsides. The rolling hillsides do start to wear you down.



There's a small loop off the main road through an estate I wasn't able to do around the 15 mile mark. This is where the first real climb occurs and I think there will be a rest area before looping back to previous road.

Up some gravel hills. This was was a short one but it was steep and traction could be an issue on skinny tires. The top layer of fine gravel resting on hardpack. Had a couple spinouts when out of the saddle. I stopped to take this shot and lost my balance while still clipped in to one strap. I said, that would have been embarrassing if anyone around, but here I am freely sharing that embarrassment!



View after view...



Around the 30 mile mark you hit Moss Rd. One of my favorite stretches of gravel. A long smooth section of flat to slightly downhill gravel through quiet woods.



Around the 40 mile mark, at the beginning of the next dirt section was this cool farming relic. Don't know my vintage carriages, but this looked old.

gaucho777 

Next up was the climb up Kiler Canyon. Unfortunately, I made a wrong turn and headed back downhill toward town before realizing my mistake and adding few unnecessary miles to the route before an already challenging climb. This one is going to catch a few people unprepared. Be sure to rest up and get some food in you body before this part of the ride. The ground is manageable, but it's definitely rough in spots. Important to watch your line and not run yourself into a rut. It also gets steep in spots, especially after the photo with the "Kiler Canyon" sign, but then keeps going after I wanted it to end. I expect those without good tires and low gears will be on foot.

This first photo is toward the beginning of the climb, which isn't much, then heads into a more narrow rutted section, before the steep section out of the canyon (by the sign) and then several false tops as you make your way over and across the ridge.







This is at the hill atop the previous photo with the farm and Kiler Climb sign, the first top.



More views



And this is about where my phone died. Owing to being nearly out of water and not wanting to get lost without a map or other navigation is skipped the final ~12 mile loop after Kiler Canyon and took Peach Canyon Rd. back into town. Truth be told I was feeling pretty worn out. This is the first 50+ mile ride of the year for me and I came to realize I need some work on my endurance. I think those rolling hills make the miles longer.

(Side note: There aren't many places to replenish drinks along the route. Stock up at the rest stations or you may have a hard time finding supplies elsewhere)

Lascauxcaveman 

^ that looks really nice. I wish I could make it down there. Almost all my bikes are ready for that one!

verktyg 

Haven't been riding much since December - been on the mend from some medical issues. Got in 35+ miles over the past 4 days and feeling GREAT!

Saturday did a very pleasant 15 mile ride on the Iron Horse Trail from Walnut Creek to Danville, CA. Weather was perfect ~72° F with blue skies and no wind.

I had my recently finished 1982 Motobecane out for it's first break-in ride. The handling is superb and with sewups pushing it felt great.



Today I did a short 12 mile ride on a bike trail from Lafayette to Moraga, CA. It's a beautiful ride through quiet upscale neighborhoods and some wildlands and the weather was even better ~75°.

The climb up to Moraga is about a 1% grade with about a 500 foot long 10% grade at the top. Coming back down has some nice sweeping curves that I take at 20-25 mph.

Took out my 1988 Colnago Technos. I have Shimano Deore XT MTB triple cranks on it (OH! THE HORROR, THE HORROR). It's great bike for climbing.



verktyg

Chas.

northbend 

Thanks for the preview of the Eroica, @gaucho777
Kiler canyon looks to be a place where you'll need to pay attention to your line.
I am very excited to see this next month.

EBH

Nice pics from California.

dck

Those pics around Paso Robles are great.

I did a short 20 mile shakedown for Eroica on my '62 UO8 that I plan to use on the short course in April.

Chrome Molly

Did 19 miles after work today. Happy DST!

gomango

Ditto.

Just rode to St. Louis Park and back.

Beat sundown.

gaucho777 

My pleasure. It's going to be a great event. I've driven through Paso Robles on the 101, countless times, but this is the first time I've ever stopped in town or got away from the main highway. The town has more to offer than I realized. If you are traveling with others who aren't participating in the ride, there are far worse places to spend a day.

The route itself is fun and varied. I really started to look forward to the unpaved sections.

Unfortunately, I've decided to skip this year's event. I have a plane to catch later that evening from San Francisco to London. The trial run I did on Sunday was done to make sure I would have enough time to get back to the bay area in time. Turned out not to be an issue. I made it back with time to spare. However, I over-estimated my body. After a long day in the saddle and then a long car ride, getting straight on an 11-hour flight would have been misery. Plus, I have other other logistical, family, and work obligations to consider, and little room for mishaps (missing my flight would be disastrous). I'm going to do everything I can to make next year's event though.

Peugeotlover

Motobecane looks real nice, Chas. Glad your feeling better. Riding is healthy.

Gaucho,
Thanks for those pics of the gorgeous countryside of that route.
I lived in that area for ten years, it is particularly pretty after the rains have greened up the hills.
You were fortunate to not flat- those stones and rocks can knock out a tire real quickly.

pastorbobnlnh 

Yesterday it warmed into the mid 30F, so balmy here for March. Went for my first NH ride since New Year's Day ( put in a good number of folder bike miles in FL last month).

While it is barely in the picture, I rode the '75 Schwinn Voyageur II @ftwelder gifted as a frameset a few years back. It is set up with fenders, racks, dyno powered lights, various French bits, and 700cX35 tires for a solid ride. It is a bit heavy but is a smooth rolling machine. Over the winter I modified a 9 speed HG cassette to fit on the 6 speed UG freebody as a 7 speed. Shifting is much improved!

Stopped at a local landmark for a selfie. A few of the New England C&Vers have been to this spot, which we call "Chicken Farmer Rock."



Managed almost 26 miles and feel great today! The body really misses cycling regularly during the winter.

jimmuller 

Nice goin', Bob. At least you got in some riding down south too. I've been watching the roads here and thinking that commuting would be a great way to get dirty.

Kobe 

My pea brain had to read that 3 times to understand what you did. It sounds like the Voyageur was the perfect bike for those roads.

pastorbobnlnh 

I'll break it down for you:

1. Find a HG 9 speed cassette, where all the cogs separate.
2. Unscrew the retaining screws or grind off the rivets holding the cassette together.
3. Grind the large spline down to the size of the small splines in order to fit the cassette cogs on a UG freehub body.
4. Select the 6 HG cogs you wish to use from the 9 speed cassette.
5. Using the 9 speed spacers, arrange the 6 HG cogs on the UG freehub.
6. Secure the cassette with the 13T UG threaded top cog. If you can find the 7 speed UG version, all the better, but not necessary.

How's that for a quick set of directions?

Kobe 

It really must have been a long Winter in New Hampshire for you to come up with this procedure.

I assume shifting is friction?

pastorbobnlnh 

Yes, a very long winter.

Yes. Suntour barends. My favorite shifter.