It's time for another gravel grinder. Route should be up in a couple of days.
Same place: Sibley Swale Park
Same time: 8AM
See ya there!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Government shutdown. Gravel Still Open.
Headed down to Sogn Valley early this morning on a solo mission to ride gravel. Got on the bike at 6:55am and set out on a shorter 45mile route. Explored a new climb previously only ridden downhill and rode further south where I found some good gravel.
This is the entrance to Bow Trail, a minimum maintenance road that I discovered and proved to be exactly that! The small print on the sign says "travel at your own risk" and it definitely got exciting!! Details further in the post.
First part of the ride featured some fresh gravel.
Not sure what the "Former Site of Fagen" was. A quick search on Google didn't result in anything, but what's important to note is that each time Paul and I have I've passed this location, there are two dogs that are bored and love to chase bikers! Today I was rolling through and thought they might be inside still sleeping, but NO. Chase ensued!! I saw about six dogs all day and I really like lazy dogs.
This is the start to a road we have only gone down. It's probably one of the steepest in the area and with the recent rains the gravel was soft making the climb very difficult. The next four pics were taken on the way up.
Dan's favorite field was mowed!
Wonder how old this barn is?
So, here's why Bow Trail is minimum maintenanc - road closed!. With cross bike there was no turning back but was quickly confronted with dog #6 of the ride, a Doberman! I thought the quicker I get down this road the better. So, with Doberman heading toward me, I go around the barrier, ramp up the speed and head down the road. Around the corner I suddenly find it's totally washed out and with the shade it's hard to see the deep ravines. I was very suprised I didn't go over the bars with the speed I was carrying, dog chasing.
I dismounted and got partway down the hill. Doberman is smart not chasing me down the road, instead, it's going down the tree line looking for a spot to attack!
There are a lot of beautiful churches in this area.
This is the entrance to Bow Trail, a minimum maintenance road that I discovered and proved to be exactly that! The small print on the sign says "travel at your own risk" and it definitely got exciting!! Details further in the post.
First part of the ride featured some fresh gravel.
Not sure what the "Former Site of Fagen" was. A quick search on Google didn't result in anything, but what's important to note is that each time Paul and I have I've passed this location, there are two dogs that are bored and love to chase bikers! Today I was rolling through and thought they might be inside still sleeping, but NO. Chase ensued!! I saw about six dogs all day and I really like lazy dogs.
This is the start to a road we have only gone down. It's probably one of the steepest in the area and with the recent rains the gravel was soft making the climb very difficult. The next four pics were taken on the way up.
Dan's favorite field was mowed!
Wonder how old this barn is?
So, here's why Bow Trail is minimum maintenanc - road closed!. With cross bike there was no turning back but was quickly confronted with dog #6 of the ride, a Doberman! I thought the quicker I get down this road the better. So, with Doberman heading toward me, I go around the barrier, ramp up the speed and head down the road. Around the corner I suddenly find it's totally washed out and with the shade it's hard to see the deep ravines. I was very suprised I didn't go over the bars with the speed I was carrying, dog chasing.
I dismounted and got partway down the hill. Doberman is smart not chasing me down the road, instead, it's going down the tree line looking for a spot to attack!
There are a lot of beautiful churches in this area.
The new SS wheel with WI hub worked great. Need to figure out how to turn that freewheel down!!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Conditions don't get much better than this
Weather was near perfect, gravel was fast yet tacky for climbing, and the sausages/brats Paul brought were very tasty!!
Here's a sampling of pics from the ride.
Here's a sampling of pics from the ride.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
SA 5/28 Gravel Grinder - We're Riding
Rain, showers, wind storm, mud, chasing farm dogs, one gear...we're still riding. 50% showers forecasted. Whatever. Gotta ride. Paul and I will "definitely" be there. Usual start time - 8am. See ya there!
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Proposed Memorial Weekend Gravel Route
Sat May 28th, 8:00am.
Start/Finish: Sibley Swale Park in Northfield (directions here)
Mapped out a 65 mile ride, not quite the 70 I was thinking but should be a hard course anyways.
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/34825876
Start/Finish: Sibley Swale Park in Northfield (directions here)
Mapped out a 65 mile ride, not quite the 70 I was thinking but should be a hard course anyways.
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/34825876
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Next Gravel Grinder - Sat May 28th?
Who's available for a gravel grinder the SA during Memorial weekend? With Dirty Benjamin less than a month away, a long gravel ride is in order, say 70 miles? Who's in? Spread the word!
I'll start working on the ride route. Thinking we may need to add some new terrain. 8am start at Sibley Swale Park as usual and it would be great if the weather cooperated so we can grill some brats after!
I'll start working on the ride route. Thinking we may need to add some new terrain. 8am start at Sibley Swale Park as usual and it would be great if the weather cooperated so we can grill some brats after!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Inspired
After Almanzo, thoughts of creating a 100mile route have been on the mind. We've got some good 60 mile routes and I'm sure adding another challenging 40 would not be a problem. How does one get an event like Almanzo and Dirty Benjamin started? I'm just thinking of a small event, something slightly more than our usual group of half dozen. I'm inspired but not sure what to do with our gravel rides. Hmm.......
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