Cyclocross - Share your gravel travel, pictures & stories.

Des Plaines River Trail in Lake County, Illinois

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/DesPlainesRiverTrail022.jpg

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The towpath in the Cuyahoga National Park;

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/BonengTwinsburg008.jpg

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I so need to get over and ride that Des Plaines River Trail. Got together with some team mates tonight and did 30 on the Prairie Path (Bartlett High School, up to Elgin, around, and back).

A local blogger friend of mine has done several gravel road rides from his home. The most recent one (http://chris-pondero.blogspot.com/2010/12/harvest-of-friends.html) had a larger than expected turnout.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7Sv0WKjSAUA/TQ5fOHzbCpI/AAAAAAAAHqE/2XRRbVkBlYM/s1600/15.jpg
That's me on the right.

Here are a few pics from my writeup (http://doohickie.blogspot.com/2010/12/second-annual-fall-finale-country-path.html) about the ride.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/1012Ramble/DSCI1825.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/1012Ramble/DSCI1776.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/1012Ramble/DSCI1799.jpg

Nice pictures! Wish there were trails like that around here.

That said, hardly a cyclocross topic.

Those aren't trails in my pics; they are roads. Lots of unpaved farm roads around Chris's house.

A local blogger friend of mine has done several gravel road rides from his home.
Here are a few pics

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/1012Ramble/DSCI1776.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Doohickie/1012Ramble/DSCI1799.jpg

Great pics, looks like a great area to ride when the sun is being kind.

My buddy Rob and I like to do gravel/Class-B routes when we can. It's a lot of fun, and I'm going to try to do the NCC Gravel Metric next year.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/sstulken80/Gravel/IMG_20110911_132204.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/sstulken80/Gravel/IMG_20110911_132607.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/sstulken80/Gravel/IMG_20110911_133356.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/sstulken80/Gravel/IMG_20111030_173208.jpg

I am total bike nerd! While the roads make me jealous, the thing that caught my attention was the barely noticeable 35+ year old Cannondale handlebar bag. I had one of those, along with Cannondale panniers, a daypack, and sleeping bag, back when they were mostly a backpacking company and hadn't even thought of making bikes.

My buddy Rob and I like to do gravel/Class-B routes when we can. It's a lot of fun, and I'm going to try to do the Gravel Metric next year.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/sstulken80/Gravel/IMG_20110911_132204.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/sstulken80/Gravel/IMG_20110911_132607.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/sstulken80/Gravel/IMG_20110911_133356.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/sstulken80/Gravel/IMG_20111030_173208.jpg

T-S,

Where do you ride?

Michael

a ride in the mountains of WA


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBR1L0o2nWc

a ride in the greater Seattle suburban area


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHe6EWiL4Sw

a rails to trails ride up to Snoqualmie Pass, WA including the longest tunnel open to hikers and bikers in the USA


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhvolhZEH5U

some light gravel in Leavenworth WA


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvbfUC6Ib-I

I've even found some gravel within the city limits of San Francisco..... talked about cyclocross bikes with a fellow rider at the top of the highest point in SF....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1xBW1cphMo

of course there's great gravel just across the GG bridge in Marin and the GGNRA.

T-S,

Where do you ride?

Michael

Cedar Rapids corridor area. Those first three pics are from a 26-mile loop around Mt Vernon, and the last is from a route just south of Amana. BTW, I now use my Diamondback fixie-conversion rather than that crummy Schwinn for off-road stuff.


and the new store run

I can now hit some dirt and gravel on the way to the store for groceries!

That is too cool! :thumb:

- Scott

228050

I like to mix in a little gravel to all my rides. The bike is a Dawes Lighting cross with 35c road tires.

This thread needs bumpage. Here's a shot of the group with whom I did a New Year's Day gravel metric:

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/sstulken80/Gravel/IMG_2523.jpg

I wasn't able to take very many pictures since my fixed-gear turned out be a seriously bad choice for long gravel rides on uber-windy days. Oops.

- Scott

More gravel yesterday. We did a metric, but only 65% of it was gravel since we fell behind schedule and needed to get back to town quickly.

(Click the pictures for larger versions!)

232994

Yep, I'm riding my road bike with 700x30 tires. Badass or dumbass -- you decide. ;)

We even threw in some B-roads:
232995

Here is where the skinny tires and tight clearances got me in a little trouble. The ground was not really muddy, but it was soft enough to clog between my brake calipers, fork, and tires.

- Scott

It wasn't strictly gravel, but on the 3 Volcanoes 300k back in 2010 there was a 10 mile stretch of gravel going 7 miles up and 3 miles back down from Babyshoe Pass.
My brevet bike at the time was a touring-ish outfitted Cross Check with 32mm Pasela TG tires, so the loose gravel wasn't too much of a challenge for me, but it certainly wasn't like rolling on the asphalt.

Where the pavement ends, the fun begins:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/39732_424623796763_519101763_4726161_553246_n.jpg

SIR riders Kole and Michelle heading up to the pass. Kole was rolling on a 23mm front and 25mm rear!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/39732_424623806763_519101763_4726162_6424742_n.jpg

Our merry band of misfits at the pass summit sign. Amy and Peg were the first tandem team to finish the 3V300K.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/39732_424623836763_519101763_4726168_2376245_n.jpg

Here's a good pic of what the gravel looked like for much of the downhill portion.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/39732_424623831763_519101763_4726167_2609486_n.jpg

Yikes, I thought 30mm tires were pushing it with loose gravel like that, let alone 25s or 23s! Props.

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/390240_306942786024612_100001266803515_1092491_876714813_n.jpg

I like to do a 30 mile loop up and through the local MTB park. Bike has 35c Kenda Supreme Kross tires which work great on the trails.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/409135_306942669357957_100001266803515_1092490_800529598_n.jpg

The ride is about 60% gravel path/dirt trails and 40% pavement.

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/374357_306942379357986_100001266803515_1092488_925949020_n.jpg

The view ain't bad either.

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/377400_306942522691305_100001266803515_1092489_1535285988_n.jpg

But like any ride, it has to end...until next week.

BUMP....


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I enjoyed a little winter trekking this week

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/snowice001.jpg

Took out the new bike for a 33 mile shakedown run.
the trails where a little wet.
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/427092_351716418213915_100001266803515_1216494_543965090_n.jpg

The creeks where flowing.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/422542_351716471547243_100001266803515_1216495_1134632861_n.jpg

The trails where moist.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/429462_351716561547234_100001266803515_1216496_224449697_n.jpg

The geese where swimming across the trail.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/425189_351716178213939_100001266803515_1216490_881310264_n.jpg

The new bike was holding up fine. I had to stop and adjust the Avid BB5 road disc brakes a few times for squeaks.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/426001_351716238213933_100001266803515_1216491_1014943954_n.jpg

I had to re-tension the rear spokes when I got home, they loosened up a little. Everything else seem to be in good shape, so far I'm happy with my low buck build.
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/417657_351716351547255_100001266803515_1216493_432197157_n.jpg

Took out the new bike for a 33 mile shakedown run.
the trails where a little wet.
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/427092_351716418213915_100001266803515_1216494_543965090_n.jpg

The creeks where flowing.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/422542_351716471547243_100001266803515_1216495_1134632861_n.jpg

The trails where moist.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/429462_351716561547234_100001266803515_1216496_224449697_n.jpg

The geese where swimming across the trail.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/425189_351716178213939_100001266803515_1216490_881310264_n.jpg

The new bike was holding up fine. I had to stop and adjust the Avid BB5 road disc brakes a few times for squeaks.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/426001_351716238213933_100001266803515_1216491_1014943954_n.jpg

I had to re-tension the rear spokes when I got home, they loosened up a little. Everything else seem to be in good shape, so far I'm happy with my low buck build.
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/417657_351716351547255_100001266803515_1216493_432197157_n.jpg

Very Nice! Tell us more about your build and where you ride!

Seeing all that water made me smile, like I wanted to back up and make a run for it. Nice pictures!

Hey jet-slashman, are those trails in the same park they have the cx race series up there? Looks sweet...

I'm in SF but my brother lives in Sebastopol. Might have to bring the bike up there some time to check that area out.

All are so beautiful and that must be fun, let me also want to trails, i have not trails long time

Here are the specs Barrettscv

Frame: Nashbar Disc Cross frame
Fork: Nashbar Disc fork
Crank: FSA alpha drive triple 44t/32t removed 22t ring
Controls: Shimano 8 speed brifters
Brakes: Avid BB5 road disc
Wheels: WTB Speed disc with Shimano Deore hubs
Cassette: 32-12 Sram
Rear derailleur: Shimano LX
Front derailleur: Shimano Tiagra
Saddle: WTB speed V
Tires: Kenda Kross Supreme 700 x 35

I plan to run a 40c semi slick or touring tire for better on road ride,something like a speedmax or marathon plus. I built this for mix terrain century rides and light back country touring, both of which I hope to accomplish this year. I still need to find a rack top front bag for carrying stuff and a frame bag for extended trips to the woods. Over all cost has been kept to a minimum by recycling parts and buying things on sale. I got about $450 in new parts Frame, Fork, wheels, cranks, brakes...everything else was lifted off existing rides, hey you gotta do what you can on a budget.

yochris,
The trails are in Annadel State Park (http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=480) they do run a cross race at Spring lake park which I ride through to get to these trails. The terrain here is favored by the dual suspension crowd but I like to take my cross bike and ride 15 miles of gravel bike paths and pavement to the park before hitting the singletrack.

Here are the specs Barrettscv

Frame: Nashbar Disc Cross frame
Fork: Nashbar Disc fork
Crank: FSA alpha drive triple 44t/32t removed 22t ring
Controls: Shimano 8 speed brifters
Brakes: Avid BB5 road disc
Wheels: WTB Speed disc with Shimano Deore hubs
Cassette: 32-12 Sram
Rear derailleur: Shimano LX
Front derailleur: Shimano Tiagra
Saddle: WTB speed V
Tires: Kenda Kross Supreme 700 x 35

I plan to run a 40c semi slick or touring tire for better on road ride,something like a speedmax or marathon plus. I built this for mix terrain century rides and light back country touring, both of which I hope to accomplish this year. I still need to find a rack top front bag for carrying stuff and a frame bag for extended trips to the woods. Over all cost has been kept to a minimum by recycling parts and buying things on sale. I got about $450 in new parts Frame, Fork, wheels, cranks, brakes...everything else was lifted off existing rides, hey you gotta do what you can on a budget.

It looks great! The all-black, without any large logos, really works. Enjoy!

I still need to find a rack top front bag for carrying stuff and a frame bag for extended trips to the woods.

I have one of these: https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=store.catalog&CategoryID=1&ProductID=5

The framebag is a good fit with bigger frames. I was able to install the largest size on a 583cm actual toptube length frame and still have room for two normal sized water bottles. The quality is excellent.

I have one of these: https://www.revelatedesigns.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=store.catalog&CategoryID=1&ProductID=5

The frame is a good fit with bigger frames. I was able to install the largest size on a 583cm actual toptube length frame and still have room for two normal sized water bottles. The quality is excellent.

They are on my short list for sure, I like their bags.

Did a little 20 miler around the local creeks.....beautiful day.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/319810_354894254562798_100001266803515_1226440_600986354_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/319810_354894261229464_100001266803515_1226441_268672991_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/319810_354894274562796_100001266803515_1226443_755435670_n.jpg

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/319810_354894287896128_100001266803515_1226444_1791362694_n.jpg

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/319810_354894301229460_100001266803515_1226445_373235486_n.jpg

Did a little 18 mile loop to test out the new tires.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/526745_359538110765079_100001266803515_1243736_1824655132_n.jpg

Weather was a little unsettled, I brought a rain jacket but did not need it.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/532481_359538214098402_100001266803515_1243737_1655233896_n.jpg

I bought a set of 700 x 40c Schwalbe Land Cruiser to replace the 700 x 35c Kenda Kross Supreme.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/560590_359538404098383_100001266803515_1243739_2047155823_n.jpg

The tires measure out to 39.5mm mounted on a 24mm 29er rim. I might have enough room to clear 45c...maybe later.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/539434_359538477431709_100001266803515_1243740_1017249335_n.jpg

I'm doing some research on frame bags at Bikepacking.net (http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php) I hope to use this bike for a off road mini tour this summer.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/s720x720/541786_359538637431693_100001266803515_1243742_1181469439_n.jpg

The tires rolled very well on pavement even at a relativity low pressure of 50psi. On the gravel the side tread hooked up and felt very stable. Tomorrow if it's not raining I'd like to hit some singletrack and see if they are as good as the Kendas in the mud and wet loose rocks.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/s720x720/532921_359538730765017_100001266803515_1243743_662477952_n.jpg

Today's ride was 24 miles of wet.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/293866_360301434022080_100001266803515_1246253_1904116010_n.jpg

People were not sharing very well today, I had to turn on my lights for added visibility.


http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/526808_360301460688744_100001266803515_1246254_2065177837_n.jpg

The new tires handled the wet trail just as well as my Kenda Kross tires did without throwing every small rock at my face or covering me with mud.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/319737_360303080688582_100001266803515_1246262_661264807_n.jpg

Some of the trail was smoother the the road I took to get here.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/552663_360301897355367_100001266803515_1246260_700236105_n.jpg

A portion of Sonoma county's famously rough back roads. This is why I run 40c tires.

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/527717_360303344021889_100001266803515_1246264_472517087_n.jpg

Over all I'm pretty happy with the Schwalbe Land Cruisers, they work well on the mixed terrain I ride. On the other hand the wheels I bought are horrible. I was cheap and went with a machine built wheel set to save money, the spokes were not tensioned properly and came loose twice on this ride alone. So with my limited wheel truing abilities I was able to tighten a few of the really loose ones to get me home.

Lesson learned: You get what you pay for.... now I'm going to teach myself how to tension spokes.

I haven't done any extensive gravel riding lately, but I thought I'd share that every commute begins and ends with a little gravel. ;)

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e26/sstulken80/Gravel/alley.jpg

- Scottt