crank_addict

^ Way to go saddle meister! Even on those seemingly perfect days, artificial hills (aka: headwind) can beat one up.

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No pics but surely the sign of Spring has arrived. And I'm not talking of the weather......

Bike path havoc~

Whats up with joggers plugged into their I-diot players and left of the center? No bell is loud enough to get their attention. Really seems to be a frequent thing now or are they getting a bit delusional or zone out? Worse are the joggers plugged in, left of the center and with dogs zig-zagging on long leash. Share the path with courtesy and be careful out there!

Chrome Molly

Today I rode 57 miles of gravel, clay, and mud. This is part of the Ragnar 105 course, which unfortunately I won't get to do completely in a couple weeks on the event day. I've been told I have to be back by 4pm for the kid's prom pictures (and at 13mph, 107 miles with two hours of driving it isn't going to get me back by 4pm). Well, I was told I could do the ride, but also that there was a correct response...

The route would make an awesome metric century, if I can just figure out how to weave the highlights together.

Anyhow, some on the bike photos for your amusement.

Scenes like this all along the way


One of the better condition minimum maintenance road climbs.


Oh, I went left...


Some company. I had lots of four legged company today. This one was of the friendly variety.


Another loose climb, but just a little snow left today.


I always like dropping into these mystery valleys with no apparent inhabitants


This was the only climb that I walked, due to the extreme ruts and clay/mud that packed in my brakes and stays completely (as in, you're stopping now like it or not). Not too bad here, but got 10% or so around the corner. You could see where some of the quads had gotten stuck along the way, so I didn't feel too bad about walking up. 4200 feet of climb per the GPS today, this area is along the river, so the climbs were steep in this part.


Another rewarding view


Second last hill, not too bad. The last one was a real stinker though.

JJScaliger

Vacation at the in-laws...

Matlacha Florida












Post Office

JJScaliger

Pine Island










gravel grinding on sandy roads in the palm groves



My Bianchi Brava; I keep it at my in-laws.





Ft Myers Jet Blue Park Redsox vs Twins



Porcello winds up

jbchybridrider 

I last rode to Birdwood after huge bushfires here when the roads were closed to traffic with trees over the road and fearing one would fall on me. Did the same ride today and three months later the resilient aussie bush is making a comeback already. Also fitted some cheap but strong wheels for the rougher roads.







I'll also take the opportunity to show this nos 1 inch threaded ec70 fork. Almost hate to say it but it's far superior to the steel fork for ride quality.

jimmuller 

Wow, three great pic-fests in a row. The wilds of Minnesota with "two roads diverged in a wood" thrown in for good measure, winter escapism and Red Sox spring training in Florida, and lovely environmental recovery in Australia. Thanks for the travelogue!

FWIW, it snowed again here yesterday.

jbchybridrider 

rhm

First ride of spring!

I rode up into Hunterdon County, over some moderate hills, down to the Delaware, up to Sergeantsville, back down to Washington Crossing, then home by a different route much like the way out.
63 miles, 4100 feet of climbing, some wicked headwinds... but a nice sunny day.

Ed.

I rode the length of Spring (yuck yuck) Lane, all 4 house lots worth, but I rode it on my Torpado!



After getting her gussied up for the 'bike show' in Belchertown I figured she deserved a little taste of pavement. Ouch - forgot about those unauthorized leg modifications - have to lower the seat a bit. Nice. (I got her a nicer Campag pump clip at the show, rust free.)

Oldairhead 

Rode to the top end of Zion Canyon and the "Temple of Sinawava" on the 1981 Holdsworth during the Zion Canyon Brevet.

JJScaliger

I basically finished my Motobecane Grand Record today and was dying to take it for a test ride. It felt more like January than March here in RI; high 35 with winds 15-30mph. Temp about 50 degrees cooler than my last ride. The roads were dry so I bundled up and set out.



After about 7 miles I felt a little hop on the rear wheel and then heard a slapping sound. I stopped to check it out and saw that the tread on the tire was separating from the casing. Yikes!


When I peeled the tire off it felt dry as a bone, base tape started to disintegrate.



After switching the rear I decided to cut the ride short at about 20 miles. I was going to ride these Hutchinson sew ups that came with my new wheelset until they wore out since they held air and looked fine (front still looks ok). I think now I'm just going to mount the Challenge Paris roubaix tires I have set aside. The rear Hutchinson lasted a whole 7 miles for me!

Moto gr rode great, just needs a few minor tweaks. I had to mess with axle position to get the 26 rear cog to work, no big deal. Bar tape will get switched to red when it warms up, if ever...

jimmuller 

JJS, nice bike but man you have to stop riding the cheapest sew-ups you can find!

Vonruden

Awesome pics, brought me back to my youth in Minnesota. I would love to travel these roads some day.

I was only able to get in a quick 10 miles after work before total dusk.

mountaindave 

Got 22 miles in this weekend and discovered some side roads along a highway I have traveled for decades but never ridden because of traffic. It was blissful and another great ride in my new favorite gravel grinder: a '91 RB1.

Overlook of the northwest shore of Flathead Lake:

My phone magically did this weird editing to the photo when uploading. Don't know why...

nesteel 

Beautiful. So jealous right now.

whatwolf

35 dirt miles today on the Trek 950 650b conversion, my longest ride on it so far since I built it up a couple weeks ago.

Vonruden

Nice, looks like some fun trails.

Ed.

Pix from snowless Montana and Minnesota, and I'm still looking at nearly 2 feet!

mountaindave 

^^^ Heh, heh - global weirding!!

Ed.

A 'Selfie' (via remote control)



All you dry roads and sun-filled sky types, eat your heart out.

Roger M

Yesterday,I got out into new territory(for me) and rode 50 miles of dirt roads and pavement. A lot of this was gated and some was private property. Plenty of no shooting signs, and no motor vehicles, and a couple no trespassing with camera monitoring signs.Nonetheless, it was pretty cool. I rode my Cino bike, which I havent spent much time on since.... Cino 2013. The clips and straps played hell with my big ass feet(and knees in the end).

This was probably the worst of it. I couldve saved myself some pain by letting air out of the tires, but I didn't want to ride 20 miles of road without some decent air pressure..


Mt Rainier is out there somewhere




A couple water crossings and some washout sections that I had to hike through.



I saw plent of 'no shooting' signs, and was fortunate that I didn't have to dodge a bullet..






Some pavement finally, for the ride home. It was a great ride.



Today I rode a local 30 mile loop. Stan J feels a bit sportier without fenders. I like.

Lascauxcaveman 

Wow, Roger. That looks like some adventuresome riding. Not sure if I could keep up with you, but I'd grind some gravel in your neck of the woods any day. Looks like home

Vonruden

Very cool Roger! Thanks for sharing.

Prowler 

Nice track stand. Nice Pro. Very stylish threads. Ready for a tweed ride?

Most of our snow/ice is now gone and the roads are dry. I'll have my Mk IV out this afternoon. Still shaping up for our NJ ride in two weeks.

Vonruden

Shake down ride. Still needs some new tires and bar tape, plenty of extra clearance beyond the current 28's.