Is this normal gravel???
04-02-08, 10:38 AM
#26
Squirrel
Thread Starter
04-02-08, 03:07 PM
#27
just keep riding
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04-02-08, 09:09 PM
#28
My other car is a bike
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I don't know what a person riding clipless would do if they had to walk in that stuff. I think there's more to be added. Last time I was on this road it was very very deep pea gravel. I could ride in that, but this I thought would poke a hole in my tire. It's very loose and slippery.
The problem with finding a better road is that I'm just learning the area, and I don't know where I am most of the time. So if I head down a road, I'm not entirely sure where the next one is. Although, I have to say, so far the place seems to be laid out like giant city blocks! Like there's a road every mile instead of every block.
The cars have been very nice so far, giving me a wide berth and slowing way down. The dogs have been sweet, too! The roadkill is varied and pungent. And there's a huge variety on what roads are made with... I think it has to do with water runoff and fields?
The problem with finding a better road is that I'm just learning the area, and I don't know where I am most of the time. So if I head down a road, I'm not entirely sure where the next one is. Although, I have to say, so far the place seems to be laid out like giant city blocks! Like there's a road every mile instead of every block.
The cars have been very nice so far, giving me a wide berth and slowing way down. The dogs have been sweet, too! The roadkill is varied and pungent. And there's a huge variety on what roads are made with... I think it has to do with water runoff and fields?
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04-03-08, 11:00 AM
#29
Senior Member
Solveg,
Here's a pretty route suggestion in Central Kansas that is part asphalt, part sand roads (last time I was on them; you might want to check with the county). It would be perfect for your Atlantis.
It starts in Lindsborg, "Little Sweden USA," which is a pretty little town with nice B&B's, and a nice city park by the river with good camping. Road takes you out to a butte north of town called "Coronado Heights;" it's worth climbing the little road up to the top as the views are spectacular. Then you take sand roads to the west, and end up at another little town called Marquette. Tiny little Main Street, some old stores and a motorcycle museum to visit. Then back on quiet asphalt roads through the Smoky River Valley back to Lindsborg.
https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...org/1007487076
It's about 100 miles for you to get up to Lindsborg; maybe further than you want to do for a day but it's a nice weekend. There are also some other asphalt roads that would get you from Lindsborg to the East out into the Gypsum Hills...and some very nice riding in and around Kanopolis Reservoir / State Park (to the West of Lindsborg).
Here's a pretty route suggestion in Central Kansas that is part asphalt, part sand roads (last time I was on them; you might want to check with the county). It would be perfect for your Atlantis.
It starts in Lindsborg, "Little Sweden USA," which is a pretty little town with nice B&B's, and a nice city park by the river with good camping. Road takes you out to a butte north of town called "Coronado Heights;" it's worth climbing the little road up to the top as the views are spectacular. Then you take sand roads to the west, and end up at another little town called Marquette. Tiny little Main Street, some old stores and a motorcycle museum to visit. Then back on quiet asphalt roads through the Smoky River Valley back to Lindsborg.
https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...org/1007487076
It's about 100 miles for you to get up to Lindsborg; maybe further than you want to do for a day but it's a nice weekend. There are also some other asphalt roads that would get you from Lindsborg to the East out into the Gypsum Hills...and some very nice riding in and around Kanopolis Reservoir / State Park (to the West of Lindsborg).
04-03-08, 01:12 PM
#30
Squirrel
Thread Starter
Thanks BengeBoy!
Boy, have I had a rude awakening regarding miles down here. I didn't ride much in the Winter because I got pneumonia pretty soon after I got my winter bike, so I'm kind of starting fresh with my endurance down here. These deep gravel and dirt roads are twice as hard to ride as the crushed limestone up north, and I'm usually on paved roads in MN! Add to that a wind, and I have to re-assess any long mileage trips down here.
But then again, intellectually I know that my mileage will pick up faster than I think possible. If only my body knew what my brain does....
Boy, have I had a rude awakening regarding miles down here. I didn't ride much in the Winter because I got pneumonia pretty soon after I got my winter bike, so I'm kind of starting fresh with my endurance down here. These deep gravel and dirt roads are twice as hard to ride as the crushed limestone up north, and I'm usually on paved roads in MN! Add to that a wind, and I have to re-assess any long mileage trips down here.
But then again, intellectually I know that my mileage will pick up faster than I think possible. If only my body knew what my brain does....
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04-03-08, 02:02 PM
#32
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Thanks BengeBoy!
Boy, have I had a rude awakening regarding miles down here. I didn't ride much in the Winter because I got pneumonia pretty soon after I got my winter bike, so I'm kind of starting fresh with my endurance down here. These deep gravel and dirt roads are twice as hard to ride as the crushed limestone up north, and I'm usually on paved roads in MN! Add to that a wind, and I have to re-assess any long mileage trips down here.
But then again, intellectually I know that my mileage will pick up faster than I think possible. If only my body knew what my brain does....
Boy, have I had a rude awakening regarding miles down here. I didn't ride much in the Winter because I got pneumonia pretty soon after I got my winter bike, so I'm kind of starting fresh with my endurance down here. These deep gravel and dirt roads are twice as hard to ride as the crushed limestone up north, and I'm usually on paved roads in MN! Add to that a wind, and I have to re-assess any long mileage trips down here.
But then again, intellectually I know that my mileage will pick up faster than I think possible. If only my body knew what my brain does....
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04-03-08, 02:06 PM
#33
Squirrel
Thread Starter
04-03-08, 09:16 PM
#34
Senior Member
https://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123054166
The road I outlined takes her right along the southern edge of the bombing range. It's kind of wild country (at least by Kansas standards), which is why the roads I recommended are so nice. You'll know you're at the bombing range when you see signs on the fence that say, "Danger. Live Unexploded Ordinance. Do not Enter." They mean it.
You almost never see aircraft there -- and if you do, they come and go in a flash. Nice place to ride!
04-06-08, 02:27 PM
#35
Senior Member
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LOL looks like the stud mill road to me /.The only difference is its flat!/Ken
04-08-08, 07:47 PM
#37
Prefers Cicero
04-09-08, 12:37 AM
#38
Space Dust
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Solveg,
Here's a pretty route suggestion in Central Kansas that is part asphalt, part sand roads (last time I was on them; you might want to check with the county). It would be perfect for your Atlantis.
It starts in Lindsborg, "Little Sweden USA," which is a pretty little town with nice B&B's, and a nice city park by the river with good camping. Road takes you out to a butte north of town called "Coronado Heights;" it's worth climbing the little road up to the top as the views are spectacular. Then you take sand roads to the west, and end up at another little town called Marquette. Tiny little Main Street, some old stores and a motorcycle museum to visit. Then back on quiet asphalt roads through the Smoky River Valley back to Lindsborg.
https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...org/1007487076
It's about 100 miles for you to get up to Lindsborg; maybe further than you want to do for a day but it's a nice weekend. There are also some other asphalt roads that would get you from Lindsborg to the East out into the Gypsum Hills...and some very nice riding in and around Kanopolis Reservoir / State Park (to the West of Lindsborg).
Here's a pretty route suggestion in Central Kansas that is part asphalt, part sand roads (last time I was on them; you might want to check with the county). It would be perfect for your Atlantis.
It starts in Lindsborg, "Little Sweden USA," which is a pretty little town with nice B&B's, and a nice city park by the river with good camping. Road takes you out to a butte north of town called "Coronado Heights;" it's worth climbing the little road up to the top as the views are spectacular. Then you take sand roads to the west, and end up at another little town called Marquette. Tiny little Main Street, some old stores and a motorcycle museum to visit. Then back on quiet asphalt roads through the Smoky River Valley back to Lindsborg.
https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...org/1007487076
It's about 100 miles for you to get up to Lindsborg; maybe further than you want to do for a day but it's a nice weekend. There are also some other asphalt roads that would get you from Lindsborg to the East out into the Gypsum Hills...and some very nice riding in and around Kanopolis Reservoir / State Park (to the West of Lindsborg).
I grew up riding on everything from rough pasture to mud to sand to pea gravel to rough gravel to asphalt or concrete. The trick to riding those odd surfaces and gravel similar to that pictured by the OP is to keep your speed up, and ride steady. DO NOT "correct" for the gravel/sand induced jogs or you will end up over correcting and crash. Trust to the gyro action of your wheels and keep your eyes on where you want to go, -don't look at the road surface or you will crash. I have ridden on those surfaces with everything from the old balloon tires to skinny road bike tires with no problems or tire issues. Crushed flint on the other hand can occasionally rip up a tire. If you think gravel rattles your teeth you haven't experienced anything until you have ridden washboard...
I haven't been to Kanopolis in years, I will have to get back there soon.
04-09-08, 07:07 AM
#39
Squirrel
Thread Starter
I drove my van over the rocks in the OP, and the van* slipped slightly. I don't think anyone can ride a bike over those sharp boulders....
Washboard roads are something else! I'd love to know what I look like when I'm riding on it.... is all the extra fat on my body jiggling and is my chin waggling from side to side? Is my hair going up and down like a cartoon character?
Washboard roads are something else! I'd love to know what I look like when I'm riding on it.... is all the extra fat on my body jiggling and is my chin waggling from side to side? Is my hair going up and down like a cartoon character?
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04-09-08, 08:15 AM
#40
Space Dust
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Vehicles running on sand and gravel will drift the same way. The same eyes ahead and keep the wheel pointed where you want to go is required when driving them also. A person just has to get used to it. Trying to correct will crash a motor vehicle also. The same thing can be said of driving on snow. Some people never get used to it and will crash in a heartbeat. Personally I don't think I would have any problem riding the gravel in the OP. Heavy gravel like that is much easier to ride on than deep sand. Deep sand will stop a road bike with skinny tires but would only gradually slow a bike with 1.75" tires and barely cause a 2.25" tire bike a problem.
Last edited by Torque1st; 04-09-08 at 08:20 AM.
04-09-08, 09:29 AM
#41
Senior Member
