Originally Posted by
bikenh
Let me ask this question...
Is the GAP more loose crushed stone or packed dirt and stone?
Just a couple of weeks ago I was, unplanned on, on a dirt road, well packed and had no trouble riding on it at all. In a few spots I was a bit nervous thanks simply to no experience on that particular road and on riding in that kind of situation.
A couple of years ago I was on the Gap trail with a group and we noticed some areas of limestone had been filled with crushed shale. Shale is much more slippery than limestone and the effort to get through those sections was noticeable. I don't know if this is a one time thing or a trend to anticipate but there it was.
On the other hand, I have been shamelessly hawking Schwalbe Big Ben tires because I have started using them. The 50mm are as fast and easy as my 38mm Marthon Dureme and they have enough tread to get through anything but fine sand. They also come in 38mm and 54mm sizes but I they will get you there, without a lot of trouble.
Marc