Hello all future GAP'rs,

Just a story I have to get out of my head.

We three long time friends needed to do a 34 mile benefit ride offsite from the city it was actually held, as they are non-cyclists, ride once a year and never in a city. They picked Cumberland to Frostburg+ (to the 17 mile marker) and back.

Two friends have Cannondale and Trek gravel bikes, fat tires with granny gears, fat seats. They ride once a year. ONCE A YEAR!!!

I'm the cyclist(68 yo, fat guy, health issues). I have a 2012 Motobecane Fantom Cross, 28mm Conti GP5000 (116 PSI), and normal skinny seat.

I had understood it was asphalt and my asphalt paid the price. I felt every piece of gravel I rode over. We made numerous stops going up. Not a race. About 2:45 hours going up, we slow.

We stopped at the 17mile marker, came back down to the Frostburg rest stop. Very Nice. Discovery Tours(?) had a tour group and they invited us to lunch. Also nice.

The ride back was as fast as you wanted to go. In fact it was terrifying for me. Skinny tires were fast, but very unstable. I did not pedal until I was back in Cumberland(like mile 0.5). Drifted the entire way. Mostly rode my rear rim brake the entire way and did my best to avoid the larger stones. We got back in 1:15 hours.

So this is a warning the GAP can be done on road bike tires. But do not recommend. Especially if you are a fat guy like me.

Note: we stayed at the Fairfield Inn and that was wonderful. We enjoyed the Dig Deep brewery across the parking lot, the Crabby Pig(?) and Uncle John's Pizza and Pub (Got the Supreme Deep Dish). We had brought our wives and other friends, all had a wonderful time. We met numerous other cyclists and locals. Just wonderful.

Mirfi