Sunday, April 5, 2015

Gooey Gravel

Ben and I got out for roughly 65 miles of gravel yesterday,  some of the roadways rock hard, others soft where the sand is bubbling up through the top, compressed crust.  In the valleys where the road hugs the north facing banks, there is still soft, weepy mud waiting for more heat and more sunshine.

Barely 50 degrees and fairly windy, riding was definitely more pleasant in the bottom areas than it was up on top riding into the wind.  Late afternoon, the clouds started moving in, more than compensating for the few degrees of daytime warmth that we'd gained to make a net loss in comfort level, at least for me.  I had geared up for an optimistic 50 plus a few and that never happened.

Still, it was good to get out and give both of the little backroad bikes their rein.  Where the crushed rock hadn't been pounded into solid, the gravel was very Spring-loose and we both needed to watch ourselves.  With the frost still leaving the ground we'd frequently come upon a very deep, loose heavily rutted section so our attention to conditions made even more sense than usual.

We stopped at a gas-n-go in the neighborhood for something to drink (mine was hot) and to soak up some sunshine without the chilling of wind.


Two bikes are in the shop this week, one waiting for a tire, the other waiting for a speedometer repair.  Soon they all should be motorable......at least for awhile and hopefully all season.

10 comments:

  1. Spring has sprung!!! Glad you were able to get out for a ride, although both bikes still look pretty clean ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brad, it wasn't really that messy. Mud wasn't deep, actually more thick, like clay. Our boots were covered, just enough moisture to not be dry, looked like they'd been painted.

      Our mini-van looks like it's been dipped in chocolate.

      Delete
  2. Coop your roads sound like my drive ... the roads around here are no longer snow covered just sand covered and dotted with sink holes, some large enough to loose a bike tire in. Glad you got out and hope the temperatures cooperate for the next ride.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can tell that you know exactly of that which I speak and yes, there were some wheel swallowers yesterday. Sounds like a cool, wet week here. Not the best for riding but it is still early and we really do need the moisture.

      Delete
  3. The "soft, weepy mud" sometimes hide sinkholes once the ice melts. It looks like you got a nice ride in.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There were pockets of it, often almost hidden. When traffic and other smoother tracks around them allowed, we used a better path. It was a very nice day for a gravel ride, even dusty in many places so changing conditions only made it more fun.

      Delete
  4. "Soft weepy mud". Best description I've heard for our driveway. Usually takes a couple of weeks to dry out enough so you're not slip-sliding through it, even on 4 wheels. It's this time of year I regret selling my XL500.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly what we have. Most of our driveway is now solid but there are still a couple of sections of the bad stuff. Most years the rain helps pull the frost up; it went deep this winter with our cold Feb. and little snow cover.

      We've got a very active Craig's around here.....I'll see what I can dig up for you :)

      Delete
  5. Chilly, but at least you had sunshine!!

    Glad you got out for a nice ride. Those hot drinks sure hit the spot on rides like that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Brandy, it was a nice ride on a cool afternoon. These 2 should be ready for high adventure come nicer weather.

      Delete