A gravel adventure to end the year

2018 was a definite year to remember and I am grateful to move past it. Today we explored more of Bonelli.

Here is Douglas showing off his mad skills.  I told him I was going to send this to Peter Sagan letting him know there is a new boss in town and t look out.

Pinarello E-Bike

If I PR on this, does it count?

Hiking with the kids - Potato Mtn

I am an early riser and it is not unlikely that by the time anyone in my family is awake, I would have been up for 5 to 7 hours.  It's Christmas break for the kids and they love to stay up until midnight and wake up by noon.  

Sunday was no different, so by 10 am I had enough and decided these kids are going to get up and go on a hike.  After a quick breakfast, we headed to the trail head, parked and was soon among the trees and nature. 

Bicycle Friends Vests and Windbreakers

Bicycle Friends, these are the designs for the Vest and Long Sleeve Windbreaker.

Vest: if you are interested in the vest, please reply Vest

Long Sleeve Windbreaker: if you are interested in the windbreaker, please reply Windbreaker

Vest/windbreaker: if you are interested in both, please reply Both

The approximate costs are:
Vest: $85.00
Long Sleeve Windbreaker: $100.00

I will post the store link when we have enough interest.  We need at least 10 each to open the store.

Coffee from Brownwood, TX

Where is Brownwood?

It's in the middle of nowhere, LOL.

I dream of gravel roads

I've always had a fondness for CX bikes and with the gravel bikes becoming more popular, I decided to build up a custom Rock Lobster CX/Gravel bike.

Today I did a modified Two Wheel Tuesday route.  I integrated some double track and fire roads around Bonelli park before heading on pavement.

It was a lonely ride and while on a Bonelli fire road, I pondered the idea of being eaten by a mountain lion.  Scary stuff but also peace full.  It was cold and there was mist in the air.  

Gravel Adventures - Bonelli and Marshal

On Saturday, Mike K and Novo joined me on a gravel adventure.  I had a rough idea of where to go but wasn't 100% sure of the details.  We met at Euro Cafe and headed to Bonelli Park.  From there we did a mix of fire roads and double track.  After Bonelli we headed to lower Marshal Cyn.  We took the wash that leads to the entrance off Emerald but had to jump a fence.  At 40 years of age, climbing a fence isn't as easy as I remember it. 

We headed up the double track on lower Marshal Cyn to the top of Cobal Cyn and finally down to Mills Ave.  Total trip was 26 miles. 

Key Take Aways:
1. 35C tires work but 40c or greater will be better.
2. Tubeless is the way to go.  I was running a traditional setup and at 85 psi, the ride was very rough
3. Climbing Fences suck
4. 11 - 30t cassette is rough.  The better setup is 11 - 34 or greater.  Gearing depends greatly on your style of riding (Flats vs Hills vs Climbing) and you front chainring setup.

Bicycle Friends Bottle Opener

Emerald Loop plus Montrose