I've been looking for a gravel loop. Since it is unlikely I'll ever travel to Italy to participate in L'Eroica (which has fascinated me since I first heard of it), I wanted something near home to give me a taste of it. The route to Muenster that I found last fall is one fine example. Today I found another one.
Most of my routes are paved county roads with a few gravel pieces thrown in here and there. Waide Road is very near my little house on the prairie, and it's gravel. Until today, however, I've only done out-and-back rides on it. Out-and-back rides are okay, but loops are preferable.
This morning, I spent a little time studying a map, and defining a loop route back home from the western limits of Waide Road. It ended up looking like this...
As it turns out, this loop is mostly gravel, with a few short pieces of pavement tossed in. My estimate is 80% gravel and 20% paved.
There were some dark clouds early. They provided a stark contrast with the white gravel and green pastures. The occasional tree canopy provided a stark contrast to the wide open spaces. Pedaling along through the constant changing terrain and light patterns was visually refreshing.
This morning, I spent a little time studying a map, and defining a loop route back home from the western limits of Waide Road. It ended up looking like this...
As it turns out, this loop is mostly gravel, with a few short pieces of pavement tossed in. My estimate is 80% gravel and 20% paved.
There were some dark clouds early. They provided a stark contrast with the white gravel and green pastures. The occasional tree canopy provided a stark contrast to the wide open spaces. Pedaling along through the constant changing terrain and light patterns was visually refreshing.
No, it's not Italy, but it is my little taste of strada biancha (white road), and it is quite fine.
That's pretty enough to support a group ride. Now if I had a bike that was a little more appropriate to such a surface.
ReplyDeleteI was rolling my new Hetre tires. I meant to mention that they performed well. They might be the ideal choice for such a surface, but bikes with 28mm to 32mm width would work fairly well in most places.
ReplyDeleteYes... group ride! Looks like an awesome route. What's Memorial Day weekend look like?
ReplyDeleteWe will be attending a wedding in Aggieland on Saturday, but Monday might work. If there is interest, I'll post an invitation on the BABBLE forum.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the distance for your loop? I'm up for a ride on Monday.
ReplyDeleteThe loop is approx. 32 miles, and finishes up on pavement with a tailwind.
ReplyDeleteif the wind is blowing from the "correct" direction...
ReplyDeleteI really don't appreciate what you are insinuating here, that people have the right to whittle away the hours on 32m gravel loops so close to home with such scenery. Distasteful, that's what it is!
ReplyDeleteTim
Sorry, Tim, it is embarrassing. Come join us on Memorial Day. It would make me feel less guilty.
ReplyDeleteSimply stunning! I love the photos of both the wide-open fields, and the the gravel roads going right up the hills. I need to ride more gravel soon!
ReplyDelete