All about bicycles

[Alnus Rubra]

My last ride of August. 41 miles of mostly "gravel" with a little bit of road mixed in. I think it's a great showcase of what interior Florida has to offer.

After a little bit of road, a section of sketchy, swampy gravel in Carlton Reserve.

Which opens up to a beautiful power line road that runs for miles.

Just beyond here it got super muddy and wet for a bit. It seems any summer gravel ride lands me bottom bracket deep in water at some point.

Then it was through a park and onto some country neighborhood streets for a bit. After that, the route opens up on this "road" in Walton Ranch Preserve.

Which has some amazing sections of sub-tropical forest...

Found the cows (it's an active ranch) and an epic tree.

From there, it's mostly just riding back the way you came. Thankfully, I had a nice tailwind on the way back so I felt like I was flying. The sun finally came out and the heat really kicked in. Three bottles and four 2 oz SIS gels (which are mostly water) really wasn't enough for this outing, even with the clouds. Looking forward to doing this ride again when the weather cools off a bit.

If you don't come back covered in sand and dirt, did you even gravel?

Great pics and a fine pair of legs.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

Great pics and a fine pair of legs.

TWSS

 

[Alnus Rubra]

TWSS

To Wear Sexy Speedo?

 

[tiboy]

I am currently staring up at the beautiful natural scenery of Zion National Park on day 6 of cycling The Utah Mountains and National Parks. The weather and riding have been fantastic. Three hundred miles over 5 days with vast amounts of climbing at altitude. The landscape is perhaps the finest of our cycling 32 States and 3 countries. Hopefully I’ll be able to retrieve (from my wife) pics to post at a later date.

 

[bodia]

My last ride of August. 41 miles of mostly "gravel" with a little bit of road mixed in. I think it's a great showcase of what interior Florida has to offer.

After a little bit of road, a section of sketchy, swampy gravel in Carlton Reserve.

Which opens up to a beautiful power line road that runs for miles.

Just beyond here it got super muddy and wet for a bit. It seems any summer gravel ride lands me bottom bracket deep in water at some point.

Then it was through a park and onto some country neighborhood streets for a bit. After that, the route opens up on this "road" in Walton Ranch Preserve.

Which has some amazing sections of sub-tropical forest...

Found the cows (it's an active ranch) and an epic tree.

From there, it's mostly just riding back the way you came. Thankfully, I had a nice tailwind on the way back so I felt like I was flying. The sun finally came out and the heat really kicked in. Three bottles and four 2 oz SIS gels (which are mostly water) really wasn't enough for this outing, even with the clouds. Looking forward to doing this ride again when the weather cools off a bit.

If you don't come back covered in sand and dirt, did you even gravel?

What, no gators????

 

[dmatthews]

I am currently staring up at the beautiful natural scenery of Zion National Park on day 6 of cycling The Utah Mountains and National Parks. The weather and riding have been fantastic. Three hundred miles over 5 days with vast amounts of climbing at altitude. The landscape is perhaps the finest of our cycling 32 States and 3 countries. Hopefully I’ll be able to retrieve (from my wife) pics to post at a later date.

Go Tiboy!!!

 

[garrett]

What, no gators????

Nah, too far from the river for gators. Saw a couple dozen deer in the early part of the ride, though.

 

[garrett]

Notice anything missing?

Don't know what caused it, but the derailleur suddenly twisted all the way around and sheared off, breaking a spoke while it was at it. Mechanical skills sure are good to have on the trail. I broke, shortened, and then rejoined the chain so I could ride back to the car single-speed. Would've been a 5-mile walk otherwise.

 

[dmatthews]

Notice anything missing?

Don't know what caused it, but the derailleur suddenly twisted all the way around and sheared off, breaking a spoke while it was at it. Mechanical skills sure are good to have on the trail. I broke, shortened, and then rejoined the chain so I could ride back to the car single-speed. Would've been a 5-mile walk otherwise.

Bummer, but nicely done sir!

 

[Moondog Wily]

Notice anything missing?

Don't know what caused it, but the derailleur suddenly twisted all the way around and sheared off, breaking a spoke while it was at it. Mechanical skills sure are good to have on the trail. I broke, shortened, and then rejoined the chain so I could ride back to the car single-speed. Would've been a 5-mile walk otherwise.

Unbelievable! Never had that happen, or heard of it happening for that matter!! Awesome that you had a chain tool (or did you Magyver shorten the chain)!!! Congrats on your ingenuity and making it home safe!!!! A story for the ages!

 

[bodia]

Notice anything missing?

Don't know what caused it, but the derailleur suddenly twisted all the way around and sheared off, breaking a spoke while it was at it. Mechanical skills sure are good to have on the trail. I broke, shortened, and then rejoined the chain so I could ride back to the car single-speed. Would've been a 5-mile walk otherwise.

The sucks! Nice MacGyver job, though

 

[Deleted member 5962]

Notice anything missing?

Dang it. I was going to guess "the kickstand."

 

[garrett]

Unbelievable! Never had that happen, or heard of it happening for that matter!! Awesome that you had a chain tool (or did you Magyver shorten the chain)!!! Congrats on your ingenuity and making it home safe!!!! A story for the ages!

Yeah not sure if I caught some grass or a vine and locked it up, or if I hit something. I was on a very over-grown, rough, pig-ravaged section of trail, heard a SNAP and skidded to a sudden stop.

It's a good thing I'm enough of a nerd that I researched must-have gravel riding items and saw several recommendations to carry a multi-tool with chain breaker. Also a good thing I'm enough of a DIYer to know how to use a chain breaker.

This crankbrothers jobbie showed its worth for sure!

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Notice anything missing?

Don't know what caused it, but the derailleur suddenly twisted all the way around and sheared off, breaking a spoke while it was at it. Mechanical skills sure are good to have on the trail. I broke, shortened, and then rejoined the chain so I could ride back to the car single-speed. Would've been a 5-mile walk otherwise.

Same thing happened on my road bike a few years ago. I wasn’t as well prepared as you and had to call my pit crew!

I still have the mangled derailleur somewhere. I will photo it. Mine happened because the chain snapped and mangled up at speed. I was lucky I managed to stay upright!

Yeah not sure if I caught some grass or a vine and locked it up, or if I hit something. I was on a very over-grown, rough, pig-ravaged section of trail, heard a SNAP and skidded to a sudden stop.

It's a good thing I'm enough of a nerd that I researched must-have gravel riding items and saw several recommendations to carry a multi-tool with chain breaker. Also a good thing I'm enough of a DIYer to know how to use a chain breaker.

This crankbrothers jobbie showed its worth for sure!

That looks like the ticket!

 

[dmatthews]

Yeah not sure if I caught some grass or a vine and locked it up, or if I hit something. I was on a very over-grown, rough, pig-ravaged section of trail, heard a SNAP and skidded to a sudden stop.

It's a good thing I'm enough of a nerd that I researched must-have gravel riding items and saw several recommendations to carry a multi-tool with chain breaker. Also a good thing I'm enough of a DIYer to know how to use a chain breaker.

This crankbrothers jobbie showed its worth for sure!

Yeah, that's the multi-tool I carry as well. Good choice.

 

[tiboy]

Yeah, that's the multi-tool I carry as well. Good choice.

Nice job. Since I lack skill, my multi-tool is an iPhone with pre-programmed numbers for Mrs., Uber and AAA who will transport you and bike up to 10 miles.

 

[dmatthews]

Nice job. Since I lack skill, my multi-tool is an iPhone with pre-programmed numbers for Mrs., Uber and AAA who will transport you and bike up to 10 miles.

Make no mistake, I always ride with my phone handy.
That said I'm willing to give a repair the old college try... mostly...

 

[Moondog Wily]

Yeah not sure if I caught some grass or a vine and locked it up, or if I hit something. I was on a very over-grown, rough, pig-ravaged section of trail, heard a SNAP and skidded to a sudden stop.

It's a good thing I'm enough of a nerd that I researched must-have gravel riding items and saw several recommendations to carry a multi-tool with chain breaker. Also a good thing I'm enough of a DIYer to know how to use a chain breaker.

This crankbrothers jobbie showed its worth for sure!

Ugh, the pigs. They have been tearing up our lawn for the past 2 years now, creating huge ruts in the grass. The riding mower is feeling like bumper cars as I bounce over this stuff these days. Filling ruts in does no good as they are back that night to tear it up again. I slammed my head against that wall for a few months before I gave up. Once again, congrats on using all available tools (including the bit between your ears) and being prepared with the ones you needed! Happy ending!!!

 

[veinbuster]

Yeah not sure if I caught some grass or a vine and locked it up, or if I hit something. I was on a very over-grown, rough, pig-ravaged section of trail, heard a SNAP and skidded to a sudden stop.

It's a good thing I'm enough of a nerd that I researched must-have gravel riding items and saw several recommendations to carry a multi-tool with chain breaker. Also a good thing I'm enough of a DIYer to know how to use a chain breaker.

This crankbrothers jobbie showed its worth for sure!

I have one of those.

 

[garrett]

Nice job. Since I lack skill, my multi-tool is an iPhone with pre-programmed numbers for Mrs., Uber and AAA who will transport you and bike up to 10 miles.

Make no mistake, I always ride with my phone handy.
That said I'm willing to give a repair the old college try... mostly...

Oh my phone was handy, but it does no good without signal. There ain't no Uber drivers out yonder in the sticks anyhow. I do have AAA, though I hadn't even thought about that, so thanks!

Ugh, the pigs. They have been tearing up our lawn for the past 2 years now, creating huge ruts in the grass. The riding mower is feeling like bumper cars as I bounce over this stuff these days. Filling ruts in does no good as they are back that night to tear it up again. I slammed my head against that wall for a few months before I gave up. Once again, congrats on using all available tools (including the bit between your ears) and being prepared with the ones you needed! Happy ending!!!

They are a scourge!