This bike riding season was supposed to be my year of gravel. I was trying to spend less time on pavement, and more time on dirt, partly to avoid cars, but also because one can get to places off-road that you just can’t get to in traffic! I’m not a big fan of technical mountain biking. My skills just aren’t honed enough to feel confident, and I fall far too often for my liking, mostly because I can’t ride fast enough on technical uphill sections to keep my balance, and I don’t get my feet out of the clips quick enough to put my foot down on the ground before tipping over. Most of the falls are gentle, and more embarrassing than painful or dangerous; but every now and then, ouch! I wish I had a picture of the black and blue from my most recent mountain bike tumble last fall, but I guess it’s your good luck that I don’t! But this was the day it happened!
Alas, my gravel plans are a bit rocky (sorry) at the moment. In addition to some road rides, starting mid-July, I had registered for 3 gravel rides. The first on August 2, is called Rooted Vermont, an 82 mile ride, with approximately 8,000 feet of climbing, starting from and ending at Richmond, Vermont.
The second, for Labor Day Weekend, is Rebecca’s Private Idaho out of Sun Valley. I had originally registered for the 102 mile route (5,300 feet of climbing), but then Gail decided she would join me, so we dropped down to the 56 mile route with 4,400 feet of climbing. They all have cute names. The 102 is the Baked Potato; the 56 is the French Fry. There is also a 20 mile Tater Tot. Cute, but sneaky.
Each of those rides were started and promoted by accomplished competitive riders. Rooted Vermont is the brainchild of Ted and Laura King. Ted was a former World Tour Rider who retired in 2015, and has been riding the gravel circuit with great success, having formerly won such races as Dirty Kanza and Belgian Waffle Ride. Laura Cameron King is also a former pro rider who rode all through her recent pregnancy. Very impressive.
Photo courtesy of Virtuous Cycle
Rebecca Rusch, the founder and organizer of Rebecca’s Private Idaho, is an ultra endurance pro cyclist, a multiple world champion, and a recent participant and winner of the Iditarod Trail Invitational 350 (that’s right a 350 mile bike race/adventure on the Iditarod Sled Trail in the middle of the winter!). This year, she started on March 1, and finished the evening of March 8. Uggghhh. I’m not trying that one.
Photo courtesy of Outside Magazine
One more note about Ted and Rebecca. Ted hosts a podcast called King of the Ride. His most recent show featured an interview with Rebecca, conducted just after her return from her most recent Iditarod Trail Invitational 350. It is inspiring, informative, and I highly recommend it. I have been listening to Ted’s podcasts pretty much since the beginning, and this was my favorite. And no; I have no interest in trying the ITI 350!
Finally, I registered for Belgian Waffle Cedar City, a new gravel race this year, and a spin-off of the original BWR in San Diego, which I tried, and bonked at, a year ago. But it heightened my interest in dirt, so here I go again. BWR Cedar City will take place October 17. That may sound late, but Cedar City is almost 4 hours south of Park City, and stays warm much longer than here. It is not far from Zion National Park and many other beautiful spots, and is home of the Utah Shakespeare Festival each summer, as well as Southern Utah University. I registered for the shorter, Wafer Ride, “only” 87 miles. Better luck this year!
Photo courtesy of Bike Radar
But enough about rides that I haven’t yet done, and may not get to do because of the current state of the world! Talk is cheap!
Where can we ride now? As I mentioned in a previous post, group rides are out. Too risky. So I ride alone, or with Gail, or with one or two close friends. I know where they’ve been and with whom they have been spending time, and we keep our distance. Last Sunday, Gail and I rode the dirt section of the Rail Trail from Park City to Wanship, Utah and back, around a 16 mile round trip. All downhill out, and uphill back.
This past Saturday, we rode another dirt road that was packed with hikers, riders, dogs. It was all we could do to stay distant! But it was gorgeous.
Yesterday, in the midst of a cool, rainy day, I found a mid-afternoon weather window, when the temperature had warmed to around 50F, there was no wind, and the sun came out. I was able to sneak away for a quick, 16 mile road ride. Lovely. My new favorite axiom: Ride when you can!
Today it’s a gorgeous day. No excuses.
Piper says: Ride when you can!
Sweet post! I so enjoy reading your thoughts. I have an aversion to big races, being an Iowa grassroots kind of guy as I am. That said, if I ever do another one it will be Rebecca’s. I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about the whole experience!
Great post Larry, that hit many of my interests! Hope to connect with you at Rooted.
Great to see!