Dirt Roads Bring Good People

"Roads bring people, but dirt roads bring good people."

When I was on my honeymoon in Costa Rica with my beautiful wife, a local gave us this reasoning as to why none of the roads were paved in the city of Nosara. I found that to be true in that quiet surf town and I found that to hold equally true on the Grand Fondue ride put on by the Bike Doctor of Frederick. 

This was not your typical bike ride. Adventure ride? Back-road ride? However you want to describe it, it was tough and it was an absolute blast. The climbs were steep, the people were cool and the views were amazing. The roads ranged from gravel to dirt to choppy asphalt. I found it hard to force myself to stop the bike and take pictures, but it was definitely worth it. This was hilly, wide open, gorgeous scenery that you simply do not get to experience every day. The mileage was around 35 and the climbing was around 3800 ft. 

I was very glad that I was running a triple crankset on my Kona Jake so that I had a very low, easy gear to bail my legs and lungs out when my heart rate was going through the roof on the three most challenging climbs. I chose to run smooth, flat proof, 32 mm Continental tires and they were perfect. Knobbies would have been too slow and anything more narrow would have slowed me down when the pavement disappeared

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The ride started and ended and a winery called Orchid Cellar. We finished up with warm mead spiced with lemons and cinnamon sticks and delicious fondue. A week after "Super Storm Sandy," the ride went on without a hitch and I would do it again in a heartbeat. The Bike Doctor of Frederick put on a great event. Maybe someday I can get out there and ride with them again.

Thanks for reading. Enjoy the ride.

Kyle

Sometimes You Have to Mix It Up

It's been raining all week, humid and muggy, but not too hot. I have been trying to get out on the trails since I got home from a trip out of town on Monday night. Dirt jumps? Soaked. Downhill trails? Like a slip-n-slide. XC trails? I'm not going to be that guy, widening trails to avoid puddles and putting huge tire tracks in the trail by riding when it's wet. So what am I supposed to do? A 25.4 mile ride on the BWI Trail, that's what!

This is exactly the reason I bought this bike and it has served me well. When the trails get too muddy, it's perfect to get the legs pumping a little bit. I've also used it as a commuter. I rode it, while living in our old condo, on a 15 mile round trip commute 3 times a week with a full backpack. It was a great way to start the day and I never had to worry about parking. I also ride it on singletrack and it really keeps me on my toes. It doesn't take much for you to feel something on the trail with 35mm tires.

The bike is a 2009 Kona Jake. Entry level components with Shimano Tiagra shifters and what-nots. Not too bad, though. I have had no problems with anything on this bike at all and I've had it for 2 years now.Sure, it could shift smoother or lose a few grams, but it doesn't bother me, considering the application I use it for.

http://mocoepic.com/

It was also a good ride for me to do considering I am riding in the Moco Epic next weekend. There are several distances from 25 to 65, but I chose the 38 mile ride. I am regretting not going for the metric century, but I am not that confident in my current fitness level, so maybe I'll try it next year. It was good to be able to pedal for a solid 2 hours like it I did today. I'm feeling pretty good about the ride next weekend and I plan on snapping a bunch of pictures to put up here.

Thanks for reading. Enjoy the ride.

Kyle