I don’t do much pure road riding anymore and I really have only one or two paved loops, but I figured it was about time to get my road bike off the trainer and ready to roll.
While I don’t miss traffic congestion and irate motorists, I do miss the road riding back home in Pennsylvania. The twisty roads, the steep climbs, the fun descents. Here in my part of Michigan, the hills are rolling at best, I never leave my big ring (Note: I am using a compact crank) and 99% of the roads are square grids with no real turns. This is another reason why I opt for the gravel roads so much, gotta try to spice it up a bit.
On the plus side, in all my road riding (gravel and pavement) here in central Michigan (3.5 years and counting, knock on wood) I have yet to have an altercation with a motorist, something that was almost a weekly occurrence in Western PA. Hell, even if it would start happening now, I figure I’m long overdue! Of course I hope it doesn’t.
In any event, a new Maxxis Refuse 700 x 25 is on the back (a great, durable tire for the shit paved roads of the Rust Belt), the bike is lubed, cleaned and ready for action (sort of like me on date night).
I really love this Salsa Campeon road bike (no longer in production). It’s a compact frame, something I was leery of for a 6’1″ dofuss like me, but it fits me SO good. I wish I enjoyed road riding as much as I enjoy riding this bike.
With all the rain we got today, the prospect of warmer temps tomorrow and I bike that is now ready (enough) for riding, I think I just might have to roll a loop tomorrow.
Later.