January thaw? Well.......maybe. |
So, you'd think we'd be jumping for joy. Well, the single track has been more miss than hit, and we've had enough ice to make gravel travel fairly treacherous, off and on anyway. It's been in between so much that we cannot make out which way the weather is going around here.
The only thing I knew for sure was that the weekend was supposed to be warm. Not just "warm for January", but more like "warm for March". Like 50's! Weird......
So the cyclists in the area were all buzzing about getting some miles in January outside, which for most of us around here is very odd. I mean, a few of us do keep the pedals turning out of doors all year, but we're considered super-odd balls. So, there is that. But when it gets to be this warm, more "hardcore cyclists" will be out scheming to do miles in January. Most folks that did were on gravel, so the prevailing wisdom was to get up early, get the miles in, and avoid the melting messes. Apparently, mushy gravel is to be avoided at all costs.
Now I took a different viewpoint. One- at my age, falling is not a very good option. Especially on icy roads. Secondly, mushy gravel only makes you stronger. So, I followed my take on things, awaited the rising of the temperatures, and headed out around a bit before noon. I'd say I hit it juuuuust about right. Just about right for no ice and much mushiness!
There were a lot of snow packed sections where I rode. Fortunately the ice had turned to mush. |
Cows in the stubble. I saw several fields like this where cows were grazing. |
Which way do I go? |
Money shot. |
The temperatures will back down a bit, but we're still looking at bonus riding time outdoors. Hopefully all the ice will be gone now and things will firm up a bit. If they do, I'll be getting more gravel rides in than I ever dreamt I would in January here.
2 comments:
GT, what's your preferred method for cleaning the drivetrain after a ride like this one? Does the bike get brought inside, or is it all an outdoor affair? Thanks.
@Steve- Typically I'll clean up this in my basement, where it is unfinished on a cement floor. I generally let everything get dry. You'd be surprised how much stuff comes of with a simple brushing when it is dried up. Then I come back with a cleaner- Bike Lust, or similar, and that's that. The chain I usually clean up with WD-40, or I might take it off and use Dawn detergent and rinse with hot water in preparation for lubing with DuMonde Tech. If I use the WD-40 I then just use some off the shelf lube, (I get sent a LOT of samples), and just apply then wipe down.
If the bike is really bad- like after the DK200 in 2015 bad- it gets cleaned up outside. That's usually a complete disassemble deal then.
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