thoughts in anticipation...

long gravel ride this week. jotted down these thoughts...

Rode my road bike on gravel roads today. This bike’s first ventures onto the gravel were right after I bought it and I’d go hit the MoPac trail. While not exactly a gravel road, it gives you the idea, at least in idea gravel road conditions.

I’ve had the Slim Chance for a long time, since 1996? It hung in the ceiling of CycleWorks as a frame and fork, while I was working there as a wrench. I think Jeff Hansen built it originally. It was sold to a customer who returned it. And eventually, one day I took it home. I rode a lot on it originally. But, as the years went by, the less pavement I rode and the more gravel I rode, and mostly on mountain bikes.

I did an experiment on the Slim a few years back. I single speeded the Slim and ran it with a fixed rear wheel with a Phil hub. I ran both brakes. I wanted to see if it would be fun to build a gravel road fixie. So I did an experiment with the minimal investment of a rear wheel and a different chain ring. I did most of my gravel rides from Lincoln to Omaha, 90% gravel. It was also my first fixie experience, so of course it was fun. But I also learned the bike does just fine on gravel roads of all types.