Training Log Archive: OutdoorsMamaIn the 1 days ending Feb 11, 2017:
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Saturday Feb 11, 2017 #
Gravel Bike (Gravel/pavement) 2:48:00 [3] 29.7 mi (10.6 mph)
We found a group ride for this morning. As expected, they were very fast guys, and I assured them we were OK with being dropped. We set off on the general route we started yesterday and then turned left at one of the places where we had turned right yesterday. About 8-9 miles in they hammered up a hill that we were just happy to be able to ride up, and were outtta sight.
We looped around clockwise like yesterday, but on a smaller diameter loop. We went down a hill that was barely fit for four wheelers. Not interested in wearing my brakes out unnecessarily, I actually walked the steepest stretch. The other guys had gone a different way at one of the forks in the road and came UP that hill! I had noted that the leader had something like a 42 tooth ring on his cassette. He might have used it on that hill.
After pushing our bikes along the side of a river (it was a very rustic "road") we eventually came out on another road we had ridden yesterday. This time we knew that Tom Patton road was code for Thompson Road, so we headed that way. Tom Patton must be Tennessee slang for "this road is only fit for high clearance pick ups and crazy cyclists". 4-5 water crossings later (each one 15-30' wide), our feet were no longer dry (at least it was unseasonably warm). I declared this The Best Ride Ever.
Then at another fork in the road, we opted not to take the road to the right as it had another creek crossing. So we took the road to the left that had 6-8 creek crossings. We seriously lost count. It was simply awesome riding....picking lines through the creek beds wasn't as fast as just riding on a road, but it sure was fun! The creek valley was through a gorge with occasional splashes of daffodils along the side of the road or at houses/vacant properties. The guys were doing 2, 25 mile loops which I doubt included these creek crossings. Their loss :)
Then it was time to poke through some antique shops then check out the town museum and enjoy some southern BBQ.
We looped around clockwise like yesterday, but on a smaller diameter loop. We went down a hill that was barely fit for four wheelers. Not interested in wearing my brakes out unnecessarily, I actually walked the steepest stretch. The other guys had gone a different way at one of the forks in the road and came UP that hill! I had noted that the leader had something like a 42 tooth ring on his cassette. He might have used it on that hill.
After pushing our bikes along the side of a river (it was a very rustic "road") we eventually came out on another road we had ridden yesterday. This time we knew that Tom Patton road was code for Thompson Road, so we headed that way. Tom Patton must be Tennessee slang for "this road is only fit for high clearance pick ups and crazy cyclists". 4-5 water crossings later (each one 15-30' wide), our feet were no longer dry (at least it was unseasonably warm). I declared this The Best Ride Ever.
Then at another fork in the road, we opted not to take the road to the right as it had another creek crossing. So we took the road to the left that had 6-8 creek crossings. We seriously lost count. It was simply awesome riding....picking lines through the creek beds wasn't as fast as just riding on a road, but it sure was fun! The creek valley was through a gorge with occasional splashes of daffodils along the side of the road or at houses/vacant properties. The guys were doing 2, 25 mile loops which I doubt included these creek crossings. Their loss :)
Then it was time to poke through some antique shops then check out the town museum and enjoy some southern BBQ.