My buddy, Chuck and I had a play date scheduled for last evening – I think that’s what the millenials call “hanging out together”, nowadays. It was a beautiful day, low 50’s, a little breezy, and impossibly sunny.
Simply a great autumn day.
Nine times in ten we’d be on the road bikes, but after riding the gravel rigs the day before, I had a hankerin’ for the peace and quiet of the back roads again. I texted Chuck and suggested we ride them again, instead of the road bikes. He replied that he was cool with either, as long as we took it slow. I was more than pleased to oblige.
I rode over to his place at about 5pm and we rolled out for the back roads. Three miles and we were on gravel, dodging potholes.
We saw three cars in 20 miles, rode side-by-side and talked most of the hour and change we were out. According to Strava we rolled at 15.5-mph, but it was closer to 16 by my computer. Either way, it was an easy conversational pace. I wasn’t ever at a point where I was struggling to talk. It was a great time.
I love my carbon fiber and speed all season long, from March through September. I live for the speed of paved road cycling… Can’t get enough. When October rolls around, though, it sure is nice to hit the gravel roads and quit worrying about traffic and pace for a while, and just ride.
Fit Recovery 
This time of year, riding is more about the friends I ride with than the riding itself. It was a good year.
Heh… hitting the trails with a bunch of my roadie buddies on Saturday.
Sounds like you are getting mud as well… sorry! It’s been primo here, but it’s just a matter of time before it’s indoor training season.
Oh, it’s gnarly, man. I’ll get miles in tonight and maybe tomorrow, but we’ve got a lot of rain in the forecast.
I feel for you, brother. We have had a reprieve here. I rode every day but Sunday and Thursday last week. The weather has been cool, but not cold enough that I couldn’t wear shorts on any ride.
I just got back… bibs, leg warmers, wool socks, toe covers, jersey, arm warmers, long-sleeved jersey, full finger gloves and a headsweats under my melon protector. I was comfy, though… and we saw the SUN! WOOHOO!!! LOL.
It sounds like a wonderful evening Jim. Good friend, good conversation and little traffic. Perfect!
There’s a lot to be said for traffic free trails and gravel once in a while. I should really do it more often.
I know, man, but it’s so hard to get away from the ultra-light bikes and the speed… With winter on the way, it’s a little easier, though! We’ve got a group of about fifteen roadies heading down to our favorite trail on Saturday, though. That’s gonna be a hoot!
Yeah that speed thing is certainly addictive!! 🙂
Indeed.