A little mid-day gravel grinder

I got an early start this morning, with much computer work accomplished, and this afternoon was 19C (66F) so that meant one thing. Gravel!

I road a few access roads out of town, and then hit up the canal path. Over the winter the county has been installing a new liner in the canal. It'll make it more efficient with less water loss, but it also means that a lot of the path has been closed while the heavy equipment is doing their thing.
As I approached the canal I didn't see any dust in the distance, or hear the machines working, so I figured it'd be a safe bet to ride down for a few miles and see what was going on.
They are really tearing it up, and the path along the canal is incredibly rough in places. Almost unridable. No work was being done today, so I ignored the road closed signs and kept the cranks spinning.

While they're installing the new liner, they're also upgrading the pedestrian bridges over the canal. This will be nice when they're done, but in the mean time, it means that my route was cut off half way, and I ended up just doubling back and retracing my path.
This was the first decent gravel ride I've had this year in shorts and a t-shirt, and man was it nice. Birds are back singing, gofers running all over and we're even starting to get bugs back! It's weird to be excited about the bugs, but after riding today, I'm so glad for the changing of seasons. It's more than welcome after the winter that we've had.

Eagle Lake

This morning I got back into the early morning routine again. After a few days in Montana, and then a Joe McNally 2day photography seminar, it was time to get back to work. 4:30am, down to the computer to work on pictures.

This morning all the cylinders were firing at 100% and I was able to bang out a whole lot of my to-do list before most people were even out of bed. As a reward, I gave myself a nice mid morning 10 mile bike ride. Being mid November, and the fact that we have no snow yet, I figured I had better get out there and enjoy the warm weather while it lasts. And by 'while it lasts', I mean today. We have a winter storm warning for tonight. Up to 10cm of snow expected.

I decided to head out on a ride that I hand't done in full for a year or so. Eagle Lake. There is a great little double track gravel path all the way, and, it crosses over the river too. I did a fashion shoot on the other side of the lake this summer, and wanted to kind of figure out the geography of the entire lake. I went as far as the crossing and then turned around. Here are some pictures of the trip.

Rode the bike paths out of town

found this location that might be good for a photo-shoot

the start of the path to eagle lake

all along the trail there are picnic tables. kind of nice

rear fender on for the mud. I was surprised how much of a difference this made

here is where the trail crosses the lake

even 5 miles out with no vehicle access, punks do their thing

I rode about a 1/4 of the way across, just to check it out

a thin layer of ice has started to form

go anywhere do anything friend

On the way back there was a fork in the road, this way dead ended

back on the right path, on the way home

Mid morning rides area always sweet. Somehow it feel like I'm getting away with something.

Cheers.

Fall riding with the Family

This post is about a week late. But who cares.

Last weekend, with the fading nice weather, we figured it'd be wise to make the best of it. After church, the younger kidlets had a nap, and my oldest son and I headed out on the Karate Monkey. We brought a sling shot with us. At 6, it's time he learned such skills. A few hours, a few miles and just the two of us. It was awesome.

After we got home, everyone was up, and we hitched the trailer to my wife's Kona, and the 5 of us headed out for a ramble with no destination in mind. Just hit up some gravel, some canal path and enjoy being together. At the turn around point, we stopped, had a picnic of Oreos, and did some more sling shot shooting. Getting out, enjoying being together and having fun. This my friends is the awesomeness that is family. Love it.

Possible new (light) gravel cruiser

Looking at a few options for a light(er) 700c gravel cruiser. My Karate Monkey is nice, but the big meats, and heavy frame are a little overkill for speedy gravel cruising. My LHT has been assigned to gravel duty in the past, but it's not ideal either. A while ago I started thinking about building up a gravel specific machine, and seeing if I could do it from the parts bin. While cleaning the garage today, an idea came.

Take the old faithful Antelope frame, the touring wheels from a Miyata 100LT I sold, and some Nitto mustache bars. I'm thinking about a 1X8 drivetrain. I don't need a huge gear range, but it would be nice to compensate for slight inclines/decline, and for the wind.

The 700c wheel actually fit well in the frame, although I don't think fenders will be an option. Not that I really want any for this specific build either. I've got some Shimano bar end shifters I could use, and some Shimano 600 brakes that are in pretty nice shape. I'll need a new stem, as this one puts the bars a bit too far forward. You'll also notice a stem extender in there. This frame is really too small for me, by a long shot. But, with the seat-post extension, and the stem extender, it's a pretty nice fit. Add those 700c wheels, and this thing has about an inch more BB clearance that the Karate Monkey. This might just turn into a really sweet, nice and fast gravel machine.

Breakfast

1 part gravel, 1 part Karate Monkey, I part sunrise.

Spin cranks furiously for 1hr. Serve and Enjoy.

What does one do with his first day as a pro photographer?

Go for a bike ride of course.

Today was my first official day as a full time photographer. I've been counting down the days, and it's finally here. I did get a lot of photography related work done today, but I wanted to do something that would be a huge reminder of the benefit of making this lifestyle work. I figured if I taste what this life is like, and the perks that come with it, it'll give me real motivation to bust my chops at it.

I started out by taking my oldest son to kindergarten. He loved that I was the one taking him. I washed my truck, did a little banking, and then hit the mac editing some photos from a shoot I had over the weekend. Had lunch, and after that, I gave myself what I consider a great luxury, and something that brings me huge pleasure. An afternoon bike ride. I don't know why, but riding my bike in bright daylight, when the world is bustling and things aren't sleeping is my favourite time to ride.

With the warm temps (5C) I figured it was time the Karate Monkey got a taste of some gravel again. She missed it. So did I. An easy 10 mile gravel cruise. What a great way to enjoy my first day in my new career. Couldn't be happier, couldn't want to work harder for anything else.

Gravel Goodness

Drowning Machine - Careful!

Soaking in the country views

I opted not to drink the water I brought with me

Canal crossing

And the ride wouldn't be complete without stopping at the santa statue in the middle of no where for a photo.

All this riding was done right close to home. I say that I'm doing it for the exercise, but even if this was bad for me, it's way too good not to do. The mud was thick, the legs got soar and it was a blast. I love these little adventures smack dab in the middle of my day.

Guess what I've got planned for tomorrow?

Gravel Bike

Up and built a little project bike. One I've had kicken around for quite some time now. Frame actually came back to me after I gave it away about a year ago. My neighbour found it in the dump, and knowing that I'm a bike nut, decided he'd bring it to me. Fancy that. I gave this bike to a friend of mine and was quite hesitant to do so. He's since moved away and the bike came back to me.

Simple concept. Steel (cheap crappy steel though) 27" wheels, vintage Nitto Bar, Shimano 600 12 speed drive train (also vintage obviously) and a tune up.

Runs nice. Drive train is in incredible condition. I don't think this bike has ever been stored outside. The saddle is even in great condition, and for only the dial in rides, quite comfortable so far.

I live on a gravel road. The roads in the town that I live in are all gravel, except for two. I've got about a block of gravel and then I'm on the black top heading out to the highway. But, I've also got miles upon miles of gravel roads that all go to somewhere. Where? I don't know, but I intend to find out. On this bike. If this doesn't work our, I've always got my pink bike which would be well suited, but I thought if I actually have a few gears, I could actually make good time on the gravel. We'll see. Maybe it should be done SS.

I think the fenders are going to have to come off. I can only imagine how quick I'll get sick of hearing rocks rolling up and along the fender.

The other nice thing with this bike, is I don't care what happens to it. I've it gets beat up, run over (sans me) or stolen, I could care less. Something that makes sense for gravel.