Gravel & Mud Along the Rail Trail

With cross bike on the car rack I met Ryan in Fredericksburg for a ride.  The forecast for today called for temperatures approaching 60 degrees.  Choosing clothes was a challenge, it just didn't seem right to head out with so few layers in January.

Ellen tests out my clothing choices.

We jumped on the rail trail and headed south.  At a road crossing after Holmesville we left the trail behind in search of some quality Holmes County township roads, from the point of view of a cyclocross tire.

Not so much a gravel road,

it was more so a muddy road.

 

The roads zigged, the roads zagged, and our bikes were getting dirty.  Perfect.  We linked together some previously unknown roads and made our way into Millersburg.  The run into town ended up being on a state route as one of the township roads we intended to use was a road no more.  I guess the map needs updated.

A good road for fenders.

We rode our way back to the rail trail and headed north.  Along the way we had both shed some layers, it was feeling warm.  In Holmesville we once again detoured from the trail trail, but this time to the west instead of east, in search of more unpaved roads.  I think the sloppiest road of the ride was discovered in the final few miles, and this road made a post ride hose-down of the bike necessary.  We found some good ones.

Enjoying the cross bikes.