A Year in The Gravel

On March 22nd I found what I was looking for.

I had no idea at the time that it would change my life in such a profound way.

I've been riding bikes since I was 5 or 6 years old.

I've been riding Mtn Bikes for over 30 years.

I like riding in the dirt. After racing motocross for years I like the thrill of getting dirty and when you do fall (and you WILL fall) it's a lot nicer to hit the dirt.

I've never had a desire to ride bikes on the road. Except for using roads to connect to trails.

All that changed on March 22nd.

I found what I was looking for.

I found a Specialized Diverge ... a gravel grinder!

In the 9 months I've owned it I've ridden over 4000 miles and have had a great time learning about the area we live in. I've ridden the Snoqualmie Valley Trail, the SVT, several times. One end is in Duvall and the other end is at Rattlesnake Lake. Which connects to the Palouse-to-Cascades Trail that can be taken all the way to Idaho (See Ride-A-Ho). With a fun cruise thru a two mile long tunnel that goes thru a mountain to get from one side of the cascades to the other side.

I had a slight detour in my riding in August. I crashed and broke my collarbone (see pic below). Which is kinda funny because I've crashed hundreds of times on my Mtn Bike and have never broken anything. I crashed once on my gravel grinder and boom ... broken bone. Regardless, I'm hooked and was back on the bike as quickly as I could.

Last year I did a 100 miles in one day on a ride from Bellevue to Cle Elum with David Treadwell. Then on the next day ... we rode back. We plan on doing another similar ride and will likely use this as a warm up for the Ride-a-Ho (riding the 250-mile Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail)

Ride-A-Ho is Coming

With The Crew we are planning a ride from Bellevue, WA to the Idaho border. We plan for a three day ride with stops at around 100 miles for each day. Including a crossing of the great Columbia River. There is a bridge being fixed / updated at Beverly on the Columbia where we plan on crossing. The repair has been delayed, but we are hoping they speed it along. If not, we'll punt and cross by car at Vantage. It's far too scary to ride a bike across that bridge. If you know you know.

For Rainy Days 

I picked up a trainer. I use it with the Peloton app and it makes long indoor rides much more fun and bearable. Plus I have Baby Yoda aka Grogu to watch over me. If I have my druthers I prefer to be outdoors. Even when it is muddy.

Gravel Not Roads

I still prefer to use roads as connectors to trails. But, with a Gravel Grinder there are often longer sections of roads I need to use to connect trails. I try to get thru them as quickly as possible. Being on the roads with cars is SCARY! 

2021 is Gonna Be Big

In 2021 I plan on doing a few things:

1. Get the COVID vaccine as soon as I can
2. Get in at least another 4000 miles this year
3. And, yes ... Ride More Places and Explore More Trails!

Yes, it does get a bit muddy out there.

My Offer to You

If you like to ride and want to get out with me let me know. Otherwise add me on Strava where you can copy my routes and get the same rides in. If you have a favorite gravel grind ride I'd like to hear about ii. Share it here in the comments or better yet ping me on the socials or email.

TAGS: #GravelGrinding #Specialized #Diverge #SVT #ValleyLife #Rideaho