Instead of moving my speedometer from one bike to the other, I’ve been using a GPS receiver on the Gunnar and leaving the speedometer on the M2. I use a Garmin etrex Legend along with Terrabrowser to map and store ride telemetry (how often do you get to use that word?). Terrabrowser is the best OS X software I have found for plotting Garmin GPS data. It is more than a little buggy, and the current version has not been updated in about a year. So, I’m still looking for something better, maybe Garmin will offer something…

Eric and I took this route this morning, before the thunderstorms and hail. The weather was nice, in the high 60s, the trail was wet, and the wind was strong. Trail traffic was pretty light, and those who were using the trail seemed mostly aware of others using the trail. We averaged 14.8 MPH over 25.2 miles; uphill and into a headwind both ways.

Tip: Don’t draft too closely on wet gravel trails. Small rocks and sticks can achieve higher altitudes than you might expect.

So, today I rode my Gunnar from my house to a nearby trail junction, a 19.2 mile round trip. The route is approximately one mile on public roads and the rest on gravel trails. Five miles of the route is on fresh (very soft) gravel, while the remainder is on hard packed gravel. I was able to average 16.6 MPH, completing the route in 1:09.

I have set a goal of one hour for the route. I think is should be attainable in a relatively short period. I plan on riding this route at least once per week along with my other daily rides. I’ll post progress reports along with monthly mileage.

Date: 2006.03.08
Time: 4:00 pm
Conditions: 65°F, wet, windy
Mileage: 19.2
Time: 1:09
Average Speed: 16.6 MPH

I took the Gunnar out to one of the more fun single-tracks in the area. 5.65 miles, 40°F, 1 flat tire. The Crosshairs is definitely not a mountain bike, but it is a lot of fun off road. Eric came along with his single-speed rigid fork S-Works. Both bikes are a little difficult on the climbs, but almost more fun because of it. I was trying to go easy on the rocks/roots, but still managed to get a pinch flat. I though 90 psi would have been adequate, guess not.

We found a nice rusty chair and mailbox someone arranged next to the trail. Luckily, I had a recent Tetanus shot.