Dirtphalt Recap

[BumbleBeeDave]

I'm still trying to understand why more people don't come to this event, since it's got to be about the most pain--er, I mean fun I've had on a bike in a long time. ;)

We met as per usual in Cooperstown on Friday afternoon at 4pm and started things off with a road ride around scenic Otsego Lake.

http://m4.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249304.4d2hsNMz.DirtphaltFridayP1130148T.jpg

http://m6.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249306.xIDKSBjE.DirtphaltFridayP1130164T.jpg

http://m9.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249309.3myXz23T.DirtphaltFridayP1130172T.jpg

http://m2.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249312.1CH5skaP.DirtphaltFridayP1130196T.jpg

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . 27 miles over the hills and valleys (but mostly hills!) around Canadaraigo Lake, just northwest of Cooperstown, led by our capable host and guide, CNYRider.

http://m4.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249354.onc7sh08.DirtphaltSaturdayP1130220.jpg

http://m9.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249359.A0I6UI6Q.DirtphaltSaturdayP1130238.jpg

http://m3.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249363.9k5Dtld7.DirtphaltSaturdayP1130253.jpg

http://m4.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249364.JqYh3fGv.DirtphaltSaturdayP1130259T.jpg

http://m3.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249373.HSoYrQQq.DirtphaltSaturdayP1130329.jpg

http://m6.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249376.k3lQdYOt.DirtphaltSaturdayP1130340.jpg

http://m2.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249382.0EBcKqfs.DirtphaltSaturdayP1130358.jpg

[kmla320]

I'd like to get up there for this sometime.Did the Kelly Brush Century in Middlebury,Vt on Saturday.Worthwhile cause.Decent weather

[BumbleBeeDave]

Maxdog and his nephew are on the tandem. They had a few, uh, mechanicals!

http://m7.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249357.ujfIlHfj.DirtphaltSaturdayP1130233.jpg

http://m7.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249387.GaqK4B3H.DirtphaltSaturdayP1130370.jpg

http://m8.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249398.k3ckyfzR.DirtphaltSaturdayP1130417.jpg

http://m0.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249400.cuUUH8gN.DirtphaltSaturdayP1130434.jpg

http://m3.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249403.60aHPvB9.DirtphaltSaturdayP1130445.jpg

http://m0.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249410.xkX80108.DirtphaltSaturdayP1130474.jpg

[BumbleBeeDave]

Way more shots from the back here because I was totally smoked like a cheap dime store cigar and kept getting dropped!

http://m2.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249512.WEmo1XV1.DirtphaltSundayP1130487T.jpg

http://m0.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249520.IkW0Xwt0.DirtphaltSundayP1130506.jpg

http://m2.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249522.CKyNqsfw.DirtphaltSundayP1130508T.jpg

http://m2.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249532.rSIuPp0q.DirtphaltSundayP1130526.jpg

http://m8.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249538.0EZu9T0X.DirtphaltSundayP1130538.jpg

http://m9.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249549.zcawSBjH.DirtphaltSundayP1130553.jpg

http://m4.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249564.QWQCO1Pi.DirtphaltSundayP1130576.jpg

CNY Rider has a couple of pigs by the names of Meatball and Hot Dog. They are taking a little trip in a couple of weeks, but they don't know it yet. :eek:

http://m7.i.pbase.com/g9/12/670612/2/152249577.bFcEcB9N.jpg

[Louis]

So what did you guys conclude is the preferred size wheel + tire setup for that type of gravel road riding?

[AngryScientist]

i've got a bunch of pics here too:

http://less-than-epic.blogspot.com/2013/09/dirtphalt.html

here's a few choice samples:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qJrZaimlNDg/Ui2zBvnBYUI/AAAAAAAABZE/RdPWzdoE1ss/s640/P1080006.JPG

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eXXke0E05Qs/Ui2zLf4Kv9I/AAAAAAAABZ4/H3VIKNzTWf0/s640/P1080028.JPG

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OTQRp8j0a-M/Ui2zXtNcC8I/AAAAAAAABa0/yAPwnZbsbEU/s640/P1080048.JPG

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xNhJlQ-SCj4/Ui2zhI2z6SI/AAAAAAAABbo/RZ5xpLoVUFk/s640/P1080076.JPG

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . with his tongue flopping out?

BBD

[MattTuck]

Looks like fun! This pic makes it look like you're about to take off, but I don't see ET in any baskets though.... maybe I'm missing something ;)





http://m6.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249306.xIDKSBjE.DirtphaltFridayP1130164T.jpg



http://cyclepalooza.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/51a9133d805d2.jpg

[PaMtbRider]

So what did you guys conclude is the preferred size wheel + tire setup for that type of gravel road riding?

700x35c cross tire at about 60 psi let me bomb any of the descents with no worries. I posted some pics in this thread as well:
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=133259&page=2

[AngryScientist]

So what did you guys conclude is the preferred size wheel + tire setup for that type of gravel road riding?

i was using a 30c tire in the rear and 28 up front. this was the near perfect set-up for d2r2, and ideal for well groomed dirt roads, but i definitely could have used a little more air cushion for some of the rougher roads on this ride, but i did survive handily.

other than the 30 year old tandem tires, there were no flats all weekend either, which is a testament to all of our equipment i think.

[CNY rider]

Thank you to everyone who came and made this a great weekend.
Special thanks to Lei (Mrs. johndesigner) who fed us like kings and queens.

[BumbleBeeDave]

So what did you guys conclude is the preferred size wheel + tire setup for that type of gravel road riding?

. . . I used Kenda Slant Sixes front and rear inflated to 50psi. They are allegedly 32mm but my previous tires were Hutchinson Gold 30's (no longer made) and these look a lot wider than just that 2 extra cm. It's definitely softer rubber than the Hutch's--the rear tire is already showing noticeable wear. But they handle great and seem to handle all surfaces well without riding too rough on pavement.

I would rate some of the roads we did as equal or even gnarlier than some of the D2R2 descents. Longer drops, chance to build up more speed, but still some pretty hefty gauge gravel at times.

BBD

[PaMtbRider]

Special thanks to Lei (Mrs. johndesigner) who fed us like kings and queens.

+1 Lots of good food but especially the rice! Thanks Lei.

[sc53]

Great pix and looks like you all had a great time! Does CNY put together different routes for this ride each time, or do you repeat some of your prior routes? Looks like he has a lot of dirt/gravel to choose from. What model of Serotta was CNY riding? Some kind of MTB? It has V-brakes and fat tires.

[BumbleBeeDave]

Great pix and looks like you all had a great time! Does CNY put together different routes for this ride each time, or do you repeat some of your prior routes? Looks like he has a lot of dirt/gravel to choose from. What model of Serotta was CNY riding? Some kind of MTB? It has V-brakes and fat tires.

. . . was on his Serotta concourse.

As for the route . . . he may repeat them, but I never can tell. After the first couple of climbs I'm generally so far in the pain cave I can't even see the entrance any more! :eek: :no:

BBD

[johnmdesigner]

Thank you to everyone who came and made this a great weekend.
Special thanks to Lei (Mrs. johndesigner) who fed us like kings and queens.

She is the Iron Chef!
Thanks Eric. We really enjoyed it!

[CNY rider]

It's a Serotta Ti dirt style road bike.
I'm not sure of the model. I got it used and fortunately it fits me just right and is perfect for our type of dirt road riding.

One of the best bicycle bargains I have ever found.

[tiretrax]

Looks like it was a great ride. Thanks for posting. It's that kind of scenery (and weather?) that Texas lacks. I can't wait for the mercury to drop back into the 80's during the day.

[maxn]

http://m2.i.pbase.com/o9/12/670612/1/152249382.0EBcKqfs.DirtphaltSaturdayP1130358.jpg

Excellent.. and I love this shot.

[Louis]

Excellent.. and I love this shot.

The day-long tandem breakaway on Dirtphalt's first stage about to be reeled in...

[CNY rider]

The day-long tandem breakaway on Dirtphalt's first stage about to be reeled in...

They went deep into the suitcase of courage but could not hold us off.....

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . that I opened MY suitcase of courage--and only little white moths flew out!

BBD