Franklinton GAR

While out enjoying the ride, I realized that I hadn't been in this area in so long, that my recently retired Origin8 had never been there, and I had only ridden that area in my long retired Trek. That's too bad, as these roads are awesome.

https://connect.garmin.com/activity/988028688

Singular Gryphon

I have a new bike.

A 2015 Singular Gryphon.

After years of dealing with a bike that had a number of details that I just didn't like, I decided it was time to build up a proper gravel racer. Something with more tyre clearance, better brakes, lighter wheels, and a better tubeset.

It comes in at about 20% less weight overall than that old bike (and only a bit more than my lightest road bike) with around 2.5 pounds less weight in the wheels and tyres alone, for a total of 24.8lbs.



Build Kit
2015 Singular Gryphon (Size L)
Crankset: Shimano SLX M675 175mm
Chain Rings: Specialties TA 42x28
Cassette: SRAM PG-1070 12-36
Front Derailleur:  Shimano SLX FD-M675-D
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT RD-M772-SGS
Bottom Bracket: Shimano BB70
Shifters: Shimano 105 5700
Brakes: TRP Spyre
Brake Rotors: Shimano XTR RT99 160mm
Headset: FSA Orbit MX
Stem: Thomson Elite X4 90mm x 10d
Handlebars: Salsa Cowchipper 42cm
Bartape: Deda (2 layers)
Seatpost: Lynsky Titanium 27.2x 400mm
Saddle: Brooks C-17
Seatpost Clamp: Salsa Lip-Lock
Pedals: Shimano PD-A600
Tyres: Continental Speed King II 2.2
Rims: Velocity Blunt SS
Spokes: Sapim Race 2.0-1.8-2.0
Hubs: DT Swiss 350 Centre Lock
Nipples: Sapim Brass

This awesome headbadge was missing when the frame came in, but Sam at Singular hooked me up

Conti Speed King 2.2 Designed for the Olympics to be the fastest mtb tyre known to man.

Clearance for 3" tyres.

SLX crankset with Specialties TA 42/28 chainrings

Shimano XT derailleur shifting SRAM 1091 chain across SRAM 1070 12-36T cassette

Brooks Cambium on Lynskey Titanium seatpost

I'm super stoked to get out and ride and race this.

Medora GAR

This weekend was my umteenth attempt at putting on a Gravel Adventure Ride out of Medora, Indiana. Every other attempt has either been flooded or iced out. Finally got one in!

I'm never quite sure how many people I may have for one of my rides. I've had a dozen and I've had none. Driving over an hour and a half to find out is always interesting. This week we totaled 5, a turnout I'm really happy with.

The Spark Ferry Bridge (1890)

One of the main reasons for wanting to explore the area is a number of threatened old bridges.

Fort Ritner Bridge (1895)

Also, It's a beautiful area and the fall colours are spectacular now.

Guthrie Creek Bridge (1897)

S24O

S240 in bike parlance means Sub-24hour-Overnight

Ride-Camp-Ride Home in less than 24 hours. A single night with decent odds the weather prediction will be correct.

This gives a good chance to test gear in controlled environment and to practice skills.

I do this several times a year with some friends.

A rainy evening with a low of 48 gave me a good chance to test the limits of my Enlightened Equipment Prodigy backpacking quilt. A 50F rating on a sub 1 pound synthetic quilt. A minor mistake dampened the socks in my campwear bag, leaving my feet cold all night, but otherwise the quilt was adequately warm, though I wouldn't try it in any cooler weather, and will likely opt to bring a slightly warmer baselayer to sleep in for similarly rainy conditions near this limit. I plan this Fall to pick up one of their warmer down quilts.

The evening also gave me a chance to test out my Swedish Hand Axe, a Hultafors, while practicing my one stick fire technique. For such a small, pocketable axe, it really does some work. I got to work getting the fire started while my friends worked on getting their tents up. By the time their tents were assembled and staked out, I had processed a piece of firewood into shavings, matchstick, and chopstick sized pieces and had the fire started with a single flick of the lighter.

Sub 24 hours, 2 pieces of gear tested, and a skill practiced, all while getting in a nice bike ride, a night outdoors, and hanging with friends. A evening well spent.

Box of Frogs

Random shots from June's Box of Frogs in St. Paul, MN