Riding at 8:30 AM on Monday in early November is early for me (period). But Jilly used here charms to draw me out into the cool morning and the prospect of more gravel roads.
We’ve had very windy days of late, but today was still and crisp. I gently pressed the big BMX pedals on my Trek 760 happy I had gone back for my down gloves.
We met along Becker School Road and headed west along Loran to Maple Grove Road. We turned and rolled south to Butts Road and followed that west across Route 73 to Lott Road. Then, we were north on Lott to Walgren and east through Pearl City following Block Road back to Maple Grove, Loran, and Becker School Roads.
This morning, the gravel roads were kind to our skinny tires. The harvest field equipment and grain trucks have flattened them down. Now, let’s hope the township road commissioners leave them as is until spring.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Halloween into November
It’s Halloween, and I look up from my ride at burnt umber hills tufted in deep flat red—the only remaining leaves hanging on oak skeletons. For the first time in a year, the cold is biting my toes. Grey skies filter precious sunlight and long shadows. Winter is barely more than a month away, and I’m thinking of what was accomplished around our family during this cycling season.
The season began with our two grandsons, Luca and Massi (short for Massimo) learning to ride on two wheels. Massi was first—the personification of fearlessness. A week later, Luca ditched his training wheels. Our older grandson is more cautious but still fiercely competitive.
In mid-June, I picked up a vintage Trek 760 in Denver. “Back in the day,” the only feel was steel, and all were made in Waterloo, Wisconsin USofA. Joe Dadez and I overhauled it at the bike shop, and I’ve been riding it joyfully since.
In late-June, we held our Tour for Cancer and netted over $2 Grand. Abbracci to our riders from Freeport’s ChainLinkCyclists; our GOATS neighbors to the west; and the super folks with Robbie Ventura’s Vision Quest organization who again drove all the way out from Chicago to ride with us and support our Cancer Center.
November 1, 2011 – Indian Summer is back for a day. We’re in the 60s and our sunlight has returned. I soak up the vitamin D dazzled to see yesterday’s drab oak leaves sparkle like rubies.
Summer flooding in Pleasant Valley obliged us to be dazzled by gravel along new roads between Route 78 and Massbach Ridge. Yesterday, Bill Leibman joined me in another ride of discovery. We rolled north off Elizabeth Road on Route 78 and flew with the wind down the hill. At the bottom, we turned left on Old Galena Trail and continued north eight miles on this beautiful scenic road.
Neither Bill nor I had been on Old Galena Road. Thanks to the flood that closed the Plum River bridge at Bethel Road and Hwy 78, we now have a new loop in our repertoire. So far so good for November 2011.
The season began with our two grandsons, Luca and Massi (short for Massimo) learning to ride on two wheels. Massi was first—the personification of fearlessness. A week later, Luca ditched his training wheels. Our older grandson is more cautious but still fiercely competitive.
In mid-June, I picked up a vintage Trek 760 in Denver. “Back in the day,” the only feel was steel, and all were made in Waterloo, Wisconsin USofA. Joe Dadez and I overhauled it at the bike shop, and I’ve been riding it joyfully since.
In late-June, we held our Tour for Cancer and netted over $2 Grand. Abbracci to our riders from Freeport’s ChainLinkCyclists; our GOATS neighbors to the west; and the super folks with Robbie Ventura’s Vision Quest organization who again drove all the way out from Chicago to ride with us and support our Cancer Center.
November 1, 2011 – Indian Summer is back for a day. We’re in the 60s and our sunlight has returned. I soak up the vitamin D dazzled to see yesterday’s drab oak leaves sparkle like rubies.
Summer flooding in Pleasant Valley obliged us to be dazzled by gravel along new roads between Route 78 and Massbach Ridge. Yesterday, Bill Leibman joined me in another ride of discovery. We rolled north off Elizabeth Road on Route 78 and flew with the wind down the hill. At the bottom, we turned left on Old Galena Trail and continued north eight miles on this beautiful scenic road.
Neither Bill nor I had been on Old Galena Road. Thanks to the flood that closed the Plum River bridge at Bethel Road and Hwy 78, we now have a new loop in our repertoire. So far so good for November 2011.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Gravel Dazzle
Often we ride by roads and wonder where they go. A map is just a direction and a tease of what might be. The question won’t be answered until we turn off our familiar roads and explore for ourselves. In the Upper Left Hand Corner, gravel roads are plentiful, and something besides skinny tires may be helpful—especially as we tilt upwards.
I had been making a list of these roads in my head during the past couple years. Jilly Whiting introduced me to many above and around the hamlet of Loran. Last Saturday, we joined forces with Andreas Ruppert from Galena’s GOATS Cycling Club and covered 32 miles over everything from deep muddy ruts to Fiat gulping chuckholes on Hairpin Road.
This Saturday, I planned to park at Massbach Ridge Winery and ride west and north. Alas, I arrived there without my cycling sandals. VivoBarefoot shoes do not work well on Speedplay Frogs, so we aborted that plan and returned to Freeport for correct footwear.
Thereafter, nearly an hour and forty minutes behind schedule, I devised an alternate route from Loran that could take me over uncharted roads in the hills west of Pleasant Valley. From there, we’d continue west over to Hanover then return through Massbach and Pleasant Valley to Loran.
Once again, the Salsa Las Cruces cyclo-cross bike clad with Schwalbe Marathon tires seemed the only logical tool for this excursion into the unknown.
Today was sunny in the low 60s. I forgot about the delayed start and looked forward to riding into the light and shadows of late afternoon. Here is my recap of roads not yet travelled:
HEADING WEST OUT OF PLEASANT VALLEY: We turned west off Hwy 78 on Goodmiller and then left on Beck Road. The we quit the valley up a very sharp but PAVED hill, turned left at Good Hope Road and rode southwest across the high farm fields to Elizabeth Road. Along the way, I slowed to assist a young couple lost and looking for Massbach Ridge Winery.
HEER TO CURTISS TO GAMBLE HILL: We first did this leg in mid-winter over snow covered frost bitten gravel where we met a hunkered down peacock on the roof of a barn. Today, we encountered two lost souls on skinny tires at the bottom of Curtiss Hill steep and piled up with loose gravel. These pleasant lads were riding overland from Hanover to Savanna and thought the paved portion of Gamble Hill Road might offer a good short cut.
This is certainly a very scenic option. It passes by mysterious Lake Fitzgerald serenely tucked away in a valley. Although, skinny road tires are ‘pas utile’ here. I imagine they were obliged to walk the bikes up to the top of Curtiss Hill.
RETURNING FROM HANOVER: Steele Road lies just outside town as you begin a big 13% climb up Hanover Road to Rocky Water’s Vineyard. We rode north following the Apple River until Steele turned away east across the valley. Soon, we were sitting back in the saddle grinding our way up to Pleasant Hill Road. From there, we rolled leisurely on beautiful Reusch Road capped by a paved climb up to Derinda.
LIEBERT – LOVE IT OR LIEB IT: This road is paved as we descended eastbound to the creek at the valley floor. From there we jogged right and left on rude gravel willing our way up and up and up again to Massbach Road. If you have climbed up to Massbach on Skene or Bethel Roads, you can only imagine what it is like to do this on fidgety limestone.
BACK TO PLEASANT VALLEY ON THOREN, GOOD HOPE, GOODMILLER & KNAPP: The shadows were beginning to lengthen as I turned east off Massbach on Thoren Road. Thoren falls leisurely until we met a steep tight slippery hairpin left turn. We then continued north and immediately east on Thoren up the hill to the intersection with Good Hope Road. Here, we turned right on Good Hope then left on Goodmiller. Good deal!
We followed Goodmiller easterly straight into a left turn on Knapp Road. The afternoon sun shimmered across Pleasant Valley. Released from gravel’s grip, I dropped precipitously down to Route 78 on real tarmac. Here was the grand finale to our expedition this Saturday!
RETURN TO LORAN OVER HAIR’PIT’ ROAD: We followed Willow Road back to Loran via Hairpin, Goldmine, and South Loran Roads. Along HairPIT someone had scrolled the name and phone number of a guy named John. No doubt, John is the township road guy. I wonder if John is a collector of auto and bike parts which he nips off with his cavernous chuckholes.
I had been making a list of these roads in my head during the past couple years. Jilly Whiting introduced me to many above and around the hamlet of Loran. Last Saturday, we joined forces with Andreas Ruppert from Galena’s GOATS Cycling Club and covered 32 miles over everything from deep muddy ruts to Fiat gulping chuckholes on Hairpin Road.
This Saturday, I planned to park at Massbach Ridge Winery and ride west and north. Alas, I arrived there without my cycling sandals. VivoBarefoot shoes do not work well on Speedplay Frogs, so we aborted that plan and returned to Freeport for correct footwear.
Thereafter, nearly an hour and forty minutes behind schedule, I devised an alternate route from Loran that could take me over uncharted roads in the hills west of Pleasant Valley. From there, we’d continue west over to Hanover then return through Massbach and Pleasant Valley to Loran.
Once again, the Salsa Las Cruces cyclo-cross bike clad with Schwalbe Marathon tires seemed the only logical tool for this excursion into the unknown.
Today was sunny in the low 60s. I forgot about the delayed start and looked forward to riding into the light and shadows of late afternoon. Here is my recap of roads not yet travelled:
HEADING WEST OUT OF PLEASANT VALLEY: We turned west off Hwy 78 on Goodmiller and then left on Beck Road. The we quit the valley up a very sharp but PAVED hill, turned left at Good Hope Road and rode southwest across the high farm fields to Elizabeth Road. Along the way, I slowed to assist a young couple lost and looking for Massbach Ridge Winery.
HEER TO CURTISS TO GAMBLE HILL: We first did this leg in mid-winter over snow covered frost bitten gravel where we met a hunkered down peacock on the roof of a barn. Today, we encountered two lost souls on skinny tires at the bottom of Curtiss Hill steep and piled up with loose gravel. These pleasant lads were riding overland from Hanover to Savanna and thought the paved portion of Gamble Hill Road might offer a good short cut.
This is certainly a very scenic option. It passes by mysterious Lake Fitzgerald serenely tucked away in a valley. Although, skinny road tires are ‘pas utile’ here. I imagine they were obliged to walk the bikes up to the top of Curtiss Hill.
RETURNING FROM HANOVER: Steele Road lies just outside town as you begin a big 13% climb up Hanover Road to Rocky Water’s Vineyard. We rode north following the Apple River until Steele turned away east across the valley. Soon, we were sitting back in the saddle grinding our way up to Pleasant Hill Road. From there, we rolled leisurely on beautiful Reusch Road capped by a paved climb up to Derinda.
LIEBERT – LOVE IT OR LIEB IT: This road is paved as we descended eastbound to the creek at the valley floor. From there we jogged right and left on rude gravel willing our way up and up and up again to Massbach Road. If you have climbed up to Massbach on Skene or Bethel Roads, you can only imagine what it is like to do this on fidgety limestone.
BACK TO PLEASANT VALLEY ON THOREN, GOOD HOPE, GOODMILLER & KNAPP: The shadows were beginning to lengthen as I turned east off Massbach on Thoren Road. Thoren falls leisurely until we met a steep tight slippery hairpin left turn. We then continued north and immediately east on Thoren up the hill to the intersection with Good Hope Road. Here, we turned right on Good Hope then left on Goodmiller. Good deal!
We followed Goodmiller easterly straight into a left turn on Knapp Road. The afternoon sun shimmered across Pleasant Valley. Released from gravel’s grip, I dropped precipitously down to Route 78 on real tarmac. Here was the grand finale to our expedition this Saturday!
RETURN TO LORAN OVER HAIR’PIT’ ROAD: We followed Willow Road back to Loran via Hairpin, Goldmine, and South Loran Roads. Along HairPIT someone had scrolled the name and phone number of a guy named John. No doubt, John is the township road guy. I wonder if John is a collector of auto and bike parts which he nips off with his cavernous chuckholes.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Cycling in the Wind and the Chill
While many cyclists are shutting down their season or are waiting inside for the next swell of Indian Summer, a few of us are still out there braving the chilly wind.
What’s our secret?
First, we crave fresh air and abhor cycling to nowhere indoors. Then, we dress for comfort.
Cheating the wind and keeping warm and dry are our mantra. Layering and wool are our pals, and marino wool is preferred for its softness. Wool wicks moisture, so we wear that marino close to the skin. A company called Craft also makes great underlayments-- like a high neck pullover with a wind breaking front panel.
Then we pull our long sleeve jersey over the top. As the thermometer dips, we wear a vest over our long sleeve jersey. The vest breaks the wind around the chest and lets the sweat out the back and underarms.
Keeping our head warm keeps the rest of us warm. When it dips into the 50s, we don a soft wool cap beneath our helmet. In the 40s and below, we pull on a helmet cover to keep the wind out.
The howling wind can cause tinnitus and temporary insanity or worse. We prefer ‘Ear Bags’ to earplugs. The Bags keep ears warm and attenuate the rush that drives us nuts and prevents us from hearing vehicles approaching from behind.
Wool socks keep our toes comfy into the 50s. Below that, we pull on booties to cheat the wind. In winter, we buy toe warmers for a buck a pair from Farm & Fleet or Menards and stick em on our wool socks beneath our tootsies.
A light cycling glove works great down into the mid 40s. Below that, we pull on lightweight wind proof mittens over our gloves. We don't care to be texting while cycling in winter. We really don’t want to be texting while cycling period.
If we’ve forgotten anything, drop us a line. Just remember: Fresh air’s the thing, and indoor cycling is boring.
Finally, if we must hang up the bike, because we simply cannot cope with the wind and the chill, we don’t hang it in our unheated garage. We hang it in the warm dry basement. Otherwise, we’ll be visiting the bike shop next spring to replace a rusty chain and/or other moving parts.
What’s our secret?
First, we crave fresh air and abhor cycling to nowhere indoors. Then, we dress for comfort.
Cheating the wind and keeping warm and dry are our mantra. Layering and wool are our pals, and marino wool is preferred for its softness. Wool wicks moisture, so we wear that marino close to the skin. A company called Craft also makes great underlayments-- like a high neck pullover with a wind breaking front panel.
Then we pull our long sleeve jersey over the top. As the thermometer dips, we wear a vest over our long sleeve jersey. The vest breaks the wind around the chest and lets the sweat out the back and underarms.
Keeping our head warm keeps the rest of us warm. When it dips into the 50s, we don a soft wool cap beneath our helmet. In the 40s and below, we pull on a helmet cover to keep the wind out.
The howling wind can cause tinnitus and temporary insanity or worse. We prefer ‘Ear Bags’ to earplugs. The Bags keep ears warm and attenuate the rush that drives us nuts and prevents us from hearing vehicles approaching from behind.
Wool socks keep our toes comfy into the 50s. Below that, we pull on booties to cheat the wind. In winter, we buy toe warmers for a buck a pair from Farm & Fleet or Menards and stick em on our wool socks beneath our tootsies.
A light cycling glove works great down into the mid 40s. Below that, we pull on lightweight wind proof mittens over our gloves. We don't care to be texting while cycling in winter. We really don’t want to be texting while cycling period.
If we’ve forgotten anything, drop us a line. Just remember: Fresh air’s the thing, and indoor cycling is boring.
Finally, if we must hang up the bike, because we simply cannot cope with the wind and the chill, we don’t hang it in our unheated garage. We hang it in the warm dry basement. Otherwise, we’ll be visiting the bike shop next spring to replace a rusty chain and/or other moving parts.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Oro Strade Bianche
We are in the midst of a wonderful Indian Summer. It is early October. L’Eroica riders are pedaling their vintage bikes over hallowed roads in Tuscany, and it is time to refine our handling skills on familiar and unfamiliar gravel roads around the Upper Left Hand Corner.
In the past we’ve written about the Glories of Gravel in Jo Daviess County, but this week, we stick closer to home. We discover that gravel roads take on the personality of their caretakers—the township road commissioners who maintain them.
These surfaces can very greatly given the material used and the attention given. A finer grade of top limestone can pack in nicely and be very tame indeed. We even rode our old ‘83’ Trek 760 East on Lamb Road to Farwell Bridge Road. We returned to Freeport on Maize Road and had an easy time of it with 700 x 23 Vittoria Rubino Pro tires. The Rubino Pros look more like a 25 diameter tire. They are very quiet, grip well, and are extremely tough—a good road tire on well maintained oro strade bianche.
We had an entirely different experience along Block, Silberman, Raders and Heitter Roads. The size of the gravel material is simply too large and has not compacted even months after the top surface was laid down in the Spring. These roads were barely passible on my cyclo cross bike and would have been a chore even on a my Trek 7000 mountain bike.
The township commissioner responsible for those roads is either unfamiliar with how to prepare and maintain a gravel road surface or just plain stubborn and sadistic—maybe both.
Nevertheless, we continue to ride our oro strade bianche (golden white roads), because they are sparsely travelled and scenic. Also, we can capture a bit of the heroic of L’Eroica right here in the Upper Left Hand Corner of Illinois.
In the past we’ve written about the Glories of Gravel in Jo Daviess County, but this week, we stick closer to home. We discover that gravel roads take on the personality of their caretakers—the township road commissioners who maintain them.
These surfaces can very greatly given the material used and the attention given. A finer grade of top limestone can pack in nicely and be very tame indeed. We even rode our old ‘83’ Trek 760 East on Lamb Road to Farwell Bridge Road. We returned to Freeport on Maize Road and had an easy time of it with 700 x 23 Vittoria Rubino Pro tires. The Rubino Pros look more like a 25 diameter tire. They are very quiet, grip well, and are extremely tough—a good road tire on well maintained oro strade bianche.
We had an entirely different experience along Block, Silberman, Raders and Heitter Roads. The size of the gravel material is simply too large and has not compacted even months after the top surface was laid down in the Spring. These roads were barely passible on my cyclo cross bike and would have been a chore even on a my Trek 7000 mountain bike.
The township commissioner responsible for those roads is either unfamiliar with how to prepare and maintain a gravel road surface or just plain stubborn and sadistic—maybe both.
Nevertheless, we continue to ride our oro strade bianche (golden white roads), because they are sparsely travelled and scenic. Also, we can capture a bit of the heroic of L’Eroica right here in the Upper Left Hand Corner of Illinois.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Circle the Vineyards 2011
I pulled into Galena’s Recreation Park half expecting to ride solo in this year’s “Circle the Vineyards”. The weather was hardly promising, but the 100 kilometer tour of wineries around Galena, Illinois would commence as scheduled.
This year, we invited riders of vintage steel bicycles to replicate the epic L’Eroica tour in Tuscany. We even made up a trophy—a steel lug welded to a spoke stuck in a walnut base. My 30-year-old Trek would be the only steel bike on this year’s “Circle”, so the trophy presentation will wait for another autumn.
Happily, as the 10 AM departure time drew near, Andrew and Bill arrived with their carbon fiber Treks, and after a quick photo shoot, we were away through town en route to our first winery twenty miles to the south.
To get there, we evaded the traffic along Blackjack for roads less travelled through Irish and Batey Hollows. These are hallowed roads in pastoral valleys where wild turkeys trot around the cattle.
We were obliged to tackle a very sharp 18% ascent on Irish Hollow. Without proper gearing we would have been off the bikes quicker than you can say Sram. If you plan to ride out here in this drift less corner of Illinois, remember to bring a small chain ring and a big rear gear.
Our reward at the top of the climb was a grand ridge-top roll along Rocky Hill Road. Our pace was civil, and we were treated to splendid Mississippi overlooks evoking Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Moran.
After a 14% grade above bucolic Hanover, we arrived at Rocky Waters Winery. Of our three wineries, this is surely the most picturesque. From the tasting room, you can look through a spreading oak across the Mississippi Valley to a wildlife refuge on the Iowa side.
In 1997, the Spahn Family planted vines in the cow pasture and began growing grapes. After four or five years, they were selling their produce to wineries like Galena Cellars and Wollersheim. Their winery opened a year before we rode our first “Circle”, which was three years ago.
Bill bought me a glass of their semi-dry Lakeside White and himself a slightly sweeter Log Cabin White. Andrew held back for Massbach Ridge but helped himself to a handful of Mrs. Sipps spiced almonds.
Rocky Waters reminds me of Elk Cove Winery in Oregon with its old oak tree and big view. This winery certainly inspired our “Circle” ride.
Our next leg to Massbach Ridge is eleven miles. We detoured north off Hanover Road on Pleasant Hill and took Reusch Road over to Derinda. L’Eroica covets their famed white limestone gravel roads (strade bianche) in Tuscany. Lovers of old bicycles come from around the globe to join Italians in their celebration of these historic roads and heroic racing in days past.
Reusch Road begins with a stretch of gold limestone road (oro strada). After a mile, it turns to chip-seal and rolls through a high meadow before descending into a capacious valley, which cradles a pleasing farm owned by the Sullivan family.
We arrived at Massbach Ridge Winery to find their grape stomping party in progress. Andrew was ready to treat Bill and me to a taste. Megan Block was delighted to take his nine bucks and pour us each a glass of vino bianco. Massbach Ridge’s crisp semi-dry Seyval really takes the edge off a dusty bike ride.
While we sipped, a friendly visitor from Ohio took our picture. She and her husband were part of a vintage Triumph sports car rally. The warm hospitality of this winery makes it a great destination. This is certainly a reflection of its owner, Peggy Harmston.
Alas, we passed on the grape stomp but grabbed a bunch each of concord and marechal foch. It was time to fill water bottles and push on to Galena Cellars twenty four miles to the north.
Our third leg of the “Circle” took us through Woodbine into the Apple River valley to a short section on oro strada on Grebner Road. From there, we ascended Hoffman Road to Elizabeth Scales Mound Road and were joined by lovers of chrome, leather and V-Twin power.
This country is made for weekenders on Harleys. Their “Circle” is much larger than ours, but double digit climbs and oro strade are off their map and happily so.
After a couple miles, we turned left and screamed down Rawlins Road, through Guilford back up Ford Road. After yet another 12% ascent, we crossed busy Stagecoach Trail and shot down the hill to Galena Cellars. There we saw enough parked cars to fill the lot at the Brookfield Zoo.
With a twinge of agoraphobia and a taste for that other beverage, I beckoned the lads ahead to the General Store at Council Hill Station. At long last, we could sit down, stretch out and trade viniculture for hops in a bottle.
By unanimous vote, we are renaming our event “Circle the Vineyards, & Have a Beer!” Council Hill Station is indeed a comfortable hang out. You are instantly treated like a regular once you discover the reach-in beer cooler. Then you can kick back and be entertained by local musicians, including the owner, Jamie, who used to run a tavern up in New Diggings.
Be warned of passing freight trains though. We were told Council Hill Station sits alongside the longest continuous railroad grade in the US, and trains may need to be divided to get up it. So where's the respect for pedal pushing drift less hill climbers? I can tell you this; we certainly did not fancy climbing back up to Stagecoach and prayed we wouldn’t have to shift our bicycles between moving freight cars.
Thankfully, the ethanol tankers passed by in short order, and we were up the hill on our final leg of the “Circle”. After a dip through the Galena River valley, the grand finale of our "Circle" is a long blessed descent on North Council Hills Road.
This year, we were a tiny band of brothers. But the weather and train parted before us, and we made new acquaintances with vintage sports cars, purple feet, and a harmonica.
FYI you cycling statisticians: my Garmin showed: 67 ¼ miles; averaging 13 MPH; and 5,300 feet of climbing.
This year, we invited riders of vintage steel bicycles to replicate the epic L’Eroica tour in Tuscany. We even made up a trophy—a steel lug welded to a spoke stuck in a walnut base. My 30-year-old Trek would be the only steel bike on this year’s “Circle”, so the trophy presentation will wait for another autumn.
Happily, as the 10 AM departure time drew near, Andrew and Bill arrived with their carbon fiber Treks, and after a quick photo shoot, we were away through town en route to our first winery twenty miles to the south.
To get there, we evaded the traffic along Blackjack for roads less travelled through Irish and Batey Hollows. These are hallowed roads in pastoral valleys where wild turkeys trot around the cattle.
We were obliged to tackle a very sharp 18% ascent on Irish Hollow. Without proper gearing we would have been off the bikes quicker than you can say Sram. If you plan to ride out here in this drift less corner of Illinois, remember to bring a small chain ring and a big rear gear.
Our reward at the top of the climb was a grand ridge-top roll along Rocky Hill Road. Our pace was civil, and we were treated to splendid Mississippi overlooks evoking Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Moran.
After a 14% grade above bucolic Hanover, we arrived at Rocky Waters Winery. Of our three wineries, this is surely the most picturesque. From the tasting room, you can look through a spreading oak across the Mississippi Valley to a wildlife refuge on the Iowa side.
In 1997, the Spahn Family planted vines in the cow pasture and began growing grapes. After four or five years, they were selling their produce to wineries like Galena Cellars and Wollersheim. Their winery opened a year before we rode our first “Circle”, which was three years ago.
Bill bought me a glass of their semi-dry Lakeside White and himself a slightly sweeter Log Cabin White. Andrew held back for Massbach Ridge but helped himself to a handful of Mrs. Sipps spiced almonds.
Rocky Waters reminds me of Elk Cove Winery in Oregon with its old oak tree and big view. This winery certainly inspired our “Circle” ride.
Our next leg to Massbach Ridge is eleven miles. We detoured north off Hanover Road on Pleasant Hill and took Reusch Road over to Derinda. L’Eroica covets their famed white limestone gravel roads (strade bianche) in Tuscany. Lovers of old bicycles come from around the globe to join Italians in their celebration of these historic roads and heroic racing in days past.
Reusch Road begins with a stretch of gold limestone road (oro strada). After a mile, it turns to chip-seal and rolls through a high meadow before descending into a capacious valley, which cradles a pleasing farm owned by the Sullivan family.
We arrived at Massbach Ridge Winery to find their grape stomping party in progress. Andrew was ready to treat Bill and me to a taste. Megan Block was delighted to take his nine bucks and pour us each a glass of vino bianco. Massbach Ridge’s crisp semi-dry Seyval really takes the edge off a dusty bike ride.
While we sipped, a friendly visitor from Ohio took our picture. She and her husband were part of a vintage Triumph sports car rally. The warm hospitality of this winery makes it a great destination. This is certainly a reflection of its owner, Peggy Harmston.
Alas, we passed on the grape stomp but grabbed a bunch each of concord and marechal foch. It was time to fill water bottles and push on to Galena Cellars twenty four miles to the north.
Our third leg of the “Circle” took us through Woodbine into the Apple River valley to a short section on oro strada on Grebner Road. From there, we ascended Hoffman Road to Elizabeth Scales Mound Road and were joined by lovers of chrome, leather and V-Twin power.
This country is made for weekenders on Harleys. Their “Circle” is much larger than ours, but double digit climbs and oro strade are off their map and happily so.
After a couple miles, we turned left and screamed down Rawlins Road, through Guilford back up Ford Road. After yet another 12% ascent, we crossed busy Stagecoach Trail and shot down the hill to Galena Cellars. There we saw enough parked cars to fill the lot at the Brookfield Zoo.
With a twinge of agoraphobia and a taste for that other beverage, I beckoned the lads ahead to the General Store at Council Hill Station. At long last, we could sit down, stretch out and trade viniculture for hops in a bottle.
By unanimous vote, we are renaming our event “Circle the Vineyards, & Have a Beer!” Council Hill Station is indeed a comfortable hang out. You are instantly treated like a regular once you discover the reach-in beer cooler. Then you can kick back and be entertained by local musicians, including the owner, Jamie, who used to run a tavern up in New Diggings.
Be warned of passing freight trains though. We were told Council Hill Station sits alongside the longest continuous railroad grade in the US, and trains may need to be divided to get up it. So where's the respect for pedal pushing drift less hill climbers? I can tell you this; we certainly did not fancy climbing back up to Stagecoach and prayed we wouldn’t have to shift our bicycles between moving freight cars.
Thankfully, the ethanol tankers passed by in short order, and we were up the hill on our final leg of the “Circle”. After a dip through the Galena River valley, the grand finale of our "Circle" is a long blessed descent on North Council Hills Road.
This year, we were a tiny band of brothers. But the weather and train parted before us, and we made new acquaintances with vintage sports cars, purple feet, and a harmonica.
FYI you cycling statisticians: my Garmin showed: 67 ¼ miles; averaging 13 MPH; and 5,300 feet of climbing.
Friday, September 16, 2011
DeLauney Delight
I have no idea if Boris Delaunay’s triangulation theory has anything to do with the ride characteristics of a bicycle frame. Perhaps you “math wizards” would care to comment?
I had not heard of DeLauney until consuming a few beers on a roof top bar in Ann Arbor in the company of a gentleman who was math gifted, an Olympic class fencer, and a brilliant conversationalist. He was working to apply Boris’s work to the stress analysis of a computer generated solid model. Well, enough of that.
I have been preparing for our “Circle the Vineyards” tour around the wineries in Galena and Jo Daviess County. The inspiration for this event is the enchanting and rigorous bicycle tour through the Italian Tuscan countryside. It is called L’Eroica (heroic), and it rolls over pristine white gravel roads or Strade Bianche.
L’Eroica obliges its participants to ride only steel bicycles made in 1987 or earlier. Shifters must be on the down tube, and clip-less pedals are not permitted. The heroics are in the hearts of gracious folks who get their vintage bikes up and down the hills wearing woolen cycling outfits of days gone by. L’Eroica celebrates that old roads and old bicycles should never die but be always there for us to enjoy.
And so, on this spectacular afternoon, of 15 settembre, I set forth from Stockton to shake-down of my old 1981 Trek 412 for our “Circle” tour.
We were bound through Elizabeth via old friends like Brown, Pleasant Hill, Reusch, and Skene Roads.
In preparation, we modified the 412’s gearing for the serious undulations. The original Silstar crank set with its 42 tooth small chain ring was relegated to the parts bin. On went Sugino’s compact crank with only 36 teeth. Our expectation was that six fewer teeth would significantly reduce the grinding of our own dentures and knocking of knees in the hills.
Our first test was up the hill to Massbach Ridge. To my great astonishment, the 412 jumped to the climb like a Labrador pup to a lake. Pedals turned freely considering that we also retained the services of the 412’s original six-speed freewheel and its 30 tooth sprocket.
The next phase of the shake-down was to test the sturdiness of the 412s frame. This commenced, as we plummeted off Massbach Ridge on Bethel Road. Again, my admiration for this old Trek swelled as sure as you can cry “Ishiwata 022!”
Up Bethel we went to Brown Road and up again to stunning ridge top views before dropping into Woodbine. From there we contended with a very rough and torn Woodbine Road on our decent into the Apple River valley. Again, the 412 proved steady and safe as houses-- its old Dia-Compe brakes keeping things in control.
As we rolled along Apple River Road, the harvest was in progress, although one wonders what yields will come of it. Another serious flood this summer slimed the cornstalks and spewed gravel across the road surface. Nevertheless, the 412 pedaled along comfortably up to Elizabeth.
We entered town by the old fort, crossed Route 20 and continued out the west end on Pleasant Hill. Turning south, we tucked into some really bold rollers before hitting the hell of the Hill. Nevertheless, my old Trek steel bike continued its climbing magic.
Last year, I installed a longer Nitto stem and their sensational Noodle Bars. The stem is formidable and the bars are so ergonomic— a positive addition to the 412’s solid feel.
Speaking of ergonomics, the Brooks saddle Bill Leibman sold me off his Waterford touring bike was blessedly comfortable. The way we test a saddle is to ride it on hard roads for more than 40 miles. Admittedly, fit, level, and bike frame make a difference, but they are constants in this inconstant design of fabrications per il fanny.
Once on top of Pleasant Hell, we took the first left on an unmarked gravel road heading east. The road forks in about a quarter mile, and we stayed to the right on Reusch Road. When the gravel turned to chipped seal, I stopped to have a snack in the sun. The air was warm and hushed disturbed only by my chewing the granola bar. I crunched quickly and was again at peace on a beautiful road.
Reusch Road descends through the forest into a lovely bucolic valley. I rounded the corner passed the Sullivans’ farm-- the 412’s mischief factor greatly enhanced by Nitto’s bar and stem and the big flat RMX pedals. I simply stood my weight on the outside pedal, pressed down with the inside hand, and around she went tight as a trout on the line.
At the next corner, I could hear barking and see tails wagging, but they were well back off the road as I spun past up the long hill. The climb continued in earnest up Derinda Road. At the crest, I turned back east on Skene Road for another rush through the woods.
I thought of my friendly Butterflies (Jilly & Colleen) and our near miss of a deer when we last flew down this hill. Skene Road runs through yet another scenic valley and climbs steadily back up to Massbach Ridge for the run into Stockton. There are days when you don’t want it to end.
On Saturday, we’ll do a full dress rehearsal of “Circle the Vineyards.”
I had not heard of DeLauney until consuming a few beers on a roof top bar in Ann Arbor in the company of a gentleman who was math gifted, an Olympic class fencer, and a brilliant conversationalist. He was working to apply Boris’s work to the stress analysis of a computer generated solid model. Well, enough of that.
I have been preparing for our “Circle the Vineyards” tour around the wineries in Galena and Jo Daviess County. The inspiration for this event is the enchanting and rigorous bicycle tour through the Italian Tuscan countryside. It is called L’Eroica (heroic), and it rolls over pristine white gravel roads or Strade Bianche.
L’Eroica obliges its participants to ride only steel bicycles made in 1987 or earlier. Shifters must be on the down tube, and clip-less pedals are not permitted. The heroics are in the hearts of gracious folks who get their vintage bikes up and down the hills wearing woolen cycling outfits of days gone by. L’Eroica celebrates that old roads and old bicycles should never die but be always there for us to enjoy.
And so, on this spectacular afternoon, of 15 settembre, I set forth from Stockton to shake-down of my old 1981 Trek 412 for our “Circle” tour.
We were bound through Elizabeth via old friends like Brown, Pleasant Hill, Reusch, and Skene Roads.
In preparation, we modified the 412’s gearing for the serious undulations. The original Silstar crank set with its 42 tooth small chain ring was relegated to the parts bin. On went Sugino’s compact crank with only 36 teeth. Our expectation was that six fewer teeth would significantly reduce the grinding of our own dentures and knocking of knees in the hills.
Our first test was up the hill to Massbach Ridge. To my great astonishment, the 412 jumped to the climb like a Labrador pup to a lake. Pedals turned freely considering that we also retained the services of the 412’s original six-speed freewheel and its 30 tooth sprocket.
The next phase of the shake-down was to test the sturdiness of the 412s frame. This commenced, as we plummeted off Massbach Ridge on Bethel Road. Again, my admiration for this old Trek swelled as sure as you can cry “Ishiwata 022!”
Up Bethel we went to Brown Road and up again to stunning ridge top views before dropping into Woodbine. From there we contended with a very rough and torn Woodbine Road on our decent into the Apple River valley. Again, the 412 proved steady and safe as houses-- its old Dia-Compe brakes keeping things in control.
As we rolled along Apple River Road, the harvest was in progress, although one wonders what yields will come of it. Another serious flood this summer slimed the cornstalks and spewed gravel across the road surface. Nevertheless, the 412 pedaled along comfortably up to Elizabeth.
We entered town by the old fort, crossed Route 20 and continued out the west end on Pleasant Hill. Turning south, we tucked into some really bold rollers before hitting the hell of the Hill. Nevertheless, my old Trek steel bike continued its climbing magic.
Last year, I installed a longer Nitto stem and their sensational Noodle Bars. The stem is formidable and the bars are so ergonomic— a positive addition to the 412’s solid feel.
Speaking of ergonomics, the Brooks saddle Bill Leibman sold me off his Waterford touring bike was blessedly comfortable. The way we test a saddle is to ride it on hard roads for more than 40 miles. Admittedly, fit, level, and bike frame make a difference, but they are constants in this inconstant design of fabrications per il fanny.
Once on top of Pleasant Hell, we took the first left on an unmarked gravel road heading east. The road forks in about a quarter mile, and we stayed to the right on Reusch Road. When the gravel turned to chipped seal, I stopped to have a snack in the sun. The air was warm and hushed disturbed only by my chewing the granola bar. I crunched quickly and was again at peace on a beautiful road.
Reusch Road descends through the forest into a lovely bucolic valley. I rounded the corner passed the Sullivans’ farm-- the 412’s mischief factor greatly enhanced by Nitto’s bar and stem and the big flat RMX pedals. I simply stood my weight on the outside pedal, pressed down with the inside hand, and around she went tight as a trout on the line.
At the next corner, I could hear barking and see tails wagging, but they were well back off the road as I spun past up the long hill. The climb continued in earnest up Derinda Road. At the crest, I turned back east on Skene Road for another rush through the woods.
I thought of my friendly Butterflies (Jilly & Colleen) and our near miss of a deer when we last flew down this hill. Skene Road runs through yet another scenic valley and climbs steadily back up to Massbach Ridge for the run into Stockton. There are days when you don’t want it to end.
On Saturday, we’ll do a full dress rehearsal of “Circle the Vineyards.”
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