Road Soup

One of the best things about gravel rides is the uncertainty of conditions. The road surface can vary from hard pack that feels like asphalt or fresh plowed softness to chunky chundery blast rock sometimes even road  soup. These changing conditions can at times crush you. They can also be what inspires and makes a ride memorable. Red sauce was a low point for me, it seemed to go on forever. Add rain, wind or freezing temps and you find out what your made of. It is a personal journey, for me best traveled alone. Jan 13 2015 Tour de Mud

Road soup

Need a big lens!

Krampus set up for winter epics

All spawned out

Sometimes the appropriate place is the sofa. When activity has outpaced recuperation, that vintage Natuzzi leather can look mighty appealing. After a chilly winter outing you simply lie back pull some sort soft warm cover over you, (in my house an old Mont Bell sleeping bag) and drift in and out of reality.
More often than not I have put something on the TV and routinely fail to watch it. Don't lie to me you have done it too! And we will again.

ERT Gold River Fail

Elkhorn?

Elk River estuary

The Big Johnson, looking less than comfortable on his bike. Perhaps this is where he flated?

Big Johnson fixing one of his flats

Bridge over Upper Campbell Lake is closed to vehicle traffic.

In Spring conditions on a winter day the Big Johnson and I rode out the Elk River Timber main line to Upper Campbell Lake . Our goal was Gold River, but I had been told of an impassable river due to a bridge being removed. We never got to the impassible river as a smaller river blocked our way and neither of us wished the wet feet required to continue, there will have to be a summer attempt. over 100K return, mostly flat with very little climbing this is an excellent short day ride or a very good first overnighter for anyone new to bikepacking. There are many good camping spots along the route. View route here.