A little dose of gravel...

This post is a bit after-the-fact, but thought I'd put it up anyhow.  Sometime last month I took a day trip down to the Nerstand Bigwoods State Park area in southeastern MN to ride some gravel.  While I don't have a bike that is super efficient at throwing down big gravel routes quickly, both of my Surly's do just fine at traveling rough roads at a non-racers pace, which suites me well.  On this ride I chose the Karate Monkey with Kenda small block 8's.  Plenty of meat to roll very comfortably, and I wasn't worried about setting any speed records.

I didn't really have a route plan, and just wandered wherever the gravel went.  I like to explore with not much of an agenda.  I had heard talk of the small stretch of "Farmer Trail", and rode that.  It was nice, but short does describe it.  My favorite roads go on and on.  I'd like to put together a gravel tour somewhere where one can travel a good distance on the stuff and get out into seriously rural places.  I think the Dakotas are good land for this.  I just flew over the Badlands National Park area in SD a couple days ago, and saw so many options for "out-there" riding.  MN and WI do have their share of good local gravel though, and it's awesome to have it accessible from my home if I just get out of the Cities.  

A bit of grating getting done...

Superior Hiking Trail Overnight...

This past week Alison and I decided to dust off our backpacking backpacking gear and head up to the Superior Hiking Trail, as we hadn't done a trip on it since June of last year.  It was a grab your stuff and run out the door type trip, as we'd both just gotten off work and didn't have a lot of time to think about getting ready, but we made it happen.  We were up there for only a day and a half, but a quick trip is better than no trip, and it was nice to get out on the trail again.
We hiked an out and back from Gooseberry Falls State Park to the Split Rock River.  The weather was sweaty, and I have to say I'm in better biking shape than backpacking.  I am used to my Long Haul Trucker bearing the weight of all my gear, and not my own frame.  It was probably good for me to get out and huff and puff a bit. I should backpack more for strengths sake, but I have too many hobbies, and cycling really does take precedence in most situations.  I do enjoy a good trip out on the trail though, and had fun.
There were a few groups at the various sites along the Split Rock River, but we did find an open tent pad, and enjoyed a soaking in the water, a good dinner of Mexican food, and some needed sleep.
An early rise and hike back to the car in the morning brought us back to the Cities quick, and thinking of a return up North soon.  Glad to have had the chance to get out...