Quote Originally Posted by WolfGirl View Post
3. What new bike would I even get?? I have a goal of doing my first century by Fall 2011. I mentioned this to my favorite repair shop and the guy told me I'd probably want a road bike. What I have is what he called a "flat-bar road bike". I've never ridden one of the curvy-bar kinds. Would I even want to? Also, can you take those on a crushed stone trail? I don't even like riding the one I have now on those trails; my thin tires slip all over and it's a lot of effort to stay upright. Would I need two bikes to do those? (So far this summer we've been staying on pavement, but we miss the trails and there are a lot more stone ones around here than paved.)


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I have both mountain bikes and road bikes. I would never think to take a road bike on a crushed gravel trail - not to say I haven't done centuries that involved "alternative" roads - such as the Tour de Tucson with its river crossings, but generally paved road - road bike, dirt, gravel etc., mountain bike.

You decide - what do you ride most? If gravel trails stay with a mountain style bike and not bother with a road bike. If you want to do a century I recommend for the ride, putting on road slicks so it is easier for you. You know by fall 2011, a rodad bike might fall in your lap. Just enjoy what you have now. Get out and ride and things will get easier.