The GAP

[indysteel]

Have you thought about riding the Canal Tow Path in Indy? It's crushed limestone--or at least I think is.

[Catrin]

Have you thought about riding the Canal Tow Path in Indy? It's crushed limestone--or at least I think is.

Thanks for the reminder. I had forgotten about the Tow Path - it will be a good first test. I still want to check out the trail in Ohio as it is longer and will give me an even better idea.

[Trek-chick]

I ride crushed limestone with my steel Trek 520... on my commute and I do not think you will have any issues. It is actually a pretty smooth ride and the steel soaks up any bumps. The only time it is a bit more bumpy is after a big rain.

I can actually cruise pretty fast on the limestone section of our MUP. The only thing with this surface type is all the whitish dust the bike collects. It gets pretty dirty so , I find myself cleaning the bike and drivetrain a lot. If you have fenders it will cut down on the dust though.

Let us know how the test ride goes... Sounds like a great ride if you decide to go.

[Roadtrip]

Catrin- Are you talking about the Ohio & Erie Towpath up near Cleveland that's crushed limestone?

http://www.ohiobikeways.net/erietowpath.htm

sounds like a fun ride!!

Shannon

[Catrin]

Catrin- Are you talking about the Ohio & Erie Towpath up near Cleveland that's crushed limestone?

http://www.ohiobikeways.net/erietowpath.htm

sounds like a fun ride!!

Shannon

I am talking about the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) - more information here

[indysteel]

I think Roadtrip was wondering which trail in Ohio--you reference one in your OP--you were thinking about practicing on to get a feel for riding on crushed limestone.

[Catrin]

I think Roadtrip was wondering which trail in Ohio--you reference one in your OP--you were thinking about practicing on to get a feel for riding on crushed limestone.

Ohhh, I misunderstood - not enough coffee yet today I will have to check with my trainer, but I think there is a crushed limestone trail in Chillicothe State Park - Scotio Valley? I will double-check with him about the location - it is much closer to me than the Erie path.

The Canal Tow Path in Indy appears to be 5 miles long - so I will ride that a couple of times to see how it feels before I go anywhere else.

As much as I want to ride today - I am taking the day off. I've had three days of being on bike or spinning bike and then I spent all that time yesterday biking (for a short time) or hiking on gravel trails - my legs need a break. They actually feel fine - but am trying to learn better habits. No more than 3 days in a row

This afternoon I am going to go FIND the Tow Path here in town and figure out where I will park and perhaps walk a bit of it to see what the surface is like. It has got to be much easier than that gravel road I was on yesterday