Katy Flatlander - Good first metric ride??

[Crankin]

I seriously don't know how you guys can ride on chip seal. It pretty much ruined my experience on the San Juan Islands last year. This was with 25 tires and my ti bike; guess you can get used to anything, but why in the world do they use that stuff?
I am sure the answer is that it's cheap. Thankfully, it's not used around here.

[shootingstar]

Interesting...I wonder if chip seal is used much in areas where there are hard, long winters. I encountered it in Washington state.

I'm more of a paved surface cyclist.

[goldfinch]

Interesting...I wonder if chip seal is used much in areas where there are hard, long winters. I encountered it in Washington state.

I'm more of a paved surface cyclist.

I am from northern Minnesota where there are hard, long winters. I never even had heard of chip seal until spending time further south. Missouri and Texas was full of it. I think it is a budget surface.

[Triskeliongirl]

ShootingStar, chip seal is a TYPE of paved surface, but its more coarsely paved than a tarred surface. As others mentioned, the main advantage is that it won't start melting or oozing oil the way tar does, in the texas heat, but it is not so pleasant to ride on. Being on carbon or steel rather than aluminum helps, and lower tire pressures can help. I don't think wider tires would make a difference, as its not really bumpy like a gravel road, its just there is more rolling resistance from the coarser pavement which is why I think lower tire pressures can smooth that out a little.

[OakLeaf]

the main advantage is that it won't start melting or oozing oil the way tar does

That just reinforces what I said about materials and care in application. The main *dis*advantage of chipseal in Ohio is that the tar melts when it's hot (like over 90, which probably wouldn't even be considered hot in Texas). Rarely does it pool - that pretty much only happens when the tar was overapplied in spots - but the first thing you notice is a crackling sound when the tar sticks to your tires. You really notice the rolling resistance. Then you have to clean it off your tires and frame.

That doesn't happen, here, with real asphalt, at least at the bicycle level ... freeways with a lot of truck traffic do develop ruts in hot weather if they were poorly paved. Parking lot paving, you can really tell the difference in construction quality when you park a motorcycle in hot weather ... can you put the sidestand down for a five-minute run into the building without a support? If you use a sidestand support, does that sink into the asphalt too? You get to know which parking lots are "safe."

[lgibster]

Ok I did it. I officially signed up for the 68 mile route. My brother and I have determined that as long as I finish I will reach my goal. My intended 50 mile "heat of the day" ride I did on July 4th turned out to be the coolest day we have had all summer Ugh!! Oh well I am riding after work most days and the heat indexes have been in the 100s so I think that will help a ton. I have a hydration and food plan pretty much figured out. I have plans to carry a lot of extra gu packs and have learned that pickle juice is your friend at every other rest stop. I my longest ride as been a 60 mile but I my 45 mile ride the other day was great with no problems. Hoping to meet a few of you while I am there.

[luvmyguys]

I'll be there! Me vs. 100 miles, take 2.

[lgibster]

I'll be there! Me vs. 100 miles, take 2.

No 100 miles this year for me........next year maybe. It is on my bucket list.

[OakLeaf]

I seriously don't know how you guys can ride on chip seal. It pretty much ruined my experience on the San Juan Islands last year. This was with 25 tires and my ti bike; guess you can get used to anything, but why in the world do they use that stuff?
I am sure the answer is that it's cheap. Thankfully, it's not used around here.

Like most roadbuilding it probably depends on materials and technique. It's really only a problem here when it's fresh and loose. When it's very hot the tar melts, but not so much as to be slippery. When it's been in place for a couple of months, it's as smooth as macadam, or nearly so. Granted I've never ridden an aluminum road bike.

The alternative is unimproved gravel. I'll take the chipseal.

[Crankin]

It must have just been applied? It wasn't that hot out, maybe 75 or so.