tyres - narrow, wide, gravel....
Zebee Johnstone
So far so good but they specify "mountain bikes" as some of the roads
will be gravel and they don't think "skinny tyres" are suitable.
Right now I am running narrowish tyres. the front is a Stelvio 7/8",
the rear a Marathon whose size escapes me (and I'm too lazy to go
downstairs to look) but it's pretty similar to the Stelvio. I am using
standard MTB 26" tubes in it though. And it had Kenda Kwests on it
which were 1.25"
There won't be enough clearance for a bigger tyre on the front as the
20" front was replaced by a 24" and there's just enough clearance for
the Stelvio.
I could put a bigger tyre on the rear, might even have the Kwest
lurking in the shed somewhere.
Question is... how important would it be to have wider softer tyres if
doing dirt roads?
is the problem jarring your fillings out on high pressure tyres rather
than traction on loose surfaces?
Are uprights really too difficult to manage on skinny tyres on gravel
roads? (No idea how hard the 'bent would be to manage...)
And would the problem be less if I put the 80psi Kwest on instead of
the 120psi Marathon?
Zebee
John Henderson
> Question is... how important would it be to have wider softer tyres if
> doing dirt roads?
It's certainly not essential, although I personally prefer my
26 x 2.00 tyres.
But I'm old enough to have toured on gravel roads in the days
before MTBs were invented - on 27 x 1 1/4 "racing" tyres.
Sometimes it can be a real challenge staying on the bike through
deep soft gravel drifts, but they don't occur very often in
most places.
John
TimC
was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
> So... I see Bicycle NSW is having a winery tour for female riders.
>
> So far so good but they specify "mountain bikes" as some of the roads
> will be gravel and they don't think "skinny tyres" are suitable.
>
> Right now I am running narrowish tyres. the front is a Stelvio 7/8",
> the rear a Marathon whose size escapes me (and I'm too lazy to go
> downstairs to look) but it's pretty similar to the Stelvio. I am using
> standard MTB 26" tubes in it though. And it had Kenda Kwests on it
> which were 1.25"
Do you know yet how the bent handles on gravel at all?
> is the problem jarring your fillings out on high pressure tyres rather
> than traction on loose surfaces?
I toured once on a aluminium road bike with 23mm tires with 20 or so
kg of panniers on the dirt for 30km. And that bike is still my
commuter (how the heck I did not break it, I do not know)! And look
at me! I still turned out fine!
<knaws the other arm off...>
> Are uprights really too difficult to manage on skinny tyres on gravel
> roads? (No idea how hard the 'bent would be to manage...)
You're not talking about taking your bent? You've got an upright your
thinking of doing it on?
> And would the problem be less if I put the 80psi Kwest on instead of
> the 120psi Marathon?
120psi? That's a little surprising for 26" tires. On an upright,
120psi on 23mm tires is *bearable* for 40km, but expect a couple of
punctures at least, and there are better ways to do it.
--
TimC
"Cycling is like a church - many attend, but few understand." -- Jim Burlant
terryc
> So... I see Bicycle NSW is having a winery tour for female riders.
What is the point of that?
> So far so good but they specify "mountain bikes" as some of the roads
> will be gravel and they don't think "skinny tyres" are suitable.
Seriously, I would not take any bicycle advice from BNSW.
Basically, thinner tyres increase the risk of punctures. You can reduce
the risk by riding slower and taking more care. If you tent to stay off
the seat, less risk as well.
As mentioned by other, we have toured on 1.25" tyres for years. 16+ years
in my case and some major tours and back roads trips.
Zebee Johnstone
TimC <tcon...@no.spam.accepted.here-astro.swin.edu.au> wrote:
> On 2009-05-26, Zebee Johnstone (aka Bruce)
> was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
>
>
Only on very short distances. There was a loose surface on a bit of
the route I take to work, and it didn't seem a problem there, but it
was very small scattered gravel on hardpack rather than lotsa rocks on
dirt of your average gravel road.
>
>> Are uprights really too difficult to manage on skinny tyres on gravel
>> roads? (No idea how hard the 'bent would be to manage...)
>
> You're not talking about taking your bent? You've got an upright your
> thinking of doing it on?
Nope. Haven't had one in years. But I dunno anyone here will know how
a bent will handle on gravel. I was trying to work out if the
organisers practically mandated MTBs because there was a real danger
or because they thought the likely clientele would not be skilled
enough.
>> And would the problem be less if I put the 80psi Kwest on instead of
>> the 120psi Marathon?
>
> 120psi? That's a little surprising for 26" tires. On an upright,
> 120psi on 23mm tires is *bearable* for 40km, but expect a couple of
> punctures at least, and there are better ways to do it.
120 in the front, I usually put 110-120 in the rear but 100 is fine
there too.
And it's quite comfortable on the 'bent. On really bumpy roads (such
as the bits of the Cook's River path that had tree roots under them,
which were like riding on major corrugations) it could be jarring, but
on normal roads it's fine. (And those bits were pretty damn jarring
with the 80psi tyre)
Haven't had a puncture since I put the Marathon on the rear, lovely
tyre that.
Some 'bent riders use much bigger lower pressure tyres such as Big
Apples and say they work well for commuting on rougher surfaces.
Aside from a lot of my weight being taken on my back which is resting
on a wide mesh seatback rather than weight being on wrists and small
hard saddle, the Giro 20 is a stick frame: single large oval section
tube between headstem and rear triangle. This flexes just a little
and provides some shock absorption. (Which makes it sound awful and
power-absorbing but ain't so.)
Zebee
terryc
> Only on very short distances. There was a loose surface on a bit of the
> route I take to work, and it didn't seem a problem there, but it was
> very small scattered gravel on hardpack rather than lotsa rocks on dirt
> of your average gravel road.
IME, The average gravel road doesn't have lots a scattered rock. mostly
hard pack with patches of sand, drift, small pebbles, potholes, ridges/
corrugations and channels.
Rarely have I struck a road such as you describe and in that case, even
mtn bikes, aka fat tyres would find it difficult. Mainly through fighting
the steering.
Unless you really want to do a ride with a bunch of other women, travel
by train to Maitland or further and ride to Kurri-Kurri, then Cessnock.
Plenty of back road alternatives, many sealed. there are a number of free
wine area maps and the $ form the CMA(what ever it is called now) Hunter
Valley map is probably well spent.
The biggest problem is going to be on the same roads as drivers who are
tasting huge amounts and in their safety cage.
>
>
> Nope. Haven't had one in years. But I dunno anyone here will know how a
> bent will handle on gravel.
Worse. Well, it really depends on your vision of the road ahead and how
much you can dodge. Plus, if you have 3+ wheels, you are more likely to
hid 3X as much bad stuff.
> I was trying to work out if the organisers
> practically mandated MTBs because there was a real danger or because
> they thought the likely clientele would not be skilled enough.
Image, plus it is a trip run by clueless. If you know how to maintain
your own bicycle, repair punctures, etc. there should not be any problems.
Zebee Johnstone
terryc <newsseven...@woa.com.au> wrote:
>
> Unless you really want to do a ride with a bunch of other women, travel
> by train to Maitland or further and ride to Kurri-Kurri, then Cessnock.
> Plenty of back road alternatives, many sealed. there are a number of free
> wine area maps and the $ form the CMA(what ever it is called now) Hunter
> Valley map is probably well spent.
The idea of being with others is appealing. I don't really care if
they are innies or outies although the level of aggro towards slower
riders after a day on the booze does tend to be less with innies.
> Worse. Well, it really depends on your vision of the road ahead and how
> much you can dodge. Plus, if you have 3+ wheels, you are more likely to
> hid 3X as much bad stuff.
>
IT's a 2 wheeler. If it was a trike I wouldn't care about traction
although I would care rather a lot about my fillings as the trikes
I've ridden feel the road bumps way way way more than my high racer
does.
>> I was trying to work out if the organisers
>> practically mandated MTBs because there was a real danger or because
>> they thought the likely clientele would not be skilled enough.
>
> Image, plus it is a trip run by clueless. If you know how to maintain
> your own bicycle, repair punctures, etc. there should not be any problems.
I should probably seek out some gravel first.
I still wonder why they said that unsealed was unsuitable for skinny
tyres, presumably they had a reason...
Zebee
John Henderson
> I still wonder why they said that unsealed was unsuitable for skinny
> tyres, presumably they had a reason...
This seems to be a common statement these days. Maybe it's just
the modern over-cautious approach because some disappointed
people might feel they have legal redress.
Are they going to let you participate if you tell them what you
intend riding?
John
Rob
You could think about it this way we used to have 28" skinny tyres and
no sealed roads when they were about.
How does that fit the equation.
r
Rob
Maybe high pressure singles or 1" and under, these don't give me
confidence on dirt tracks.
There ain't much elasticity in either at high pressures.
Zebee Johnstone
I have no idea if they are going to ask.
and if I say "Bacchetta Giro" will they be any the wiser?
Zebee
Zebee Johnstone
Rob <me...@mine.net.au> wrote:
> You could think about it this way we used to have 28" skinny tyres and
> no sealed roads when they were about.
Going to depend on pressure I suppose. To allow the tyre to deform
rather than skate about.
I seem to recall we put about 40-50 PSI in the things.
Zebee
Dave Hughes
> Question is... how important would it be to have wider softer tyres if
> doing dirt roads?
How long's a piece of string? Your big comfy hammock seat is going to make
a big difference. OTOH you can't stand up. Have you taken the bent down
anything gravelly previously?
> Are uprights really too difficult to manage on skinny tyres on gravel
> roads? (No idea how hard the 'bent would be to manage...)
I've quite happily ridden my 700c bike around fire roads on 38mm ish
tyres. They may have been 35s. I've also played a bit on dirt with the 28s
on the fixie. It's not really a problem, though you've certainly got a
bit less control than on real MTB tyres.
> And would the problem be less if I put the 80psi Kwest on instead of the
> 120psi Marathon?
How far are you going? A low pressure tyre is going to be more
comfortable, but more work, assuming roughly equivalent sidewalls, etc.
For shorter hauls it can be worth putting more effort in to have a bit
more comfort. Some people take that to the extreme of carting a BOB with
an esky, or even a keg.
--
Dave Hughes - da...@hired-goons.net
"Assassination is the extreme form of
censorship." -- George Bernard Shaw
Dave Hughes
> <knaws the other arm off...>
That's a Qt version of insanity is it?
--
Dave Hughes - da...@hired-goons.net
"I have an asteroid named after me. Isaac
Asimov's got one too. It's smaller and more
eccentric. " - Arthur C. Clarke
Dave Hughes
> Haven't had a puncture since I put the Marathon on the rear, lovely tyre
> that.
Actually if you're running a 26" rear and your centre of gravity is more
or less over that end of your bike then a nice big cushy tyre there will
give you a fair bit of comfort. Something with a decent bag and maybe a
bit of tread should give you comfort and stability - Maxxis hookworm
springs to mind, though I've not actually ridden one. The Hutchinson
Python is along the right lines, and I think I might still have a spare in
the grudge if you want to borrow it for the event.
For the front I suspect you're stuck, but so long as you've got enough
bite you should be fine.
--
Dave Hughes - da...@hired-goons.net
We are, in fact, at the cutting edge of cocking about
- Richard Hammond, Top Gear
Zebee Johnstone
Dave Hughes <spam...@hired-goons.net> wrote:
> On Tue, 26 May 2009 09:23:01 +0000, Zebee Johnstone wrote:
>
>> Question is... how important would it be to have wider softer tyres if
>> doing dirt roads?
>
> How long's a piece of string? Your big comfy hammock seat is going to make
> a big difference. OTOH you can't stand up. Have you taken the bent down
> anything gravelly previously?
No... downhill isn't usually a problem, although keeping the speed down
might be!
Are you thinking steering or braking? I know that at very slow speeds
on tricky terrain on a motorcyle standing is the way to go.
>
>> And would the problem be less if I put the 80psi Kwest on instead of the
>> 120psi Marathon?
>
> How far are you going? A low pressure tyre is going to be more
> comfortable, but more work, assuming roughly equivalent sidewalls, etc.
> For shorter hauls it can be worth putting more effort in to have a bit
> more comfort. Some people take that to the extreme of carting a BOB with
> an esky, or even a keg.
I prefer the higher pressure tyres for sure, the bike certainly feels
faster with them on.
But it wasn't dog slow with the lower pressure ones...
The front would have to stay skinny though, as it's wearing the
biggest one that will fit the fork now I've got the 24" front.
Zebee
Zebee Johnstone
Dave Hughes <spam...@hired-goons.net> wrote:
> bit of tread should give you comfort and stability - Maxxis hookworm
> springs to mind, though I've not actually ridden one. The Hutchinson
> Python is along the right lines, and I think I might still have a spare in
> the grudge if you want to borrow it for the event.
I might consider that offer, yes!
>
> For the front I suspect you're stuck, but so long as you've got enough
> bite you should be fine.
Heh, billiard ball and 120psi, ain't no deforming to grab
irregularities on that baby!
And I won't be swapping the 20" wheel back in because a) I luuurve the
24 too much and b) I don't want to lose the hub dynamo.
Zebee
Aeek
<zeb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>No... downhill isn't usually a problem, although keeping the speed down
>might be!
that's a matter of braking before you need to, too fast on gravel
tends to be too fast to brake safely on narrow tires.
>
>Are you thinking steering or braking? I know that at very slow speeds
>on tricky terrain on a motorcyle standing is the way to go.
Can you see the ground just infront to pick your line?
Too slow and you may as well walk, easy with a bicycle,
and easy for you - you wear walk friendly shoes.
That's probably the bigger issue with a roadie on gravel, the shoes
aren't suitable for much walking.
>and if I say "Bacchetta Giro" will they be any the wiser?
Giro sounds very road racy, especially with the Giro on right now.
Bacchetta sounds like a sandwich.
I suspect you are far more experienced than those that the MTB
recommendation is aimed at.
Zebee Johnstone
Aeek <aeee...@tpg.com.au> wrote:
> On Wed, 27 May 2009 08:58:23 +0000 (UTC), Zebee Johnstone
><zeb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>No... downhill isn't usually a problem, although keeping the speed down
>>might be!
>
> that's a matter of braking before you need to, too fast on gravel
> tends to be too fast to brake safely on narrow tires.
'bents pick up speed downhill rather fast.
Especially ones with heavy engines....
>
> Can you see the ground just infront to pick your line?
Yup. I can look past my legs to see ground, about the same as I do on
a motorcycle. As in I don't look at the front wheel on one of them
either...
> Too slow and you may as well walk, easy with a bicycle,
> and easy for you - you wear walk friendly shoes.
Sandals. It's to make up for the lack of beard.
>>and if I say "Bacchetta Giro" will they be any the wiser?
>
> Giro sounds very road racy, especially with the Giro on right now.
> Bacchetta sounds like a sandwich.
yeah, not quite a coffee.
> I suspect you are far more experienced than those that the MTB
> recommendation is aimed at.
Could be. The Gear Up Girl stuff is definitely aimed at novices.
Zebee
Aeek
<zeb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>Yup. I can look past my legs to see ground, about the same as I do on
>a motorcycle. As in I don't look at the front wheel on one of them
>either...
that's a difference, at low speed I was watching my tyre slice through
the Unaugaral gravel.
>Sandals. It's to make up for the lack of beard.
Sandals are great in winter, I can wear windproof socks and many
layers, can't fit that much warmth into the same sized shoes.
Zebee Johnstone
Aeek <aeee...@tpg.com.au> wrote:
> On Wed, 27 May 2009 10:50:58 +0000 (UTC), Zebee Johnstone
><zeb...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>Yup. I can look past my legs to see ground, about the same as I do on
>>a motorcycle. As in I don't look at the front wheel on one of them
>>either...
>
> that's a difference, at low speed I was watching my tyre slice through
> the Unaugaral gravel.
I don't do that. Mainly because I *like* fairings on motorcycles I do
any distance on.
Plus looking at the wheel seems to unbalance me, I look a few feet
ahead of the wheel, so I know where to steer. By the time the crap
gets to the wheel it is too late.
>
>>Sandals. It's to make up for the lack of beard.
>
> Sandals are great in winter, I can wear windproof socks and many
> layers, can't fit that much warmth into the same sized shoes.
yup. light socks in summer, wool ones in winter.
And it is good that when you ride in the rain you just need dry socks
to go home in, rather than putting dry socks and feet into wet shoes.
The ones I have also have a wider last than any shoes I could buy. It
seems that all cyclists but me have long narrow feet.
Zebee
terryc
> The idea of being with others is appealing. I don't really care if they
> are innies or outies although the level of aggro towards slower riders
> after a day on the booze does tend to be less with innies.
This ride should be absolutely nothing like that. Unless of course it is
run by lycra wearing TdF wannabees. in which case, any one would be a
fool to pay to go on it.
OTOH, I've been running bicycle rides on & off over 40 years and any
wanna bee TdF who thinks it should be like that soons gets told very
publicaly where they can shove it.
> IT's a 2 wheeler.
then it is a question of how clear a view you have of what your front
wheel is going to soon encounter.
>> Image, plus it is a trip run by clueless. If you know how to maintain
>> your own bicycle, repair punctures, etc. there should not be any
>> problems.
>
> I should probably seek out some gravel first.
seriously, you could catch the train up and ride out and cover a few
sample gravel roads quite easily in a day.
>
> I still wonder why they said that unsealed was unsuitable for skinny
> tyres, presumably they had a reason...
Shrug, lack of their experience. So long as you slow down, I can not see
the problem. Perhaps they think beginners (target market) is safer on fat
tyres.
terryc
> In aus.bicycle on Wed, 27 May 2009 16:32:03 +1000 Rob <me...@mine.net.au>
> wrote:
>> You could think about it this way we used to have 28" skinny tyres and
>> no sealed roads when they were about.
>
> Going to depend on pressure I suppose. To allow the tyre to deform
> rather than skate about.
>
Err, definitely not slicks. Definitely not. Otherwise, skating shouldn't
be a problem.
Zebee Johnstone
terryc <newsseven...@woa.com.au> wrote:
> On Wed, 27 May 2009 03:32:35 +0000, Zebee Johnstone wrote:
>
>> IT's a 2 wheeler.
>
> then it is a question of how clear a view you have of what your front
> wheel is going to soon encounter.
It's a high racer, so while I don't have quite as good a view of the
road right in front as a long wheelbase 'bent rider does, it isn't bad
and much better than a low racer does.
Zebee
theo
> I should probably seek out some gravel first.
>
> I still wonder why they said that unsealed was unsuitable for skinny
> tyres, presumably they had a reason...
Fat tyres tend to ride on top of the gravel, whereas skinny tyres sink
in to the packed surface below. This tends to make the bike more
skittish and harder to pedal on that kind of surface than a fat-tyred
bike.
My experience is mostly from a one week cycle tour of Wilpena Pound,
seeing 100 metres of bitumen the whole week. Skinny tyres just do not
work on those roads. We had a couple of water crossings too.
Theo
theo
> In aus.bicycle on Wed, 27 May 2009 16:32:03 +1000
>
> > You could think about it this way we used to have 28" skinny tyres and
> > no sealed roads when they were about.
>
> Going to depend on pressure I suppose. To allow the tyre to deform
> rather than skate about.
>
> I seem to recall we put about 40-50 PSI in the things.
And the "skinny" 28" tyres were 1 3/8" or 35mm. That would be
considered a looong way from skinny now.
Theo
b...@humbletown.org
I used 26x1.9 slicks @ 50psi for my ride between Buchan and Jindabyne
(~110km dirt, ~50km bitumen). They were fine. I'm not sure what
tyres Lemmiwinks and Lazyfoot were using, but IIRC they were slightly
narrower 700C slicks. They didn't fall off either. ;-)
http://www.humbletown.org/gvbr2007/part2.htm
BTH
terryc
> It's a high racer, so while I don't have quite as good a view of the
> road right in front as a long wheelbase 'bent rider does, it isn't bad
> and much better than a low racer does.
Then you shouldn't have any more problems other than more weight being on
the back wheel. OTOH, self contained campers traditionally load up the
back wheel when they first start and they tend to ride more upright, so
shrug, just take it easy and I don't see the problem.
20cents
Zebee Johnstone <zeb...@gmail.com> wrote:
The issue of PushOn (BNSW emag) out today has a photo on page 1 (from
the recently held winery tour) of what I would think are typical road
conditions:
<http://www.pushon.com.au/downloads/PO_3306.pdf>
I would be quite happy riding my loaded touring bike on those roads
(700cx37).
regards,
20cents
Zebee Johnstone
20cents <nor...@bigpond.com> wrote:
>
> The issue of PushOn (BNSW emag) out today has a photo on page 1 (from
> the recently held winery tour) of what I would think are typical road
> conditions:
><http://www.pushon.com.au/downloads/PO_3306.pdf>
>
> I would be quite happy riding my loaded touring bike on those roads
> (700cx37).
37 counts as skinny?
Zebee
terryc
> I would be quite happy riding my loaded touring bike on those roads
> (700cx37).
Unfortunately, that road was the southern highlands and I suspect is an
old sealed road. Definitely not typical of gravel roads around Cessnock
AFAIRthem.
Rob
If this a trip around the winery area how many roads are unsealed - not
very many.
Peter
> Zebee Johnstone wrote:
>
> > Question is... how important would it be to have wider softer tyres if
> > doing dirt roads?
>
> It's certainly not essential, although I personally prefer my
> 26 x 2.00 tyres.
>
> But I'm old enough to have toured on gravel roads in the days
> before MTBs were invented - on 27 x 1 1/4 "racing" tyres.
>
> Sometimes it can be a real challenge staying on the bike through
> deep soft gravel drifts, but they don't occur very often in
> most places.
>
> John
I used to get along a bike with 1" or less high pressure tyres loaded
with enough food for 7 days, tent, sleeping bag etc on dirt roads. No
problem, apart from punctures on roads strewn with catheads. I don't
think it makes all that much difference. Plenty of round the world tours
have been done on bikes other than mountain bikes.
ajft6...@bigpond.com.au
John> Zebee Johnstone wrote:
>> I still wonder why they said that unsealed was unsuitable for skinny
>> tyres, presumably they had a reason...
As John says, a modern obsession that you can't take a road bike on
anything except ultra-smooth hotmix. Same mentality that says you need
a 4WD for a gravel carpark or gravel country road. See the
Paris-Roubaix for counter examples of what roads can be ridden :)
John> This seems to be a common statement these days. Maybe it's just
John> the modern over-cautious approach because some disappointed people
John> might feel they have legal redress.
John> Are they going to let you participate if you tell them what you
John> intend riding?
The only potential drawback of a low-slung recumbent I can see is the
flying rocks kicked up by passing traffic, the higher up you are the
fewer you'll meet.
Adrian
Zebee Johnstone
ajft6...@bigpond.com.au <ajft6...@bigpond.com.au> wrote:
> The only potential drawback of a low-slung recumbent I can see is the
> flying rocks kicked up by passing traffic, the higher up you are the
> fewer you'll meet.
The Bacchetta's not low slung as 'bents go, the seat height is about
the same as a midsize car.
Some lowslung ones (eg Veloteknic's Grasshopper) have suspension but
the only lowracers I've ridden were horrible on anything but smooth
tarmac because of the jarring.
And if last year's RAAM is any guide they are a bit twitchy...
Zebee
nk
"Zebee Johnstone" <zeb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> So... I see Bicycle NSW is having a winery tour for female riders.
>
> So far so good but they specify "mountain bikes" as some of the roads
> will be gravel and they don't think "skinny tyres" are suitable.
My experiences on a cycling winery tour in the Mudgee region organised by a
BUG: the organiser suggested either hybrids or mountain bikes. These types
of bikes were recommended, even though the all routes chosen were on tarred
roads. One of the main reasons for these types of bikes was for the gravel
driveways leading to each winery. I took my Giant CRX3, with its' 700x28C
tyres pumped up to about 100 kpi. The CRX is marketed as a flat-bar road
bike.
While the Giant was great on those tarred country roads, it was not so great
on the gravel driveways leading to the wineries. While my bike did OK, I
would have preferred a hybrid or mountain bike. It would made it so much
easier.
To answer your question, it is important to have wider softer tyres if doing
dirt roads simply for the comfort factor. My Giant was very jarring on the
gravel roads/driveways. I never felt as if I was going to lose traction or
go sliding off the road into a paddock, but the jarring was too much to bear
after a while.
You need to consider that your tour group will head down gravel roads to get
to the wineries. If so, I strongly suggest that you take a mountain bike or
hybrid. Judging by my experience in Mudgee, a hard-tail is sufficient on any
gravel road, or a hybrid with slightly larger tyres. I am sure that you will
be lead down well-maintained gravel roads anyway.
You also need to consider that you can go exploring in more directions to
more places, on a mountain bike or hybrid. I would have loved to head out on
some dirt roads around Mudgee, but knew that the bike was not suitable. Some
of the dirt roads around Mudgee are not well-maintained either.
Enjoy the trip!
Regards,
Nicholas