Ride Report: Quickbeam on Jersey gravel

[John G.]

Last week, I left work a bit early, threw the Quickbeam on the back of the car, and drove an hour out to the Columbia Rail Trail in Western NJ. It's a beautiful, 15-mile each way trail with some gentle inclines (about 900 feet total). Built on an old Central Railroad of New Jersey track, it cuts through Ken Lockwood Gorge, one of the prettiest places in NJ, and a few sleepy (for NJ) old railroad towns. It's a lovely, mellow trail, perfectly suited for Jack Browns and a single speed. This was my first time taking the Quickbeam on gravel, and I loved it. No shifting, no thinking about cadence, and no twists and turns meant no distractions from the lovely scenery and trout fisherman along the river. The 'Beam's handling was spot on--true and stable, but nimble enough to dodge the occasional horse pie. And while I love a really fat tire, 33.3mms is plenty for the kind of gravel roads we see around here. 

Because of traffic patterns and work, most of my riding happens early in the morning. I don't get many chances to ride in the late afternoon and early evening, but this ride has me looking to change that. There's something about the angle and quality of the afternoon light falling through Spring leaves that slows my breathing and unknots my shoulders. Funny to think that massive old trains carted iron ore on this line. 

There's some lovely riding in Western NJ. If you're in the city and bored of the normal routes, take a train or car out west and check it out! Happy to share routes with anyone who's looking for them.

[sameness]

Hey, I know that bike! Looks like it ended up where it belongs!

Jeff Hagedorn

Los Angeles, CA USA

[Deacon Patrick]

Amazing how different times of day feel so stunningly different. A common ride transforms in different light, or after a storm, or durring a storm! Great ride semi-close to you on a great steed.

With abandon,
Patrick

[Wally Estrella]

HEAR! HEAR!

A Quickbeam, Jack Brown's and some gravel from 207 land last week-end.  Sometimes I think of going w/ 38s (Soma Shikoro's maybe?) I go on a ride then say "JB's all the way every day!" 

[RichS]

John,

Always nice to see a ride report - many thanks! Looks like a pleasant excursion; glad you had fun.

How do you like your Moustache/Albastache bars?

Best,

Richard

[Patrick Moore]

I envy y'all your firm dirt surfaces. We have some nice riding along the river, if you aren't looking for untold miles of uninterrupted paths or roads, but I've found that 50 mm (actual) is the minimum that makes riding this dirt pleasant, and 60 mm is better. I'd love to try some Compass EL 40-somethings on the Matthews.

[Bob Ehrenbeck]

I love the Columbia Trail! And Patrick is spot on -- it is amazing how the vibe of a place changes with some different light.

If you want some variation of the ride, instead of an out-and-back, take Raritan River Road for a portion of the way -- it runs right alongside the South Branch of the Raritan River through the Ken Lockwood Gorge and is quite lovely:

Here are some pics from a little excursion I did through the gorge last autumn:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/30490050@N04/albums/72157686466615482

Bob E

Cranford, NJ

[John G.]

Jeff! I’ve had a few hundred wonderful miles because you put this Beam back in the wild! I hope you found one your size!

Patrick! You nudged me over the edge into QB ownership!

Bob! Great tip. I will check that out next time I ride that way. Great Raeland, btw.

[Bob Ehrenbeck]

Thanks, John! 

I like your Quickbeam, and the whole idea of running a fixed gear -- what gearing does it have?