The Awesomeness of Riding Dirt

Whether you're riding over it, running on it, or just playing in it, dirt is pretty awesome.  And because it's fall and we get to do extra fun stuff in training, there has been a lot of dirt to fill these days.  But why is riding bikes on dirt so much fun?  Let us count the ways...

1. Quieter Roads - Dirt roads typically have fewer cars than the normal paved ones that are just on the other side of the fields.  That means less car exhaust to suck down, smaller chances of getting run off the road by a-hole drivers, and more time to just chill with the pleasant mooing of cows as you ride by.

2. Slower Roads - As the fall temperatures begin to drop, dirt roads are awesome because you can put out the same work while going slower and thus reducing that f'ing wind chill monster that always seems to sneak in between jacket and jersey.  I really do love you fall and winter... be good to us this year. Pretty please. 

Find New Things!

3. New Roads! - There always seems to be another dirt road to turn off and explore even when you think you've seen them all.  It's like how your dryer always seems to eat one sock per pair... kind of... except reverse... because the roads are magically appearing not disappearing... ok that made more sense in my head.

4. Cross and mountain biking are awesome - Moving beyond just dirt roads to actual trails, there is nothing better than cruising down a trail on a crisp fall morning via cross bike or mountain bike.  I've been way more into the mountain biking lately but cross will strike my heart again soon.  Maybe even enough to enter that one token cross race a year I always end up doing and then remembering I'm out of shape and that it's not fun to race cross when you're out of shape...  Who knows, maybe I'll go for 2 this year.

That's all for now.  Time to go explore some new roads to see where they lead...