But I have no gravel!

And yet, here I am on the precipice of purchasing a 'gravel' bike…well, it is a cross bike really, but it will be a sweet gravel bike too.  Am I just a bandwagon jumpee?  Perhaps.  I tried the slack-in-front/short-in-back 29er hard tail deal and that was a bust.  I mean, you cannot pick up an industry mag without reading about either fat bikes or gravel bikes.  Am I chasing a fad?

I don't think so, and this is why.

I have already ridden three gravel events, one on a cross bike, one on a 29er hard tail, and one on a 29er FS (Epic) so I have an idea of how it feels to ride one.  As well, I really, really liked the format of the events.  They were long and non-technical, but challenging and scenic.  I really liked them and pedaling for miles in open spaces or along mountain roads does not bother me at all.

I have been doing a lot of summer road riding, so the body position and overall style of bike is working for me on the road.  It is not like I have never held onto drop bars before.

But.

I got no gravel.  Nope.  None.  Not in the classic style, anyway.

Oh now, I have dirt roads…yessir…lots and lots and lots of those.  And I have miles of paved roads connecting them so there is the potential to make some big training loops by stitching together road and dirt sections.  And I plan on entering at least two gravel events for 2015, so while it is still a gamble, it is not a complete jump off a blind cliff.

If it all goes well and the stars align, etc…