Bicycling With The Bard 2014

Ashland In October

Clothing

Mornings in Ashland can be frosty or foggy and Autumn rains are quite possible. The average daytime temperature is often in the 50s to low 60s. You need to be prepared for all possibilities. This means that you should bring layers of clothing that you can use to bulk up in the morning and shed later in the day. Long-fingered gloves are a good option. It would be convenient to have a means to store your shedded clothing on your bicycle.

If it is raining and you do not mind riding in the rain, wear rain gear. If it looks like rain before you start out, bring your rain gear with you on your bicycle. Because this is a fixed-based ride, you are not required to ride in the rain. There are plenty of non-cycling things to do in Ashland such as wine tasting, shopping, going to theater matinees, etc.

Dress for dinner is casual. We are on vacation so we can be relaxed. I would not advise wearing shorts for dinner primarily because it can be cool to cold in the evening.

Bicycle

If your bicycle has not been in action for a while, this might be a good time to clean it and have it checked by your local bike shop. If you have bicycle problems while you are in Ashland, Ashland Cycle Sport is an excellent shop to fix you up. (The last time I was there, one of the workers said that his grandmother was a founding member of BAC).

Be prepared for wet roads. Wider tires and fenders could be used to to be safer.

The routes have a combination of long climbs and rolling hills with a few short steep climbs. It would be nice to have some low gears.

Preparation

No special physical preparation is necessary for this ride. Even so, you should be in good enough shape to complete the routes. Remember, there is no sag wagon.