Halfway along a 20-mile gravel route, any cyclist would have delighted in the thin, rideable layer of snow that appeared on the firm double track. Immaculate except for prints made by deer, raccoon and coyotes, the smooth, crispy snow crunched beneath knobby tires and accounted for several miles of satisfaction.

Surprises like these account for the growing popularity of gravel routes among cyclists.

This article requires a subscription to the Bend Bulletin.

Read More