CX-wannabe trip to Grängesberg.

So I got my CycloCross tires last week, it was now time to see if they worked as advertised! =)

I decided to make a trip to Grängesberg and use the same gravel roads that was used by Finnmarksturen, FMT has changed the course and these roads will no longer be used for that.

I had to pass the central parts of Ludvika to get to the forest roads, made it past ABB:s latest building project, a new building is supposed to stand here later this autumn. The not so old parking lot has been totally removed and lots of trees have been cut down.
Here I had made it to "Golan" the heights at Östansbo, that was just the beginning of the climb!
The end of asphalt and start of the gravel...
So far so good, lots of loose gravel and larger stones.
Lot's of dark clouds around me but by the time I had made it down the hill to Kåsen the sun was shining again.
I was now going backwards on the route that FMT follows never thought the hill was this steep going the other way! Refused to jump off the bike so I almost puked when I finally managed to get over the steepest part. :)
Passed Hällsjön. Apparently there was a inn here way back in time.
Not much left today.
At last there was some roads that didn't point straight up.
I left the dark clouds behind me...
It was a bit scary alone in the wildernes but suddenly I felt safe!
Seems like someone lost the key since the top of the safe was removed. ;)
Time for a brake, coffee and a sandwich, at the southern shore of lake Hörken, can'r remember last time I was here, must be over 10-15 years ago. We had a boat here when I was a kid.
The tarmac seems to be from the same era:
Had forgot how picturesque it was around Hörken.
Didn't take long before I was closing in at Grängesberg.
Not often I arrive from this direction.
Stora Hagen, built for the mine workers.
Went past the electronics shop. Think AKAI is still a active company, not sure if the shop is still open, lot's of stuff inside though.
A glimpse at the back yard of Spendrups brewery.
Spendrup's new high bay storage construction visible in the horizon.
Had to take the moment and take a closer look.
Closer...
Perfect view, made a panorama:
First goal of the day in sight. Made a short pit stop at mum's and said bye to all the people that headed out to go visit some people in Gubbo.
Time to get home so I can come back later in the evening for some BBQ!

Think there was a short cut here...
Well, kind of, had to carry the bike over a deep ditch and up the other side to make it up on the gravel road.
Took "Promillevägen" back home. Almost straight roads.
Past lake Glaningen by the bike lane.
Resisted a urge to go for a swim in lake Väsman when I was getting close to Ludvika.
A short photo session on the pier behind ABB, really pleased with my CX-light. The tires worked well.
Incoming boat.
One last shot at the harbour before I was back at home.
Well, the CX-tires obviously don't roll as well as dedicated road tires but the freedom and peace of mid when riding gravel roads or trails sure makes up for the small increase in rolling resistance!

Next time I will make the route in reverse to avoid the insane climbs! :)

Part one:


Part two:

The final iteration?

Think I'm starting to reach the final setup on my Crescent race bike. Today I got some stuff I ordered earlier, new saddle and finally a pair of Shimano 105 race pedals.

At last the end of accidental releases when pushing a bit harder, and without the play and wiggle! Was on the Wednesday ride today. Over 70km, what a difference! Even got rid of the squeaking by really tighten the crank arms, I hope I will be able to get them loose when I need to. =)

Had to put on a second bottle holder to be able to get all the water I need with me, the bike only has one mount for bottle cage so I had to buy one that fit right on the tube, works fine!
Got some other stuff too.

2x Continental Cyclecross Race 700x35 tires to put on the Crescent for gravel roads. A 'Original' SKS Rennkompressor, sure look indestructible! If one would breake something despite that it's apparently possible to buy almost any part in it as spare part so it's a investment for life.

To fill the road tires to 8bars was a breeze! =)
A couple of shots from today's Wednesday ride.

On our way to Grängesberg.
Riding through Saxdalen:
The ride leader for the day had come up with a (evil) concept for the day, the plan was to visit several steep hills on the route, a sprint to the top, the "winner" rides down again and when the others climbing up meets him they turn around and go down too.

Great exercise that makes the strong work harder and evening out the wait time and everyone can choose how hard they want to pedal. :)

GPS-track, almost 80km and 2,5h:

Wednesday ride #?

Missed my forst Wednesday ride last week but today it was time again! And what a nice ride it was, all the way to "Källan", over to Söderbärke, Smedjebacken, Gubbo and back home, a total of 73km in two hours and twenty minutes. A average speed of 31.2km/h

Today was total opposite compared to last month, felt like I had strength left over for another 70km! :)

Passing Rasta hyttan outside Söderbärke.
The route:

Route Retard...

Time for a megapost!

Last week on Tuesday I decided to try some unpaved forest roads. Two years ago, in 2009 I got a pair of Continental Ultra Race tires as a "special" price for houling my Pugsley around the course. Not sure why since it sometimes felt like I was cheating with my massive tires on the gravel. =)

Anyhow, it was time to use the tires for what I suppose they were intended too. Gravel roads!

But first I had to get there, used the old railroad track, now converted to bike lane. Passing Lyviken.
On my way to Blötberget.
Left the bike lane and hit the road to Klenshyttan.
Passed some of the old mine buildings left in Blötberget.
I seldom ride this direction and saw to my surprise a old power station I never seen before, clearly visible from the road, perhaps the trees had been removed so it was visible now?
Almost in Klenshyttan, just on the other side of the tunnel.
Some nice views here. Lake Dammsjön.




From Klenshyttan it was basically gravel all the way to Snöån, here I have passed Kåsen.

In Snöån I back was on asphalt surface again, the gravel road was actually smoother when not trying to avoid the pot holes!
Decided to take the longer route and headed for Björsjö.




Now so warm as it had been previously but when in the sunshine it was nice and cosy.
In Björsjö it was time to turn towards Smedjebacken.
The dam.
Made a short stop at lake Mörktjärnen and took a closer look.
Just before this lake a passed another Dammsjön, the imagination to come up with names wasn't so good I suppose? :)

Self portrait.
Bike portrait.

Kept going and after a long climb and a hillarious ride down I was in Smedjebacken.
Time to get some energy, had my second soft ice for the year at the same place as the first. Shell in Smedjebacken.
Not surprised the sun decided to hide behind the clouds the whole time I ate the ice cream...
Time to get to the next gravel stretch. Passed Gubbo where there was something going on in the Folketshus buildning.
Nice smooth roads here too, no loose surface, not much any way. :)
Starting to get late, think I had made 60km by now, but I didn't want to go home just yet.
Had to take a short brake in the steepest climb. Not sure what the building was used for.
Just keep climbing...
The forest groud here was covered with thimbleweed flowers!
Finally up on the hill! Schisshyttan.
Lake Skissen:
Now it was getting colder, but from here it's almost down hill all the way home. :)
After passing Håksberg I used the bike lane since the road is so narrow and the banister makes it even worse. Trying to avoid a man walking a dog I managed to hit a small stone laying on the asphalt dead on and puncture my front wheel just a few kilometers from home. *doh!*
Changed the tube and made it to Ludvika!
(I'll add some videos as soon as they are uploaded to youtube...)

A bit over 70km in around 3h. Comfort speed, enjoying the sights. =)