OGG

Ouachita Gravel Grinder was a success! Though I am wishing for a simple point and shoot camera after this event. It was cold and I wore gloves the whole time, which is no bueno for snapping iPhone pics.

This was such a great route. Gently twisting rolling gravel hills along the southern edge of the Ouachita national forest. I guess these were logging roads. Hard packed dirt. Few big rocks. No crazy switchback. descents or super steep climbs. I buddied up with a Strava friend and we talked the whole time. 4.5 hours went by in a blink of an eye. I didn’t start to feel strained until mile 45.

Nutrition was 1 bottle of Beta Fuel and 1 pack of Clif blocks. Afterwards I ate 6 fried catfish fillets, mashed potatoes and fried okra from a local grocery store.

This ride gave me the best feeling about riding in the Ouachitas. I’ve really only done one other ride in these woods and that route had a really tough climb with a hard descent as well. This was much more manageable for where I am in my fitness and bike handling. I hope they do this event again next year.