Sadly, many events have fallen afoul of the Covid-19 pandemic. Cancelled were my two favourite road races Paris Roubaix and the Strade Bianche.

I had also been looking forward to pedalling the Pavédemark on April 12 a tribute to Paris Roubaix.

The Pavédemark hosted by Brelinger Berg Night and Day features a course with pave (kopfsteinpflaster) sectors.

On today’s ride, I could pedal with bare legs and my chocolate muesli bar melted in the spring sunshine. I mostly followed an asphalt dominated route linked by nine sections of gravel from the Gutingi Strade Bianchi and a wee bit of the All Along the Watchtower rides.

Although I had to soft pedal at times as I get over a bug the ride was great fun and the gravel is almost white. I did have to be super careful as the road bike can be very lively on the rough stuff and its tough on the body.

My bike was set up as I would have ridden it on the Pavédemark with a 11/23 rear cassette and a 50 big chain ring. I fitted a 28 Gravelking slick tyre on the front and a 26 on the rear to a pair of Vuelta´s I´ve had in store for quite a while.

I am looking forward to riding the Pavédemark in 2021 and reviving memories of the five times I have ridden the Paris Roubaix Sportive.

The Ride
Garmin Connect: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/4801980067
Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/3316769726

Note: this ride was based on one I took earlier in the week – https://www.strava.com/activities/3302254021

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