Hello, since the pandemic has changed my job to 100% work from home with no plans to go back to the office and the housing market is very good in my area. My wife and I have decided to sell our home and travel for the next year in our fifth wheel. I can only fit one of my bikes on the rack so I could use some help deciding which one to take.
I have a Salsa Spearfish FS and a brand new Salsa Journeyman gravel bike. Both have powermeters. I’m not taking my trainer so all my workouts will be outdoors. I’m leaning towards the gravel bike since the Spearfish requires a bit more maintenance with the front and rear suspension and it’s older.
As of right now, we’ve planned the following destinations. Ashville NC, Charleston SC, St, Augustine FL, Port St. Joe, FL. We’ll be back in Michigan around the holidays and then heading west.
Seems like an easy decision. Any place with MTB riding will have solid rentals nearby specific to that terrain. The Gravel bike will pack easier and be useful in more places.
Just because you start with ‘no judgement’ doesn’t make your post magically non judgemental ;).
To OP: I would take the gravel bike. It’s just more versatile. If you want to run errands for example, it’s just easier. Plus I think it’s easier to explore your extended neighbourhood of the places you will go.
Have fun. Sounds like you have an awesome adventure ahead of you!
Sounds to me like it’s not a year long bike trip, but working on the road and being fortunate enough to bring a bike. Nothing wrong with downsizing and simplyfying on such a trip. I guess it’s up to everyone’s priorities. I wouldn’t bring two bikes either.
As a general remark your post sounds quite bitter and envious (not sure if that was intended).Probably a bad attitude in a cycling forum since a lot of people spend their money on their hobby according to their own liking. It actually made me chuckle a little bit seeing all your $$$ signs. The gravel bike including the power meter costs probably less than the average carbon wheelset people talk about here. OP also didn’t ask about an opinion on his/her live choices or automotive purchases but just about help choosing between two bikes. So back on topic: I recommend take the gravel bike.
Thanks for the feedback. It’s definitely not a year long bike trip. With work and my daughters school being at home for the year, we’re taking this rare opportunity to travel and see the country (or as much of it is open right now).
What an awesome idea - way to make the best of the situation! I’m jealous (I usually spend a few weeks a year in the US and no idea when that will happen again).
The ideal is obviously both bikes, but gravel bikes are really ‘do it all’ bikes. You can still take it on easier trails and have a ton of fun, and much nicer on road/dirt roads. If you were going to Colorado/Utah I’d probably say MTB, but even then as pointed out, renting would be a really good option. I have a CX bike and MTB - the CX is the work horse doing 'cross, gravel, road, bimbling, commuting, quick runs to town, etc. Much more versatile.
St. Augustine, just north of the Old Jail, take the Vilano Causeway over the Usina Bridge to Vilano Beach, then North on A1A. Nice, straight ride next to the ocean with some light ups and downs, bike lane shoulders and not a lot of traffic. A1A south you’d need to go much further out of St. Aug. Lots of local cyclists out on Saturday mornings when I’ve ridden it. The gas station just south of Guana (GTM NERR) is about the 60/40 split point for the Mickler’s Landing turn around and a popular stop.
Guana has MTB trails, but don’t know if they play nice with gravel bikes.
I know a few other low traffic roads in the area if you’re willing to drive to them, though on some you may be pretty isolated for long stretches. The stretch along the St. Johns on FL-13 (runs from just north of Palatka to Mandarin in south Jacksonville) is a shady, scenic stretch–except when the wind blows the Spanish moss parallel with the ground.
