Wilder Ranch off-road

Around the time I started learning about randonneuring, I was also introduced to Bicycle Quarterly. Jan's articles have got me thinkng a lot about what makes a good all around bike. 

Aside from this I like to prove that I can ride my friction shifting drop bar road bike  in places that it "can't handle".

My 700c 32mm Grand Bois tires handled the fireroads and loose gravel climbs like a champ. The 90s Shimano 105 SLR brakes stopped when I needed them to.

Besides chain slap and low bottom bracket height, the rando road bike did great on the fireroads, singletrack and the downhill section of the Old Cabin trail. I was even able to take a larger berm with confidence.