On Saturday morning we drove ~50 minutes to Clinton, SC for the recon group ride of the Gravel Battle Sumter Forest race. Southeast Gravel puts on great events and as an added feature, many of the events include a free recon ride to preview the course.
There must have been over 60 cyclists attending this group ride, which eventually split into the long route (74 miles) and short route (44 miles). We rolled out at 10am and finished the ride just before 2:30pm. We ended up with 70 miles, 4 hours and 19 minutes (including regroup stops and a water refill) and around 3000 feet of elevation gain. I like this gravel course because it has a nice mix of pavement and gravel and the longest gravel section is around 8 miles. The gravel sections can get a bit dicey due to lots of holes so you need to keep yourself focused throughout the entire ride. There are a few gravel hills but they mostly come near the end (with a few spaced out throughout the route) but much of the rolling hills are on the pavement. There is even a water crossing near the end of the ride which gives you something to look forward to throughout the ride. The roads are very quiet - aside from a few dogs which is very normal on country roads. If you are new to gravel riding or are looking for a great course to be competitive (or just to have fun), I recommend this course - or any of the Southeast Gravel series.
After a bit of time gravel biking, mountain biking and trail running, I quickly noticed how important appropriate sunglasses were for off-road riding (and running). As it relates to riding, sunglasses are not just to shield your eyes from the sun but they are protecting your eyes from debris. I can't tell you how many times I was pelted in the face with tiny rocks when riding on the gravel with the group.
With coverage and comfort in mind, here are a few other important features when selecting a good pair of off-road sunglasses:
-Adjustable nose piece
-Big lenses
-Durable
-Should not slip/fall off
-Comfortable and light
-Should not slip/fall off
-Comfortable and light
-Shape and lens tint/coating (to prevent eye strain)
-UV protection
-Air flow (vents)
Saturday was my first time wearing photochromic shades. From forested areas to the open road, my lenses constantly adjusted to the light, changing from dark to bright depending on the conditions. It was like having two pairs of sunglasses in one….a must for off-road riding.
When I received my Rudy Project Cutline Photochromic sunglasses, they were clear (as pictured on the left). But as I was riding, my sunglasses transitioned to a darker shade of purple. I was unaware of this change as I was able to see clearly throughout the entire ride - no matter if I was tucked in the forest with little sun, with the sun at my back or on the open road. Automatically adjusting to lighting conditions gives these sunglasses so much versatility than standard sunglasses. Of note, a photochromic lens is a transparent lens that reacts to light. It has an optimal filter that absorbs WV and infrared radiation while passing visible light. This results in the change of lens color from dark to clear/light. The lenses do not change instantly but take 30 seconds to a few minutes to adjust but they are a great option when you will be faced with different conditions.
Although my dad is no longer here, he was very passionate about his job as a VA optometrist and I know he would agree that no matter if you are a professional or competitive athlete or a fitness enthusiast, the right pair of sunglasses makes all the difference when you are off-road.
Because of their versatility, photochromic lenses are great for cycling in various conditions - especially for off-road riding. Take good care of your eyes and make sure to always wear sunglasses to protect them from sunlight, UV rays, dust, glare and debris.
Note: In doing some research for this post, I came across an article discussing the difference between photochromic and transitional lenses. I found that in many articles, the words were used interchangeably but here's a description of the difference:
"Photochromic or "adaptive" lenses darken when exposed to UV light, such as when you walk outdoors. When you are no longer exposed to the effects of UV, (i.e. walk indoors), the lenses return to their clear state. Transitions lenses are photochromic lenses that block 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays."