Excited About Dirt

In the early '70's I was intrigued with riding my 'ten speed' on gravel roads. I was finding gravel everywhere I looked ...that turned out to be doable on 27 x 1.25 tires. I was not flatting and I was not falling and I was finding brand new turf to ride. My roommate and friends were shaking their heads, "Why does he want to pedal on dirt?" A half-dozen years later bicycles were designed to ride dirt and 'mountain bikes' were born. Here we are, more than fifty years later, and cyclists are once again excited about taking to the dirt roads. A whole different type of enthusiast wants to pedal on dirt. Roadies, tired of the brutality of sharing the asphalt with semi-conscious motorists are now seeking-out dirt roads and trails for exercise and peace of mind.