I'm a 62 yr old retired (mostly) bricklayer living in Mt. Vernon, IA USA. I've been riding since 'round '70, first in the Austin, TX area, and then on the east coast---NC., D.C. & Long Island. Recreational & club riding, occasional extended tours, both supported and not. Have begun gravel road excursions the last several years, since moving to rural east central Iowa ten years ago-----there's a dearth of decent paved roads in this area. I've several bikes built up & shod w 28c+ tires that serve nicely. Just me and the cows and the pigs and the corn & soybeans....! This time of the year I put my fixies on the road for a change of pace. Highly recommended! I've become something of a bike collector the last 15 or so yrs, with a hundred or so hanging in my "bike space" downtown. I'm a big fan of American builders, Bruce Gordon in particular. There's a lot of talent out there! Surely the bicycle is the most beautiful invention.