u/toaster404

Not too stiff, very nice steel bike. Currently 700C x 35 Gravel King plus or something like that, tubeless. Have herringbone thin tread. Seemed to do OK on the C&O at 40 psi. Didn't try loaded. They look thin and get mildly (no issue) squirrely on recent softer trail patches.

Would it be adviseable to pick up tires with more tread for riding a few days on C&O / GAP? I'm primarily thinking of overall tread thickness, but grip is also a consideration.

I can't fit larger tires with sufficient mud guard clearance, much as I'd like to pop up to 42 mm tires.

I can rig a balanced light touring load or take my BOB trailer. Very tempted by the trailer rig. But it adds some weight. Opinions/observations/warnings/funny stories?

I rarely see groups and don't ride in groups. Group started passing me on the left, single file, without a word or bell. Not moving much faster than I (loafing before the big hill). I thought they must be by, because of a gap, and popped in behind a couple of bike lengths back. Then there were more riders, the road opened up, and I was in their midst. I just joined in. Then politely made my way to the right for my turn, with signals and vocal adjustments.

Was this correct for the DC metro? Would it have been better to slow, let the carbon crowd go by? I certainly wasn't going to be dropped, they were going about the speed I do normally.

Nice IQ-X headlight. Aluminum mud guard. Stock mount is for brake bolt. Believe it will work on the mud guard, but overly long heavy awkward ugly. Any existing other type of mount? Any proven hack for direct mount on mud guard using adapted and common cycle or other junk? I've gone through my misc box and haven't found anything useful.

Thanks much