I was almost entirely shut down from riding last weekend with crappy weather. I got out, but since it was raining I took zero pictures! Thankfully, this weekend is better and I snuck out in the country with my FujiFilm X Half and my WHB Ripper. I have some new socks too!

I rode my WHB which I’ve written about many times. It is almost as if every time I ride it, I make some modification. It is such a fun bike and a true chameleon. It’s also by far my most ridden bicycle of 2026. Today, I was trying out some new Wilderness Trail Bikes gravel tires (intended for my fast wheels and drop bar bicycle) as well as experimenting with SRAM AXS and how it performs with Shimano cassette and chain. I’ll get to that in a bit.

Today, I simply wanted to have fun & unscripted photos so I took the toy like, Fujifilm X half. It also weighs next to nothing so that was a plus today too. Every shot here is using their 2 in 1 feature plus mirror function found either in camera or in the app. So here goes.

*Most importantly, I got some new Campandgoslow socks! 1st ride! I like them.*

New Wilderness Trail Bikes gravel tires - Byway 700 ×50

Just a quick comment on the tires. Do they look like road slicks? Well….I think they are. Fast and fun and work pretty great on my dual pavement and champaign, midwest gravel roads. That said, they are a bit sketchy when the gravel is on the chonky side.

Here are a few shots of the bike. This set up is just so damn good.

*Two of my favorite things, my Cedaro frame bag fitted perfectly with my WHB ripper!*

OK…How about a few pics from the country side? Yes please!

*Every post needs at least one black and white photo, right?*

*Trees. I like trees and this photo just worked so well with the mirror function. It’s my favorite shot of the day!*

OK…Just a few quick notes about the new stuff and my findings today on the Shimano chain & cassette with SRAM 12 AXS Derailleur and electronic shifting.

New WTB Byways 700 × 50 tires. Fast feeling. Feels like a big road slick because it essentially is. I won’t talk about the aero claim of these tires. That is just dumb for me and not important. I wanted a fast 50 for my 50/50 gravel & pavement rides I do. They fit the bill perfectly for our smooth & fast gravel and of course on pavement. I’d get something with some tread if there was even a hint of new gravel or wet weather.

Shimano GRX 11-45 12 speed cassette with Shimano chain with SRAM AXS shifting. Honestly, I think the Shimano cassette and chain work better on this system than with a SRAM cassette and chain. I simply think it shifts smoother and quieter with the Shimano cassette & chain

And that’s a wrap for today. I plan to get out tomorrow too. Who knows what ride that will be, but I know it will be a good one!

FujiFilm Half Fun and New Bits

Not Bikes