Sunday, September 27, 2009

A Dream Ride - Mary's Peak Loop

Living in Corvallis puts some great rides at in your back yard.  One of those is the Mary's Peak Loop.  This ride has it all, and it is more like a "triangle" which starts at the end of Woods Creek road.  From there is about a 3 mile ride up the log road to the East Rim trailhead.  Then it is a 2 mile climb to the "top" parking lot.  From there it is a 5 mile decent on the North Rim trail.  This ride has it all stunning views, miles of single track, rocks, roots, drops, logs, and fast decents.  There is even a "trials" type log ride at the end.  If you like to mountain bike, this is a ride you have to do.  Once you arrive at the "top" parking lot, you can also continue on the gravel road up to the very top (about 1/2 a mile) where on a clear day you can see the Cascades and the Pacific Ocean.

If you are not such a great technical rider, then instead of going down the North Rim trail, ride back down the East Rim trail and then the road back to the car.  You can also drive up the paved Mary's Peak road and park and the mid-way parking lot at the East Rim trailhead and ride it up and down.  The North Rim trail also continues down along Woods Creek Road if your more single track.

One more point of advice, this trail is best enjoyed when it is dry.  There are a lot of root crossing and they get very slick when wet. We did this ride in 1.5 hours and the distance was 10 miles and 2,300 feet of climb. If none of this makes sense, here is a trail map (note the 2005 road is the Woods Creek Road) http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/recreation/tripplanning/maryspeak/index.shtml#trails


Picture Point - East Rim Trail

Among the Tall Ones - East Rim Trail

Brothers at the Top

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Routine Maintenance

Do you ever have one of those visits to the bike shop? I know I should do move of my own maintenance, but right now I just don't have the time (or a decent bike stand), plus I'm a rider. Like a Formula One racer, he pulls into the pits and a team takes care of him and sends him back on the track. That's how I look at my two favorite bike shops in town. I bring it in and they send me back out. So this visit started with some play in the upper shock linkage. I was pretty sure the bearings were done, but I couldn't find the right allen wrench (I had all but the one I needed), so I took it by Jon at Peak Sports. I like Jon, he used to own his own shop and he also maintains on his own, one of my favorite rides (The Ritz). A good bike shop experience requires the right mechanic, and there are some I like better than others.

Turns out I was only finger tight, so the play improved when tightened, but the bearings did need to be replaced, as he inspected it, so did the rear shift cable, chain, sprocket, chain rings, and break pads! Unlike a "shady car mechanic", he pointed out each concern and let me get an "up close and personal" look. So the loose screw turned into about $200.

Now, I might save $50 in labor if I did it myself, but it would take me longer, and take up time that I don't have, so I'm glad the shop will do it. Plus, I like supporting my local economy and bike shops. My real point though is that you have to maintain your bike. If you ride hard and year round like the "Old Men" do, you need to take care of your bike so you'll have confidence in it, and so it will keep you safe.

I've been very surprised to hear comments from my riding partners like "I haven't replaced my chain in two or more years" or "I haven't changed my break pads in a year," or "I've never had my shock serviced." I figure if you are going to spend $4,000 (msrp) then you know you are going to spend $200 to $300 a year on parts and maintenance. It is a finely engineered piece of equipment, not a K-Mart look a like. So you need to take care of it, that way you'll know it will be there and ready to ride. That confidence will allow you be able to push your riding limits as a result.

Now go ride!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Why I Should be a Stumpjumper Trail Crew Memeber

As you know, I'm a Stumpjumper fan (I'm on #3 in Test Bike Blue), not just because it is made by Specialized, but because that bike was made for the Northwest. As the leader of the "Old Men's Bike Club" we are riding all the time, year round, night and day, and all rides in this part of the country are either up or down, rocky or roots and the Stumpy takes it all. Specialized is looking for people to be members of their 2010 Stumpjumper Trail Crew, and here are my "Top 10 Reasons" why they should select me to be a member:

1. I love to ride, I ride almost every day, which includes the 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning rides that I lead, along with the Wednesday and Thursday 9:30 p.m. night rides that I some times lead. Riding is what it is all about, with a crew, some one new, or just a solo.

2. I love to map the trails (see http://www.localhikes.com/getHikes.asp?Search=1&getreporter=ccole&getHikebyReporter=Yes) and I send these out with every Saturday ride I plan.

3. I love to plan "epics" like the Corvallis to Coast ride which is 60 miles and 7,000 feet of climb.

4. I enjoy talking about mountain biking and reporting on the conditions of the local trails as evidenced by this blog. (http://corvallismountainbiking.blogspot.com/)

5. I am a rider, not really a racer. I look for the new trails and ride the old ones, though as I near 50, I have been thinking about doing an endurance race or mini-triathlon. It is really all about just getting out there, single, XX, for 27, ridgid, hard tail, or full on, Cross, DH, etc. it doesn't matter as long you get off the couch.

6. I represent the "older" group of riders, as I turn 50 at the start of 2010.

7. I always carry a camera to document the rides, trails, and the great views (see facebook http://www.facebook.com/editpicture.php?success=1#/album.php?aid=51563&id=651351107)

8. I live in a town of about 50,000 (20,000 of which are college students) and we have 7 bike shops.

9. I live within a few hours of the McKenzie Trail, Oak Ridge, North Umpqua Trail, Hood River, Ashland, Black Rock, and Mary's Peak.

10. I'm a Specialized Club member, and I read Mountain Bike Action, Mountain Bike, Bike, and Outside magazines cover to cover.

I've got the time, desire, and will. I think it would be a great opportunity to spread the joys of owning and riding a (Specialized) mountain bike.

Pain II

In my past "Pain" post (see March 1, 2009) I talked about how Mountain Bikers are the true pain masters, as riding a mountain bike in the Northwest at least is all about painful workouts known as climbs (no shuttles here). This time I would like to talk about the physical injury side of mountain biking.

"Look at the scenery, become the scenery" has been a true statement lately. I joined Jim "the plumber" by getting "marbled" (like riding on a pool table covered in marbles). Jim lead with his wrist on a night ride on his cross bike, I was done with the ride and was on the flats when the front end washed out and I led with my hip. The resulting bruise covered my hip, ran down the inside of my leg and finished below the back side of my knee. I could still ride, but it made sleeping difficult. A few years back I had to have my left hip drained three times after a similar hard bruise, so I didn't wait this time, and had it drained after a week.

After our Saturday ride this past week, we a few "blackberry bites" which are common during this time of the year and that night the "Mossman" showed me his hip bruise from a crash in Bend.

So why am I talking about all this? I read an article in a mountain bike magazine that summed it up, the article talked about the new bike park the City of Seattle had built under a highway over pass. Their concern was liability, and they said, "It took some getting used to, that mountain bikers when they crash don't sue, but take pictures." That about sums it up, and it is a credit to the type of people who enjoy this kind of "pain." So, here are a few pictures...(now if I could only get some sympathy when I come home looking like this)




Sunday, August 16, 2009

Let the Riding Continue...

I finally have time to catch up on the events of the last 6 weeks. The week after the C2C '09 event, a number of us took about fifty 16-18 year old young men on a three day camping adventure along the McKenzie. The first day is hiking, the second is mountain biking, and the third is floating the McKenzie.

I arrived Wednesday night and road from Trailbridge up to the Blue Pool as a night ride. That was wild and fun. The next day was a hike up to Tam McArther Rim (a recommend hike for anyone). That afternoon I went on a ride half-way down the lower McKenzie Trail section and back up. Then that night we shuttled up to the Clear Lake camp ground and did the top section as a night ride. The next morning I road the lower section with Todd and Eric to put up signs for the boys (just to make sure) and then hammered the road back to Trailbridge, just in time to grab a quick bite and then lead out the the first group of five 10 boy teams on the lower half again.

I've never spent that much time riding this trail, but doing it over and over like that made me appreciate even more and realize why it was Bike Magazine 2009 Trail of the Year. Even better that it is 1.5 hours from my house!

The following week another adventure started when my brother's wife called on Thursday and said that for his birthday, my brother wanted to ride to the coast again just the two of us! So the next morning at 5:48 a.m. we rolled out of Bald Hill parking lot hammered out the C2C again. Our goal was to set the record for saddle time and total time. We clipped along the first 30 miles with hardly a rest, but I started to feel it after that (maybe not enough food or liquid), and my pace slowed for the next 15 miles. I got my legs back at "picture point" and we cruised for the final 15 miles. We arrived at 1:17 p.m. with a total time of 7 hours 29 minutes and saddle time of 6:26 minutes, both new records. We almost made it without a flat, but as Darin washed off his bike, the tire was flat.

I normally feel fine after the C2C, but this time I was spent. I ate and drank everything I could get my hands on. Then that night we went to Izzy's and I again ate everything in sight. Then next morning after a 10 mile ride up McCulloch and back we had a big breakfast and I finally then felt recovered!

After a few more weeks of excellent night rides and Saturday rides, I finished off the six weeks of riding fun with one more trip down the McKenzie Trail. This time there where 8 of us, and it was one of the best large group trips I have ever been on. The rule of thumb is you add 5 mins to your expected time for every rider in your party. But not this time, we left Corvallis at 5:45 a.m. and picked Frank up at 6:00 at I-5. We arrived and the trail head and finished all the shuttling so that we were riding at 8:30. We rolled into Belnap Hot Springs 21.5 miles later at 11:45 with 2 hours and 22 minutes of saddle time. Everyone road fast and tight and there wasn't a mechanical problem. We were in Sweet Home by 1:30 eating A&W Burgers and home by 2:30 p.m. A perfect trip.

What have I learned in the last 6 weeks? That I have a great circle of riding buddies and as James Sharp says, only a Mountain Bike makes you 14 again.


At Sahalie Falls


Frank, Craig, Geoff, Ryan, James, Chad, James, Zack on the McKenzie


Geoff on "the Gap"


Chad on "the ladder"


James, Zack, Chad, and Ryan on the McKenzie

Mile 10 on the C2C
Darin at "Picture Point" mile 50 on the C2C

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Epic Rides - C2C 2009

What started out as a question from my brother Darin (think we can ride to Mom and Dad's house?), has turned into an annual "adventure" of epic proportions. Now that sounds impressive, but the C2C is not so much about "great" mountain bike riding and more about coming together and having fun and testing yourself.

The 2009 C2C Invitational Ride was no different. It was full of fun, challenge, and beautiful views of the coast range. This year was also full of new things like flats (and more flats), a lost rider, and many lessons learned. The course winds through a lot of gravel fire roads, some pavement, a little single track with lots of climbing. It requires about 6.5 hours of saddle time, 64 miles, and a little over 6,000 feet of climbing or as I like to say, "30 miles up and 30 miles down."

The weather was perfect as we left Corvallis at 5:45 a.m. with a sunny sky and a temperature of 51 degrees. We avoided the traditional "event" in the first mile of past years (lost cleat screw, broken chain, etc), which gave us a false sense of security. In three past years there has never been a flat, but this year changed that as was a record (never to be broken we hope) of 10 flats! And not just in one area, but all along the route by different riders

Another change this year was a record 12 bikes and 14 riders. The two extra riders resulted from one of our members riding the coolest mountain tandem. He road the first 30 with one of his sons (I think he was about 6) and the second 30 with one of his other sons (who I think is about 8). Amazing.

The C2C is an invitational, but that is loose definition. Our only requirement is that a person be in shape (we have test rides leading up to the C2C to check on that) and that you fit into the "spirit" of the ride. This isn't a race, but a test of "team" and "endurance" and it is not a place for egos. This year was no different. Even with 12 adults and a number of delays (including our lost rider), there was nothing but support, encouragement, humor, laughter, and some great riding. It always amazes me (or I've been lucky in choosing my riding companions) the special people mountain bike riders are (I guess I would have to say in my case, cross country riders). I just don't see the egos, but I'm sure they are out there.

The "lost" rider lesson came when the group got ahead of one of the riders, then didn't do a head count at a major intersection and headed off. There was a buddy system, but it more out of fun, and we learned a few things about large group rides and what to do if you are the lost one.

All the flats and delay from the "lost" incident and regular rest stops pushed us past our goal of making South Beach by 2:00 p.m. as we rolled in at 4:15 p.m, not as slow as the first year, but not as fast as our best year. But who cares, it isn't a race remember.

Lessons Learned 2009
1. When you assign buddies, make sure people know each other by their face, especially when you two or three with the same names.
2. If you are going to assign buddies then use them
3. With a large group, always to head counts at each major intersection
4. If you get lost, stay put, and let the rest of the group come to you.
5. Tubeless tires and Stan's is the only way to go.


Harris Covered Bridge 10 miles


Starker Forest Park 20 miles


I hate "Stinging Nettles" 25 miles

Stinging Nettle Lane 25 miles

Riding "The Nettles" mile 26

Lunch on top of the Randall Saddle mile 35


The "Crew" South Beach, Oregon mile 64

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Trail Animals

Went to the Zoo last week and it got me thinking about all the animals that I have seen on the trails around Corvallis. Of course just about every ride I see deer. One night on a ride through Chip Ross Park I saw 14. I have also seen rabbits, mice, squirrels, turkeys, a skunk, and a porcupine. Two weeks ago we chased a pair of coyotes down the trail and about 4 weeks ago while I was climbing Dan's I had stare down with a bobcat for about a minute from 10 yards. I haven't seen the mountain line, and I'm pretty sure I saw a black bear. Biggest scare was on the Coast ride when James and I surprised an elk (or he surprised us) as we came around the corner on a downhill. Lots of bugs, salamanders, snakes, etc. Of course there are always dogs, a cat or two, cows and a lots of horses (but do they count as "wild" animals). Just one more reasons why riding in Corvallis the best.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Bend - America's Top MTB Town

Just one more reason why Oregon is the place to be if you are a mountain bike rider!

MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION MAGAZINE NAMES BEND AMERICA’S TOP MOUNTAIN BIKING TOWN IN MAY 2009 ISSUE (copied from the Bend Real Estate Guide)

Bend Beats Out Other Popular Destinations Including Moab, Utah, Crested Butte and Durango, Colo., and Marin, Calif., For Top Honors

(BEND, OR.)—It’s not even April, yet the May 2009 issue of Mountain Bike Action magazine is out and so is the secret about Bend’s mountain biking scene. In a feature story titled, “America’s Top Mountain Biking Town: 35 reasons why Bend, Oregon, rules,” Mountain Bike Action (circulation 66,239)editors praised everything from access and lodging, to weather and friendly locals as reasons why they made their ultimate decision. “To prevail over such respected mountain biking destinations as those we were up against is a perfect example of Bend’s business community rallying together to support tourism and leave a positive and lasting impression on the editors that will reap rewards for years to come,” said Doug LaPlaca, president and CEO of Visit Bend. “From Cog Wild Bicycle Tours and Phoenix Inn, to Green Energy Transportation, Deschutes Brewery and several local bike shops and other businesses, this honor is truly a city-wide achievement.”

During a four-day visit to Bend last September, editor-in-chief Jim McIlvain and assistant editor John Ker spent several days touring Bend with representatives of Visit Bend and Cog Wild Bicycle Tours. Their riding itinerary featured three full-day trips, including Cog Wild’s Ochoco Mountain, Cascade Lakes, and Bachelor-to-Bend tours.

The May issue of Mountain Bike Action began arriving in subscribers’ mailboxes late last week, and will be available on newsstands in early April. It will also be available on the Mountain Bike Action web site, www.mbaction.com.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Trail of the Year 2008

This is the time when mountain bike magazine's pick a "trail of the year", which of course is subjective. This year Bike magazine had a different approach with 11 different categories along with "trail of the year." Oregon is the best place to mountain bike (I feel) because you can ride year round, you get to ride in four seasons, and you can ride in desert, thick forests, flats and lots and lots of climbing. It is the best of everything and it is nice to see this special place get national attention. This year, Bike magazine picked the McKenzie River Trail as "Trail of the Year" and it is well deserved. Also the North Umpqua River Trail as best "Must Ride Trail." And the trail system around Hood River was honorable mention in "Best Home Town Trail." Here is a full list of the "Bests."

Best Descent - Porcupine Rim, Moab, UT
CBC, North Vancouver, BC
Downieville Downhill, Downieville, CA

Best Flow - Sidewinder Trail, East Burke, VT
Jem Trail, Hurricane, UT
Zippety Do Da, Fruita, CO

Best Fully Committed Trail - Kokopelli Trail, Fruita, CO to Moab, UT
Wasatch Trail, Telluride, CO
Monarch Crest, Salida, CO

Best Lift-Served Trail - A-Line, Whistler, BC
Boondocks, Northstart at Tahoe, CA
Powerline, Snowshoe, WV

Best Hometown Trail - Blue Mountain, Peekskill, NY
Hood River, OR
Marquette, MI

Best Climb - Teocali Ridge, Crested Butte, CO
Amasa Back, Moab, UT
Black Mountain Trail, Pisgah, NC

Best Trail Network - Kingdom Trails, East Burke, VT
Brown County Trails, Nashville, IN
Park City, UT

Best Destination - Crested Butte, CO
Sedona, AZ
Moab, UT

Best Must-Ride Trail - North Umpqua River Trail
Dirt Merchant, Whistler, BC
Seven Summits, Rossland, BC (trail of the year 2007)

Best Technical Trail - Lynn Woods, Lynn, MA
Upper Oil Can, North Vancouver, BC
Plantation Trail, Davis, WV

Best Tight 'N Twisty Trail - Deadman's Gulch, Crested Butte, CO
Cut Yer Bars, Whistler, BC
Seventh Secret, Vancouver, BC

Trail of Year - McKenzie River Trail, McKenzie Bridge, OR
401 Trail, Crested Butte, CO
Monarch Crest Trail, Salida, CO

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Mountin Bike Bucket List

This is from the March 2009 issue of Mountain Bike Action. This is their list of the 100 things you need to do befor you "kick" the mountain bike bucket (x = I've done it): My current score "34"

1. Ride Crested Butte, Colorado
2. Ride Whistler Mountain Bike Park
3. Ride a new Rock-Shox Boxxer fork.
4. Ride La Fenasosa Bike Park in Spain
x 5. ENter an MBA subscription sweepstakes
6. Use the plastic brake stop to keep your brake pads from moving while stransorting your bike with a wheel off.
7. Visit Mellow Johnny's: Lance Armstrong's bike shop inAustin, Texas
8. Ride a fork with a new 15 mm thru-axle
9. Ride outside Whistler in Pemberton
10. Ride the main loop on Goosberry Mesa, Utah
11. Race a cross-country mountain bike race
12. Try Shimano's Thermo-Form shoes
13. Volunteer at a local youth mountain bike club
x14. Ride Specialized brand of tires
15. Ride a Giant Trance
16. Use a CO2 cartridge to fill a tire
17. Do an overnighter in the wilderness
18. Race a Super D-event
19. Watch a riding partner who just flew past you crash!
20. Ride Sun Valley's trail network
x21. Test ride a Niner
22. Race the iceman Cometh
x23. Do a night ride
x24. Ride from the base of amountain into a snowstorm
25. Ride Ashville, NC
26. Ride Sedona, AZ
x27. Take somebody on their first real mountain bike ride
x28. Take a $5,000 plus bike ride on a demo ride
x29. Stop to enjoy a spectacular view
x30. Wear a T-Shirt from the Fox Racing Shox's clothing line
31. Ride a single-speed
32. Try handlebars an inch wider than you're using now
x33. Do a night ride with only the moon light to guide you
x34. Volunteer for trail maintenance
35. Take cover from a lightning storm.
36. Visit Troy Lee Designs showroom
x37. Swap a tire in less than five minutes
x38. Learn to adjust your rear derailleur (thanks James)
x39. Learn to replace your brake pads
40. Ride anywhere in Southern California (in the winter)
41. Ride 5 of the 7 parks on Louisiana's I-20 corridor.
42. Do a shuttle run at Downieville, CA
43. Visit Durango and ride the Colorado & Hermosa Trails
44. Sneak into the Interbike trade-only show (thanks James??)
x45. Carry a shock pump in your hydration pack
x46. Ride with clipless pedals
47. Visit Evolultion bike shop at Whitler, say "Hi" to Jenine & Jon
48. Attend a park or forest planning meeting
49. Lead a lost hiker to safety
50. Build a jump bike and learn how to tabletop
51. Ride a Trek with ABP suspension
52. Ride Ray's MTB Indoor park near Cleveland
x53. Make friends with a hourse rider on the trail
x54. Take a camera with you on your ride
55. Ride the Womble trail in Hot Springs, Arkansas
56. Attend the summer Gravity Camp in Whistler
57. Stake Ned Overend's hand
x58. Change somebody else's flat tire
59. Learn to replace your derailleur cables
60. Ride Slickrock at Moab, Utah, and then ride the real trails
61. Ride Ashland, Oregon trail network
x62. Fix up and old bike and give it to somebody who can't afford it.
63. Join IMBA
x64. Break something important on your bike during a ride and figure out a way to ride it out
x65. Enjoy the feel of new grips and tires.
66. Ride Cooper Canyon in Mexico
67. Attend Crankworx Festival
68. Test ride a Giant Glory DH
x69. Find a shoe that fits you perfectly
x70. Put an adjustable seat post on your bike
71. Ride a Scott Genius
72. If you downhill, ride Mavic's
73. Watch The Collective's film "Seasons."
x74. Make a 20-song training mix and crank it
x75. Clear the climb that you've never cleared
x76. Really learn how to use your brakes
x77. Teach a new rider to give right of way to a rider who is climbing
x78. Show somebody a trail they didn't know about
x79. Take a kid on a mountain bike ride
80. Eat a giant bean & cheese burrito after an epic ride
81. High-five "The King" Steve Peat
x82. Talk to kids about bike safety
83. Ride at Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City, NV
84. Build your own pump track
85. Bleed your own brakes
x86. Show more appreciation to bike shop employees who bleed brakes
x87. Use a GPS to track a ride
88. Get a video camera and mount it to your helmet or bike
89. Ride the North Umpqua Trail (James?)
90. Take a three to five day guided mountain bike tour
91. Ride a pump track
x92. Ride tubeless tires
93. Ride Snowshoe, West Virginia
94. Ride Highland Mountain Bike Park in New Hampshire
95. Ride a Santa Cruz Blur LT
96. Do a mountain bike packing trip
97. Race a 24-hour race with your friends
98. Attend a mountain bike World Cup
99. Check out don Hampton's collection of mountain bike videos at www.dh-productions.com
100. Attend the Sea Otter Classic
81.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Pain

Mountain Biking is all about pain. Roadies can only get pain after 150 miles, Mountain Bikers in about 4 miles. Crossbikers don't count, because they just go around in circles repeating the same "pain" and never learning from it. So that only leaves Mountain Bikers. We have pain going up and many times coming down (depending on the trail), some of it is the nature of the "beast" which is why I got into mountain biking to begin with. I liked the hard quick workout I got.

But some pain is self-inflicted. I was thinking about this Friday on my 6:30 a.m. ride up McCulloch. I started at the Sulfur Springs bridge and road up the 870 "Alien" road then up the main road to McCullock Peak. It was 28 degrees and as I started out I realized I had left my cleats at home. Thus I road with regular shoes on SPD pedals. As I climbed, I could only push, no pulling. On a positive note, I did like my new Ergon 2 grips with bar-ends. Very nice and I highly recommend them.

So I could only push up the climb, no pulling. Near the top I climbed in about 2" of snow. Once on top of the wall, I went down the back side on the 700 Road and got the perfect "slushy" ice-pick headache. So I turned off and took the "Rocky Road" trail down, which was in great shape because of the rock, but there was a river of water running down the trail. So, I didn't get muddy, but I still got wet.

I got to bottom and back to the car, tired but happy that I made it, and more impressed that I did that ride without cleats in about an hour.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Why We Live and Ride in Corvallis

Corvallis is a special place, it is small, has great bike shops, with great riding in your back yard. But one very special point is the weather. I have a lot of friends (even those in Bend) who have to put away their bikes or move to the trainer because they can't ride outside. In Corvallis we can ride year round, and not just on gravel fire roads. Generally there is good single track year round except in the early spring when the warm rains come. For example through most of January and most of February we had cold dry conditions so the single track trails were in great shape. That's why Corvallis is one of the best places for Mountain Bikers.

With Fenders

Without Fenders


Saturday, February 7, 2009

Firsts

There are all kinds of "firsts" in outdoor adventure activities. Many want to be the first to say they were first. Then they can talk about their "first" assent of this place or that place. Others just want to do something that no one else has done. The rest of us have firsts, but they are personal firsts. The first time I have climbed this, road that, or done this.

I love riding favorite trails, but there is something about riding a new trail for the first time. Today was one of those days. The "Old Men Seven AM" (which is an every Saturday ride at 7:00 a.m.) road up to almost the top of Forest Peak on the "roads" then came down what I think is called "Stairway to Heaven" which is a wonderful ride, as we came out on the road (this was my second time riding this section) I said to Frank, "There must be a connector, there is to much gravel road left to go down." Sure enough Frank found it on the other side of the road and away we went on some wonderful new single track that came out on Wristman Creek. I need to learn the names, but it is well worth the climb up to enjoy the ride down.

I really enjoy the "firsts" of a new trail. Seeing where it goes, where it comes out, thinking about who put it there and wanting to thank them. Riding in the MacDunn is beautiful, and this was a perfect example. Old grown, new growth, moss, nice lines and a wonderful view as we crossed one of the log roads, of a perfect "tunnel" of evergreens on each side of the lane. It was a memorable "first" and that will soon become a "favorite."

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Morning Rides

I like morning rides because most of the time I'm alone, things are quiet, the animals are out, and I don't have to worry about hitting someone coming up the single track. Plus, it seems like the weather is also just waking up. There are many times when I finish riding about 8:30 a.m. that the rain starts, but not before. You also get to experience the "warming effect" of a morning ride. For instance, I started at the Oak Creek gate at 7:00 a.m. on MLK day and it was 24 degrees. An hour later (60:47 to be exact, I know not a real fast time, but steady) I reach the bench on the top of McCulloch Peak and it is 39 with a stunning view. I get an ice pick coming down after the South Side Slip because it is only 27 at the car.

This is the same reason I like night rides, not riding in the dark, but a night ride which start about 9:30 p.m. The weather quiets down and the animals are back out and we don't have to worry about running into anyone coming up the trails.

I mention that because also on MLK day, my wife wanted to hike, so we also started at the Oak Creek gate at 1:00 p.m. and hiked up to the "half way" bench just before you get to the Endo trail head. In that 1.5 hour round trip we saw about 20+ hikers, numerous dogs, and 10 mountain bikers (where we you at 7:00 a.m?). It was like grand central. Now I admit, the Oak Creek gate like the Saddle is the Highway of Mac Forrest, but still in the morning even on a busy use day, you have the place to yourself.

The other advantage of early morning or late night rides is that you have the entire day to do everything else you need or be with the family. I find they are much more supportive of me riding when it doesn't doesn't impact the family or become a "burden."

Thursday, January 1, 2009

New Year - Same Story - Snow and Mud

New Year's morning with the annual ride up McCulloch. Darin, Ryan and I went up the "traditional" way. Climbed the first half of "the Wall" then ran into snow on the road. It was thick and slick. We had to push up the second half of The Wall. Once we made the junction at the ridge we decided to head back down, but went the back way down the the wall bypass thinking it would be better. Big mistake. No one had gone that way and the snow was so deep and thick that going down hill I was stopped and didn't fall over. We didn't get rained up going up, but did coming down, and it hasn't stopped raining yet.


Why wash it, it will just get dirty tomorrow


Fenders, we don't need no stinking fenders


Darin on his new "Redline 29'r" hardtail 9-speed