Riding at Night - Cheap Lights 2018

I have been night riding for 13+ years and doing it year round. The "Old Men" bike club (OMMBC) ride year round and we normally start at 8:00 p.m. Night riding adds excitement back into a local trail that you ride over and over. Some people think that is "crazy, but you drive your car at 70 miles an hour in the rain all because you have good car lights.  Mountain biking at night is no different. With good lights you can go just about as fast as you can during a daylight ride.

Now there are excellent light companies out there with excellent lights and great features, but they are expensive and I just didn't like the idea of taking something that expensive out in the rain and also the potential crash with it.  I'm also a realest (or in other words a cheap guy) so I buy cheap lights.  And I’m a fan of the cheap lights on Amazon.

I've seen the YouTube Videos and heard the "horror" stories, but I have to say I've avoided those problems and have had great success with these lights over the last 14 years.  The key I’ve found is to use an upgraded battery and not the default battery they ship with.  The batteries they ship with the lights do not hold up well in our (Oregon) winter weather and they don’t hold a charge long.  I’ve had the best luck using the upgraded battery (which used to be the standard battery back in the day).  I have batteries that I’m still using that are 7 years old being charged once to twice a week.  

I just purchased a new set of lights and while they are “bigger” I’m not sure they are that much brighter and I never believe the lumen's claim, but that is also half the "fun" of buy cheap lights.  I have never had a light fail from rain or weather. The most issue I have is with connections because of a crash, etc.  So I have had one or two lights fail over the years because of that (again why I like the cheaper ones because they are easily replaced).  

So hear are few links to the lights, the extended batter and the cord extender:

Lights:

This is my newest light (it uses the standard connection that matches all my other batteries).  I bought two. $32

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BFW523T/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&th=1

The model I have used for the last three years (which I have two of and they still work great) is no longer available.  So here are two “upgraded” models.  These will be a little smaller and lighter if you don’t want to use the larger one above for a helmet light.  

$25

https://www.amazon.com/d/Headlamps/SUNINESS-Rechargeable-Waterproof-Flashlight-Silver-3LED/B07CM57P33/ref=sr_1_7?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1543208998&sr=1-7&keywords=cree+bike+light

$29

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E38I3XQ/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B00E38I3XQ&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=21517efd-b385-405b-a405-9a37af61b5b4&pd_rd_wg=9ghJK&pf_rd_r=XXM9N7YG5Y773FPDSNH3&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_w=Ne2tl&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pd_rd_r=bf0d14cd-f13b-11e8-a0b8-b3ecfb8dcc27

Here are some extended battery options:

Magicshine $24 (2 cell) this is the one I use

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EOP4AWU/ref=emc_b_5_i

Magicshine $49 (4 cell)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EOQ5Z5A/ref=emc_b_5_i

Magicshine $61.00 (6 cell)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018NP9OAA/ref=emc_b_5_i

Battery Cable Extender $10

And because I like to put my battery in by jersey pocket or my camelback I use an extender.

https://www.amazon.com/Magicshine-Cables-6016-Round-Ext/dp/B016XKCF3U/ref=pd_bxgy_468_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B016XKCF3U&pd_rd_r=1f9155ad-f13c-11e8-bf17-01182ac8a987&pd_rd_w=HbHpg&pd_rd_wg=mKIB2&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=6725dbd6-9917-451d-beba-16af7874e407&pf_rd_r=PEEH237TVF8HGY83A9PD&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=PEEH237TVF8HGY83A9PD

Video of a night right on Mary's Peak using two of the $25 and $29 lights linked above.  The camera takes some of the light away, but you get the idea:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9s6CFUBq3I

No go ride!

Fall Riding 2018

Corvallis Oregon is arguably the best place to live if you are a mountain biker.  It has year round riding on everything from very technical trails to flow trails and everything in between.  Some years the winter rains set in early and other years like the fall of 2018, the rains hold off, the trails stay firm and leaves have time to properly change colors.  It has been a great fall clear into November with little rain and fun rides.

McDonald Forest

Decker Loop

Black Rock

Mary's Peak

Getting Hurt on a Mountain Bike

...and what to do when you can't ride.

I've talked in the past about getting hurt on a mountain bike. You are going to crash or "wipe out" as that is the nature of riding trails in all kinds of weather and conditions.  But it has been my experience that I have only been seriously hurt (broken bones, etc.) when I was doing something outside of "traditional" mountain biking.  Meaning, when I was jumping, doing a "skinny" log ride, climbing something very technical without my helmet or even riding in the fog.  But I have never been hurt (in a really bad way) just going down the trail (other than picking up some poison oak).

I have broken many bones over the years playing various sports.  I think my count is about 30 different breaks. On my bike I have only had 6 breaks (3 collarbones w/ 2 surgeries, 1 ankle w/ 2 surgeries, a finger and a rib)

When You Can't Ride

So currently I'm off the bike because about 2.5 years ago I broke my ankle at Alsea Falls on again a little slide out after a jump where my foot got caught on a side hill and hooked something that twisted my ankle till it broke. It has never felt perfect since I had to have a plate and 10 screws put in.  I felt it when I would lift heavy, jump rope, hike a hill or run.  Plus I couldn't sit cross legged with that ankle flat on any hard surface.  So I knew I wanted it out someday.  Also, I knew if I broke it again, I didn't want to have that plate in because it could be worse. So I had the plate out.  Finally I'm such a "weight weenie" so every ounce counts along with a shaved ankle (not).

What I try to do when I'm off the bike because of injury is work on other areas that aren't impacted.  Like in this case, while my ankle is recovering, I can still do upper body work like bench presses, cable rows, etc.  With a collar bone I'll get on the spin bike.  You just want to keep some fitness up and not stress the injured area.

The White Rim Trial, Moab 2018

Overview:
Moab Utah is one my favorite ride destinations.  As I have said before it is an outdoor playground where everyone from hikers, bikers, climbers, motorcyclists, 4Wheelers, etc. all get along together. This is demonstrated on the 100 mile White Rim Trail. This trail outside of Moab in the Canyon Lands National Park is a 4 wheel drive double track trail that is not technical for a mountain bike, but the views are spectacular and you can find some more challenging rides along the canyon walls.

White Rim 2018:
This trip was the brain child of my younger brother Curtis who is an Overlander and provides medical services for wilderness events.  There are a limited number of campsites which must be reserved in advance as they limit the number of permits for camping.  We did the "loop" in three days and two nights.  That included two almost 40 miles days and 20 miles finish.  4-Wheelers and motorcycles could do the entire thing in one day, but with the heat (depending on the time of year) a mountain biker needs two to three days (unless you are a pro) because you can't carry enough water.  So it really needs to be a supported ride for us "mere mortals."

https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/whiterimroad.htm

We had four rigs (a Toyota Highlander, Toyota Helix, Jeep Cherokee, and a 2001 Suburban) and 11 mountain bikers.  The one thing to point out, this is not a trail for a cross bike, heavy old mountain bike or for the non-fit rider.  While it is double track, is bumpy, rocky, sandy with punchy climbs.  And if you don't stay hydrated even before you begin, you'll be in trouble.  We had four of our riders give up after the first four hours.

What We Learned:

1. Water - The biggest thing we learned was that water is key.  The campsites have out-houses but there is no running water.  And you need to be drinking all the time, let a lone cooking and clean-up.  On the first day I had water in my Camelback, but I didn't pre-drink.  As a result when the temps hit 100 (mid-May for us) I couldn't drink enough to stay ahead and got dehydrated by mile 40 and our first camp.
2. Shade - There is no real shade.  Our first campsite had one tree that we clustered under.  So we also had some tarps that we could stretch between vehicles or you looked for large rocks to get behind.
3. Wind - You are exposed, so the wind can be an issue as you are riding, camping or cooking.  Cooking is when we noticed it the most as it would blow out the flame on your stove or make it so things took longer to cook.  Also when riding in a headwind with the temp in the 100's can really dry you out and sap your energy.
4. Cell Service - It is very spotty, so you need to make sure that you need with you for food, water, mechanical and medical.
5. Fire - As warm as it was during the day, it can cool off and you can have a fire in the designated fire pits.  So bring wood.
6. Power - If you have a phones (for pictures and emergencies), GoPro's, GPS watch, etc. you are going to want a means to recharge them.  We had a small generator, spare batteries and  solar chargers to keep things going.
7. Views - take the time to look at the views and there are many.  You are driving along the canyon most of the time. So stop and look.  I also took time to leave the road and drive along the ridge in several spots (which gave some of our crew the "willies"). Also you can't beat the view of the stars you'll get.  There is no light bleed from a city.
8. Direction - You can ride it both ways, but I recommend for a bike ride to do it clockwise. I felt that the downhills were much longer going that direction.
9. Bonus - Since you are close to Moab, allow some extra days to ride the trails around there, we road Porcupine Rim (and ate at Milts).

Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0kDjgAeEUI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_0uGQPPzu8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts0_55d78GA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXNZ1Pbtq88

Take a Staycation Mountain Bike Trip

A Staycation is when you stay home and explore places near where you live, using your home as the "hotel." I have found as a mountain biker that a Staycation can be a great way to get in a lot of riding, try some new things and save some money. Typically when you are home you do one ride and then get on with your day, what a Staycation allows you to do is focus only on riding and it then lets you string multiple rides together in ways you thought about but never had the time.

And Corvallis (Oregon) is the perfect place for a Mountain Biking staycation.  In fact, the local tourist board should promote Corvallis as a mountain biking destination.  There are good places to eat, stay and plenty of bike shops. Because what makes a good biking destination are the trails and we have some great ones.

So, when a cousin and some of his riding buddies from Utah wanted to come and ride in the Willamette Valley the 2018 Staycation Ride was on. 

Planning:

The first thing you need for a good Staycation is a plan.  Layout the rides in your area and see what creates the best flow.  Also, any part of a good ride includes good food, so map out the restaurants that you also want to showcase. When you travel you have to eat out, so when you stay home to vacation you should do the same thing. Here was our plan:

Day One

MRT (McKenzie River Trail) in the morning

Santiam Wagon Trail in the afternoon

Burgers at the Sweet Home A&W 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpQ4_YKzc5k

Santiam Wagon Trail at Tombstone 

Day Two

Mary's Peak in the Morning

Eats & Treats for Lunch

Black Rock in the Afternoon

Bread Board for Dinner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg2YuPXNNZA

Day Three

Alsea Falls in the Morning

Mary's Peak Shuttle in the Morning

Ixtapa Mexican for lunch

Tour of the Mac - Roller Coaster, New Groove, Southside Slip

End of the trip BBQ at the house

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fEohlMmsy8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6HA6frkH9k

Execution:

Just like a real vacation, thinks can go wrong, but the nice thing about a staycation is that you know the local resources.  So we had at least one trip to the bike shop for a major repair and since it was our local shop and Peak Sports staff knew us well they helped with a rush job so no one missed a ride.

Serious Bike Upgrades

Other Thoughts:

Take consideration for the shuttle rigs to make sure you have enough racks and a good supply of drinks and treats for the "in between" ride times.  And if you have people from out of town coming to join you, make sure you have some extras just in case, like a helmet, gloves, spare tubes, a tire, etc. so that nothing holds you up.  Also take lots of pictures!

Splitting the Trees - Mary's Peak

Shale Corner - Mary's Peak

Picture Frame - Scream - Macdonald Forest

Mary's Peak Parking Log

Picture Frame - Scream - Macdonald Forest