mountain bike monday - superbowl weekend ride

We wanted to beat the rain on Saturday, so we headed out mid-morning to hit the Lakeview Trails at Poco.



The forest is still really wintry looking even though it felt pretty good outside. I had to shed a layer a few miles in, so it warmed up pretty quickly.



The streams are still so pretty no matter what time of year you're out in the park. If you just pay close enough attention you can hear the trickle of the water quickly heading towards the lake.



There weren't many people on the lake Saturday, but there was a good crowd out on the trails. Sometimes it's nice to see other people, and sometimes it's nice to have the park all to yourself.



MBM attempted this log pile. I haven't brought myself to attempt it in a while. I would like to spend a little time practicing one day. Practice does make perfect!



On one section of Lakeview there's a tree slowly sagging lower and lower. See it in the background? Each time we try to go underneath it seems less and less likely that it will be possible to fit. In the pic above we stopped to assess the situation.



As you can tell by the pic above, the creek crossing has gotten some use. It's a little muddy right now. It does still give me some trouble from time to time. I think I need to take a pic at a different angle to try to show you the slope. Maybe next time!



My favorite scenes are the green mosses that grow at the base of the trees and on the rocks in the streams. It reminds me that even though it's winter, things still do thrive. It was a nice day in the park...our trio!



Hope your weekend was lovely!

mountain bike monday - the gravel grinder

On Saturday we set out with MBM to take a practice ride on the Monster Cross route. The Monster Cross is a 50 mile race at Poco on February 26. Dynamo is riding in the mountain bike singlespeed category.



First, I'd like to note that the 15 year old hand-me-down bike shoes finally busted. Yes, they were Dynamo's shoes that I've been wearing for 2.5 years. They were Dynamo's first bike shoes. They are a little big, but work perfectly in the winter with two pairs of socks.

The pic is not that great, but you can see the slight crack beneath the clip...Well, it's a BIG crack when the shoes bends...



But...they are now done. They can go no farther. R.I.P. Nikes! They were great shoes!



So, for now I'm wearing Dynamo's Shimanos that are now his warm weather shoes. Again, they are too big, but I make do. I guess this spring I'll have to go out and get myself some bikes shoes because Dynamo will need them back. I guess I'm now on the hunt. If you have any recommendations, I'd like to hear them!

And...I'd also like to note that I have discovered two must haves for the ride. My Profile Design pouch for snacks, maps, and camera...



...and my Six Six One gloves. They rock!



They are super lite, have great gripping power, and even have a little terry cloth section for wiping sweat!



Me, being the navigator for our rides, I had the responsibility of overlaying the Garmin map with the Poco map to make sure we had the route correct.

So, we got going...



Yes, this is a hill...



There were lots of them on this course! look..another one...



And, it was only the beginning of the ride!

Our adventure began at the nature center. We headed up to the front of the park and over to what we call the horse side of the park.



We encountered a few riders of a different type....



Then we came back over to the main park and headed down Fendley Station to the dam where we stopped to photo a father son duo. Notice anything unique about this picture?



Yes, it's a mountain unicycle. WOW! is all I have to say.



We traveled up the park road for a short ways...yes, more hills..





The last 5 or so miles was on Forest Exploration...





There are some big climbs at the start of Forest Exploration...







There was a lot of pedaling...







Then, we passed through the boat ramp and up the hill back to the car.

It was a fantastic ride. I felt pretty good. I was pleased with my ride time and speed. Each time I'm getting stronger and faster. I think I was spot on with the route! The first lap is supposed to be 27.5 miles. We finished the first lap with 27.7 miles on the cyclometer. Pretty close I would say.

mountain bike monday - chilly ridin'

First, I'd like to apologize as I didn't get any pics of us riding over the weekend. Dynamo and I were so busy just riding that I completely forgot, plus I didn't make as many stops as usual. I'm trying very hard to keep my legs going and turning as much as possible. I think this strategy will help me increase my time as well as keep my joints lubricated (I'm sure there's a technical term for this, but you know what I mean).

We ventured out on a cold Sunday about mid-day to explore the park. The temperature was around 34 degrees when we started. We have the proper gear, so cold isn't usually a factor. I was a little cold for some reason. It got straightened out and I was ok for the most part.

We started out at the boat ramp and meandered up to the front of the park, ventured over to what we call the horse side of the park for about 7 miles, then rode along Fendley Station down to the damn and back, and then around the outer Fendley Station loop towards the green and blue trails, ultimately ending up back at the boat ramp for 25 miles of riding.

It was a good ride. My pace was consistent. Not fast, not slow. Around 9 mph on average. I'll take that. When we finished I was proud of my ride time and knew that my time keeps improving because I'm pushing myself to utilize the downhills and not stop very much. I keep telling myself to keep the legs turning! Pedal! Pedal! We had a great time together!

On another note, when we stopped by the bike shop yesterday I talked with the guys there about hydration. They were so kind to answer my questions and make suggestions. Dynamo had suggested that I try some different mixes in my camelbak, so we bought three new things to try. I'll report in on how that works!

I also drooled over some bikes while there! It's easy to get distracted by all the shiny new stuff! More on choosing a good bike shop in another post!

Mountain Bike Monday - 2 great rides

Wow!! Yesterday completed our 4th great ride since returning from vacation! On Saturday, Dynamo, MBM, and I set out for a quick spin on the Lakeview Trails. I had to roll quickly as I had to attend a baby shower in the early afternoon.

It was a lovely day. The weather was warmer than average. It was a great day for riding. We weren't the only ones who set out for the trails. There were bikers everywhere in the park. I had a record breaking ride on Saturday! Fastest time ever!

And, yesterday was a cooler day for riding, but still comfortable and sunny.


We met up with MBM for a ride. Before we got started we discussed our respective church sermons and what we had learned that morning. Yesterday was Epiphany. The Pastor talked about making resolutions and the one thing we could change in 2012...of course that is ourselves. He suggested that there are many opportunities to make changes in the world. We can help to stop racism, to feed those who are without, to give to those less fortunate, and simply be a better person in 2012. We also discussed how Christmas should be about the birth of Christ and not about presents. We agreed that when it's impossible to figure out what to buy someone then maybe we should be spending that money giving to those who are without instead of buying something just to have a gift to give.



We enjoyed the chance to talk with MBM about church because we can all learn from one another. Our rides are more than just pedaling...they are a chance to learn about friends and talk about things we have in common.



Dynamo wanted to go exploring and check out some of the side roads we've seen many times, but never had the time to check out.





We pedaled and explored starting on a portion of the Fendley Station Loop at the front of the park, venturing down a side path and ultimately making our way on a section of the Lakeview Trail, and then popped back out onto Fendley Station. Back on track we ventured down towards the campground and cut through and across and new path over to the pool and boat launch area.



We did the Forest Exploration Trail backwards. Well, it was backwards to us because it was opposite from the normal route we travel. We were really changing things up! It felt weird, but good to experience the trails from a new perspective.



As we stopped to wait for Dynamo to put his chain back on we noticed this tree carved with love!



We finished up on Forest Exploration which links into Fendley Station at points (Loop A & B) and headed back towards the front of the park where we had parked the car.



On the way back we wanted to check out a new gravel path that lead to a different section of the campground. Wow! It was a little hilly!



Dynamo sure did push me on the hills! It was tough, but I felt good. We completed 22 miles by the time we reached the car. Great ride and great day!

Mountain Bike Monday - hike a bike

I was really looking forward to getting back on the bike after missing our ride the previous Saturday due to a little stomach bug. I didn't feel 100%, so we were going to take it easy and do the green and blue trails at Poco to see how I felt after each.



When we arrived the temperature was in the mid thirties. The high for the day yesterday was 40 something, so we were pretty much not expecting too much warmer weather.

We bundled up and got going. I felt like the stay puff marshmallow man in all my winter gear. I had my lobster gloves on as well as three layers up top, my headband, my smartwool snowboarding socks, base layer socks, and of course my toasti-toes! So, I was ready for cold weather.



They say you should start out a little cold since you will quickly warm up. Warm up I did...until, we had to stop after about 6 miles into the ride for a flat tire on MUTT. Dynamo attempted to inflate my tires up enough for me to ride a little, but each time the air just went right out. The tire had been punctured somehow and the Stan's liquid goo inside (remember I have no tubes) had dried up and wouldn't seal the hole.



So, Dynamo pulled out the spare tube to attempt to get me rolling again, but the tube had a small leak in it so it wasn't usable. MBM offered up his 26 inch tube, but the valve stem wouldn't fit...



The only thing to do was hike out! Since Dynamo is faster at everything than me, I rode his bike and he ran with my bike the last 2 miles back to the truck.



I thought that I was way ahead of Dynamo on the trail. Next thing I know he's right behind me. He's pretty fast! We might still be walking if I was hoofing it out with my bike.



Some days just aren't meant to be. But, it was still a nice day outside at the Park. There weren't many people there. It was super quiet.



It was cold, but with the proper gear we were fine. Too bad it was a little slow going at the end! There's always next time!



Dynamo is always there to save the day! We're a good team!