Mountain Bike Monday - Ride On

Every week now we load up the whole family (when I say that I mean us and Charlie) and take a short ride to the Battlefield and hop on the Park Tour Road and do a couple of loops!



Charlie is getting into the routine well! He is up to 14 pounds now, so pulling him is getting a little tougher on Dynamo, but it is a great workout!



He doesn't seem to mind his Chariot at all! In fact, he is never in a hurry to get out when we are finished! Although, last week when we rode he seemed to want to get out a couple of times. We took a short break to let him adjust!



It was really quiet at the Battlefield last week! It was like we had the place all to ourselves! We were playing around with the camera and took pics of our shadows!





We did a couple of loops (about 18 miles)! We had a great time together as a family!

And, then on Friday I signed up for the Luna Chix Skills Clinic, which was in downtown Richmond at the Skills Area on Belle Isle. Dynamo had seen it advertised on the forums, so he sent it to me. I'm glad he suggested I attend! It was a great time with about 30 other ladies! My friend, Missy, joined me for the fun instruction. We learned a lot and got to meet some other lady riders! The Luna Chix had 3 pro riders there to instruct, so it was a great opportunity to learn from the best!

While I was being instructed, Charlie and Dynamo were checking out the island. Charlie even went in the river!



I can't believe I missed it, but Dynamo said he had a ball splashing and chasing the splashes! He and his leash were stinky! He's fearless!



And, on Saturday afternoon, I really got to put some of the lessons I had learned in place on the trail!



The weather was a little hot and muggy, but we were having such a good time that we didn't notice too much!



We hit the Lakeview Trails and I was determined to practice using my brakes properly. The front (left) was for controlling speed and the back (right) was for controlling direction. It was a delicate balance of the two!



Right off I started flying through the trails. I noticed a significant difference using my front brake to slow me down versus my back. When you use your back you loose traction. So, I noticed that right away my wheels stayed in contact with the trail more giving me more stability. I was able to regain my speed faster after turns and obstacles because I wasn't hammering down on the back break, losing traction, rebalancing, and starting again. I felt more fluid!



My speed was rockin'! I rolled through and really used my downhills as well as practiced using my upper body more to push me through hills, etc.



I must say that at the beginning I was flying so fast that I totally didn't see the snake in the trail until the last minute. He looked like a stick, and when I noticed it was moving I didn't have enough time to react and avoid it, so I grabbed his tail with my tire. He curled up in shock and I almost wet my pants! I couldn't get the words to formulate in time to yell "snake" to Dynamo. So, he wasn't prepared and went on the opposite side of him. I had chills for a while after that!

Needlesstosay...I began practicing the other technique that was suggested at the clinic - keeping your head perpendicular and looking out instead of down. By looking out I might have seen the snake sooner and been able to avoid chaos!

We passed a couple of obstacles that I feel might be ones I will tackle next time!



In the clinic I rode a skinny log, so the one above might be on my "to do" list soon!

I think I need to get past my fear and just go for it! Right?

The creek crossing used to be the worst part of the ride, but now I get through most of the time...



Sorry it's a little blurry!



I think it's been worn down to make it easier, but I don't care!



The ride was great! We finished up by checking out the snakes at the bridge! We only found one instead of the 5 from last year, but he was there with his tongue going in and out! Ick! Sorry it's not easy to see him in this pic, but he's there!



It was a great ride with new techniques to build upon!

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!

Mountain Bike Monday - Not quite...

On Saturday we met up with MBM to hit the trails at Poco. Our little adopted nieces were there to take a natural wreath making class with their mom.



The girls are so sweet! They brightened up our day!



We headed out to tackle the Lakeview Trails. Spot, my SS, and I again teamed up to have a pretty good, consistent ride.



The trails had lots of traffic as compared to a normal day. It was a lovely biking day. We figured the increased traffic was due to the recent announcement of a 50 miler coming up in February at the Park. We're sure things will get busier with bikers training after the first of the year.



Dynamo signed up for the race too, so our training has already begun. Saturday, the plan was to do 20 miles. All went well for me until the end of Lakeview 3. I started to feel funny. At first I thought it was my nutrition, so I ate a little something. I thought I was "bonking" as they say. By the time we got to the trailhead I told the guys to go ahead and finish the last 7 without me. I headed back to the car and waited.



I took my time heading back and snapped a couple of pics.



The sunshine was lovely. The water was so pretty.





I got back to the car and tried to warm up. The temperature was quickly dropping. The guys arrived having completed the 20 mile goal for the day. Unfortunately, sometimes things don't work out as planned. Next time I'll make it happen!

For the 13 miles Spot and I completed, we had a great average. I was very consistent. I'll take that.

mountain bike monday - single speeding is like golf how?

The woods were quiet. Not much moving around from the critters even though it was quite warm yesterday. We pulled out the shorts again for our ride, but couldn't believe that it's nearing Thanksgiving and we are still getting 70 degree days. We will take advantage because winter comes soon enough.



I took Spot, the SS, out again yesterday for a ride on the Lakeview Trails. Let's just say that we were rolling quite fast through LV 1 and 2. My average speed on LV 1 and 2 was awesome for me...at least .5 mph faster than on my geared bike. This does prove my point that I am so lazy with gears.



As we were riding along I was telling Dynamo that riding my single speed is like playing golf with one club. Years ago when I played a lot of golf, my friends and I would go out and play 9 holes with only one club. The rule was that you could choose any club, but only one club. I always chose a middle iron. It taught you how to use the club completely...to know its range. To use what you have, to hit it as hard as you could at some points, and even as easy as you could at other times. Sometimes using your surroundings to strategize and get extra yardage. So, my point is that single speeding is similar. You have one club, your current gearing, and you have to know when to use it, how to use it, and definitely how to use the hills. You make do with what you are given and it works. It just works. There is a simplicity to just riding with one gear. It's not the same process as having multiple gears, so it doesn't clog up my brain with lots of thoughts. But, it is a game of strategy...just like golf.



So, you just ride onward and pedal pedal. I feel like my gearing is about like a 5 iron right now.

And...as we were riding we saw this cool tree with a hole at the bottom. You could see right through it!



Could you see it? Pretty cool huh?







Of course I had to take a pic of us on the trail. I'm always trying to be silly! You can see that Spot makes me work really hard! Look at that red face!



When we got back to the trailhead there was a crazy squirrel up in the tree making lots of weird noises. We couldn't figure out what his problem was, but it was a noise we had never heard before. As he started down the tree we decided he wasn't a squirrel we wanted to see closely so we quickly got outta there!

We finished up our ride logging 14 miles. Not too bad! Even though I was tired, it was a good tired. We had a great ride with minimal drama and groaning!

Mountain Bike Monday - when it rains it pours!

What a beautiful day it was for a ride in the park yesterday! At first it was a little chilly when we hopped out of the car, but it was nice to be back in shorts for the day's ride!



The park was lovely with all of the gorgeous leaves falling all around! The wind was blowing and it was just a great day to be outside!



We met up with our friends, Rachel and Clay, for a spin on the Lakeview Trails! Dynamo and I were all set to ride after he got a positive second opinion on his hand! With a little tape, some babying of it for a few months, and some patience, he should be back to new soon enough. The steroid shot helped a little too!



Less than a mile into the ride we heard a giant pop! It was Clay's tire! So, we had to stop and watch him change it! He went back to the car to get the air adjusted and then met up with us a few miles later! So, needlesstosay, the ride started out a little rough!

Mom had told me the weather was going to be around 67, so I knew there was potential to see more critters out moving around! I had mentally prepared for snakes, but it wasn't until Rachel rode over one without seeing him, then I rode him over (mind you I looked down to see my tire crossing over his body) and then Dynamo hit him. Clay actually missed him we think. I always am looking down so I couldn't believe we didn't see him until we had all hit him! Yikes!! He was pretty small, but still pretty ferocious!

Of course I had to go back to take his picture!



Let's just say he was really mad! And...rightfully so...he was hit 3 times! So, Clay decided he would get a stick and move him off to the side!



I'm not really sure he liked this either...



Clay told me to hurry up with the pics because Mr. Snake was starting to slither up the stick! Ick!!

So, now we have experienced a flat tire and a snake within 3.5 miles of riding! Things weren't looking too good!



I continued to think positive and we kept rolling along enjoying the weather. Yes...I know the snake was enjoying his day too! I asked Rach to stop so we could take a pic of her under this falling tree. Weeks ago we had taken my pic under the log. It's clearly getting closer to the ground! See?



The guys continued on the trail ahead of us. We talked and tried obstacles. Rach did a great job going down my favorite part of LV 2...the slick rocks!



Check out that form!



So serious! She planned her line before attempting and executed perfectly! I'm so excited for her! She's doing great!

All was fine until LV 3! The third event of the day was Rachel having a bad fall on the bridge. I almost had a heart attack. Her bike flipped off the side of the bridge, upside down, and she thankfully landed on the bridge. I should have taken a pic of the bike in the creek below, but honestly I couldn't get myself together enough to think. I was having flashbacks of MBM's fall a long time ago where he busted his lip on the bridge and we spent the evening in the emergency room.

Thank goodness Rach only had some skinned knees because it could've been worse. This is why you ride with someone!!! I'm just so grateful that we were together!

So, she recovered great and dried off her handlebar, and we headed onward.

And...just when we thought there couldn't be anymore drama...my chain broke! Yes...first time ever! And...it broke on the worst part of the trail...in the what I call "torture section" of LV 3. So, I had to walk a while while we waited for the guys to backtrack to come and fix my chain. A nice lady stopped to ask if we were ok. People are so kind and helpful!

We were all fixed up and experienced no further events. Rach was all smiles as we approached the car!



That was a very eventful 13 miles if I do say so myself! We had a great time with friends!!!

Hope you had a great weekend!