2010-08-10
Desert Classic C2C2C
Great ride with Kevin and Jonathan this morning. We hit Desert Classic at 5:30. Rode out to Telegraph Pass, turned, and rode to the ramadas, turned, rode home. Weather was outstanding - low humidity and 80 - 90 degrees. Still felt weak but DC is more forgiving than National. Gotta do this kind of ride for a couple weeks before attempting any major climbs again.
2010-08-09
National and then a kids ride
Kevin and I headed up National at 5:30. My first time up since knee surgery in May.
Ugh. Odd ride. Not sure if it was the early ride time, lack of caffeine, stress during the week, or what - just couldn't drag my ass up the hill. Did ok on the Mormon wall but then I was thoroughly pooped. Climbed up to Fat Man's Pass and decided to call it quits. Was worried I'd be so exhausted that I'd screw up on the downhill and hurt myself. Was glad when that ride was over. [Still glad I went though.]
Then Kevin and I took Rylan, Ian and Conner for a ride on Desert Classic. Everyone had fun. Rylan didn't pay attention to what I was asking him to do (like stay with me while we ride on the street, don't cut in front of other riders, etc) and I had to cut the ride short. I think Kevin, Ian, and Conner kept riding to the water tower.
Ugh. Odd ride. Not sure if it was the early ride time, lack of caffeine, stress during the week, or what - just couldn't drag my ass up the hill. Did ok on the Mormon wall but then I was thoroughly pooped. Climbed up to Fat Man's Pass and decided to call it quits. Was worried I'd be so exhausted that I'd screw up on the downhill and hurt myself. Was glad when that ride was over. [Still glad I went though.]
Then Kevin and I took Rylan, Ian and Conner for a ride on Desert Classic. Everyone had fun. Rylan didn't pay attention to what I was asking him to do (like stay with me while we ride on the street, don't cut in front of other riders, etc) and I had to cut the ride short. I think Kevin, Ian, and Conner kept riding to the water tower.
2010-08-07
BMX race in Tucson
Rylan and I went with Kevin, Ian and Conner to see the ABA BMX Southwest Regionals. They had a blast. Rylan is already looking forward to competing next year.
It was really neat. Lots of participants. The races only last for 45 seconds or so and they just run one heat after another for hours on end. They only stop if someone crashed and is still on the course.
Racers aged from 4 or 5 to 60+. The teenagers were by far the fastest (15 - 18) but BMX is all about the little kids. There were lots of kids in the 6 to 13 age range.
Lots of crashes but also lots of safety gear. Only a few people were hurt.
It was really neat. Lots of participants. The races only last for 45 seconds or so and they just run one heat after another for hours on end. They only stop if someone crashed and is still on the course.
Racers aged from 4 or 5 to 60+. The teenagers were by far the fastest (15 - 18) but BMX is all about the little kids. There were lots of kids in the 6 to 13 age range.
Lots of crashes but also lots of safety gear. Only a few people were hurt.
2010-08-05
Chandler BMX
Took Rylan to the Chandler BMX dirt track for a beginners clinic. I've never seen him enjoy anything so much.
It was HOT. He'd already done many laps. He was obviously pooped. I asked him if he wanted to do one more lap and then head home. He vigorously shook his head no. I said, you want to go home right now? Again, no. Ahhh... I guess we're in the market for BMX gear now.
They did a little two lap race after that and Rylan did really well. He has a strong competitive streak.
It was HOT. He'd already done many laps. He was obviously pooped. I asked him if he wanted to do one more lap and then head home. He vigorously shook his head no. I said, you want to go home right now? Again, no. Ahhh... I guess we're in the market for BMX gear now.
They did a little two lap race after that and Rylan did really well. He has a strong competitive streak.
2010-08-03
Helipad + Degoba
Good ride with Kevin and Jonathan. Jonathan hadn't ridden the entire Dagoba loop before. Weather was relatively good - we hit the gap between high humidity and high temps.
2010-07-29
"Race Pace" intervals on Desert Classic
Humidity! Yuck! Sweatiest ride I've done in a couple years. Hands were slipping off my grips because my gloves were oozing sweat.
Ride started well - a rainbow appeared at sunrise. Full rainbow from horizon to horizon...and we headed right towards the middle of it on our bikes.
Three laps starting from the east end of Secret where it hits DC. DC to the bottom of Corona de Loma. Up and over the saddle. Back to start on Secret. Repeat.
Jonathan kicked ass as usual. Kevin flatted on the second lap. We did the last lap counter-clockwise so we could hook up with Kevin.
Ride started well - a rainbow appeared at sunrise. Full rainbow from horizon to horizon...and we headed right towards the middle of it on our bikes.
Three laps starting from the east end of Secret where it hits DC. DC to the bottom of Corona de Loma. Up and over the saddle. Back to start on Secret. Repeat.
Jonathan kicked ass as usual. Kevin flatted on the second lap. We did the last lap counter-clockwise so we could hook up with Kevin.
2010-07-27
Intervals on Javelina
Rode up Javelina Trail tres times with Jonathan S. Hurt every time but I'm happy I did it...well, I'm happy to be done. Got even by taking Beverly Saddle home - Jonathan rides a full rigid.
Saw Mike Barqman of MTBikeAZ at the top of Javelina. He was headed uphill to get some fork cam of National.
Saw Mike Barqman of MTBikeAZ at the top of Javelina. He was headed uphill to get some fork cam of National.
2010-07-26
Weekend rides in Sedona and Flag
Awesome temps and new-to-me trails this weekend. Friday evening in Sedona: Teacup > Soldier Pass > Brin Mesa > Dry Creek Rd > Chimney Rock > Thunder Mtn. Camped in Flag with Zilka. Saturday morning in Flag: Fort Valley Trail. All the trails were outstanding. Thanks to Lani for "allowing" me to go off to ride 'em
2010-07-22
Riding with Jonathan S.
It's a big change hanging onto the wheel of someone who is faster and fitter than I am. All we did was ride Desert Classic out and back but my legs are jelly now. Thanks Jonathan.
2010-07-20
Beer and riding
Ugh! Cooler weather this morning but that Cornish Pasty + Hoegaarden ale last night took its toll...not to mention Jonathan S kicked my butt - he's a full rigid, single speed animal. (East loop >> Javelina >> DC >> home.)
2010-07-18
Trail 100
Hit Trail 100 this morning at 5:30. Beginning of the ride was nice - cloudy with a slight breeze and even a few cool rain drops. Got a pinch flat near the 7th Ave end. Took a long time to inflate the new tube (pump was just barely working - need to carry CO2). By the time I got back on the bike, the sun was out in full force. It was a real slog back to the car.
GPS unit stopped working. Shuts itself down after a couple minutes - even with new batteries. (~1 year old Garmin eTrex Vista HCX)
GPS unit stopped working. Shuts itself down after a couple minutes - even with new batteries. (~1 year old Garmin eTrex Vista HCX)
2010-07-17
2010-07-15
DC + Helipad
And again. 95 degrees at 5:20. Sunrise at 5:35. Cloud cover from 5:45 to 7 made it tolerable. DC >> Secret >> CDL >> Helipad >> TP >> DC >> Warpaint loop >> Secret >> DC >> home.
2010-07-14
Javelina
My non-morning-person side is really annoyed with my cyclist side. [East Loop + Javelina + DC this morning.]
2010-07-12
Helipad
Off to the Helipad. Yay.
>> UPDATE
Good ride. The Cloud Gods provided shade until I started the climb up to the Helipad. Then the Hair Dryer Gods kicked in and blew hot wind in my face - which I guess was better than nothing.
>> UPDATE
Good ride. The Cloud Gods provided shade until I started the climb up to the Helipad. Then the Hair Dryer Gods kicked in and blew hot wind in my face - which I guess was better than nothing.
2010-07-10
Rode with Zilka in Prescott
Zilka and I rode the tail end of the Whiskey. Climbed up to Prietta and then bombed back to Prescott. Fun ride.
2010-07-04
Durango
Burnt lungs. Muddy legs. Bugs in teeth. Roasted rotors. Sore smile muscles. Back in the saddle in CO. This place is amazing.
2010-05-24
Bad good weather
I planned my knee surgery around the miserable Phoenix summer heat...the outstanding weather in Phoenix is wrecking my plans.
2010-05-20
2010-05-17
Flagdona 2010
Great weekend of mountain biking. Rode from Flagstaff to Sedona on Saturday. Rode in Flagstaff on Sunday (Rocky Ridge to Mt Elden Rd to Sunset to Shultz Creek). The snow on Sunset and Shultz Creek made things a little more interesting...and muddy.
2010-05-11
Mild spring in Phoenix
Enjoying this bonus mild weather in Phoenix. Great mtb ride last night. Another planned for today.
2010-04-08
Geronimo
Itching for Geronimo.
>> UPDATE
Bombing down Geronimo. Approaching one of the sharp complicated switchbacks. Hit the rear brakes. Why am I not slowing down? Hit them harder...and harder. Still too hot to handle the turn. I guess I'll tap the front brake. Why is the ground coming up at me so fast? Endo!
My bad. Rear brake pad is worn down to the metal. I replaced those pads in December. Another bike part meets an early end due to too many times bombing down National.
>> UPDATE
Bombing down Geronimo. Approaching one of the sharp complicated switchbacks. Hit the rear brakes. Why am I not slowing down? Hit them harder...and harder. Still too hot to handle the turn. I guess I'll tap the front brake. Why is the ground coming up at me so fast? Endo!
My bad. Rear brake pad is worn down to the metal. I replaced those pads in December. Another bike part meets an early end due to too many times bombing down National.
2010-04-06
Epic SoMo Loop
One of the best rides ever tonight. I hereby dub this route: The Epic South Mountain Loop. Epic South Mountain Loop at EveryTrail
Intervals on Javelina
Rode Javelina Trail 4 times last night. Great intervals. ~12 minutes of solid work followed by ~5 minutes of fun descent. Looking forward to DC+DCX+National today.
2010-04-03
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