Friday Night Ride (MTB)

FINALLY the weather cooperated and we were able to make our first Friday Night Ride of the season. Seven Riders headed out into the woods in the Lake Manawa Mountain Bike Trail.

We rode for nearly 2 hours. On the last lap through E Sidewinder, I really hit my lines. Good ride.

Blaine had procured some headlights for testing. Several lights were attached to handlebars and one on a helmet. As we were waiting for dark, it was time for a ride over the the convenience store for food and refreshments.

Back into the woods, this time with headlights. I found that I really prefer a "flood" light with a wide pattern. Will see what everyone has to say after the test.

A marathon riding day (for me). 10.5 miles for the Mayors Bike to Work ride then 20.5 miles at Manawa (mostly in the dirt). The magic Blaine made on the crank of my bike did the trick. Now I can hear tire noise, not a drive train noise. (Thanks, Blaine)

Spring has Sprung

Overcast Tuesday, was threatening rain, but the weatherman said not until later in the afternoon - if at all. Brought my trail bike with me for breakfast. After breakfast I drove to the Wabash Trace trailhead, heading toward Manawa to check out the MTB trail conditions. Solid, except for the ditch on E Sidewinder. Rode more than planned - did the East side. Temp in the 60s.

Wednesday dawned clear, crisp, and cool. Another good weather for our Wednesday Morning Ride. Once again, layers started to shed during the ride. My riding was not at its best. Still enjoyed the ride.

Today - Wow. What a beautiful day for a ride! After our computer coffee, it was time to get out and ride. Clear, sunny, no wind, in the 60s. Went to the bike shop, changed some clothes (did not need the long sleeves) and headed out up the Trace. Good pace up the hill and flew down. My old Trek 4300 LOVES riding the Trace. Over 13mph average! My best pace of the season (I rated the ride A+). Took a couple of photos - Spring has sprung on the Wabash Trace.

Lots of riding the rest of the week, and weather forecast to be great. Council Bluffs Mayor's Bike to Work Ride is in tomorrow morning. Friday Night MTB Ride at Manawa that evening. Bellevue Bike Club's Ride is Saturday. Sunday is our Ham Radio group Sunday Morning Ride and the Platte River Marathon race.

Trek 69er Demo

Today was the ride I was have been anticipating. The Trek Demo tour make it to Omaha with a 69er dual suspension mountain bike. The Trek 69er has a 26" rear wheel and a 29" front wheel.

I have looking at this bike for several reasons:
1) considering a dual suspension bike - with all the different places I ride
2) the larger front tire rolls over roots, rocks, etc.
3) keeping the 26" rear wheel gives me better acceleration and climbing. (takes a lot to move my weight)
4) I rode enough that I could justify another bike.

The trailer had a medium frame Top Fuel 69er. This was my first test ride of the day. The M frame is a small for me, but I was still impressed with the handling. I was able to climb easily (seemed better climbing than with my Trek 4300). The roots of Swanson Park did not bother me. I exchanged the bike for a large frame hard tail 69er. That is the size I need.

Not ready to purchase a new bike, yet. Maybe when I demo the large frame dual suspension 69er. Oh yeah, need to save some money. The bike is a LOT more $$ than my 4300.

In other news: For me, this was the last Friday Night Mountain Bike Ride for the season. With the time change, I want to ride in the daylight. It was a great season. catch everyone on the other trails (or in the Spring).

On my way home from Swanson, I decided to do a lap (my shortened lap) at Manawa. After all, I had my bike with me. Beautiful day for a bike ride. I know I need to work on some of the more technical aspects of my riding. For now, I am enjoying the riding and I know my non-technical riding is getting better.

Night Ride @ Manawa

Overcast evening, no moon, Riding at 6:30 and later. Hmmm - night ride. This was an experience.

I found that I need to concentrate on the trail, not look at or worry about the light. No steering so that the light shines on the trail -- ride my lines, the light will follow.

It is better riding solo with a light. Otherwise ride in the trailing position. When leading the ride, the other lights are a distraction.

During our ride, the sky started dripping on us, not enough to stop riding. Was over in no time. See what the weather has in store for us tomorrow.

I will not be riding the Friday Night Ride the next two weeks. The 19th is the Bike Bash @ Platte River. The 26th is Xtreme Wheels Full Moon Ride.

No Dirt Fix this week

Weather and trail conditions kept me from getting my dirt ride "fix" this week. Last dirt ride was Saturday except for the short 2 mile ride yesterday.

Tried to ride at Manawa yesterday. I rode W Sidewinder with some soft spots. E Sidewinder was a different story. From the Kiosk to the construction is muddy and with standing water. The exit straight-a-way was muddy, building up on the tires.

That was enough - did not to damage the trail. Any other trails at Manawa would be in worse riding condition.

Weather forecast last night was for scattered shower for a couple hours. Well, it rained off and on for over 5 hours! And the winds are kicking up. No Friday Night Ride this evening. URGH!

Success on Wood Chopper

Usual Friday Night Ride at Manawa.

Not riding that well on warm-up. Heading up the East side the trail is blocked by construction equipment. (See photo) I was able to ride through the area, blazing a reroute.

When we started group ride, I lead the group to the West side. This evening it was the first time I was able to ride the blue section of Wood Chopper without stopping to get through those 2 tight trees. Success! Now, if I can now ride the reroute at Wood Chopper exit and climb the ditch...

It is getting dark very for our ride. Within the next couple weeks will have to stop the rides or ride with lights.

Driving my bike

"Mastering Mountain Bike Skills" talks about becoming one with your bike. Now I have not "mastered" mountain bike skills, but I can feel that I am beginning to "driving" my bike rather than being a passenger.

Let me say it this way -- I was feeling that a ride was my bike and the trail, me taking a ride. Now I am feeling more that it is me and the trail - the bike is just a conveyance. I hope this makes sense!

I feel that riding/driving is becoming easier - in that not taking so much concentration - more intuitive. Now I navigate the trail without looking at each and every root, stone, turn. I look up the trail and drive the bike.

As I am getting better at riding the trails, maybe I can concentrate learning how to negotiate logs, rocks, bridges, etc.

OK, enough philosophy.

The photo is on Fast Track - my favorite trail at Manawa. I like the way the vines hang over the trail -- looks what I would imagine as Fodor's Middle Earth forest.

Made a 23+ mile ride Wednesday. With being off the bike so much the last 2 weeks, I was starting to hurt at about 18 miles. Slowed down the pace and finished the ride as a recovery ride.

Thursday I was debating Taco Ride or TNR. Once I heard that Rusty wanted to ride at Swanson before he moves, I decided to do the THR and take some photos for the T.H.O.R. web site. Legs were a little sore/tired so only ride about 4 miles.

Friday Evening Xtreme Wheel ride - short ride as it was getting dark while finishing 1 lap.

Beautiful weather today. Had a great ride at Manawa. This ride caused me to talk about driving my bike.

Friday Night Ride?

hmmm, where was everyone last night? I guess if Blueif is out of town no one else rides?

Anyway, I had a great ride. Weather (a little breeze but who cares in the woods) was great and the trail condition in prime shape. I logged 10 miles.

The folks of MidWest Cycling Community were out marking & taping the course for today's 12 hour race. There were a couple other rides on the trail. A good ride.

Xtreme Wheels Century

No, I did not ride the 100+ miles today. But I was up bright and early to take some photos. A good turn out, great weather. Hope every had a good ride.

After the Century Ride start, I took my normal Sunday Morning Ride with Dennis. Was a gorgeous day - Was in the mid 70s and no the light wind. We got stuck by a train - waiting about 20 minutes. Made it was a long ride. The rest kind of rejuvenated me.

After the ride, I headed home to process the photos. Left a CD at the bike shop.

Backing up a couple days, we had a good Friday Night Ride at Lake Manawa. The trail was in mostly dry (just some slick/soft/muddy spots). The sunset is starting to cutting into our riding time.

Where was everyone?

This afternoon I HAD to get my fix of singletrack. No word from anyone else riding the Friday Ride - headed to Manawa to check out the trails.

The day was cloudy, not good drying condition. The grass was still damp at 6pm! Sidewinders are in pretty good shape. Other trails have some areas greasy with spots of mud. I was able to skirt those areas without damaging the trail.

The weather is not promising - more rain in the forecast. Looks like more time on the pavement.

Friday Night Ride

I started mowing the lawn yesterday. Bought a new mower - the last was on its last legs. Weather pretty good - not too hot and we did not have the humidity earlier.

OK, what does that have to biking -- usually after mowing the lawn, I am too tired to ride. But, I really wanted to get out in the dirt. Forgot my heart monitor (should keep 1 in the car all the time) so when back for it. I could have ridden without it - I ride easier without it. I was glad that I got it -- I pushed a couple times (got my heart rate up to 140) and had a good ride. My riding is getting smoother, cleaner lines.

Last night was the largest group for the Ride -- great to meet the others - welcome. Look forward to the ride next Friday.

Withdrawal

No Friday night mountain bike ride (yuck!) - ground a bit sticky yet at Manawa after the rain. I took the opportunity to go out for a while and see some of friends.

Ham radio breakfast/coffee this morning - starting to feel some singletrack withdrawal - will have to get out today. Would ride on the pavement before breakfast, but need the singletrack. And with the Sunday Morning Ride on the bike paths of CB -- that will be enough on the road.