In the Dirt Again

Well, was feeling good after my ride yesterday. With rain forecast for this evening and tomorrow, it was time to ride some singletrack.

This was my first full (my laps) 2 lap + warm/cool ride - 12.6 miles. Still getting used to the new trail bike. Some sections on the sidewinders I was riding at up to 12 mph! Then slower pace in the tight turns.

Minor crash on woodchopper. Never use the front disc brakes for panic stops! Just some dirt in my arm - that's all. Got back up and rode more. Thought of hopping a log on Fast Track - then dropped that idea, since I had crashed once already today!

Completed my goal - over 12 miles.

We are still getting some mushroom hunters (a guess) moving logs. I talked with one hunter during my ride. When I mentioned that the News was saying you can find mushrooms under rotting wood - he said that would be something novice hunters might think. Not true.

Only 2 weeks to my trip to Rapid City. Hope the snow is melting .

Ride Around CB

It was a beautiful day yesterday. Looked like a good day for a ride. I decided I needed a ride on pavement and on my FX.

When I headed out from the shop, I was not sure just how far I would ride. I made it to the Indian Creek bridge, feeling good, I decided to ride to Trail Center.

Stopped for rest & snack - the on up to the new bridge. It has been a long time since I rode past the new bridge. They are starting to run railings. Took a couple of photos.

Once I made it that far, through town was the shortest way back. Made another stop at Northway for drink and rest, then headed back to the shop.

Topped the hill on H. Langdon at 8mph, 140 bpm. Good ride.

Swanson River City Shootout

With the postponed race, I faced a bit of a quandary - I had also planned to work the Lake Manawa Clean-up Day. Even told our Trail Leader that I could cover for him. Thanks, Blaine, for helping me out of that bind.

I headed out for Swanson Park. It was a beautiful day Sunday for the race. The course was in tip-top shape.

T.H.O.R. set up a tent for our membership drive. We also had food and soda available. Tim and his crew were busy. New T.H.O.R. "Trail Crew" t-shirts, and the Spring issued of Dirt Tracks were also available.

What a turn-out for the race! I heard that some 151 racers registered. Awesome.

For the Beginner race, I found a new vantage point on the back hill. On the second lap. I set up at FireHouse Air - my favorite spot to photos. Then came the always popular Kid's Race.

With the Sport & Expert races underway, I found vantage points closer to the pavilion. I needed to near by to shoot the Beginner's Awards. After the awards, I headed back to FireHouse Air for some good air shots. Back into the woods closer to the pavilion, a couple more shots when the camera battery gave out. Switched that out and shot the Sport & Export Awards.

A busy day - looks like over 450 shots - now some time process the photos. Lastly, I will have to post them to my web site - sometime later this week.

Cinco de Mayo Ride

The Psycowpath MTB race for Saturday was postponed 1 day because of the rain Friday. That gave me the time (and energy) to ride the Xtreme Wheels Cinco de Mayo Ride.

Over 30 riders, many in costume, headed out from the shop for a ride on the Wabash Trace. The destination? Margaritaville, of course. There were refreshments & snacks. Then a quick ride down the hill.

Pot luck supper was served back at the shop.

I took it easy on the ride and food. For some reason, my stomach has not settled. My riding showed it. My speed was low climbing the hill. Coming up the hill, I had the rear shock cut in - that also gave me a bouncy ride - next time ride up with the shock locked out (the bike performance and my stomach condition were not related).

Bike to Work Day

Join riding with Council Bluffs Mayor Tom Hanafan on Friday, May 16th. The ride is part of Bike to Work Week - May 12-16.

Ride from Valley View Village to Bayliss Park along Valley View Trail and Harry Langdon Blvd.

7:45 - 8:00am Registration and sign in at Valley View Park.
8:00 - 8:45 Bicycle Ride with the Mayor to Bayliss Park
8:45 - 9:45 Mayor's Proclamation and press conference (refreshments)
9:00 - 9:45 Return to Valley View Park

Click on the flier on the right for more information.

Reminder - Black Hill Fat Tire Festival

Three weeks to the Black Hill Fat Tire Festival. Last year I attended - the first year for the festival and the first festival I had attended.

Those that came last year - there are some new trails, rides, and functions. The big one for me is the Mickelson Trail Ride Friday and Saturday. The Mickelson is an old railroad bed and runs for 109 miles.

For you singletrack racers, there are races galore - downhill, xc, hill climb and more.

Singletrack tours are held a couple of times a day (you need to sign up before the ride). Tour rides are "no one left behind" and lead by members of BHMBA (Black Hills Mountain Bike Association).

Another addition for this year's festival is a film festival. There will also be a showing of Season the new film from The Collective.

You need to take part in Beer-muda Triangle. You earn raffle tickets for attending functions and making purchases at sponsors (stuff you will need anyway - like gas, food, and souvenirs).

I had a great time last (even if the trails were over my ability). I have been told that they have new trails, including an easier trail. This will be a great way to checkout my new bike!

Good trails, good friends, good food, good scenery - a great festival. Check out my photos from last year's Festival.

While you are in the area, check out Mt Rushmore, Badlands, Needles Highway (Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway), and Custer State Park.

Hope you can attend - looking forward to meet you there...

Rides & Trail Work

Back on the trail Tuesday. I decided to fore go the Tuesday Evening Ride from the bike shop. Instead I rode dirt at Manawa. The trails are dry (except for 1 ditch), hard, and fast.

It felt that I was riding closely to the same as my hardtail. Good lines, increasing speed, etc. When I got the bike to the shop for Wednesday Morning Ride, I realized that the rear shock was locked! Now wonder it was riding like my 4300.

Wednesday dawned clear, crisp, and cool. A good morning for our ride. Riders: Randy, Greg, Zach and me. We did our normal ride from the shop to Lake Manawa, rode the trails there and headed back to the shop. I could feel the difference now - riding with the rear shock in v. locked. Still getting is used to the new bike - but riding better each time I am out.

Just ended the ride when my friend Chuck called - he wanted to come over for help picking out a bike. Took him to Xtreme Wheels, where he ended purchasing a Navigator 30.

From there - Trail work. I met Steve (Manawa Trail Leader) and Martin to clear the 3 dead falls and hopefully make repairs to the big tree crossing. Andrew (another rider from XW stopped by when working on the log crossing - helped with us.

When I got home I was tired - not mentioning sore legs. See how I feel today - if I am going to ride later.