California riding again...

It's been 8 years since the last time I rode in California. Last time was a family vacation. This time I was able to work it into my business trip. The president of the company I work for just happens to be a mountain biker as well. The other great thing is that we are both tall, and he has 2 mountain bikes. We were able to arrange my flight so that we could go ride one morning before our sales meetings began.

John took me to Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland, CA. Though John isn't as daring as I am on 2 wheels, he showed me some great trails and we had a great time. The park itself seemed well balanced in its offering of wide open fire roads and trails for the novice and technical climbs and descents for the expert. I didn't get to see everything this time around, but I hope to get back and explore this park some more. The redwoods and views were beautiful and definitely added to the riding experience.

Mid-November update

Been off the bike for almost 2 weeks. It didn't help that both of my rides were in the shop for repairs. I wanted to race the weekend before last, but didn't have a working bike and couldn't afford the entry fee after the repairs anyway. Fork rebuild on the Enduro (ugh) and a few minor things on the 29er. The streak ends tonight with a night ride with a group of 15+. Should be fantastic! I don't remember the last time I went this long without riding. Probably last winter.
I just joined the greenhills trails group in my hometown of Chillicothe, MO. The trails have been sprouting up there since I left in the mid 90s thanks to Doug Long, my PE coach in Jr. High school. His dedication to the sport is a blessing to me and my siblings who love to ride when we get together. Can't wait to mingle with some of the folks in "Chill-ville." I will be up there over Thanksgiving, and as long as the weather doesn't do anything crazy, my brother and I will be hitting the trails for sure.
RIDE ON....

Epic ride...in the city limits

The town of Bella Vista Arkansas, where I live, is pretty unique. It's like someone took the town and just dropped it into the woods. Trees everywhere. I had heard about a system of trails and roads that connected from one edge of town to the other. Another group of cyclists had done this trail a couple of times, and last weekend, a group of my friends and others decided to take the ride. We rode over 15 miles on some trails and streets. Lots of loose rocks (typical for this area) and leaves covering the route. I was on my hardtail 29er and handled it all pretty well. I climbed a few hills others weren't able to do. I especially enjoyed riding Blowing Springs trails.

This is a ride that I wouldn't want to do very often, but once or twice a year would be good, especially if the untamed sections were cut a little better and more defined. Right now, the only way to know where you are going is to have someone guide you.

We did show up in costume. I decided to come as "Captain High Seatpost Guy" because Dave, the bike shop owner that organized the ride, is always giving me garbage about me having my seat up so high. Yes, I won the costume contest. Those care bears were pretty hardcore, though.

2011 Planning- KATY Trail

Already dreaming up plans for next summer. As I am responsible for a group of 14 and 15 year old varsity scouts, I have to help them plan a high adventure activity each summer. Next summer, I will be joining my scouts on an epic ride on the KATY trail, a rails-to-trails trail that runs most of the way across Missouri, from St. Louis to Clinton MO. I have fond memories of this trail. My love for bicycles deepened when I was in my tween years when my best friend's dad would take us riding on this trail near Columbia, MO. The scenery along the Missouri River is fantastic. I look forward to leading a group of a dozen or so on this legendary ride next summer. I'm sure there will be many more postings about this trip coming up in 8 months!

My first INTERBIKE!

For those who don't know what Interbike is, it's only the BIGGEST bike show in the nation! Everybody who is anybody in the bike world goes there to show off their new products for next year and meet with their dealers. I happen to have a few friends in the outdoor industry that were willing to get me in. Once I found the right deal on an airline ticket, it was a done deal.

Monday and Tuesday were the Outdoor Demo. This was held at Boulder City, NV. There were buses to take people out to the demo where there were dozens of bikes, parts, and accessory suppliers camped out and ready to show their stuff. The main reason for being out there however was to ride the 2011 bikes! It reminded me of going to buy a stereo at Nebraska Furniture Mart. I went in to look for a new stereo, and I had never been there before. The selection and options was so HUGE that I turned around and walked out. It was overwelming.

Well, I didn't walk out of the outdoor demo, but I did wander a bit before settling down and going into the Yeti tent. I rode the ASR-7. I also rode the Pivot Firebird and the Trek Remedy 7 the first day. By the time I rode those, I had discovered that there were also 2 trucks with flatbeds on the back that were hauling riders up bootleg canyon. That was the icing on the cake!

The second day of the demo, I rode the S-Works Enduro (still my favorite bike) the Santa Cruz Nomad, and I messed around a little on a Giant. I tried to get on an Ellsworth, but they never had one in my size. That was the hardest part.

Wednesday and Thursday, I attended the tradeshow part of the event. It took most of the day just to walk the floor and see all of the booths. My main goal was to network and meet a few people that I have only talked to on the phone at Shimano and Specialized...mission accomplished. I also picked up plenty of cheap or free items. I can't wait to do this again next year!!...wonder what I'll be doing by then.

Recap of the MS150

Daryl and I had a great time. We left my house at 4am to get to Clever Mo. The ride was well attended. We averaged 16mph on Saturday. The rest stops were well stocked with great high energy foods. The route was excellent- no major nasty hills like you would expect in the Ozarks, just a nice and fairly even route.
Toward the end of the last leg of the day, I still had enough left to lead a group of 3 into Joplin to the finish. Not sure what my speed was, but i was keeping a pretty fast pace.
I wanted to do the century route on Saturday since I wasn't going to ride on Sunday, but Daryl was riding Sunday and didn't want to wear himself out too bad. He did the century without me on Sunday.
I had a great time, and I'm sure I'll do this ride again, and recruit a few friends while I'm at it....guess it's time to find a road bike, or at least by next year.

The eve of the 150

Tomorrow, I will be participating in my first MS150 ride. My friend Daryl, who is turning 40 this weekend, told me years ago that he wanted to do one of these events before he turned 40. Even though he now lives in Nebraska, he is driving down to participate in the event that is only a few hours from where I live in Arkansas. Obviously, I had to join him. Now I don't consider myself a roadie, but I did trade my 29er to my friend Wynn Peterson for his Specialized Roubaix when I got back from the Colorado trip, and that's what I've been riding to work. I confess it is going to be rough going back to the mountain bike as a commuter. I think it's only a matter of time before I have a road bike for commuting.
Am I ready for tomorrow's event? Hardly. I haven't done any extended rides to get ready. I have done a 75 mile ride in one day before when I lived in Amarillo. I participated in the Tour de Cure. However that ride was FLAT. This is the Ozarks!