Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
St. Paul Classic
I cannot tell you how good it felt to be back on my bike again. This summer has been hell for me. I've sustained more injuries than I care to talk about. The sad thing is they did not happen while riding so they were not even worth it. It's one thing if you have a crash while bombing a downhill or having a great ride through a rock garden; but pulling your hamstring while pulling out tree roots is stupid. In any case I participated in the St. Paul Classic today and had just a fantastic time.
Rode with some old friends and some new friends. Everyone met at the starting line and we rolled out about 9 AM a nice easy cheesy ride to the first rest stop. Saw lots of kids on the ride, don't know if it's because we started out so late or if there were more this year. From what I hear there were about 7000 riders this year!
The second rest stop was at Indian Mounds Park, lots of cookies and coffee, yummy. Great view overlooking downtown St. Paul. There were a few climbs to get to Mounds Park but they were not too bad. Next stop Como Park! The ride was fairly flat until we hit the big hill on Wheelock Parkway. I was thinking about this hill the entire time, and wondering if I was going to make it. My knees are in pretty bad shape this year so I was concerned. But I had nothing to worry about it was a piece of cake, well maybe not that sweet but I didn't have any trouble with it. I've been in physical therapy most of the summer for my pulled hamstring and the arthritis in my knees, I guess it's working.
We arrived at Como Park pavilion and enjoyed some great music, coffee and brownies. Well I enjoyed the coffee most everyone else was into the lemonade. I love me some coffee and it's not often I pass up a free cup. Como Park is the last stop before the end of the ride.
I have no idea what time we finished the ride as I was not paying any attention to the time or mileage. We had several "new" riders with us so it was a nice easy casual Sunday ride.
After arriving back at the starting point we decided we needed food and a beer so we rode over to the Groveland Tap for lunch. My game plan was to ride my bike back home from the event; but after food and a beer I took Dave up on his offer of a ride home.
The weather was perfect, the company was great! Now I'm inspired to get some more miles in before the snow starts flying.
My riding this summer has been limited mostly to commuting back and forth to work. Now that I'm feeling better I plan to do more riding. I've had my hours at work changed the past few weeks in order to have some daylight to ride into work. I don't know how much longer that will last. I think I will need to invest in a stronger headlight. I lost my good light when my Kona mountain bike was stolen a while back.
Now it's time to relax and enjoy my evening. 0530 will be coming along real quickly.
Rode with some old friends and some new friends. Everyone met at the starting line and we rolled out about 9 AM a nice easy cheesy ride to the first rest stop. Saw lots of kids on the ride, don't know if it's because we started out so late or if there were more this year. From what I hear there were about 7000 riders this year!
The second rest stop was at Indian Mounds Park, lots of cookies and coffee, yummy. Great view overlooking downtown St. Paul. There were a few climbs to get to Mounds Park but they were not too bad. Next stop Como Park! The ride was fairly flat until we hit the big hill on Wheelock Parkway. I was thinking about this hill the entire time, and wondering if I was going to make it. My knees are in pretty bad shape this year so I was concerned. But I had nothing to worry about it was a piece of cake, well maybe not that sweet but I didn't have any trouble with it. I've been in physical therapy most of the summer for my pulled hamstring and the arthritis in my knees, I guess it's working.
We arrived at Como Park pavilion and enjoyed some great music, coffee and brownies. Well I enjoyed the coffee most everyone else was into the lemonade. I love me some coffee and it's not often I pass up a free cup. Como Park is the last stop before the end of the ride.
I have no idea what time we finished the ride as I was not paying any attention to the time or mileage. We had several "new" riders with us so it was a nice easy casual Sunday ride.
After arriving back at the starting point we decided we needed food and a beer so we rode over to the Groveland Tap for lunch. My game plan was to ride my bike back home from the event; but after food and a beer I took Dave up on his offer of a ride home.
The weather was perfect, the company was great! Now I'm inspired to get some more miles in before the snow starts flying.
My riding this summer has been limited mostly to commuting back and forth to work. Now that I'm feeling better I plan to do more riding. I've had my hours at work changed the past few weeks in order to have some daylight to ride into work. I don't know how much longer that will last. I think I will need to invest in a stronger headlight. I lost my good light when my Kona mountain bike was stolen a while back.
Now it's time to relax and enjoy my evening. 0530 will be coming along real quickly.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
How to Clean and Lube Your Bike
I have to say I enjoy "working" on my bike as much as I enjoy riding it. I like to take it apart to see how things work and putting it back together again with hopes that it will still work. One thing I've found to be really important is keeping my bike clean. Over time I've learned a few things about the proper way of cleaning my bike. If you’ve let the muck build up on your bike, here's a step-by-step guide that will get it looking like new – and running much better – in less than an hour.
Check out Biker Radar, make your bike happy!
Check out Biker Radar, make your bike happy!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Marian Bear Memorial Park
Kathy and I started out early again on Wednesday (June 3rd) morning to meet with Cindy for some mountain bike riding in the Marian Bear Memorial Park which is located in the San Clemente Canyon.
Over forty million years ago an ocean covered the canyon. Fossilized mollusks, such as snails and clams from that period are still found in the canyon walls. Horizontal lunes of round rocks at many levels, separated by clay and sand, represent the various levels of the ocean washing sand away and leaving rocks at surf level. Wind and water erosion have also contributed to the depth of San Clemente Canyon.
Native Americans have inhabited the area of San Diego County for 10,000 years. Evidence of their presence still remains in San Clemente Canyon. In the late 19th century, this area was named Clemente Canyon for a Native American rancher. During the 1970's, nature's balance was threatened by plans to place State Route 52 along the canyon floor.
However, Marian Bear, an active community leader and environmentalist, worked tirelessly to preserve the canyons in their natural state. She was the driving force behind realigning the highway from the canyon floor to the north hillsides. In the 1980's another community campaign resulted in an additional 72 acres in the southeast section for the present total of 467 acres. On July 31, 1979 the park was rededicated by the City Council of the City of San Diego on behalf of the People of the City who are indebted to Marian Bear for her energetic and unselfish efforts as a Planner, Naturalist and Conservationist and her lasting contributions toward the preservation of open space for future generations.
The main canyon and its tributaries continue to support a population of resident wildlife including raccoons, skunks, rabbits, amphibians, reptiles, and birds and serve as pathways for coyote, fox and other mammals. Along the length of the canyon are oak, sycamore, and willow trees.
The canyon has an intermingling of native plant communities some of whose range is restricted to Southern California and Northern Baja California. There is a riparian woodland along the creek beds and side canyons where water flows. The hillsides contain coastal sage scrub and chaparral.
Over forty million years ago an ocean covered the canyon. Fossilized mollusks, such as snails and clams from that period are still found in the canyon walls. Horizontal lunes of round rocks at many levels, separated by clay and sand, represent the various levels of the ocean washing sand away and leaving rocks at surf level. Wind and water erosion have also contributed to the depth of San Clemente Canyon.
Native Americans have inhabited the area of San Diego County for 10,000 years. Evidence of their presence still remains in San Clemente Canyon. In the late 19th century, this area was named Clemente Canyon for a Native American rancher. During the 1970's, nature's balance was threatened by plans to place State Route 52 along the canyon floor.
However, Marian Bear, an active community leader and environmentalist, worked tirelessly to preserve the canyons in their natural state. She was the driving force behind realigning the highway from the canyon floor to the north hillsides. In the 1980's another community campaign resulted in an additional 72 acres in the southeast section for the present total of 467 acres. On July 31, 1979 the park was rededicated by the City Council of the City of San Diego on behalf of the People of the City who are indebted to Marian Bear for her energetic and unselfish efforts as a Planner, Naturalist and Conservationist and her lasting contributions toward the preservation of open space for future generations.
The main canyon and its tributaries continue to support a population of resident wildlife including raccoons, skunks, rabbits, amphibians, reptiles, and birds and serve as pathways for coyote, fox and other mammals. Along the length of the canyon are oak, sycamore, and willow trees.
The canyon has an intermingling of native plant communities some of whose range is restricted to Southern California and Northern Baja California. There is a riparian woodland along the creek beds and side canyons where water flows. The hillsides contain coastal sage scrub and chaparral.
Our first big climb...
after making it, well maybe I should say after getting to the top we had a super fun downhill ride.
It does not look like much but from where I'm standing there is a nice downhill run then a dip and a climb to where Cindy is perched waiting for us...
It does not look like much but from where I'm standing there is a nice downhill run then a dip and a climb to where Cindy is perched waiting for us...
After catching up with Cindy we had another great downhill run.
Scenic view along the trail...
After descending we entered into a more wooded area which followed the creek...
I am not going to lie, I did not make it through this while still on my bike :(
This was such a gorgeous spot we decided to stop and hang out for a while...
Not real sure if it was Cindy or Kathy's idea but we decided to follow this set of Railroad tracks "to see where they went" It was not much fun riding on the loose, sharp rocks.
At one point we entered some brush where I would have sworn there was no trail. The plants were so dense you had to hold on hard to your handlebars or the plants would take them.
We spent several hours exploring the trails, taking pictures and making videos by the time we finished we were hot, sweaty and full of dirt. And we had big smiles on our faces :)
I can hardly wait to get back to San Diego and explore more mountain biking in Southern California. I'm tentatively planning another trip out there at the end of September. The game plan is to drive out so I can stop in Nevada and Colorado along the way. I better start saving my pennies or try to find someone to come with me and share the expenses.
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