Saratoga Gap

First ride out in a little while! I met Eric at his house at 6:15 and we headed to the Saratoga Gap trail. Amazing ride! It was my first time there. We ended up doing nearly 21 miles and were back at 11:00 for lunch. I've been a bit out of it on riding so this was a great way to kick start it again. Took a few miles to kick some lethargic energy but after that we powered right through it. Labor day is probably out for a lot of folks but we want to try to hit another good ride in two weeks on September 8th. Anybody interested?

Here's a photo from the skyline with Mty bay and Santa Cruz marine layer in the background...

Boulder Muddy Buddy

Hey Guys,

I did a half running-half mountain biking race called the Muddy Buddy in Boulder, CO last weekend. Two men share one bike and trade off between running and biking in a leap-frogging manner throughout the race. There are also obstacles like rock walls and a mud bog at the end for which the race is names. There is one in San Jose that took place this past June. It was a lot of fun.. Here are some pics:

Back into the swing of things at Santa Teresa

Finally back in San Jose after a three week trip out of town to Alaska and Colorado. Didn't bike once while I was out and I really missed it! I did get some running and hiking done in an attempt to maintain my riding shape.

My trip was great and if I had to miss some rides... at least it was for a good reason. While I was out I spent a weekend in Salida Colorado. It is a mountain bike haven in that part of the country. I thumbed through some excellent trail books and rode an Enduro S-Works in the parking lot at a local shop but didn't have time to demo the bike and the trails. Some time in the future!!

So back to the swing of things... I have a local ride at Santa Teresa that I ride more frequently than any other ride. It is short, challenging and close to my house so I can hit it on week-nights after work and still make it back on time for dinner. The ride is as follows:

I drive in to the trailhead at the base of the switchbacks - hit those - and ride the loop backwards up rocky ridge and down the service road. The first time I rode this it took me about an hour and 10 minutes... I made it my goal for quite a while to shave minutes off this ride every time I rode it. At the height of my shape this spring I was able to do it in 39:40 and I was totally wasted afterward but excited I had attained my goal to break 40 minutes!!!

The ride is 6.67 miles. In order to break 40 I had to learn every detail of the trail, learn how to keep my feet on the pedals without a single slip, learn how to gear perfectly for every ascent and know how hard I could push and for how long so I could maintain a sustainable cadence without burning out and needing a rest. Now this ride is my benchmark the quality of my riding shape. Here are my checkpoints for beating the 40 if anyone would like to give it a shot:

Base of switch backs to the top: Must be there in less than 7 minutes
Bridge leading to rocky ridge: Must be there in 17 minutes
Radio tower at the top - already on the road leading to the two humps: Must beat 30 minutes or there is now way to make it back in the last 10. This is the leg where I typically deviate if I'm slow.
Thursday Max Speed: 39.9 down the service road.

So I hit this on Thursday after I returned from Colorado. I had to put my foot down once which cost me.. I also had to wait for riders to pass on a couple occasions but I did it in 41:50. I was pretty happy with this time given the amount of time I was out on the road. My body is being a great companion in allowing me to do it fast enough to maintain my intensity and excitement for this sport - but slow enough to show me that I need to keep on top of it to get my best time... Could have been much worse!

Hope to see some pictures of the downieville trip if anyone has some to post. I wish I could have been there!

Joe

My New Obsession

Check this out! 40 pounds of fun for one low price! This might be my next bike.



This is the Specialized Demo 7!

SJ Mercury News

There was a very inspirational article in the paper this morning. Take a look if you have a moment:

Mercury News Article

Demo One Week Later

Joe and Eric headed back out to Demo at about a quarter to seven on Sunday morning. Our goal was to hit Sawpit and then head back up Sulphur Springs and then hit Braille. I was sure that we could swing it all and be back by around 11:30. Those familiar with my notorious inability to measure time and estimate the lengths of rides will be laughing already. Well, we did not make it back till around 1 o'clock! Surprise, surprise.

Regarding Sawpit: This trail is excellent and challenging. It has tight corners, drops, some stunts and jumps, and a few oh-my-god-it's-too-late-but-I-better-just-ride-it-out sections. It is no Braille, of course, but it does have its own worthiness about it. Overall, it a lot longer than Braille, and you feel it in your sore hands, feet, and quads. Also, the extra milage it adds to the climb out is not so bad.

So we climbed back up past the bottom of Braille and then up to Sulphur Springs. We climbed up and learned from some other climbers that Corral Trail is really a collection of jumps of different sizes. Next time we head up there we should head down Corral, hook up to Sulfer Springs and take that back up to the Ridge Trail and from there hit Braille or Sawpit. This path would cut out about 1/2 of the climb back to the top, which is pretty hard to do.

From here we headed back down Braille. We became so fatigued on the way down that we had to stop and rest our hands and feet. Otherwise, it was just a straight shop all the way to the bottom, with no fooling around. This to me was the funnest part of the ride. But because of the fatigue I ended up skipping some things I usually do. A good choice, I think.

We met a lot of very cool and friendly riders on the trail. We shared a beer with one of the most talkative people I have ever met. He was nice so it was hard to tactfully put a stop to his loquacious ejaculations. We also met a pair of guys who came from Russia. One of them was a guy who got busted up last November while Steve and I were out there for a demo. The wierd thing about it was that I had just been talking about him only minutes before we met him on the trail. All of this was less than a mile from the spot where he broke his ankle and had to be transported out.

Stats:
3 minor spills
0 injuries
19 miles
6 hours round trip

After having a cold, sinus infection, and other symptoms all week long (and absolutely no riding!) I must admit that this ride was a little overkill. I found myself winded a lot more than usual, while Joe seemed more or less at ease. I also ended up walking up a long section of Sulphur Springs. Being sick takes a huge toll on one's abilities to perform. But it was worth it!

Also, after Russ's unfortunate injury, we were really conscious of our own sense of our limitations and comfort levels. I have more fun if I stay within a certain range, dictated by the way I feel about my skills on a given day. But pushing myself a little beyond that is a little fun as well! Without at least a little risk I think we would be missing out on the potential for evem MORE fun!

Poem: Demo Disaster! (Ballad Meter, Warning! Explicit Lyrics)

Hey all! I decided to wait for a while to post this, but with Russ's permission secured, here it is...

And in verse, no less! For your listening pleasure...

Russ and I went out one morn
To ride in Demo Forest.
We met upon the crack of dawn
And left at six-thirty-ish.

I drove us out, for last time Russ
Had done the driving for us
When we went out to Stevens Creek,
So I got us to the forest.

We met some riders in the lot
And they were cool and friendly.
So we were off and they behind
And we started uphill quickly.

We headed down the fine Ridge Trail.
We stuck real close together.
The trail conditions were pristine,
Not to mention the weather.

The junction finally arrived
Where Braille cuts to the right.
But we cut left down Sawpit Trail
Like we’d planned yester night.

We hit them all, we hit them fast,
Rocks and logs and corners;
We came upon a trio of drops,
One right after the other.

I hit them, dropped them, onetwothree!
In smooth and quick succession.
Then turned about after the third
To see my friend attempt them.

He hit the first and off he flew
Slightly askew, I thought;
And he carried on to number two,
But pedal he did not.

The speed he needed did not come
From the slight slope of the hill.
And time slowed down, my brain’s alarm
Was sounding very shrill.

This second drop, this demon drop
The largest of the three,
This demoniacal dead tree drop
Was more than Russ could see.

The front wheel dropped, the rear did not
And man and bike did topple.
I’m sure that in his mind it seemed
The world itself did wobble.

In micro-milliseconds flat
He rolled there in the dust
And bike and man laid on the ground
Though bike better-off than Russ.

I quickly checked just to make sure
That nothing had broken too badly,
Since the bike was ‘okay’ I moved right away
To check on my friend moaning softly.

I could not tell right away what was hurt
As he curled in the fetal position
And gritty “fucks” and “shits” expelled
With interjectory precision.

It took little time for us to find
That there’d be no more riding for Russ.
He could not hold the bar, could not squeeze the brake
So now it was walking for us.

I thought we’d be walking quite a ways out
Since we still had a four-mile hill,
But with teeth biting hard and his hand in his lap
Russ RODE up the god-damn hill!

From the lot we drove home and later that day
He went to the emergency room.
The X-ray showed that the ulna was broke
At the wrist…a rider’s doom!

Six weeks on the trail without Russ is our fate
And perhaps we’ll get along alright.
I will ride with a smile on the verge of a frown,
That orange streak far out of sight.

So three cheers for Russ who’s shown us again
The lesson that all riders need:
That the worst of crashes all seem to take place
At the slowest of possible speeds.

Although I do not claim that the poem itself is great, I will say that it is all true. Hang in there, Russ. You'll be back in the saddle in no time. And don't they say that when you break a bone that it heals stronger than it was before? Next thing you know everyone will be breaking bones too, on purpose no less, to make themselves tougher and more resilient! And so I will write great poems about their exploits! I'll never forget how you climbed that hill!

Singlespeed Action

Scott and I headed out on the singlespeed 29ers on Sunday morning at around 10 AM. We wanted to see what it would be like climbing Quicksilver without having the convenience of gearing. Most of the time we go out to ST Park on the singlespeeds, where the climbs are steep but short and the flat sections are long. But Quicksilver is almost three miles to the top, and it requires a much more steady pace.

All that said, we made it to the top, quite to our surprise. We even passed a group of novices on clunkers with their seats set way too low. That's not much to brag about, but it is interesting that we never even saw them again. We just kept up our steady pace, standing up all the way, and did not look back.

This was one of those rides where you are glad your friend came with you. The conversation makes you almost forget what you are doing and the fact that you are climbing a huge hill. It makes you forget that you should be tired, winded, and in pain. We were so surpised when we reached the crest of the hill in what seemed like no time at all and with relatively little strain.

As usual, the downhill section was such a blast on the ridged 29ers! They are so fast, in spite of the fact of having no 44 tooth ring in the front. I hit 30 mph at one point! I don't usually go much faster than that on my full suspension rig.

I think I am just about ready to change out my 20 cog for a 19. We'll see.

El Corte De Madera Creek

I was supposed to return to Denver today but there were some things I had to take care of before I left so I postponed my flight to Tuesday. Late this afternoon I made a spur of the moment decision to hit "El Corte de Madera Creek" up by Woodside and Palo Alto. I had printed out the map and directions a couple weeks back but never made the trip. They were sitting on my desk staring me in the face so about 4 minutes later I had my riding shoes on and was pulling out of the garage on my way up there.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Trail Info (I spent some time looking this up so I thought I'd throw it out there if anyone else is interested):

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Directions to trailhead
Trail Map (Thanks Steve for the openspace website)
Trailhead Entry: CM08 (see trail map)

Today's Route: Methuselah Trail--> South Leaf Trail ->Virginia Mill -> Timberview-> Giant Salamander and then back out..

Notes: There are two places to park that are right at the trail head. One is where I parked at the CM08 trail head. the other is at the top and is called Skeggs point. If you start at Skeggs you are at the top and you will face a really tough uphill finish. CM08 puts you at a better starting position (in my opinion).
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

This was a really awesome ride. There are some remarkably steep climbs, very tricky technical pieces and some awesome single track with a lot of great hits. I'm starting to get a lot more comfortable with the jumps which is really great. It helps me look at the trail in a different way. I think this is attributed to riding with you guys and getting new brakes- The hydro brakes have given me more confidence that I can control my speed. This is one of those trails that flows very nicely in some sections (the "great hits" sections mentioned above) - where there are a lot of ups and downs with obstacles in the way. You can keep good speed in some of these areas so it feels more like you are surfing the terrrain than riding on a bike. I kind of think of it as feeling "up to my elbows in trail".

The closest comparison I can think of to describe this trail is Demo. If you look at the map there is a lot of trail that I didn't come close to touching. I definitely want to get back out there but I wouldn't want to go alone again. It is tricky and some parts can be dangerous so it is a good place to have a group. I barely saw any other people while I was out. The reason I stress this is becuase I flipped over my handlebars on a steep technical downhill section. I rolled as I hit the ground but when I came about face I met face first with a large tree. If I weren't wearing my helmet I think I'd be scheduling an appointment for a plastic surgeon or laying out there still. My helmet cut into my forehead and left a little cut as a reminder.

This was a humbling ride. The climbs are so steep and covered with loose leaves and gravel. It would require really good form and strength to do this without tapping out but I do think it is possible. My mileage pace was slow but it's relative to the terrain. There's a lot of time this summer to work that all out :)

Stats:

Total Time: 1:35

Distance: 8.63 miles

Average Pace: 5.5 mph

Max Speed: 25 mph

Photos:

Some beautiful forrest sections. Such a cool feel.

Stevens Canyon to the Gap and Back

What a great ride! Russ and Mark met me at my house and from there we headed out towards the Gap. A last minute change in plans headed us out toward Stevens Canyon. I have always wanted to ride UP to the Gap rather than starting it from the top. I so much prefer a ride that ends on a downhill as opposed to a seemingly endless climb. Well, this was the time! We found parking off of Stevens Canyon Road and headed in...

We had to ride for about a mile or two to get to the trailhead. From there we headed in and immediately hit the singletrack. After another mile or two we ended up at a familiar place--the bottom of the Gap. How excellent! After a couple of stream crossings we headed up the one-way trail all the way to the top. This climb is so much easier and better when it is done in the beginning of a ride. After some doing, we made it all the way up to Skyline. This is a gain of almost 2000 feet, but in a very short distance--about 6.5 miles of winding, rooty single track and some very steep fire road.

From the top we headed across the mountain and all the while we were enclosed inside a cloud. It was so misty that I could not see anything and had to remove my shades. Soon we started heading down through the forest again, and at times the air was so moist that the trees rained down drops of cool water on us and the trail. It was all quite perfect. We cut through quickly to the bottom of the hill, hit another stream crossing and began the climb out.

Soon we were back at the original trail that brought us in to the Gap and we headed out. This trail is a lot of fun because of all of the burms and jumps. I saw them coming up the trail and was paitiently awaiting the descent so I could try a few. This part of the trail is very fast and requires control so one does not launch himself out of control. We headed down pretty quickly and were soon back at the car only slightly behind schedule.

In the end we covered only about 17 miles, but we climbed over 3000 feet.

Regarding my Garmin--the thing does not work well on rides in tree-covered canyons. My total ascent measured over 6000 feet, and I know that is not even close to being accurate. Oh well. Maybe an altimiter that worked off of barometric pressure rather than satellites is a better choice. But it is dissappointing to buy the Garmin and to expect too much from it. I love having post-ride data to look at and I would like to be able to assume that it is accurate, more or less. Apparently less!

Some great things about the ride were:

Mark came out after a long absence. The dude seems to never loose any of his strength, even after not riding for some time. He also did the whole thing on a hard tail with 1.9 inch wide tires!

Russ pushed on in spite of exhaustion and an auto-shifting drivetrain.

I had a blast! And I could really feel how riding the singlespeed 29er has really improved my strength at pedalling. I have been trying to climb in harder gears and it pays off with increased momentum and speed to get over obstacles and up steep sections.

The trails were in excellent shape and the weather was perfect. I can't wait to get back out there and add some more distance to this ride! Anyone up for it next weekend?

Trans Rockies Bike Race--Some day!

Hey all!
Check out this link:http://mtbike.mountainzone.com/2003/transrockies/index.html
This is just one description of the race that you can find on the web. I am very interested in doing this race before I am 40 years old! I'm turning 35 this summer. ANyway, a sslot in the race is apparently a coveted thing, since this year's race, in august, is already sold out! I think I would love to complete the race one time in my life, with a good partner. Maybe even multiple teams! It costs a pretty penny but I think it would be worth doing it once.
Think about it!

Quick ride in CO

While I was in Denver I managed to get a good ride in.

Check out some photos:

http://groups.google.com/group/men-machines-and-mountains/web/matthews-winters-park-golden-co

Tidings from Denver: Objective 1 Accomplished!

1 man
1 machine
1 purchase from Craigs list: 170 bucks
Altitude of purchase: 5280 feet.

Work brings me back to my hometown in Denver for the next two weeks which raises the question: How will I get my rides in? The answer: I had a busy day starting with a 7:00 AM flight, met my mom and brother for lunch, headed to the office and then to belated Mother's day sushi dinner. Between work and the dinner I was able to fit in a brief meeting with Dave B, a guy from craigslist selling a 1995 Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo hard tail. The bike is old but she's solid. The components work surprisingly well and it's super light!! I was very impressed with the overall condition at a price less than one of the Juicy 7's on my stumpy :). Can't wait to get out on some trails!

Wilder Ranch

Several conversations have taken place while riding in the past couple weeks regarding bad bike injuries that occur at low speeds. Despite the fact that these crashes leave you out of commission while you heal, they don't leave you with any good war-stories. Unfortunately a crash at 3 mph doesn't have the same dramatic story appeal as a crash at 38 mph! That said, it is the 3 mph crash and not the 38 mph crash that has lead me to wear body armor on my legs. I find this ironic.

Unfortunately Eric suffered one such injury late Friday night which left me and Russ on our own Saturday morning. A last minute shuffle of plans and a 6:00 AM phone call left us with a decision to head south to Wilder Ranch. We met at Best Buy, loaded my bike onto the Prius and headed out (Thanks for driving Russ).

The ride: We parked along highway 1 parallel to the Wilder ranch parking lot. We rode around to the farmhouse and started on our journey. I made a navigation error that took us 4 miles right back to where we started on Engelsman Loop. We chalked this up as a good warm up :). After the "warm up" we rode a loop that connected Wilder Ridge loop - Dairy Trail - Zane Gray and back to Wilder Ridge loop.

It was in this loop that we had our first wildlife encouters. A fox crossed our trail about 15 feet ahead of us. It elegantly ignored us and moved on it's way. Towards the end of this loop there was a steep rocky single track climb with an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean. To the right you can see Russ powering his way to a finish on this section. The picture does not do justice to the grade of the trail. We took a quick break at the top where Russ had a Darwinian encounter with a tick crawling on his leg. The sound of the hard shell cracking between Russ's finger tips was the sounding bell of the defeat of the tick.

At this point the true fun began. We completed Wilder Ridge loop and hit the Old Cabin Trail. It is amazing how quickly the terrain can change. In the passing of a few trees you are transported from a warm prarie grassland with an ocean view to a myserious forest where the temperature and floor drop and the light vanishes. I really love the feel of this trail. I think King Kong would find it a cozy home.

We were short on time so we pounded through Old Cabin and finished up at the farm house. Before packing we took a quick ride to the cliffs above Wilder Beach. This is truly a breathtaking view. Russ and I agreed that it is probably a bit of an aggressive goal to land a drop over the 50 foot cliff with a beach landing. Maybe not this summer anyway. If anybody is excited by this prospect take a look at how the pros do it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu2Qqi9bzkc

On our way from the cliffs to the car we had our 3rd wildlife encounter with a bobcat which was slowly walking down the trail! We slowed our speed and discussed whether or not we knew the proper bobcat encouter protocol. We agreed that we needed to move slow as not to look like running prey and to look big (this was pretty easy for some burly guys like us).

The cat moved on, we packed up the car and were on our way to our lunch dates, where Russ had the 4th and final wildlife encounter...

Upon arriving at Chevy's for lunch, he felt an intense pain in the left leg. He looked down and saw a tiny deer tick chomping on his quad. Russ yanked him out by his head and ended up with a pretty nasty-looking bite mark. Fortunately, he was only engaged for a matter of hours, which reduces the likelihood of Lyme Disease. Of course, Russ will be on the lookout for the symptoms, but the probability of contracting the disease is low.

Stats:
Moving time: 1:57:31
Total distance: 14.54 miles
Maximum speed: 34.5 mph
Elevation Gain: 2,068 ft
Average speed: 7.4 mph

Radio Tower with Joe and Ryan

Saturday was a nice day to ride. As usual, we got an early start ~7:30. We were, sadly, without our fearless leader, Eric, which meant I had to find my way through the overgrown Camden Single Track. We got our signals crossed with Ryan but were ultimately ok.

We had fun on the single track, and then across Harry Road to ST Park. From there, we went on Fortini Trail to the parking lot and then up to Coyote Peak (radio tower). It was a tough climb. Joe was a horse, as usual, and Ryan has a new goal. He learned the hard way that you just have to power through the steep parts because it's too difficult to get going if you cease pedaling. He noted that he will eventually conquer that hill.

Then Joe and I took Ryan on the Rocky Ridge Trail, which should be renamed, "Rear Suspension Appreciation Trail." Ryan took some abuse on the downhill, but persevered and finished strong. We all headed back out via Mine Trail and Fortini Trail and back across the single track on Camden.

Stats:

• 1:45:43 in moving time
• 12.84 miles
• 33.6 mph max speed
• 7.3 mph average speed
• 1564 in elevation gain
  

Hi, ho Quicksilver

I had maybe my best day of riding since I've been at it. I went out to Quicksilver by myself on Sunday morning. It was a beautiful day, and I beat a rush of bikers to the trail.

I decided I would just try to do Quicksilver as quickly as I could. I made it to the top in under 35 minutes. This excludes a ~5 minute picnic table break that, frankly, I didn't even need, but just took out of the force of habit. I was proud of 34:44 time to the top. It's almost certainly a personal best.

I completed the entire ride - Hacienda Trail to the top, down to the reservoir, back to the picnic table and back down the to Hacienda Trail head in 1:12:14 of riding time, about 1:21:03 in total. Other stats:

• 10.04 miles in total distance
  
• 8.3 mph average speed
• 25.5 mph maximum speed
• 1860 feet in total elevation gain
  

I used my small ring most of the way up, and then never went out of the middle ring from then on. In fact, I never even used the granny gear in the middle ring.

I felt great, and if I had time felt like I could have gone another round. I also needed this ride, as a few crashes and a long break were contributing to some confidence issues that I needed to just ride through, and Sunday's ride really helped with that.

A New Epic

2 men
2 machines
0 crashes
3 parks
2 empty camelbacks
5 hours
34.75 miles
5,600 feet total ascent
countless sore muscles

Joe and I headed out on this ride around 11 AM on Sunday morning. A late start that put us on the trail in the warmest part of the day. But that did not stop us from going on the longest ride that either of us had ever done. I think I have approached 30 miles a couple of times before, but certainly have never surpassed it.

We started out at ST park, on the Santa Teresa side, near the spring and the old farm house. From here we simply rode up Bernal to the top. Then we jumped into the dirt and headed through to the Stiles switchbacks. From there we headed down the trail to Harry Road and Camden.

The next phase was a road ride out to the Hacienda entrance to Quicksilver Park. We climbed up the 2.75 miles to the top and relaxed a little and checked out the views. From the top we could see our destination--Bald Mountain--still many miles away and quite a ways up too. After a brief snack we headed out towards Hicks Road.

Once at Hicks we headed straight up Mt. Umhunum (sp?) Road. This is so steep and relentless. From Hicks to the Bald Mountain lookout one gains 1000 feet in about two miles, with almost no respite in the climb. Standing on top of Baldy is very impressive. Quicksilver looks like a playground and ST Park is hazy in the distance. I realized that at this point in the ride I had already gone at least as far as most of my rides usually go. But we still had climbing to do and we wre not quite half-way.

So we headed up Mt. Um Road all the way to the Barlow Road entrance and headed down, down, down! This road is very steep and loose. Rocks and gravel everywhere. The conditions are treacherous and speed control is essential. A misjudged corner could either throw you against the mountain or thow you off it. It seems to take mere seconds to reach the Wood Road below. From this junction we suffered as we climbed out of Sierra Azul, via Wood Road, and we finally arrived back at Hicks, concluding a very strenuous loop!

From Hicks we went right back in to Quicksilver Park. Our original plan was to head out through the Mockingbird entrance. But the climbs involved in that were more than we wanted to do. Our water packs were drained and we only had a single bottle left between us. Also, by this time our bodies were aching in various places without relief. The only way to get back is to keep on pedalling, so we pushed on. So ditching the Mockingbird plan, we headed straight back down to Hacienda and took Old Almaden Road back out to Harry Road.

Jumping back on the trail to ST Park was difficult, since we knew we still had a respectable climb ahead of us. So we started up the switchbackls again...no, no. NO! We went around the hillside and back up into the parkinglot to get some water and rest in the shade. After evaluating the damage we had to decide which route to take. Push it just a little more or just head back downBernal Road?

We decided to push it some more! After crossing Bernal into the other side of the park, we climbed up the steepest hill in the place! Well, to clarify, I pushed my bike up it while Joe climbed it like a billy goat! I could not believe what I was seeing! From there we headed down the final mile, a six-hundred foot descent, and were back at the car in what felt like seconds. I don't think I could have pedalled another stroke at that point.

Now, you may ask, why didn't we just go up and down the street to make it an even 35 miles? Well, we were just that tired! I spent the rest of the day in bed. Today, the day after, I have pains in strange places, and sunburn in the spots where I missed with the sunscreen. But it was worth it! A truly epic ride. I am not sure if I will ever beat it. We'll see.

Downieville Trip

Hey everyone!
Check this out! The Downieville Classic races are on July 13-15. A number of us will be heading up to Downieville the following weekend (21-22, Sat and Sun) to do the course a couple of times.

Here's the pertinent info...

1) Suggested itinerary:
First: Head up early Saturday morning and get a camp site. Set up camp and chill for a bit.
Second: Head into town to get the shuttle to the top.
Third: Ride the course.
Fourth: Head back to camp to eat BBQ and drink some brew.
Fifth: Wake up the next day and break camp.
Sixth: Ride the course again.
Seventh: Have lunch and head home.

Option: Anyone interested in riding it a third time? I am sure I will be up for it! Since I only go once a year I think I would like to ride as many times as possible. But two times is a lot already.

2) The drive:
It takes about 3-4 hours to get there (I can't remember exactly. Also I made a wrong turn last time!). There are a number of camp sites just outside of the town. Last time, mine was about 10 miles away. I suggest leaving very early, like around 5 AM. Anyone planning to rent a bike should do the same.

3) The trail:
The trail is challenging. I think it is just like Demo, minus the jumps and drops. The trail is about 15 miles long and is probably 90% downhill. It is mostly in the shade. There are a number of stream crossings as well as sections that actually go upstream. Last time I was there I crashed twice, but neither was serious. It is very diverse as well. There is smooth, clean singeltrack as well as rocky, narrow, tight-cornered singletrack. Very fun!

4) Things a learned last time:
First, bring a bear box. The black bears are very bold and will steal your breakfast!
Second, get there early to get the best campsites!
Third, wear armor, if you have it.
Fourth, bring an axe
Fifth, not much in town for food or entertainment, though there is a decent pizza parlor

5) Expenses
Gas is the most expensive thing!
Camp site is around 20
Shuttle is 20 per person
Trail itself is free

6) I highly recommend riding the trail more than once. It is great, but since I go only once a year I want to do it multiple times. The guy who drove my shuttle last time said that he know a guy who did the course 7 times in a single day! I think we could do it twice over two days, maybe three times! Let's see how much juice we have.

Email me if you have any q's. I hope we can have a good sized group this year.

Man and Mountain Part I

A man stands mute before a mountain.
Although minute under the firmament,
This mound of dirt and stone insurmountable,
This impassible pile of pushed-up earth,
Seems to taunt him laughingly, as if to say,
“I dare thee! Scale my crags, approach the peak
of my true greatness. And if you do, what then?
My proud heights will mock you in due time
As you are lowered down with speeches, tears,
And ceremony to an elevation (the irony!)
Fit only for creatures that never see the light
And whose vision-wanting forms privilege not
Even with sight your futile, brief existence.
And in your subterranean darkness you
Will vanish from the earth, while I, yes I
Will grow like your once youthful boyhood did,
Reaching, stretching slowly through the eons
Of geological time (as men call it!);
And when I’ve grown another thousand feet
Above the limits of the sea, nourished
By the heart and heat of the earth, know this:
My childhood has only thus begun,
And yet I witnessed countless generations
Of forests come and go, saw the deer
Long before it learned to glide so,
Watched the hawk learn to use his claws,
And all of this was long before your kin
Scurried in and claimed it as his own,
And thus began his endless bloody feud
And sadly mistaken patricide. But I
Am callous now. Do not mistake my streams
And rivulets for tears of hopeless grief.
Despair is not for such as great as I.
But now, in light of this brief history
(Which I could expand indefinitely
If you wished, since I have the time,
But I do not advise it, since time to you
Is not quite what it is to me,
And the time for your dubious task approaches),
I ask you to consider what’s to gain
For yourself (not for your tribe, since
They will soon forget you) should you reach
My peaks and view the gorgeous expanse
From such a worthy and a lofty place?
What difference will it ever make?
Answer well, thou semi-conscious clay,
Thou dirt-destined dirt, thou proud speck
Of time-obsessed yet time-forgotten dust.
Speak!”

Eric at Demo--Photo by Russ

A well worn path.

The life cycles of trees.

A cool mountain breeze.

One fool cheats death.

Eric at the top of Quicksilver--Taken by Russ

There Is No 'Try'--Imagine and Do!

So I imagined myself on my new single speed (see last post!) doing an epic ride. There I was, leaving the house in the late afternoon. I headed straight for Almaden lake which would take me to the Camden single track that we all know and love. From there I cut across to Old Almaden Road and headed out to the Hacienda entrance of Quicksilver.

Once here, I imagined myself having second thoughts. Three miles up in one gear! Am I insane? Granted, my single speed is geared pretty low, since I am just a beginner at it. But still! Well, I rode the ten miles to get there so I might as well try it. Up and up I went. By the time I reached the picnic table I was pretty hot and my heart was booming in my ears. Nevertheless, I felt pretty good! After a brief rest (I imagined, because that is what I always do anyway) I headed UP! Many novices and pedestrians were hanging out and although I had my headphones in I could hear their gasps of astonishment as I headed up the hill. (This is imaginary, remember!)

The second mile was tough! The third was easier. I made it all the way without walking or stopping. Yeah! Anything can happen in your imagination. Reaching the top was a great reward. I had a quick rest at the picnic table and headed down to the reservoir. I wondered what it would be like without my beloved 44 tooth big ring. It was slower in the flat sections, but I had so much fun that it did not matter. I did not realize how much flex a full suspension bike has until I went down a long run on a fully ridged bike! I sure am glad it was a smooth fire road though.

After the downhill I contemplated taking an illegal trail and exiting the park. I decided against it and went to finish the loop instead. A good call since I felt really good and my muscles were warm. I passed countless riders and hikers and even horses on the way back around the front of the hill. Though I was pushing hard I still had enough breath to sing aloud some verses of "Mr Tambourine Man" and the "Song to Woody" as I drove hard through every dip, corner, and hill--to the great delight of those I was passing (imagination, remember!).

Finally reaching the table I was starting to feel tired and the fear of cramping set in. Should I go down back to Hacienda or head off to Mockingbird where I would have to face a series of short climbs again. Then the immortal words of that great Jedi master came to mind: There is no Try. I went for Mockingbird. The downhill was delicious and the climbs were climactic. I did not walk once, to my surprise. I heard a gasp (or sigh?) come down from the sky, which I could only take as a sound of surprise coming from Olympus. (Hermes was jealous of my speed, I take it!)

From Mockingbird I headed back to the Camden single track and back to the lake and back home. My guess is 30 miles total, and well over 2000 feet in elevation gain. I had never done that line before, even in imagination! When I was done imagining it all, I thought to myself, "Hey, self, let us go and do what we have just imagined! It will be recorded in the annals of mountain biking history as one of the greatest rides in two-wheeled history. And you will be remembered by generations. And when a Bible of cycling is finally recorded you will surely find yourself a partriarch in a chapter in its book of Genesis!" After such encouraging words from myself, how could I possibly refuse?

In short, I went and did it! Today I am a little sore. But I am glad I did it. Join me some time!

My New Ride--A Change of Plans

After all of my obsessing about what bike I would be getting next I decided to lower the bar a bit. Not really lower it actually. I just decided to go with something different and something less expensive.

Well, here she is! A Raleigh single speed 29er! Fully ridged too. After riding Scott's a little bit at our January trip to Wilder, I just could not stop thinking about the way it felt and how different it was. I also could not forget the incredible price! So after a few upgrades I took mine home for about 1K. My upgrades included a shorter stem and a smaller cog--brought it up from 20 to 23 teeth so I would not ever have to walk it up a hill. Also upgraded the BB5 mechanical disc brakes to Avid Juicy 5's and the basic headset to a Cane Creek Solos with a 10 year warranty. Scott gave me some old ergonomically formed bar ends and I was ready to roll!


Some great things that came with the bike are: 1) the steel frame, its angles are comfortable and it is reasonably light for what you pay for, 2) various parts by Easton, a trusted name in cycling, 3) parts by WTB, also a trusted name. Wheels and tires are both WTB. The WTB seat is one of the most comfortable that my rear has ever had the pleasure of sitting on. WAY more comfy than my 150 (yes, I am that dumb!) Bontrager carbon shell seat!

The bike weighs in at about 27 pounds. Seems like a lot. But I would have bought this bike if it weighed 30 pounds. I am not so concerned with weight any more. That is a money trap. I am more concerned with strength (my own) and with riding what I like.


Over the last week that I have had the bike I have already put about 100 miles on it, and I loved every single one! Simply put, the bike is really fun to ride. The single gear is a challenge for sure--slower on the flats and faster on the climbs--but I can already see myself getting stronger.


Main points:
Flat sections: slow going, but not too slow. You probably go about 10 mph but that gets you where you need to go in reasonable time. The thing to get used to is the constant fast spinning. When you are not used to it it tends to bob your rear up and down endlessly, which is annoying. The solution is a balance between coasting and pedaling. Pedal to keep the speed up, that is all. Yes, even old ladies will be passing you, but that is nothing. You will soon be on the dirt tearing it up.


Off road: The big tires roll over obstacles with ease compared to the 26ers. Even though fully ridged, the bike seems almost as if it has suspension. Not quite, but almost. It is bumpy, for sure, but doable. You do end up sorer than you would on your full suspension rig, but less that you might think. Jumps are another issue. I avoid them all, mostly. Just not pleasant. One thing I learned already was about rolling over tall rocks and such. Instead of flying off, sometimes if I push down the big wheels tend to smooth out the drop.

Climbing: Speed, momentum, conservation! I don't know what else to say. At the beginning of a ride climbing is harder. But I found that the longer I ride the easier climbing becomes. I guess I just get loosened up and warmed up to the point where it does not hurt any more. Climbing is clearly the toughest of the single speed challenges.


Downhill: Wow! This is where the combo of ridged and 29er really shines. Now I know what the phrase "takes corners like it is on rails" means. Smooth fire roads with lots of corners, that is where you see where this bike REALLY has it. I find I do not really miss the big gears. The challenge is different. Brake less in order to keep your speed. This means taking corners faster if you don't want to lose it.


My only question now is how far could I take this bike? Could I use a bigger cog? Could I climb to Bald Mountain? Could I get up Kennedy? Could I go all the way through the big loop--through Sierra Azul and Quicksilver? Without pushing, that is. Who knows?


Two improvements I think that would make this bike even better:
1) A faster engaging rear hub. I am looking at the Chris King, but the problem there is the price. It costs about 400! I believe it costs more than the regular hub! This price of course does not even include the price of the build. Maybe I'll wait on that. I don't have a spare 500 laying around these days.
2) A carbon handlebar. This is a component I have come to appreciate. I can't explain it (though I am sure someone can) but the feel of the carbon bar is different and pleasant. If I had $150 to burn I would buy an Easton monkeylite downhill bar. It is light but, as would be expected, very tough.

These upgrades are for the future. As it is now, I love the bike and I recommend it to anyone who wants to try something different but does not want to spend an arm and a leg to get it. The upgrades I made are probably not even necessary to really enjoy the bike. Without them one could get it for about 650 plus tax. I think that is a "steel".

China Camp--Sweet Singletrack!

It never ceases to amaze me! We have so many great trails to ride where we live. Shane, who lives in Castro Valley, needed to find some good trails near his house. He learned about China Camp and has become very happy with the types of trails there. To try and balance out all the times he has come down here to check out demo, we decided that I would go up to his neck of the woods for once and see what trails he had found. I was glad I did!

China Camp has a network of trails that seem to wrap around a single, good sized hill. It can be found just north of the Richmond Bridge (somewhere, I was lost!). The ride starts out with a gradual climb that winds up some foliage covered single. The trail is very smooth with some mildly rocky sections. Nothing I would consider technical. This climb is challenging to try in the larger gears. In fact, on the second go-round I climbed the whole two miles in my big ring and middle cogs.

Once the climb is over, you start down a six-mile downhill that is essentially all single. It is fast and has a lot of sweeping turns and a series of bridges. It is also completely shaded by thick oak forest.

When the downhill is over you can pedal back around to the beginning on a long, undulating trail that is also very fast. If you have the strength, which WE did, can go around the whole thing again and again.

I could tell right when we started up the trail that this would be a fun place to ride at night. The singletrack is perfect, there are no stunts, and the trails are all kept up very nicely. The only downside to the place was the number of hikers. There were lots of families in the lower trails, which made it a little nerve wracking when coming around a blind corner.

Thanks Shane for the day on this new trail! And in spite of your broken crank arm dangling from your shoe, and the fact that you had to finish the last couple of miles pedaling with one foot, I had a great time and got an excellent work out.

To Ride or Not to Ride, That is the Question

The rain is a welcome gift from the gods of nature. Or it is simply a natural act of precipitation and other such natural phenomena that have been going on for millions of years before the advent of man and will continue on for millions of years after we are long gone. Either way, we riders are faced with this: To ride or not to ride, that is the question. If someone goes with me I will usually elect to ride, rain or shine.

But now the question is: Where? With all of the trail closures (a tolerable inconvenience) we are left with very few choices.

Russ and I had our own solution yesterday. We decided to do a big ~20 mile loop up Hicks Road and all the way around into Almaden Valley. Basically we just rode all the way AROUND Quicksilver Park. Granted, it was not as fun as going through it, but it worked. The ride had everything you need: long steep climbs, gradual climbs, steep and fast descents, long flat sections, beautiful views, and even some dirt and mud. There was very little rain and the cloud enshrouded mountains were a sight to meditate on. Below are the ride stats:

• Distance: 19.15 miles
• Total time: 1:56:58
• Average Pace: 6:06/mile
• Average Speed: 9.8 mph
• Max Speed: 32 mph (Russ), 37 mph (Eric)
• Total Ascent 1408 feet
  

If you are using Google Earth, open this link, the view it there.

One great thing to remember is that the single track on Camden is never closed. I can imagine a ride that just goes up and down that a few times would be a lot of fun and quite dirty.

Coming soon...

Description of "China Camp" ride--some beautiful north bay singletrack!
Pic's of Shane and Eric--as sexy as you would expect.
Action shots of Eric doing a 6" drop on a toddler bike--You'll wish you had been there to see it!

The Fuel EX vs the Intense 6.6--CONTEST INCLUDED!

So here is my trusty steed, my beloved ride that has taken me through many a weary mile and many a thrilling descent. It is a machine I purchased at a time when cycling was just a an idea in my mind--a fantasy that still needed to be lived out. Now, two years later and thousands of miles of trail conquered, I am ready for a complete upgrade.

Problem--the variety of quality bikes out there right now is simply staggering! The choices can make your head spin if you think about it too much--which I inevitably do. Which brand? Which model? How much travel do I need? Should I go lighter? Should I get the same type of bike or something in a different category alltogether? What do the terms 'all-mountain' and 'freeride' mean anyway? And it always happens that just when I think I have narrowed it down the THE bike, I learn something new and I change my mind again.

Part of the solution, I think, is what some of my friends have told me: rent a bike you like to see if you will actually like riding it and then decide. Taking such sagacious advice to heart, I rented out an Intense 6.6. I took pictures of both bikes from the same angle so you could compare the angles and such. Some cool features of this bike are: 6.6 rear travel; Fox 40 fork with travel reduced to 7 inches; shimano XT brakes, shifters, and crank with bashguard; Shimano '07 XTR rear derailleur; DT Swiss wheelset.

I would tell you how much it weighed but I want you to guess. Take a stab at it and post it in a comment. Guess down to the tenth's (e.g. 30.8 lbs) place. The winner will get to go on a ride with me! (And the pride of being right!)

I took this machine out on two rides: ST Park and Demo. I will discuss the latter. I guess I should discuss the ride chronologically. Here is what I was thinking on this ride. The real test of the usefulness of this bike would not be the climb to the top, but rather the climb out of the vally and back to the car. Would I be able to complete the 6 miles to the Demo trailhead (Ridge Trail) with relative ease, fly down Braille, and then climb out without resting, walking, bonking, or dying? hmmmmm....Let's recap the whole thing shall we?

The Conditions--Wow! The weather was great! It was the first time in three months that I felt I could ride in shorts, one shirt, and one pair of socks. The trails were 99% dry and very soft, but not dusty. In other words, it could not have been better. There were no downed trees across the trail either.

The Climb--SO I started up the road right before another group of guys who were also on some pretty big bikes. None of them had a dual crown fork though. To my surprise, I never saw them again, even though I expected them to pass me on the climb up. One of them looked around 18 years old! I vividly remember his look of amazement as I took off from the lot. It was probably because I was on such a kickass bike and I had my helmet strapped to the back and my grey locks were blowing in the wind. I bet those two things did not seem possible to him, and he probably thought I was much older than I am!

As I continued up the road I came across a group of three riders--two young guys and one older guy. Two of them were on hardtails and one of them did not even have a helmet! The other dude was on a 40 pound bike! They had never been there and were dumb enough not to come with some sort of map, so I told them they could follow me but that I would not be slowing down. The older guy dissappeared almost instantly and the other two were suffering. I gave them some quick directions and left them eating my dust, so to speak. I wonder if they ever found Braille?

I got to the top without too much strain. In fact, I felt pretty good! I am sure that my imagining the downhill run on such a bike is what gave me the adrenaline to make up relatively quickly.

The Downhill--There are few words for this experience, but I will try. All that travel! The speed and control I had as I tackled the first part of Ridge trail was shocking. Rocky sections were smooth, but not so smooth as to take out all of the feeling of the trail. In fact, the faster you go, the more you feel. I soon realized that, with the front so far out ahead of the cockpit, the steering is far more accurate. This gave me great control in the corners.

Braille--Oh shizzle! I bombed down the whole thing without stopping once. Crosscountry bike riders watched in amazement. Hardtail riders drooled. Some fell to their knees and gave thanks. Most just jumped out of the way with their eyes bugged out and their jaws dragging on the ground. Every jump was at least twice as big as on my Trek (peace be upon it), and every drop was magnified by my preloading the suspension. I hit drops I have always been afraid to do and my jumps probably extended out to at least 10 feet long. Maybe more! I never stopped to check. As for pedalling, I was able to keep my momentum up quite easily. I was a little bummed when I hit the last stretch of the trail. It just felt like it was too soon.

The Climb Out--Ok, now for the real test. After all that fun and adrenaline would it be possible to climb out with relatively little fuss? Naturally, one would expect it to be harder, and it was harder. I got to know the granny gear very well. However, I never walked and I never rested. There was no pain, though I could tell there was more of a strain on my muscles. I would not have been able to keep up with myself had a clone of mine been pedalling the Trek. Finally, even though I was alone, I reached the lot sooner than expected, and I felt I still had some power left in me, but definitely not for another loop.

Final thoughts--The bike inspires confidence and makes it easy to use the skills you know you have and yet are afraid to try them because you feel unsafe doing so on your short travel bike. It is so fun! The bike greatly increases both the thrill and the overall safety of the ride. The control it gives you helps you to get set up for whatever stunt or obstacle is comming up. If you check out my last post on Demo, you'll see that there was a log that no one wanted to roll over or drop off. I decided this time to roll it (since I was alone!) and it went so smoothly I almost went right back to drop it!

So is a bike like this worth the extra weight? It only weighs....oops, I almost told you! In my opinion, if you live for the downhills and the stunts, if you are a strong climber and want to be even stronger, if you don't mind your friends waiting for you a bit (but not too much) on the climbs (because you'll be waiting for them on the downhill!), then big is the way to go! I felt like I could ride the bike all day long, just about. And I did 30 miles on two rides in less than 24 hours!

Worth it? Youbetcha!

Don't forget the contest!

Here Comes the Rain Again

It's not the Eurhythnmics; it's just Eric and Russ acting a little bit more like Annie Lenox than either is really comfortable with.

Saturday, 10 February was a super wet day. We knew we had to avoid the mud-nure in between Harry Road and ST Park, so we entered into ST via a new entrance for Russ, an old standby for Eric.

It was raining pretty hard when we got going, but fortunately it was about 64 degrees, and frankly, it felt great. It's not hard to imagine how we'll be begging for a day like this once July and August roll around.

We started here and then climbed up Bernal toward IBM. As we ascended, Eric made a bold prediction that the Rangers would be waiting at the top to tell us the trails were closed. Sure enough, just as we crested the hill, a Ranger drove right by us and parked in the lot to make sure we didn't hit the trails. This is a new procedure installed this year to protect the trails and the hefty investment made in them during the recent past. When the trails are wet, they are susceptible to irreparable damage at the hands of Mountain bikers and horses... so says the Ranger and county policy makers. Eric and Russ remain skeptical that the trail closures are a necessity. Feels like maybe just a bit of an overreaction.

So, we made the most of it and had a great time. We climbed up Bernal to IBM and then flew down the other side to Harry Road. Russ' max speed was 34.2 mph, and Eric's was, of course, a bit faster. Flying down those hills with the rain pounding your face is quite an experience. By the time we hit the bottom, our shoes and gloves were drenched.

Once at Harry, we hopped onto Camden and hit the single track that runs along Camden from Villagewood Way all the way to South Hills. After a very quick break we headed back the way we came, spraying mud, blasting through puddles, and knifing through the rain. We probably each gained about 10 pounds of water - Russ could actually ring his glove out just by making a tight fist. Our feet sloshed around in our shoes, and our clothes were saturated.

When it was all said and done, we'd gone 13 miles at an average pace of 8.5 mph - about 91 minutes of total time elapsed - a symmetrical 45.5 out and 45.5 back to the vehicles. We had a total ascent of 1300 feet, not a bad day's work, especially when you consider it would have been very easy to pack it in and say, "Aw forget it; it's too wet out there."

My bike's wiped down, shoes are dry, and the chain is lubed - ready for the next outing.

New Info on Santa Teresa Park

Many riders are aware of regular trail closures in Quicksilver Park. After heavy rains the rangers usually close the trails to all bikes and horses. Obviously, the reason behind this is to preserve the smooth surfaces of the trails. This is an annoyance to people who enjoy a ride through the mud and the subsequent peppered faces. However, the pleasure and excitement we get from the trails at all other times of the year is worth the wait during these closures. It makes me appreciate what we have here so close to our homes--miles of great trails, for free, within riding distance from my doorstep.

Last year, when Quicksilver was closed, Santa Teresa was open! When the mud was deliciously thick and the puddles deep, she embraced all riders in her saintly soiled arms. There were no signs, no rangers, and nothing but your fear of the elements to keep you out. I have some blissfully sloppy memories from the spring of aught six, when I continued riding through that endless deluge. It was a different experience--one that made me realize that I could handle being out in extreme weather--one that reminded me of something I always knew in childhood: getting very muddy is not just okay, but extremely fun too!

But things change. Other people are in charge. We only borrow her. In short, Santa Teresa is now under the same constraints as Quicksilver Park. The local armed forces have put the squeeze on her venerable open-armed juicyness. Her voluptuous and inviting bosom is bound now by the law and anyone who transgresses the threshold to meet her will feel the power of the men in green pants. Her curvacious undulating beauty is temporarily shackled by the chastity belt of politics. Our days of frolicking with her under the open sky are over, for a time. The cleansing heavenly showers, sent from the cosmic killjoy himself (a confessed jealous type!), put a damper on those who wish to roll through her every valley and over her every peak.

Alas! And to my precious saint: Adieu, till brighter days dry the flood that parts us. Adieu, till your little green husbands drive away and your two-wheeled back door men return. Adieu. Adieu...

Take a Ride on the Wilder Side

Normally, I'm not a morning person, but last Sunday I couldn't wait for the alarm to go off at 5:45am. I felt a little bit like a kid trying to sleep the night before a trip to Disneyland. But, instead of dreaming of "Mr Toad's Wild Ride," I was excited to ride Wilder Ranch the next day. Dan and I had ridden there once before and at the time it was the best riding I'd ever experienced. Having ridden Demo for the first time a few weeks ago, I was curious to see if it would still hold up in my mind as a great ride.

After picking up Dustin on the way, we met up with Dan, Scott, Eric and Sean at the turnout along Highway 1 a little after 7am. It was a beautiful day and we could tell that it would be a warm one, despite the strong chill in the morning air. After some chit-chat, fueling-up, and gearing-up, we head out for the trailhead, trying to pedal to warm up.

The last time I was there, Dan and I did an 18 mile loop (actually, it's a figure 8) that takes advantage of most of the singletrack Wilder has to offer, and we set out to do the same this time. So, up the left fork of Engleman's loop fireroad we went.

A lot of the climbing at wilder is gradual, but there are a few places that get steep. We began to see the group break apart a bit in these sections with Dan, Eric and Scott taking the lead group and Dustin and Sean holding down the rear. I was actually having a lot of fun jumping between groups - I'd wait up for the guys at the back, then after making sure they're doing good, I'd tear off after the front runners. It was a great workout.

We regrouped at the trail merge and turned onto Wild Boar Trail for our first taste of singletrack. After trying to keep up with Eric on a few rolling sections, we hit Old Cabin and a fun downhill into a redwood forest. After the climb out we turned right on Eucalyptus for some more fireroad climbing until we reached what is pretty much the top of the park. Dan and I spotted a cool log drop off the side of the trail, but since we were both too chicken to try it, we called over Scott and Eric. We let them play around on it for a bit while we snapped a few action photos of them doing their thing.

Now the real fun begins. We hit an unmarked section of single track that we were later told is called Wally's World. It's by far the longest section of singletrack at Wilder and although it doesn't have the speed of some of the steeper sections, it's pretty fast for how narrow it is. This time, I got to lead and tried to put some distance between Eric and I. He stayed right on me, but it was really fun to push it like that. I definitely feel myself improving and it's largely due to the skill and encouragement of the riders around me, like Eric. Since it's not an official trial, there were a few surprises, like a big mud bog that everyone skirted except for Dustin, who plowed straight through it. Maybe it was his years of BMX experience, or maybe it was because his bike weighs a ton and the mud couldn't stop it, but somehow he stayed on two wheels and made it look easy.

On our previous trip, Dan and I were much slower on the downhills, mainly because we didn't know the trail very well, but also because our skill and confidence was not at the level it is now. I definitely saw a huge improvement in Dan's downhill riding this time out. I think those trips to Demo have really been helping him feel comfortable at speed. Last time, there was a steep, rocky, technical section that he walked - this time, he cruised down it without batting an eye.

After Wally's World, we hooked back up with Old Cabin again. I'm not sure Dustin and Sean were very excited to do the climb out again, but we all made the most of the downhill. In fact, Eric kept so much speed coming off a berm that he missed the next turn (and the bridge) and launched right through the rocky creek. I was amazed that he didn't crash, but Eric is a talented rider and it would take more than some water and small rocks to take him down. I wish I was a little closer so could have seen more than just the skid marks.

From there we head over to the Enchanted loop which has a steep downhill section with some huge root drops. At this point I should probably mention that Scott's Ransom was in the shop for repairs, so he was riding his rigid frame, single speed Raleigh on this trip. That guy's got some serious skills because some of these drops and bumps were hard on my full suspension bike and I was working hard to keep up with Scott. I was further impressed when he lead everyone on the steep climb out. We're all spinning in our granny gears and here's Scott truckin up the hill on his single speed. He may say that it's easier to ride than you think, but I think he's just in much better shape than he admits.


When we all met up at the top and caught our breath, we struck out for Zane Grey and our last section of single track. The sun was out and we had a clear view of the ocean below, so we stopped for a group shot. At this point we were all out or really low on water so we raced down the top section as it winds along the exposed ridge until we met up with Wilder Ridge which we took back to the cars. Once there, we enjoyed a beer while we all took turns lifting Dustin's bike to estimate its weight. I don't know the exact number, but it's frickin' heavy. Dan is campaigning to find him a new bike, so if you know if looking to get rid of a nice all mountain bike for cheap, let us know.

In the end we did 18 miles in about 4 hours. I think it could be done in 2.5 - 3 hours if we didn't stop as much and we pushed it a little more, but I'm not sure it could be any more fun. Everyone did really well, especially Sean and Dustin. We gave them a pretty good workout and they did a good job of keeping up with the group. I hope they had fun and are not too sore.

So what's the verdict? I still like Wilder a lot, it has so much to offer. You get varying terrain, scenery, and difficulty all in one place. It can be a great place for beginners to learn and there's plenty excitement for veterans. And, as Eric pointed out, it's also nice to have a mix of up and down, instead of just one big climb followed by one big downhill. It's kind of like a rollercoaster - like the Matterhorn. Now I'll go dream about a trip to Disneyland.

China Camp and a squirrel 2-3-07

On Saturday I went riding with a friend at China Camp State Park (north east bay). An awesome place to ride that looks out over San Pablo Bay and is filled with mostly legal single track.

Now about the squirrel. I was heading down this single track and my buddy slowed way down to pass, a father with his infant on the back of his bike and his 8 year old son on his own mountain bike. I was moving at a pretty good clip but, had plenty of room to stop. I was within 10 feet and I was slowing down. Right as I was passed a tree, a squirrel lept from the tree and landed on my foot and was caught between my crank arm and my ankle. I yelled and as quick as I could unclipped my peddle to release the beast. I have never seen a squirrel run away so quick. I escaped the the attack unscathed!

However, when I yelled, I startled the family that was heading up the trail and my buddy. They all thought I was going to crash into them until I explained what had happened. I like to commune with nature but, that was a little to close!

Kemo Sabe

Just call me the Lone Ranger, or if you prefer, you can call me Kemo Sabe, which - if you're interested - means "Faithful Friend" - a little tidbit I picked up when trying to find out how to spell Tonto's famous nickname for his close friend.

I was very excited about our trip to Wilder Ranch this morning. In fact, with no alarm I awoke at approximately 4:45 in anticipation. I was dressed and ready to go - just checking the weather on the computer, when V came down with my youngest, Starks.

He'd developed a whooping cough, called croup, and needed to go to the ER for a breathing treatment via a nebulizer. V took him to the ER, and I stayed here to wait for my two older sons to awaken. He's fine now - we're actually pros at this, as he has had this 2 or 3 other times.

BUT, once V got home, I was able to head out! I just went down to Santa Teresa Park. Pressed for time, I parked at the entrance near Harry Road and Camden. I skipped Stile Ranch, and headed around the back side so I could ride up to the radio tower and then down the Rocky Ridge Trail and back to my car. I went about 7 miles in about 1 hour, which was approximately 7 mph. No abacus or calculator used in that tabulation. Max speed was 32 mph, and total elevation gained was 975 feet.

The bike, again, performed admirably. I am definitely working out the technique and shifting kinks on some of the uphills - though the uphills are still winning mostly because I still lack the power I need to drive through. It'll come. The bike really carved up Rocky Ridge all the way down the trail. I love that thing. It is now literally just a matter of getting the rider up to the same level as the machine.

On my way back, I ran into Kevin and his family as they were heading out for a family bike trip in ST Park. His son had a sweet ride and could well be ready for the group.

A good little ride - looking forward to the scoop on Wilder Ranch.

Farewell to Bedrock

I noticed it the other day as I drove by. I usually drive by it once or twice a week, but this time I looked, took notice, perceived. And I did not like what I saw. I did not like what they had done to it. It used to be a place of beauty and sanctuary. Now it's just...just...it's...well, I should probably back up a little and give some background.

At the end of a range of hills there was a place that the locals called Bedrock. This Bedrock was so called because of the underlying...bedrock. It was a place of solitude in the midst of suburbia, an escape to the peace and quiet of nature. Once you got up to the top area, no one down below could see what you were doing. It was a place suitable for many outdoor activities - paintball, hiking, meditating, riding, praying - and as this is a MTB forum, I will focus on MTB'ing at Bedrock.

It was at bedrock that I got my first taste of "real" moutain biking. I remember that as a teenager and young adult we (me, my younger bro, and our neighbor, Jack) would ride about 7 miles from home just to get to Bedrock, then we'd ride up in the hills for a while, then 7 more miles home. When I re-connected with a longtime friend, it was at Bedrock that we rode. At Bedrock I learned to do a boulder-fall, also called a drop. At Bedrock I learned the art of gracefully flying over the handlebars while braking too hard going downhill.
At Bedrock I witnessed the proper technique of using the feet as brakes on long downhills. My friend Eric, yes that Eric, had lost his brakes one day, so he put his feet down to control his speed. It worked - he survived - but his shoes' soles were worn flat - I can picture it still. On another date, on the same slope I think, this same Eric executed the most perfect splash through a mud puddle that I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing. I remember it clearly: Eric was a little ahead of me, to my left, and he positioned himself and aimed his splash perfectly. I don't think it would have been possible to give me a more thorough soaking in that situation. It was a beautiful moment.

I was never sure if we were trespassing, or if the land was officially open to the public, but there were no ranger, no cops, and a lot of people went up there.

I remember the last time I rode at Bedrock. It was after the land had been sold to private owners and fences were put up. My friend, Paul, and I decided to have one last ride up at Bedrock. I don't remember how we got inside the fences, but we went on up and had our last visit.

And now it's gone: no more old-growth Oaks, no more turkeys, no more Miwok Indian caves, no more bike paths, no more boulders to fall over, no more poison oak. Now, it's just green, artificially maintained grass and sand - a golf course. A golf course. Prime MTB land was sold and turned into a golf course, but we will never forget what once was.

Farewell, Bedrock - gone, but not forgotten.
bIsh

**If I am ever rich enough to buy the land, I think I'll tear out the golf course and let the land return to its natural state. Then I'll build a MTB course for me and my friends.**

Making the most of a disappointing day

The day started with crossed signals. Russ waited for the team in the parking lot across from South Hills for a little while before deciding to take off, but luckily, he caught up to the guys on the bike path alongside Camden. Scott had noted he thought Russ was not coming, so they started at a different spot and headed out. Scott, Dan, and Josh were in full effect, though Scott was riding either a rickshaw or a Raleigh, not sure which. I think he said it was his grandfather's bike at one point; it might even have come over on the Mayflower. (Click the above picture to see the mud-nure up close and personal)

We had some newcomers today, Patrick, Dustin, and Kevin. Dustin ended up with a bloody shin - making a good case for good gear. (Click on the image to enlarge) After trudging through the thick mud-nure mixture pre-Stiles and pre-ST Park, we discovered that the trails were closed. Not to be denied, we toyed with the idea of utilizing some private property to sneak through to the fire roads, but good judgment prevailed, and we decided to take a short road ride instead. Ever notice how funny road bikers dress? Could their clothes be any tighter or shinier?

The ride was only about 9 miles with an average speed of only 7 mph. We never even hit an elevation of 400 feet. Max speed was in the vicinity of a mere 23 mph. Yaaaaaaaaaaawnville on the one hand, but on the other hand, it was good just to be out on the bike.

We did make the most of the single track across from South Hills Church along Camden, but it just wasn't what we'd set out to do. Nonetheless, it was pretty fun. Also, it was nice to have some extra energy to hit some of the small jumps with a little speed.

The next big ride is at Wilder Ranch in Santa Cruz next Sunday. We're aiming for wheels-up by 7:30 AM and getting back by 12PM or so. Mark your calendars.

I apologize for featuring photos of only one bike and one rider, but once again, we forgot to bust out the cameras on the trail. Special thanks to the nice lady who snapped this after my attempts to use the timer only yielded pics of my left leg and rear wheel, which I guess is better than my left pedal and rear end.