Holy Moly, it's been over two weeks since the last post!
So much to do, so little time. No time at work to prat about blogging and at home everything is still upside down from the move north.
But seems to have been plenty of time to ride my bikes so can't complain (too loudly). Managed the first night ride in Mi - hard runnin' Mark, he of the fast marathon and National level orienteering also turns out to be an experienced Adventure Racer. Has his first 30 (count them 30) hour race in Sept so some nocturnal mtbing is on the cards. Got himself a new light and wants to check it out. Well........ as I have found the local trails that look "nightridable" (from the trail run the other week), and have checked them out again on a trail run with Daughter #2, who has taken, somewhat kicking and screaming (or at least moaning vaguely), to middle school cross country. Seems like a plan.
Meet up with Mark at the appointed time and place - pretty obvious that his light will be a limiting factor - and hit the trails. Ride round, get lost, get stung by some bloody huge nettles! Oh I'd forgotten the delights of nettles living in Md (none down there, out of the ocean anyway). Nettles so bad on one trail we just give up and head back the way we came! But on the whole the trail has potential - need to think about a bit of trail building to add some spice but the basics are all there. Short but might be a life saver!
The the weekend comes around and I have my first ride with "Smilin' Bob" a neighbor who mtbs a lot but I haven't managed to ride with before. Sunday morning and I skip my usual date with deities to worship the trails (I know where I'd rather be). We absolutely bloody blast round Birchfield, neither wants to give an inch so we crush it. Bob even shows me a new section of trail I've missed in the past and which is the most similar to back East I've seen here - nice log overs and tight twisty. After one lap too much fun!! So we do a second, blasting away and inevitably tiredness takes it's toll! As fatigue mounts mistakes creep in and we both taste dirt before we are back at the cars. Spec-freakin'-tacular! Get home to find LW has only gone and bloody well won her age-group at the local 5 miler road race!!! First individual gold, she is psyched as a psyched thing.
Thursday and back to Birchfield (followed by beer) with Kevin - all is well with the world.
In between times the Mi 1000 is slowly progressing - up to nearly 800 miles and still a vague chance of success before winter sets in. First really miserable ride this week, heading home in the rain, mid 50's and a decent West wind that had me leaning at 20 degrees into to stop me blowing over - fantastic fun! Scaring car drivers and the occasional dog walker with my off key rendition of Song Two (by Blur). Guess it must be a bit disconcerting if you are out in the rain walking the dog and some idiot blasts past you on a bike screaming "Woo Hoo when I feel heavy metal!". Just happens to be my go to song when life is at it's best (i.e. toughest) on my bike!
Till we meet again
DB
Showing posts with label Night ride. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Night ride. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Winter Solstice (Part 2)
Yeah, so this should have been posted before or during the Holidays - Hell life got in the way! Anyway here goes.
Having "celebrated" the Winter Solstice (2008 version) on Saturday with the Celtic Solstice 5 miler a good old night ride on the day itself (i.e. Sunday Dec 21st) seemed only appropriate. Not a usual night ride night so "special dispensation" from SWMBO was sought and duly obtained. Out went the email - in a fit of solstice-inspired exuberance, aided by a couple more "sherbets", the email suggested that in time honored fashion the gods would expect to be worshipped by way of a NAKED ride. I assumed this piece of British style humor would have been appreciated by my New World riding buddies. The deafening silence in response to my email suggested otherwise!
A few phone calls later and many reassurances that clothing would be acceptable and a ride was potentially on the cards. Then the weather and some familial commitments scuppered the plans! BUT out of the ashes of the Solstice Ride rose.... wait for it! The Solstice + 1 ride scheduled for Monday the day after the solstice.
The gods must not have been annoyed because the conditions were absolutely magical! Dry and blisteringly cold - temp measured at 19 oF at the end of the ride. Trails were solid and had a rimey grip to them that only occurs when the temp is at it's lowest. Three takers for the ride, George, Todd and "Yours Truly" DB. Thermals, winter gloves and even ski goggles were in attendance. Headed out through Belmont and up to Ridge, then down the "Old Ridge" hiking trail (White?) to the road - this trail is amazing, in both directions, but tonight with the moonlight shining through the leafless trees and visibility good enough to enjoy the trail life was good, even the shaley section (made even more treacherous by a layer of leaf litter) was fun and no injuries to report.
Having "celebrated" the Winter Solstice (2008 version) on Saturday with the Celtic Solstice 5 miler a good old night ride on the day itself (i.e. Sunday Dec 21st) seemed only appropriate. Not a usual night ride night so "special dispensation" from SWMBO was sought and duly obtained. Out went the email - in a fit of solstice-inspired exuberance, aided by a couple more "sherbets", the email suggested that in time honored fashion the gods would expect to be worshipped by way of a NAKED ride. I assumed this piece of British style humor would have been appreciated by my New World riding buddies. The deafening silence in response to my email suggested otherwise!
A few phone calls later and many reassurances that clothing would be acceptable and a ride was potentially on the cards. Then the weather and some familial commitments scuppered the plans! BUT out of the ashes of the Solstice Ride rose.... wait for it! The Solstice + 1 ride scheduled for Monday the day after the solstice.
The gods must not have been annoyed because the conditions were absolutely magical! Dry and blisteringly cold - temp measured at 19 oF at the end of the ride. Trails were solid and had a rimey grip to them that only occurs when the temp is at it's lowest. Three takers for the ride, George, Todd and "Yours Truly" DB. Thermals, winter gloves and even ski goggles were in attendance. Headed out through Belmont and up to Ridge, then down the "Old Ridge" hiking trail (White?) to the road - this trail is amazing, in both directions, but tonight with the moonlight shining through the leafless trees and visibility good enough to enjoy the trail life was good, even the shaley section (made even more treacherous by a layer of leaf litter) was fun and no injuries to report.
Few bike issues, loose chain on the faithful old monocog, which called for some speedy trail side maintenance. Too cold on the old hands to spend too much time arsing around with bikes tonight.
On a night such as this the BC side was calling and the call did not go unanswered. Up Soapstone and round the Community College loop. At the top of climb (by the Maintenance sheds) the decision was made to hit Mission Impossible - Whoo Hoo! The riding was fantastic and no falls pretty much the whole way to the log crossing. After the log things were a bit more sedate for Todd and myself as we rode less and pushed more on the technical sections. George of course tried to ride anything that looked even vaguely plausible and he fell the customary few times. The stream was frozen over in places and the waterfalls were spectacular.
At one such waterfall it was decided that a group photo was in order - "right then lads, kit off!" was the rallying call and although Todd didn't understand the "Brit-speak" (how do I organize close captioning?) George understood and with a whoop started shedding clothes left and center! Despite Todd's pleas of "what the F and you two doing?" within two minutes George and DB were standing starkers in front of the frozen waterfall! Todd played his role in this madness by operating the camera and the rest is history.
In the time it took to take the incriminating photo the sweat on the inside of my outer shell jacket had frozen and it took a while for George and myself to regain feeling in any of our extremities!
The remainder of Mission Impossible passed in a hypothermic blur as I worked as hard as the trail would allow - mainly pushing the bike - to generate some body heat. The end of the trail as always is fun - the stupidly steep and stepped decent that Todd and I struggled to walk down with our bikes and George rode down!
Back across the swing bridge to HC and a quick jaunt across the waterfall to the Cascade trail, few more water crossings just for good measure - they sure are fun when it's that cold. And then back to the cars. At the cars I find my shoes are frozen to my socks and have to be torn way - luckily fresh clothes and shoes are waiting and then (in a departure from the norm) we congregated in Todd's automobile to make the post -ride beer a bit less of a challenge.
Ride was fantastic, trails were awesome and the gods (I hope) were appeased!
Cheers
DB
Friday, December 19, 2008
Colonic Irritation!
Took advantage of a very short respite provided by Mother Nature (in that it didn't bloody rain for a whole 48 hrs straight) to get out for a night ride. Short notice so participation was restricted to just Todd and myself. Turned out to be a very disappointing ride on all levels!
Headed off from the usual launch site and headed as is customary for the fun that is Small Intestine! Got to the trail head to find....... SHOCK HORROR the trail has been completely dismantled! Not only that but New Trail has suffered the same awful fate! (So too it transpired later had the loggy section at the top of Small Intestine!) Big time downer! My two favorite trails on the HC side are no more. Trying hard to recover from the shock we headed up to Belmont and thence down to the Purple Trail. The Purple Trail was a mess! Being the good souls we are we didn't attempt to ride this (cos we'd just chew it up) but walked our bike to the top in somber mood - sloppy trails and destruction of favorite sections, the night would never recover! Hard to take that trails like Small Intestine that drained pretty damn well and were as fun as hell to ride should be trashed while sections like the Purple Trail that drains horribly and is no fun at all even when dry should be promoted! Ho Hum.
Once on Ridge things were a little better but we decided that in deference to the trail conditions we'd cut it short - past the derelict houses and back to Morning Choice. Nice to get out and blow some air through the lungs, it feels like it's been too long. Rode for a while on the Rockburn park side, just to put in some miles then back to the cars. Stopped at the New Trail entrance and surveyed damage - total trail annihilation, took a photo to commemorate the fall of a once good friend and back to the vehicles for a couple of solemn beers - a wake to fallen trails we have known and loved.
Headed off from the usual launch site and headed as is customary for the fun that is Small Intestine! Got to the trail head to find....... SHOCK HORROR the trail has been completely dismantled! Not only that but New Trail has suffered the same awful fate! (So too it transpired later had the loggy section at the top of Small Intestine!) Big time downer! My two favorite trails on the HC side are no more. Trying hard to recover from the shock we headed up to Belmont and thence down to the Purple Trail. The Purple Trail was a mess! Being the good souls we are we didn't attempt to ride this (cos we'd just chew it up) but walked our bike to the top in somber mood - sloppy trails and destruction of favorite sections, the night would never recover! Hard to take that trails like Small Intestine that drained pretty damn well and were as fun as hell to ride should be trashed while sections like the Purple Trail that drains horribly and is no fun at all even when dry should be promoted! Ho Hum.
Once on Ridge things were a little better but we decided that in deference to the trail conditions we'd cut it short - past the derelict houses and back to Morning Choice. Nice to get out and blow some air through the lungs, it feels like it's been too long. Rode for a while on the Rockburn park side, just to put in some miles then back to the cars. Stopped at the New Trail entrance and surveyed damage - total trail annihilation, took a photo to commemorate the fall of a once good friend and back to the vehicles for a couple of solemn beers - a wake to fallen trails we have known and loved.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Close Encounters
After several rain delays the night ride was on. Very limited participation, due to work and family commitments among the group, with only Brian and me arranging to meet up (a little later than usual) to hit the trails. Nearly didn't happen though.
I was in fine mood as I approached the launch site - nice weather and the first proper test on my new light (after the previous weeks debacle). Windows down (no A/C in the Boluxmobile) ad radio turned "to eleven" listening to DC 101. Just as life can't get any better "Champagne Supernova" erupts from my car stereo speakers!!
Woo Hoo, I'm in heaven! Bike on my car, dressed in Lycra and Oasis blasting out.
"Slowly walking down the hall,
Faster than a cannonball.
Where were you,
When we were getting high?"
Where were you,
When we were getting high?"
Singing my little heart out and probably not paying enough attention to what's going on around me, cos when I look in my rear view all I can see is a Police Car doing a good impression of the Blackpool Illuminations!! Sirens blaring (though not loud enough to drown out Oasis) and lights a-flashin'! I have absolutely no idea how fast I am going (though a swift peek at the speedo suggests only 35 mph), I signal and pull over and pray!! "Please don't stop!!"
Fortune smiles, as it transpires that I am not the object of this particular policeman's wrath (tonight at least), he blasts past me and off into the distance in a matter of seconds. With that little excitement over I am in no mood for any further encounters with authority tonight!
Brian and I launch shortly after 9:30pm and in a change to our usual routine we eschew Small Intestine and instead head straight to the Belmont Hill, over the road and down the gravelly descent that is made more interesting by the four or so small drops (all less than a foot) that even in daylight can catch an unsuspecting rider off guard. The new light performs admirably and we scoot down this section rather more speedily than I am used to. Over the top and through the water before I know it - I try riding along the log on the left, only managing about two feet of it before I ride off. It's been a long time since I actually tried that trick so it's good that the old confidence (or is it stupidity?) is returning.
At the rooty stoopid steep uphill Brian takes the direct route and I trail further on to take the easier route. I fail to make even this and Brian shows me how mtb riding should be done my crushing the tough line! Over the top and before we know it we are at the "four way" junction - now I have a plan! we take Ridge but half way along we hang a right down the "hike Only" trail - come on it's bloody dark! How many hikers are there likely to be tonight? Fun, Fun, Fun - the trail is all swoopy, rocky, rooty goodness. Bit of leaf litter to keep things interesting and a nice narrow section at the end bordered on the right hand side by a fair old drop!
At the road we head over to BC side and then along the paved path the other side of the river to the "Convent Climb" - my new favorite climb. Thru the tunnel, thru the rocky water and up we go - rocky and relentless. About two thirds the way up I'm slightly startled to come across a small dog in the middle of the trail I call "Hi Dog!" as I pass and the animal seems friendly enough. At the top I wait for Brian to arrive, and when he does he has our new K9 friend in tow. We have a quick chat about what to do with the dog and after concluding (i) it is not thirsty (ii) it looks healthy enough and (iii) it is wearing a collar we guess it is simply a dog from a local house out wandering. So with a swift "goodbye" we head off towards the Community College loop. 
DogzBollux and new K9 friend
All is hunky dory until we reach the top of the rocky climb to the maintenance huts! Just as we hit the crest lights come on in a truck inside the compound! BUGGER. Being knackered after the climb I'm a bit slow extinguishing the light, but once it is off we stand still in the darkness. Lights flash through the trees in front of us then a voice over a tanoy announces "we know you are in there.... go back the way you came!" Sounds like a plan to me! We decide discretion is the better part of valor and descend the rocky climb without light, stumbling over roots and logs and swearing quietly. At the bottom we regroup for a little discussion.
Brian - man of mystery (and poor illumination)
Decide best way back is up to Soapstone and a stealthy little ride on the road back to the Water Bar. All goes without a hitch and despite now having two close encounters with authority in the space of three hours, all is good. At the top of the water Bar and Small Intestine beckons - take the trail over the stick laden trail and then as it is 11:55pm decide that right onto the New Trail and it's big logs will take us into tomorrow. Despite Brian trying to kill himself on the last water crossing we get back to the cars at 12:10am tired, but happy and without a ticket. Another 2 hour plus ride and after a couple of friendly beers time to say "goodnight" and head home to bed.
Smashing!
DogzBollux
Friday, July 18, 2008
Best of Times, Worst of Times!
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"
Some bloke called Charlie wrote that! He was talking about the French revolution (apparently) but may as well have been describing the past two weeks (since my last entry) in the Bolluxsphere!
Mtbing has been at an all time low - just one measly ride in 14 whole F'in days! OK it was a decent enough sojourn around the usual trails on Patapsco (even discovered some illicit renegade trail - but enough of that), but it was still the only action the Monocog has seen, just not good enough that man!!!
On the up side, the fixie is seeing more action than any time in recent history! With the "young'uns" out of school an agreement has been negotiated between MLW and me (aided by the high gas prices - every cloud!) that a cycle commute twice a week was acceptable! So for the past three weeks the fixie has seen the light of day at least twice a week! And the benefit in terms of leg strength is already being felt! Average speed up form a humble 16 mph (10 mile route) to a thoroughly average 18 mph - but hey heading in the right direction.
Meanwhile Mr Running Sean (not to be confused with Mr Biking Sean) is all hot to trot for the JFK 50 this year!! With him getting the "grand permission" from his respective SWMBO, MLW was forced to concede and grant me a day pass to have a go at this little romp. Fan-bloody-tastic! The reality of this commitment however is harder to stomach - long miles throughout the Maryland summer! So for the past two weeks we have been hardening ourselves by getting used to the inevitable "sh*t it's early" runs. Headlamps on, rising at 4:30am to hit the road at 5:00am giving us enough time to saunter round 15 or so miles before the 7:30am roll call at "swim team".
All in all a real dearth of mtb-fun but plenty of other stuff to keep me entertained!
Then this weeks night ride hoved into view Whoo Hoo! Gonna be a classic! I've just caved and purchased a "proper" light - a rather spectacular Light and Motion unit!!!! Got my Monocog back in original condition- rear wheel picked up from LBS with new free hub in place. New hydration pack - bigger pockets to allow multi day rides (more of which in later posts - I hope) and to top it all off a full bloody moon!!!!!!
New launch site and new company (Jon the gatecrasher). So George, Brain, Jon and DB at the new launch site - how much more fun could we have? Brian's bike is playing up from the off, over the first big log and problems are obvious. I turn to see what's up and Brian has already removed his back wheel - never a good sign. After a brief discussion we conclude Brian's free hub is playing up (ring any bells?) and will probably be O.K. but we decide to head back to the cars to get some lube to make it run more smoothly. Two minutes later on a small rooty uphill as I attempt to crank over a large root there is a "pop" and I literally fly over my bars from a standing start!! I assume I have snapped my chain - but no! Bloody F'in freehub (new, just installed, only half a mile on it) is knackered and spinning freely!! Ride over for DB! Push bike back to car swearing loudly and my "magical" nights riding is over! At the car I swear some more, rack my bike, say Goodnight to the guys as they head back out onto the trail and then I head home!
As I am heading for bed at 11 pm I reflect (somewhat sourly) that the guys are probably still riding and having a blast! Oh well there will be other nights with full moons and good vibes.
Cheers
DB
Some bloke called Charlie wrote that! He was talking about the French revolution (apparently) but may as well have been describing the past two weeks (since my last entry) in the Bolluxsphere!
Mtbing has been at an all time low - just one measly ride in 14 whole F'in days! OK it was a decent enough sojourn around the usual trails on Patapsco (even discovered some illicit renegade trail - but enough of that), but it was still the only action the Monocog has seen, just not good enough that man!!!
On the up side, the fixie is seeing more action than any time in recent history! With the "young'uns" out of school an agreement has been negotiated between MLW and me (aided by the high gas prices - every cloud!) that a cycle commute twice a week was acceptable! So for the past three weeks the fixie has seen the light of day at least twice a week! And the benefit in terms of leg strength is already being felt! Average speed up form a humble 16 mph (10 mile route) to a thoroughly average 18 mph - but hey heading in the right direction.
Meanwhile Mr Running Sean (not to be confused with Mr Biking Sean) is all hot to trot for the JFK 50 this year!! With him getting the "grand permission" from his respective SWMBO, MLW was forced to concede and grant me a day pass to have a go at this little romp. Fan-bloody-tastic! The reality of this commitment however is harder to stomach - long miles throughout the Maryland summer! So for the past two weeks we have been hardening ourselves by getting used to the inevitable "sh*t it's early" runs. Headlamps on, rising at 4:30am to hit the road at 5:00am giving us enough time to saunter round 15 or so miles before the 7:30am roll call at "swim team".
All in all a real dearth of mtb-fun but plenty of other stuff to keep me entertained!
Then this weeks night ride hoved into view Whoo Hoo! Gonna be a classic! I've just caved and purchased a "proper" light - a rather spectacular Light and Motion unit!!!! Got my Monocog back in original condition- rear wheel picked up from LBS with new free hub in place. New hydration pack - bigger pockets to allow multi day rides (more of which in later posts - I hope) and to top it all off a full bloody moon!!!!!!
New launch site and new company (Jon the gatecrasher). So George, Brain, Jon and DB at the new launch site - how much more fun could we have? Brian's bike is playing up from the off, over the first big log and problems are obvious. I turn to see what's up and Brian has already removed his back wheel - never a good sign. After a brief discussion we conclude Brian's free hub is playing up (ring any bells?) and will probably be O.K. but we decide to head back to the cars to get some lube to make it run more smoothly. Two minutes later on a small rooty uphill as I attempt to crank over a large root there is a "pop" and I literally fly over my bars from a standing start!! I assume I have snapped my chain - but no! Bloody F'in freehub (new, just installed, only half a mile on it) is knackered and spinning freely!! Ride over for DB! Push bike back to car swearing loudly and my "magical" nights riding is over! At the car I swear some more, rack my bike, say Goodnight to the guys as they head back out onto the trail and then I head home!
As I am heading for bed at 11 pm I reflect (somewhat sourly) that the guys are probably still riding and having a blast! Oh well there will be other nights with full moons and good vibes.
Cheers
DB
Friday, April 25, 2008
Night Ride From Hell!
With the trusty old Monocog out of action there were only two choices (i) bag the weekly night ride completely or (ii) ride MLW's bike - as if there was a choice! O.K.'d it with MLW and all was set. It's not as though I've never ridden MLW's bike - it was the bike I started Mtbing on 4 years since, so I had assumed that after a brief period of reaquaintance it would all be good and that I would achieve a "karmic-oneness" with MLW's Litespeed.
Karmic-oneness my arse! The damn bike clearly hates me and did everything in it's power to bloody kill me. My Grandad always said that there was "no such thing as bad beer", some beer he would concede was better than others but none of it was bad (wise fella my Grandad), I (in my turn) had adopted a similar philosophy towards bike rides. Well this night ride was as close to a "Bad ride" as I have every come.
The portents were poor from the off. We hit Small Intestine first and the trouble started immediately, I assumed that with all that "gearness and frontshockicity" at my disposal I would glide like a "glidy-thing" over the obstacles and no hill would be too steep. Instead I found the lack of rigidity at the front end very disconcerting and the gears just reduced me to a fumbling idiot changing gears at random on the off chance that I'd get it right (think monkeys, typewriters and Shakespeare). And to cap it all off MLW's bike decided it would grip my cleats with a sloppy vengeance that would make unclipping impossible. Beautiful.
Over the Belmont Road and I hit a mud puddle that buries my front wheel to it's hub and stops the bike on a dime. My body meantime tries not to stop at all and wants to fling itself over the handle bars, oh but that would require unclipping wouldn't it!! Instead I land in the mud puddle still attached to and twisty tangled in the bike. Well at least Brian enjoyed it, he being the absolute Gentleman he is realized at once I was having "bike issues" and insisted on staying with me to (i) make sure I didn't get lost/hurt and (ii) laugh when I fell off (I don't think he has ever laughed so much).
The pattern was established, every obstacle I would make a complete dog's breakfast of, fail to unclip and fall over. Great fun for all the family. I even managed to fall off on some completely flat sections for good measure. It was so bad that I avoided any obstacle that I could and progressed at a pathetically slow pace. The ride took us the usual big loop Rockburn Branch, Ridge and Cascade. Half way round Ridge on a sharp uphill I fell badly for the first time of the night, misjudged gears and fell on the end of the handlebars! I repeated the effort 20 min later by which point I was thoroughly disheartened and just wanted to go home, it's amazing how having the end of a handlebar jammed repeatedly in your groin can reduce the fun from almost any activity. The Guys were golden in the face of my ineptitude, abandoning there planned ride (both sides of the Park) and instead riding a very "Vanilla" route on HC side back to the cars. The Litespeed's attempts to eviscerate me have left me feeling like I have been gored by a bull and I never, ever want to ride that bloody bike ever again! If that is what gears and suspension feel like then you guys can keep em!
I'm sure the other guys (Todd, George and Brian) had a pretty miserable ride too (but they probably are not as sore as me this morning).
Cheers
DogzBollux
Karmic-oneness my arse! The damn bike clearly hates me and did everything in it's power to bloody kill me. My Grandad always said that there was "no such thing as bad beer", some beer he would concede was better than others but none of it was bad (wise fella my Grandad), I (in my turn) had adopted a similar philosophy towards bike rides. Well this night ride was as close to a "Bad ride" as I have every come.
The portents were poor from the off. We hit Small Intestine first and the trouble started immediately, I assumed that with all that "gearness and frontshockicity" at my disposal I would glide like a "glidy-thing" over the obstacles and no hill would be too steep. Instead I found the lack of rigidity at the front end very disconcerting and the gears just reduced me to a fumbling idiot changing gears at random on the off chance that I'd get it right (think monkeys, typewriters and Shakespeare). And to cap it all off MLW's bike decided it would grip my cleats with a sloppy vengeance that would make unclipping impossible. Beautiful.
Over the Belmont Road and I hit a mud puddle that buries my front wheel to it's hub and stops the bike on a dime. My body meantime tries not to stop at all and wants to fling itself over the handle bars, oh but that would require unclipping wouldn't it!! Instead I land in the mud puddle still attached to and twisty tangled in the bike. Well at least Brian enjoyed it, he being the absolute Gentleman he is realized at once I was having "bike issues" and insisted on staying with me to (i) make sure I didn't get lost/hurt and (ii) laugh when I fell off (I don't think he has ever laughed so much).
The pattern was established, every obstacle I would make a complete dog's breakfast of, fail to unclip and fall over. Great fun for all the family. I even managed to fall off on some completely flat sections for good measure. It was so bad that I avoided any obstacle that I could and progressed at a pathetically slow pace. The ride took us the usual big loop Rockburn Branch, Ridge and Cascade. Half way round Ridge on a sharp uphill I fell badly for the first time of the night, misjudged gears and fell on the end of the handlebars! I repeated the effort 20 min later by which point I was thoroughly disheartened and just wanted to go home, it's amazing how having the end of a handlebar jammed repeatedly in your groin can reduce the fun from almost any activity. The Guys were golden in the face of my ineptitude, abandoning there planned ride (both sides of the Park) and instead riding a very "Vanilla" route on HC side back to the cars. The Litespeed's attempts to eviscerate me have left me feeling like I have been gored by a bull and I never, ever want to ride that bloody bike ever again! If that is what gears and suspension feel like then you guys can keep em!
I'm sure the other guys (Todd, George and Brian) had a pretty miserable ride too (but they probably are not as sore as me this morning).
Cheers
DogzBollux
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Bad Karma
It's been an odd couple of weeks since I last sat my lazy arse down to update this blog!
We've had a couple of real bad tempered rides and a couple of stormers. I put the bad tempered rides down to the changing season, it getting colder, bad weather interrupting riding time etc. For two weeks the whole riding population (yours truly included) seemed just to have a bad attitude.
First up MLW got all bent out of shape cos I lead a ride that was a bit on the long side - the first time the Sunday group has attempted both HC and BC sides of Patapsco in a single ride. maybe it was a little too much. First I got the ominous silence from MLW, then the hanging at the back of the group, but I knew I was in the Dog House when I waited for MLW to catch us up at the swing bridge (leading back to Landing) and as she passed she hissed "don't even speak to me!" Fortunately by the time we reached the cars she had cooled down and in the meantime I had dissipated my anger on four riders who decided to disregard convention and not give me the right of way despite me being the rider heading uphill just after the rock garden on Cascade. Having cleaned the rock garden for the fist time in ages and looking to go "no dabs" thru the whole section i was less than overjoyed when four mtbers heading down the hill (and having seen me approach) just hogged the center of the trail and forced me off the trail!!! The first guy just carried on but the second guy actually ran into me so we had a brief conversation. I suggested he give way to riders heading up the trail and he was chastened enough for me to feel bad at raising my voice.
But then what goes around comes around and the following week on exactly the same stretch of trail a couple of the guys in our group fell foul of trail etiquette and felt the wrath of another disgruntled mtber. I this scenario our group was indeed heading up hill but had dismounted so should really have gotten out of the way of the rider trying to clear the section. Our first rider did the decent thing and got out of the way as much as possible and received a grunt by way of thanks from the other rider. Our rider two however, being a bit more oblivious did not move from the center of the trail and took the mounted rider down - few harsh words deserved and received.
Since these two incidents though it has all been sweetness and light! I have even decided that the trail builders are not the devil's spawn I had previously presumed. In fact I realize that i have absolutely no bloody right to complain about the trails unless I get my arse out there and do some trail maintenance. However they have just put in a new piece of trail HC side which is absolutely bloody fantastic! Short but the best fun ever - ridden it twice now (first on a night ride) then in the light - LOVE IT! Big obstacles and wicked stream crossing.
The night ride with George was of note only because the aforementioned trail builders have rearranged the Hilton portion so that we got horribly lost (for the second night ride in a row) - no one got hurt this time.
Looking to get out with some night riding newbies in the next week or so - should be worth writing about.
DogBollux
We've had a couple of real bad tempered rides and a couple of stormers. I put the bad tempered rides down to the changing season, it getting colder, bad weather interrupting riding time etc. For two weeks the whole riding population (yours truly included) seemed just to have a bad attitude.
First up MLW got all bent out of shape cos I lead a ride that was a bit on the long side - the first time the Sunday group has attempted both HC and BC sides of Patapsco in a single ride. maybe it was a little too much. First I got the ominous silence from MLW, then the hanging at the back of the group, but I knew I was in the Dog House when I waited for MLW to catch us up at the swing bridge (leading back to Landing) and as she passed she hissed "don't even speak to me!" Fortunately by the time we reached the cars she had cooled down and in the meantime I had dissipated my anger on four riders who decided to disregard convention and not give me the right of way despite me being the rider heading uphill just after the rock garden on Cascade. Having cleaned the rock garden for the fist time in ages and looking to go "no dabs" thru the whole section i was less than overjoyed when four mtbers heading down the hill (and having seen me approach) just hogged the center of the trail and forced me off the trail!!! The first guy just carried on but the second guy actually ran into me so we had a brief conversation. I suggested he give way to riders heading up the trail and he was chastened enough for me to feel bad at raising my voice.
But then what goes around comes around and the following week on exactly the same stretch of trail a couple of the guys in our group fell foul of trail etiquette and felt the wrath of another disgruntled mtber. I this scenario our group was indeed heading up hill but had dismounted so should really have gotten out of the way of the rider trying to clear the section. Our first rider did the decent thing and got out of the way as much as possible and received a grunt by way of thanks from the other rider. Our rider two however, being a bit more oblivious did not move from the center of the trail and took the mounted rider down - few harsh words deserved and received.
Since these two incidents though it has all been sweetness and light! I have even decided that the trail builders are not the devil's spawn I had previously presumed. In fact I realize that i have absolutely no bloody right to complain about the trails unless I get my arse out there and do some trail maintenance. However they have just put in a new piece of trail HC side which is absolutely bloody fantastic! Short but the best fun ever - ridden it twice now (first on a night ride) then in the light - LOVE IT! Big obstacles and wicked stream crossing.
The night ride with George was of note only because the aforementioned trail builders have rearranged the Hilton portion so that we got horribly lost (for the second night ride in a row) - no one got hurt this time.
Looking to get out with some night riding newbies in the next week or so - should be worth writing about.
DogBollux
Monday, October 15, 2007
I Just Wanna Ride My Freakin' Bike!!!!!!!!
"We want to be free!
We want to be free to do what we want to do!
We want to be free to ride.
And we want to be free to ride our machines without being hassled by The Man.
And we want to drink soda (or something like that).
And we want to have a good time!
And that's what we're gonna do.
We're gonna have a good time.
We're gonna have a party!"
as Peter Fonda once probably said
Aaaaahhhhhh! It's been a totally frustrating few weeks! Three bloody weekends in a row and I haven't been able to hit the trails! Two weeks up in Pa and this week the bloody babysitter cried off "because it's Homecoming" - "I don't bloody care!!! Get your arse round here so I can go and ride my bloody bike, before I transmogrify into a homicidal maniac and start eating old people and small children!!!!" I screamed down the phone, well actually I didn't, I actually said " Oh that's fine we'll hope to see you next weekend then" but I thought it!
And the midweek ride was a wash too cos no bugger was available and irresponsible as I try to be, I couldn't rationalize a solo night ride.
So it's been just running for me the past week, that and a fair amount of sulking! I talked a friend into a ride last night just around the bike trails in the neighborhoods but to say that wasn't a decent substitute for an adrenaline soaked rip around Patapsco is like saying alcohol-free lager isn't a decent substitute for real beer! And my sodding light battery is playing up too, only gave me about an hour last night before lapsing into a faint orange smudge on the trail ahead of me! BUGGER, BUGGER, BUGGER - and that's the polite version, for the uncencored version watch the first three minutes of "Four Weddings and a Funeral"
Well things can only look up - if the weather holds (and it bloody better do) the nightride looks to have a chance of being a classic - light permitting. It will give me a chance to test out the new elbow pads I've finally succombed to buying, scabby elbows are not the most professional look.
Still on the bright side England beat the bloody Frogs to make it into the Rugby World Cup Final. Way hay!
Cheers for now
Dogzbollux
We want to be free to do what we want to do!
We want to be free to ride.
And we want to be free to ride our machines without being hassled by The Man.
And we want to drink soda (or something like that).
And we want to have a good time!
And that's what we're gonna do.
We're gonna have a good time.
We're gonna have a party!"
as Peter Fonda once probably said
Aaaaahhhhhh! It's been a totally frustrating few weeks! Three bloody weekends in a row and I haven't been able to hit the trails! Two weeks up in Pa and this week the bloody babysitter cried off "because it's Homecoming" - "I don't bloody care!!! Get your arse round here so I can go and ride my bloody bike, before I transmogrify into a homicidal maniac and start eating old people and small children!!!!" I screamed down the phone, well actually I didn't, I actually said " Oh that's fine we'll hope to see you next weekend then" but I thought it!
And the midweek ride was a wash too cos no bugger was available and irresponsible as I try to be, I couldn't rationalize a solo night ride.
So it's been just running for me the past week, that and a fair amount of sulking! I talked a friend into a ride last night just around the bike trails in the neighborhoods but to say that wasn't a decent substitute for an adrenaline soaked rip around Patapsco is like saying alcohol-free lager isn't a decent substitute for real beer! And my sodding light battery is playing up too, only gave me about an hour last night before lapsing into a faint orange smudge on the trail ahead of me! BUGGER, BUGGER, BUGGER - and that's the polite version, for the uncencored version watch the first three minutes of "Four Weddings and a Funeral"
Well things can only look up - if the weather holds (and it bloody better do) the nightride looks to have a chance of being a classic - light permitting. It will give me a chance to test out the new elbow pads I've finally succombed to buying, scabby elbows are not the most professional look.
Still on the bright side England beat the bloody Frogs to make it into the Rugby World Cup Final. Way hay!
Cheers for now
Dogzbollux
Friday, June 22, 2007
INVASION OF THE GIANT SPIDERS
Mountian biking is always an adventure, especially a night ride when even the most familiar trail becomes a challenge. So I was more than excited to be heading back out onto the trails at night after my enforced vacation. I mounted the Nite Hawk Viper bar lights on the 29er monocog, chucked it into the "Bollux-mobile" and headed for the trails, via the liquor store - to purchase the required post-ride libation.
With several of the usual suspects out of town or otherwise tied up it was just George (on his Dos-Niner) and me heading out at around 9-30pm. My helmet light appeared to be playing up - but with the bar light (and no other bloody choice) we set out regardless. George took the.JPG)
lead to make the most of his superior lighting set up and we were cooking along quite nicely when George suddenly lets out a cry of "holy shit" and promptly falls off his bike! The reason it turns out is a bloody great spider perched right where George was about to plonk his front tire on a log. The camera is called for (as I've never seen a spider this big in the "wild" before) and I'm even brave enough to put my hand next to it for scale - George suggested my head but on reflection that wasn't going to happen.
After the spider sighting we cover a short loop on the HC-side (of Patapsco SP) and head to the more challenging BC-side. On the entrance to "the Monestry trail" George hits some rocks pretty hard, losing some skin and bending his rear derailleur hanger, resulting in some ghost shifting, but we quickly regroup and enjoy a nice climb. then it's the usual route (very similar to where I went on Sunday am). There is noting of note really (except that we saw another monster spider sitting on a log) until we cross the stream just before "Patarini" hill when my bar light breaks off it's mounting - BUGGER! For the rest of the ride it is me in front with my headlight (producing no more than a vague orange smudge on the trail ahead) and George behind trying to light both our ways with his NiteRider.
.JPG)
All goes swimmingly however, even down Buzzard Roack - which I hate even in the daytime (not a bit DH fan). I walk some of it, especially that bloody scary drop off at the end. Then we head back to HC-side, take on the Cascade - stopping for a group photo on the way and a gentle ride back to the vehicles. With the light issues slowing the pace we don't get back to the cars until midnight. So we crack open a beer each and George (ever the sophisticate) produces a flask of mojito (rum cocktail) complete with fresh mint - this is the life! Half an hour is happily spent chewing the fat and then it is back to the real world.
Oh, BIG UP for Nite Hawk bike lights by the way. I emailed them this morning and explained in a very hazy fashion what had happened to my lights and asked if they sell a spare part to fix it. Not only did they respond within hours to my email - they correctly identified the bit I had broken and are sending me a replacement part gratis! Now that is customer service! Bear in mind this is an inexpensive set up (approx $80) and I've had it for 2 years or more. If you need an inexpensive set up for night rides this might be for you; 10 watts of power and 2.5 hour burn time.
With several of the usual suspects out of town or otherwise tied up it was just George (on his Dos-Niner) and me heading out at around 9-30pm. My helmet light appeared to be playing up - but with the bar light (and no other bloody choice) we set out regardless. George took the
.JPG)
lead to make the most of his superior lighting set up and we were cooking along quite nicely when George suddenly lets out a cry of "holy shit" and promptly falls off his bike! The reason it turns out is a bloody great spider perched right where George was about to plonk his front tire on a log. The camera is called for (as I've never seen a spider this big in the "wild" before) and I'm even brave enough to put my hand next to it for scale - George suggested my head but on reflection that wasn't going to happen.After the spider sighting we cover a short loop on the HC-side (of Patapsco SP) and head to the more challenging BC-side. On the entrance to "the Monestry trail" George hits some rocks pretty hard, losing some skin and bending his rear derailleur hanger, resulting in some ghost shifting, but we quickly regroup and enjoy a nice climb. then it's the usual route (very similar to where I went on Sunday am). There is noting of note really (except that we saw another monster spider sitting on a log) until we cross the stream just before "Patarini" hill when my bar light breaks off it's mounting - BUGGER! For the rest of the ride it is me in front with my headlight (producing no more than a vague orange smudge on the trail ahead) and George behind trying to light both our ways with his NiteRider.
All goes swimmingly however, even down Buzzard Roack - which I hate even in the daytime (not a bit DH fan). I walk some of it, especially that bloody scary drop off at the end. Then we head back to HC-side, take on the Cascade - stopping for a group photo on the way and a gentle ride back to the vehicles. With the light issues slowing the pace we don't get back to the cars until midnight. So we crack open a beer each and George (ever the sophisticate) produces a flask of mojito (rum cocktail) complete with fresh mint - this is the life! Half an hour is happily spent chewing the fat and then it is back to the real world.
Oh, BIG UP for Nite Hawk bike lights by the way. I emailed them this morning and explained in a very hazy fashion what had happened to my lights and asked if they sell a spare part to fix it. Not only did they respond within hours to my email - they correctly identified the bit I had broken and are sending me a replacement part gratis! Now that is customer service! Bear in mind this is an inexpensive set up (approx $80) and I've had it for 2 years or more. If you need an inexpensive set up for night rides this might be for you; 10 watts of power and 2.5 hour burn time.
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