First MTB ride of the year!!

Think the lack of alcoholic beverages being sunk is negatively impacting the old blogging output. But that's another story. Last 5 weeks before Flying Pig and so focus still is on the road running. Weather has been lousy, cold and freakin' miserable which has made it impossible on some of these early mornings to drag my sorry arse out of bed to run in the dark and cold. Work a bit crazy so lunch running has also been curtailed, not a Rosy picture if 180 is to be attempted. But them's the breaks. Manage a few 5 and 7 milers during the week - dropped the 5 miler time to 34.13 which is a fastest for the year but still 45 secs from where I need to be. Last Sat was the local track club 30 k run (18.6 miles for all the metrically challenged amongst you). Well sounds kinda like fun to me, so 9 am Sat morning and I am in Mason with a group of 20 or so like minded souls. Weather is almost perfect (bout 20 oF too cold, but still as a still thing and sunny). Course is two laps of rolling country lanes. Straight from the gate I run with what looks like it will be the lead pack, feelin' good so not too bothered, after a mile one other runner (Jeremy) and I hit the front and push the pace. Nice uphill from 1 to 2.5 miles and life is good - cold hands but the hill helps generate some body warmth. Before you know it and 4 mile is done - spot on 7 min/mile pace (that'll do). We settle in and enjoy the countryside. At 8 miles there is a short out and back section and as we emerge we see the guys running behind us, we have about 2 min on them at this point. Long gradual hill to just before 9 miles then back into Mason for the end of lap one. Pushed the last 3 miles and go through 15 k at approx 1.03. Second lap and feelin' spritely. THink about pushing it up first hill but Jeremy isn't too into that idea so we settle in and cruise. Again before I know it we pas the 2.5 mile marker, "only about 6.5 to go" I think - hum! Must be tired the math is a bit dodgy but what the heck. Before we know it we are back at the out and back - bit further in front of the guys behind us and it's looking good. The hill does for Jeremy though, I shout encouragement but the poor guy is knackered. At top of hill I look back and we are being chased down hard! Into mason and I feel great actually, finish in 2:10:30, almost spot on 7 min/mile - I'll take that a slightly positive split but the second loop was taken fairly easy. Will need to step it up slightly for the Pig. Sunday and daughter #2 and I catch up with Ski-ing Eric and his eldest daughter for the first MTB of 2011 (maybe). Temp is still hovering about freezing so trails are O.K. We hit Harris and do both upper and lower loops, lower loop is a bit soggy and we have to pick bikes up on occasion but we make it round. Short trip to the pump track, but that is a bit soggy so we don;t ride that more than once round. Short ride, only 3 miles but the girls have fun and that's the point. Coffee, hot chocolate and home. More early morning runs, but Mr Mark is home for this weekend so hopefully I can get a fastish 15 in with him on Saturday. Finally caved a bought some new runners - moved away from NB this time to Asics - looked cool and were in the sale. Wearing them as I type to break the in, will be their inaugural run tomorrow am (a steady 7), did same route this morning in 47;29 (sub 7 so that's O.K. (pictures to come) Till next time DB

Meryy Christmas.... and a Happy New Year

So come Dec 27th it was time to head south to the Ol’ Burg in MD for the New Year. Time to reconnect with old friends and to hit some old trails. Some doubt as to ridability in the wake of the big storm that hit MD a week before Christmas but in the end “No Worries”. Emails are sent to set up rides at Patapsco, unfortunately Mr Todd is no available as he is traveling with his folks but the kind Gentleman is good enough to donate his bike to “Yours Truly”. As it turns out two rides are arranged – one in daylight with Biking Sean and a nocturnal adventure with Hard Biking Brian. And due to the vagaries of my life in the end they both end up taking place on one day. Ace fun, sore legs!

Mr Todd's 69er (ooer missus)

But the fun in MD starts with two chilly runs with Mr Running Sean. First is a 50 min trip round my old “Hilly Run” – hey it ain’t got no flatter since I have been in MI! Next morning and the wind is bitter! All the running clothes are donned and we head off from the Mall, Sean, MLW and me for a jaunt around Wild Lake. Right leg is sore but holds together for another 50+ min run, all good.
The dawn of the next day sees Biking Sean picking me up at 8 am for a trip to Landing Road and a reacquaintance with the loveliness that is Patapsco. Great to get back on these trails. Take the “old” usual route along Morning Choice to the “loggy section” (despite my time in MI without log overs all is well). First stream crossing is fun with steep ramp on far side and freezing conditions – trails are as hard as a hard thing.

Its good to be back

Bikin' Sean..... bikin'

Up and over and I am actually feeling OK (a feeling that would not last the day). Down to the next watercrossing and onto Belmont life is good. Down Belmont hill and the next stream crossing is too bloody deep! Forget to “half pedal” and soak the feet - clever move! Up onto Ridge (via the grinding middle route) and then along Ridge to the White hike only trail. Who in their right mind will be out on the trails this early on a frigid Dec morning? No one sane so the decision to hit the white decent is taken. Few changes at the top end (including a superfun set of steps) which has me questioning if we are on the right trail but by half way down all is familiar again. At base of hill realize we have used up over an hour of our allotted time and it is time to wend our weary(ish) way back to the car. This is the point where Sean discovers his gears are frozen! In a big gear, oh the joys of single speeding are ever more obvious. Let me tell you the Water Break “in the dog” as Craig Gordon would say is no fun. Mr Sean walks up! I’m motivated and doing OK until rear wheel hits a patch of ice on one of the minor step ups and I am suddenly on my arse! Pick myself up and struggle to the top with lungs threatening to make a bid for freedom! Right at top along Morning Choice via derelict houses and back to car. Ninety minutes of effort, feelin’ fine and happy to be alive.

Night ride scheduled for a 9 pm launch, many calls/emails/texts fail to raise George so it is scheduled to be just me and Brian! In end Brian ropes in two friends (Mike and Dennis) to add a bit more spice to the ride! Nothing like riding with new people to add some edge to the ride. Had a few drinks even before the ride starts (courtesy of a dinner invitation MLW accepted on my behalf and I fulfilled, in full biking regalia, “men in tights!”). Oddly Dennis also admits he is probably biking “over the limit” too thanks to a couple (or so) pre-ride cocktails so it’s all good. Full of beans and good humor as we head to Belmont and down the hill. At the top of Belmont I badly mis-judge a patch of ice to everyone’s bewilderment and the bike just launches out from under me – down on my arse with a right old thwack, sore bum for days. Down Belmont hill and all is good – over the water crossing – I remember the drenched feet from earlier and hang way to the right (beyond the “stepping stones”) following Brian’s lead and keep the footsies nice and dry – Dennis and Mike take the traditional line and I can hear them swearing behind me as I clear the water. Up the hill, the left hand trail to the top (taking in the “extra point” big log over at the top –which bizarrely doesn’t cause me any agro) and thence down to the Ridge trail junction. I’m given the choice of route so choose to repeat the morning ride along Ridge and down the white “Hike Only” trail. Brian is very happy with the choice and the other two don’t know what I’m talking about. Half way down the white and everyone knows where we are – used to be the “old” Ridge Trail and lots of nostalgia ensues – memories of ancient rides in the mid 90’s and earlier. At the bottom there is decent in the ranks! Force of will wins the day and we head to Soapstone (big mistake). Was a time I could take Soapstone – especially when it is hard and grippy like tonight. But Mi has taken its toll! Half way up and I am completely done! Mike (with gears) crushes it!! Passes us all and is still accelerating. But for the rest of us (all on SSers) it is a death march to the top. Dennis is feeling his cocktails and announces there is no F’in way he is climbing another hill – so we agree Vineyard and back to HC. Take the cut through trail that George nearly killed himself on (silly double drop off which looked no more ridable tonight than then) way back when and down Vineyard. By bottom I am in last place (a position II was to maintain for the rest of the ride).
Over Swingbridge and back to Ridge. Stop at base of the major climb for “team photo” and then the agony begins.

Team photo - let the pain begin!

I am done, cooked, knackered – rest of the guys flow up Ridge and I struggle after them actually manage to stay on the bike all the way to the rockgarden and clear it but the “the wheels come off” so to speak! Hit a patch of ice and I am down again. Cascade is a nightmare; I think I ride over every patch of soddin ice and hit the ground every bloody time – no flow, mojo out the window just a hideous struggle. Realize this is what I am missing – haven’t had a decent work out like this since left MD. Need mates who will happily take me out and destroy me. Back on Morning Choice and I gather myself a bit but last hill beyond the “loggy bit” is another nightmare. I am gasping and groaning just keeping the pedals turning and Brian is happily riding just behind me happily chatting away hardly out of breath! Soon enough it is over though hard, brutal and absolutely beautiful! Sit in Brian’s car share a beer and a few yucks and it is time to draw a curtain on my MD riding once more. Back to Running Sean’s house and a sleeping bag downstairs so that I don’t disturb anyone’s sleep. Next day is New Years Eve and the end of the Noughties! The decade that brought me to USA, introduced me to mtbing and now has taken me away from Patapsco for pastures new up north. But I will return!
Happy New Year

DB

November to Remember

So October was pretty freakin’ average weather wise – wet as a ducks arse. Consequently opportunities to ride were rare as hens’ teeth. But baby what can I tell you? November has been a totally different animal. Cool to be sure but nice and dry and perfectly fine for time in the saddle.
First week was spent out West – San Diego for the second time in two months. Mr sensible the whole time – “early to bed early to rise”… means I could go out for a run every morning before the conference started! Sunday through Tuesday did just that Sunday about 50 min along a jogging trail from Mission Valley to Fashion Mall (?) then a fantastic climb up to the University of California campus. Next day just went straight up the valley wall – first ten minutes all up hill, through some pretty dodgy neighborhoods – running is a kin brilliant way to see a city. Early morning, people heading out to work, school and an amazing number of homeless people getting their stuff together. Guess if you are homeless San Diego is probably a good place to be based – would bloody well beat Michigan in November! Last run was a different animal – headed the other way and up into a very pleasant neighborhood – gated the whole business. Ran up a storm drain to the electrical towers then down into the valley and along a dried out river bed. As I head through the scrub and brush I suddenly think – “hey no-one knows I’m here, wonder if there are any snakes around here?” Ran back to the road faster than I ran out! As I run back into the neighborhood I notice all along the chain link perimeter fence signs warning about rattle snakes!! Holy CRAP!! Sighting of coyotes on the way back too the hotel and enough West Coast fun for this Mid-Western guy.
Back in the safety of Michigan and back on the bike – Marky, Mark “Mr Marathon” calls and asks if I fancy a drive out to Brighton to hit some more challenging trails than Rockburn? Oh I hate the difficult questions! Like “does anyone fancy another pint?” Course I fancy a trip to Brighton! 40 min each way – blimey! But there we are, driving past guys emerging from pick-ups with guns to head off deer hunting, into Brighton Park. We assume/hope they keep the hunters and bikers apart, cos a slug in the back would put a serious downer on any ride. Hit the Torn Shirt Trail – 5 miles of serious up and down amusement. First time in Mi that I encountered hills that were a struggle on the SSer. Actually failed on a couple and ended up pushing – how it should be. At one point I pass a kids tent by the edge of the trail – only it’s not a kids tent, a soddin’ shooting blind!!! Oh how safe we feel for the rest of the ride.

Marky Mark "Mr Marathon" hitting the leaf strewn trails at Brighton

Next weekend and I get a “pass” for two hours on Sunday morning! So it’s out on the fixie for a few miles. 34 oF when I head South to Dansville and back – pmretty flat which means even though I am not pushing I can cruise at 18 mph for the whole time. Hit a nice patch of dirt road which has me just laughing out loud it is so much fun! End up with just over 38 miles and closing in on the end of the Mi 1000 – over 970 done! With a commute to work the next day and I am less than 7 miles from 1000 miles fixed riding in Mi – life is sweet!

"Don't go back to Danville" oh go on then!

Happy Thanksgiving

DB

So Little Time!!

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

Weapon of Choice

Weapon of Choice (1987 Specialized Rockhopper)

Since moving up north my allegiance in terms of my weapon of choice has shifted. Back in dear old Md the Redline Monocog 29er was the preferred beast of burden. Big wheels better for taking on the logovers and rockgardens of Patapsco. But when move to Mi I left the Monocog behind and hit the trails on the old 1987 vintage Specialized Rockhopper SS conversion. Though the Monocog has now made the trip north ain’t seen a need to go back yet! Trails up here are tight and twisty, more suited to the compact feel of the Rockhopper and none of the technical bits (such that they are) really require the advantage of wagon wheels to make them ridable.
So the old Rockhopper is still the weapon of choice. Gone are the dropped bars previously featured (that was simply too silly an idea even for me) and now she is proudly sporting a Batman figurehead. Batman is my favorite of all the “Marvel/DC-era” superheroes cos he was the only one that didn’t have superpowers to fall back on when things got dicey. He was just a multi-millionaire with a flash car and a proclivity for wearing spandex strides! I am neither a millionaire nor do I drive a flash car (sorry Bolluxmobile) but I do probably spend more time than is healthy wearing spandex.


"Batman, Dinner Dinner Dinner"




The Rockhopper has various idiosyncrasies chief among them are the rear U brake housed under the BB (who thought this would ever be a good idea?) and the beloved Biopace chainring. With the SS conversion it only has the middle 38 tooth chain ring (originally it had a rather eccentric - by today’s standards 28/38/48 chainring combination. During the conversion process the Biopace chainrings scared the young guy at my LBS, where I’d taken it cos I couldn’t free the ceased chainring bolts. The poor lad was convinced he had torqued the bolts so hard during the removal process that he had “ovalized” my chain rings. Despite my assurances that they were supposed to be that shape he wouldn’t be convinced, and even refused to accept payment in some unshakable belief that he had destroyed my “vintage mountain bike.
She still rides strong though, and hopefully this week might even be party to a little nightriding fun, such that hasn’t been had since leaving Md. We can only hope.

Biopace and U brakes! Oh Yeah!!!

Cheers

DB

Labor Day and more Runnin'/Bikin'

So all of a sudden lots of stuff seems to be happening. Guess we are just getting more “plugged in” here in sunny Okemos.

Labor Day weekend was action packed. Tired legs from the weekly commute and I was all up for a lazy weekend, fat chance.

Sunday and off to Sleepy Hollow State park for a bit of MTB fun with Hard Runnin’ Mark and MLW. Mark as well as a damn fine runner is a pretty competitive Adventure Racer, so his biking isn’t too shabby. Hit the trails at Sleepy Hollow at a fair old clip. Mark still sporting his early 90s Specialized Stumpjumper (Biopace chain ring – a thing of great beauty) and I am on my current weapon of choice the late 80’s Specialized Rockhopper SS conversion (also sporting a Biopace chain ring) – we are the throw back twins.

We scoot along and it is the best aerobic workout on the MTB in a while. Trails are not technical but are rooty enough with sections of quite long grass and some half-decent climbs to keep it interesting. For brief sections I am totally “in the zone” just focused on staying on Mark’s wheel as he tears through the narrow and rooty single track. Not an epic but trails that are certainly worth another visit. Only downer is my rear wheel flats (again) jumping a small log about a mile from the car. Third time in a few weeks – something up with the wheel, needs sorting. So end up running with my bike the last mile hey it’s a workout! Loop was probably around 7 miles and plenty of stuff we didn’t hit this time.

"Hard Runnin' Mark" and MLW at Sleepy Hollow

Monday and it’s time to hit the trails running! Hook up with MLW’s running group at a very local trailhead (just off Dobie Rd not 2 miles from our house). Neighbor mark also joins us and we head into the woods. Trail is actually three trails in separate park areas but makes a sensible 5 mile loop. Lots of stopping and waiting for the group to gather at forks but plenty of good running. Last couple of miles is a fun fest as mark and “Yours Truly” race Dakota – the dog that accompanied us – back to the car. I suspect she would have beaten us handsomely if she hadn’t stopped periodically in the middle of the trail until she could hear her “Mommy’s” voice behind us.

Running group in Okemos Mi

Trail is certainly worth checking out on the bike too – maybe even a night-ride venue?

Tuesday and back to the commute and track club – Wow, legs are a little frazzled.

Lots going on – making the best of what is available and trying to get into some kind of shape before winter comes along and chucks a great big stick in the spokes of MTB-fun. Ho-Hum just have to stay flexible with plans and see how things pan out – an adventure if nothing else.

Mi 1000 update! Up to over 700 miles now - cutting back to 2-3 days a week commute - will be a "nail biter" to see if I can get the "1000-fixed" done before year end.

Till next time,

DB

Ridin' Some, Runnin' Some

Despite the new car and some initial doubts the fixie-commute continues and I must admit I am enjoying the road riding on my faithful fixie as much as anything!

Mountain biking (in the words of Borat) "not so much" - in a bit of a downer at the moment, last three weeks and the weekly ride at Burchfield has been a bit below par. Mind and soul just not in it at the moment. Ride with a Canadian guy three weeks hence, technically and physically a bit of a nightmare! Flat within a mile of starting, my mental state exemplified by the fact that I was happy to call it a day and just go to the pub. Erin (for that is the Canadian guys name) is mor up for it than me and once back at the car he fixes the flat and we head off again. BAD CHOICE as it transpires! Half way through "Annie's Playground" and Erin is crushing it, fastest ride so far "oop north", then disaster Erin - first ride for several years - misjudges a small log (yes I know i claim they don't have the up her - but believe me it is a pretty small log), and drops his front wheel on, not over it. Down he goes - in that "I'm a forty year old man and I don't bounce like I used to" fashion - and managed to tear his rotator cuff!!!!!!

Damage isn't immediately obvious - won't be til next morning - but confidence is shaken and with a tire that is still leaking air we cut the ride short - only doing the first half of the loop. Back to car, quick beer at the Crystal bar (almost my local now) and home. Next day Erin ends up at the doc's - MRI later and thankfully no surgery but 6 (count em - 6) weeks of physio and no MTBing! Bugger.

Mr "Busted Shoulder" Himself

Next week and "hard runnining" Mark is my partner - various screw ups timing wise leave us only 30 m in to ride - quick aerobic workut over first half of trail and we are done! this week me an MLW do similar half loop before stoping for beer/wine. Need to change up something, getting a bit stale. Might be time to think about running fixed?

Fortunately what Mi lacks in decent Mtbing it makes up for in running! Tok MLW to "track club" for first time - three one mile efforts with short rests tough workout! Then I hooked up with "hard running" Mark for a spot of road running. Saturday morning and a 14 miler planned - furthest I've run since the Washington's Birthday Marathon. Now Marks a bit of a runner! A 2:40 marathoner - basically well out of my league! I try and just stick with him, 14 miles in 1:35 kin ell - I'm sore till Wednesday!!!

Cheers

DB

In the groove (at last)

It's been a long time coming!
But the past week and a bit has actually seen some quality biking time!
Turns out we are only ging to have one car for a while (shame) so poor old me has to cycle to work..... like everyday, in the words of the immortal (probably) Belinda Carlile "oooo oo heaven is a place on earth" right now that place is Okemos Mi.
So I've cycled to work on the fixie everyday for the past week - only 6 miles (20 min) but enough to get the heartrate up and to log over 50 miles since Monday. With the 20 mile road ride I did with MLW last Sunday the past 7 days have taken in 6 consecutive days on the fixie totalling over 70 miles. Hardly epic but a start.
Thursday was a departure from the norm in that I didn't ride home but was picked up by SWMBO in the Bolluxmobile so we could head to Burchfield and introduce MLW to both Kevin and the local trails. MLW liked Kevin (and his family) more than she did the trails but overall whole thing totally positive!
Another short post but back in the groove.

Later.......

DB

Two Rides in One Day!

I need to get back in the saddle!

All week life has been crazy! Spent Wednesday and Thursday in Illinois and so it's been eight days since I have even broken sweat. Bad enough, but next Saturday I am running the Baltimore 10 mile Road Race - guess that's gonna hurt!

One week left and a level of fitness that is lower than a midget limbo dancers arse! Time to step it up big stylee.

Friday and there is no bloody option. Finish work, change into running gear and hit the road. First road run in Okemos - how long have I lived here? What the hell have I been doing? Headed up Okemos Rd then turned off to the left along a footpath - pace is kinda fast, trying to stay smooth and keep the stride stretched out. By 10 min I am gasping. By the end I reach the end of the trail I'm winded and wondering if I should cut the run short. Eventually I find my way to Hulett Rd. Hang a right and keep going. Over Bennett, rail tracks and finally hit Okemos again. Left over the river, round the park, finally to Marsh Rd. Right and then Dobie Rd? Heading home but bugger me Dobie is quite hilly! By time I hit Jolly Road I am 55 min in and more than happy to head right and back to the Hotel. In the end 1.05 hrs effort. Sore legs, clogged lungs. All is good.

Saturday, and my mission (if I chose to take it) is to window shop for new cars. Yeah, like I'm not gonna drive so it's me and the Rockhopper. Spend the best part of 6 hours riding and looking at cars.

Sunday and I have two rides planned (Yoo Hoo)! Mark (my adventure racing friend) has lived in Okemos for over 5 years and has never ridden Burchfield! To quote the Pet Shop Boys - "It's a Sin". Arrange to pick Mark up at 2:30 and we head to Burchfield with me (as ever) apologizing for the state of the Bolluxmobile. As I left my helmet in Kevin's car the other evening I am sporting (against the advice of everyone who I've asked) the V1-Pro helmet! It's a bit of a classic ride, cos I'm on my mid-80's Rockhopper and donning my vintage lid and Mark (bless his cotton socks) turns up on a mid-80's Stumpjumper (Biopace chainrings and all).

I'm trying to remember the route we took the previous week and we are tearing it up! Decided Annie's Playground is just about my favorite bit of Mi singletrack (so far). It's in a shallow(ish) depression in the ground but by heck the trail builders have done their best to utilize every bit of elevation possible. The result is a twisty, up and down rooty fun fest. If only a decent hurricane could come along and drop fifty or so logs across the trail it might just be a classic to rival the long lost (but not forgotten) Small Intestine!

Good as Small Intestine (almost)

First obstacle (the titter totter thing) and I balls it completely! Over the bars, not even close! Pick myself up - minus pride - and carry on, at the next obstacle (the elevated boardwalky thing) I have a bit of a half hearted crack but sod it not today. All in all a nice ride - take in the swampy bridge portion and Dragonball Run .Then it's time to get Mary home cos, he has a dinner party and I am supposed to be meeting Kevin for a ride in 15 min!

My Nemesis!!

Fortunately Kevin is as late as me and so we both arrive at 5:00pm for Burchfield Park take two! manage the whole big loop with Kevin - get horribly lost and do a couple of loops around the lake on the back half of the trail, ah well adds a mile or so to the total. By 7pm we are back at the cars and partaking in some rather smashing "High Seas" IPA. Two ride, one day - sore but happy legs, and a bike that is complaining - think I may have nicked a tooth on my back cog!

Next day legs are sore, but sun is out and bugger it I have nothing better to do so I hit Burchfield for third time in two days! That bloody first titter totter thing (My Nemesis) I try to ride it three soddin times and end up arse over tit each time, let's face it "it owns me!". Lost as a lost thing by the raised walkway thing - round and round and round I go, but I'm always seemly heading the wrong way down a rail and no matter which way I go i end up back at the raised walkway! All a bit Blairwitch for my liking!

Scary elevated walkway thing!

About the fourth time I meet a jackass at the raised section - no bloody helmet! Remembering Todd's parable about pointing out the stoopidity of this behavior I decide to keep my mouth shut! I ask the guy if he knows the way out and he completely misunderstands me and replies that "no he isn't going to ride the raised obstacle cos it's his first ride of the season". Something in my head goes ping! Whether it's the humiliation of being lost, the irritation with the plonker with no helmet or what, but I suddenly have a desperate urge to ride the bloody obstacle! Up I go and bloody well get on the raised section!!! Only when I get to it's zenith do I think about how much this is going to hurt when I fall off (it's about 3 feet off the ground). But in my panic I stay upright and even manage to make the left turn to dismount in a vaguely controlled fashion! Don't know if Mr Jackass was impressed, but I was bloody amazed!

Between us, Jackass and DB finally found our way out of the lost world and parted company. About five minutes later, by one of the car parks I ride up behind Mr Jackass again and as I reach him start to chat away - he never even registers my existence, well bugger him! It's not till about 2 minutes later as I pass by him to take the trail to his left that he jumps half out of his skin and declares "Shit, you scared me half to death" and pulls his earplugs out of his ears!!!!! Yep he's the real deal, no helmet and ipod so loud we is completely oblivious to the rest of the world! Glad I came across him while he was riding his bike not driving his car! As I finish my ride I do a bit of exploring and end up in a clearing with just me my bike and a mother dear and her fawn - stand and look at each other for an age - I get out my camera and take a load of photies, she just stamps her hoof occasionally - I decide discretion is the better part of valor and leave them on their own and retracing my tire tracks to the car.

Two's Company

Fantastic - knackered, skeet bitten and happy as a pig in doo doo!

Cheers

DB

1985!

"there was Sprinsteen, Madonna,

way before Nirvana,

there was U2 and Blondie,

and music still on MTV,

her two kids in highschool,

tell her that she's uncool,

cos she's still preoccupied

with 1985!"

Oh yes for us Generation Xers the mid 1980s are days to dream about - days when we could go out biking all day and not have to worry about anything except being home before it got dark - and doing our homework for the next day!

So where is this going? Well as it happens I was doing a bit of exploring in my new "burg" today and passed a consignment store. In the window all forgotten and forlorn was a thing of great beauty, a thing to behold. A thing that took me back to - yep you've got it - 1985!!!!!

A Bell V1-Pro bike helmet!!!!

"That's one BAD HAT Harry!"

An object so 80's I had to have it.

So $3.99 later I am now sporting a fantastic new (old) lid

OOhh I feel just like John Tomac!

So if you spot an older guy on a yellow mid-80's Rockhopper wearing a ridiculous looking helmet (specially if you are riding in Burchfield Park) don't yell abuse or laugh - I know I look stoopid! You've just eyeballed the DogzBollux!

Cheers

DB

And then... there were three!

Tuesday and I finally made it to the "track club" running group, invited by two of my work collegues. Wow...... I had forgotten just how unremittingly painful track work outs were! Paired up and had to run 800 meters, 1000 meters, 1200 meters, 1000 meters and 800 meters in a continuous relay with your partner! Only three miles, so why does it hurt so much eh? Still the beer and burger afterwards helped. Hopefully this could become a bit of a regular bit of agony.

Then Thursday it was time to hit BurchField with Kevin. As we leave the parking lot a guy shouts "Hey Kevin" turns out it is another of the team Kevin organizes (Joe). Now then - Joe is the Man! KNows the trails and leads us on a magical mystery tour around bits of the park I had completely missed on my first exploration! Twist and tight (like Charlotte) but with more ups and downs and some fun obstacles and roots etc. Several "teeter-totters" the first of which nearly does for me and quite a few elevated (O.K. by about 6 inches most of the time, but still)sections.

Logs to get over (though most almost inexplicably built up on both sides - even when less than 12 inches in diameter) and some nice short steep downhill sections! All in all pretty much spot on - in no time we had over 8 miles under our belts and it was time to head back to the cars and a sneaky beer (somewhat spoiled by a policeman showing up!).

Skeets were out in full force and I'm still scratching now but it was all worth it!

Nuff already

Cheers

Jim

Wot a weekend!!

Whoo Hoo!
That just about sums it up!

Like all the best weekends this one started on Thursday. Got invited out for a road ride on Saturday by a work colleague (David), so decided I have bloody well better get used to riding on the roads at some kind of pace! So Thursday after work I did a quick change and was out on the fixie by 7 o clock - giving me just an hour before the light would get dodgy. Aimed for approx 20 miles and so headed south on Okemos Road. Dead straight! Try and keep the pace at 19-20 mph but it is a struggle in places, a cross wind takes it's toll and the gentle uphills drain the legs a bit. Turn left on Howell Rd with wind behind me and the pace really ramps! Feel almost like a real cyclist for a bit. Then left again on Meridian Road and I'm heading home - weather looks like it might chuck it down any minute but in the end I escape with nothing more than a few drops. Meridian Road seems to go one forever, no shoulder for much of the way and a pretty pock marked surface makes in interesting. Wind feels like it is more in my face than sideways and the pace drops to mid teens for sections. Over I 96 and all of a sudden the sign for Jolly Road appears. Blimey never though Jolly Road was so up and down! Wind in my face doesn't help but the end is near! Finish with 20.2 miles on the cyclometer and an average of 18.9 mph - solid effort.

Friday (with Saturday on my mind) head out for a repeat of Thursdays adventure - weather is awesome! Sunny so just short sleeves tonight and no hint of rain. Plan is to take it easy but the evening is just too nice. End up with exactly the same average as Thursday.

Saturday and the morning (up here without the family) is directionless! Need order! So I decide it's time the bikes got some TLC. Spend a good hour and a half (probably much to the bemusement of the other hotel guests) out the back of the Staybridge Inn Okemos cleaning both my fixie and my Rockhopper! Oh the beauty of a sparkling hub!

Happiness is a sparkling hub!

Afternoon (after an abortive attempt to bike to Denny's Bike Shop in Okemos - flat bloody tire on the Rockhopper) and its time to head to David's house in Watertown for my fist "proper" road ride in Mi! Windy as a cowboy in the bean sequence of "Blazing Saddles". Riding into the teeth of the wind is a real adventure. But we doggedly stick to the task and cover just over 40 miles at 18 mph average (15 mph into wind and 23 mph with the wind). Beautiful countryside, rolling hills, Life Is Good! Afterwards David and his family invite me to dinner - which is marvelous - then back to the hotel and I watch 24 solo on DVD for about the 6th time. Awesome movie! Makes me homesick big time for the gorgeous trails of Patapsco! But motivates me for Sunday and my inaugural ride with Kevin (Biodegradable Bike) Karpinski!

Sunday 2:30 and after many telephone calls and emails DB and Kevin finally meet in person - both riding Specialized MTBs - just made about 20 years apart (as I am riding my 1986 Rockhopper and he is riding an early naughties Stumpjumper). Head for Charlotte and a new section of trail. When we finally find it (after may missteps and me going over the bars trying to jump a log on the entrance to the first trail we find - I do like to make a good impression) we fins the new trail! It is pretty spot on - not much in the way of obstacles but twisty as a twisty thing and as tight as a nun's bits!

Kevin thru the flowers

Sections were hard to decren as we scooted along. A couple of fallen logs gave me the opportunity to fall off a couple more times and soon it was time to go home - DARN!

Here endeth the first ride!

Still 4 days/4 rides and nice clean bikes! Can't complain - life is treating me well in Mi!

Till Next Time

DB

Making Friends in Michigan

Been here for over a week now - Wow it's been a blast.

Without the beloved family (not moving up here until after "school's out for summer") time seems to be sucked up mainly by work. Hoped to cycle to work but pressure to turn up (i) bloody early and (ii) looking half professional have crushed that ambition! BUGGER.

Still found time on the weekend to hit the roads on the fixie, and what an adventure it was. Searched on line and found a site that gave me a whole host of road rides around Okemos - ranging from well over 100 miles (Crikey!) to 10 milers. Smashing. Chose a 50 miler for Saturday am, headed north into the country with a detailed route scribbled on a piece of hotel writing paper. Not too far into the ride I turn right and wadda you know the road is dirt! What the....! At first I am non-too pleased, as it has rained overnight and still drizzling the road is slimey and soft. But after half a mile it turns out to be massive fun. To the point that by the end of the ride I am disappointed when the road is paved. Biked up as far as Sleepy Hollow State Park and round the lake - checking out the trail heads for XC ski-ing this winter - cos biking will be out and I'll need to find some novel way to hurt myself! At one crossing I see a large yard sale outside a church and stop to check it out - despite my somewhat unusual lycra clad appearance the people at the sale are spectacularly friendly and only slightly bemused when I start eying up a pair of XC skis! "Bit tough on your bike" is one comment -" yeah" I sigh "guess so". But they come to my rescue putting them to one side till I can finish my ride and come back in the Bolluxmobile! Cracking.

As I return to my bike I meet an older Gentleman eyeing up my fixie. "How many gears you got" he asks and is somewhat surprised to hear I only have one! "I've got 26 on mine" he tells me - then if he was surprised by my lack of gears then I was flabbergasted when he revealed that he still rides with a club, did a 400+ mile tour a couple of years ago and that the next day was going to be his 82nd birthday!!

Sunday and I headed south, not so many unpaved roads (only found one section) and the paved roads were pretty straight and flat. Pretty countryside and some nice old farms and small communities but not as cool as heading north the day before. Managed to get another 35 miles in to make it about 90 miles for the weekend and just over 100 miles in my first week in Mi.

Tonight - bugger it it was time to try and find some trails!! Headed over to Burchfield State Park - which is rumored to have some smokin' technical trails. Another website claims it has trails that "are straight out of a B movie". Rode for about an hour - still early in the season so some sections under water - found some "technical" sections, very short and man made rather than the natural goodness of Patapsco. Nothing I was uncomfortable attempting on the Rockhopper SS conversion! So even though I fell my regulation twice the ride was not super taxing, the second half of the ride I followed a young local who I met as he took a spectacular fall right in front on me - on a completely flat piece of trail - my kind of rider I thought!! Will go back and explore some more another night next week - it is 15 miles from Okemos and likely to be my only regular mtbing in Mi for the foreseeable future so I better damn well enjoy it!





Ciao for now

DB

Crazy Shit Goin' Down

Yeah, I know......... Been too freakin' long! Well guess wot? Shit been goin' down in my life.

Enough already, I'll explain.

Stuff was stirring in the depths even as I ran the George Washington Birthday marathon back in Feb. Not bike, run type stuff (so not important enough to make it into the old Bollux-blog), but stuff to do with the other bits of my life...... you know work and stuff. Turns out that I was offered a job in Michigan! Yep they do exist! This lead to a huge amount of teeth gnashing and sleep loss as MLW and I tried to work out if we wanted to leave the delights of Maryland (and proximity to Patapsco and all the adventures that allows us) and head West. Too much on my mind to get round to scribbling for the blog.

In the end we decided we had better take the plunge! So I am currently sat in Okemos, Michigan (just outside Lansing) trying to remember what the F has been happening for the past three months!

Weather has been pretty dodgy so a lot of biking (both Sunday morning rides and night rides) has been washed out. Nevertheless there have been some rides of note - both in Md and else where!

Now it;s a sad fact that although I have lived in the Good Ol' US of A for over 7 years, I have never mtb'ed west of the Appalachians! So when a business trip to Boulder Colorado was on the cards - Woo Hoo! Contacted a colleague across there and plans for a bike in the foothills of the Rockies was confirmed - bike borrowed and work schedules wiggled so it would fit in. Only slight issue is the weather, sunny Colorado and all that! Talk to colleague two days before departure and he announces all is well with the world and temps are in the 70s. Fan-freakin-tastic! Pack accordingly and am only slightly bemused by the pilot of my plane announcing ground temperatures in oC when I realize he soddin well isn't! It's bloody 15 oF in Denver! Snow on ground the whole soddin lot! And me (like a pillock), short sleeved shirt, and a light casual jacket. Worse still only short fingered bike gloves and no hat! Quick trip to Safeway sorts that - nice pink woolly beanie and a pair of fleece gloves later and it's "Mother Nature - bring it on!"

Ross against a majestic backdrop

Ride is a blast - deserted trailhead, cold but not too far below freezing and a lovely grinding climb for the first mile and a half or more to get the blood pumping! Ross (my colleague) suffers up the hill - a result of no mtbing all winter - slacker! But then after we pass a Prairie Dog "farm" at the summit shows me how Rockies technical riding is done as he disappears down a wicked rocky downhill (boulders the size of cows I tell you! Well nearly). I pick my way down sections, walk others and launch myself over my bars a few times - oh what fun we are having!. Then we take wide open swoopy sections which are about as fun as life gets, past abandoned ranches and herds of deer. Far to soon it is time to head back to the car and thence to a local brew pub for excellent beer and food!

DogzBollux in Co - In the words of the Lengendary Max Boyce "I was there"

Does life get any better?

Yep apparently! Cos I fly home the next day and get a pass from MLW to go night riding with the guys!! Two days, two rides, two states!! Died and gone to heaven. Turn out is Brian and George (as it turns out last time I ride with George before I leave for Mi :( but that is in the future and not known as we head out into Patapsco. Usual trek up and onto Ridge, then down the white hike only trail to the road! Soapstone anyone? WaddaUthink? Up we go gasping our lungs to capacity. At the top Brian mentions a new bit of trail that is huge fun! Rocky, rooty downhill between tight trees, woo hoo - and I don't even fall off. At the bottom is a plain stupid steep approach to a drop off with a run out that I can't even discern. No way in God's earth am I even thinking about it. George of course throws himself (and hit rigid single speed) at it and bugger me if he doesn't make a complete Dogz Breakfast of it and nearly eviscerates himself on jagged log that is sticking out from the right hand side of the trail!! Exactly how I will always remember riding with George!

Brian and me walk it (and that's tough enough) then we scoot back uphill to take the steep down, up and down again that takes us to the base of soapstone (by the toilet block). And so with limbs intact we head back to HC side and the cars and beer I'm knackered but as happy as a pig in poop! Unfortunately (and unbeknownst to me at the time) these nights would be in short supply!

Next adventure involved a trip back to Old Blighty in April to see the folks, which gave me the opportunity to reacquaint myself with my nephew Chris. Now Chris is a pretty keen roadie and even though last time we went "home" he was only 15 he kicked my butt pretty bad! So it was with some apprehension that I saddled up to join him on a 50 miler on his home turf roads. Needless to say in the past twelve months I have not gotten any fitter - Chris on the other hand has grown up even more and added 15 lbs of muscle to his frame - 6ft 4in and 155 lbs, man this was going to hurt!

In actual fact had a blast, scooting round the Cambridgeshire countryside - felt almost like a real cyclist for a bit! Chris took it easy on me and it wasn't until the final 3 miles that he put the hammer down and left me for dust. I tried to hang on but my legs were spent and I finished with stars flashing before my eyes and having to go and lie down in the porch with a powerbar for 15 min to get my blood sugar back to a range that avoided the imminent danger of me passing out.

Once back in USA and the decision to head to MI is made - notice at work handed in and leaving date confirmed. Just three more chances of night rides with the guys! With Todd traveling extensively with a new job of his own every chance was like the last one - so despite some soggy weather a ride was slated - a change in venue was called for (i) to safeguard the health of our beloved Avalon trails and (ii) to allow us to start and leave from a pub! Good thinking my man! Cars parked on the pub car park (can't recall pub name - it'll come back to me and I'll edit later). New trails and a guest appearance by not only Todd's dog Pepper but a visitation from Mr Mike! First time he has ridden nighttime with me and first time ever for him in the dark on his single speed! Possibility/probability tat this will be our last ride together - Todd, Brian, Mike and me - so we keep it fairly short - couple of hours - to allow time for brews in the pub. Excellent time all round having a warm pub to crawl into after a ride certainly has it's advantages - bikes, beers, barmaids! This was last ride with Mr Todd :(

Da Guys!!

Next week and as luck would have it weather was kind and back for one last scoot round Patapsco in the dark! Oh how I love that place! Leaving the guys and nightrides in Patapsco was infinitely more difficult than leaving the "dream job" I had dragged my family 3000 miles across the Atlantic to pursue! Great hilly ride, Soapstone, down Vineyard, up Convent and then the steep up and down to Bull Run - with Mr Mike and Brian as company. Even got a nice trail tattoo to remember the night! No pain when it happened but when I got home I had a nice inch long split in my shin that went right to the bone! Cleaning it out with alcohol wipes, a face cloth (swigging heartily from a bottle of Blue Moon) was a real blast and then trying to hold the two edges together - at least a bit - with strips of band aid - Oh good times I'll miss them immensely.

Guys! Thanks for all the memories! Small Intestine, New trail, Soapstone, Tunnel trail, Mission Impossible all will live long in my memory!

And now on to the next chapter...............

DB

Back In The Swing

When does normality become the exception? For ages the usual routine was a Night ride mid-week and a Sunday ride. But it's been bloody ages since I have managed to do this with any kind of regularity. Maybe life is regaining some semblance of order cos for the second week running both the night ride and the weekend ride both happened. And conditions for both were absolutely freakin splendid! Midweek and although the temp crept above freezing briefly during the day (putting the ride in jeopardy for a while) by the appointed time the mercury was buried nicely in the "bugger me it's cold" region. Flurry of emails and on arrival at the appointed launch site turns out a couple of Brian's mates are joining us - more the merrier, splendid.

So the roll call for this iteration of the "oh so infrequent of late" night ride was Dave (who road with us once before), Kenny, Todd, Brian, George and DB.

All starts as it should, Small Intestine, Belmont and "up the Purple" (snicker..oh grow up!). Belting along at a fair old clip. At the crossroads we decide that the same route as previous Sunday sounds damn fine - Ridge to White and down the Hike Only section. New guys and old guys vying for bragging rights so the speed down White is higher than usual - not to my taste at all! Over to BC side and it's time to take on Soapstone, trails are very conducive to climbing - hard and no loose surface. Still involves a lot of out of the saddle anaerobic effort but the climb is completed just before my heart explodes. regroup at the top and work out it's a night for climbing! So the aim is down Vineyard, up House of Pain then down Mission Impossible - EPIC!

Vineyard passes in a complete blur - the guys are up for it tonight and it's all I can do to keep in sight of their lights as they hurtle away from me. Fortunately House of Pain is a great leveller - I can push my bike as fast as the next man! Stupid steep at the bottom, fun going down but virtually impossible up, some loose stones make the steep section even tougher as spinning back wheels add to the torture. Second section is almost doable then the upper third, more gentle (but still a heck of a climb) feels like a holiday in comparison to what we have just endured. Regroup again, and hit Superhighway to Mission Impossible, at the junction though there is a change of heart! Instead of Mission Impossible we take the re-routed Patarini Hill to the the top of the Hillside section and then the group splinters, George and I opt for Tunnel Trail (now "officially" closed - sign up and everything) whilst other favor staying on official trails. But you know how it is, within seconds on George and me starting on Tunnel we are joined by Brian and Todd - just couldn't resist this trail. It's been knocked about a fair bit in attempts to close it with a few obstacles being made just about unridable - result is that each of us take one trip over the bars in the first half of the trail. With ice and snow George is only one who takes on the big rocky section and then I opt for discretion and walk a fair bit of the very steep leafy descent. At the road we head to the bridge then take the steep route to the right of the waterfall, Brian absolutely crushes the first (and steepest) portion of the climb and is still cranking away on his Redline SS 29er when he gets to the stoopid rooty section. Gets as close to riding it as anyone I have ever seen. At the top of the hill pause for the (now routine) group photo. Down the rocky stream bed descent and Brian mentions to me that although he has ridden bikes for over 20 years with some guys, and only just over a year with me, that he has seen me fall off my bike more than anyone else he knows - Cheers Brian!

By now legs are fried, lungs are seared and thirsts are well developed. Talks of extra sections are quelled and we take a direct route back to the cars and beers. Fantastic Ride! Longest of recent times and fast ads we have gone for an age. Couple of beers and it's time for bed.

Sunday came and with it a lonely ride for MLW and me! Were suggestions that may be five of us, but with the Bollux-house thermometer reading 17oF when we left I didn't hold out much hope, and so it proved.

MLW was a bit leery both of riding just the two of us and riding in such cold conditions. We took on the "big loop" from Landing - Small Intestine has again been removed and "Not Trespassing" signs erected - so we took the old route up to Belmont Road. Fist 15 min were pretty hard on the hands but once we got some body heat going all were happy. Along Ridge two guys rode on MLW wheel for an age - despite her offering to let them pass. I thought perhaps they were just enjoying the view but the reason became apparent after a brief stop to catch breath at the top of one on the hills, we set off ahead and they just disappeared! So not (as MLW though) so much trying to pass MLW - they were desperately trying to stay on her wheel!

Trail again just perfect, SWMBO was a little bothered by "trails like concrete" descriptions, but by the end she was a convert! Admitted the trails conditions were the most fun she has ever ridden. Some hills climbed that I haven't made in many months and when we got to the waterfall on Cascade it id frozen solid! Photo-opportunity or what?! Bikes are discarded on the trail and we scrabble down to stand on the petrified splash pool and get a picture right in front of the falls - magical.

Quick sprint up Cascade back to the car and the big loop has been done faster than ever before on a Sunday - we the team!

Enjoy the cold while we can - summer soon.

DB

Gathering of the Tribes!

So it turned out to be an interesting weekend! Normally the midweek night ride is with George, Todd ,Brian etc and then the Sunday am ride is with Sean, MLW et al. This weekend things turned out a bit different. Sunday was planned as usual then MLW found she had run out of contact lens! Bless her cotton socks, she's as blind as a bat without them. Having attempted emitting high pitched squeaks and echo location and not been that good at it she abandoned all hope of riding Sunday am. Then Todd calls to say the Night riding posse is deviating from the norm and riding in the daylight hours on Sunday am.





Long story short, Sunday am we meet at Rockburn Branch Park to amalgamate the Nightriders and the Sunday Riders into one happy cohort. Turns out there are six of us (biggest turn out in living memory) representing 4 different nationalities (US, British, Irish and Dutch) a melting pot indeed.





Quick spin along the power lines and over Landing Road and we are ready to hit the Happy Trails of Patapsco! Oh joy! Turns out the devastation of New Trail and Small Intestine have been reversed, so the first ride at Patapsco of the New Year is on old favorite trails. At the top of Small Intestine the balance section is still removed but a "ridalong log" has been placed on the trail side. Too much for George to resist! Best college try but only rides about half of it. Mr Biking Sean then shows us how it is done, that guy has balance in spades! If we strung a piece of fishing line between two trees I think he would ride along it. After a few more failed attempts by us mere mortals and another demonstration of how it should be done by Sean the Balance King and we head off in the direction of Belmont. Quick pit stop for Todd to fix a flat then race down the Belmont hill and over the "bouncey" section to the water crossing. Very interesting!! The stream is frozen solid. We look at it, think about it, think some more......then get off our bikes and walk across it - except for Brian who sails gracefully across the sheet of ice crying "just don't pedal". Over the water and Sean repeats his balancing act on the next log, to George and my chagrin (as we make a complete dogz breakfast of it). Up the Purple (so to speak.... oo er missus) and we are at the Crossroads. Quick conflab and we decide Ridge to White and down the "Hike Only" trail is the way to go. White is fantastic as always, we reckon that at 8:30 am on a Sunday (when the air temp is only just above freezing) is pity safe, unlikely to meet any hikers. Would you Adam and Eve it! Just as we hit the bottom section we startle a runner heading up! No harm, no foul - luckily.



Over to BC side and you know with the fantastic condition of the trails Soapstone is a must. Trails are sweet, hard and sticky (oo er Missus) so even given the grade Soapstone is pretty manageable. We lose Reender though - having spent the Holidays in his native Holland (not too many hills) he is feeling the pace a bit and decides discretion is the greater part of valor - he heads to the bottom of Vineyard to meet us.



I love Vineyard! Fun but not too scary. Uphill is better but even downhill I have a fairly good time. Meet Reender at the bottom and the group decides it is time to head back to HC and the cars.



At the base of the Water bar we encounter a group of riders being lead out by Jon "the Poz" Pozner and after a fun climb we head back along the newly reinstated Small Intestine, New Trail and back to Rockburn - just time enough to fit in a close encounter with Mr Eatough (who is heading into the park from Rockburn). Then before I know it it is time to say goodbye to the guys and head back to reality - and Splashdown with the youngest!

Till next time

DB

2008 - Wow! What a year!

Well, it's been quite a year! First full year of the DogzBollux Blog and a year of some fantastic highs and a few painful lows.

Some great biking has been done in all weathers, majority at Patapsco but we also had our first foray into self-guided MTB tours (we certainly learned a lot from the Massanutten Mountain Madness experience!). Some great new trails appeared , and then unfortunately disappeared, at Patapsco - RIP Small Intestine, New Trail and Tunnel.

Competitively as well it's been a year of mixed fortunes. 7 races and some 233 competitive miles covered. Injuries looked likely to spoil the fun somewhat but in spite of this three podium places were achieved - probably best year in that regard.

Best Event of the year has to be 12 Hours Lodi Farms - just for the huge fun element in this race. Least fun was 6 Hours of Patapsco (but just because of the appalling weather conditions). But the thing I am most satisfied by was the JFK 50 finish, really was touch and go and given the issues during training the end result was the very best I could have wished for.

Looking back, 2008 was a pretty good year, hopefully 2009 can follow the same pattern. Plans are already fulminating! The year started with the HAT Run already entered and then on New Years Eve (after a few bevvies natch!) Running Sean raised the spectre of Boston (Marathon) qualification. MLW was very excited by the prospect of an opportunity of a trip to Boston so plans were quickly sketched out. GW Birthday Marathon (Feb 15) was selected and wadda you know on Jan 1 2009 I entered what will be my first marathon since 2002.

My poor old legs don't know whats hit them! After months of training at 9+ min/mile pace all of a sudden I am (trying at least) training at sub 7:30 min/mile pace. It's nice to have the base miles in so with 5 weeks to go the aim is mainly to get the speed work done. Hurting like hell but things are getting better - running two 10+ mile runs a week at approx 7:30 pace currently. In the next few weeks hopefully the mileage and pace will both increase. Course this means the anticipated increase in biking time is not going to happen any time soon, but at least (injuries avoided) I should be in good shape for HAT!

Cheers

DB

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.

It's been so long!

Wow.....so long since I have gotten of my arse to try and write something here that (i) I hadn't realized my last post was the JFK 50 race Report and (ii) I'd forgotten my Google password.

Since the JFK it's been time to heal the broken body and actually spend some time relaxing. Legs took a surprisingly long time to heal! They never felt really bad but nagging aches and pains that let me know I am getting too old for this foolishness (yeah right). I've done a couple of short (5 mile) runs at comfortable pace but been sore the next day - this running at faster than 10 min/mile lark sucks.

Mother nature has taken care of the biking thing to a large extent. No night rides for past three weeks cos of rain and this week looks like another wash out. Got in a couple of Sunday morning rides at Patapsco - one of which was in the wet. Too wet really to be riding, but the rain started just as we got to the trails and as we were there..... It was cold (in the 30s) and damp/wet but as four of the group were from Europe (two Brits, an Irishman and a Dutch guy) the cold and wet didn't seem such a good excuse. Trails were not muddy but as slick as hell. Plenty of slick roots and logs, many obstacles were just plain unridable - as such a short miserable ride. This was the first time this group has ridden together (an amalgamation of Biker Sean's friends and the usual Sunday group) so nobody wanted to be the wimp would complained first. Due to riding conditions the pace was painfully slow and so only a short ride. Last Sunday fortunately the temp was ow enough to keep the trails frozen for much of the ride. Last 15 min were a bit dicey and a friend who rode later in the day confirmed that once thawed the trials were a mess. But at 8am conditions were pretty damn good and it felt great to be back on the bike. Mojo was in full flow and we took everything the tail could throw at us. Small Intestine, Belmont (including riding the log), Ridge and Cascade - beaut!

On the was down Belmont hill came across an arrow embedded about 8 inches into the side of the trail. Nice carbon (oddly Easton, I thought they only made bike bits) shaft and a razor head. Bit of a worry that from the angle of impact the arrow must have crossed the trail before burying itself in the dirt! That would have ruined a ride if it had hit a biker.

Other than the two rides and two runs the majority of my training has been in the pool - half a mind to aim for an Ironman in 2009 (MLW is not too convinced). We'll see, swim twice a week during the winter and see how it's going by Easter.

Well, I'm back in writing mode and hopefully there will be more to talk about once the weather gets cold and the trails are good a solid!

Cheers

DogzBollux.