Making the best of the weather

 This last week the weather has been more like a normal winter. Everybody is freaking out. I took the opportunity to ride Grant ridge to Columbia on my single speed. Only had snow on the first couple miles. Didn't see a single person until after Italian Bar. 

 Friday was the first "Official" running of the Red Hills Rumble. Every year before this it has been illegal  because it's an organized event. A huge thanks to Jeff and his wife for jumping through the hoops and buying insurance to make it legit. I just wish more riders would have braved the weather.

 This is Crista Smith, she took first place. I officially got chicked. She beat me by one second. I can't complain she is really fast and has dropped me in longer races before. Congratulations Crista!

I gave Jeanie her Christmas present early this year. She's both stoked and bummed. She loved her old Knolly Endorphin. Unfortunately her frame was cracked. Knolly was nice enough to take $500 off a new frame even though we weren't the original buyers and the bike was from 2007. Now we have to start scrounging up parts. The new frame is 27.5 so of course none of the major parts are interchangeable. Have you ever seen a cooler Christmas ornament?

Gore Tex

First headlight now Gore Tex. It's definitely not summer any more. Most people I know wont go out when the conditions are crap. There missing out. The dirt was super tacky and even though I got rained on almost the whole ride it wasn't really muddy yet. Katie of course doesn't care what the weather is doing as long as she gets to go.

Time Change

The only thing that makes the time change tolerable is the the ability to get in some night riding and still make it home in time for diner. I squeezed in a Lightning/Dam run after work on Monday. The conditions were perfect. It was a little scary because when the terrain got bouncy my headlight kind of strobed. I though it was a mounting issue, now I think it wasn't screwed together all the way. Hand held flash lights aren't really made for that kind of duty. You should ride at night at least once a year. It is amazing how trails that you ride every week can be a whole new experience. And yes a new bike light is at the top of my Christmas list.

Family fun

 Last Friday we did the 3rd Cornerstone Christian mountain bike field trip. This time we went to the Tuttletown trail system. we had a great showing. In fact we ran out of bikes and helmets.

 Up hill conga style

 Brent got stuck running sweep.

 Tuttletown ended up working perfect because we were able to split into two different groups. The younger kids found a great paved loop they could race each other on and the bigger kids got to work on some skills in the switch backs. 

 We had a few people hit the ground but everybody had a great time.

 After his first ride here I think I finally convinced Brent to get a hardtail.

 I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than shuttling PCP with the whole family.

 This was Ashton's first time down anything this technical. He did really well.

 Poor Jeanie had to ride Gage's Bullit because the frame on her Knolly is cracked.

 I told him the actual line is about where his right foot is.

 He had fun I promise!

 Jeanie didn't get along with the Bullit. I believe she actually spanked it at one point.

 They couldn't resist a trail side teepee.

 Gage sessioned the log ride until he had it wired. 

I think he actually rode six or seven times. Awesome Sunday afternoon!

More Bell Mt.

 I took the family up the back side of Bell Mt. to pick Elderberries. We ended up with over 49pounds!  My wife was nice enough to drop Gage and I off at the top and pick us up at the bottom. It is definitely not an easy shuttle but I couldn't resist sense we were already going up there.

 We were a little concerned about Gage riding something this gnarly, but he surprised me several times. 

I think the grin tells the whole story. 

 I'm pretty sure there is more granite than dirt on this trail.

 Gage loved every bit of it. I think he could probably handle just about any downhill we have now. I just need to build up his strength so I can get him farther out in the woods.

 I get so obsessed with the trails up the hill that sometimes I forget how awesome my back yard is. Brent and I rode from our house up to Pinball. Great ride and only 2.5 hrs from my front door and back. Most people can't even keep there drive time under that for a trail this awesome.

Katie was jonesing for a ride too.

Big descent

 Today I wanted to get the max descent I could in one run. Lucas and I started at Gargoyles and climbed to the top of Sunrise. Then it was back up to Avalanche to Dome to lower PCP. Normally that alone would be a pretty good day, in fact Lucas had enough. So I rode Southfork to the top of Spring Gap.

 My family met me there and Gage got to ride his new Trek down to Sandbar flat. He is loving the 29 inch wheels and lighter bike. Unfortunately the cows tore up the upper trail pretty bad. Gage was still super stoked to have cleared several sections than was never able to on his Santa Cruz.

 Not bad numbers just enough climbing with tons of descent!

 The BBQ with the family at the bottom was an awesome way to finnish the day.

Lucas hated this picture but we were carrying an awesome pace and I never really wanted to stop and take pictures. Definitely my best run down Avalanche yet. Great ride!

Cornerstone Christian ride #2

 Today was the second Cornerstone Christian School MTB field trip. We had another great turnout. Emily here was unbelievable, I really hope she sticks with it. She was giving the biggest kids a run for there money on her first mountain bike ride. I think there could be trophies in her future if she pursued it.

 Every one had such a great time. We even got a couple Mom's out today. 11 kids and 5 adults. Bike and helmets were again provided by Sonora Cyclery. Huge thank you to Brent and his family for helping to make this happen, and Poor Merit who gets stuck at the shop.

 We had to play on a side hill a little. Gage looks very serious.

 Kyle managed to not go to the hospital this time.

30 seconds after a crash Emily was up and charging past the boys again. I can't get over how much fun it is to take all these kids out in the woods. 

New shoes and another new rider

 My Giro Terraduros died again. Giro replaced two pairs already so I can't complain. I decided to try something different. Brent at Sonora Cyclery set me up with these babies, the new enduro shoe from Shimano called ME7.

 Shimano paired up with Michelin for the soles. I decided to take them out to Bell Mountain where there are plenty of opportunities for walking on slippery granite. So far I'm very impressed. They grip the rock every bit as good as a bike tire and have the most supportive footbed I've felt in a bike shoe.

 Todd's been riding up here for longer than Iv'e been mountain biking. He had never been on Bell before so as usual it dished out some suffering. He did conquer this new log ride though.

More eyes opened.

 I've said it before but I still think one of the funnest things is showing someone new trails. I met Bill yesterday on a trail work day. He showed up and put in a day on our trails but hadn't experienced anything above Lyons lake. That didn't seem right. So today I showed him Snakedance and Herring Creek.

I think he had fun. The coolest part is every trail is going to be new for a while.

Summer is officially over, Long live Fall

 We ended our summer with a couple great trips. The kids got to experience Armstrong to Corral trail for the second time. Much faster and way funner. Jeanie loves this ride. Thanks again to Oldma's shuttle service.   

 Ashton was either grinning or talking the whole way down.

 Northstar! I love Northstar.

 Dan, Aron, Sean and I rode Yogies. Unless your a total beginner this ride should be on your bucket list. If your really good you can stop over in the Jellystone Jump park on your way down.

 Gage got a new Trek Fuel EX5 from Sonora Cyclery so  we had to take it down Snakedance for a shakedown.

 Ashton moved up to Gage's Pitch. Both kids were stoked to be riding a new bike. There really isn't anything like getting a new bike. Thanks Brent.

 Even though Jeanie is on her "Beater" Knolly she managed to have a great time as well.

 About once a year I ride Glacier just so I don't start thinking I have skill. This trail humbles me every time. Lucas here is showing me the line.

 We took a quick trip over to Mammoth last weekend. We got over there late but still managed to Squeeze a shuttle down Lower Rock Creek, with 20 minuets of daylight to spare. Probably the funnest trail I know. 

 One of the funnest ways to spend a day is riding Mammoth Mountain. I think everybody's skill level went up a notch.

 Gage was ripping it up!

 We played on a ton of wooden features.

 Ashton loves the table tops.

 Ashton did so good he though he could slay the Mammoth.

 We did a mountain bike field trip for Cornerstone Cristian School. It was a huge success.

 Kyle had a blast even though he ended up with 8 stitches. I'm pretty sure he will be back for more anyway.

 I think Angelino's face says it all. This was the bonus ride. There was a total of ten kids and 3 adults. Sonora Cyclery was nice enough to provide free rental bikes and helmets for those who needed them.

Yesterday Brent and I forced Lucas to ride Milo's Run with us. The description was: uphill for almost forever followed by a gnarly hike a bike, ride the jeep trail over Lyons butt, then down the super trashy/rocky brutal downhill, to the never ending sandy uphill road back to the car, followed by semi flat home brew. Awesome day! Not sure why everyone doesn't ride this. Seriously, it is one of my favorite rides up here. Lucas had fun, I'm pretty sure.