January wrap up

 The weather was so good in January this year that we were able to take the kids riding almost every weekend. Ashton is getting faster every time. Who needs Xbox?

 The Bell family has been joining us on our weekly rides. Here Lara leads the pack down Buckbrush loop at Glory Hole.

 We snuck up to Downieville for one last ride before winter shows up. I asked Eric why he is always smiling and he said "How can you not smile we're in the woods riding our bikes". I can't argue with that. Sean drove us up to the North Yuba trail. It was 25 degrees at the start. Awesome ride, cold but awesome.  

 I scrounged up some Christmas and birthday money to buy a new mini pump and XL sized pack. The first test of the Lezyne mini pump was a bit disappointing. The little black button you see above is called the A.B.S (air bleed screw). I think some Stans got stuck in the valve. If it wasn't for Arch with a different pump the flat I got in the first 2 miles would have sent me walking back. After taking the valve out and cleaning it everything seems to work fine.  

 It surprised me to have problems with a Lezyne. Everything the make is innovative and of the best quality available. Here you can see the whole pump. Billet aluminum easy Schrader/Presta change over, and lots of air volume. Hopefully it will perform up to expectations.  

 After a couple misshaps on the trail I have been wanting to start carrying a first aid kit. The added bulk of a first aid kit and camera, jacket, tubes, tools, water, and what not was just to much for my old pack. I picked up an Osprey Escapist 30 pack to handle the extra stuff. This pack has room for everything you could want on even the longest rides. The hard part will be not taking to much crap.

 The kids pulled out the bikes after Ashton's birthday party and started playing on the downhill above the house.

 I took both my boys up to Lyons for the first time all the way from the house. It was the most climbing they have done at one time. After all the whining and crying they made it.

 The Bell's kept us company and had amazing patience dealing with my boys struggling. 

 Ashton making another run at the house even though its almost dark.

 I was amazed that the boys forgot how tired they were from climbing up to the lake as soon as we got to the Dam. They talked us all into hiking to the bottom. There was very little whining the whole way home. They had enough fun that they remember the downhills more than the up.

Only the Federal government would spend the money to put a gate 20ft from another gate.

Good Day

 Today was an awesome day. I took my family up to Sardine Falls. We went over the pass (it is January right?) and hiked up to the frozen water fall and had lunch with lots of friends. The girls were nice enough to drop Eric and I at the top of South Fork trail so we could ride home.

 Eric on the last bit of South Fork

 I couldn't get over the sky as it got dark on us. Everything looked so cool. Night riding in the winter is definitely on another level.

Something about boys and playing with flashlights, apparently we never grow out of it. We just get better lights.

Hows that for a tree topper?

January Downhill

 I don't think it has ever been possible to shuttle down from Strawberry in January before. We had to get a little creative getting around some ice but everything else (weather,traction,trails) was perfect. Eric is standing in front of a waterfall with a nasty drop that we had to circumnavigate.  

 Bobby and Eric on our "bypass". Even Katie had trouble on the super smooth ice.

You would have thought it was late April down at the bottom. All three of us were worn out after this one. Southfork to Spring Gap to Sand Bar to Lyons and Home. 30.23miles, 3526 calories, 5:53hrs, 2980ft gain.

December?

You would never know this was taken the day after Christmas in Cold Springs. I think we were about 6000ft. Eric and I had a great ride. He got to try out some new riding gear. We didn't have much trouble with the snow but the downed trees sent us back a little early. Couldn't have asked for better weather.

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Snow in Paradise?

 I took the family north to a little town called Shelter Cove this last weekend. The BLM has done some amazing work out there for us mountain bikers. 2 years ago they had a 14 mile loop trail called Paradise Royale. Now they have a pump track and freeride park. Wouldn't you know it, the day we rode the loop was the only day it rained. Brad and Eric are trying to look happy in this shot after climbing for an hour and a half (I think this is where Brad said he hated me). You can't tell but it just started to snow on us (Is it supposed to snow on the coast?). Unfortunately the skies opened up and changed the downhill from a super flowy jump run into a freezing rush to the truck.  Eric's lips were still blue 2 hours after his hot shower.

 We took the kids back up the next day and let them play on the jumps. Gage wasn't to thrilled with leaving the ground.

 Brianna was clearing this table before we left.

Ashton was having so much fun he didn't want to leave, even it was dark. He got his first air and can't wait for more.

Good Test

 Finally got a proper "All Mountain" ride in for my new all mountain bike. Chuck at Solstice sent me a loaner set of cranks to fix my shifting problems. What other frame manufacturer is going to do that? This guy has gone so far beyond what would be expected form an owner it crazy. He talked me though setting up the front derailleur from his house on a Saturday!  I was able to use my original front chain rings on his cranks and everything lined up perfectly. 

 The snow did melt enough for Sean and I to get up to Crandle Peak and ride down some lava in perfect weather. 16miles, 3hours, 2064ft gain, 1938 calories, 2 flat tires

The Solstice has some big shoes to fill. My Firebird was the best all around bike I have ever ridden. I think this one might be that good. I need a little more time to know for sure but so far I am very happy with my choice in frames, and certainly in terms of customer service.

Old friend new bike

 I finally got my Solstice and the parts to build it on Friday. I built it on Saturday. It snowed 4 inches here on Saturday night. I was so grumpy I wasn't going to ride it. But the only person I would have bet money would not go riding, (Brandon) set up a ride. We went to Tuttle Town for some easy XC trails after all the rain. 

They conditions were perfect. The Solstice didn't really get a proper test though. The trails are super smooth and easy. This worked out because I had to ride 1X10. It turns out that you can't run a 10 speed set up with old 3 speed cranks, at least not with the front derailleur I am using. So I am going to have to buy a new set of cranks (budget killer). So far I am very impressed with how well the bike climbs though. Because I did the whole ride in the 36 ring I had to stand and climb a lot. It had almost no noticeable pedal bob. Hopefully the snow melts a bit and I can show it some rocks.