Fast Single Track

It sure would be fun to follow someone like this down the whole trail and see the lines they take.



Watch more video of Matt Ohran on cyclingdirt.org

Flat Lake

I am searching for a good loop that is close to my office. I love the "Paper Boy" and "Mouth of AF" rides from Adobe, but sometimes I need something closer when I am short on time.

Today wasn't bad. Only automobiles I saw were on the little bit of Geneva road I rode. Other than that it was nice country roads and a little bike path next to the river.

Only one small hill climbing back up to the office. Definitely will not set any cumulative hill climbing records on this ride.

The ride needs some tweaking but it is a good start.

Keep it casual, pfft!

It felt like a nice Spring day today. Too good of a day to pass up getting out for a little road ride with the fellas.

Here are some observances from today's ride.

1 - Miles' new bike is as fast as it looks.
2 - Dan Z. is a real "roadie" at heart.
3 - "Casual Ride" disclaimers mean nothing.
4 - Sunderlage can quickly turn the pedals in "the sprint."

My legs hurt so good. I love it!

Alpine Pond and sling shot

I am sure many of you have seen this before.  Why have I not done this before with it so close to home?   Fatty have you launched into the pond?




 I kind of like this one better. It has a good crash.





And last but not least this looks fun.

 

 Have a good weekend. Off to go ride some desert single track.

Two for Six

Well, at least I had a couple good years at Leadville in 2008 and 2009.  I think I am done trying to get into the race.  Seems like all they want is more $,$$$$.$$ from people.  I just want to ride my bike.

So you are saying there is a chance...

Well we shall see if my Leadville lottery entry record is 2-6 or 3-6 today.

Keep your arms and legs inside the ride at all times

I have a new favorite gadget while riding my bike.  Thanks to my wonderful Wife who surprised me with an upgrade.  She took my existing iPhone 4 and gave me the 4 S.

images from www.apple.com

The best feature is being able to send and receive "texts/emails" via talking in the mic on my headphones.  All while riding my bike down the trail.  Taking care of business just got a little easier.

Now you never know if I am on the trail or not.

Snow Riding

A couple weeks ago we had a small storm come through dropping a couple inches.

Since this has been the Great Winter of No Snow, I still wanted to ride.  I know many of you ride in snow all the time, but I usually do not.

I pulled out the Single Speed and headed out into the foothills to try this snow riding thing out.

Weather was pleasant and not cold, and surprising enough I was able to get quite a bit of traction as long as I didn't try and spin too fast.  I just had to keep my weight down in the back and pedal away.  

Of course it didn't take much for my tires to sink down into the snow and hit the ground below.  I guess you could call it "packed powder" under the wheels.

Climbing was alright until the slope got too steep and I would slip out.  That only happened on a short section of the trail.

Once I got up higher into the foothills the snow became a little deeper.  Good thing I had the SS so I didn't have to worry about a frozen drive train.

I rode the trail as an out and back.  Quite a good workout trying to pedal as the first one in new snow.  The ride back sure was a lot faster trying to stay in my narrow tire tracks in the snow.

All in all it was a good ride and a good workout.  Glad I have a SS for rides like this.

I am not ready for Squaw Peak in the snow yet, Miles.  Still going to stick to "Brown Pow."

Now What?

I thought I had my Summer racing plans worked out.

Generally I like to do one or two big epic events.

I planned on racing the Breckenridge 100  .
I really loved this race last year and was looking forward to some redemption on Loop 3.  Well this year they have changed the race from a Saturday race to a Sunday race.  Sunday races don't work with my schedule so unfortunately I will not be able to make the Breckenridge 100 this year.  I am seriously bummed.  The race organizer said the UCI threw him a curve ball and he had to move it back a day this year.  Hopefully next year it  is on a Saturday again and I can race it.

Of course I entered my lottery ticket into the Leadville 100 again this year.  But lets be honest, its a shot in the dark anymore to get in Leadville.  I have tried the last 6 years and have only gotten in twice.  An entry this year would be great but I am not counting on it.

So now what?

I really love high elevation races nestled in the pines with soft loamy dirt.

I really had not even looked at a race calendar as I thought I had it all figured out.