5-7-09

Last night I met a friend of mine on the east side.  We met at his house east of the river off Hampton Ave.  He kept telling me tales of sweet singletrack just out his back door.  I rejected the idea tight, technical singletrack could exist in the city.  The past two years I packed my gear and drove 30 minutes in the other direction.   But I need a change from the Southern Kettles and Emma Carlin and John Muir.

I beat the rain to the east side.  But we knew it was coming.  I quickly changed into my bibs, jersey, and shoes and we hit the road.  But only for a couple hundred yards before we ducked down a steep hill and there it was…the tight singletrack that mimics the connector trail in the Southern Kettles.  Tight, technical singletrack with exposed roots, big rocks, and man made bridges.  We made our way from Hampton Ave all the way down to North Ave on the trails.  Only popping out of the woods to pedal through a city park or two.  As we made our way back the thunder rang out and the rain came down.  We were immediately soaked.  So we hammered back to his house to gain shelter from the storm.

He pulled out a couple beers and we laughed at the mess we got ourselves in.  For a quick 30 minute spin to be so close to his back door; I am jealous.  But I know where I am headed to get some good riding in…and to get a couple good beers.  Happiness.

AP

4-26-09

A few changes have taken place over the winter months.  Mostly with regard to the Townie build I put together late summer.  Below are a few pics that show those upgrades.  I went to a single brake for the rear wheel and incorporated an areo style brake lever to hide the cables as much as possible.  I swapped out the bright green bar tape for natural cork and switched the old black seat for a slightly used brown Bontrager Race Lite (keep in mind this is a budget build so a Brooks saddles would break the bank).  It is a simple set up for a Townie bike.  Trips to the coffee shop, the local park, or the grocery store fit this ride perfectly fine.  Enjoy.

AP

11-30-08

It’s snowing!  Looks like the bikes are put away and the seasons have officially changed.  Time to get out the winter hiking manual and dust off the snowshoes.  I love the snow.  If it keeps snowing I can get out the snowshoes tomorrow! 

I did a lot of riding and very little writing this summer.  New mountain bike, sold the road bike, and built a custom townie to ride to the grocery store and the coffee shop.  Did a little racing, not as much as planned.  Too bad life happens.  Hiked the familiar trails and found some new places as well.  Spent some time with the family.  All in all a good summer. 

The Fox fork was never tested in 2008.  At least I have my first Spring 2009 review to write.

AP

Finally.  The last piece of the puzzle.  The Fox F29 fork.  I hope to get out Saturday before the snow.  More to come.

Check out the pics.

10-13-08

A long weekend in Marquette, MI.  Friends, good food, lots of beer, a wedding, and of course; Mountain Biking.  There may not be a more beautiful Fall setting than what can be experienced in the Upper Peninsula in mid-October.  Peak leaf season is evident in the pictures of trails carved through the woods surrounding Marquette Mountain.

Thursday afternoon I ventured off to the South Marquette Noquemanon Trail System that, for the most part, hits the lower areas around Marquette Mountain.  I took off for the Carp River loop up the long fire road climb that takes you to the first section of single track.  My only knock on the Carp River loop is the evidence it originates from an old 4-wheeler trail.  Most of the loop (which are long climbs) are seven to eight feet wide with short sections on non-technical single track sprinkled in.  I pounded my way up the hills until I couldn’t take it anymore and took the shortcut down Fiddlers Creek.  Fiddlers Creek is a winding, technical downhill that couples big rocky drops with tight corners.  Unfortunately it is short and cuts the Carp River loop in length by a third.  I took Fiddlers Creek back to the trailhead, back up the long fire road climb to the Gorgeous loop.  The Gorgeous loop is just that, gorgeous.  Mostly single track.  A good mix of short climbs and downhill sections.  Best of all, the trail is cut along the side of Marquette Mountain overlooking the Carp River.  The river runs loudly below.  The view is obstructed by the large, thick forest but glimpses of the river are possible.  I recommend stopping to take a look.

Friday I returned to the same trailhead and rode across Hwy 553 to take another look at the Pioneer loop.  The roll-out on Benson Grade is down a long fire road to the outlook.  I ventured off the marked trails and followed some newly rolled tire tracks.  Up a short hill I found some Big Hit, Down Hill man made jumps and bridges.  I ran into three young college kids with their Down Hill bikes and got the lay of the land.  They advised I best stay on the other side of Hwy 553 (with my fully rigid cross country bike).  I followed them to Bensons Outlook where we jumped on the Flow.  A fast down hill with the perfect amount of technical single track, flowing turns, and nice rock sections.  Flow cut the Pioneer loop short but I did get to experience some of the hidden trails within the Pioneer loop.  Flow spit me out to Hwy 553 and I pedaled down to the South Marquette trailhead.  I hopped on the Mt. Marquette trails.  Of the three main trails that stem from the South Trails Parking Area, the Mt. Marquette trails are the my favorite (especially if you can forget all the climbing).  A good mix of climbing and down hill with some technical riding mixed in.  The Fall colors along the trails were beautiful and provided a welcomed distraction from climbing Marquette Mountain. To view a map of the South Marquette Trails, click here.  To take a look into my two days on the trails, click here.  A couple pics are from my August trip.

AP

10-7-08

The below few lines sum up my relationship with our puppy dog Steven.  Going on hikes, taking car rides, or just lounging around on the couch; nothing would be the same without my best friend.

People let me tell you ’bout my best friend,
He’s a warm hearted person who’ll love me till the end.
People let me tell you bout my best friend,
He’s a one boy cuddly toy, my up, my down, my pride and joy.

People let me tell you ’bout him he’s so much fun
Whether we’re talkin’ man to man or whether we’re talking son to son.
Cause he’s my best friend.
Yes he’s my best friend.

10-6-08

I was introduced to the CLIF GreenNotes updates through a like minded friend.  Music and the outdoors are two important things to me.  And they definitely go hand in hand.  Take a look at the latest update, click here.  Below is a pic of me with featured artist Brett Dennen.

10-6-08

I wanted to share a couple more pics of my Townie build.  Click here.

 

10-5-08

Back on August 30th I did some exploring on the Niner around Marquette Mountain (Marquette, MI).  I set off on what I thought was going to be a leisurely ride.  Without a map in hand, I ventured out for a short ride to see what the Mount Marquette trail had to offer.  After riding the Mount Marquette trail, the Carp River loop (with the Gorgeous trail), and the Pioneer Loop the ride turned into an afternoon on the trail. 

I will be hitting these trails again the 9th and 10th of October.  Check back for thoughts on each trail and some pictures.  If you want to check out the trail system, visit the Noquemanon Trails website.

AP

10-5-08

One of our favorite pastimes is to go to the local coffee shop, The Steaming Cup (preferably by bicycle), get a cup of coffee and read the local rags.  I came across these entries in the Free Will Astrology weekly posting in the Shepherd Express.  Interesting.

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Robert Downey Jr. is grateful to Burger King for serving him such gross food.  After eating a particularly fowl meal there in 2003, he told Empire Magazine that he was so disgusted that he drove to the beach and hurled all his drugs into the sea.  It was the shock he needed to begin the process of kicking his addiction.  In that spirit, Scorpio, I suggest you seek out a similar epiphany–whether that includes an encounter with a greasy, fried cow meat or some other phenomenon that triggers your urge to rise up and purify yourself.

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Three enlightened teenagers I know have formed a gang called The Disciples.  It’s dedicated to plying the dangerous arts of humility, curiosity, and optimism–three qualities that are so undervalued in our culture as to almost be taboo.  Here’s their motto, which reveals how far they are wiling to go in order to listen well, keep their egos in check and constantly scour their surroundings for reasons to be grateful:  “We have no issues and no problems, but only questions.”  I urge you to start your own branch of The Disciples, Scorpio–or at least work on cultivating their approach. 

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Devise from these what you want.

AP