Digital livin'

Haven't made the time to ride in a while... too long actually. Livin' vicariously through super smooth trials ridin' (with killer tunes) and sick DH (take note of the incredible scenery). 

I will make it out soon, I promise. For my sanity, and yours.

36er and other stuff

Something to try...

Something to read...

Something to watch...

Something to think about...

The Last Thing...

They say when we leave this world, the last thing we see is a brief recap of our time spent here. Having never had a true near death experience, I can neither confirm nor deny. However, should this be true, and were the idea extended to other living things, what would a it be like for a tree? I ask this because I recently learned of the passing of an old white oak that stood along the edge of a family member's property. Would it be a quick rerun of the seasons, like the time-lapse photography/videography taken from a single location? Would it show the clearing of the field, it's subsequent plantings over the last 150 years? How far back could it see? The age of the colonization? Iroquois nation? Sullivan's campaign? Would it get to see again hunters of Native American, settlers, and modern times - ranging from bow and arrow, to flint lock, to shotgun? The progression of farming practices starting with slash and burn, to horse drawn plow, to modern machinery? Would this rerun be peaceful or traumatic and turbulent?  

I remember this tree going back a number of years. I am particularly fond of the memories I have of it capturing snow on it's outstretched limbs. It is a shame to see this old guard go. The final acquiescence to gravity must have been dramatic as there are limbs spread fairly wide, significant indentation on the ground, and twisted, broken limbs of wood that to touch and lift demonstrates considerable tenacity and heft despite being "dead".

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Today was a much, much nicer day. No snow in the air for starters and bright sun to boot. It was a bit of a drag to be stuck indoors at a desk - I think it should be mandatory for offices to shut down on the first few really nice days of spring. I can't imagine worker productivity is all that high with everyone daydreaming about riding some sweet single track - or is it only me that is distracted.

After the whistle blew, I cut out and tried to determine the closest place likely to be legal and have a decent amount of good trail. I settled on Green Lakes State Park. I heard the riding is decent but with only an hour of sunlight left and no map, I was sure to not get too much riding in. I did find a map at the office when I stumbled upon it so that helped keep me oriented. Again I learned xc skiing does only so much for keeping you in shape for xc riding. I eventually warmed up near the end of the ride and was able to keep a good pace up some decent climbs but I have a long way to go especially if I am going to do any early season racing. There was some ok trail once I got back into the park but it troubles me that I will have to pay $7 a day to ride there in the summer. It kind of reminded me of riding at Jacobsburg State Park in PA but with much less single track, not as good terrain, and no free year-round access. There were a lot of runners out on the trails, which appear to be really good for xc running.

The bike is making me do some early season head scratching. Maybe I am running to high a PSI in the tires or they are not suitable for the soil but corners are really dicey. I feel like even with moderate speed the bike is going to wash out from underneath me - not a confidence booster, for sure. I also need to dial in the rear derailleur shifting some. I think I might need to purchase a new hanger as the one on the bike seems slightly bent. 

I forgot my camera but there were some money shots of views north and west, especially with the setting sun. Oh, and the deer are incredible brazen. 

An Addendum: Might need to make a trip here as it sounds like a well-thought out design at a Blue Marsh Lake scale. 

Proximity is important for after work rides

I have been giving some thought to this lately. In the score and a half I have spent on this rock, I have moved around quite a bit. This has afforded me the advantage of riding in lots of different places and getting to know what and where I enjoy turning the cranks. Some places, the biking is the majority of what I miss after I move away. In others, it is a mix of biking and other elements (friends, urbanity) that I long for. As I search for single track, multi-use trails, wide shoulders, and quiet country roads to call my home, I am beginning to learn very important things. All too often, whether I ride or not is determined by my energy level at the end of the work day and if I have a convenient place to ride, this benefits me in many ways. 

Among the frontrunners of these lessons is the value of close, easily accessible places to ride. These are the ones I use when I get home after a long day and need to get out and unwind. The ones I find within a short spin of the front door. They don't require a car ride or if they do, it is a short one rewarded with long uninterrupted stretches of "hammer down" miles. In PA, I had this in both mountain and road form. In VA, the same was true. Here in NY, I am learning these are harder to come by and as winter flip-flops with spring, I am struggling to find them again. Rochester (or where I was fortunate to live while there) had this. As I explore Syracuse, I am learning this is an important trait I should carefully evaluate when and if I relocate in the future.

And, I must ask, why is March deciding to invade April? Wasn't it 55 and sunny on Sunday? Isn't it time for the snow to stop and spring to arrive? 

First MTB Ride of the Year!

Went for my first mtb ride of aught nine today. Checked out a local spot - I believe I rode there years ago but not sure. It was also one of the few times I've ridden with a group. Other than being really out of shape and rusty skills-wise, I had a great time. I am pretty sore and tired - didn't eat much all day which is never a good idea - but it was really beneficial for me to get out. I didn't bring my camera so no pictures, which is a bummer because we rode in an old quarry that had some interesting industrial remnants. Next time. 

This wetted my appetite and I would like to go for more rides but alas, it seems March is making an appearance in April this year with rain and snow in the forecast for this week. Can't wait...

I also was dismayed to learn my online bicycling log/stats compiler was discontinued. I've been using this site since 2003 so it is a bit of a bummer to see it go. This prompts a search for a new one, something I will have to settle on in the next few days.