I have had a couple of online content police give me shit about talking unmentionable trails. Honestly I am very conscious of what names I do or don't use to describe the trails that I ride. But for some sticklers this isn't enough. There is to be no mention of trails that are illegal. Apparently their female parts tingle if you even elude to trails that aren't on the Krebb's map. Fuck em.
That said Henry Cowell Redwoods does have several trails that are legal for bicycle riding. Check it.
HC Site
Nothing major in terms of great singletrack, but legal trails none the less.
For the sake of not hearing the aforementioned people bitch I will censor my ride reports to the point where you might have to call and ask me where I actually rode.
Out...
What's the weather like in Doug's neighborhood?
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Monday, March 12, 2007
DST and Weather
Okay, everyone should have sprung forward yesterday. But in case you forgot, here is the last reminder. Now we can ride in the Bay Area until about 7:30pm before it gets too dark to see without a light.
That's what I am talking about. Good weather looks like it will continue through the week. Not only dst, but great weather and dry trails to boot. It is like someone is giving a little hint that we should all be out riding our bikes.
Sacramento was chill this weekend. I have seen enough tattoos, kids, and pregnant women for the month after visiting the zoo, funderland, and the park in the 2 days we were there. Temperatures were perfect. Lots of sun. Quite a few beers too.
That's what I am talking about. Good weather looks like it will continue through the week. Not only dst, but great weather and dry trails to boot. It is like someone is giving a little hint that we should all be out riding our bikes.
Sacramento was chill this weekend. I have seen enough tattoos, kids, and pregnant women for the month after visiting the zoo, funderland, and the park in the 2 days we were there. Temperatures were perfect. Lots of sun. Quite a few beers too.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Week in review
It has been a fairly busy week.
Saturday I hit up the NAHBS. It is one of the coolest events I go to during the year. Of course I really can't afford anything other than pint glasses and beanies. It is still great to go and drool over the hand crafted works of art. Word was that I might be meeting up with Eddie, but the bugger wasn't answering his phone and we ended up missing each other. I miss Eddie. Gonna have to catch up with him another day.
Check out the gallery over at MTBR. Not quite as good as in person, but it will have to do if you missed the show.
Work has been a bit busy lately since our NASA project was re-scoped. I really love honing in on a moving target only to have it placed a couple of months farther out and way to the right. Oh well, life will go on and for now I'm getting paid so not too much to complain about.
Tuesday I was able to sneak in a Henry Cowel run. Bear Mountain is drying out nicely, but it is still very slow rolling. Felt good just to be out riding the bike. The front shifting is working fairly well. I still need to give it a little tweak, but for now it is a bit of rubbing in a couple of gears. Brakes held quiet and all the nameless trails were in good shape. I ended up pushing into dusk, but I did have my light with me. I blindly made it out of the woods, but stopped to install the light before I got run over by a car.
I finally got a hair cut. Feels good to not be so shaggy. No clippers though, so that was interesting. I don't think that I have had a scissor only cut since I was about 7. But Erin wanted me to leave it a bit longer for now. No mug shot sorry.
Yesterday I cut out of work with enough time to hit the UC trails. I ran into the Harbor High MTB Team. Guess their coaches have them doing hill climbs up Yukon. I should have asked how many times they were doing it. They were blasting back down it. The leaders were flying, but some of the back of the pack were very sketchy as I passed them. Nice kids though. My ride was an up yukon, fire road, and then I ran down some campers. One thing I noticed right off, the fire road in UC is much better rolling than Bear Mountain. After feeling like crap the last couple of times climbing that it was nice to see that it wasn't just me being slow (as usual). I ran the ride with my fork at 5 and a bit higher pressure. That downhill is just brutal. I would like to have a go at it on a 40lb dh bike one of these days. By the end of my run I did have some low level howling on the rear brake caliper. So back to the drawing board on that. One positive, the 8in rotors really do a good job in reducing hand fatigue. At the bottom I am normally a bit arm pumped. Nothing yesterday, I could have done a couple more runs had there been more light.
Today is a short day at work. Heading out to Sacramento to visit Erin's cousin in Folsom. Maybe I can sneak my bike in and to a ride at Folsom Lake one of the days. Have to get executive permission on that though. So it looks like another weekend without much in the way of riding. Guess it could be worse.
Saturday I hit up the NAHBS. It is one of the coolest events I go to during the year. Of course I really can't afford anything other than pint glasses and beanies. It is still great to go and drool over the hand crafted works of art. Word was that I might be meeting up with Eddie, but the bugger wasn't answering his phone and we ended up missing each other. I miss Eddie. Gonna have to catch up with him another day.
Check out the gallery over at MTBR. Not quite as good as in person, but it will have to do if you missed the show.
Work has been a bit busy lately since our NASA project was re-scoped. I really love honing in on a moving target only to have it placed a couple of months farther out and way to the right. Oh well, life will go on and for now I'm getting paid so not too much to complain about.
Tuesday I was able to sneak in a Henry Cowel run. Bear Mountain is drying out nicely, but it is still very slow rolling. Felt good just to be out riding the bike. The front shifting is working fairly well. I still need to give it a little tweak, but for now it is a bit of rubbing in a couple of gears. Brakes held quiet and all the nameless trails were in good shape. I ended up pushing into dusk, but I did have my light with me. I blindly made it out of the woods, but stopped to install the light before I got run over by a car.
I finally got a hair cut. Feels good to not be so shaggy. No clippers though, so that was interesting. I don't think that I have had a scissor only cut since I was about 7. But Erin wanted me to leave it a bit longer for now. No mug shot sorry.
Yesterday I cut out of work with enough time to hit the UC trails. I ran into the Harbor High MTB Team. Guess their coaches have them doing hill climbs up Yukon. I should have asked how many times they were doing it. They were blasting back down it. The leaders were flying, but some of the back of the pack were very sketchy as I passed them. Nice kids though. My ride was an up yukon, fire road, and then I ran down some campers. One thing I noticed right off, the fire road in UC is much better rolling than Bear Mountain. After feeling like crap the last couple of times climbing that it was nice to see that it wasn't just me being slow (as usual). I ran the ride with my fork at 5 and a bit higher pressure. That downhill is just brutal. I would like to have a go at it on a 40lb dh bike one of these days. By the end of my run I did have some low level howling on the rear brake caliper. So back to the drawing board on that. One positive, the 8in rotors really do a good job in reducing hand fatigue. At the bottom I am normally a bit arm pumped. Nothing yesterday, I could have done a couple more runs had there been more light.
Today is a short day at work. Heading out to Sacramento to visit Erin's cousin in Folsom. Maybe I can sneak my bike in and to a ride at Folsom Lake one of the days. Have to get executive permission on that though. So it looks like another weekend without much in the way of riding. Guess it could be worse.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Cupertino Bicycle Swap Meet, April 29th
Cut and paste from MTBR:
I also agree that this is the best swap meet in the Bay Area
Don't miss it!
Cupertino Bike Shop/ROMP Swap Meet
(my award for the BEST swap in the entire Bay Area)
Sunday, April 29th, 2007. Swap is ALWAYS on the last Sunday in April!
$2.00 admission. No early birds. Gates open at 10:00 sharp. Plenty of free parking in the strip mall in front of the shop. Line begins EARLY for entry. Exact change appreciated.
This is one of the largest and best bike swaps in the San Jose Bay Area; with over 50+ vendors, racers, reps and enthusiasts selling clothing, tools, shoes, frames, accessories.
Spaces costs begin at $60 and go up from there. Day of registration an ADDITIOINAL $20 on top of fee. Spaces sell out/register early.
Located at 10493 S. DeAnza Blvd. Cupertino CA
Call the shop or email for reservations/etc.
408 255-5517
sprocket@cupertinobikeshop.com
Proceeds to ROMP and our on-going advocacy with off-road trails in local parks, open spaces and preserves. www.romp.org for club info.
I also agree that this is the best swap meet in the Bay Area
Don't miss it!
Cupertino Bike Shop/ROMP Swap Meet
(my award for the BEST swap in the entire Bay Area)
Sunday, April 29th, 2007. Swap is ALWAYS on the last Sunday in April!
$2.00 admission. No early birds. Gates open at 10:00 sharp. Plenty of free parking in the strip mall in front of the shop. Line begins EARLY for entry. Exact change appreciated.
This is one of the largest and best bike swaps in the San Jose Bay Area; with over 50+ vendors, racers, reps and enthusiasts selling clothing, tools, shoes, frames, accessories.
Spaces costs begin at $60 and go up from there. Day of registration an ADDITIOINAL $20 on top of fee. Spaces sell out/register early.
Located at 10493 S. DeAnza Blvd. Cupertino CA
Call the shop or email for reservations/etc.
408 255-5517
sprocket@cupertinobikeshop.com
Proceeds to ROMP and our on-going advocacy with off-road trails in local parks, open spaces and preserves. www.romp.org for club info.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Trail Conditions 3/6/07
I got out for a quick spin in HC yesterday. Trails look to be in great shape. The mud that was clogging tires on Friday has now dried into very good traction. Upper trails are dry, but not blown out. Lower trails are tacky. Bear Mountain fire road is still very slow, maybe it is just me that is slow. It feels like the brakes are dragging. I even stopped to check that they weren't about 1/2 way up the hill.
One positive (or negative depending on your view) is that the maintenance crew has placed gravel in most of the major mud bogs climbing up Bear Mtn. So instead of packing tires with mud in those spots you have to crunch though some rough gravel. I had feared that this would mean that the maintenance trucks had left tire tracks and ruts to the top, but to my relief there were very little signs that a vehicle other than bikes had been on the trail.
One positive (or negative depending on your view) is that the maintenance crew has placed gravel in most of the major mud bogs climbing up Bear Mtn. So instead of packing tires with mud in those spots you have to crunch though some rough gravel. I had feared that this would mean that the maintenance trucks had left tire tracks and ruts to the top, but to my relief there were very little signs that a vehicle other than bikes had been on the trail.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Trail Head Swap meet announced
That's right, check it out.
3/25/07
Trail Head Cyclery (14450 Union Ave, San Jose)
- 7am for sellers ($20 gets a spot)
- 8am for buyers (all welcome)
- 9am shop open (10% off sale)
Trail Head site
Scroll to the swap meet for additional information.
3/25/07
Trail Head Cyclery (14450 Union Ave, San Jose)
- 7am for sellers ($20 gets a spot)
- 8am for buyers (all welcome)
- 9am shop open (10% off sale)
Trail Head site
Scroll to the swap meet for additional information.
Friday, March 2, 2007
Star Date 2007.03.02
Friday again. Rock out with your cock out!
Where the F did my week go. No riding. No new parts. Didn't even go to work on Wednesday. What a fucking lump.
I spent most of Tuesday evening followed by Wednesday dicking around with my computers. End result: Freshly formatted scsi drives in my ancient system and I am still rocking the windows 2000. Yeah, it may only be a P2 450mhz but it gets the job done. Windows XP runs on it, but I couldn't get it to behave after installing it 2 separate times. So windows 2000 is what this old dog gets to the end.
Okay, so I did get a new toy this week(bike geeks may want to skip this part). A 250gig external hard drive and a 2gig USB flash chip. Now I can store massive amounts of donkey porn. I can of course use it to backup important stuff too. It made the task of swapping the OS very easy. The flash chip? I dunno, maybe it is good and maybe not. All I know is I walked into office max and dropped just over $100 and walked out with about $250 worth of retail product. Now I am all set for the next decade on massive amounts of storage.
On the bike front:
I was able to get that 32 to 38t jump working. I dremmeled the hell out of the chainring adding upshift and downshift aids to emulate a Shimano ring. That made things work marginally better. Things got much better though when I removed the SRAM derailleur and put on my crappy deore. Instantly the front shifting started working. After 2-3 minor tweaks it is now shifting flawlessly. Guess I can add this to the list of things that Shimano does well.
The list:
- Cranks, nobody does it as light and as stiff
- Chainrings, yep shimano has ramps and tooth shape down to a science
- Cassettes, another area where shimano has spent a lot of time working on tooth shape
- Front derailleurs, they just work no fucking around all business all the time
- SPD pedals, for me the perfect clipless system
I am not saying SRAM is crap, but there are just some things that can be left to the pros. I may have to put a complete shimano drivetrain on my bike one of these days just to see what I have been missing.
What is going on this weekend??
North American Handmade Bicycle Show, today thru Sunday 10am-6pm
NABHS 2007
Passion Trail Bikes 1st Anniversary Sat & Sunday, group rides, demo bikes, luau Sat night, if you are in the Belmont area check it out
PTB info
Gavin is having a 5th Birthday party. Party at Scott and Stacie's place Sunday afternoon. More screaming kids, games, and birthday cake. Bring it on.
Where the F did my week go. No riding. No new parts. Didn't even go to work on Wednesday. What a fucking lump.
I spent most of Tuesday evening followed by Wednesday dicking around with my computers. End result: Freshly formatted scsi drives in my ancient system and I am still rocking the windows 2000. Yeah, it may only be a P2 450mhz but it gets the job done. Windows XP runs on it, but I couldn't get it to behave after installing it 2 separate times. So windows 2000 is what this old dog gets to the end.
Okay, so I did get a new toy this week(bike geeks may want to skip this part). A 250gig external hard drive and a 2gig USB flash chip. Now I can store massive amounts of donkey porn. I can of course use it to backup important stuff too. It made the task of swapping the OS very easy. The flash chip? I dunno, maybe it is good and maybe not. All I know is I walked into office max and dropped just over $100 and walked out with about $250 worth of retail product. Now I am all set for the next decade on massive amounts of storage.
On the bike front:
I was able to get that 32 to 38t jump working. I dremmeled the hell out of the chainring adding upshift and downshift aids to emulate a Shimano ring. That made things work marginally better. Things got much better though when I removed the SRAM derailleur and put on my crappy deore. Instantly the front shifting started working. After 2-3 minor tweaks it is now shifting flawlessly. Guess I can add this to the list of things that Shimano does well.
The list:
- Cranks, nobody does it as light and as stiff
- Chainrings, yep shimano has ramps and tooth shape down to a science
- Cassettes, another area where shimano has spent a lot of time working on tooth shape
- Front derailleurs, they just work no fucking around all business all the time
- SPD pedals, for me the perfect clipless system
I am not saying SRAM is crap, but there are just some things that can be left to the pros. I may have to put a complete shimano drivetrain on my bike one of these days just to see what I have been missing.
What is going on this weekend??
North American Handmade Bicycle Show, today thru Sunday 10am-6pm
NABHS 2007
Passion Trail Bikes 1st Anniversary Sat & Sunday, group rides, demo bikes, luau Sat night, if you are in the Belmont area check it out
PTB info
Gavin is having a 5th Birthday party. Party at Scott and Stacie's place Sunday afternoon. More screaming kids, games, and birthday cake. Bring it on.
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