Mountain Bike Church

Profile: Trail Builder, Rider, Shop Owner

2011-12-13T05:40:00.000-08:00

“I came up with a new motto, Only YOU can prevent trail erosion”, Hank wryly quips with a nod to the old Smokey the Bear saying about forest fires.

We were having a conversation about the new generation of mountain bikers, who, just like previous generations, are in need of schooling on trail building, care and etiquette. His sense of humor enables him to deal with these more serious issues, and seems to help him convey his values and opinions without alienating riders and landowners alike. He has great working relationships with the town and the abutters of the town forest, that is, they give him carte blanche to build and maintain the local forest trails. Hank admits that the wink-and-nod relationship with the town and with private landowners could change at any moment—the forest could be “harvested”, or a private landowner could decide to develop the land. At any rate, he is a first-class “old-school” trailbuilder –designing switchbacks, proper drainage features, wooden bridges and jumps, using only his instinctive eye and riding experience.

Hank Glowiak is the owner of Chuck’s Bikes in Morrisville, Vermont. I’ve had a few occasions to follow him on some of the best singletrack riding anywhere. On basically what amounts to the side of a hill above Cadys Falls, you can ride up that hill with hardly a grunt, rather winding up some of the twistiest, sometimes smoothest, sometimes rootiest stuff in the Northeast…..One of those rides where it’s as fun riding up as it is down….
While on vacation this July, I got to ride again with him. He’s got some unique opinions and viewpoints about the local riding, the bike industry as a whole, and don’t get him started about politics or the redundant packaging of his egg and cheese breakfast sandwich from Thompson’s Flour Shop( I was forewarned by the owner when I went to pick one up for him after our ride)

He’s not a board member or president of any local chapter of NEMBA, IMBA, VMBA, in fact the trails he rides and takes care of aren’t even mapped. To know of this riding area, you really have to know Hank or one of his friends. The trails are within riding distance of another huge network of trails in Stowe. the tourist capital of the state and up-and-coming mountain bike mecca in it’s own right. But just like most of Vermont, the geography plays a huge part of who you know and where you ride. Every little valley seems to have its own network of riders and trails. And every little valley is surrounded by mountains and hills that have defined the state since the beginning of time. Morrisville has always been very much a working class town. It’s a crossroads that sees a lot of everyday traffic going somewhere else. Morrisville gets some of the overflow from the ski resort visitors and those wanting to escape the mountain traffic and enjoy the countryside. Morrisville is also the economic center of the region—it has two supermarkets, farmers feeds ’n needs stores, an old-school movie theater with all the latest hit flicks, a McDonald’s, a skate park, plenty of building contractors, no lack of wi-fi when you need it, and of course, Chuck’s Bikes, well respected in the community for providing great service and sales to bmx’ers, roadies, commuters and local trail riders.…in other words, something for everybody. The one thing lacking in Morrisville is an organized bike club. “Diversity”, another of Hank’s favorite words. “Bike clubs are necessary to draw on the diverse demographic that is biking. Some people need to ‘belong’ to a club. That’s OK ..!. but I am my own bike club. I contribute in my own ways, therefore indirectly being a part of the bike club network”. He explains that he organizes his own trail work days, but digresses that very few of the locals ever show to help. “I get folks who report broken tree branches that are hanging over the trail—they should bring along a trail saw next time and stop and cut it out of the way…that’ll save the next rider from being impaled by a stick or losing an eye…” Talking to Hank more recently, he reported that after Tropical Storm Irene, he personally cut 33 blowdowns out of the way on one mile of trail, with handsaws!

“I’ve read in certain club mags that ‘all trails need to be flow trails’ designed with increasing speeds in mind, but some trails just need to be old-school, renegade, twisty gnarly stuff that makes you look ahead to the next turn. Stuff that is challenging, makes you think, and reminds you how dangerous it can be. Keeps you awake. New England doesn’t always fit the models for proper trail flowyness” (One ride on the Cadys Falls trails with Hank will beat that into your rider’s mind! ) Not to say that Hank’s trails don’t flow nicely into one another…and some have that pump-track feel, even when up on the side of that hill.

“Probably 40-50 people ride these trails every weekday. Even more on the weekends and during the peak (fall)season”. But he’s happy that they don’t all know all the trails. There are some that are only known to Hank and those who follow him on a ride. A ride through the ferns to hidden, pine needley singletrack, seeming at first glance to be virgin trail, but then obvious that these are heirloom trails, some gnarly, some smooth and, yes, some even ‘flowy’, and well-taken care of.

Chuck’s Bikes carries the latest offerings from a very functional assortment of bike companies, like Redline, KHS, with Hank’s personal ride being a Transition. He’s also one of the only Norco dealers in the US…look him up at http://www.chucksbikesvt.com and on facebook or just give him a call 802-888-7642

FireFly Bicycles

2011-12-09T06:02:00.000-08:00

Click Mike Ramponi's New FireFly to read all about it!

GoPro HD Hero2- Mountain Bike Stunts: Mike Steidley

2011-11-21T19:12:00.000-08:00

Singletracks SEMass Chapter Update November 2011

2011-11-18T06:42:00.000-08:00

(GoogleMap 'Eaton's Pond'....)

Lots of good news lately. The management at Blue Hills has decided to listen to some of our RMP comments—most notably the dropping of the winter ban on riding in favor of a March-only closure. This will give the trails a break when they really need it—mud season—rather than all winter, when the trails are typically frozen solid…..This is a big improvement in policy, the first real change we’ve seen in over 20 years. Another change, that was recently made official, is that the Ponkapoag(affectionally known as ‘Ponky’) section of the Blue Hills(BH) is now open—for now, however, only the ‘Green Dot Loop’(GDL). The GDL circumnavigates Ponkapoag Pond and is the most heavily-used trail in the BH. Some sections are actual dirt road shared by buses, trucks, cars, and park vehicles. A section enters the Ponkapoag Golf Course, so keep your helmet on in case of stray golf balls….You’ll encounter traffic in the form of joggers, strollers, horses (of course), fishermen, and lots of dogs. In other words, you’ll have to keep your speed on a leash for most of the GDL. The good news there is that this is the first of three-stage plan that BH DCR management assures us that more of Ponky will be open with a year or less. And a lot of that is singletrack (WHAT? Singletrack in the Blue Hills?—yes, kids, we may finally get some!), and includes access over the million-dollar bridge over 24, with more trails on the other side. Most of the trails in consideration are either hardly used or heavily damaged by horse traffic, meaning that either way, they’re in dire need of maintenance. Stay tuned to the SEMass facebook page and yahoogroups list for progress updates and upcoming trail days in 2012. The section east of rte 28 is still posted with no bike signs, with no legitimate reason why…. Ironically, bikers are responsible for clearing most blowdowns as they happen over there. ‘Maybe someday’ BH management will realize the efforts and concerns of local riders ARE legitimate!

…..in other local news, NEMBA was approached by the town of Braintree to design and build new mountain bike trails in a small parcel of an old quarry area near the Braintree/Quincy line. Directly behind Walmart and bounded by an active RR line a pond and residential areas, this area is ripe for improvement. The town is rightly concerned about sketchy users including homeless, drug users and party sites. There are other areas in Braintree that local riders would like to explore, so here’s our opportunity to show our stuff and make an impression. It IS a small area, but with the right combination of loops, rocky features, and access points, it will be fun.(the Braintree Conservation Ranger, who originally approached us and is working with us every step of the way, IS a Mountainbiker!!)
Again, stay tuned to the fb page and emails….we present to the ConComm next week, so if they like our ideas, we’ll be starting work in January, and do as much as we can this winter.

Back in September, the Foxboro crew hosted their 3rd annual MBAS event, on an awesome fall day with record numbers of riders and lots of new members! By the time you read this, the snow will be flying and Winter Buzz(my local fb page)will be buzzing with snowshoe hikes, cross country ski outings, and of course, Snow Biking. Catch the Buzz!
Hope I didn’t forget any other good news, but that’s all I got for now, as I’m heading to the NEMBA Volunteer Appreciation Night at the Harpoon Brewery.
Cheers!,
Steve Cobble

side note: since I wrote this, more news:

-the Harpoon V.A.N. was great, with at least 8 SEMass members present, many other chapter movers and shakers, and 12 brews to choose from.
--The Eaton’s Pond Braintree Parcel has been approved ‘in concept’ by the Braintree ConsComm! Barring any major issues, we’ll be able to start work early 2012.
---The Annual Blue Hills Toys Ride is Sunday, Dec 4th, 10 am.
Bring an unwrapped toy for a child in need, ride like a child indeed!

Tom Waits - "Satisfied"

2011-11-18T06:06:00.000-08:00

Winter Buzz Crosspost

2011-11-16T07:23:00.000-08:00

Winter Buzz

When the temps go low and the ground gets slippery and/or snow-covered, I put my mountain bike away….generally this means I while away January and February on my indoor windtrainer trying not to be bored… The windtrainer is a contraption that allows me to turn my bike into a stationary bike. If I keep up the regimen a few days a week, I’m feeling pretty good come spring and ready to bust out of the cabin full speed ahead….

But it IS boring. And many of those days are glorious sun-shining winter days, bringing back memories of when I used to try to ride all year-round, when I was younger. Ironically, and finally(!)the new Blue Hills Resource Management Plan in place now allows mountain biking year-round in the Blue Hills, with the exception of the March ‘mud season’.

The past few winters I’ve discovered snowshoeing. I would say re-discovered, as I did start a collection of old-school wooden rawhide-laced snowshoes back in my early 20’s while living in Vermont. But those old-school ‘shoes needed lots of care and the leather straps generally didn’t last more than a couple of years, before crumbling away…. The last time I used my old Canadian ‘shoes, I used old bicycle tubes as bindings, to hold them on to my boots. They worked, but were cumbersome, and in most situations, the 42” length was way overkill.

As the snowshoe companies moved into the modern age, some of my friends were bragging about their new, lighweight designs that were easy to put on and didn’t fall off after every 100 feet down the trail…So I went shopping. I found the selections at my local ‘outdoors’ store varied enough—and all seemed well-made….

That was 3 years ago. Now, I own two pairs of modern snowshoes that will take me just about anywhere I want to go. Trail or no trail, the built-in crampons bite into the slippery stuff. They are light enough to strap onto my hydration pak if I find I don’t need them.

As I began to enjoy the slower pace of winter-hiking, I fine-tuned what I needed for clothing layers. Most of my bike stuff works fine for moisture-management, and an on colder days, extra outside layer gives me a place for the camera, cell phone, GPS, and snacks.

I also discovered Micro-Spikes, an ingenious invention that stretches over any boot and gives instant traction on ice with ½” stainless-steel spikes. These also pack small and light, I now consider a necessity on almost every winter hike, when snowshoes aren’t needed. Good insurance against falling on cold hard ground….

Oh yeah, and the most important thing to take care of is my feet. I wear a pair of insulated winter boots, with toe warmers. You need to keep your feet happy!

Now that I’m prepared for winter actually I look forward to it. As much as I love my mountain bike, I find that I can create a similar workout in about the same time, hiking with snowshoes or Micros.

On a typical winter day, I can hike any of the Skyline Trail. Climbing is the most fun, and the Blue Hills vistas are always worth the effort. Rattlesnake Hill is challenging on a dry day, even more so in the snow… Deeper snow even better, to cover up the rocks and roots and allow for some ‘flotation’.

One of my favorite snow-hiking areas is Tucker Hill. Athol Path, and/or the Green Loop, mixed up with following deer tracks, it’s a good workout and gets me out there for at least 1.5 hours.

Another of my favorites is to try to follow old heritage trails such as the Great Dome Trail, which was officially taken off the DCR map a few years ago. Some un-named sections still exist, but you really need an old map to find it in its entirety. I usually don’t promote off-trail use, but when there’s 2 feet of snow on the ground, it can’t hurt….

When there’s less snow down here, Gunstock or Cranmore areas have some great climbs…

By the time you read this, with luck we’ll be knee-deep in the white stuff. If not, it’s back to the mountain bike(yippee!) or windtrainer….

Steve Cobble

Little Ditty

2011-08-26T10:18:00.001-07:00

my wheels are still straight and true

considering all I put them through

over the river and through the woods

over the bars, yeah I've seen some stars

though they may be to narrow and my tires too fat

they take me where I've been and where I'm at

they hold the air that keeps me moving

help me with my skills and improving

and keep going round and round

on and off the ground

they've taken a bashing

from all of my crashing

as far as I know the bearings are clean

I haven't seen

the spokes are still there doing their job

the stan's is still in there but probly just a gob

my wheels will let me know when they're done

I hope that when that day comes

they don't just fold or taco-chip

but they let me finish

my latest trip

2011-07-17T05:49:00.001-07:00

Just got Back From 2.5

2011-06-27T13:19:00.001-07:00

Just got Back From 2.5 days in The woods of maine bouncing off Roots and trees trying to rest up for a day :)

Blue Hills Primer

2011-05-11T07:20:00.001-07:00

I always introduce new riders to the park, “Nothing flat about the Blue Hills”….

That’s what I love about it. Lots of ups and downs. Climbing builds strength and tenacity, descents keep me focused on what’s down the trail. Climbing to the top of Buck Hill gives that great sense of accomplishment and worldwide view. Riding down that same trail, well, I lived through it, and it made me a better rider.

There are many miles of trail in the Blue Hills—lots of fast doubletrack, select few but fun singletrack, a few areas to practice your technique and session with friends, and LOTS of intersections. Every major intersection has a number on a tree that coincides with the map. When you’re looking at the number sign, you’re looking north. Grab a map at the Blue Hills Headquarters on Hillside Street, Milton. There are two maps available: one MTB-specific(free), one bigger color/topo that shows the entire reservation ($2.00 honor-system donation, benefits Trailside Museum).

An easy way to get to know the Blue Hills is to follow the arrows. There are two loops. Both start at the big Houghton’s Pond Lot on Hillside street. Look for the ‘Welcome Mountain Bikers’ kiosk in the front row of the lot. White arrows take you on appox 5-mile loop on the south side of Hillside street, with not any real huge hills but challenging nonetheless. Yellow arrows cross the street and start you right out with a ½ mile climb to ‘5 corners’. This ‘eliminator’ warm-up will determine who can hang. But hang in there, that’s where the fun starts. Another 4 miles or so that will get your blood flowing nicely. Each loop will take you from 35 minutes to 1 hour, depending on fitness level. Neither is very technical, and the terrain is mostly loose gravel and hardpack.

Both loops will take you right back to where you started. A few notes: the arrowed loops are only signed in one direction—once you get to know them, try them backwards. That way you’ll see more riders…If you decide to bomb down Wolcott Path(i.e. ‘eliminator’)at the end of a ride, there are a few badly-designed waterbars that will take you out at speed, so be careful….also that same trail is a very popular trail for hikers, dog walkers, and school field trips, so look WAY ahead before letting go of the brakes…. Near the end of the Yellow, just before the last descent to the street, take a hard left,(after the last yellow arrow right) and follow that side-hill trail all the way back to the street. You’ll end up right across from the lot, and it’s a much nicer finish than riding the road back. It dumps you out onto the side of the road in the opposite direction of traffic, so again, use caution!

Once you’ve mastered those loops, start exploring. Plenty of riding there in them there Blue Hills!

For more info feel free to contact me at cobblestv@gmail.com or 781-254-8796. And keep an eye on the SEMass NEMBA email list and facebook page for scheduled rides, and events.

Steve Cobble

Drivetrain Formula

2011-05-06T11:10:00.000-07:00

This could also be called:

My New Years Revolution:

After many total drivetrain replacements, I have come to the resolution that I WILL replace my chain every 3 months, or less.The chain is what causes all the cogs to wear. There's a whole set of technical jargon to explain why this happens, and the purists would refute what I am about to proclaim, but here goes--'the chain stretches', and no longer matches the teeth perfectly after a certain 'X' amount of time--kind of like when you buy a new car and drive it off the lot--its not new anymore. So prolonging the time between chain changes(say that 3 times fast) only naturally puts undue wear on the softer cassette and chainring metals. Of course the bigger chainrings last longer because there bigger, but the granny I usually replace every coupla chains anyways. My formula goes like this:

Every three chains, one new cassette

Every four chains(or one year), new middle ring and one new granny

Every time I forget to do any of this, one new of everything, every year, except big ring. (I have never replaced one of those.) Which is probably cheaper in the long run. But your drivetrain WILL run smoother if you use the formula! AND use Phil's Tenacious oil.

Just my two Abe Lincolns. You can take that to the bank.

SteveC

(from the archives)

Spring is standing on the corner, reading the weather forecast...

2011-03-22T06:34:00.000-07:00

Riding in shorts again. Or at least for a coupla days....Two days last week we were treated with mid-day temps over 60F! Friday actually was 69.4F in the shade behind my house. I got to ride locally one day and at Duxbury -- 'Deluxe-bury' affectionately named by it's regulars who delight in being able to ride there almost year-round. Partly due to the normally lesser amounts of snow the southern coast gets, mostly due to the fact that most of the trails are just proper, whether intentionally or not, they drain well, flow nicely, ever-undulating hardly-ever-flat, and are very smooth by New England standards. Sandy at times, mostly around the cranberry bogs, which are always a great place to stop and catch up on sun and conversation....we rode just over 2 hours and clocked about 14 miles. This was officially my first group ride of 2011. Was great to ride with op rather than the solo-riding I've been doing lately. And my fitness doesn't seem to be as lacking as I thought. Usually the companionship combined with alittle healthy competition brings it up a level too. Of course, three out of the five of us were over 60, with Bill E. at 70.5! They motor along on their full-sus Specialized 29ers with seemingly no uphill effort...As I stand up and mash my 1x9er they're sitting back on their 2-wheeled Lay-z-Boys spinning their grannies and giggling....

Anyways, just needed to share that report. Today it's 35F again, yesterday it snowed, but spring is right around the corner...

2011-03-21T11:48:00.001-07:00

Back at it...

60F and on the bike

2011-02-18T08:30:00.000-08:00

Yeah yesterday was up there--45 when I started, almost 60 when I got back an 1.5 hours and 14 miles later. The redline has been up on the stand all winter, since I replaced the chain. I had also removed the 'chainstay protector' -- electrical tape--and still hadn't gotten around to replacing it, or stripping down and cleaning the bike as I always intend to do each winter. But I took it down anyways and rolled it past the remaining ice and snow out to the driveway. First few hundred yards confirmed my suspicions--that the new chain wouldn't work with the old cassette and chainring. So I about-faced and put it back up on the stand to struggle with the SRAM 'powerlink'. They should rename that 'painlink'. I couldn't undo it! There's a certain zen or mojo or flick-of-the-wrist that popping this link requires, but I guess I didn't have it that day. I've done it plenty of times. Add to that I was in a hurry to go enjoy the sunshine and a slight caffeine overload and all I got was pissed! So I broke the chain the right way (which I will always do from now on, never really understood the reason for the 'puta-link' ) and put the old one back on, and was happily on my way down the muddy dirt road again. Oops I forgot my wallet! back around the block.
Finally motoring down the road to the beach, I tried the bike-path, but it was still too sketchy and aggravating so I stuck to the road, turning up FB Parkway up towards the 'Hills. By the time I got to the gate, a half-hour had passed....wondering why it took so long and I'm so tired......I decided that yeah I'm using slightly different muscles than what the road bike/trainer and snowshoing require. Plus I only slept three hours last night. I pushed on to the top of Chick Hill, and blasted back down home. I did try a beaten snow-path, but it was still too deep and smushy with the higher temps. I was happy with just riding outside again.....
Today I snow-hiked St Moritz and some of the green loop/skyline with Bob. Foregoing the snowshoes for micros was a bad decision. Aggravation in the form of postholing and not really knowing what each step would bring, but we did 1.5 hours anyways, it was a good workout, and pleasant in the again above 50F temps....

Other Typical Winter Morning Scenery

2011-02-15T07:13:00.000-08:00

Off The Bike, but still all about the bike...

OK Where the heck are we? (Harold Parker Hike w/M.Lee)

same place, same question...

SS Hike on a nice January Sunday(actually it was SuperBowl Sunday) with L. Toma

St Moritz (Afternoon)

M. Ramponi and D. Belknap atop Chickatawbut

1st Day Rattlesnake Hike

Snowshoeing, it's what saved us from certain muscle necrosis this winter!!

2011-02-08T16:10:00.001-08:00

Typical winter morning scenery...

Prohibition? Now we're Gangsters

2011-01-31T04:41:00.000-08:00

2011-01-06T06:19:00.000-08:00

Number One Video!! (Click Link)

Danny McAskill - Perfect Moment - Instant

2011-01-06T06:13:00.000-08:00

Old favorite taped to my 'places to ride' binder...

2010-12-12T11:49:00.000-08:00

shorts rides

2010-10-28T05:03:00.000-07:00

So with this crazy weather we had a frost and cool weather up til a few days ago, it was misty for a day or so, and my last three rides have been in shorts and a T-shirt. The sun's back out in full force and the forecast today is 68-72 degrees! I had been getting used to pulling on the riding pants so going back to shorts initially made me feel naked again. I had to literally check myself to make sure I wasn't riding down the street in my underpants...

Happy Fall!

Always a good time!

2010-10-26T20:54:00.000-07:00

13th Annual Mass Bay Road Club

WOMPATURKEY

MOUNTAIN BIKE POKER RIDE*

Sunday, November 7*

WOMPATUCK STATE PARK

HINGHAM, MA

massbayroadclub.org

RIDE DETAILS

Registration: 8:00 - 8:30 a.m.

Finish for Poker Prize & Raffle @ 10:30 a.m.

Parking, Registration and Start/Finish at the Visitor's Center

The ride consists of a non-competitive 12 mile Mountain Bike ride through marked trails of Wompatuck.

No Entry Fee and MBRC membership is not required to participate.

Only MBRC members will be eligible for prizes

MBRC memberships will be available at registration

*Enjoy coffee and bagels courtesy of Bruegger's Bagels in Hingham*

For more information, or to help out with the ride, contact:

Claire @ CEC1988@aol.com

Wompatuck State Park

204 Union St.
Hingham, Massachusetts, 02043

Click Here for Directions/Map

RAIN DATE IS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2010

The Bicycle Link Inc

230 Washington St

Weymouth, Massachusetts 02188

781-337-7125

Forward email

mtbchurch sent you a video: "Ghetto Tubeless How To.wmv"

2010-10-09T19:01:00.001-07:00

	help center \| e-mail options \| report spam
mtbchurch has shared a video with you on YouTube: My next project. Looks so easy! Just gotta find a 24" presta valve tube... Ghetto Tubeless How To.wmv MtnBikeRiders.com shows you how to do ghetto tubeless set up.
© 2010 YouTube, LLC 901 Cherry Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066

2010-10-06T08:42:00.001-07:00

Maybe I should get into cyclocross...or, will this rain ever end? Either way not ready for inside riding dot dot dot

2010-08-30T11:20:00.001-07:00

2010 race to the top of vt

made it to the top in record time--4 seconds faster than last years effort!

in training

2010-08-20T21:05:00.000-07:00

Still in training for the Big Hill, I rode to work three outof 5 days. The first two having been fairly standard--a few extra miles thrown in at each end of the workday--but the third was considerably longer. I had a couple of hours to play with, so after dropping he car off for service, I took the long way over to the Blue Hills, through Braintree and Randolph, and snaked my way through, attacking every hill with everything I had. It was getting hot mid-morning, and at one point I felt I might overheat, so I stopped and chugged some more water, and walked abit. It was amazingly peaceful in the woods, and walking reminded me of how quiet hiking is without the wind whistling by my ears... BUT that didn't last long, as soon as I saw the nice long downhill run approaching, I had to get back on...

With at least 20 miles gone I got to work with an hour to spare, so I partially drip-dried myself outside before clocking in a half-hour early.

Down Time

2010-08-09T20:12:00.001-07:00

Clipped a traffic-light pole while pushing the marsh loop. Went down hard onto my hip and shoulders and right into the beach-roses bush. Not sure why both shoulders. The leg-burger is actually I think from the front tire... Broke off my dingie bell, need to buy a new one...

Notes to self: remove bar ends and lop off 1/2" from both ends of handlebar. Trim back the beach-rose so there's alittle more space between it and the light pole...Try to go faster next time.

2010-08-03T06:26:00.000-07:00

rare new hampshire find: a 24" Schwinn Speedster singlespeed.

I own the same-1960's era 26" version, 3-speed, with chromed fenders. But this one has hardly any oxidation on the wheels...

I had to make it clear to S2 to take it easy on it--it may be worth way more than the 20.- he paid for it....

Don't Jump!

2010-08-01T19:41:00.000-07:00

One last thing to report before I crash. The gizmo in the pics is the most valuable piece of equipment so far. A Jump-Stop, made by N-Gear. I've been having trouble with the chain dropping on the inside. I'm running (stock)1x9 on my Redline D460. The chain is as tight as it can be....Originally I thought it was a design flaw i.e. bad chainline, because bike came stock with a little plastic hook(see pic in last post) that doesn't do a thing, and an outer bash guard . It's become apparent to me that the secondary purpose of a front derailleur is to keep the chain from falling off...I've finally come to realize that the chain popping off when coasting over bumpy terrain is an everyday occurrence--but not noticeable with the front derailleur hugging the chain/chainring interface. Think about it, you're bouncing through some rockgarden in your middle 'ring , you'll remember hearing that clank-a-clank going on down there....Or, better yet, in your granny, the same thing happens, but if your limiter screw's not quite right, your chain winds up on the bb shell. In which case, you start pedalling lightly , while gingerly shifting up until the chain engages again. This isn't possible with a single ring. You have to get off, finger it back on while manually rotating the crank and your friends sigh impatiently, wanting to get on with the ride...

The Jump Stop will not only prevent the chain dropping off the inside on your 1x9er, it will eliminate chain drop from your granny. It's adjustable enough for either, it's cheap, and it works!

Had to sleep in...

2010-08-01T10:05:00.001-07:00

I missed the 9am start time with the Old Coot and friends at his latest favorite riding spot Adams Farm, in Walpole. So I went for another off road ride this morning in search of hills. Riding solo doesn't really bring out the adrenaline but I needed to de-stress from the past week at work, and formulate some ways to economise on my energies to get through this week. The boss is off on vacation for the next 10 days, we're short-handed, and I'm out of my usual work patterns, having to second-guess my way through his responsibilities and improvise every bloody second. I'm on for at least 75 hours this week. So my stress level is skyrocketing even as I try to relax. Getting on the bike of course is always a great stress reliever, so I headed to the Hills (Blue that is)....

I managed to ride for 2 hours on and off the yellow arrow loop, with a one-time diversion up the length of the access road. Roadies do repeats on this almost-one-mile-of-pain. I rode alongside a guy on a road bike and finished 10 seconds behind him, in about 9 minutes. I don't really have any data to go on or what to expect from myself, but that seems like a respectable pace. After all , we both have the same wheel circumference... The goal as mentioned in my last post is to be able to climb Mt Mansfield in less than an hour, at the end of the month.

This week's training sessions are blown with the work situation, but I'll try to ride to work two days. At least it's a big uphill ride there. And coming down at night flashing like a christmas tree is one of the best ways I know to shake off a long days work.

Apples to Apples?

2010-07-31T05:12:00.000-07:00

So I dusted the cobwebs off the ol Ted Wojcik yesterday and took er for a spin. Aired up the tires and hit the regular marsh loop. I was gonna take it easy and 'get used to it again'. Right away realizing remembering that this bike likes to go fast, about 90 seconds into the ride, I blew my first stop sign and didn't look back. My first lap blew away the 29er time by 2 minutes. How could this be? The first ride around on the 29er blew away the Ted by 2 minutes....so, the old brown bike has gained 4 minutes in 3 months?

I guess pedalling that piggish Redline is paying off--I've become stronger by pushin that thing around. I mean, it must be at least 6 pounds heavier, nevermind the rotational mass of the big'guns with regular tubes and such...

Which gets me to thinking, maybe I should race the Teddie at the Race to the Top of VT next month....I've been hemming and hawing about whether the 29er would make me faster or slower up the hill this year. Just thinking about not having a granny though is makin me tired...But I don't need a slower time this year, I'm at the top of the age range and don't want 30-something place or worse this year. Next year I'll be sandbagging though, up into that next age bracket.....

Time to do some beta-testing so I have some real stats to go on.

All Uphill from Here

2010-07-29T05:43:00.000-07:00

In anticipation of the end-of-August 'Race to the Top of Vermont' , the 4.3 mile slog up Mt Mansfield on the toll road, I've been trying to focus on doing as many uphills as possible. Trying to work on my diet as well to reduce lactic acid and muscle fatigue as well. Never having really 'trained' for anything in particular, I'm learning as I go.

Last week's Ride of the Week was one where I found M Ramponi on the trail and we hammered out some great hill climbs in the hour and a half I had before going to work..I somehow managed to shake off most of the mud, sweat and dirt before entering the kitchen for my shift.

This week's Ride of the week has to go to a road ride with a good friend yesterday. We ground out close to 50 miles with lots of hills on another hot day, before again crawling into work for another 10 hours...

Sometimes work just gets in the way...

Summer

2010-07-29T05:09:00.000-07:00

As I have strayed away from posting this year, I guess I hava lotta catching up to do.

In June, we had a few notable events at Wompy: Railbed clearing to connect key trails--a quick easy project with the great crew that we had, which included The infamous tandem-riding Schows

with their newborn(weeks-old) Ellie in a frontal sling, helping with sawing and lopping limbs...

SEMass NEMBA and FoW hosted the First Ever P

an Mass Challenge Kids Ride Mountain Bike Loops! A drizzly day with a huge turnout, I was very impressed with the organization of the PMC in general. Parking, registration, marshalling, vendors, lots of good free food for the volunteers, including Hingham's own Red-Eye Roasters with made-to-order french press coffee! We put together two loops for younger and older kids, and the best thing was that they all learned something along the way, and they were all ridin' and smilin'!

Another couple of Trail Care Days(TCD) resulted in at least 3 more bridges being slip-proofed with wire mesh...

I actually held an 'every friday morning' ride at Blue Hills for about 6 weeks straight,until the kids were done with school for summer. One morning there were 6 of us!

Early July, we went on vacation and stayed up in Laconia, which is of course the motorcycling capital of the east, but not the most bike-friendly place around. Off-roading in that area is limited to a few dirt roads and housing-construction sites. At least within minutes riding from the condo at Weirs beach. I did find a cool park within a 6-mile road ride on the hottest day of the century which left me close to heatstroke by the time I got there to enjoy it. Most notable of that week (besides water-body hopping from the pools to various lakes and rivers) was the ride with Matt and Kevin from CNH NEMBA at Franklin Falls Dam. Swoopy cape-style riding with hardly a rock or root, and a Sidewinder-style ravine ride to top it off!

2010-07-25T11:52:00.001-07:00

2010-07-25T11:49:00.001-07:00

Found this relic at a blueberry stand on Rt 28 and Province Road, near Barnstead...not sure how old it really is, thinking it's one of those later generations chopper similar to the Walmart StingRay's. Probably real heavy and hard to ride, especially with the cranks bent inward past the chainstays...

Looks like the kid bolted on some galvie pipe to make it look like an exhaust...

I love the old rusty farm machinery too

natural bike rack...

2010-06-29T06:48:00.001-07:00

bamboozled in the backyard...

2010-06-23T07:37:00.001-07:00

bring it!

S2 midair at Blue Hills Mountain Bike Day May 23, 2010

2010-06-01T06:53:00.001-07:00

S2 midair 052310
Originally uploaded by 1WheelDrive

That boy loves to jump!

La La No Mo

2010-05-23T14:50:00.000-07:00

I have been notified that the music service 'LaLa' will be shut down May 31st. I'm sad about this, since I really liked the way I could embed a song here for free, and you could go to their site and listen to a whole album once for free. And the mp3 prices are much better than iTunes...

I'm sure that those three features themselves contributed much to the early demise of LaLa, though I really don't know the details.

So the face of this blog (and my other blog, 'thoughts on food' )will change slightly without the music players to entertain while you read. Oh well, thats progress...

2010-05-16T19:23:00.001-07:00

Church in the evening glow

Two rides in one perfect spring day!

2010-05-16T08:45:00.001-07:00

Church in the morning light

Morning at the 'Y'

2010-04-28T07:52:00.001-07:00

Relics

End of April

2010-04-27T05:37:00.000-07:00

Looking forward: the 'rainy month' is almost over...the floodwaters have receded, the peepers are real happy, trees are budding, it's almost bamboo season, saturday is Fells opening day, and right now it's not raining so I'll get something of a ride in.

Sanctuary...

2010-04-17T05:02:00.001-07:00

Back in the Saddle

2010-04-08T07:09:00.000-07:00

Now that the floodwaters have receded and the mud's drying out, it's once again time to start thinking about riding trails again. having had kept some fitness on the trainer and the road I feel kinda good but will feel much better this week when I ride Wompatuck again. It will be SWompy of course, the wet spots will be wet. But the dry spots will be dry, and that's what we'll aim for. Saturday morning is a trail-work day in there, so when we're done we'll get alittle ride in.

The Blue Hills long 'seasonal' Dec-April ban on us is lifted next Thursday, April 15th. That's all fine and good but the trails WILL waste away without some attention. The state and the DCR is making it increasingly difficult to do work in there with all the paperwork and habitat restrictions. And those trails NEED work, and/or rerouting. There are alot of good ones, too, but most of them include at least one fall line not unlike this:

Redline D460

2010-04-08T07:03:00.000-07:00

big wheels

Winter Buzz

2010-02-05T06:23:00.001-08:00

So yeah I've been off the outside bike since sometime in December--since I returned the 29er....

Since getting outside is still a priority since most of us spend the majority of our lives indoors, I've made it a point to start enjoying winter again. With the warm toes thing down to certain formulae, hiking, sphiking, snowshoeing, and xc-skiing are a priority. Seems that more friends are doing the same. The Big Three Letter Adventure Stores and Maine-Based Catalog Stores have alot to do with promoting these trends, and provide the equipment necessary to increase comfort levels to those who previously would spend most of the cold times indoors. Not sure where I'm going with this, but....

Winter Buzz is now a Facebook page "for friends who are genuinely interested in hiking, biking, XC-skiing, Snowshoeing and Spike-Hiking in New England winter........

Yeah, winter is cold.....catch the Buzz!"

2010-02-02T05:02:00.000-08:00

Fells open Forum

Extreme(ity) Cold

2010-01-28T05:48:00.000-08:00

My toes are damaged. I rode in the cold one too many times without the proper shoes/protection from cold and wet....

Now I suffer from 'chilblains' a medical term used to describe the condition brought on when the toes are really cold and are warmed up too quickly. This results in the tiny capillaries bursting. The blood has nowhere to go so it pools just under the skin surface, and feels uncomfortable. The toes look bruised red, blue, and blackish. It's not something you want to have happen to your toes(or fingers). Under 45F I will feel it again if I don't take the proper care of my toes, and then I'm fighting it all winter....

Here are some of my observations/theories/remedies in my personal quest to keep my toes warm.

I have a pair of SealSkinz socks--neoprene--combined with very thin poly first layer, my toes stay warm and dry. The funny thing is they do feel moist, but not uncomfortable. So far it works down to about 20F, even when my boots get wet or leak.... The other thing that works in drier conditions ( not when my boot leaks) is charcoal toe warmers, in between the (same)first layer and wool socks. You need to wear a shoe size larger than normal, otherwise, neither will work.
I have yet to really test in colder than 20F

With clipless pedals, there's the problem of the metal cleat and plate right under your feet that conducts the cold....the only real way around that is to commit to flats for winter. I've never been able to do that, but I suppose in deep snow it would make sense anyways. The one major thing that I learned is that your body(core) has to be warm. I used to think that it was OK to feel a little chilly in the parking lot, before the ride. My toes/hands would never warm up 'cause your body needs to keep itself warm. But if your core is warm to start, your extremeties will get more blood right away and if you get too hot, you can strip off a layer. I now find that I can even take my gloves off once I get going(hiking not biking). My toes now get so much circulation that I still get a a mild 'chilblain effect' --that is, the extra blood pools in the damaged areas at the ends of my affected toes and results in some of that uncomfortable feeling I associate with chilblains, but the symptoms seem to resolve much quicker.

DSCN5708

2010-01-24T07:50:00.001-08:00

DSCN5708
Originally uploaded by 1WheelDrive

That's what real Maine mountainbikers look like. Really.
(one of my favorite t's, part of my Flickr set)

Leave the Bike Inside

2010-01-11T21:23:00.001-08:00

The wintry conditions have me off the bike, outside that is....

When I'm not on the trainer in my free time, I've been enjoying some of my favorite biking trails (and some I never ride due to dumb restrictive park policies) on snowshoes. With a $99 pair of high-tech shoes, I can get out there for 2 hours, breathe the fresh air and get away from it all. Even better with a group or a couple of friends, as long as I'm dressed for it, and my toes don't get cold, I'm good....

Layer clothing in the same way as for a ride, but add an extra easily removable layer just in case...gaiters and neck wrap help...... same food/hydration......same camelbak

No helmet.

Friends of the Blue Hills news and comments: Winter Hikes

2010-01-11T21:12:00.000-08:00

Friends of the Blue Hills news and comments: Winter Hikes

psssst!

2009-12-26T08:43:00.001-08:00

Just tryin to counter all the calories taken in the past few days...hopped on the trainer for a spin, got a flat tire! How's THAT happen? I managed to re-air and get a 25 min workout before it was too low again for any resistance on the roller, then pulled the tube out to find a hole on the tread side, but no evidence in the tire itself. The hole seems to be on a seam, so it could've been a defect. Anyhow, patched it with a Speedpatch(read: bicycle-specific scotch tape).

Note to self: Replace tube before pumping past 100psi and hitting the road again!

Time to rebuild

2009-12-23T05:31:00.001-08:00

Winter started a couple days ago, right? With a foot of powder everywhere we look around here, it's time to think of alternate forms of trail experiences. The new snowshoes are ready. I have a good stockpile of toe warmers. I do need gaiters, which I promised myself I'd invest in this year. All I need is the time to get out there. Christmas is less than two days away, so there are more 'important' things to do right now. But with any luck, I'll get a SS hike in with friends on saturday.

Jan/February is a time to cleanup, organize, catch up, and rebuild. I'll likely strip my bike down to the frame, inspect it and touch-up the dings and scratches, maybe install a new BB. I'll clean up my bike room in the cellar, try to keep a workout regimen on the trainer, finish the drywall projects, do some painting around the house, all that stuff that gets put off....maybe try to READ, rebuild the mind.....

Kundalini

2009-12-17T06:12:00.001-08:00

Another day in the Blue Hills, sans the snow. Frozen ground with half-frozen mud puddles full of horseshoe-holes. Lots of trail garbage from recent weather. Below freezing temps clogging up the mucus and burning my lungs. Sun shining. Wind blowing.

Below me is the SJ 29er again.

I flipped the stem, that seems to help my stance, but still need either risers or a Mary Bar. I'm seeing less and less need for the Big Ring, and not real confident at speed yet anyways.

I'm thinking about centering myself on this bike. Having trouble while standing and powering uphill brings this to my attention. My center on this 29er is obviously different than on my 26er. Originally I thought it was the more minimal knobbiness of the rear tire. Now I know that's not really it, at least not in itself. More study must be done on this theory/concept. Must find that inner liquid fire. Must ride more.

2009-12-11T21:01:00.000-08:00

Not sure what happened to my links. When the old blog was being eaten alive by phony pharmaceutical spam, I renamed the address and supposedly the blog was transferred in its entirety, but a few details are missing...

So, I have to rebuild my links, one at a time...

Like a Hamster

2009-12-11T06:05:00.001-08:00

Spinning on the trainer. When it's raining, too cold, or just too snowy, it's a good option. It's also good for a quick workout without getting all suited up. No dirt, ticks, no cleanup after. Just a workout. Oh I've got it down to a little more interesting than that--crank up my favorite tunes, mute the tv.....

My 50 minute workout

I do 5 min warmup in a fairly easy gear, then go right into intervals. Every 5 min, 2 min of a higher gear. At about 35 min, I continue the higher gear for 3 more minutes, then switch to Big/Small(high) for a few more minutes, then proceed to warm down so that the last 5 minutes are back to the easy(middle/middle) gear.

I use a HRM for 'future reference'....and log all my workout info, inside or out....

If I do this workout consistently all winter, at least 3x/week, I'm feeling real good by opening day....of course, weather permitting, a ride/hike/snowshoe/xc ski outside is always better..

29er test #2--BH doubleheader

2009-12-10T07:02:00.001-08:00

The next good test of the SJ 29er was at the Blue Hills Toys Ride. As has been strangley traditional(coincidental?), almost every year happens to be a snow-ride. Rain the day before turned to snow overnight and the 3-4" powder on the trail was just the right consistency for traction. The wet stuff underneath didn't have a chance to ice up. Perfect!

I brought the bike over in the Jeep, with the rear bench seat down and the front wheel off the bike. I inserted a disc-brake wedge in the caliper so I wouldn't have to worry about accidentally squeezing the lever and all that.....

Specialized has this new axle/QR system that I was unfamiliar with, but I was able to figure it out on the spot and get the wheel off and back on just as easily as the old-school QR.. the only thing I miss is the little springs that center the QR on my old wheels, but my guess is there's a good reason for leaving them out of the new design. The fast guys that I met in the parking lot were chomping at the bit to get going, so I had to catch up with them, but had no trouble with that. The crew was a good eclectic mix of older riders on an equally eclectic quivver of Titanium, steel, and aluminum hardtails, and lightweight fullies.

We had a good romp in and around Tucker Hill, only about 40 minutes of riding, but enough to get a feel for the bike, and the snow. The bike really picks up quick when I want it to. I still miss my sus. seatpost, so that will be the next ride. But the stock post/seat didn't cause me any pain later in the day...

The bike climbs as good and better than most 26" hardtails. Downhills I will have to report on drier trails, as I was very tentative, not wanting to re-injure my wrist or anything else. And most of the downhill shots were fairly tech, which I usually shy away from anyways. We cruised back to the VC in style and prepared for the next ride...

The next ride was with the middleschool bike club. I led them around a mostly doubletrack 8-mile loop. Gotta love those disc brakes! Every other snow ride I have ever been on I've had to deal with v's or canti's and the fact that neither work in snow slush and ice.

This ride was a slower pace based on safety and the fact that some of the adults on the ride weren't as experienced, so we took our time. I had a few chances to drag it up to speed, but one thing I noticed was that it felt like I was hydroplaning anytime I really hit the gas. One downhill shot on a very familiar trail I almost careened out of control, but the bike magically righted itself just as I thought I was done. The stronger gyroscopicity of the bigger wheels, perhaps? My theory is that the stock Specialized tires, being kinda minimally knobbed, fill up with snow and, at speed, considering the stickyness of that particular snow, didn't shed quickly enough to keep any traction. At slower speeds, no problem, with the psi of the tubeless setup at around 25. I still would try a slightly wider, knobbier version.

The ghost-shifting to granny was still an issue. Maybe my thumb's too big...

29er test #1

2009-12-08T20:38:00.001-08:00

one sexy-ass bike

Had the good fortune of being offered a 'test ride'--a period of about two weeks in which to 'demo' a 2010 Specialized 29er hardtail from Bike Barn. Not sure whether I can afford one right now--well I' sure I can't, but maybe it'll snow alot this winter and my son and I can make bank on shovellin'....

Anyhow, I figure I'll tack two more weeks of riding onto my 'season' and make the best of it.

My first ride on the bike was on my real local trails, the ones right out my back door, a 3.5-mile marsh-loop, with an eclectic mix of dirt road, rooty woods, rock steps, quick steep climbs, squishy mud spots, grassy knolls, singletrack, with a tiny bit of pavement and curb-hopping thrown in. Home to Osprey, Cormorants, Red Tail Hawks, Great Blue Heron, lots of Crow and Starling, Coyote, and too many Squirrel, there's plenty wildlife.......It's a fast loop, best done twice for a base workout.

I rode like I usually do, as fast as is comfortable, while babying my 'arthritic' wrist. My first impression was that it rolls FAST!! When I hit my first curb it practically rolled right up itself, with less 'wheelie' input. When I tried the granite steps, I hardly had to try, save for the tires being wet, which made me try harder not to let slip.....

The fastest section, an arc through a gravelly parking lot, was a breeze. The singletrack bench trail above the marsh was nice, but the quick turns on and off that section showed me how the big wheels need more space to turn, and I'd need to anticipate earlier....

The true test was of the quick climbs. If there are any aspects of a bike that I really want it to excel at, it's climbing and short bursts of speed. This bike had me climbing like a goat and has no trouble drag-racing.

The things I didn't like about the bike were:

the SRAM thumb-shifters, which I would knock accidentally with my left thumb, dropping me into granny real quick. I could probably get used to better hand placement. I've only ever had gripshift....
the Specialized tires, not knobby enough for my tastes. While I wouldnt want to pile on much more weight to this lean 25 pound machine, I like my traction all-around.

The only other things I'd change right now would be to throw on my thudbuster and maybe riser bars. But I'll flip the stem first to see if I get high enough with that....

Santa's Ride

2009-12-06T14:17:00.001-08:00

Last night the temps dropped and the weather went from pouring rain torrentially to blizzard-like snow conditions. The Fells had cancelled their ride, and it didn't look good for the annual Blue Hills Toys Ride. The deck was icy, the marsh was relatively snowless, and it was below freezing...... but the sun was shining!....I broke the crust off the Thule and loaded the bikes. As I drove closer to the BH it became more obvious that more snow had fallen away from the coast. Not alot, but the 2 inches of powder on top of the ice had bent trees over the road. Driving up Wompatuck Road was that amazing winter wonderland, one that only comes once a year, that is, the first snow of the year. I tried to video the scene, which my 1.3mp phone-era really didn't translate very well, and besides I had to keep my eyes on the icy road.

Ride Part #1

I got to the parking lot in time to hook up with Howie The Plumber, Jim the CandyMan, Captain Dave, Dave P, and a couple other riders. Starting up the paved 'Picnic Loop' on the ice wasn't a wholelotta fun. But as we hit the first trail it became apparent how much fun this was gonna be. The snow was fresh, alittle crisp, and covered up many of the rocks and roots that would normally slow us down...

I just remembered also why this ride was shaping up to be fun--I was handed a StumpJumper 29er hardtail to demo last time I stopped at BikeBarn. Kevin said to 'ride it for awhile'. I had already tried it on my local marsh-loop and was real happy with the Big Wheels. They were smoothing out the trail real nicely.

Riding along, we knocked the bent trees out of the way, sending snow all over the guy behind, laughing all the way up the first hill and back down the backside 'no name' trail and back to the VC for coffee. We probably rode about 45 minutes total, but it was enough to get the spirits warmed up for the rest of the day.

Ride Part #2

Back at the VC enjoying some donut-carbo-loading and coffee with the local riding scene, another group was forming. The Silver Lake middle school mtb club had arrived, and was chomping to ride. Probably 9 13-14 year old boys, an 11-year old girl, a couple of parents, and their fearless leader, a teacher from the school, and a couple of us Yellowjackets to lead and sweep. We started our ride up the paved loop(again) and proceeded to follow the white multi-use loop, with a few diversions here and there. Traction in the snow was amazing. The kids (all of us..)were having a good time, especially when it came to going downhill. A few scary no-brake moments there. The snow cakes up quickly on the rim-brakes and renders them basically useless. But of course I was on the new disc-braked Specialized grinning all the way. We stopped to do some impromptu trail cleanup--the trails were littered with derailleur-breaking branches and some larger trees and limbs. We sessioned the log-over --always a good photo-opp. Crossing Hillside Street we bombed down the Cable Trail and behind the old zoo dump, before crossing Unquity and beginning the long grind back up to Five Corners. Finally! I didn't have to lie again with 'it's all down hill from here' It really was, and after the waterbar safety talk, we cruised down Wolcott back to HQ and the VC.

Amazingly enough, no mechanicals, injuries, and hardly a complaint! And Santa was at the VC waiting for us with hot chocolate and more pastries....

Oh Yeah! And we collected a truck-full of toys for kids in need...

My Food Blog

2009-12-03T20:09:00.000-08:00

My previous post about 'salt your onions' inspired me to create a separate blog for all my food-related musings.....

Hopefully, Thoughts on Food will entertain, amuse, sate, and inspire all at the same time...

Blog On!

Salt your onions

2009-12-02T20:47:00.001-08:00

OK here's the thing--you gotta salt your onions, ANY onions, garlic included, when you begin cooking them. You gotta lubricate them. too, with alittle oil in the pan. Actually this applies also to when you're not actually HEATING them, but when you want to soften them and take the edge off--i.e. when starting to make a vinaigrette...In that case, you don't add the oil until later. Salt the onions, and let them sit for a few minutes, then add your acid, and let it steep a few more minutes before adding the oil and other flavors. If you are making an emulisified vinaigrette with egg yolk, the yolk would be added just before the oil.

Not to say you need so much salt as to be offensive, just enough to start bringing out the moisture from the onion. Be especially careful not to use too much salt when making caramelized onions...

The only exception to this rule is when using shallots in a wine reduction(beurre blanc), add the wine directly to the cold sliced or minced shallots then turn on the heat to reduce. Add salt later on as needed. This only applies to shallots, as they are sweet and not so pungent as other onions.

DO NOT put raw onions on a pizza. Always cook at least alittle first! (with salt of course)

The smaller that you mince or slice the onion, the faster the salt will bring out the moisture and soften the onion's flavor...

IF you're one of those people who LIKES raw onion, then disregard all of this!

2009-11-19T06:22:00.000-08:00

I'm so happy that my new blog here is spam-free(so far)

mtbchurch sent you a video: "Mark Weir pump track mountain bike dirt jump style riding"

2009-11-19T06:21:00.001-08:00

	help center \| e-mail options \| report spam
mtbchurch has shared a video with you on YouTube: the way to dig clay Mark Weir pump track mountain bike dirt jump style riding Mark Weir pump track mountain bike dirt jump style riding
© 2009 YouTube, LLC 901 Cherry Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066

mtbchurch sent you a video: "Stowe Bike Park Pump Track"

2009-11-19T06:20:00.001-08:00

	help center \| e-mail options \| report spam
mtbchurch has shared a video with you on YouTube: more pump track Stowe Bike Park Pump Track A pump track session from the early days of the Stowe Bike Park. The park has grown considerably, check it out. Visit http://www.stowemountainbike.com Video by Brent Buckman. Location: Stowe, Vermont
© 2009 YouTube, LLC 901 Cherry Ave, San Bruno, CA 94066

Stretching Routine

2009-11-17T08:01:00.001-08:00

It's always good to have a pre/apres routine...

Holiday Toys Ride Blue Hills December 6

2009-10-21T20:38:00.001-07:00

DCR Blue Hills Reservation

Holiday Toy Drive

& Mountain Bike Ride

or Hike

Sunday, December 6

Toy Drop & refreshments 10 am – 1 pm

Mountain Bike Ride 10 am

Houghton's Pond Hike 1 pm

Meet at Houghton's Pond Visitor Center

at 840 Hillside Street in Milton.

Join the DCR Park Rangers and volunteers from Blue Hills TrailWatch and New England Mountain Bike Association

for our annual holiday toy drive collection. Bring a new

unwrapped toy, then go on a guided or self-guided mountain

bike ride or ranger-led hike. All toys will be donated to

Interfaith Social Services which help families in need

during the holidays. Gifts for children ages 11-16 are

most needed and appreciated.

Call 617-698-1802 for more information.

Apple Season

2009-09-10T05:46:00.000-07:00

OK so yes it's been awhile since I really commented on my blog. Life is. While I'm thinking, I've just about hadit with that starving college students story about how that company 'life is good' got started. They're OK now, I won't be funding them anymore. I'll have my own starving college students soon enough. I'd be so lucky that my own would come up with their own pet rock and make us happy for the rest of our days...I guess as parents we never know...

It's (almost )fall now, the air has changed, the tomatoes are finally starting to ripen, the grass isn't growing as fast, nights are bearable, and from what I hear all that freakin rain we got earlier this year is gonna make for a great apple season. Apples fresh off the tree, the varieties, each with a different purpose and micro-season...the Big Apple is next on my list of places to go this week.

I shoulda been an apple farmer.

Maybe I still will.

Top of Mount Mansfield

2009-09-05T10:04:00.000-07:00

just under an hour...

same

2009-09-05T10:03:00.000-07:00

Comments Needed! Blue Hills Resource Management Plan

2009-08-11T08:08:00.000-07:00

Here is a fwd from Blue Hills decision-makers:

Dear Interested Citizen or Stakeholder,

As part of our agency's commitment to engaging the public in dialogue as part of our Resource Management Planning efforts, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) recently provided you with notice of a public meeting we held the evening of July 29 regarding the Blue Hills Reservation.

We were pleased to receive a significant amount of input from the audience at that meeting on how they use the facility, the aspects of it that are important to them, and the elements that they feel should be protected and how. Public comment received at the meeting and subsequently highlights issues for our attention and is an important component of our planning process.

We have posted the presentation that was made by DCR that evening at

http://www.mass.gov/dcr/news/publicmeetings/materials/Blue%20Hills%20RMP%2029%20July%202009%20for%20web.pdf. We encourage you to view the presentation and to provide us with your comments by emailing rmp.comments@state.ma.us or calling 617-626-4974.

Over the next several months, DCR will be preparing a draft plan for the Reservation, which we will post on the DCR website at http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/rmp/index.htm, for public review and comment. Then, in late 2009 or early 2010, we will hold a second public meeting, regarding which you will be notified, to obtain additional input on the draft plan. As the final step in the Planning process, we anticipate submitting the proposed Blue Hills Resource Management Plan to the DCR Stewardship Council in early 2010 for their approval.

We appreciate your interest and input.

Sincerely,

Paul Cavanagh

Resource Management Planner

Comments Needed! Blue Hills Resource Management Plan

2009-08-11T08:07:00.000-07:00

Dear Interested Citizen or Stakeholder,

We have posted the presentation that was made by DCR that evening at

We appreciate your interest and input.

Sincerely,

Paul Cavanagh

Resource Management Planner

Two Mtb Events of Note

2009-07-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

http://www.catamounttrail.org/news/secondannualracetothetopofvermont/

http://www.peakraces.com/index.php?inc=bikerace

Re: [MountainBikeChurch] Fwd: Public meeting for Blue Hills Resource Management Plan [1 Attachment]

2009-07-15T12:07:00.000-07:00

Last time we had an opportunity to have our voices heard was back in 1992, when the current mountain bike policy and restrictions were re-implemented. There were about 30 people at the meeting, (Bill, Tim, Christy, Doug, Jeff I specifically recall being there, I think some of the FAT and Merlin gang was there too.) Over 2/3's of those present were mountain bikers. The rest were hikers and horse folk, and there was one particularly nasty representative from the equestrian contingent there. (Whose proclamation of, "I don't hate bikes - I have a hybrid, but the Blue Hills should be preserved for horses only" - brought howls of protest from both hikers and cyclists alike.)

Our input was mostly ignored, although I can fairly confidently say that without that representation there, mountain biking may very well have been limited to paved roads only. (That was what the horse riding contingent wanted).

That meeting was announced last minute - the morning of the meeting. Many phone calls were made that day amongst shops and bike builders. We got about 20 people to show up and be heard.

This is an opportunity to make sure appropriate policy is re-drafted - such as the trail closure being shifted from (12/31 through 4/15 ) to a more reasonable and practical 3/1 until Memorial Day weekend. (Mud Season, as opposed to frozen ground season). Between the advance notice, email lists, forums facebook and twitter etc - we should be able to make this work better - combined with 17 years worth of usage proof showing that mountain bikes have in fact *not* destroyed the Blue Hills. If anything, usage has gone down and many trails that exist are becoming overgrown. It's about time the Chickatawbut section was opened up and bikes were allowed on more single track.

Eric Heinrich

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Cobble" <cobblestv@gmail.com>
To: "mtb-semass" <MTB-SEMass@yahoogroups.com>, "Mountain bike church" <MountainBikeChurch@yahoogroups.com>, mtb-boston@yahoogroups.com, mbrclist@massbayroadclub.org, "Blog entry" <cobblestv.mountainbikechurch@blogger.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 12:28:11 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: [MountainBikeChurch] Fwd: Public meeting for Blue Hills Resource Management Plan [1 Attachment]

[Attachment(s) from Steve Cobble included below]

If you enjoy the Blue Hills, please try to attend!

Steve Cobble

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Comments, RMP (DCR) <Rmp.Comments@state.ma.us>
Date: Wed, Jul 15, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Subject: Public meeting for Blue Hills Resource Management Plan
To:

Hello,

Please find attached an announcement for the upcoming meeting on the Blue Hills Resource Management Plan.

This e-mail has been sent to those with a known interest in the Blue Hills Reservation, Quincy Quarries, and Ponkapoag. If you believe that you have received this e-mail in error and wish to have your name removed from our distribution list, please contact us at RMP.comments@state.ma.us; include the words "Blue Hills RMP" in your subject line.

__._,_.___

Attachment(s) from Steve Cobble

1 of 1 File(s)

Public Mtg Announcement BHRS RMP.pdf

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Fwd: Public meeting for Blue Hills Resource Management Plan

2009-07-15T09:28:00.000-07:00

If you enjoy the Blue Hills, please try to attend!

Steve Cobble

Hello,

Please find attached an announcement for the upcoming meeting on the Blue Hills Resource Management Plan.

How to remove a tick (apparently this works)

2009-06-15T21:49:00.000-07:00

Subj: How to remove a tick (no joke).

Spring will be here soon and the wood ticks will soon be showing their
heads. Here is a good way to get them off you, your children, or your
pets. Give it a try.

Please forward to anyone with children... or hunters or dogs, or
anyone who even steps outside in summer!!

A School Nurse has written the info below -- good enough to share --
And it really works!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I had a pediatrician tell me what she believes is the best way to
remove a tick. This is great, because it works in those places where
it's some times difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in
the middle of a head full of dark hair, etc.

Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the
soap-soaked cotton ball and swab it for a few seconds (15-20), the
tick will come out on its own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you
lift it away. This technique has worked every time I've used it (and
that was frequently), and it's much less traumatic for the patient and
easier for me.

Unless someone is allergic to soap, I can't see that this would be
damaging in any way. I even had my doctor's wife call me for advice
because she had one stuck to her back and she couldn't reach it with
tweezers. She used this method and immediately called me back to say,
"It worked!"

Please pass on. Everyone needs this helpful hint.

Blue Hills Mountain Bike Day 2009 Pics

2009-06-07T20:21:00.000-07:00

Blue Hills Day 2009
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20687952@N03/sets/72157619329751147/

A selection of things from the set

(By the way, if the set link doesn't work, try copying and pasting it from this email into your browser's address bar.)

Flickr is almost certainly the best photo management and sharing application in the world. If you'd like to see what I use it for you can check out my profile page or browse my photostream.

Happy National Trails Day!

2009-06-04T06:16:00.000-07:00

As we all know, Saturday, June 6th is National Trails Day. Enjoy your favorite trails in whatever way you like. There's a bridge building/repair in Wompatuck. The Friends of Blue Hills have a trail maintenenance event going on. DCR has various trail work events at other parks, including Cutler in Needham. I personally am leading the SEMass NEMBA Beginner skills ride/clinic in Quincy.

Enjoy the day. Any ?? call me, as I will be away from the computer for the weekend!

Steve Cobble

semassnemba.org

781-254-8796

Blue Hills Day 2009

2009-06-03T04:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring!

2009-05-26T19:34:00.000-07:00

Again, and it's almost Summer! Been along time inbetween posts....

Blue Hills Mountain Bike 'Discovery' day is this weekend, abit earlier than last, and in the original location, in front of the food concession at Houghton's Pond. Fitting for the event, since thats where it started, and the event has been scaled-back,and good location for hungry bikers looking to refuel quickly.

The weather looks like it will cooperate, so that will be an improvement over some past years. We'll see what the forecast brings. People will believe anything the weatherman says, and if he says it may rain on the weekend, then bam! go the weekend plans. Lets stay in and play Wii tennis instead.........

Either way, I'll be there early with bells on.

Right up our alley......

2009-03-31T20:16:00.000-07:00

Blessing of the Bikes – April 11th 9:30 AM

The South Shore will see a cycling event unlike anything offered in the past. St. Andrew's Church in Hanover will hold a brief, non-denominational service, the Blessing of the Bikes. People of all ages are encouraged to attend. Pembroke resident, Bill Sprows, has gained the enthusiastic cooperation of the Rev. Beth Wheatley-Dyson, in presiding over and hosting this event. St. Andrew's Rev. Beth encourages and practices outreach to the local communities and she views this as another exciting opportunity to practice that.

The idea for this, Sprows relates, is based on a similar event in that is now in New York City, now in it's 11th year. While online investigating the Five Boro Bike Tour in New York, he clicked on a few links and found himself at the Blessing of the Bikes website in New York. It interested him because, similar to 'The Blessing of the Fleet' ceremonies in New Bedford and Gloucester, it welcomes the beginning of spring by seeking to ensure a safe season.

In March, two cyclists were injured by a hit and run drunk driver in Cohasset. One of the victims had to be hospitalized. Bicycle injuries are common and not all related to auto accidents. Sometimes it's just a pot hole or a split-second of distraction. Sprows himself has sustained several injuries on his bike, usually during charity rides. Had it not been for his helmet, the outcome of his injuries could have been much worse. A blessing for the wisdom to be careful and alert is just as important as the bikes.

The Blessing of the Bikes will start promptly at 9:30 AM on Saturday, April 11th. If you're late, you'll miss it. Cyclists should arrive with their bikes and in their normal cycling attire including helmet. (Tricycles, Skates and non-motorized scooters are also welcome) A remembrance of cyclists injured or killed, a quick announcement and the cyclists will be off on their respective rides. Cycling clubs are encouraged to make this a stop on their normal Saturday morning routine. A free-will offering, to St. Andrew's Outreach Program will be made by passing a helmet.

The Blessing of the Bikes promises to be an annual beginning-of-the-cycling-season event. Regardless of your religious beliefs you are welcome. This type of event has been going on in NYC for quite a while, and they've never heard from anyone that the event made them uncomfortable. In other words, you will be blessed and welcomed; you will not be lectured.

For information, cyclists can email Bill Sprows at bsprows@yahoo.com or check St. Andrew's online at www.standrewshanover.org for directions.

Happy Spring!

2009-03-31T20:07:00.000-07:00

Here we are once again, ready to roll, waiting for that DCR 'opening day', hoping it may be earlier......Up until a few weeks ago, I had not ridden outside since the Toys ride. Now I've ridden Wompy three times this year, Rode Cutler once, poached the BH once for a quickie, and done a coupla 'marsh loops'.. Aside from that, as was stated in the last post, 2-3x/week on the trainer, sometimes noteven that.

The bike is ready to roll, with a replacement front end, a Fox 100RLC from 2004, that seems to feel just right, so far. BB is new, chain is new, and I have a pair of new UST Conti's just waiting to be mounted.

That's it.

Happy Winter!

2009-01-21T20:35:00.000-08:00

Notsomuch, with all this lovely white stuff surrounding us. I say lovely, only half-sarcastically, since the snow we've had so far this year has been of the very light, powdery variety. Easy to shovel, not hard on the back. And for those of you who dabble in winter sports which involve hurtling one's body weight down the steepest slope imagineable, it's as close to the upper afterlife as you'll get while you're here.

Me, after the Toys ride in december, I haven't ridden my bike outside. 3 hours per week on the trainer, thats about it.

Just thought I'd check in.

Keep it warm!

2008-10-14T05:46:00.000-07:00

Mike H. Sighting

So, I've heard about this rig almost daily from my son, who goes to the same school as Mike's boys. Apparently he rolls up after school to pick them up in this Florida-style trike that was left out for trash pickup.

Today he delivered the kids to school on it. "It's heavy. The weight of 6 bmx bikes", says Mike. The cast iron frame and tractor seat do make for a solid ride, and my guess is that it's fun as long as you're not pedalling uphill--it's only one speed, with only the front caliper brake, so any big downhilling could be scary....

It's basically 'mint' save for some oxidation on the shiny bits, which Mike intends to buff right, some quiet winter evening. Good luck with that Mike.

It's pretty basic in terms of decor, and I'm waiting for some sort of Sheldon Brown mojo--this bike would be right up his 'alley'.....I think actually this trike was his last ride, before the MS took him.

Wompatuck Trail Care Day Sunday, October 12th, 8:30 am............

2008-10-02T06:23:00.000-07:00

Wompatuck Trail Care Day October 12th, 8:30-12:00
Friends of Wompatuck, jointly with SEMass NEMBA, is hosting the last
2008 Trek Bicycles/NEMBA Trail Care Day in Wompatuck on Sunday, Oct
12th.
Slated for the day are bridge repairs/building, as well as general
trail clearing.We'll carpool/hike out to the work sites, but if you
prefer to ride and work, a roving crew will survey the trails and take
care of deadfalls, etc.
Dress appropriate for the weather and the work. Eye protection,
hydration, snack, and bug spray recommended. Bring your favorite
lopper, trail saw, and work gloves.
Lunch will be provided by Friends of Wompatuck, and an apres-work ride
is always an option.

Steve Cobble
FOW/SEMass NEMBA
cobblestv@gmail.com
781....254....8796
__________________
If you worried about falling off the bike, you'd never get on.--Lance Armstrong

http://www.semassnemba.org
www.friendsofwompatuck.org
http://1wheeldrive.blogspot.com/index.html
http://www.mountainbikechurch.com/

Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, Wompatuck State Park, Oct 4

2008-10-01T20:27:00.000-07:00

Take-a-Kid
Mountain Biking!
Saturday, October 4th, 2008
9am-12noon
Wompatuck State Park, Hingham, MA Visitor Center

• Get out in the woods and ride with your favorite kid(s)!
• Come join Friends of Wompatuck , Trail Watch Wompatuck,
New England Mountain Bike Association,
and International Mountain Bike Association on
a led mountain bike ride on the trails in Wompatuck State Park.
• Experienced ride leaders from Trail Watch Wompatuck
will be on hand to guide you on an age-appropriate journey.
• Bring bikes, helmets, water, bug spray,
weather-appropriate clothing, and kids!
• Pembroke Ski Market will be on hand to help fix mechanical
difficulties, and we'll have some hot chocolate and snacks for après
ride treats.
• Come prepared to learn about bike safety, skills, and most
importantly, how to have FUN on a Mountain Bike!!
Contact Steve Cobble at: cobblestv@gmail.com
Or 781-254-8796 for more details
For directions to Wompatuck State Park, go to :
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast

Been crashing too much lately.....

2008-09-23T12:08:00.000-07:00

Or is it that I have way too much time on my hands the past coupla weeks......?

Last week I broke my chain twice, same ride . OK I gotta handle on that, I straightenend the offending bent derailleur hanger, replaced the drivetrain, good to go. Then I'm JRA in Wompy the other day. Just starting out, come upon two women riders and helped fix a chain. Off I go again. Later on I bump into them again, and, preparing to stop and chat. Always trying to be so cool and shit I find that I can't clipout in this rock garden, and WHAM! down I go, right in front of the ladies. SMOOOOTH! "I meant to do that! he-he"(Pee-Wee Herman-style...)

I thought the worst of it for the rest of the day as I prepared to go to work, as my left calf seemed to have a bulge in it. Come to realize, that's just my bulging calf ;-))

Then, today, taking the bike cold outta the trunk and slapping the wheels on, went for the holeshot outta the driveway. Obviously, the drivetrain wasn't ready for that. WHAM!! ruined the quick link and went down sideways real quick on the dirt road. Getting up all dusty and bleeding again with the bars twisted backwards looking all dorky, I look up to see a nice neighborhood mom walking her dog and she say "you okay?" concernedly....I say " I'm okay, hope the bike is", all the while pretending again, that I meant to do that.......

So I put a new quick link in, give it a quick spin, and off I go for my two laps. Uneventful except that I couldn't do my average ride speed since I was so shaken up. From now on, I will always spin the wheels a few times easy to make sure the bikes ready to go before I powerup like that. And " don't put everything you got into one pedalstroke" is my new motto. But fortunately, the bike is OK, but I think I twisted the brake lever on the carbon bar very slightly......time to replace. NOW!

Here's some pics for viewing pleasure.

Two Words

2008-09-17T14:52:00.000-07:00

Bike Polo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zM9Ge4o8A0

My Summer as a Park Ranger

2008-09-14T20:01:00.000-07:00

I ventured out on an exciting experiment—In a temporary departure from
my lifelong foodservice career( read: being chained to a hot stove all
my life), worked as a seasonal DCR Ranger for the summer. Having been
assigned to the 'West District', I was partly responsible for
patrolling the parkways from Stony Brook in Hyde Park to Elm Bank,
mostly driving an XL250 4x4 monster truck. I did make sure the state
bought a nice hitch rack for the rig, for the odd MTB ride—ahem!
'Patrol' through Cutler Park and other parks along the way. But of
course, I spent as much time as possible in the Blue Hills……the
patrolling(riding!) there is amazing and I was able to legally ride
anywhere I pleased, so it was a trip back in time( abstractedly sorta
aka Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance—a great read, check it
out sometime).
I also did A LOT of hiking, on 'patrol' and leading group hikes up
Buck Hill and strolls through other parks…….
I'd highly recommend the seasonal DCR job for anyone who enjoys being
outside and being paid for it!
For now, I'm back to eating I mean cooking for a living again……

Joe Sloane☆☆☆☆☆

2008-09-14T11:21:00.000-07:00

The mastermind behind Blue Hills Mountain Bike Day(BHMTBD), an event

that started happening in 1994 and still happens every year. BHMTBD

always brings the local mountainbike community together to celebrate

our passion, but has also sucked in new riders with it's home-grown

approach. This family-friendly event has always been FREE, and for a

long time, was the only MTB event where the land managers (Mass. DCR)

actually hosted, sponsored, and worked the event. The formula worked,

and the DCR always has worked out a calendar spot for BHMTBD.

Joe Sloane has spent the better part of each year for the last 14

years, asking, hounding, pleading with busy bike shop owners, bigbox

bicycle companies, frame builders, energy bar moguls, local

restaurants, etc, to get them to donate products and services to the

famous raffle at the end of the day. They're all invited to setup a

tent to show off their stuff..........Joe also designed the kids bike

'rodeo' obstacle course and world-famous all-ages bike limbo

competition.

Joe has always been active in trails advocacy and maintenance in the

Blue Hills, and with Friends of Blue Hills and AMC. He has overseen

many important volunteer trail repair

crews, and is a founding member of Blue Hills Trail Watch, and 'eyes

and ears' DCR volunteer group that helps take care of the 150 miles of

trails and provides guidance to all trail users.

This summer, Joe was nominated by his peers to become one of LL Bean's

Outdoor Heroes. A surprise presentation was done at the annual Blue

Hills Trail Watch meeting/BBQ in August. The manager of the Mansfield

store did the honors.

Below is the official LL Bean text:

The L.L.Bean Outdoor Heroes(R) program was developed to thank those

who have dedicated their time to preserving the outdoors. These are

people who may not make the front page news, but who change the world

around us for the better.

We are pleased to introduce you to the recipients of the 2008 Outdoor

Heroes award. The winners have each been awarded a $5,000 grant

towards their organization—over and above any other L.L.Bean

sponsorships—to support continued preservation, conservation, and

educational efforts.

Sooo, the 5g's goes to Blue Hills TrailWatch--maybe a few new tools,

or a Muck Truck or Ditch Witch(plenty ditches to keep clear in the

BH)........

In addition, Joe recieved a $500 gift card AND a shiny chrome-plated

old-school lantern, for those all-night projects........

AND, in more recent news, Joe was captured and taken on a mountain

bike ride in Cutler Park, along with 16 of his good friends.......

Re: NembaFest Saturday, Landmine Classic Sunday

2008-09-07T18:49:00.000-07:00

Wow whatta weekend! Considering the threats of hurricanes and such,
Nembafest went off virtually rainless, for the duration of the event.
A raging torrential downpour or two before and after, but a fun day
all the way through........
Today, the Landmine Classic, that was looking to be a bust with all
the horrid forecasts, had close to 300 racers! Yeah there were some
muddy faces, but they were all smiling at the end......
BIG THANKS to all the vendors and sponsors AND Jaime's BBQ for being
there both days, but especially to all the volunteers who came out
despite the forecasts.....
And to everyone who simply came to ride!
Steve Cobble
SEMass NEMBA
FOW / TrailWatch Wompy

What I've learned about Tubeless Tires

2008-09-02T20:39:00.000-07:00

You can get away with using a floor pump, or even a good trail pump, as long as you use some kind of spray-bottle soap(windex works for me) and thoroughly soak the bead. This makes getting the tire on way easy, and also helps 'seal' the bead when initially pumping the tire. Get your old winter gloves, wrap the thumbs with duct tape. Pry the tire on with thumbs. Pump hard. Pump fast. Pump hard and fast. This does work, just takes patience. On the trail, you can use a plastic tire lever to cheat but gloved thumbs are best, since you don't want to damage or score the rim. Use a tube to get you out, then deal with it at home again. You should put a few oz of Stans sealant in every few mo, as it tends to booger-up into a ball that just rolls around and does nothing.

And you can ride much lower psi, and the ride is much more better. UST-specific tires and rims are best, as the tire won't rotate on the rim, and the tread and sidewalls are more beefier. Read more about tubeless

The "Blue Coats" are coming........

2008-08-27T12:53:00.000-07:00

The new Trailwatch unit at Wompatuck State Park had its inaugural meeting last week, after being fed by 'Mr. TrailWatch' himself, Eric Oddliefson, who cooked up tasty burgers, chicken, and corn on the grill......

One of the first of many TWW group rides, I believe this one is last night's Donna Howard ride....

2008-08-26T21:26:00.000-07:00

My Swiss pal Hans Peter racing in the Swiss Alps.....

Time is Flyin' !!

2008-08-07T18:12:00.000-07:00

Wow! Last post was before/about BHMTBD, now it's August, the Dog
Days, the Month Before September.......
BHMTBD was a washout, rained like dogs and cats just as we were
setting up the event, combined with depressing forecasts of thunder
and lightning.....it didn't actually get real stormy but the rain did
come down fora while. By 11 am most of the rain had stopped, and I
took a crew of 12 hardy souls up Buck Hill and back. A kids ride went
around the pond, and at least another posse of riders went and made
the best of it. The kids 'rodeo' finally got some use, and the bike
limbo was a hit as usual.
With about 50 registered riders including ride leaders and sweeps, it was the all-time lowest
attendance for the event, which has been known to attract 7-800 people
some years.......
July I don't think I even rode my Ted, but logged some good road
mileage commuting on my old Epic road bike. I saw some trail while
'patrolling' as a seasonal ranger in the BH on my old grey HooKoo
'battleship', or as it was referred to by a friend as my 'tool'.
August is here, and I've been through the Northeast Kingdom twice
without my bike(driving through on the way up to Quebec City and
back), which made me real sad, but after talking with the locals, the
trails are unrideable due to the VERY wet summer they've been having
up there. I saw a river rise ten feet in the three days we were gone,
while we were up in QC enjoying dry (but cold--63F!) weather . I won't
elaborate on that trip only to say that I could not find a bike shop!

Blue Hills Mountain Bike Day June 15th

2008-05-28T06:24:00.000-07:00

Blue Hills Mountain Bike Day is upon us again!!

Here's the lowdown.......

Sunday, June 15, 2008 10:00am – 3:00pm Houghton's Pond

Blue Hills Reservation Milton, Massachusetts

 Skills clinics to learn and practice riding techniques and bike repairs

 Trail rides for all ability levels from beginner to advanced

 The MTB Day Very Famous Bike Limbo Competition

 Special kids bike riding area and obstacle course

 Local bike shops and industry vendors will showcase latest bikes and gear

 Connect with NEMBA representatives and learn about great places to ride

>>>>>NEW THIS YEAR!! There will be a food vendor on-site grilling up some tasty bites! (thats the only thing you'd need money for, otherwise the event is FREE!)

DIRECTIONS: TAKE HOUGHTON'S POND EXIT 3 OFF ROUTE 93/128 IN MILTON

THEN FOLLOW MOUNTAIN BIKE DAY SIGNS TO HOUGHTON'S POND

For more details and photos,visit www.semassnemba.org

or call Blue Hills Headquarters at 617-698-1802

Sponsored in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, New England Mountain Bike Association and DCR Blue Hills TrailWatch

As always, the fun depends on the generosity of our volunteers-- ride leaders/co-leaders and sweeps, clinicians*, wrenches, set-up and take-down people are needed.

We will try to have 4-5 led rides going out per hour, from 10-1....

*if you have a forte' with the bike that you'd like to share with a group on- or off- trail, let's get you on the schedule!!

Some examples would be: 'On-trail flat repair', 'on-the-fly derailleur adjustment', or, 'what to do if your chain breaks', 'PYT' ride', Basic Bike Safety for kids, Safe Bike Commuting, Log-Hopping, YOU name it! It can be 15 minutes long, or all day......

Email cobblestv@gmail.com if you can help in any way!

SteveC

A Different Year

2008-05-05T11:10:00.000-07:00

This year has turned out to be different. Work is more demanding both
physically and mentally, than ever. I see the trail about once a week.
The other times that I do get when I could ride, sometimes I just
don't want to. That's not good.
The good thing is that I've been biking to work, so I can get as long
of a ride as I want at either end of the day. Nights have been my
session of choice, but I really need lights, so I can really see where
I'm going.....I did buy a cool little rear blinky by Planet Bike that
has 7 red leds, all facing a different direction, and it's bright. My
vision at night isn't as good as day, but there's less road
competition at night and usually they have their lights on......I ride
my older GF HooKoo, as I don't really want to ride my 3 thousand
dollar trail bike to work.......and the road bike at night scares me,
since I can't see the potholes as easily and I'd be going
faster........
That said, I did get a good road bike ride in today, and it feels good.
Hoping that all the road work will pay off next time I hit the trail......

Mass DCR Park Serve Day May 17th

2008-04-30T20:37:00.000-07:00

http://parkserv.env.state.ma.us/
A good day to give back, but also the same day as NEMBA's Trail School Weekend:
http://www.nemba.org/nembaevents/TrailSchool.html

Trails Survey

2008-04-18T22:24:00.000-07:00

529 yd 12" corr plastic cv (5)

539 yd nf wb(not an obst) (6)

578yd 24" cp cv fc(7)

.58 mi nf wb(nn)(not an obstruction)

.59 mi 3085(mk need new)nf cv(8)

.60 mi nf armored water crossing (9)

.61 nf wb rr tie (10)

Name that section of trail in the above transcription(hint: it's in
the 3000 section of the Blue Hills)

Chances are, you'd have a tough time finding that, and may be tougher
to decipher all that shorthand. But in the context of a full Trails
Survey report, it all makes sense....

The abbreviations are trail features and descriptions of mechanical
structures you may have never noticed--culverts, waterbars,
intersection markers, and distances from beginning of the trail,
etc....The (5) numbers are references to footnotes for recommended
action, repair, the level trail crew expertise needed, etc......

In the Fall of 2007, the Friends of Blue Hills posted an enticing
employment opportunity--they wanted to pay someone to travel EVERY
trail in the Blue Hills, and record every nuance of every yard
thereof. Being paid to be outside on the trail every day was very
enticing, so I got in line with quite a few applicants in front of
Bob Flagg's house and waited my turn. Well, not literally in front of
his house, but in the virtual email line that was forming......

After an intensive interview process, and out of many qualified
applicants, they hired two of us, myself and Ken Jones, an avid
outdoorsman in every sense. So we split up the park and we each do one
section at a time. We started in December, and I got a few days in,
but with all the snow and the holiday hooplah, I didn't really get
started until after First Day. So I've been stacking up some mileage
and getting to know the place real well, literally. And I'm a
double-agent, acting as a TrailWatcher too!
Armed with my tool cache--GPS for yardage/mileage, digital camera,
cell phone, digital voice recorder, batteries for all of that, a trail
saw just in case, water and sustenance in my camelbak along with
space blanket and an extra kitchen sink-- I average about 1 mph on
foot, or less, while stopping to find hidden culverts, and to record
all of the details as I go along. I make notes of where work needs to
be done, from brushing out the trail, to major rockwork and everything
in between. I have to stay organized so that when I'm transcribing
back home on the computer, it will all make sense. The transcribing is
the hardest part, actually sitting still for a long time, listening to
my own voice, translating into the abbreviated shorthand you saw
above, which saves precious file (and paper) space. Then I check my
work a couple-few times, hoping that my cat didn't walk all over the
keyboard and make his own comments. Only after all that, I send my
cyber-trail off to my boss. Then I wait for the weather to cooperate,
and go do it all again. It hasn't been, actually, an outside-every-day
job, but gets me out there a coupla times a week, before I go warm up
in the kitchen at my night job.
Now that it's past April 15th, I am stacking up some serious
trail-time on my bike again, so I'm getting the survey done in record
time. I kinda miss the hiking-times that I had over the winter, but
not really. Actually the hiking really made me learn the place, and my
kids came out with me a coupla times, so it was well worth the slowing
down......

2008-04-07T19:29:00.000-07:00

Classic Lance