First full Week...

...of summer!! Stampeded week couldn't have timed it better! Here is a summary in mostly pictures...
 

Got in a couple of good commutes in addition to the regular half hour ride in. One morning explored Glenmore-Little Elbow-Stampede route, and one afternoon explored a new commute route for when office move south.

 

I'm not a true stampede but I must say I do enjoy the relaxed happy atmosphere in the downtown area during this week - people seem to take some time off in their busy schedule to actually look around and socialize with strangers in the coffee lineup. I did my duty and attended a work event Friday.

The awesome hot weather continued through the weekend and had a great ride Saturday with Alana, Trish and Andrea. Rode the first day of ST6 - starting in West Bragg. Great fun - think folks will enjoy. Today a little bigger (mostly in elevation) solo ride equally hot, and TR might wanna look at this as a future stage, hard but fun! Both day I rode the FS, still pondering about bike choice for the ST6 and after this weekend really enjoying the comfort of my Superfly100 (with a new shifter it would even be better).

Have two weeks to prepare and figure bike and gear out. Mostly resting, but a bit of a  riding trip next weekend; time dependent maybe get in Revelstoke or Golden and race the Gear Jammer in Squamish. A quick work trip to Van this week might allow me to get an evening sneak peak during the week - will see how keen I'll be on the bike packing thing tomorrow night.

 

Happy summer riding!

 

 



Great morning commute - got detoured around and ended with a great view of the city and stampeded grounds.



 



After work commute - went south one day, riding to Quarry park checking access to the paths. A few sections like this still, but able to get around most of them with no issues.



After Quarry Park I continued south, and learned that the southern bridge is yet to be fixed. Ended up way south and found a way into Fish Creek - and it is always a good ride - a few flood damage signs still as well.

 

Used to be a path connecting the other side...

Rodeo time!

And a few visits to our water hole!



Hot Saturday ride - Alana getting cooled off in the creek.



To of RoS decent!

Henry waiting for his group at the start of RoS as well -
 think we saw all of Calgary out today!

3 weeks in Europe and a little sick - still hung on good

Alana on the final decent of the day - Strange Brew

That's how hot it was!!!

Cool feature by the new awesome bike shop 22x and Creekers Bistro -
bike shop and good food/coffee goes hand in hand!

too hot for Toby ride - but great for river walks!

 

Sunday solo ride - forgot socks! first sockless ride -
it worked out great in the heat!

This is how hot it was today - in the shade on top of Sulphur trying to cool off

Best part of todays ride!

Last minute Golden...

... riding, and no regrets!

Saturday CBT/Moonrakers/Canyon Creek

Wake-up early, drop dogs at friends cabin (little bit of trouble with landlady ops), quick stop at Tim's, off to ride:


The goal was to ride Stage 5 of the Single Track 6 coming up later this month. Prepared I thought, with a gps file of the route, studied the map to make sure I went in the right direction, but quickly realize my GPS file only goes for 19 of the 53 km...ops number 2. Something must have happened during download - oh well, now I got to practice my artistic side (non-existent but oh well). The map only had the trail lines for the race, so while having no idea of names, intersection etc, I made an attempt of "paining" the same pattern on my screen as my paper map.
A bit of being lost, but CBT, Moonrakers, Canyon Creek and Arrowhead, where this day is at, is just super fun regardless of what trail you end up on.  Fast, flowy and some wicked exposure that with my scare of height definitely got some additional adrenaline flowing!

Why I have not ridden here before is a mystery - so much fun!

 

Ops, should have checked this at home...

2 GPS's, a map and a whole lot of trail markers - still a very difficult area to navigate - but in the end, just pick one you will be smiling!

 

Canyon Creek trail view

 

It was exposed!

Canyon creek is a downhill - the way up was nice and gradual, with some fun trails included

 

The river is way down there - don't wanna make a mistake right turn on this trail!

Then just chill for the night at the cabin - I chilled, the rest was still full of energy...

Sequoia right at home, spot right next to the woolfs center - and maybe too close to the landlord lady...

ok, so I lost....but at least I'm sitting down playing it...

Some dinner - and dinner table Yoga??

Some awesome "healthy" chees cake!

And some marshmallows getting ready to be squished in crackers and chocolate...

Sunday Mtn. Shadows trail network

Wake-up sort of early, left dogs at cabin, head to McD for breakfast, get riding in before Sarah and Mer wanna ride and dogs are on me:


 

Stage 4 was on the agenda today. Mtn. Shadows trail network. GPS file was checked and looked like it should be an easy day of navigation! Not!! but again, only good trails, so no such thing as being lost.  The day started with a fairly long road climb up to the first decent of the day - all smiles! Super fun, fast, technical, views and all you need to have fun. Too fun to stop for a shot - but trust me there will be happy people (and if not careful some hurting people) coming down this one! From there it was a little bit of everything, great trails again, but at one point I wasn't sure if I had got turned around and riding the trails in the wrong direction - hate to admit it - I walked a bit! Had a little bit of a fight with the GPS so got to ride one section of trails three times - and one day this will have to be redone going the other way! With so many trails close to each other, when poor signal you might be off track....

 

 

Awesome morning for a ride!

oh yes ! look forward to this one!

 

Lots of good views - this climb was fun and kept you on the watch every minute, techy and at times I was wondering if we should have came down it - think the race comes up, but definitely on the list for coming down one day.

Well, since I got to ride this section 3 times, I thought I had to take a shot...fun trail tucked along the mountain side.

Well used maps, both days.....

Bring bug spray if you plan to stop! This little guy didn't make it, but he died happy with some sweet Norwegian blood!

So all in all a great weekend - the 2 1/2 hr drive out is not bad, definitely will make this a destination for future rides.

Happy Riding!

Backyard...

...ride/ice cream tour with Sarah.... we must have the most fun backyard in Calgary!

Happy Riding!

Sarah killing the Stoney bridge trails on her new Giant

Giant vs Trek?

Bonding with the Boone...

...and there is a good chance of new love in my life!

Great pathway, mixed with some single track dirt and grassy fields.... and the Boone is finally growing on me, as did the commute home, little off track but too much fun to only ride home.
The bike... a few adjustments, latest the addition of a longer crank, back to my 175, feels better. Think it will meet all my needs come winter....

Happy Riding!
 

Stock seatpost had to go - added a longer....

From the stock 170 crank length to 175... yep, feels better...

Northwest pathways and grass/gravel paths, the Boone had no problem, smooth ride.

I'm thinking I'm riding in to heaven!!

Tuscan ravines - no problem...

Smooth and fast ---

and rooty and smooth....

this was about the only mud I saw - besides the creek crossings...

Christmas lights still up, weeds are out of wack... but the Boone and I are happy :)

Happy Canada Day!...

... not quiet like the "17 Mai", think everyone has their own way of celebrating..

 

Here is Toby and my Canada day in s few shots....

 

Happy Canada Day all!

 

Could not have asked for better weather - first real day of summer!

A great morning hike down to our favorite spot with SQ and Mer

 

SQ loving the cool water

Toby enjoying the tall grass

Not a cloud in the sky

Say cheese!!

Just a great morning to be out

Toby and SQ having a go at it in the grass

Then some bike cleaning before heading out to Banff for a recovery ride with Toby.



Had a great ride with Margie, Dirk, Zip and Toby out in Banff. Rode the full Top Notch which is truly top notch!! Great fun! Then played some more, until dogs suffered from dehydration and beat up paws (oh bad dog owners, as Dirk was reminded of....).
 

Dirk almost made it... well not quiet... Top Notch bottom, such a great trail - a must do if you're in Banff!

First water stop - ok, so the dogs did get a little water on the way...

The blind dog even spotted the Elk - or sniffed them... :) Not easy to see but there was a couple of real Bambi's too.

Toby enjoyed the view of the Elk - would much rather be off the leach I'm sure at that point

Which one is Tunnel Mountain again?? :)

Second waterhole - it was a hot day for the dogs

Oh yeah, but now where too! Both dogs paws were pretty done from the run, so a truck pickup was handy...

And then they were really done!  Great lunch on the patio.

Then some parade - not school kids as at home, but very similar to "borger toget".

Made it back to the hood and time for some Angels ice cream with Chad and Mer....

A national holiday without ice cream just wouldn't be right...

Then a little furniture moving - check out Kijiji. for this red couch soon! (not including good looking dog and guy)

And a little final Canada day visit - Sarah representing in red and white.... and tomorrow back to work :(