First Cross ...

...adventure with Craig of the season. Well, too warm and to little snow to call it winter ride, but still a good long adventure. Starting out with some Bowness single track and heading west on the south side of the river, on more awesome single track. The trails are in perfect condition. Though with the Bearspaw lake area not frozen some exploration had to happen. We did a minor section of bush whack and a little loop around the fields and getting cut off by peoples huge back yards. Finally made our way up a gravel road that took us on some main back roads. From there Craig had a plan on hooking onto a gravel/field road that should eventually take us to Cochrane. It looked very promising as we jumped the first fence. But then the "trail" disappeared, and it was mostly cow field. The cows do a pretty good job on maintaining some good single track though, so no big issues. We finally found the city water cut line that Craig had seen on Google Map, and jumped on it for the last five min. Then some gravel road to 22, crossed 22 and got a little lesson in riding by a local police who passed us. He let us continue to the top of the climb, then to tell us the road was closed. We now know it was human remains found and investigation was going on. Guess someone must have bonked really hard. We turned around and met up with the girls group who also left the city around our time. Told them about the closure and rode 22 for a bit longer and a back road into Cochrane for a nice lunch.

We manage to convince two, Pam and Suzanne to join us for some off road fun back to Calgary.

Great ride, with a some minor bike issues, 4 1/2 flat I think we counted and one derailleur hanger. Not bad.

 

Happy Riding!

 



Friday local...



... ride with Toby!

Sunny, nice day, started at 6C and when done it was up to 14C.

Climed up Pnuma and hit some snow, got cold toes so changed plan to a short but sweet ride. Down Race of Spades it went! Sweeeet... such a fun trail, great work on this trail done this summe! The dually with the big tires feels like a big rig. Toby is loving the colder weather and flying down the hill like a "mad man".

Happy Riding!

 



Second trip to Barrier...

... and a Thanks Giving city path ride.

Sunday Craig and I decided to give Barrier another go after my shoe forgetting episode previously. I was happy to give it a shot even though I rode some of the trails Saturday.While driving out we noticed a car with some familiar bikes on the roof and sure enough another group of riders on their way out and by chance heading our direction. We ended up riding Baldy with Trish, Linda and their two ride buddies. Awesome climb up and Trish as usual set a good pace. The decent down was a little slick for me and I couldn't seem to get comfy but enjoyed it as much as I could, and with the GO PRO running on my seat post of course I had to slow it down a notch so Craig could keep up! :) and he did. At the bottom we took a left and Craig showed me a trail I've never done (on the map it looks like Old Baldy Pass Trail, but not sure), we hook on to the highway and head over to Nakiska to find the climb up and over Skogan Pass with a quick visit to the Troll Fall. It was busier than I've ever seen the area with hikers enjoying the fall weather. I brought a GPS with me to ensure no Craig trouble, but this time with the GPS I got us wandering a big back and forth and the trail on the map did not match what actually there. Should have listen to Craig this time. Fast ride down. Started to feel the ride, and with only one bottle each (planned to refuel at gas station but just wanted to get going) I was fading. I road Trans Canada trail on the "love of trail riding" fuel and got a little bit of second wind going up Quaite. And Jewel Pass waiting at the end is the best reward after a long day in the saddle. When we got back to the parking lot I was sure hoping to find the two redbulls left a few months ago, and after a few minutes of searching they did show!!!


Group getting ready to ride down Baldy

Top of Baldy decent

Little bit of snow on the trail...

Best tasting treat!

So with some nice and tired legs Monday and a little rain in the forecast we figured what a perfect day for a city path day. We road downtown and got a photo up with the new bridge, at what point we got the idea of testing a group ride idea with Erik. With a temptation photo of Craigs fender setup who could resist. Though it took them a few to get back to us, but while having our first coffee break (58 min into our ride... rough day) at Rosso we heard from them and 20 min later we met up. An awesome city path ride down to Glenmore, some single track exploring and with Erik knowing the city better than I, we found some new trails on our way back. Perfect ending of a good riding weekend.




The fancy new red bridge, matching my RED jacket!

Craig, Erik and Cindy

A local ride...

... and a Toby ride.

Friday I headed out for an evening trail ride around the neighboarhood. The trails around the Stoney bridge is a fun playground, I tried to make it from there to Tuscany but the new fence had me at the dogpark and by then I figured I might as well ride Bowmont. Trails in great fall condition. Then over to Edworthy and single track back to Bowness. A nice shorter ride all within 5km of my house!


Satruday I took Toby out on the awesome Barrier Lake loop including Razors Edge. And it couldn't have been much better of a ride. The night before I put the Hans Dampf on my Trek Superfly 100 and all of a suddeen I felt like I had a "big" bike. The decent down Razors Edge was super fun and not one foot touch down!! Climbing back up Quait didn't feel as efficient as it could but the reward flying down Jewels was all worth the little extra weight up.

Sept 28-30...

...weekend.
Much easier to update blog if could get it done in at least the same week as the ride....but here we go anyway..
Friday I had the hardest time deciding on a ride. I do like to ride with people and since everyone is working its a tricky day to get out. Though I was able to convince Sarah that it was a perfect day to show her some of our city path rides. We rode the path though the city and down to Glenmore reservoir, had a coffee (nice treat and a drink) stop and did the loop around and then on to some city street time lanes and back through the west side of the city. A perfect road ride for a Friday.
Saturday Craig had a plan, a ride he know from his motorcycle days; 10 years ago. So based on that I brought my bigger GPS :) great long day. We parked where the the ashfalt starts when doing our watervalley ride (?) and crossed the river and road and hiked some neat trails. Ill admit there was a lot of dismounting; and most up hills way to steep for my engine and two wheels. But as we got closer to devils gap we got to enjoy some pretty particular scenery so well worth as a ride once every decade.
Craig would have loved to explore some more single track on the return trip but I reminded him the importance to support our fellow bike friends that is now in cross season. So off to watch the Dark Knight Races until way passed my bed time.
Sunday Craig and I had a ride planned out at Barrier. Bit during some checking of shoe sizing I forgot to get shoes in the bag again and as we arrives to the lake I was with out shoes :(. Not great. Toby was the lucky one though and got to ride with Suzanne and Kate who just arrived after us. Back to the city we decided to get shoes and ride west bragg. Turned out to be a great ride. Rode up Ranger Summitt, down SuggarMomma, and some other great trail I rode with the two firefighters, Cam and Cam, and Toby the Friday after Houston. New trails for Craig and for me second time and no flats. Happy ending!
Happy Riding !

Post Houston...

...weekend; two days to catch up.
This weekend I was not successful in recruiting Craig for rides. Not to upsetting as I felt pretty tired and had a few things to get done.
Headed out to west bragg Saturday and brought Toby along to explore some new trails out there. Ended up stuck on top of the start of strange brew with a sign saying it was closed. A couple of guys told me there is a way down just not on the map. So we joined them. Great ride; fall colours and some great singletrack. Toby impressed and I impressed less with a double flat on the same rock. One fixed it self after adding some air and the second was fixed with the magic plugged kit. Third time its saves the ride this year.
Sunday I headed out with Trish. An awesome ride; canmore to banff along Rundle then up and over Stoney Squa (?), aar back to Canmore mostly on Goat Creek and down to Nordic center on a great down hill trail. Nice hard pace but with Trish slow tire leak I got a few much needed breaks here and there...
Love fall riding!

Sunday...

... third day of riding. What a great weekend. Two good rides in and one more to go in great fall weather.
Craig and I was lucky to have a shuttle to Banff so planned a point to point ride through Minnewanka and Devils gap. After a breakfast in Banff, Suzanne did a drop off at Minnewanka. This was the first weekend open for bikes so a few others out. The ride along the lake is just such an awesome cross country ride. So flowy, fast and beautiful. First delay was an Auzzie (or similar) with a chain issue. After that it was smooth sailing until we litt the trail after a rock section. But what would a ride with Craig be without a little bit of bush wacking ....
We eventually got on track. About 20km of gravel then 40 or so into Cochrane. And since Craig was doing all the work on the road he got to chose to include the wildcat climb.

Fall is my favorite time of riding and hope it'll be as long lasting as last year.

Off to Houston for this week.....

Happy riding!

Saturday...

... with Trish, Pat and Ryan.

Forgetmenot area, not sure all the trail names but out toward threepoint, then across volcano creek and volcano ridge and back down to elbow. Not an easy navigation so a little trip up a wrong creek added to a great day in thw sadle. We Dont to ride rides  like this enough. Not groomed bike trails but some great views. A few spots brought back memories from Katy, Craig and I's ride last year. Finally got my plug tire off and replaced with a new tire; lasted a few hours now for a plug ! Well they once again prove to work....

Happy Riding!

Friday...

... ride with Alana, Nic and Lisa was planned.

We met at station flats and decided to ride Ridgeback backwards up to Moosepackers. Its such a nice climb to start the day with. Nice gradual and flowy. We continued up Moosepackers which gets the legs nice and tosty by the time you hit Moose mtn parking lot. From there we take a right just up the road to SHAFT (Super Happy Awesome Fun Trail). You can now skip all the road and hook on to it right away. Just next to TDub ....
Great decent and Toby is just flying around the switch backs, cutting a few to stay ahead of the girls. Down ings mine road and climb up back of Sulphur so we can keep the pup off the highway (not his favorite). Back down to the River side trial back to station flats. Great start to the weekend and great to ride with the girls again.

Back to the car Toby got to sneak up on the cows and they had no clue thanks to his awesome trick of rolling in a fresh pattie at the start of the ride....nice kamuflash !
Happy Riding !

Bow80ish weekend...

... as good as it gets.

With no rain and warm weather forecasted it was deemed to be a perfect weekend of riding and racing.

Thursday after flight home Toby and I did a jeans ride on the Gary Fisher 26er. It went a little longer than planned as I forgot how much I enjoy this bike....when i putting it back on the wall did not feel quiet right. It should be used more often by someone so guess Ill get on ebay shortly.

Friday it was a pre-ride with Chad to check out Pnuma and SpecialK. Toby joined in and with a cool morning he was full of energy. The cows where pretty much everywhere this morning to enjoyment for Toby. At least it kept him busy enough to avoid any refreshments of his white fur...
Nice ride; but unfortunatly with moving truck on the way Chad had to pull out for Sunday. With  nice fall there will be plenty of opportunities to ride the course.

Saturday was Calgary Corporate Challenge; hard time pulling an IOL/Esso team this year. But in the last minute we had two girls and a guy. Nice morning at COP and busier than other years. Cesar was resting so had the managers role for CNRL, no rest for Shawn who took the three lapper for MTB. Thanks to Pam and Ryan to pull a two and three lapper for us and letting me get away with a one lap race. Shawn took the win with his team while we at least got ahead of CNRL  :) nice work.

Rest of Saturday spent to get bike ready; new tires seem to not wanna seal. Thouh as long as they are rolling it seem to work....good incentive to keep moving in Sundays race.

Early start Sunday; a few waffels for fuels and off to the races. As usual a little late; but as Mani passes me on the highway going...fast .... I know its not just me.
Somehow get my self at the start line in time. Didn't feel very snappy this morning so skipped the crazy hard start and settled in a steady pace pretty much right off the bat. Tried to just hold it through as I knew Trish is riding very strong and expected her on my wheel anytime. I never saw here. Finished in 430; a bit faster than last year but think the course was faster this year so hard to compare. Happy I can put in a good hard effort even on a day were body is not feeling the greatest.
Great turnout and everyone seem to have a great ride. Some nice hot dogs and grass time before awards. Nice to just hang out and catch up with people and watch riders cross the finish line.
Suzanne and her friend had a goal of finishing the race. And as first year rider she made both cutoffs and crossed the line. Huge accomplishment; longest ride so far. Stage racing next?
Great weekend!

Happy Riding!

Three out ....

....of four days included a ride; not too bad.

Started off weekend with Toby and Alana riding PF and Cox. First time since last year and as always a great ride. Mornings are getting cooler and it never got hot, the fall is here.

Saturday was the day with too many plans and that is usually not good; ill jump from one decision to the next; road ride to mtb ride to no ride and by the end of the day the only thing accomplished was the rock garden and installment of new house numbers.

Sunday seemed very promising with Erik, Craig, Jon and Mani committed to ride the Bow80 course.
Craig and I stopped at PF to stash a few goodies for when we would come around nice and tired. The ride never really turned out this way; great ride while riding but with a couple of flats and a group of chatty guys who hadn't seen each other for a while by the time we hit PF the treats were not as necessary as usual. So left most of it for the next ride :)... Great group ride though; even if time went by and we didnt complete the full course (besides Mani who did). Craig and I rode up sulphur to get our bottles but then snuck down sulphur to the end. No pnuma and special K this time.

Monday was the better ride of the weekend in terms of efficiency and effort. Station flats up ridgeback and moosepackers and to the top of moose mtn down and up to shaft and up and over sulphur and pnuma up to raceofspades back to parking lot. Great way to end the long weekend. And I think Ridgeback and moosepackers is my new favorite climb.

Workweek then Bow80 weekend to come!

Happy Riding!