I Rode My Bike Today...

evdog said:
So I did a little ride recently on the Arizona Trail. TR to come, in the meantime here are some teaser pics.


Inspecting the border fence

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Mount Lemmon...let the HAB begin

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The morning after Mt Lemmon had its way with me

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Climbing out of the Gila River canyons

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Flowers and bonus thunderstorm on the ride into Pine

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30-some miles of rocky dirt roads does not make for a happy camper

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Things about to get real!

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Looking awesome, Evan. TFPU. How did South Kaibab treat your knees? I opted for Bright Angel, had never been past the river going that way. Speaking of off the trail... I want a refund, that first pic is not the AZT. :D

Never mind. I'll ask questions in your RR when it shows up. If all the images don't explode my computer. (Sounds like you were backed up in the cloud. :thumbsup:)
 
My knees held up great, fortunately! Had some pain the first day or too. After that with general total body soreness and fatigue I didn't notice it. And once in the canyon my shoulders took the brunt of the abuse. Only problem I had there was my bike not staying put well in the straps - it would sink down and my fork would hit the back of my leg as I walked. Got to be excruciating after awhile, and I couldn't seem to adjust it to not do this for very long.

I had meant to hike out to the AZT southern terminus from Montezuma pass but with getting a ride out to the start line the timing didn't work out. Could have still done it but it would have been in the dark in a windstorm and threatening rain. I'll do it some other time. I'd like to go back at some point and hike/backpack all the wilderness sections we bypassed.

Unfortunately I never recovered my lost phone and most pics from the first 9 days are gone. A few from the first day did get backed up otherwise I only had a few I posted each day to IG. Fortunately I brought my go pro so I could take some screen grabs from footage and use it to take pics after I lost the phone.
 
evdog said:
So I did a little ride recently on the Arizona Trail. TR to come, in the meantime here are some teaser pics.


Inspecting the border fence

View attachment 52654


Mount Lemmon...let the HAB begin

View attachment 52655


The morning after Mt Lemmon had its way with me

View attachment 52656


Climbing out of the Gila River canyons

View attachment 52657


Flowers and bonus thunderstorm on the ride into Pine

View attachment 52658


30-some miles of rocky dirt roads does not make for a happy camper

View attachment 52659


Things about to get real!

View attachment 52660
Click to expand...
Border? Like US/Mexico border? Or, state border?
 
Another awesome mid week adventure with @sir crashalot . Up Maple Springs, down Joplin and Cadillac. Weather was overcast up MS, turning to sun on and off at Saddleback. Then the descent into the clouds and wet bushes lining Joplin. I love these remote trails, and Joplin is a jewel just as it is, but not for everyone.

The turnout at the base of Modjeska
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Joplin trailhead. Dry up top, gonna get wet with supertacky dirt down in the canyon
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....except for a couple spots near the top where there was no dirt left. I guess drainage during the heavy rains washed it all away leaving this..
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The filtered lighting and fog made it eerie down in the canyon, and a little hard to see at times
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The usual Joplin loose-rocky stuff. I think the motos have laid off it, not as churned as last Nov. Besides those couple places it turned into a creek, the trailbed was darn good imo, even moist loam in places. Yeah a few short washed out spots, but with some sessioning was able to get the three tough spots down lower in the canyon. If the brush wasn't wet the overgrowth would not have been a problem. My feet and hands were chilled to the bone by Old Camp (53 degrees)
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Face in the tree photo bomber at Old Camp. Talk about creepy...
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Gary rolling into a steep loose pitch on Cadillac. The K-Rails at the bottom are mostly keeping the jeeps off it, it's kinda fun now if you like steep-loose-rutty stuff.
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knucklebuster said:
Another awesome mid week adventure with @sir crashalot . Up Maple Springs, down Joplin and Cadillac. Weather was overcast up MS, turning to sun on and off at Saddleback. Then the descent into the clouds and wet bushes lining Joplin. I love these remote trails, and Joplin is a jewel just as it is, but not for everyone.

The turnout at the base of ModjeskaView attachment 52666

Joplin trailhead. Dry up top, gonna get wet with supertacky dirt down in the canyon
View attachment 52667

....except for a couple spots near the top where there was no dirt left. I guess drainage during the heavy rains washed it all away leaving this..
View attachment 52668

The filtered lighting and fog made it eerie down in the canyon, and a little hard to see at times
View attachment 52669

The usual Joplin loose-rocky stuff. I think the motos have laid off it, not as churned as last Nov. Besides those couple places it turned into a creek, the trailbed was darn good imo, even moist loam in places. Yeah a few short washed out spots, but with some sessioning was able to get the three tough spots down lower in the canyon. If the brush wasn't wet the overgrowth would not have been a problem. My feet and hands were chilled to the bone by Old Camp (53 degrees)
View attachment 52670

Face in the tree photo bomber at Old Camp. Talk about creepy...
View attachment 52671

Gary rolling into a steep loose pitch on Cadillac. The K-Rails at the bottom are mostly keeping the jeeps off it, it's kinda fun now if you like steep-loose-rutty stuff.
View attachment 52672
Click to expand...

The night before I was at first on the fence about making the time for today's Joplin loop instead of adulting. Glad I went for it. Epic. This kind of weather in May is almost unheard of. Previously I had only hit Joplin when it was sunny, dry and dusty. Today was misty and gloomy down in the canyon, trail was damp and even loamy in spots, felt like the PNW! Liked it much more and I rode it maybe a bit better than last time (except for the unrideable spots where big rocks washed into the trail).
I had a rough start, legs felt weak at first but felt much better later. Didnt sleep well the night before. Dave was absolutely on top of his game, climbing and descending, kicking my azz up and down the mountain. on one steep rocky chicane feature he did such a rad move. So good to see him bounce back from the health issues a while back, and riding at such a high level at his age (no offense dude!) is inspirational. Good times!
At the bottom of Caddy there was a 2 wheel drive pickup stuck in the ditch, on the wrong side of the barrier. Dumazz
 
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sir crashalot said:
The night before I was at first on the fence about making the time for today's Joplin loop instead of adulting. Glad I went for it. Epic. This kind of weather in May is almost unheard of. Previously I had only hit Joplin when it was sunny, dry and dusty. Today was misty and gloomy down in the canyon, trail was damp and even loamy in spots, felt like the PNW! Liked it much more and I rode it maybe a bit better than last time (except for the unrideable spots where big rocks washed into the trail).
I had a rough start, legs felt weak at first but felt much better later. Didnt sleep well the night before. Dave was absolutely on top of his game, climbing and descending, kicking my azz up and down the mountain. on one steep rocky chicane feature he did such a rad move. So good to see him bounce back from the health issues a while back, and riding at such a high level at his age (no offense dude!) is inspirational. Good times!
At the bottom of Caddy there was a 2 wheel drive pickup stuck in the ditch, on the wrong side of the barrier. Dumazz
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Thanks for the kind words @sir crashalot, I still say it's the bike :) You rebounded nicely and looked more comfortable on Joplin. It is certainly an acquired taste!
 
sir crashalot said:
Dave was absolutely on top of his game, climbing and descending, kicking my azz up and down the mountain. on one steep rocky chicane feature he did such a rad move. So good to see him bounce back from the health issues a while back, and riding at such a high level at his age (no offense dude!) is inspirational. Good times!
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That's freaking awesome to hear!!!! Sorry, Dave, even a GG will not clean the biz on Joplin without a worthy pilot. :thumbsup::geek: Stoked for ya, pal. Good on you Midweek Marauders...looks like you scored an incredible day!
 
Wow I have never seen it like that! Good riding KB.!

knucklebuster said:
Another awesome mid week adventure with @sir crashalot . Up Maple Springs, down Joplin and Cadillac. Weather was overcast up MS, turning to sun on and off at Saddleback. Then the descent into the clouds and wet bushes lining Joplin. I love these remote trails, and Joplin is a jewel just as it is, but not for everyone.

The turnout at the base of ModjeskaView attachment 52666

Joplin trailhead. Dry up top, gonna get wet with supertacky dirt down in the canyon
View attachment 52667

....except for a couple spots near the top where there was no dirt left. I guess drainage during the heavy rains washed it all away leaving this..
View attachment 52668

The filtered lighting and fog made it eerie down in the canyon, and a little hard to see at times
View attachment 52669

The usual Joplin loose-rocky stuff. I think the motos have laid off it, not as churned as last Nov. Besides those couple places it turned into a creek, the trailbed was darn good imo, even moist loam in places. Yeah a few short washed out spots, but with some sessioning was able to get the three tough spots down lower in the canyon. If the brush wasn't wet the overgrowth would not have been a problem. My feet and hands were chilled to the bone by Old Camp (53 degrees)
View attachment 52670

Face in the tree photo bomber at Old Camp. Talk about creepy...
View attachment 52671

Gary rolling into a steep loose pitch on Cadillac. The K-Rails at the bottom are mostly keeping the jeeps off it, it's kinda fun now if you like steep-loose-rutty stuff.
View attachment 52672
Click to expand...
 
On a quest for some new, less overgrown dirt, and inspired by @ndocpjf 's recent report I rode Sycamore Canyon for the first time today. Incredibly beautiful, perfect weather, and good solitude. Beauty aside, the riding was a little meh, other than the up and down on Backbone. Got gut punched by my bars when a rock stopped me dead in my tracks, and probably could have licked my front tire, but ultimately managed not to go completely ass over tea kettle. On my drive home I discovered that 5 ticks had hitched a ride on my legs. I'm probably not going to rush back out there, but it was a worthy excursion for sure. 19.08/2256.

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I did ride my bike today but this is more of an FYI for those who care. TnA has been manscaped top to bottom!:eek: I'm guessing Mike Hall got permission to take a weed wacker and go to town with it. And boy did he. I did my usual solo lapper; dartmoor, spur ridge, boat road to bommer and dropped into to TnA. I am one happy barney right now.:D The speed is coming back again (for my ability) and had a fun run down it this evening. Bike is running perfect right now except for the squealing brakes which I can't figure out. I put two new rotors and bedded them accordingly too:rolleyes:. Anways video is below which shows how much better the trail is now sans that pesky mustard. :cool: The video will be in HD just give it a minute if it isn't.

 
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tbarnesarc said:
I did ride my bike today but this is more of an FYI for those who care. TnA has been manscaped top to bottom!:eek: I'm guessing Mike Hall got permission to take a weed wacker and go to town with it. And boy did he. I did my usual solo lapper; dartmoor, spur ridge, boat road to bommer and dropped into to TnA. I am one happy barney right now.:D The speed is coming back again (for my ability) and had a fun run down it this evening. Bike is running perfect right except for the squealing brakes which I can't figure out. I put two new rotors and bedded them accordingly too:rolleyes:. Anways video is below which shows how much better the trail is now sans that pesky mustard. :cool: The video will be in HD just give it a minute if it isn't.

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Thanks for the video. Love your conversation with the guy hiking up.

If Mike was responsible for the brushing, kudos to him. Can I request Meadows next, then Rattlesnake?
 
tbarnesarc said:
I did ride my bike today but this is more of an FYI for those who care. TnA has been manscaped top to bottom!:eek: I'm guessing Mike Hall got permission to take a weed wacker and go to town with it. And boy did he. I did my usual solo lapper; dartmoor, spur ridge, boat road to bommer and dropped into to TnA. I am one happy barney right now.:D The speed is coming back again (for my ability) and had a fun run down it this evening. Bike is running perfect right except for the squealing brakes which I can't figure out. I put two new rotors and bedded them accordingly too:rolleyes:. Anways video is below which shows how much better the trail is now sans that pesky mustard. :cool: The video will be in HD just give it a minute if it isn't.

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That is good news. I rode it a couple of weeks ago and it sucked.

Let's hope they get to the other trails soon ... I dropped in on Old Emerald Falls today and it was a nightmare. It was like a jungle at the bottom and lots of helmet first head ducking on the descent.
 
LCWP tonight, temps were perfect . Old Emerald is currently a blast, i cant remember the trail in a better condition that i saw today. The bottom part of Emerald near the private neighborhood is a bit overgrown with a few spots of poison oak, so be careful there. The first bit has been cleared of mustard and was perfect :thumbsup:
 
SingleTrackJB said:
LCWP tonight, temps were perfect . Old Emerald is currently a blast, i cant remember the trail in a better condition that i saw today. The bottom part of Emerald near the private neighborhood is a bit overgrown with a few spots of poison oak, so be careful there. The first bit has been cleared of mustard and was perfect :thumbsup:
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How is Lizard's these days after all at the rains? What about Fenceline? Old Emerald and Lizards are always my favorite trails when in that area.
 
mtbfan said:
How is Lizard's these days after all at the rains? What about Fenceline? Old Emerald and Lizards are always my favorite trails when in that area.
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Lizard is in very good shape. The bottom part of the first section has still more exposed rocks than before (which I kinda like anyway), but that is about it. Think the trail is in great shape. What is also good is the fire road climb to your right once you exit Lizard to go back to Bommer Ridge. It has been smoothed out which makes for better (and safer) climbing. (Safer since the people that descend that fire road, while you are climbing, don’t have to make awkward maneuvers to avoid giant ruts o_O). :thumbsup:
 
Last two rides have been on the Verdugos and today’s ride was on the steel rig. I didn’t realize how much I have missed riding there and both rides were fabulous. A bonus today was a couple of reptile encounters I had. And hero dirt! The route was, loop from home, up Beaudry North, West on the Motorway, take a breather at the bench above Whiting Woods, and then blast down Whiting Woods back to civilization.

9.83 miles
1981’ gain

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Another ride without starting the car. We pedaled to Boca Reservoir, then across the dam, which is closed to vehicle traffic due to construction. From there, :40 of sublime forest road pedaling took us to the northern end of Lloyd's Loop, a black up/down "loop" off the main dirt road that held some high-quality Tahoe-area ST with emphasis on rough.

Lloyd's is not long, so we did it heading south then up a fire road and down the northbound goods. A few bikes out. This area is laced with OHV trails, so many of those were seen. Only a rare patch of snow on the ground. A great exploratory ride for future enchainments, and good fun as always hanging with the weez. For me nothing beats seeing her send the tricky stuff – and she does it well, lately.

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I did a quick last minute solo lapper. Rode like crap on the downhill though. Stupid notch got me on TnA:bang::rolleyes:. Since the weed wacking the trail is a bit looser now so it's caught me off guard a couple of times. Still great to turn some cranks though. My fitness is improving quite a bit each week. I wear a fitbit 24/7 so it's been interesting to watch my resting BPM go from high to mid 60s down to low 60s. The quick lap I usually do solo has my HR at about 72ish% in zone 2, 20% in zone 3 and am barely touching zone 4 (less than a 1%) at this point. Pretty stoked about that. :thumbsup: No video this time because I suck at riding. :gag:
 
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