Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Florida pics
Few pics of the time spent in Florida which was a well spent time.
Almost 200 miles and 20 hrs of riding trails with maybe 5 miles of pavement. And who ever says FL is flat, please slap him or her on the mouth. 7 days of riding, total acumulated elevation gain, 7200feet. May not sounf like much but there's a lot of small climbs that add up. San Felasco was one of the best trails we rode where I almost rode over this,
A beautiful diamond back...I hate snakes.
Visited tarpon Springs, the US sponge Bob capital of Florida but took no pics of sponges, you see one you've seen them all. I could not believe some of those sponges sold for over $200.00, should've taken a pic. instead I took a pic of this,
Hey, there's sponges on the boat, didn't even noticed.
We found the gnome while riding at Santos. In Florida you'll find gnomes hidden somewhere on the trail and the first one to find see yells and moves it to a different place where it can be found again. Look for Gnomes at Reagan, the new trail in Strongsville and Findley this summer.
The leaf on the velcro hung in there for days and I just left it there until it fell off.
Overall it was agreat week of riding with friends pushing each other to the max.
Now, back to reality and winter is back.
Almost 200 miles and 20 hrs of riding trails with maybe 5 miles of pavement. And who ever says FL is flat, please slap him or her on the mouth. 7 days of riding, total acumulated elevation gain, 7200feet. May not sounf like much but there's a lot of small climbs that add up. San Felasco was one of the best trails we rode where I almost rode over this,
Visited tarpon Springs, the US sponge Bob capital of Florida but took no pics of sponges, you see one you've seen them all. I could not believe some of those sponges sold for over $200.00, should've taken a pic. instead I took a pic of this,
Overall it was agreat week of riding with friends pushing each other to the max.
Now, back to reality and winter is back.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Santos
Traveled today about an hr north to Ocala to hit the trails at Santos. We opted to do the Land Bridge trail and not do the vortex area. The vortex is a series of small loops and some of them are quite technical. The land bridge is a bridge over I75 for hikers, bikers, horse back riders and animals to cross over the highway. Our ride today started mellow but at times the race was on. 84 degrees and for us northerners it makes us suffer this time of the year. Did manage to fall hard and I have the bruise on my head and hip to prove it. Somehow I hit a small lip on short drop and my front wheel slid from under me so fast I didn't even take my hands of the handlebar and hit the ground with my face and helmet. I had to stay down for a couple of minutes to gather myself.
On the way back it was more of the same, mellow pace and race mode for miles, flying through the woods like a runaway train. Lots of fun today, rest day tomorrow and back to San Felasco on Wednesday. So far 14+ hrs on the bike in 5 days.
On the way back it was more of the same, mellow pace and race mode for miles, flying through the woods like a runaway train. Lots of fun today, rest day tomorrow and back to San Felasco on Wednesday. So far 14+ hrs on the bike in 5 days.
Balm Boyette scrub preserve
Another beat down at balm boyette yesterday. We rode for 2 hrs and it felt like 4. This place is full of 25 feet drops and ups. You can carry your speed and watch for the corners or you'll fall into the abyss. One drop is called the "plunge" and it has to be at least a 25-30 foot drop straight down. At the other end is an equal up which drops you inches from the edge and if you don't turn fast enough you are going down the abyss. After we finished Ken said the 20 miles we rode felt harder that some races he' done and I agree.
Right now we are getting ready and leaving in about and hr for a 4-6 hr ride at Santos in Ocala. Later.
Right now we are getting ready and leaving in about and hr for a 4-6 hr ride at Santos in Ocala. Later.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Florida
Traveled to Florida last Wednesday for a week of riding with Chuck and spending the week at Ken's house. Ken,Karen and Ken's parents have been very gracious hosts. We are fortunate to have such good friends.
Wednesday night we stayed south of Georgia. We went out to get a subway sub, it was dark raining did I mentioned it rained from Cincinnati all the way down to Georgia. Anyways, I started to drive across the road and never saw a semi truck coming from the right and he slammed on the brakes and blew the horn. I kind of in shock and kept driving then I noticed the truck following us around the hotel parking lot, I never stopped and kept going and he kept chasing. We drove to a country road and he was still chasing, I had to flor it and drove into a small subdivision and finally lost him. Is not like I want to be plowed into by a semi, did I do it on purpose, NO. I could hardly eat my sub after that. We were looking out the window every half hr expecting my car windows to be smashed. Luckily, nothing else happened that night.
The next day we took off at 7 for a 4 hr drive to San Felasco preserve and ride before arriving at Kens. We rode for 1.5 on some real nice trails. On one of the trails I almost ran over a 5 foot long rattle snake. It was a heck of a scare.
Arrived at Ken got settled And immediately started planning Fridays recon ride at Croom. Met up with Ray on Friday and rode the short loop at Crom to losen up the legs. Croom is located in the withlacooche forest and the Swamp club has built 50 miles of trails that are fast and fun. The pit area has a lot of up and downs that hurt you after a while of hammering through the trails. Saturday we were up at 6 am, got ready and rode the couple of miles to the start and signed up. We were the first ones to take off and never saw anybody until we were on the last 5 miles and started passing the people that only rode the 35 miles. This is were the new bell I bought for the bike came in handy, ring the bell and let them know we were coming. We came up behind a slow rider and I kept ringing the bell and he would not move, finally I said "hey amigo, we want to pass" We passed him on a wide enough area and we still had to cut him off. Later Ken told me that when I asked him to move he said he was going fast enough, I was so glad I didn't hear him because I probably would have gone ballistic on him. You are not going fast guy, we caught you from behind and we did the 50, you are only doing the 35. After the ride we had a little bit of food there and rode back to Ken and had a great picnic, thanks Karen and Arlene for the food.
3 maybe 4 more days of riding and then is time to head back to cold Ohio and ride again bundled up.
Pics will be posted when I get back, I'm posting from an iPad and I haven't figured out how to download pics. More tomorrow from sunny and hot Florida.
Wednesday night we stayed south of Georgia. We went out to get a subway sub, it was dark raining did I mentioned it rained from Cincinnati all the way down to Georgia. Anyways, I started to drive across the road and never saw a semi truck coming from the right and he slammed on the brakes and blew the horn. I kind of in shock and kept driving then I noticed the truck following us around the hotel parking lot, I never stopped and kept going and he kept chasing. We drove to a country road and he was still chasing, I had to flor it and drove into a small subdivision and finally lost him. Is not like I want to be plowed into by a semi, did I do it on purpose, NO. I could hardly eat my sub after that. We were looking out the window every half hr expecting my car windows to be smashed. Luckily, nothing else happened that night.
The next day we took off at 7 for a 4 hr drive to San Felasco preserve and ride before arriving at Kens. We rode for 1.5 on some real nice trails. On one of the trails I almost ran over a 5 foot long rattle snake. It was a heck of a scare.
Arrived at Ken got settled And immediately started planning Fridays recon ride at Croom. Met up with Ray on Friday and rode the short loop at Crom to losen up the legs. Croom is located in the withlacooche forest and the Swamp club has built 50 miles of trails that are fast and fun. The pit area has a lot of up and downs that hurt you after a while of hammering through the trails. Saturday we were up at 6 am, got ready and rode the couple of miles to the start and signed up. We were the first ones to take off and never saw anybody until we were on the last 5 miles and started passing the people that only rode the 35 miles. This is were the new bell I bought for the bike came in handy, ring the bell and let them know we were coming. We came up behind a slow rider and I kept ringing the bell and he would not move, finally I said "hey amigo, we want to pass" We passed him on a wide enough area and we still had to cut him off. Later Ken told me that when I asked him to move he said he was going fast enough, I was so glad I didn't hear him because I probably would have gone ballistic on him. You are not going fast guy, we caught you from behind and we did the 50, you are only doing the 35. After the ride we had a little bit of food there and rode back to Ken and had a great picnic, thanks Karen and Arlene for the food.
3 maybe 4 more days of riding and then is time to head back to cold Ohio and ride again bundled up.
Pics will be posted when I get back, I'm posting from an iPad and I haven't figured out how to download pics. More tomorrow from sunny and hot Florida.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE
ABOUT HOW MANY ISLANDS MAKE UP FIJI?
A)13 B)30 C)300 D)3000
********************************************************************************************
Q: The Scottish scientist James Smithson whose bequest financed the start of the Smithsonian Institution
in Washington, D.C. (and his first building, still the institution hub) had this connection to the United Sates
a) He was born in pennsylvania b)his daughter married and american diplomat c)He was a frequent visitor and writer about travel in America d)None of the above
A)13 B)30 C)300 D)3000
********************************************************************************************
Q: The Scottish scientist James Smithson whose bequest financed the start of the Smithsonian Institution
in Washington, D.C. (and his first building, still the institution hub) had this connection to the United Sates
a) He was born in pennsylvania b)his daughter married and american diplomat c)He was a frequent visitor and writer about travel in America d)None of the above
Monday, January 23, 2012
liking it
Yest another post about how good the weather has been this winter. One day snow and 20's next day 40's and sunny. One day 4-6 inches of snow, two days later rain and meltdown, floods whatever.
It's been good for riding. Saturday in spite of the temps been in the mid 20's and a fresh 4-6 inches of snow on the ground, I headed out the door at 11am for a plannned 2 hr ride. It took me a half hr just to get dressed and before I jumped on the bike I was sweating. Heavy tights, 4 layers and a Hammer winter vest plus my backpack with extra gloves, clothes whatever. I always try to carry a backpack during winter rides, sometimes I'm 2 hrs from home and you never know...Many deer i the parks and they are fat since the snow melts as soon as it falls. ended up with 2:25
Saturday I went out for the short "two" hr loop to beres and Isaac lake. The path was plowed until I hit the Isaac lake loop. From there back to the parkway it was slow go but since it was fresh snow and not too many people had been out it was fairly easy riding through 4 inches of snow.
Sunday the "depends" gang headed to the Polo Fields from the Bedford reservation for a long ride. we started at 22 degrees and by the time we got back to the car it was 38 and sunny. We took River rd all the way to Old Mill rd and I nearly passed out at the top climbing on a single speed geared for the road with a 32/16. I made it all the way up and then we headed back to the Chagrin reservation on County line road. lots of climbing for a single speed but great workout nevertheless.
It's been good for riding. Saturday in spite of the temps been in the mid 20's and a fresh 4-6 inches of snow on the ground, I headed out the door at 11am for a plannned 2 hr ride. It took me a half hr just to get dressed and before I jumped on the bike I was sweating. Heavy tights, 4 layers and a Hammer winter vest plus my backpack with extra gloves, clothes whatever. I always try to carry a backpack during winter rides, sometimes I'm 2 hrs from home and you never know...Many deer i the parks and they are fat since the snow melts as soon as it falls. ended up with 2:25
Fresh tracks
The customary flat tire
Customary pee break
We were like a freaking rainbow of colors with me wearing a grees jersey and the white vest.
Probably the last weekend of long rides befeor heading down to Florida for a week of riding. we'll see what the weather brings next weekend. Ride time: 3:25 and 46 miles on a single speed 29er with mtb tires, lots of work but at the end it is worth the pain..mission acomplished.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Downhilling down under
This video comes from my friend in Australia.
The downhiller is the son of one of the owners of the company he works for, Haydn, not Hamish, right Darren.
*************************************************************************
I have been asking myself this question for a long time:
In the old days after you spent a "real good time" with your significant other, you finished roll over and smoke a cigarette.
These days, do you roll over and grab your smart phone?
The downhiller is the son of one of the owners of the company he works for, Haydn, not Hamish, right Darren.
*************************************************************************
I have been asking myself this question for a long time:
In the old days after you spent a "real good time" with your significant other, you finished roll over and smoke a cigarette.
These days, do you roll over and grab your smart phone?
Monday, January 16, 2012
Overdue
Long time no post, so Happy New Year.
So far it has been a good winter weather wise,(for us westsiders) I've been able to put in long hrs on the bike every Saturday and Sunday since the December but this last weekend. Saturday I had 3 spinning classes in a row and yesterday I opted for an easy hr trainer ride in the early morning. The afternooon was for watching football. I did gave it a thought about going out but the path was icy and I totally dislike riding the roads during winter, only when I really have to.
All my hrs so far have been on the SS and having fun. Do all the hard work Monday -Thursday on the rollers and trainer and, rides Sat, Sun. 2 1/2 weeks and I'll be in Fl. riding mtb's for a week, can't wait.
Globa inteligence comming later.
So far it has been a good winter weather wise,(for us westsiders) I've been able to put in long hrs on the bike every Saturday and Sunday since the December but this last weekend. Saturday I had 3 spinning classes in a row and yesterday I opted for an easy hr trainer ride in the early morning. The afternooon was for watching football. I did gave it a thought about going out but the path was icy and I totally dislike riding the roads during winter, only when I really have to.
All my hrs so far have been on the SS and having fun. Do all the hard work Monday -Thursday on the rollers and trainer and, rides Sat, Sun. 2 1/2 weeks and I'll be in Fl. riding mtb's for a week, can't wait.
Globa inteligence comming later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
