Now I can go watch Rampage

That favorite time of year rolls around once a year, the event of Rampage. I attended two of them some years back and I love to watch the show so I had notified my lady I was going to be into it for the afternoon. Leading up to it I was rooting for Storch and Zink, their runs didn't quite pan out and holy smokes was it a good show. Oh yea, my ride was fine and dandy. I got to watch 1/2 the show and then some broadcasting issues arose. I got back home and got to finish it, I went nuts after watchin Lacondeguys first run, I quickly forgot how many years I use to root for him but the last two years he just seemed a bit off his rampage game. But this year wow, he was on. So to wrap up my favorite, definitely both Lacondeguys runs, Strait was great to see him go wild, I think Rheeders run outshined Semenuks but overall good show!

Busy Busy

Looking for something different I went up Usery Mountain and reluctantly expected a busy foot traffic on the DH, surprisingly I think I came acros only a few people at the tip top. Once I got down the moutain though that was a different story. It was fine of a ride but I think I will visit less frequent.

Hiker Trains

I have been bumping into alot more hikers on teh trail lately, this weekday morning came with a pretty big group, they're pleasant and I just scoot by, hope those winter visitors enjoy our desert escape I woud love t trade them to spend their summers where they live.

Back to flowing

As stated above, backt o flowing on les chunk. With the 22T back on the drivetrain was butter again and luckily no wheel repairs were in my future. My inlaws were flying out that morning and all was normal for the most part, still had my mind on other trails but blessed to be riding.

Mountain Monday

Ok so on Monday I had the bright idea to ride Nation from end to end, I have done this once before and it was rad for sure. So I headed up National from the lot and was missing Mormon but had my mind set on all of national and then my chain popped off. I put on my 32t cog and something with the drivetrain was not pleased after that, it had a cyclic noise and feeling on every revolution after that. I wasn't sure if I would follow thru with my plan and as I was getting texts from my wife I quickly began to realize my poor choice. I continued on knowing I was likely to bail at Telegraph pass and return via 3 different routes. So I got up National quite nicely but was missing the Mormon section. When I hit the lot I kept on climbing National not really remembering it was nice from there for a bit, then technical on and off as the towers grew closer. Then the chain came off agan..... Wishing I would lower the post I still rode some ridiculous stuff on my way to Telegraph. Once I got sight of the pass I fully enjoyed that last stretch. So from here I had Ranger, Kiwanis or telegraph to Desert Classic. Kiwanis and Ranger I have never rode and was hopeuful as I made that my choice. Kiwanis was terrible, what a bad idea, I got down it fine but it was one of the worst loss of elevation trails I have ever had to descend with lots of hopping off the bike. Made my way down the mountain on a few other trails and was anxious for pavement to start making my way back after a tough ride. I made my way to the canal and was very excited to be heading home. I had the bright idea of hopping back on the trail at the Beverly Canyon trailhead and then my chain would pop off both cogs and now I was wodnering if my drivetrain was going to make it, that never happened. It was pavement to the car on streets I have never been and worried about if my hub was limping or what was going on I was at the car and heading home.

Always choose the right

A normal week of rides, I hit 3,000 miles by the way! It was Hawes for Friday and inlaws coming in at 5pm for Landon's birthday. This fork in the road at Hawes is always to the right, it's harder and love it, decided to take a picture of it. Bring on the weekend, more cake and good meals.

Predicatble

mannnn I need and so predicatble, I got to push hard to try to get out of town...... I am missing them trees and stuff. Happy to ride I really am but wearing out the trails but I will happily coninue to do so :)

To da ridge

Back to Hawes and was considering mixing it up and wanted to drop into Twisted Sister, I cleaned the climb real easily up to it, I was really surprised since I normally walk a short section and didn't even notice I never stopped and that was a nice surprise, not that it;s hard or technical, just a hard push on one gear. I opted to the ridge since I was not feeling the options once I got to the end of Twisted Sister. Ridge did not disapoint, te rest was easy peezy.

All over the place

The mind sure was cluttered with stuff Tuesdays ride, mostly dumb stuff but I guess my dumb stuff. I put on some metal to try to clear it out, it's been awhile, but found the negative spirit to still reside. The ride was good and when I was heading home I finally began to feel alot better!

Monday

I hit the pavement Monday morning though the La Sendas neighborhood to get to the dirt, I sure wish I had a home in those hills, blessed to have my current living space in Gibert but man some yard would be nice. Soooo pretty standard start to the week, riding to ride and thinking about riding elsewhere.

Last squeeze

Well Landon goes back to school Tuesday so this was going to be another gift as the ride was up in the air, when I got to the go ahead I happily ran out the door smiling and returned home doing the same.

Moon Set Birthday ride

The other monring I caught the glowing orange moon on the horizon, this morning I was out even earlier, charged on little sleep but birthday dinner and cake I was into the night so I wouldn't have to ask LuAnn to watch Landon. I was bugged to be not in Prescott but I never said a word and was content on any ride and dinner plans. 35 years old now and all is going well.

Wind vs wagon wheels

Friday morning came in with soem fierce winds, I heard the howl of the bike on the highway and when I hit the trail it was confirmed, a burtal head wind that always seeme to be heading right at me 90% of the ride. I charged on ofcourse with nothing left to do but pedal. My birthday is timorrow and I wish I was heading out of town but for now I will take my tires to the dirt and squeeze in another morning mandatory ride.

GoodMorning

THis ride put the good in good morning. Hit the spot and was nice to beat the heat and sun.

Snakes and friggin turtles

Tuesday and I was off the hook and heading for Gold Canyon, I knew I was tempting snake time but despiration had me heading for the Golds. It was peachy and a bit too warm for my liking but I was feeling good and had a loop in mind. About halfway thru I came upon a tortoise in the middle of the trail, cute litle guy didn't want to say hello but luckily he coudln't run off so I got a few pics and off I went. Shortly after teh infamous snake with diamonds on his back.... he was pissed but anxious to get off the path and I was not thrilled either. The rest of the ride was snake free, I think I might give it another month before I get back sicne apparently it's still friggin summer here in AZ.

Monday squeeze

Monday I hit the trail running as you know I do. The kiddo still had off so luckily when LuAnn got home she bailed me off child duty and I got a go on the trials. The last two mondays have been sweet since they might have been no ride days, and when they turned into ride days on a time crunch it stirs the pot and riding in the middle of the day so change is welcomed. I took as much time as I could bit off without getting into too much trouble.

Goody Goodness

Feeling lively and strong, closed out another toasty week in AZ, hope next week bringes cooler temperatures :)

Yes Please

Thursday servig of dirt was scrumptious!

Second Spring....

As the title states, its warm, the flowers are back, the trees are green, life in the desert in October as despiration for cooler temperatures are somewhat coming, not soon enough though.

Nice

Nice and peazy, not much to this one, another day too warm out there though, come on fall!

Monday Gnarny Gnar

Soooo I have had South Mountain on my mind for awhile, I was finally feeling up to the task Sunday so put on the 22 tooth gear and to South Mountain I went on Monday. As I got to pedaling I could feel the cozy differece of 20t vs 22t cog, it was nice and sure was going to make the climb so much easier. I rehashed some good memories on this trail, form my very first ride in AZ to a few memorable ones. I was undecided to do National all the way out and back or loop in Corona De Loma and Desert Classic. I somehow ended up with the Cornoa loop option. I knew I had some techincal work ahead of me but felt up to it. It was a rude awakening at times as I crawled down Corona carefully, this is a rare ride for poeple to do on a trail bike let alone a rigid so it always feels good to get down it. Had a few sketchy moments for sure as the trail always changes over time but I cleaned it nicely and it was a great ride back on cozy desert classic. Now when will I be back?

Night Owl

A missed ride Thursday, and a baaaaad nights sleep had me out Saturday morning, nice in a way to be back in the dark, made things different, saw an owl, only ever seen one other one here in AZ, handsome fella, sorry about the light.

Delicious

Grip and rip!

Excellent Mellow

Standard Hawes, nothing wild, puddles all dried up, stream still running deep.

Humid and good

Went out to Usery to shred, little to no damage there other than cholla debris EVERYWHERE! My poor tires and sealant being put to the max test for sure. New rear tire held up and all is well, good ride on great dirt.

Weather rolls in

We have had a very very dry summer, ventually moisture was due to move in, it rained an absolute ton Monday morning and was done by 7am which was right about perefect. I looked forward to grippy conditions and whenI was rolling in I was greeted with DEEP puddles, low hanging branches and a familiar feeling of CT riding with humidity and wet trees. The sky was very dark ahead, but trails were dry and mudless as usual. The further I got in the more I could see how much the trails was altered from the heavy rains. Did not affect me though as I happily rolled in enjoying smells and sights of change. Stumbled across a horsey, sure was beautiful. Ran aross a pack of Javalinas and a deep stream crossing and the rear tire went flat. Overdue for a new tire and sealant, luckily a tube held enough air to make it back to the car. Tubes are usually pointless since there are so mnay thorns in the tires one never stays with air, but this time it was enough.