Mountain Biking 2018

[Ken_R]

I did the Deer Creek->Black Bear->Hildebrand loop again today but this time counter-clockwise. Its still very tough but IMHO more enjoyable this way.

Here is one of the more spicy parts. I descended it last time but today going up it it looked even nastier. No way I could climb it. Trail conditions were quite good.

 

[luliski]

^Hard to even see where the trail is!

 

[AmyPJ]

There's a trail there?!

 

[Ken_R]

^Hard to even see where the trail is!

I know! Crazy. This whole section ends abruptly on a tight switchback behind me and the other ramp is no picnic either. Little margin for error. Going down hill I rode most of it but going up I had to walk quite a bit. Its worth going though there are some flowy parts below.

Of note are the MANY deep ruts on all trails. This is typical after the rains in the front range. I had to jump over a few. Definitely one has to be vigilant even in areas one rides frequently since they have changed during the past few weeks.

 

[luliski]

I know! Crazy. This whole section ends abruptly on a tight switchback behind me and the other ramp is no picnic either. Little margin for error. Going down hill I rode most of it but going up I had to walk quite a bit. Its worth going though there are some flowy parts below.

Of note are the MANY deep ruts on all trails. This is typical after the rains in the front range. I had to jump over a few. Definitely one has to be vigilant even in areas one rides frequently since they have changed during the past few weeks.

So are the ruts going across the trail (you had to jump)? I hate to get stuck in a rut, the ones that run along the trail.

 

[Ken_R]

So are the ruts going across the trail (you had to jump)? I hate to get stuck in a rut, the ones that run along the trail.

Most were along the trail but a few were across.

 

[Ken_R]

Here are few of the more spicy parts of black bear trail.

 

[AmyPJ]

Oh HELL no!

 

[Doug Briggs]

I had a fun day yesterday exploring my own back yard, so to speak.

I started off in Breck with my bike loaded on my truck and drove over Boreas Pass.

Somewhere in the background between the trees in the middle you'll see the makings of someone's wedding. It was a beautiful day and they looked north and west towards Breck and beyond.

I love it when the high meadows change color. This is south up towards Boreas Pass.

Looking north from Boreas Pass.

Along the way to Como.

Looking south.

This is the beginning of my exploratory ride. An old Fire Road that was marked non-motorized vehicles only. I think I was the first one to go up the trail in a while. My goal was the CT as I plan to do a circumnavigation of Guyot next weekend and wanted to know how to connect the south end of the French Pass Trail to the CT.

I saw this sign a ways in. Not trace of use of this trail.

Further along I had to cross this stream.

This is the condition of the trail I was on. I did have to deal with some deadfall across the trail, but it was easy to get around.

After some truly remarkable riding with just pine cones and other dead stuff along the trail I came to this sign. Success.

As I had made it to the CT without much delay, I rode up to the divide and back down and retraced my route back to the Michigan Road.

Summit County from the CT at Georgia Pass. Keystone is in the distance.

Guyot.

The sign marking the trail back to Michigan Road. Who can spot the trail?

Back at Georgia Pass, but this time with the Tacoma.

CR 555 is a bear of a drive. I'm glad I was going down it, not up. It was creepy crawly the entire way. Do NOT drive jeep roads with your bike on a rack. My rack nearly gave out; it turns out it had just worked the bolts loose, but if I hadn't been paying attention, my bike might have been toast. The 5010c rode in the back seat after I realised the shortcomings of the rack on the road.

 

[Monique]

@Doug Briggs I'm hoping to be in Breck this weekend - how's Aspen Alley looking? Are the aspen turning there?

 

[Doug Briggs]

@Doug Briggs I'm hoping to be in Breck this weekend - how's Aspen Alley looking? Are the aspen turning there?

The area at the gate/parking area was in nearly full fall foliage. If it doesn't blow or rain too much, it'll still be pretty but that's optimistic. Areas are changing in small bits and pieces. This is French Gulch from Sidedoor. As you can see some areas are 100%, others are 0%. It's hard to predict what will be green, turning or gone just be elevation and aspect.

 

[Doug Briggs]

I volunteered to help with some trail building on Saturday. The Town of Breckenridge always provides swag, coffee and treats at the meet up place. They had those eggplant shaped grapes as they were trying to have a different grape for each volunteer session along with this '10 in 1 Credit Card Mutlitool'. I wouldn't have grabbed it except they said take one of everything. I think they are trying to reduce their inventory for the end of season.

Who (without using Google) can tell me what number 9 is:

This is one of the things we accomplished.

One sign post with signs installed. The road going ahead leads to the new Sisters Cabin (http://www.realestateofthesummit.com/sisters-cabin/) The trail behind connects with the roads above the Iowa Mill and the cable line. Most of the rest of the work was just trimming back the back slope of the trail. Others realigned a section to be more bike friendly. I thought the trail was a done deal when I rode it last week, but the TOB trail crew is nothing if not meticulous. This weekend there will be a huge force of Vail employees helping to build the Backdoor trail which is an alternate route past the middle (straight and steep) section of Sidedoor.

 

[AmyPJ]

MTB is a dirty sport, especially when it hasn't rained for months.

Rode with the man, the myth, the legend, the inventor of skiing AND mountain biking-- @4ster yesterday. Did a GREAT loop at Powder Mountain that included a freshly cut trail that he thinks should be named "Magic Bus" which @utskier concurs with. I'll let him tell you the story, but it actually does involve a bus up on the mountain.
Anyway, almost 16 miles and what a hoot! Minus the dust and pancake flour. A freshly cut trail in dry conditions is a bit of a mess. Here I am with a gaggle of ski instructors. Good times! @4ster has better pictures, I think.

 

[4ster]

I think I was talking too much & having too much fun to get many pictures, just these two group shots.

I was really pleased with the route we took and thought it connected things together really well in that direction. Looking forward to a repeat. Also looking forward to ride with this group again. There is a high school race at powder Mountain on Saturday coming up along with Xterra in Wheeler Canyon and snowbasin. Have you guys been on the new trails up in North fork park?

Some good colors up on sardine & overlook today.

 

[AmyPJ]

LOL Chatty Kathy! Hey, it keeps the pace tolerable, which I need, because I don't know how to go slow! They are a fun group to ride with, aren't they?
Haven't ridden North Fork, think it's only about 3 miles. So, Basin is closed for Xterra and PM for races? Lame.
Park City?? I'm on mom duty, so that could be tough. Kamas would also be fun.

 

[nay]

My new bike has succeeded in fun shaming mr. take a gap year and work at Discount Tire grumpy pants into a serious bike upgrade.

He found a 2015 Trance, 1x10 xo drivetrain, with a Pike fork upgrade and recently installed dropper post in great condition on CL for $1,500, and the guy gave him back $100 when he realized I wasn’t the one paying. That’s pretty cool.

I haven’t been riding my upper local loop recently and like much of my home mountain where the trails serve as drainage and get little maintenance, it’s gotten quite a bit gnarlier. Always fun riding this way uphill, but the downhill is money, Stoopid from the top.

I also had to do trail repairs, had my shades on my lap and leaned forward and...snap. Apparently I haven’t shed the ‘rides but also drinks beer’ weight yet.

 

[Monique]

Who (without using Google) can tell me what number 9 is:

WAG: something related to a compass?

 

[Doug Briggs]

WAG: something related to a compass?

That's a great guess.

10 IN 1 CREDIT CARD MULTITOOL

For those of you who have never heard of a directional ancillary indicator, it is a simple tool, used mainly in the outdoors, that helps you tell direction. Place your multi-tool onto a flat surface, and add a few drops of water into the centre of the indicator. Then, rub a paper clip or other small metal object through your hair (or against a magnet) and place the now magnetised metal object onto the water. It should slowly begin to align north and south, just like a compass!

 

[Monique]

That's a great guess.

10 IN 1 CREDIT CARD MULTITOOL

​

Well, it looked sort of like a compass, and the word "directional" was a hint ... that's really cool!

 

[Crank]

Having fun here in Moab tis week. Been tryin gto beat the heat but riding higher elevations trails and yesterday we cooled off with a kayaking trip on the Colorado River.

Here are some pics from riding Dead Horse Point state park trails. Mostly easy to easy intermediate with spectacular views and lots of fun. Bonus was the post ride vanilla soft serve.

My best cheesy grin.

Robin having fun.

Fiery Furnace, Arches National Park.

More to come...