Mountain biking

[daveindelaware]

Morning works for me, me no likey the heat either. Although I am seeing the weather looks pretty decent (with the exception of maybe some rain), for the weekend.

Winter riding, thinking about it, since it gives me more riding time, and not too mention I would be able to do a little harder trail. Since I could see what is coming up ahead for the most part.

We'll have to play it by ear as far as the weather goes, closer to the weekend for a more accurate forecast.

The trails I ride on are openly visible (usually), so fully-covered trees aren't really an issue (It's more the terrain and elevation changes that get you). But there's something about riding in the winter, especially when it first starts to snow, that is quite beautiful and energizing. Granted, the ground is super hard, and with the colder air, it gives your lungs a workout. But it's all good. Not many people riding the trails then, either. LOL.

[Chase]

i got my bike, freshly stolen from my dad

[Bellicose]

Nice, now we just need to go hit some trails, hope you got a helmet....lol

[Chase]

i have to fix the rear wheel shifter, its not working, other then that it is good to go. i will get a helmet..

[daveindelaware]

A helmet? Psssh. They're overrated! It's not like you're going to be flying down dirt trails lined with trees and bumping over rocks and ... um, yeah. No wait... Uh....



There's a great bike store next to where I work in Centreville, and it's close to the trails I ride. It's called Garrison's Cyclery and I know the owner Rob. He's a great guy and knows his stuff.

I also like Dunbar's Cyclery and I got my and my kids' helmets there, as well as my wife's bike. They can hook you up, too.

[daveindelaware]

I just checked the weekend weather. Saturday morning looks much more promising (i.e. drier) than Sunday. Anyone up for some trail riding?

I probably won't have internet tomorrow at work so I'll check back here in the evening.

[Bellicose]

We have company coming over for a bit on Saturday, so it is more then likely a no go for me

[Robb]

Awesome videos Bellicose! Is that the GoPro Hero?

I have a Trek Hybrid but haven't ridden it in a few years. Would like to get back into it again.

[Bellicose]

Awesome videos Bellicose! Is that the GoPro Hero?

I have a Trek Hybrid but haven't ridden it in a few years. Would like to get back into it again.

I know it is a GoPro, not sure which one though since it's not mine....lol

I do remember my buddy telling em though that his BiL gave it to him, because his company was giving them out, for them to try. He said he ain't using it and it was the best out at the time. Think that was about a year and a half ago.

Thanks for the props!

Need to give it sometime, but I am feeling a Road Bike needs to happen....lol

[daveindelaware]

Well, if I'm able to drag myself out of bed early tomorow morning, I'll be hitting the trails. I'm planning on taking my camera along for some photography, and my GIS map to update my database on the trail area that I've been working on over the years. I'll post an update for everyone, that is, if anyone is interested.

[Bellicose]

Yeah Dave post it up man. Sorry but we have a few things to do, and with the company coming over, it all has to be done this morning. Since of the things is for the company. Dave I will get with you to go hit some of your trials.

[daveindelaware]

Yeah Dave post it up man. Sorry but we have a few things to do, and with the company coming over, it all has to be done this morning. Since of the things is for the company. Dave I will get with you to go hit some of your trials.

It's OK, we'll meet up some other time. I'm finally dragging my butt out of bed anyway. I'll post up some pix after I'm back.

[daveindelaware]

Well, I'm back from the trail ride, and it sounds like not a moment too soon. I cut my biking short because I was tired, and by the time I got onto I-95 south, it started raining. It's overcast and I think I can hear some thunder.

BUT, it was a good ride. I took my time, stopped often and took some pictures, even enjoyed nature for a little while in the middle of a babbling brook.

I'll post up some pix soon.

[daveindelaware]

OK, as promised, here are some pix and details of my ride.

I biked a total of 3.88 miles. It might not sound like much, but when you consider it was my first bike ride for 2011 (yeah, sad isn't it?), and much of it was over some tough terrain (loose gravel, huge rocks and roots across the trail, a few water "elements" to cross, etc), and most importantly, it ranged from a high point of 410 ft to a low point of 241 ft (a vertical elevation change of 169 feet), I think I did OK.

I did stop often to take some photos, and I did some recon/investigation for some data to be added to my GIS database of the area, and I found some errors in my trail path "assumptions" earlier.

But in any case, here are some pix:

After a brief ride through a cornfield, here's the trail as it enters the woods


The second "water element" along the way (it might look easy, but the rocky bottom makes it difficult to just ride across)


The trail coming back from Arc Boundary Monument 16


A little farther down the hill


Arc Boundary Monument 15-1/2 (yes, it's right next to the trail)


A fork in the "road" (I went right)


This trail area has a little bit of everything, including ruins! My guess is this was a small homestead for a previous land owner


Approaching another Arc Boundary Monument


Arc Boundary Monument 15. Each side of the gneiss monument has something etched into it. This "side" shows the "D" (for Delaware) on the South side, and "1892" (when it was erected during the survey) on the East side. The North Side has a "P" on it, and the West side has "15" for the Boundary Monument mileage


A little bit west of the Monument and turned around to show where I came from (left) and where I'm going (right)


Yet another "water element" which was deeper than the one before. I carried my bike across the rocks to the right


Not long after the water crossing, I reached a 180 turn and a climb! It was a large vertical elevation gain, plus loose gravel, rocks, and tree roots to make traction next to impossible. But I did it!


Finally at the top of the hill (in the middle of a field), looking towards the next leg of the ride


About this time I noticed it was looking like rain soon, so I went a little farther to visit some old friends. They were more interested in eating, but that's OK. It's what they do. (and yes, the trails go right past a few horse farms)







So, that concludes this trail ride report. LOL. I hope you enjoyed it.

If anyone is interested in GIS or mapping, I have the entire area georeferenced in CAD software as a database, complete with 2010 aerial photography, contours, and other GIS vector layers (roads, streams, etc). The trails are drawn from personal experience either riding or hiking, and include the true geodetic distance traveled.

Also, if anyone knows anything about the curved border between PA and DE (the arc), you'll know exactly where I was riding based on the monument numbers.

Hopefully I'll have some company on my next ride!

[NormH3]

Great Pics..thanks for sharing.

[Bellicose]

Nice Dave, like it! Hopefully next time you will have some company.

[Bellicose]

Well went out riding today, went to Wissahickon with my buddy, and met some of his Ski forum buddies there. One of them lives minutes from there, the other this was his second time there, since he is from Allentown. Was our first, definitely good to go with someone who knew there stuff there. Once again I fell, Head over Bars trick-CHECK. Landed on a rock with my upper right thigh. Hit arm pretty good too, wrist hurts a little. Bike is good, all I seen after I hit was the bike coming, and thought this is going to hurt. Ended up landing upside down in the middle of the trail, wheels spinning, never touched me. Seat bracket was a little messed up, but after noticing it leaning back, and keep putting it back right. Decided to try and tighten the allen nut, worked, and all is good now! (First time using the tool on the trails, glad I had it)

Going downhill on slippery rocks=not fun. Kept using the brakes as much as possible without scrubbing too much speed. From what I hear looks like my tire slipped off a rock and I just squeezed the front brake, then over I went. Was told it all happened in slow mo, not for me it didn't. Place is sick, but I think I am done with there for a month or so...lol Want to get better at my climbing before I go back. I was sucking wind on them so much, and it seemed that is all there was. Not to mention after the fall leg was hurting and I was mentally not into it. Trucked it through though, for another 5 miles or so.

Oh and what really sucks about the fall, NO VIDEO! Damn that would of been great on film....lol

Me showing some leg, wonder what it will turn into?

[daveindelaware]

"My" trails have great climbing practice (= elevation gain) if you'd like to get together next weekend (and it doesn't rain).

[Bellicose]

"My" trails have great climbing practice (= elevation gain) if you'd like to get together next weekend (and it doesn't rain).

I will have to let you know Dave, definitely would not mind. Just need to make sure the banged up leg will be able to handle it. Get back to me later in the week, and I will definitely let you know.

[daveindelaware]

Will do, no problem. I'm not sure which day it would be yet. I might be running in a 5K race on Saturday morning, but I'm not 100% sure yet.