Wed 5/28

Wednesday night rides have been sparsely attended. But that changed as we had Erik L, Pontzer, Chris, Bob Rad(rad bob), Big Mike, Matt D., and an old timer named Art who reminded me of Earnest Hemingway! 2 regulars - Kberg and Nick were absent as well as Erik (the younger). The route was 3 bridges, Lonberger, Tus-ex-dos, Ridge, Tap, then down Camp.

Many Bridges to Cross...
Breaking the Law, Breaking the Law...
Cuts like a Knife... (Matt's Leg...impressed the LADIES!)All Together Now!
Hemingway!

Memorial Day Weekend

Vista at Black Mo...Yoda and I hit Black Mo on Sunday. We were sprayed 3 times by the Gypsy Moth Plane - mmm, tasty! Then we hit the Vista section which I had never ridden. Then explored a new bit of trail around Moosehead land. Then an out and back on the AFT to the top to hill. We ended with my favorite trail - Short. It is the best downhill in the forest. In typical non-maintanence HO fashion, I had a ripped sidewall so I just did 3+ hours with this setup!Saturday I missed the Century Ride so I did the 'metric' ride. It was a beautiful day - perfect for riding. I didn't really want to stop, but the thoughts of a cold refreshing barley based beverage helped the transition.

Camba at Blue Knob

Trainwreck & some other Ohioians tasted the sweet ascents of Blue Knob! I rode with them on Saturday and hung out afterwards. They had a large group with several different ride options. Our group was pretty good and we hit the sweetest of sweet trails on the park side. Trainwreck made me the BEST camp expresso ever - you gotta love him!

The Group!
The Leader!The Ride.........................WTF!!!
The whole Rail Yard! (Trainwreck, Esther, Son of Trainwreck)

Spring Summary

Sh*t I need to keep on this!!!

Well here's a summary of the past 2 months...

PSU upsets Indiana!

Unhappy Fan...

Hiking Croyle

Dogs love cleared trails (so do bikers!)

Clinton at Rec Hall...well the line for it anyway

6 stitches, but one fine 'stitcher' (thanks Dr. Annie!)

'BenchCut' Frank's Brush Ridge Re-route

Jim is happy because he has the loppers (always take the loppers!!!)

Raystown Trails Workday #1

Dad's Flowers

Lhorba Spring Meeting

March comes in like a roadie...

I cut out of work early Monday to take advantage of the glorious day and 50 degree temps. I started off down 220 then turned at Bald Eagle to climb 'Buffalo Hill'. From there I followed mountain road and dropped Reese Hollow back to 220. So some flats, a few rollers, a few climbs, some dirt roads, and a nasty downhill. Sweet summer can't get here soon enough!
Your reward for the 3 climbs that make up Buffalo Hill (yes those are buffalo!)
At the bottom of Reese Hollow (intersection with 220). A beautiful day to ride.

More Skiing

Quick ski at Scotia with Pontzer on Saturday (below) as I was tired from all that shoveling!

Sunday the dog and I did an epic ski in Rothrock. We checked out the 'Ridge' (Tussey Mtn Trail after the intersection with Kettle) a classic mtn bike trail.

Later we met Pontzer again and skied up North Bear Meadows to the overlook of Bear Meadows Natural Area - awesome!

Will Snow, Have Shovel

Port got 6+ inches of snow friday into saturday so I had to dig out - again. A few years back I started shoveling my football field length driveway for exercise. I tell people about it but they think I'm full of it. Anyway here are my driveway pics:
Ebby looking at the idiot who just started shoveling. I'm heading straight then a bend to the right after the hill.
Yeah, I'm halfway with the first pass (tire tracks only). Later on I'll get the middle and widen it! Unfortunately my next pic didn't turn out so you don't get to see the finished product. Come see it in person and...bring a shovel.

Have Skiis, Will Ski

Saturday I broke tracks on the fresh 3 inches on the MosseHanna & AFT. The snow was the best all season. Light, slippery, fast! My pooooooor dog! I had her whupped in 30 minutes. She wasn't enjoying the deep snow. It was probably like running in loose sand. I slowed up for the rest of way and enjoyed scenery like this.Sunday I was tired so the dog and I were a good match. I headed up the AFT and followed a jeep trail to Underwood. It was uphill the whole way, but downhill on the way back. What a beautiful day! My lab finally cooperated and gave me a classic 'paw up' pose.

The snow in the late afternoon was soft and wet. Fortunately the tracks from previous trail users helped the skiing. I even ran into a couple on snow shoes. I don't think I have ever seen anyone do that in PA. Their tracks are huge - like you're following Big Foot! You can see the tracks to the right of Ebby, who is running full bore at me. A big black furball with a long red waging tongue!

Shoulder woes

I hurt my shoulder in December. It has gotten worse. Riding rigid was not a good idea. I am a fool. I am worried my shoulder will keep me from mtn biking. It has been a month off the bike and I miss it. Next Thursday I see Doc Severn again. I am worried. Heal Shoulder Heal. Pray for my Labrum.

XC skiing at Black Mo

I'm really fortunate to be so close to Black Mo. It allows me to easily get some skiing in. The dog loves to go. Black Mo is so peaceful - it is like the poem by Robert Frost. The trails are mostly ski friendly and the fireroads are awesome for gliding. You can often skate them after the snowmobiles get them packed down. Here is Ebby by the intersection of the AFT & Moss Hanna.

First Road Ride of the Season

Jan 8, 2008. Temps soar into the 60's. I take a half day off work and get the Black Steed gussied up and ready to ride. I start from my place outside Port Matilda and ride in to Wheelworks - 16 miles. After a quick route verification from Harry I'm off on my way home which will be slightly longer. I am happy!

I am lord of road. I am free. All is right in the world. It is only me, my bike, and the road. A perfect day to ride! Look at this....

A mile later I take a right into a tremendous headwind that saps my strength. I had forgotten a snack and now I feel myself fading on some rollers. Worse than that, it is getting dark and I have to pick up the pace. Did I mention I have to climb back over the mountain to Port? I crest the climb to catch the last minute of daylight. Goodbye, Sun! Fortunately there is no traffic in my direction on 220 and I make it home just as dusk fades. First ride + alive= Good Ride.

New Years Ride

We braved the cold temps to ride Toftrees on New Years Day. Recognize anyone in this pic?

Here is Jean-Luc and Harry all bundled up!

It was cold but fun. I hadn't ridden around Toftrees in years and there was a lot of stuff I had never ridden before - sweet!

Project 69er

What happens when you put a 29 in fork and front wheel on a 26 inch frame? If you're Chris Eatough you get a bunch of wins and an endurance championship. The rest of us get some funky geometry but a ride that is near perfect for the tough conditions of Pee-AYYY! Here's my fully rigid Titus. It was dissed as HO's Deathtrap but I am really impressed with it. The geometry is a little off for steep climbs but it turns better with the 29 in wheel. The big wheel also gobbles up rough terrain (and I like it rough). It accelerates better and seems a little more nimble than my Gary Fisher. I think I can fix the exaggerated head tube height with a 26 in fork that can handle a 29 wheel. But I'm definitely keeping this baby fully rigid. A possible 1 x 9. Later in the Spring I'm hoping to convert a Fuel to a full squish 69er. Stay tuned...