Jefferson County Trail - December

Thursday MTB Ride Notes (last Thursday):
Overall the loop trail was easily passable, little to no snow. The snow is worst in the wooded spots, which seems strange because these are usually have the least snow. JC Park is in similar condition, quite passable. The main problem is the pedestrian pack-down (rhymes with Friday Night Smack-Down). It makes for a rougher ride, but it's not bad right now, because there is very little snow on the ground (except for 2 or 3 drifts on the Northern ridgeline of the loop trail).

As an aside, I'd like to say I'm impressed with the amount of pedestrian traffic that has passed over several quite cold days. The loop trail and JC Park are very popular and well used.

A loop trail bonus is the Southern cross (Lambson wood to cedar view trail, paralleling the 34 by-pass). Almost no difference from normal. Pristine and fast, negligible snow, excellent traction.
Southern Cross Hint -- if it's seriously cold, then just take the direction which gives you a tail wind; you'll stay quite warm and get 3 primo hills. Five stars.


Ride Safe!

Sam

On the road.

If you have a flat...


...it may as well be with a view like this.

Lake Hodges, Del Dios Highway, North County San Diego. This evening at twilight.

Training for Mt. Palomar, pray for me.

Bob D.

Graber, Thule or Yakima?

Amish Services

One of the many sites that we see while biking. Out of respect for the Amish, we have not photographed them personally. Rather their accoutrement s.

Photo by A.M.

Wheels of Fire

Satire, thy name is Wheels of Fire

Feist Double Century 2010

175 miles of headwind and only 3 hours of rain. A perfect day.


"The Angel of Mercy" Sandy came out and brought much appreciated
supplies and moral support to our struggling effort. Tom joined us in
Stockport to assure we didn't fall over pedaling home, and Dania drove
out to document the event with film. 23 hours total, possibly a new
record, and 24 is the legal limit. Thank you all for your support, and
I wish you all could have seen the parade they had waiting at
Bushnell.

Let's ride,
Jeff

Tour de Cure

I rode the Tour de Cure century in Cedar Rapids on Saturday. About two dozen of us left at 6 AM from Prairie High School, near the airport. (Hundreds left later on shorter routes.) Trees were bent sideways it was so windy, which made the rain like needles. I quickly fell into my rightful place in the group, dead last, falling backward, and marveling that the first 10 miles felt like 50. By the 25 mile rest stop the weather had relented however and bit by bit turned into 100 degree plus temps. The course was a big rectangle going west past Belle Plaine, then north 12 miles or so, and then back east and finally south to the beginning point. Gorgeous countryside, lots of big hills, two 25 mile stretches with nothing close to a town. Adding an additional 2 water bottle holder last week (giving me 4 bottles) went from what seemed to be water overkill to godsend in a very short time. I settled into a comfy pace and passed a number of the early “leaders” splayed out at the later rest stops. So when it was all done I got some tortoise and the hare satisfaction and represented Fairfield pretty well. But mega kudos of course to the real heroes of the weekend – the doublecentury gang.

Bob

The Tao of Feist

"If your repairs are insurmountable, detach and hold your front wheel aloft. A motorist will recognize your plight."