Distance: 10
Notes: Late start this morning. I almost didn't go, but decided I needed some exercise.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Road Ride
Distance: 23
Notes: Rode the bike trail down to 23rd Ave, just east of I-17 and MetroCenter. Felt good. Swam a few laps in the pool when I got home.
Notes: Rode the bike trail down to 23rd Ave, just east of I-17 and MetroCenter. Felt good. Swam a few laps in the pool when I got home.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Thunderbird Park (Unintentionally)
Distance: 5
Notes: So this morning I set out to ride Trail 100. It's been a long time since I've ridden there and even longer since I rode west of Dreamy Draw. I decided I would start from the 7th Street Trailhead since it was the closest. I had a flat on the front from my last ride at FINS, but I planned on changing it at the trailhead before I began. The drive is only about 20 minutes, but it was a little longer with traffic. I was almost to the trailhead when I realized I left my backpack at home. I had filled the bladder the night before and store it in the fridge to keep it cool. Unfortunately out-of-sight means out-of-mind and I left this morning without it. I packed two extra tubes, both of which were in my backpack. When I got to the trailhead I double checked by duffle bag, but alas, no tubes there. I tried the tire and it was still leaking air quickly. Frustrated, I got back in the car, hoping there was a Target or Walmart near by to buy a new tube. I drove a couple of miles and found a Target, but Target is not open at 7 am. Then I saw a Fry's nearby. I thought they might have a tube since the Fry's by our house carries some bike stuff. But as I prepared to turn into the parking lot I realized that I didn't have my wallet either. So now I'm even more frustrated. I drove back home ready to give up on a ride altogether. I had already wasted an hour of my day running around and was not in the mood anymore. But when I got home, I felt like I still needed to get out. So I ran in and got my backpack and headed to the nearby Thunderbird Park.
I decided to ride the South trail since I've ridden the North trail the four times I've been to the park. The South trail is actually a little more interesting than the North, but the same problems exist -- it's too short and there are way too many hikers. Nevertheless, I still got a ride (a short ride, especially for the amount of time involved).
Notes: So this morning I set out to ride Trail 100. It's been a long time since I've ridden there and even longer since I rode west of Dreamy Draw. I decided I would start from the 7th Street Trailhead since it was the closest. I had a flat on the front from my last ride at FINS, but I planned on changing it at the trailhead before I began. The drive is only about 20 minutes, but it was a little longer with traffic. I was almost to the trailhead when I realized I left my backpack at home. I had filled the bladder the night before and store it in the fridge to keep it cool. Unfortunately out-of-sight means out-of-mind and I left this morning without it. I packed two extra tubes, both of which were in my backpack. When I got to the trailhead I double checked by duffle bag, but alas, no tubes there. I tried the tire and it was still leaking air quickly. Frustrated, I got back in the car, hoping there was a Target or Walmart near by to buy a new tube. I drove a couple of miles and found a Target, but Target is not open at 7 am. Then I saw a Fry's nearby. I thought they might have a tube since the Fry's by our house carries some bike stuff. But as I prepared to turn into the parking lot I realized that I didn't have my wallet either. So now I'm even more frustrated. I drove back home ready to give up on a ride altogether. I had already wasted an hour of my day running around and was not in the mood anymore. But when I got home, I felt like I still needed to get out. So I ran in and got my backpack and headed to the nearby Thunderbird Park.
I decided to ride the South trail since I've ridden the North trail the four times I've been to the park. The South trail is actually a little more interesting than the North, but the same problems exist -- it's too short and there are way too many hikers. Nevertheless, I still got a ride (a short ride, especially for the amount of time involved).
Monday, September 21, 2009
Road Ride
Distance: 13.5
Notes: Rode 59th Avenue up and over the foothills between Deer Valley and Pinnacle Peak Roads and past the new temple site. It was a nice road ride, although there's not much of a bike lane for a good portion of it. Still I got in a good climb and hit 39.5 mph coming down the hill.
Notes: Rode 59th Avenue up and over the foothills between Deer Valley and Pinnacle Peak Roads and past the new temple site. It was a nice road ride, although there's not much of a bike lane for a good portion of it. Still I got in a good climb and hit 39.5 mph coming down the hill.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Thunderbird Park
Distance: 13.4
Notes: Nice Saturday morning for a ride so I pedaled down to ThunderBird Park. I usually have to deal with several hikers on this trail, but this morning, as I approached the park I could see hikers dotted all along the trail. When I started up the trail I decided to count how many hikers I passed. I expected that I might pass as many as 50. I was shocked, and likewise unable to ride that fast, when I passed a total of 117 hikers, 8 dogs and one fellow mountain biker. The trail is not that great of mountain bike trail to begin with, but dealing with that many hikers on a short 4 mile loop just kills it.
Notes: Nice Saturday morning for a ride so I pedaled down to ThunderBird Park. I usually have to deal with several hikers on this trail, but this morning, as I approached the park I could see hikers dotted all along the trail. When I started up the trail I decided to count how many hikers I passed. I expected that I might pass as many as 50. I was shocked, and likewise unable to ride that fast, when I passed a total of 117 hikers, 8 dogs and one fellow mountain biker. The trail is not that great of mountain bike trail to begin with, but dealing with that many hikers on a short 4 mile loop just kills it.
Monday, September 14, 2009
FINS
Distance: 8.2
Fellow Riders: Mike
Notes: First ride with Mike in several weeks (since Spencer's farewell ride at Hawes). Also my first time back at FINS in a long time. It was a fun ride, though not very strenuous. Since we didn't ride to the trail together we had to do our socializing along the trail. That meant about three long breaks on the trail just chatting.
Fellow Riders: Mike
Notes: First ride with Mike in several weeks (since Spencer's farewell ride at Hawes). Also my first time back at FINS in a long time. It was a fun ride, though not very strenuous. Since we didn't ride to the trail together we had to do our socializing along the trail. That meant about three long breaks on the trail just chatting.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Black Canyon Trail
Distance: 18.9 miles
Ride Time: 1:37
Average Speed: 11.7
Notes: I've been wanting to try the Black Canyon Trail for quite some time now and Labor Day gave me an excuse. I parked at the E.L. Henderson Trailhead off the New River Exit (#232) of I-17. The trail is definitely a cross-country style trail. There were no major climbs or hairy descents on the portion I rode. Still I had fun exploring a new trail and despite the relatively moderate terrain, the trail did manage to dump me on my head once (although I'm going to chalk that up to rusty skills due to my lack of riding lately).
From the trailhead I rode North to where the trail splits on what is called the Boy Scout Loop. I took the East loop, which was predominantly single track with some exposure and loose rock on the trail. When I got to the point where the trail reunites with the West loop I stopped to drink some water and chow on a Powerbar. While I was resting a hiker came down the trail from the North. I visited with him for a few minutes and inquired about what was further ahead. He explained that the trail climbed a short distance to a summit and then descended toward the Mesa Table Trailhead. I had planned to take the West loop back South but decided to first keep going North to the summit. It ended up only being 0.6 miles to the summit. The climb was relatively easy, but did provide for a bit of downhill on the way back.
I then took the West loop South to the point where the trail initially split. The West loop consists of a much wider trail, mostly double track, but smoother than the East loop. When I got the point where the trails reunited I turned around and went back the way I came. This way I was able to ride the East and West loops in both directions.
While this is certainly not a favorite trail and one that I will be anxious to ride every month, it was fun to explore. It also makes me want to do an epic ride of the entire Arizona Trail from the Utah border to Mexico.
Ride Time: 1:37
Average Speed: 11.7
Notes: I've been wanting to try the Black Canyon Trail for quite some time now and Labor Day gave me an excuse. I parked at the E.L. Henderson Trailhead off the New River Exit (#232) of I-17. The trail is definitely a cross-country style trail. There were no major climbs or hairy descents on the portion I rode. Still I had fun exploring a new trail and despite the relatively moderate terrain, the trail did manage to dump me on my head once (although I'm going to chalk that up to rusty skills due to my lack of riding lately).
From the trailhead I rode North to where the trail splits on what is called the Boy Scout Loop. I took the East loop, which was predominantly single track with some exposure and loose rock on the trail. When I got to the point where the trail reunites with the West loop I stopped to drink some water and chow on a Powerbar. While I was resting a hiker came down the trail from the North. I visited with him for a few minutes and inquired about what was further ahead. He explained that the trail climbed a short distance to a summit and then descended toward the Mesa Table Trailhead. I had planned to take the West loop back South but decided to first keep going North to the summit. It ended up only being 0.6 miles to the summit. The climb was relatively easy, but did provide for a bit of downhill on the way back.
I then took the West loop South to the point where the trail initially split. The West loop consists of a much wider trail, mostly double track, but smoother than the East loop. When I got the point where the trails reunited I turned around and went back the way I came. This way I was able to ride the East and West loops in both directions.
While this is certainly not a favorite trail and one that I will be anxious to ride every month, it was fun to explore. It also makes me want to do an epic ride of the entire Arizona Trail from the Utah border to Mexico.
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