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.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
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.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Road Ride
Distance: 14.3
Ride Time: 0:50
Average Speed: 17 mph
Notes: Rode the trail system near the new house today. All was well until my back tire went flat at my turn around point and I had no spare. I limped it back to the house stopping to pump it up about 7 times. Passed Dad Boushley on the way back as he was on his way out.
Ride Time: 0:50
Average Speed: 17 mph
Notes: Rode the trail system near the new house today. All was well until my back tire went flat at my turn around point and I had no spare. I limped it back to the house stopping to pump it up about 7 times. Passed Dad Boushley on the way back as he was on his way out.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Trail 157 & South Fork
Distance: Approx 10
Fellow Riders: Michael Hancock
Notes: Oh to be back in Utah. I didn't bring my bike up for family reunion but called Michael to see if he wanted to ride anyway. He was available so I rented a bike from BYU Outdoors Unlimited and we went out for a ride on Trail 157 to Cascade. That is still my favorite trail from Utah. Then on the way home we stopped and rode South Fork. It made me miss living in Utah and made me want a new bike.
Fellow Riders: Michael Hancock
Notes: Oh to be back in Utah. I didn't bring my bike up for family reunion but called Michael to see if he wanted to ride anyway. He was available so I rented a bike from BYU Outdoors Unlimited and we went out for a ride on Trail 157 to Cascade. That is still my favorite trail from Utah. Then on the way home we stopped and rode South Fork. It made me miss living in Utah and made me want a new bike.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Hawes Trail
Distance:
Fellow Riders: Mike & Spencer
Notes: Last ride with Spencer before he moves to Colorado. Everyone was feeling a little out-of-shape due to a lack of riding. It was great fun on one of my favorite trails in the Valley.
Fellow Riders: Mike & Spencer
Notes: Last ride with Spencer before he moves to Colorado. Everyone was feeling a little out-of-shape due to a lack of riding. It was great fun on one of my favorite trails in the Valley.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Thunderbird Park
Distance: 12+
Notes: Rode from new house to T-bird Park. Rode the loop counterclockwise, which is more fun. After more than a month off the bike I was struggling.
Notes: Rode from new house to T-bird Park. Rode the loop counterclockwise, which is more fun. After more than a month off the bike I was struggling.
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