January 2008 Ride Log
Ride style this year will be easy going since I need to nurse the rotator cuff.
Thursday January 31
Pequonnock River Valley - Trumbull, Connecticut
Worked a half day and got home around 12:00. Nice day with the sun out and temperatures in the upper 30's. Got to the commuter lot and headed for the trail at 12:45. Entered the South Entrance of the East Trail. After crossing the stream headed up the ledge incline and took a right onto the red trail. Since the accident, I've avoided the red trail for it's technical aspects. The shoulder is doing much better and felt I was ready to do some more challenging trail riding. Did some hike-a-bike but rode as much I could. Hooked up with the yellow trail and came out at the north end of the old lake bed. Used the Pocket Chainsaw on the tree that took me out last October. This tree leans into the trail near the base of the jump that many people are using. I don't want to hear about someone hitting it. Wasn't able to finish it and figured I'd work on it over time.
From there I went out into the lake bed and entered the trail in the north west corner toward the Turtle Rock area. This goes to the white trail and on to Indian Ledge Park. Took the usual left by the stream and followed it to the wooded bridge. Over the bridge and up the steep incline while using the middle gear. Got to the railroad bed and went north toward Old Mine Park. Turned around at the private house just about where the new trail pavement ends. The new off-road tires cost me a lot of money and to use them on asphalt will just accelerate the wear.
Headed back where I came from and down the slope to the bridge and up to the white trail. Stayed on the white trail for most of the ride back until I reached the area north of the old lake bed. I thought about heading up to the big rollers. Started up in that direction and came across a stunt that I had not seen before. I also realized if I was to continue, I would have to do some hike-a-bike. Since time was getting short, I turned around.
I wanted to do something familar yet more challenging than the past few miles. There is a nice little roller that I last did on the day of the crash. It is a bit steep and exits onto the lake bed. So I rode over to the top and just rolled it down. Certainly not big by most FR/DH standards but it is fun. Not much of a tranny at the bottom and the Fox Talas fork takes the hit with ease. Since the crash, my confidence has been shaken for anything too technical. Doing the lil' roller helped bring some of that back. It's also really nice to know my shoulder can take the landing without any pain.
I had a physical therapy appointment at 3:45 and time was running out. Headed south but wandered over to the yellow trail to the white and up to the old dam. Since I did the roller so well, I thought about the drop that I passed up on the weekend before. Took the steep downhill near the big steel pipe and over to the rock drop. I was a little nervous about doing it since a mistake would have serious consequences for my shoulder. Without thinking too much I just rolled up to it and down, no problem. Very happy about that one too. Two rollers in one day. Each time I go out and ride something that I used to do in my pre-crash days.
Continued on down the white trail and followed the hill up. Nearing the top of the hill, I was stopped by a fallen hemlock. It had been raining the day before with gusty winds and the tree must have been a victim. It blocked the trail about three feet off the ground and would have made getting around it very difficult. So I figured I'd try my Pocket Chain Saw and see how far I could get. In about ten minutes I had cut the two 5-6 inch sections and dragged them away. The trail was open again and off I went.
Overall I had a great day and the ride was a nice way to end the month. Unfortunately the forecast is calling for lots of rain before the weekend and temperatures to go up to the mid-40's. With the ground still frozen, it will make for poor trail conditions.
Saturday January 27
Pequonnock River Valley - Trumbull, Connecticut
Walked down to the stream below and up the other side. Rode on and took a right towards the town property which can be seen in the background (photo left). Got over to the "picnic tables" and from there downhill to the roller where Bud wiped out last October. This links up to the white trail; from there headed north to Indian Ledge Park. Rode the trail to the end and took the left at the stream. This path is to the left of the stream and eventually the private property can be seen on the other side. This hooks up to the bridge crossing.
At some point the sun came out and helped to warm things up. I took the bridge and rode up the steep hill to the railbed. Before going up, I set the bike into the middle gear and put enough into it that I actually accelerated up the grade. Quite a big difference from when I used to walk up this same hill. Once at the top, I circled on the railbed to get some rest and took the hill back down to the bridge. Keeping the bike in the middle gear, I rode up to the white trail and headed south.
Eventually ended going out into the north end of the old lake bed. Traveled over to the spot where I had crashed. Thought about cutting the tree down since I had my pocket chain saw but thought I should do that with someone there to help. Didn't want the tree to hurt my shoulder the second time anyway. Circled around the lake bed and rode south along the white trail to the old dam.
About a half a dozen riders were coming up the side of the dam, so I rode the steep slope between the big steel tube and the river. Rode over to the roller on the south side that I had done a few times back in October. Decided to walk it insteadof riding it. A few guys were thinking of ways to ride the slope up, which I had never seen done. Sure enough, this one guy rides his bike up the rock slope onto the top of the first step to the dam. Pretty impressive. He was using Panaracer tires. Maybe I'll try to ride it up someday but not until my shoulder gets stronger. Rode the white trail south and got back to the car about 12:00.
Saturday January 19
Pequonnock River Valley - Trumbull, Connecticut
Temperatures were in the lower 30's and cloudy. It was supposed to get real cold on Sunday so this looked like the better of the two days for the weekend. I figured it was cold enough to keep any mud frozen and not damage the trails. Shoulder was bothering me a little more than usual today. Adjusted the UST Albert's tire pressure; 26 front and 30 in the rear.
Loaded up the Cannondale Uber V900 on the back of the Saturn and headed over to Tait Road in Trumbull. Unloaded the bike, geared up and entered the old railroad bed and headed towards Indian Ledge. I'm beginning to like this entrance because it minimizes the time my off-road tires are on asphalt and the two miles on the flat railroad bed is a good warm up until I get to the trails. In the summer the 'soft target' traffic may be a bit much so I'll have to wait and see.
Took the right off the trail and descended down to the bridge crossing over the stream. A little ice at the bottom but the bike just rolled over it as I let up on the brakes. Over the bridge and a short climb up to the white trail and took a right. I set a goal to get to the stream crossing way down at the commuter lot entrance. Met a guy briefly who was coming from the opposite direction. He said it was his first ride of the year. He then asked if I was going to the area where the jumps were. "Nope", I said, "Gonna keep the bike on the ground".
Stayed on the white trail although overlap with the blue trail is inevitable. Nice mix of easy going and some technical. Took the rooty decent to enter the area at the northern most section of the old lake bed. From there rode over to the trail that intersects where I had my ill-fated jump. Followed the trail along the north-western edge of the lake bed and turned left up the fire access road that leads to Route 25. A tree that was partially across the trail gave me an opportunity to use my pocket chain saw. The branch was green but the saw worked very well. Most of the cutting force came from right arm and if I pulled too hard with my left a sharp pain reminded me to take it easy. Put away the saw and entered a trail to the right. This put me closer to the red trail with a large stream crossing. Thought the better of the red trail and took a trail that lead me closer to the white trail.
Stayed on the white trail until I got to the stream near the commuter lot entrance. Wish I had a GPS to keep track of the trails I was taking and distance traveled. I've got my eye on a Garmin 705 whenever it comes out.
Took the white trail back, crossed the old dam by the spillway and back into the lake bed. Took the same trail that I had came from which took me close to the red trail. Continued on until I got to the fire trail. Crossed over and headed into the trail that Mark and I did two weekends ago. This lead to the northern side of the old lake bed and from there crossed my jump spot and headed up and over the rise to where I had descended on the way in. I rode up the somewhat steep and narrow hill and stopped for a rest. I looked up the rocky rooty hill and though I'd only make it half way. Clipped in and rode the whole hill. Pretty happy about that since I was in the middle gear as well.
Uneventful ride along the white trail back to the bridge. Dropped into he granny gear and ride the steep incline up to the old railroad bed. From there I took a left and headed back to the car.
Although I can't be sure, I did about 14 miles. Two weeks ago I rode with Mark and his GPS said about seven miles. Since this was about equal to two loops, I'd say 14. Perhaps in the spring when I get my own GPS, I'll know for sure and update this.
Sunday January 13
Old Mine Park - Trumbull, Connecticut
We had quite a bit of rain Friday so I waited until Sunday to go out. Figured I'd wait to let things dry and drain a little. Headed over to Old Mine Park in Trumbull. The temps were in the 40's and with the steep nature of the "mountain", figured the trails would have drained real well. I was right. This was the first ride on the Industry Nine wheels (with Mavis 819 disc rims) and Schwalbe UST Albert tires. I've got a Fat Albert 2.35 up front and an Albert 2.25 in the rear.
Took my Cannondale Uber V900 over on the Saturn and parked near the metal grated bridge. Rode up the center trail to the top without getting off to rest. Although I was winded at the top, I was real happy to have done it since that meant I didn't loose too much endurance since the accident. Took a few pictures of the bike at the top.
Took the trail to the right ("south" trail) and crossed the stream. Up the short hill and descended to the right. This is a great descent but I was heavy on the brakes to keep the speed down. Can't take any chances in case I fall. Stopped by the stream crossing with the short ascent to take some more pictures. From there I went about 100 feet and walked the bike up to the overlook on the left. This view is really nice, especially in the winter since the leaves are down and you can see much farther. Sharp drop to the river below makes for a good picture spot.
From there I walked the bike down and continued on the trail to the bottom of the center climb. I took a left and headed over to the bottom of the "north" trail. This is the trail that I normally take when doing the center and taking a left at the top. I decided this time to ride it up rather than down. It wasn't easy and I had to get off a couple of times and hike-a-bike.
Near the top I took a left which brought me close to the industrial park parking lot just north of the park. Took the smaller trail down (with the industrial lot looming above to the right) but as I got about halfway, it began to disappear. I found myself rolling through the woods wondering where the heck the trail went to. At one point I came to a sudden stop as I tried to cross some rocks. The jolt went straight to my left shoulder and I thought to myself that I'd was likely to feel that in the morning. Eventually I found the small stream crossing near the soccer field. Walked it over and rode across the field. Didn't feel much like riding to the top again and didn't want to go home.
The town had been doing work on paving and expanding the trail between the park and northern most section of the railroad bed. Although I didn't want my new off-road tires to get eaten by the asphalt, my curiosity got the better of me. I tried to ride to the right as much as possible on the leaves but it wasn't always able to. Anyway, the boardwalk is not in yet. So I continued on and crossed over Whiney Avenue and entered the railroad trail. As I past the house on the left, I took the left down to the bridge crossing. Up to the white trail and took a right. From there I continued on but stopped at the top of the root and rocky descent just north of the old lake bed. By then I was getting tired and knew I still had to ride back to the car still at Old MIne Park. Took the same way back and went home. All in all it was good ride. No idea how many miles, maybe five. I'm certainly liking the I9 wheels and the Albert tires performed great.
Sunday January 6
Pequonnock River Valley - Trumbull, Connecticut
First ride of the year and the first time I started from the Daniel's Farm Road commuter lot since the crash. Met Mark at the commuter lot around 1 PM. He had his Qball single speed 29'er and I had the Uber V. He packed two of his older GPS units. His Garmin Edge was in the for service. We geared up and rode to the end of the road and entered the trail system. I walked across the stream since I wasn't up to taking chances. This would be the last ride in the older Mavic 223 rims and the really old IRC MythosXC 2.10F tires. These wheels and tires were original to the Super V900 when it was purchased new by my Dad back in 1999. These wheels held up great in conditions and riding that they were not designed for. The tires were getting a bit dry and were getting dangerous on wet rocks. They held nicely as well with no sidewall tears. Great XC tires but I don't think they are available anymore.
We took the white trail over to the dam and took a right about 500 feet past it. This trail gets closer to the red trail which is higher up to the right. We stayed below and came out by the fire road that leads up to Route 25. Mark suggested we cross over and take a more technical route. I liked it much better than the straight run up the fire trail. It comes out about halfway on one of the downhill trails from the top. We continued on and met some guys playing around at a small roller called the "lunchbox". We shadowed them for a while and watched as they did some of the faster downhill's and drops in the area known as the picnic tables.
We continued on and took a trail that brought us very close to the access road leading to the Indian Ledge soccer fields. From that area we descended down to the white trail and went to Indian Ledge Park. Took the trail to the end near the stream and the high cliffs overlooking. We then went left and followed the trail along the stream, past the private house across the stream on the right. At times the trail is about a foot from the water of the Pequonnock River. The trail goes on to the base of the bridge. Up the climb to the white trail and headed back to the northern section of the old river bed. It was in that open area that we found the guys that we had met before riding the drop that my Dad and I used to do. Back then it was a big deal with our 2' travel full suspension stock Cannondale Super V's. Somewhere on 8mm tape I have video of him and I doing it.
That's when I suggested to them I knew of a nice 'little' jump. In fact it was the jump that I took back in October that put me into a tree at the bottom. We had seen these guys do similar jumps earlier so I knew they would like this one. At first they were a little cautious but eventually one would do a couple of jumps that were about a foot or so farther than what I had been doing.
After that, we said our goodbyes to the guys and headed back down the white trail to the commuter lot. According to Mark's GPS units we did about seven miles, although one reported about five. It was about 4 PM and we got in a nice two hours of riding. Mark's blog on this ride complete with pictures and trail tracks can be found here.