Northern California - How's about some mountain biking pics from today?

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View Full Version : How's about some mountain biking pics from today?

nachomc

04-26-09, 07:38 PM

Yes! I got in a real ride on my new bike this weekend, and spent a bunch of time with friends. Even ran in to some guys from mtbr on the trail and we rode together a bit. The weather was awesome, the trails were in great shape (little overgrown in places) and we had a blast!

An opening shot. We're riding about 3 miles of singletrack to a bridge on the road, crossing and heading out on the trail you can see across the water:

http://cycling.mattandjosey.com//Salmon%20Falls%204-26-09/images/dsc05143.jpg

We're riding Sweetwater. Crazy jokesters!

http://cycling.mattandjosey.com//Salmon%20Falls%204-26-09/images/dsc05145.jpg

My buddy decided to punish me for bringing out my new single speed so we set off up this climb. It's about two miles long with an average grade of 7% and some spikes to mid teens. It hurt, but in a good way.

View from the top:

http://cycling.mattandjosey.com//Salmon%20Falls%204-26-09/images/dsc05155.jpg

Out at a point called Four Corners:

http://cycling.mattandjosey.com//Salmon%20Falls%204-26-09/images/dsc05162.jpg

One of the guys from mtbr in this technical section:

http://cycling.mattandjosey.com//Salmon%20Falls%204-26-09/images/dsc05166.jpg

My buddy Joe, followed by another, Lance:

http://cycling.mattandjosey.com//Salmon%20Falls%204-26-09/images/dsc05168.jpg

http://cycling.mattandjosey.com//Salmon%20Falls%204-26-09/images/dsc05169.jpg

Me:

http://cycling.mattandjosey.com//Salmon%20Falls%204-26-09/images/dsc05172.jpg

The biggest challenge I've faced, and the main source of post-ride muscle pain, has been learning to climb out of the saddle. I've always been a spinner. I can't do that anymore:

http://cycling.mattandjosey.com//Salmon%20Falls%204-26-09/images/dsc05175.jpg

Joe heading up. I'm up there in the distance:

http://cycling.mattandjosey.com//Salmon%20Falls%204-26-09/images/dsc05181.jpg

nachomc

04-26-09, 07:39 PM

A parting shot of the lake:

http://cycling.mattandjosey.com//Salmon%20Falls%204-26-09/images/dsc05185.jpg

I had a BLAST today. This is the third ride I've had on my new bike, and so far I'm LOVING single speeding and 29" wheels. I was a bit nervous about fully rigid but it's been sweet, and the ride is fantastic. Looking forward to MANY more miles on her!

JoelS

04-26-09, 07:48 PM

Looks like fun! One of these days I'll have to lube up the chain on my MTB and join you.

msincredible

04-26-09, 10:14 PM

Great pictures, looks like fun! :thumb:

I've been getting out for some pseudo-MTBing on my Birdy from time to time. :D

silentben

04-26-09, 11:58 PM

Where did you ride? Some parts of the trail look pretty gnarly!

x136

04-27-09, 12:02 AM

Damn you all to hell. I get idly distracted looking at mountain bikes online one day, and this gets posted the next? Grumble grumble...

ahpook

04-27-09, 12:23 AM

alex don't you have a crosscheck? put some knobby 36s on that guy and you're all set...

x136

04-27-09, 12:49 AM

I have an LHT. I'm considering swapping out the frame for some type of cross frame and doing exactly that, though.

nachomc

04-27-09, 09:26 AM

Where did you ride? Some parts of the trail look pretty gnarly!

First trail was Sweetwater, the second was Salmon Falls. Both are off of Salmon Falls Rd. in El Dorado Hills. Beautiful area.

rydaddy

04-27-09, 10:03 AM

Looks real nice this time of year. Last time I was there the "Lake" was more like a creek. I'm guessing the bridge is underwater by now? Nice pics. How's the poison oak?

nachomc

04-27-09, 10:07 AM

Yeah the water level is WAY up and the bridge is under water again. I really liked using that to link the trails.

The poison oak is ...... EVERYWHERE. Bring your Tecnu ;)

jeph

04-27-09, 02:53 PM

I'm bummed I didn't take a camera with me yesterday. The lupine at Annadel are just exploding in some of the meadows.

Nice pics. Is that Folsom lake?

Jeff

nachomc

04-27-09, 05:59 PM

I'm bummed I didn't take a camera with me yesterday. The lupine at Annadel are just exploding in some of the meadows.

Nice pics. Is that Folsom lake?

Jeff

Yep. Are you on mtbr? I'm hoping to come to Annadel for their May By The Bay ride on May 23. I've always wanted to ride there.

JoelS

04-27-09, 06:13 PM

Yep. Are you on mtbr? I'm hoping to come to Annadel for their May By The Bay ride on May 23. I've always wanted to ride there.

You do realize you're committed to the NorCal Century that day? :crash:

nachomc

04-27-09, 06:29 PM

#@$@#

rydaddy

04-27-09, 07:39 PM

Annadel is sweet. Been there only once and it rained. I still had a blast. I want to go back!

jeph

04-27-09, 08:14 PM

Yep. Are you on mtbr? I'm hoping to come to Annadel for their May By The Bay ride on May 23. I've always wanted to ride there.

I've lurked on there. Not really too regularly.

What's this May by the Bay? Annadel is quite a ways from the bay. Is this some orginized ride? It's a pretty nice place to ride. Can get a bit crowded on nice weekend days, but most everyone is pretty good about getting along.

Jeff

nachomc

04-28-09, 12:10 AM

kb5ql

04-28-09, 12:27 AM

Seeing your leg in pieces and talking to numerous broken clavicle club mtbrs has kept me far away from that non paved stuff. But I can definitely see the awesomeness. My mountain bike is now happily the family station wagon. (xtracycle)

rydaddy

04-28-09, 07:31 AM

nachomc

04-28-09, 09:55 AM

I've seen waaaayyy more carnage on the road (myself included)

Yeah one of the guys I ride with is a bit older (60s). He used to be a big time roadie and after breaking both of his hips and other bones he took up mountain biking. My leg was a weird situation - people do break legs mountain biking but it's not like there's a real risk every time you go riding. I've gotten a little smarter and more conservative with the obstacles and speeds I'll ride. I also have my "Walk today, ride tomorrow." saying ;)

jeph

04-28-09, 05:00 PM

It's not "organized" necessarily, but each year they ride a bunch of stuff all over the place. It's usually:

Friday - Rockville
Saturday - Annadel
Saturday night - Camp on Boggs Mountain
Sunday - Ride Boggs
Monday - Ride something else/go home

I rode Rockville last year, and will ride it this year too. I guess I'll do Annadel next year..unless my road bike breaks before that century I haven't trained for :o

I might have to check that out. I will to try to get out of any non biking commitments. :)

Annadel is pretty rocky and has some technical challenges. Some friends from the east bay have come up here and gave some blood. not too bad. I had a good one last summer, dinged my shoulder up.

Good luck