MikeOK

I rode last weekend with a bunch of guys and a dog. There were 11 of us and I figured the dumb lab would get squashed before the end of the day. This trail went through a game preserve and the dog ended up mostly busting up herds (herds?) of turkeys and chasing deer. He kept up with us though, we ended up doing about 20 miles and I bet the dog ran 3 times that much. It was a real hoot watching that dog run circles around the rest of us...

SamDaBikinMan

My mountain bike rode on the back of the car today. Knee trouble has me taking a three day break. We will have to see how it feels tomorrow.

Zin

Hey Sam, I had some knee pain last week. Almost kept me from commuting to work on the bike. Took it slow and easy to be sure.

I knee pain was from the wife kicking my knee in my sleep. Don't suppose yours was from the same problem?

Jim311

Fairly good ride today. It was extremely warm. It rained this morning so the trails were prime. Not so wet that they were slippery, but damp enough to give loads of traction and eliminate all the sand.

stapfam

Hey Mike, up here we have mud in the winter which is frozen solid! Sure you don't get anything on your bike, but it's terrible on the hands!

I personally love mud... nothing that a hose can't take care of.. and well, it's super fun!

In telling you all about My Mud ride, Forgot to tell you that it is only 2deg C over here in the south of the UK. You have to keep moving to keep warm, but at least you don't Sweat. For those of you that Enjoy the warmth and the Dry, Just think of all those fantastic rides you could be on if you didn't stay at home wrapped up in your long Johns and Hot water bottles.

Portis

That's gotta be rough. I keep finding myself wondering why my ancestors (or anyone elses) moved here years ago. THen again why did anyone ever move to a cold climate?

I have ridden nearly every day this winter in some pretty cold temperatures, but the thoughts of warm sunshine are never far out of my mind. As a matter of fact, they grow more prevelant each day, this time of year around here.

iamthetas

I Finally Got To Try Out My New Brakes Today.even Though They Nedded To Break In They Did Very Well.picked A Trail With Lots Of Short Steep Ups And Downs To Give Them Breaking In.it Is Muddy As Heck Here Too.like Others Just Above Freezing Witha Stiff Wind So It Was Uncomfortable But Well Worth It.the Most Uncomfortable To Me Is When The Wind Gets To The Sweat In A Spot Or Two Where Your Clothes Get Exposed To Air Or Just Plain Wearing Long Pants Lol.its Been Muddy Here Everywhere For Over A Year Now So Ive Gotten Used To That And Riding On Softpack Instead Of Hardpack Does Build The Stamina And Strength.a Crappy Ride Is Better Than None.any Ride Whether 9 Miles(like Today)3 Miles Or 50 Miles,being Able To Do What We Love Is A Good Thing.guys I Work With Like To Hunt Or Shoot But Wont Right Now Due To The Weather.that Is To Like Something.to Brave The Weather Is Love(although -30 Is Extreme To Me Too)

Jay_2004

Anyone ride in Ontario last week 14,15, or 16?th. A nice temperature of:
-36* C
Can you say.....thats not without the windchill, AND SPEED?..oh it was cold

superjoe95

i did twice for like 30minutes lol

a2psyklnut

Did another family ride yesterday (I had off for MLK).

Like a dummy, I forgot my sons bike seat at home, so we couldn't do the family trail ride he likes to do. He bounces all over the place with all the palmetto trees and roots down here, and laughs the whole time.

So, instead we made him ride some of the smoother easier trails. FIRST day off-road for Little-Nut!

L8R

iamthetas

it was warmer here today so it was real wet with some hidden ice which made things real interesting in turns.i tried to cross a usual creek in another spot due to water volume and as i get there i lean back,gently lower front into creek thinking the back will follow right behind so i need to shift my weight soon,the only problem was the front tire SUNK and every thing else caught up like a puppy just before it gets coordination,WHAM,SPLAT,into the water we go.to look back it was funny as i was going over the bars i looked between my legs and saw the bike stuck straight up,then fell on its side as i was hitting the water.it was too funny!!i get further along and go down a steep hill so im leaned back and the bike hit ice and next thing ,im on my butt and the bike is starting the incline (i was in the bottom of a gully).i got home super tired,soaking wet, covered with mud from head to toe,and very thankful that GOD allowed me to have soooo much fun!!it was a great day to ride a bike offroad.made me totally forget i had a crappy day at work and just quit smoking(well almost,only 5 a day now instead of 20 or more)

rancid_chicken

I was able to ride yesterday with the temperature being about 48 at Lock4 in Galatin, TN. I felt a bit winded for the first few specail sections, but all that ended after a few minutes.

It was great, I finally got to take both my single speed and my new mtn. bike on a trail. It was a bit muddy, but both bikes now have a good personality.

stapfam

Only 25 miles on the ride today, Bit slippery undertyres, and brilliant sun made us think it was warmer than it was. Out on the Tandem and we must be getting more confidence. Fell of twice, for the first time in about a year. First time on a treeroot, at around 20 mph, but stayed with the bike so only pride hurt. 2nd time was daft,5 mph, and it just fell over. No reason why. Rotten ride really as the usual Cafe was closed, and the one we tried was full of granny's staring at us. Then we realised that we were still dripping mud. Roll on Summer.

splat

In a word ! COLD !

Here are all the pics

MikeOK

Well, after 3 hours in the shop this morning the final tally from yesterday's EPIC MUD RIDE ride is one flat, one set of brake pads, a complete disassembly, cleaning, and roller replacement of the rear deralleur, a chain, plus rear shifter cable & sheath. I hate mud. I can't really blame it all on yesterday's ride since some of it was overdue, but I did go through most of the rear brake pads yesterday, since I had only replaced them about a month ago. Plus I am a little anal about keeping my bike fresh and I enjoy being out there in the shop tinkering.

There is one creek crossing on this ride that is usually about 2-3' deep and 40' across, but yesterday it was near white water level, and by luck we were there just as a hunter was crossing it in his pickup. I flagged him down and begged for a favor, to ford us across. At first he did not want to since he had barely made it but after I assured him that my Jeep was only a few miles away and if he got stuck I would ride back and return in my Jeep to pull him out. He then agreed, I owe that guy a cup of coffee sometime, he really saved us some trouble...

iamlucky13

It was sunny and a little over 40 degrees when I left. Shortly after I hit the fireroad it started raining, then that switched to HAIL, then back to rain. It stopped after about 40 minutes, in which time I had only made it almost to the top of a 4 mile uphill stretch. I had a meeting scheduled for later, so I turned around then. That left me with 4 miles downhill into the cold wind (barehanded). I had to spin my cranks constantly to keep my legs loose and stop several times just to stick my hands inside my jacket so I could work my brake levers. I put some Fox Digits on order after the ride.

This was my first ride with the computer I got for Christmas. I found that I couldn't go faster than 20 mph or I would be blinded by the mud flying in my eyes. My backpack had a solid layer of mud on it from the rear tire.

I took a shower after I got back and the sun was shining when I finished

a2psyklnut

I rode in the IDIDARIDE X, on Saturday. It's a 50 mile endurance ride (not a race!) in White Springs, FL. Had a friggin blast! Started out on the cool side, it was in the 30's (o.k., that's COLD for FL) and ended up in the mid 60's by the p.m.

Only crashed once, but it was a stupid crash. Reaching down to grab my camelback hose, and I hit a tiny litte 2" diameter tree stump (only about 3" of it above ground level) and it STOPPED my bike and I endoed into a pine tree with my forearm and fell ontop of my bike.

The first 25 miles where harder than the 2nd, food was served at several Sag stops and there was lunch at the halfway point. Ride was limited to 250 riders and I think everyone had a blast!

L8R

MikeOK

a2 - you big ****er! 60 degrees!?! I did a roadie ride this morning, it was 32 when I left, 3 hours later it was 30 and snowing! ARRRRGGGGHHH! I'm ready for 70 degrees! I don't care if the local rednecks do call me gay when I wear lycra, I just want weather that I can wear real summer roadie gear in! I was so bundled with clothes today I looked like a big black Michelin man

H. Star

The IDIDARIDE wasn't just hot, it was smok'in! BTW, A2 was a hammer and finished like a trooper. They caught this shot of him on the only instant he didn't have the hammer down (A2 is the pic not smokin)

MikeOK

dang, I'm gonna quit ragging on a2 so much, he looks like he could pop my head off with one hand!!

Well you guys may have warmth, but at least we got hills. Looking out the window right now though watching it snow I would just about trade my hills for your weather

H. Star

Be careful what you wish for.

a2psyklnut

Yeah, but I'm a big teddy bear!

H.Star was rocking with Mr. Big Head Todd and hammered the whole ride. I tried to hang with them, but their pace was too much for my fat arse. I didn't care, I was only concerned with finishing and finish I did! Felt pretty good too! The bonfire afterwards was a site to behold especially with an ice cold New Castle.

L8R

Jim311

Mmm... New Castle.

iamthetas

hey splat what kind of tires are you using?we got about 4" here with a layer of ice on top and when i tried to ride monday i was all over the place.have not even taken the bike out since.could not stay straight for anything.no traction.no control.no fun!it has been very beautiful though to look at.i saw your pics and thought id ask