going out with a buddy to the trail known as thumper, it is rated 5 out of 5 on difficulty for central texas trails. good fun to come.

I wonder how that compares to PNW trails.

I got out and rode yesterday. First time getting up to the foothills for a couple of weeks. It felt good to ride, especially with the new 17t cog I put on my single speed. Only one friend showed up, and we were both hung over at the start so we cruised all day, took long breaks to hang out and talk with each other, as well as other mtb'ers. Ended up having a great ride.

Nice couple of hours around Blue Mtn. today.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1.../IMG_00113.jpg
(the down line is to the right, from the rider's perspective)

it turned out to be a climbers dream. really tight single track that switchbacks up and down a valley. my gear was much to steep for it and it was only about 30 yard stretches of straight then sharp turns so no speed, no momentum, not a lot of fun. good thing we went to the dirt jumps with all the middle schoolers after.

Finally get to get another ride in tomorrow morning before the arctic blast hits us here in TX and we drop into the single digits and lower with high winds tomorrow afternoon

Rode Duxbury tonight with a couple of friends. I thought the trails would be packed out, but it was a serious cardio workout just to move in the snow. At times it was easier to ride the untracked snow, but then you'd stall out in a drift. A few areas were firm enough to cruise on, but it was like riding a windy skinny for a mile.

29 degrees and I was dripping sweat, but it beats not riding. ;-)

I really need to find a place to find some affordable under armor type stuff before it gets cold. I checked Ross and Marshalls then Walmart and Target and came up empty besides adidas track suits which wont work well on the trails. Guess I am just going to have to bite the bullet and shell out $40 for some pants when women can get theirs at cost for $20 at Marshalls like the girl does for hockey

15.3 miles and 1268 elevation gain. Garmin 305 is fun for this ole technoweenie. I was the only bike out this morning with a couple of runners. Temperature was around 40. That 8 pounds I gained over the holidays felt like a lead weight. Must loose the fat that was fun to accumulate.

Check army surplus stores. They have some cold weather gear cheap. Its not pretty, but the military does demand quality for the troops.

?GETS COLD?, what are you talking about, I thought it was cold already! Is this gonna get worse?

Ive got some military issued polypros from when I was in and they work great under pants on easier rides when I dont need my shin protection. I use my ACU bottoms to ride in since they are so durable. I would just like something thats a bit tighter in the legs so I can just throw my shorts over them and wont bunch up when I wear shin guards.

Got a nice 3 hour ride in today and it was a bit chilly, I need to get a beanie to wear under my helmet because my head and ears were frozen by the end of the ride. It was pretty wet cold and muddy but I had a blast!!

Its supposed to get NASTY here tonight and tomorrow they are talking about single digits with windchill below 0!! I swear with all the snow and cold weather we've had Texas has moved up to around Colorado

Due to the snow, then rain, then freeze and repeat the process you get trails that are like long bumpy bobsled runs. The trails at Riverside in the 9 and 7 mile area are 80% solid ice. Man I love the studded tires.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...r/IM000266.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...r/IM000267.jpg


The view from Pine Bluff Rd which was also solid (dirty) ice.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...r/IM000265.jpg

You snow riders absolutely kick my b^tt. That is incredible. I feel so guilty, Tuesday morning was 34 degrees so I hugged the covers for another 30minutes and read the paper over breakfast. I gotta dig deeper. thanks for the inspiration.

had fun at walnut creek today, it was a little muddy but not bad at all. Did the one long downhill section a few times trying to be faster and smoother and it worked. good thing the brakes worked at the bottom or off a cliff into the creek. I took a few pictures but don't have the cord so i'll put those up later.

Another fine day ride at Blue Mtn.

The first thing I said to myself as I scanned the page was "Big big rock, gotta be scrub"

Home-made biscuits with chicken and red pepper gravy, for breakfast. Yes, made it myself.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...y/IMG_0015.jpg

About 25F this morning.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...y/IMG_0016.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...y/IMG_0017.jpg

Rocks and snow.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...y/IMG_0072.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...y/IMG_0065.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...y/IMG_0023.jpg

Snack. Cheesecake and Imperial Stout.
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f1...y/IMG_0082.jpg

that picture going under the downed tree is awesome!

Great Pics from Breakfast through Snacks.

Nice.

My first metric century on the trek today.

Great snow pictures! One of these days I'll ride in the snow...

It was a near perfect day in Sloan Canyon, temp in the mid 40s, light breeze out of the north. Got up a good sweat and kept it for 2.5 hours. Only 21.43 miles, but I finally found a passage to get over to Shadow Canyon and thus a couple of Starbucks. Didn't have it in me to make that climb today.

did a 10 mile ride, first REAL ride in the snow.. MUCHO FUN!
It was around -4 celsius out... 25 degrees roughly, and a steady blanket of 3-4 inches of snow, with 4-6 in some areas.
I wore cold gear under armor, long sleeve jersey, shorts and knee warmers, double socks, and brought along my 5 dollar PricePoint Vinyl Jacket, and a military issue facemask... and half finger gloves.

Little cold,... but as very fun! No pictures... Cameras batteries died on the second one.

11 degrees F this morning in Duxbury, but sun and no wind made it almost toasty.

We even got to ride on the ponds for the first time this year.

Here's the route

Same loop on teh singletrack as last time. Only once around though as I'm still stiff and tired from Saturday's road race.