Have you done any dirt time lately?

[crazycanuck]

Yo yo to the folks who love to dirt time :cool:

Have you done much dirt time lately? Any coolio moments?

We have our first club related race of the season next weekend so we ventured out to the trail in question today. Ahhh...lovely..left hand uphill corners have become something I need to take it slowly on as they're harder than right handers for me. (i rely on my right eye...)

Weeeharrrr

[7rider]

Sigh.
No dirt time around here.
Winter snow - and now spring mud - have pretty much kept trails un-rideable.
:(
Hopefully, when things dry out, we'll get back out there.

[Red Rock]

CC and all others..
I went out yesterday and did a hill climb of approx. 6 miles and 12 round trip. I am feeling it today though. I think I overdid myself yesterday. It was on a unimproved road close to home and without a bunch of traffic which was the best part.

This was my first ride on dirt. I have a hardtail, so not FS. But after yesterday, I have a greater respect for all of those that mountain bike. If you can do this your in great shape. I just need to work in gradually to this and not do Leadville the first time out (so to speak).

Red Rock

[Catrin]

Of course I haven't done this, but in a few years I hope to as pavement is interesting enough for this cycling novice right now :D

Yesterday I hiked several of the more difficult MTB trails in Brown County State Park here in Indiana for a few hours, and had a good time watching the mtb riders. Thankfully the lack of leaves helped me to see them coming so I could get out of their way :p It was educational and fun to watch them! There is a nice series of single-track trails in this park so I will certainly be heading back for more hiking. Hopefully there will come a time when I will be on wheels rather than feet! I found the mtb trails much more interesting to hike than their dedicated "walking" trails - and thankfully they are hike/bike trails.

[Aggie_Ama]

I have done a couple of rides about a month ago, realized the rainy winter made me lose a lot of my skill. Since I am prone to silly crashes I have stayed of the dirt until I finish my half marathon next weekend. It was way to painful to run with the bruises I got from a slow-mo fall at the end of January. :rolleyes:

[limewave]

I skipped out on work Friday to get in my first single-track ride. Overall I felt really good, but I got nervous during one technical section and ended up walking more than I'd like to admit.

And just now rode about 15 miles of single-track with DH for date night :D Perfect conditions! Although the trail was covered with a lot of fallen leaves so it was hard to see in places.

[katherine]

I drove 5 hrs to Tucson to ride a couple days last weekend (Starr Pass and Fantasy Island, the added bonus is grandparents to watch the kids while I go) and then rode 15m. in Sedona yesterday (near Dry Creek). It was fantastic, wee hoo! I felt really good. But now I'm really anxious for our trails in Flagstaff to melt and dry. We've had record snow, it could be awhile...

[Drtgirl]

I'm getting ready for a 24hr solo and have been logging a lot of time in the saddle lately. I took out my new mountain bike yesterday (named El Blanco) for a singletrack bonding session on trails near my house. The weather here was fantastic and totally felt like summer!

[runningteach]

I went to a trail I haven't been to yet and it was a short ride, about an hour. Our trails here are relatively flat, single track. It was an easy trail but I will admit that I fell over once, darn those mini inclines. I was hit by a car on my road bike several years ago (broke my wrist and have a plate with screws) so I still have a fear of breaking something. Almost hit a tree too, but not bad for my first time out in a while. My favorite trail opens April 1st and I found out that there is another trail by one of my jobs. Can't wait to try that one.

[Aggie_Ama]

Woohoo!! I finished my half marathon, now it is time to get dirty! I think we are heading to a new course next weekend. I have to wipe down my bike and get her ready to rock the trail. :)

[Ja Da Dee]

Snow is melted, now we just need to survive the freeze/thaw cycle, and get my new rear triangle back from the mfg and on my bike.

:( Not coming fast enough for me.

[Becky]

8 miles today. Slow and painful, but it felt good to be out on the MTB again!

[Aggie_Ama]

Did a little over 7 miles today at a new trail. It wasn't overly technical but I felt like it was. I lost so much confidence not riding through the wet winter. :o Only one way to get that back - ride more!

[crazycanuck]

All I can say is Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee..:cool:

[rocknrollgirl]

We did just shy of 20 hilly, semi-technical miles today. I have a new bike and I think we are starting to become friends. It was an awesome day.

The trails here are finally drying out.

[crazycanuck]

RNRG-A new Mtb...What did ye get?

[rocknrollgirl]

Salsa Mamacita 29er. Big change from my xs Titus Racer X. Now that I am sure I am going to keep her. I will post a picture.

[Aggie_Ama]

19.86 miles (31.96 kilometers to you CC :p) this weekend. The wildflowers are amazing and I am finally starting to get mildly comfortable. I am still a bit hesistant on some downhills but I will get there. I am still trying to get to know my new bike, we're at 85 miles since I put the computer on it. Maybe 100 miles total.

[katherine]

I soared over a local trail that always gives me trouble (Rocky Ridge for locals), I didn't get my pedals stuck between boulders, I didn't fall, I made it to the top of all those rocky hills. I may have scared some wild life screaming f&^k yeah it was soooooo good.

[irrealised]

I finally got in my first ride of the season... and my first dirt ride alone, ever! It was confidence building and SO much fun!!! I stuck to mainly beginner trails, since I'm never sure what other people classify as beginner, but they were cake so I can definitely try out some of the others. It was also great to see so many other friendly people out on the trails... really made me feel more comfortable about not having a riding partner.

[crazycanuck]

I had an awesome ride dis morning!!! Weeeeee..It was only 16km but that's all I have time for today. Going to the rugby later on tonight plus have to drop doggies off at the kennel. Tis a long weekend & there's a mtn bike event down south we're heading to..

The ride I did this morning has a nasty climb at the end & have never been able to conquer it. Most likely because whenever i've tried it, it's been 30C+ out & with no shade, it's a killer!!! It doesn't have much in the way of traction & just have to keep on trucking up the hill. I didn't keel over!!!

Now that summer's over, i'll be doing this trail a bit more often!

Coolio!

[Aggie_Ama]

CC- Your posts always make me want to say "WEEEEEEE!" You just make it sound like a blast. :)

[crazycanuck]

We did a XC race yesterday on a new track & ooooohhh...way cool but just a bit hard! It was hand built by one gent (approved by the DEC of course) and if all goes well, we could have something similar to Forrest, Vic & their mtb park.

I loved the trail..lots of windy uphill switchbacks (only one foiled me), some amazing downhill parts & my fave section-berms with "walls". I would love to be able to smash that part but umm..i would need a week of doing it again & again to "get it".

I'm still the turtle of the XC racing scene but it's just sooo much fun even if i am wayyyyy at the back :o:)

[blackhillsbiker]

Hubby and I did some fairly easy trails, a little bit of "hike-a-bike" and had big fun! I'm loving the 29er. I'll never be a serious MTB rider, but I sure enjoy getting out there and getting dirty. I never enjoyed the Giant the way I'm loving this Kona! Looking forward to the rain letting up long enough for more trail adventures.

Deb

[ridebikeme]

Our trails are not open here yet, but can't wait until they are! I may try and get out on some of the longer dirt roads this weekend. In fact, as a freakish storm, we may get from 2-6" of snow today! I'm hoping that the weather forecasters are wrong, but the sky certainly does look like snow.:confused:

[Harley]

I've had my new FS Trek FuelEX 8 about a week...it's the best ride I've ever had!
Today I did a ride, which 10 years ago was a grunt but a favorite. I'm either stronger now or it's the new bike, but the hills didn't seem as bad.:cool: The loop is maybe 6 miles, mostly single track uphill to start,with a couple steep downhills, bridge crossings, fence riding and no one on the trail. It a was a cool 56 degrees with a strong north wind, which the last 2 miles of the ride provided a beautiful pavement cruise back to the car (locked both shocks and hauled), wind at my back, smiling all the way!
I love mountain biking again:)

[pumpkinpony]

Hey Harley

I have a question. I have an EX8 I've had about two weeks longer than you... Is yours squeaky? And the front wheel - on my road bike and my hard-tail, if you lift the front end off the ground and give the wheel a spin it goes for quite some time. On the EX8 it will only do about a revolution or two after I spin it. It makes me think either the brake is rubbing (can't hear anything) or the hub is messed up. Is yours like that? :confused:

[Harley]

No squeaks or drag. It does sound like the disc is dragging, or maybe check with your bike shop. My LBS set it up including the air shocks, I have had no problems, love the bike and the ride.

Have fun!

[limewave]

I got us a babysitter for the entire day so DH and I could go north and ride some single track. I got in a little over 20 while DH did about 30 miles. It was beautiful. I had never ridden this section of trail before, it was a lot of fun. What I liked about it was that it wasn't very technical, just smooth cross country single-track. We could just ride and ride and ride. A perfect way to spend the day.

And we were even able to enjoy a leisurely dinner with friends afterwards. :)

[katherine]

I got us a babysitter for the entire day so DH and I could go north and ride some single track. I got in a little over 20 while DH did about 30 miles. It was beautiful. I had never ridden this section of trail before, it was a lot of fun. What I liked about it was that it wasn't very technical, just smooth cross country single-track. We could just ride and ride and ride. A perfect way to spend the day.

And we were even able to enjoy a leisurely dinner with friends afterwards. :)

That sounds so nice, who needs a date night when you can have a whole day! And a quiet, leisurely dinner, so relaxing! We're sending the kids to the the Grandparent's for a weekend in June so that we can do the same thing. We can't wait.

[blackhillsbiker]

Our favorite dates are bike dates. We enjoy each others' company, love the scenery, and just generally have a great time. We sprung for 2 mtbs this year (last year's closeout models). Hoping to put lots of miles on them this summer. Hubby's last new bike was almost 20 years ago. It was time!

Deb

[limewave]

Bike dates are great! We used to do trail-running dates, but DH can run so much faster than me, we never saw each other except for the car ride there and back. Biking is different. He can pace me for awhile and we'll have a fun time together, then we split up for awhile riding our own pace. It's fun.

We have a couple of biking weekends planned over the rest of the year. We haven't quite figured out babysitters yet, but I'm sure it will all fall into place :)

[HermitGirl]

Hi ~ I'm somewhat new (again) to TE, and this is the first post on the mtn bike forum as of yet. I am dipping my toes into the water of cycling again (use to road and trail), and well, as I've got a dog to run, and I live in the backwoods, I figure, though it may be physically more challenging to do so, I would start 'back into riding' on my mtn bike. Just little tiny rides for now, baby steps all the way baby. In a few moments I am going out for a little spin, run the dog, and work it out. Wish me luck !

[Harley]

Dirt time with the dog is the best. I started trail riding again just to exercise the dog. Just start slow, for both you and the dog. I found a nice flat trail loop out to a river and back, about 5 miles total. It's perfect, but when we started, we'd do half the loop. On the steeper trails I'm not against walking the bike, and if its if'y technical stuff I'm still walking. Keeping it about being in the woods, letting the dog run, until the skills kick in.
You'll have a great time!

[HermitGirl]

Dirt time with the dog is the best. I started trail riding again just to exercise the dog. Just start slow, for both you and the dog. I found a nice flat trail loop out to a river and back, about 5 miles total. It's perfect, but when we started, we'd do half the loop. On the steeper trails I'm not against walking the bike, and if its if'y technical stuff I'm still walking. Keeping it about being in the woods, letting the dog run, until the skills kick in.
You'll have a great time!why THANK YOU ! THe truth of the matter, getting the dog is primarily how I got out of cycling , 5 years ago. I can now make it all about why I can get back into cycling. Our GermanShepherd dog just turned 5 and she is very athletic, we seem well matched, she running, and me just out of shape riding slow. :D

[HermitGirl]

On the steeper trails I'm not against walking the bike, and if its if'y technical stuff I'm still walking. Keeping it about being in the woods, letting the dog run, until the skills kick in.
You'll have a great time!

Though once long ago, I use to angst over riding the techy spots, I don't anymore. Why? I mean, if it's just about me riding (and the dog) for fitness, heck... hiking uphill pushing a bike is exercise too ! :D

[forestbiker]

I got out on some dirt today with this:
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x297/meadowwalker/DSCN3267.jpg

I can't resist showing her off!

[Harley]

NICE BIKE ForestBiker!
I did about 8 miles today. Single & double track nice rolling trail with a few hills thrown in. Beautiful riding thru the balsamroot in bloom...trail lined with yellow. Thunder storms this afternoon, but I didn't melt in the rain shower. My bike is a bit muddy.

I have a long ride planned for tomorrow!! Yippee, I love the weekends.

[limewave]

That is a fine looking bike!

I got in 11 miles last night. All single track. The first time I went out by myself. I thought I would be more anxious and tense than I normally am, especially on a technical trail. But I actually felt really relaxed. It was the most confident ride I've ever had. I loved it!!! I'm definitely doing it again next week on my "free night."

[Veronica]

I went out for my first dirt ride in more than year yesterday. We did a short out and back at Black Diamond Mines. It's a "fire road", but it hasn't been graded yet this year since the cows are still grazing out there. It climbs 1,000 feet in 2.7 miles. There are a few flat sections and some slight downhills on the way up. It's a hard work out!

Veronica

[crazycanuck]

Friday Dirt time has been put on hold for the past two weeks :(. Group assignments, papers etc have been a bit more important than dirt. I've only been doing smidgen road rides this week & last..must get assignments finished...

Tomorrow & sunday are dirt time though this week..ahhhhh

Next week's looking sweeter :cool:

[Aggie_Ama]

I have done so much dirt time my bike finally needed a tune-up! My husband bought it for me last July but I only had about 20-30 miles on it. Now it has over about 160 which is quite a bit in trail miles. I did my first race 2 weeks ago, finished 10/12 but had a lot of fun. I am going to work on my technical skills before the fall and probably do some more races. Should be getting a lot of dirt time, our women's weekly series just started. :)

[Harley]

Sundays dirt ride was a 20 mile out and back on forest service roads. 2 friends joined me for the ride on an old washboard dirt road along the upper Chewuch River. It was supposed to be a loop ride, but the FS gate was closed at a stream crossing because of "salmon spawning". The stream was also running way too high and fast to ride, not wanting to disturb the salmon we went back the way we came. Fun fast ride back, shocks worked great smoothing out the road.

We also saw an osprey catch a fish in the river! Fantastic!

I've been riding dirt every other day, mostly to exercise the dog, but also solo adventures after work. What a Kick!!!

Congrats on your first race Aggie Ama!

[tzvia]

"...osprey catch a fish in the river!"

LOL out here I am lucky to see a crow eat road kill, which is what I saw MTBing today. Actually, I think a hawk caught it and dropped it, as it was circling above the crow as it pulled what appeared to be a rabbit or opossum apart, right on the edge of the trail. Good ride though, I added about a mile of constant climb to the beginning. Normally, I drive up part of the dirt road, and park right where the gate is, but today, I parked at beginning of the road. The trail just goes up and up for the whole first mile; it was hot and I had to stop once under a tree to recoup. From where I normally start, the trail climbs and descends like a rollercoster for the whole ride. So at the end I get a reward of a great downhill all the way to the car WOOOOOHHOOOOO. That is the part I like, sometimes gravity is your friend ;)

[sundial]

Forestbiker--did you go over that log?

Aggie--I think mtb'ing agrees with you. :cool: You know you've reached a milestone when you need a tune-up of the shocks. :D

I want to ride the trail but when I want to go it's either a)raining like crazy and the trail is too muddy or b)there's a wind advisory and I'm afraid the danglers from the ice storm will come crashing down on me. Instead, I have been riding the gravel roads and taking in the scent of honeysuckles.

[limewave]

DH didn't have to work on Saturday! Which of course means, I get to sneak out of the house for a few hours for a quick ride on some single track.

It was a slice of heaven. I even managed to increase my average on that trail from 8.3 mph to 8.7! Go me! I'm hoping to average 9.5 mph on that trail by mid-fall this year.

[Becky]

DH and I did 14 miles at Fair Hill yesterday. We found trails that we'd never ridden before, and had an absolute blast. It amazes me to think that I've been riding there for more than 5 years and still find areas that I don't know.

[crazycanuck]

I ventured out to the trail that we have a short club race this weekend & did three practice laps (ran out of time..). :o

I figured something out in terms of forcing myself to use my left side more . If i grip my left handlebar with all my strength, I seem to feel a bit more "all there" if that makes any sense.

Still tons o fun :)