Cycling July 3, 2009

jamesmreid — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:19:32 +0000

My brother Rob and I had a fun ride last Friday (see our route & statistics here). We got up there pretty early (before 7am). It was the perfect weather (overcast, ~68f). The view from the trail head is gorgeous, just southeast of the Flatirons & mostly open-space (and cow pastures). While this trail is pretty simple, we both took diggers in the dirt. Rob’s was much more graceful than my own, as he did a perfectly formed superman over the handlebars.

Me? Well, I waited until we were going slow & steady to show off my cycling prowess. As I slowed down for a rocky section, confidently telling Rob he should stick to the “main trail,” I immediately stuck my front wheel in a groove and “endoed” the bicycle. Oops. Bruises heal, but my pride is scared for life. I guess that’s what I get? On the uphills, Rob can out-climb me better than 2:1. Nice work, Bro!

The bikes fared better than we did (straightened my handlebars, and later rebuilt Rob’s rear brakes, cables, lever, and upgraded V-Brakes — this after an on-trail jerry-rig fix). I think I may have to upgrade Rob’s fork next, as I bet he will smoke me on the downhills too once he has suspension.

I rode with some friends from work yesterday. This was a “green” MTB trail by Sugarloaf mountain. Let’s just say I have a lot of work ahead of me…

Posted in Family, Fitness, Mountain Biking Tagged: Family, mountain biking

Trail running

jamesmreid — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:14:48 +0000

I have been hiking 14ers on and off for better than 15 years. I am also a semi-avid runner. I figured trail running was the next logical (and easy — er not) transition. Trail running is not easy… I ran with the “Boulder Trail Runners” group in their “Wednesday Trail JOG” (yes jog). Wow – it beat me up good. I am very fortunate that this group is geared towards newbies (like me), and that they frequently stop to wait for the weakest link(s) – me in this case.

It remains to be seen if my back can tolerate this kind of hammering (it is unhappy with me today). Long story short, I jammed it up pretty good in an accident last August, and it likes to toy with me when I run, hike, and mountain bike. I will add some historical context later (regarding my back, my amazing Fiancé Elizabeth, my huskies Timber & Tundra, our “house” drama).

For more about our run, visit Garmin Connect (just don’t laugh at my laughably slow pace).

I am taking my brother Rob mountain biking on this route tomorrow — I can’t wait. It is a nice mix of short climbs, a little bit of downhill/single-track, and escape from the “burbs” for most of the ride. With him on my old bike, I might stand half a chance.

Posted in Fitness, Mountain Biking, Running, Trail Running Tagged: mountain biking, running, trail running

Incoherant Ramblings...

Cycling July 3, 2009

Trail running