Trail Report - 11/11/09 - Santa Monica Mountains - CA

Nice long 18.4 mile ride...

Did I mention that Hector lies? Well, he seduced us all with tales of magical singletrack in the Santa Monica mountains along an approximate 12 mile loop. So we all (usual West Coast crew of Juan, Scott, Ron, Hector, Tim) made plans for our gov't sponsored holiday. We all met up around 0915 at a small strip of road Hector referred to as a "parking lot". I was very impressed to see Juan sporting a cycling jersey. Apparently he's done wearing cotton hoody's (more likely he's tired of me giving him grief). We started riding up this really nice singletrack with a very comfortable grade - read EASY CLIMBING. After 2.8 miles we reached a fire road where the grade takes a significant turn for the worse. Fortunately the road goes both up and down and the view west over the Pacific ocean is nothing short of magnificent. After 1.5 miles we reached a paved road which led to another singletrack known as "circle X". This singletrack proved to also be very pleasant with both ups and downs and great views. The only thing is - it felt quite long...and when we finally descended to the parking lot...it turns out we'd done 9.2 miles. So...the key is that Hector doesn't mean to mislead you...you just have to understand "Hector math". When he says a ride is X miles...you simply have to multiply X by 1.5 to get at the real ride length. We headed back after snarfing down our usual energy stuff. Much to my consternation, the brakes on my bike started acting up and I noticed "oh sweet, my pads are completely gone". More on that later. So we rode back and there was one exceeding tough hill on the fire road. You know the kind...where your heart feels like its going to boom-boom-boom right out of your chest. After that it was all gravy. I waited up at the start of the last bit of singletrack until Hector arrived..and then we waited. Apparently Scott had a flat. I ultimately had to go...so off I went. The next 2.8 miles are awesome winding singletrack w/ banked turns. It would have been perfect except my brakes decided that they either wouldn't work -or- simply just locked up. I got to the bottom and took off thereby missing the post-ride Dos Equis festival. Its unfortunate because an hour later I started having those post ride "feed-me" jitters.

Temp - Cool
Conditions - Hazy
Trail - Pleasantly difficult but lengthy Oh Sheets - See brake issue above

** Peace bro...we miss having you on the rides **

Tim V. (aka "The King")

Walk Report - 11/7/09 - Salem, MA

Well, I think it's safe to say I've reached Stage 5...

...can get around on two feet without too much of a wobble.   For longer distances, I've been using trekking poles to maintain an even keel.  Did quite of bit of walking around Salem, MA with Sadie, Greg, and Teri on the Witch "trail" yesterday and only a little soreness today.  Next stage....get on the freakin bike! (hopefully sometime today)

Tidbits: 

1) Those looney's in 1692 killed 20 people fearing they were witches!  Huh?  Did they not think a witch should be able to escape before hanging and pressing??

2) At the Witch Museum we learned... Fear (2 sick girls) + Catalyst (Dr. could not explain sickness) = Scapegoat (20 accused of witchcraft)

3) The Azorean Restaurant in Gloucester... awesome!

Happy Trails (soon!),

OMMB

Trail Report West - 10/29/09 - Sycamore Canyon - Port Hueneme, CA

Steve O - Bomber Ride.
The West Coast boys had another epic mountain bike ride yesterday. We had the full crew of Ron, Hector, Scott, Juan and Tim. It seems inconceivable, but, this was a ride I've never done within Sycamore Canyon. Anyway we all arrived at 1600 in Sycamore. The summer crowds are long gone and its the perfect time to do some trail poaching. We started at 1615 in cool breezy conditions and took the fire road to Boney Mountain Trail. Juan apparently hasn't gotten the memo that "cotton kills". He was wearing some sort of jumbo cotton hoody. Did I mention this trail is off-limits...and we're bad, bad, bad, bad for riding it. But, the trail is good, good, good. Very narrow singletrack and pleasantly rideable. In other words, bikers haven't tweakered it up. It might be perfect except for the ridiculous gradient that starts after a few hundred meters. Did I mention this climb is hard? Think "Hell Hill" but longer and more technical. We all struggled a bit on the climb, well at least Scott, Juan and I did. It seems Ron is turning into Iron Man material and Hector just is very aerodynamic with those roadie legs of his. The reward of this climb is amazing views from about 1300 ft of the Pacific Ocean, Serrano Canyon and the Oxnard Plain. Attached photo is taken near the top. The other reward is the descent. Think 18 inch wide singletrack with a rolling descent into a canyon. You can really bomb this. Something I started to do until Hector started screaming at me about a "pipe"? Pipe? Bro - I gave that up a long time ago. Well, said pipe ends up being an exposed (open) drain pipe that sits directly next to the trail at a pretty deep gully. Hit this too fast and you will have a problematic encounter with the pipe! Its one of the few technical features on this part of the trail. Ultimately you hit the bottom of Serrano Canyon and basically ride that out back to the main trail. It actually quite dark and overgrown in the canyon and filled with poison oak. There are a couple walking sections through the drainage...but otherwise pretty good. Great trail and Scott had Dos Equis on ice for us at the end. Sweetness. Look forward to doing this trail with you...
Length: ~11 miles
Elevation gain: ~1200 ft
Yikes: Pipe (see above), Poison Oak, Juan in cotton
Temp: 65 degrees
Tim

Pumpkin Report - 10/26/09

RI's Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular...
Here's a small sample of some of the Jack-O-Lanterns at the display at Roger William's Park Zoo.  Highly recommend this incredible show...

...YEP, those are PUMPKIN CARVINGS!!!!

Wobble Report - 10/26/09

Follow up with the surgeon today... x-rays look good (see for yourself) and OMMB is cleared (and encouraged) to walk or go hiking with trekking poles (versus crutches) and biking if able.  Wait, what...YES BIKING!  So I'm planning to do some extended walks this week and if all goes well I'll be on a road bike this weekend! 

Still at Stage 4 (wobble walk without crutches) but Stage 5 is nearly in sight!

Marathon Report - 10/18/09 - Newport, RI

SHE DID IT!!!  Anna completed her first full marathon today!  And she did it in the worst of conditions...during a Nor'Easter with 35-40 knot winds, freezing cold rain, and sleet. 

Many CONGRATS to our favorite Swede! 

Wave Report - 10/15/09 - CA

From the CA surfer boy...

1) Bacteria levels = high (yeah Tim, need to explain this one)
2) Waves = Overhead (due to storm)
3) Conditions = Unruly
4) Crowd Factor = Low (due to 1-3 above)
5) Onlookers = High (due to 1-3 above)
6) Wave count = 3 (with 2 exceptionally large and unruly rides)
7) Wipeouts on takeoff = 2 (longboard w/little rocker unable to deal w/pitching takeoff)*

* operator error a contributing factor...

Tim V.



(nice butt Tim, I see you've been workin out)






...thanks Tim, that was a fun ride, I didn't even get wet - next time please translate to East Coast lingo ;)

And Tim's translation...

1) The bacteria levels are always high right after it rains b/c the rain washes "sheet" down the normally dry riverbeds into the ocean.

2) "unruly" refers to wind chop...something I'm sure he's (ommb) seen a lot of in his lobstering days.

3) "rocker" refers to how flat the board is. more rocker = less flat. Typically longboard have less rocker than small boards. Less rocker is good for paddling, catching slower waves and not so good for pitching fast waves, steep faces, late takeoffs, etc...as those tend to submerge the nose. Once that happens you're done.

...nice!

Waddle Report - 10/15/09 (One Month Since Surgury)

A BLESSED EVENT!  I got news today that I no longer have to take the blood thinner and blood tests are not needed!  What does that mean?   ...I can now once again drink sweet nectars of the Gods!  yep...beer, wine, cava, g&t's, & martini's can now be consumed at will!!

Regarding my vertical status...I'm able to walk for short distances without the crutches. Not really a "walk" but more of a penguin-like "waddle". Great fun.  Tomorrow I begin the outpatient PT.

Tidbit:  AFG is running her first marathon on Sunday.  We'll be there in Newport cheering her on (with umbrellas of course)!!  GO SWEDE-E!!!!

Happy Trails are in the distance,

OMMB

Hobble Report - 10/13/09

Good news... I am no longer under House Arrest! Home PT check out today cleared me for work, driving, and some limited walking without crutches ("full weight bearing activities as tolerated"). I'll be starting the outpatient PT this Friday, that should last about 6 weeks, 2-3 times per week. Although still at Stage 4, the crutches are becoming a nuisance and I hope to be at Stage 5 next week....

And for the sake of celebrating some of this year's "good times", here's one of the classics...

Hobble Report - 10/07/09

Just the latest... I'm still progressing each day with home physical therapy. Pain is virtually gone, aside from some tightness around the hip joints. No real big improvement, but little by little each day I get a bit more leg strength and flexibility (really have to practice my patience!). I've taken a couple walks with crutches this past week, each about a half mile, accompanied by my unwavering companion. Had no issues.

I'm easing back into work tasks, since there isn't much else I can do around the house. I plan to get back to the office next week.

Looking forward to outpatient PT next week.

Still at STAGE FOUR (with crutches)...

Happy (future) Trails,
OMMB

PS- a video for the fun of it...

Trail Report West - 10/4/09 - Gridley Trail - Ojai, CA

- Riders: Hector, Ron, Scott, Tim

- Distance: 12 miles

- Weather: pleasantly cool and sunny

- Temp: low 70's (note that "70's" is "pleasantly cool" in CA)

- Hills: 6+ miles to around 3000 feet

- Notes:

From Tim....

So, the west coast crew hooked up for another epic ride on Sunday. Hector, once again, had this great idea to go ride Gridley trail in Ojai, CA. Gridley can be a little tricky. Its typically either smoking hot, or cold. The last time I rode it, we had to negotiate snow the final 1/2 mile. Well, thankfully, it was a tweener -> pleasantly cool (low 70's) and sunny. That's the good part. Did I mention that Gridley is an uphill slog. Six plus miles of an incline that turns into a suffer-fest @ mile 4 due to an increased grade and decreased traction. Its gotta be around 3000 feet of climbing. I think we all felt small when 3 hard core downhill guys passed us on the way up - on their downhill bikes, w/ all their body armor on their backs. Totally demoralizing! Yours truly consumed a fair number of gel bits and GU to keep the ole motor stoked and just let Hector and Ron pass me by. Well, most of us made it to the top...some folks in better shape (Ron, Hector) than others (me) and Scott (1/2 mile from top). Now for the good part. Gridley is technical, but not requiring of body armor or downhill bikes. The turns are also banked to a degree so one can really rail the descent. After 2 plus hrs of climbing, its sad that the descent is over in about 15 minutes...but it's one sweet time. Points to Scott for not giving up as this was easily the hardest ride he's done to date. Points to Hector for getting the weather right. Major points to Ron for having ice cold "Fat Tire Amber Ales" in the cooler for post-ride carb replen. You'll find our ride profile, GPS and whatever other technical wizardry resides on Ron's i-phone below. I'm dragging a bit today...

Google Earth File

Google Maps Link

GPX File

Tim... thanks for providing me another vicarious ride!

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Trail Report - 10/1/09 (from the Left Coast) - Angel View, Portrero Rd - Thousand Oaks CA

OMMB couldn't resist riding vicariously through his West Coast friends.... enjoy this from Tim V....

- Riders: Hector, Ron, Scott, Tim

- Weather: Hot, dry, and windy

- Temp: California Hot

- Humidity: 2%

- Hills: Hike your bike steep

Tim's account....

So Hector had this great idea to go for a mountain bike ride yesterday. Did I tell you it was hot yesterday? In fact, it was a "Santa Ana" condition. For those non-California types, this refers to hot, dry and fairly windy conditions. In short, miserable riding weather. Did I tell you Hector also had this great idea to ride in Thousand Oaks. After all, its always hotter there than the coast. Did I tell you I haven't ridden in over a month? So we (Scott, Hector, Ron and I) met at Portrero Rd with the intent to make the climb to Angel View. Did I tell you this ride choice was...you guessed it...Hector's idea. Did I mention that my 17 year old asked me if I had a death wish? Her 20 min walk home from school apparently was enough "nature" time. Did I mention that Hector forgot his riding gear. Oh yes. Being the giving person that I am...I donated my extra t-shirt and riding shorts to Hector, while I rode in some fancy plaid shorts (see photo). So off we went on the ride. Did I mention it was dry? Think 2% humidity. Ok, maybe that's an exaggeration. My cancer treated throat began complaining almost immediately and I thought perhaps I might hork up a lung. Did I mention there are two beastly hills on this ride that cannot be ridden...so you must push your bike up them. After all, nothing is better than pushing your bike up a steep, loose hill on a hot, dry merciless day. After pushing hill #1, I must confess to feeling light headed and had to take 5 minutes of shade time while I contemplated hurling. Fortunately, I was able to sort myself out. It turns out my headband hadn't been properly washed and this served to contribute to my feelings of nausea. Apparently these conditions posed no problems for Hector and Ron. Scott was perhaps another story. So we ultimately made it to the top where attached photo was taken by Ron. Notice Hector's smug demeanor, my non-riding shorts and the fact that Scott looks like he's about to explode. Fortunately the ride back is mostly downhill, the temperature dropped a few degrees and the wind stopped. Even "Guzman Hill" was fun to blast down. We made it back to the cars around 1800 where I had some ice cold Tecate's waiting. Good times.

Thanks Tim (I feel your pain)!

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Hobble Report - 9/29/09

Hey I got my lovely staples out yesterday...all 23 of them and scars are healing nicely (so instead of Frankenstein, I now look like I was shark bait).  X-Rays showed that all new parts are in the right place, but will still be using crutches for a least 2 more weeks.

I've thrown out the walker for all but in and out of the shower, so safe to say I've advanced to next stage.

Now at STAGE FOUR (with crutches)...

Hobble Report - 9/26/09

Holy Cow! THAT'S what a full night sleep feels like!!! (felt so good I didn't want to stop...and a long nap on top of that would lead one to believe that hibernation wouldn't be so bad)

Hobble Report - 9/24/09

Had a another progressive day today. Able to move around more easily and do the PT exercises without too much trouble. Leg muscles seem to be firing as requested...all but the abductors, still weak there.

Thankfully, ATK almost got a full night sleep (she DESERVES it). Does getting two half-night sleeps in one night equal a full night?

Still using the walker, with occasional bouts of crutches.

Hobble Report - 9/22/09

Wow...the future's so bright I gotta wear shades!! All visiting medical assessments today were EXTREMELY positive. Getting out of a chair without aid of the walker or ATK, who has been busting her ass around here to support me (even throughout the sleepless nights) ...I am going to be forever grateful for her patience and unconditional support.

I'm at STAGE THREE...

Hobble Report - 9/21/09

pretty good day...starting to feel some mobility again. Went on a field trip to the grocery store with ATK...but OMMB stayed in the truck with a book.

Hobble Report - 9/20/09

Wow...starting to feel semi-human last night and today. Had some great company from family and friends which definitely kept me from staying horizontal most of the time (that's a good thing and I really appreciated the get well gifts...especially the company)

I'm at STAGE TWO...

Hobble Report - 9/19/09

Yea!! I'm home...but seriously suffering from the withdrawal effects of all the Percs (Oxycodone) which I am refusing to take unless absolutely necessary!

I have nothing but great things to say about the staff at South County Hospital (well except maybe for one particular nurse that first under-medicated me, then got me on a track to over use the damn stuff). All is good now...

Bed Report - 9/18/09

Holy crap those Percs cause serious delusions, out of body experiences, and whacked out dreams. No sleep resulting! Hobbling home today once PT and PA clear the way so that I can go home and clear my head.

PT=Physical Therapist
PA=Physician's Assistant

Bed Report - 9/17/09

Keep those pain killers coming...feels like somebody attacked me with a knife, saw, chisel, file, hammer and who knows what else!!! (then they pounded some metal joints into me and stapled me back together)

I'm at STAGE ONE...

Bed Report - 9/16/09

OUUUUCHHHH!!!!! IIIIII EEEEEE WATCH!!!!!!

Bed Report...9/15/09

- Place: South County Hospital, Orthopedic Center
- Report: when I arrived at 0600, I was awake. Then all of a sudden at 0800 I was asleep...then at 2:30 I was awake again. But THEN I was LOOPY for the rest of the day!! What happened? Did I go to Vegas?

Here's what actually happened...

http://www.birminghamhipresurfacing.com/

Trail Report...9/6/09 (last SMWR this season) - Big River, Hopkins Hill Rd

- Place: West Greenwich, RI
- Riders: ATK & OMMB
- Distance: 6.5 miles
- Weather: excellent
- Temp: 67
- Humidity: zero
- Trail Conditions: dry, mostly technical singletrack
- Technical Level: advanced
- Hills: 15%
- Bug Report: very low
- Wildlife: just a goofy dog by the lake (in the video)
- Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: clean ride, but one more blood point for T (damn briars)
- Notes: probably OMMB's favorite loop, nice variable singletrack.



Tidbits: 09/09/09 is ATK & OMMB's 4th Anniversary!! SMWR = Sunday Morning Weekly Ride (UFN...hint, hint). Great ride to end this season on...hiatus begins with surgery and physical therapy starting next week (oh joy).

If you're having trouble sleeping, watch the video...



Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...9/2/09 - Big River

- Place: West Greenwich, RI
- Riders: T & OMMB
- Distance: 4.5 miles
- Weather: perfect!
- Temp: 70
- Humidity: nothin
- Trail Conditions: excellent
- Technical Level: intermediate/advanced
- Hills: 20%
- Bug Report: very few skeets
- Wildlife: a very happy water dog...some sort of friendly spaniel
- Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: no falls, just 1 blood pt for T

Notes: we knew we'd be in the area today, so the bikes were loaded. Road the East side of BR, even though more technical single-track, needed to avoid the trashed West trails from the m/c race.

Tidbits: Staff at the South County Hospital Orthopedic Center have got their act together, VERY impressive orientation today.

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...9/1/09 (Welcome to Sept!) - Case Jr High

- Place: Swansea, MA
- Riders: OMMB
- Distance: 4.5 miles
- Weather: excellent
- Temp: 70
- Humidity: low
- Trail Conditions: very good
- Technical Level: intermediate
- Hills: 15%
- Bug Report: none
- Wildlife: saw a pair of big ones (Mark...I'm talking about deer)
- Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: one whoops, bailed out when I realized my brakes had some oil on them (lubed the bike after the last wet ride)
- Notes: OMMB scooted out for a quick ride before dinner. Did the usual loop in reverse which made for a semi-unrecognizable ride (...like a goldfish in a fishbowl, where the little plastic castle is a surprise every time!)

Tidbits: In two weeks from today OMMB goes to the Hips-R-Us store in South County. At this point, looking forward to it (old hip parts are seizing up!)

http://www.birminghamhipresurfacing.com/2

Liked this... "Since then, Floyd has competed many challenging 100 mile mountain bike rides. The BIRMINGHAM HIP has helped him get back to his activity. "

Not sure about this... "Individual results may vary." :)

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...8/30/09 - Big River Middle and West

- Place: W. Greenwich, RI
- Riders: Chris, Carrie, Kurt, T, OMMB
- Distance: 7 miles
- Weather: good, overcast
- Temp: 70
- Humidity: low
- Trail Conditions: PDM (pretty damn muddy!)...but this was expected due to the rain from TS Danny
- Technical Level: intermediate..but it was tough going (see Notes)
- Hills: 15%
- Bug Report: low
- Wildlife: holy crap, they all ran to Connecticut...there was a motorcycle enduro race going on!

- Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: a whoops and an Oh Sheet by Carrie (picked the first day out to do an endo, got that out of the way!), a whoops by Kurt (only once on the first day out??), and a Holy Sheet by Chris (that's waaaay worse than an Oh Sheet...he tried to jump over a very swollen river onto what was left of a log bridge. His attempt failed miserably when his front wheel sunk the bridge into deep water and he went over the handlebars for a body slam onto the logs...OUCH!!). Chris has easily taken over the Oh Sheet points category with this, shall we quote, "dick head" maneuver. :) I think I may even start a new category in his honor...blood points.

- Notes: what started out as an attempt to take a "normal" loop with our rookies, ended in disaster. Apparently...no signs, no warnings...there was an NETRA Motorcycle Enduro race scheduled today. It was downright frightening having the bikes race by us on single-track. If any of them lost it, we were tomato juice. Although the riders were EXTREMELY courteous, we would have avoided this with due warning. I've sent some emails to NETRA and NEMBA for information regarding the race event. Biggest pet peeve (and I came from a dirt biking background) is that they tore the shit out of the trails...mainly due to the great amount of rain we had yesterday. I really think they should have rescheduled this to the Fall (assuming they have the permits to run the race there).

- Tidbits: all in all... a ride is a ride and we had a good (interesting) one! (GPS track was cut short, battery died)

Happy Trails,
OMMB

More regarding the m/c race and some good news on mtn biking approval at BR...

From: gengler.peter@gmail.com
To: SRebello@aol.com
Sent: 8/31/2009 7:45:51 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Re: Big River... Motocycle Enduro race today (8/30/09)
I too was there early, was down by the south end of tea pot (with my dog). It was terrifying. Had to bush wack to get to safety.
Jim & I will talk to Jay at DEM and I will talk to the WRB people. I completely agree with you.
BUT, I think we still don't want to make too big waves until we are "legal" in BR. We are half way there and got approval in the house o a bill in July. It should be in the senate this fall.
Forecast was 3 - 6" friday, we got 1.5 ( I looked it up) and I watched guys FLYING down the trails and through huge mud wallows.
I do not know how much clean up they did afterwards.
If you can make the ri nemba meeting tuesday, that would be great (see rinemba.org <http://rinemba.org/> )
best wishes
peter