"Hey aren't you that OMMB guy?" - Village Park - Swansea, MA

• Trailhead: Case Jr High
• Riders: OMMB & Jesse Dog 
• Miles: 4.1
• Trail Conditions: deep mush, deep puddles 

Notes: My response... "Yeah, how did you know?" (I'm thinking they have seen pictures of Jesse on the blog)  "Oh it's those bells, I read about them on your blog."  (He's referring to the Bear Bells that both Jesse and I have strapped on with our orange wear for hunting season) 

Going for a quick ride after work ride on Halloween...cool.  

Being able to ride a nice Kona 29er on loan from your wife...awesome.

Being recognized by random trail riders because of some jingle bells mentioned on your blog...                  ...priceless. 

Tidbits: The trail elves have built a new bridge...   



...oh and that goal to ride each day last week... yaaa that didn't happen.

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Two for Five - Village Park - Swansea, MA

• Trailhead: library
• Riders: OMMB, just OMMB 
• Miles: 4.8
• Weather: breezy
• Temp: 60
• Trail Conditions: getting better, just in time for tomorrow's rain 
• Wildlife: nothing but occasional squirrels...starting to wonder just how many coyotes are around!
• GPS Track: http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1379746

Notes:  With the HiFi on the disabled list, it's Kona 29er time (thanks Teri)!  It's been a while since I rode "Gold Member"...still a fast wild ride!  I was told by a passerby that the farmer that owns most of the land on the outskirts of Village Park is cracking down on trespassers...expect more signs.  Sucks.

Tidbits: Brought the HiFi to Bikeworks and received a nice surprise.  Trek/Gary Fisher have a life time warranty on frames...Bob will submit the paperwork!  Since they no longer make HiFi, will get the newer model frame...Yeehaaa!

Happy Trails,

OMMB

One for Five (with a little walk) - Village Park - Swansea, MA

• Trailhead: library
• Riders: OMMB & JD
• Miles: 3 on 2 wheels, .8 on two legs
• Weather: chilly, damp with dew
• Temp: 40
• Trail Conditions: Some mud and puddles

Notes: Well just after one of the longer climbs, I heard my rear wheel rubbing on the frame.  Stopped, checked the rear axle skewer to make sure it was tight, it was.  Tried again, still rubbing, oh and wobbly.  Checked the disk brake alignment, all good.  Off again...still whacked...oh wait...frickin frame is broke near the gear cluster.  Damn.  Off to Bikeworks tomorrow...to be continued...

Tidbits:  My goal is to ride each day this week...rain or shine.  Teeerrrrriii...can I use your biiiike????  Pleeeaaase?  :)

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Just for the fans - Swansea, MA

• Trailhead: Library
• Riders: OMMB and Jesse Dog
• Miles: 4.5
• Weather: partly cloudy and cool
• Temp: 60, actually wore long sleeves for the first time this year, still too warm for that!
• Trail Conditions: some mud, soft conditions 
• Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: Had a little slide out "whoops" when I was coming to a stop around a corner.  Had to hop off and do a front tuck and roll to make it look good for the fans.  Well...actually only one fan came running over to check on me...but he had four legs and full of fur.   
• GPS Track: http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1375181

Tidbits: Jesse is sporting his new safety vest from RuffWear!  Now he doesn't have to feel inferior to those other dogs with the pumped up kicks.  Optional bell attached at the top, from OMMB.

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Reversed with a side of Twilight Zone - Swansea, MA

• Trailhead: library
• Riders: OMMB and Jesse
• Miles: 3.8
• Weather: windy
• Temp: 64
• Trail Conditions: soft and wet (hmmm)...from all the rain we had yesterday 

Notes: Wanted to get a quick ride in.  Decided to roll the time trial course in reverse.  Some sloppy trail conditions but certainly ride-able.  Aside from the good ride, stumbled upon some drama on the trail.  We rode past two collies tied to a tree, they were "crying" (I was thinking, "hmmm that's straaaange, will have to check back here after my ride to make sure they weren't abandoned").  A couple hundred feet down the trail found an old dude and a lady with a newly adopted pit bull.  Old dude was hysterically "urging" me to get Jesse away.  Apparently his collies were attacked by the pit bull and the lady was having an extremely tough time controlling him. We got by them fine, and I got to hear all the nitty gritty details when I ran into the old dude in the parking lot after the ride.  I also got to hear about his days as a Channel 12 reporter when they busted a mafia pit bull fighting ring...nice enough guy, but a loooong story teller! 

Tidbits: Well I thought the wood ticks were gone for the season...they are not.  Jesse came home with tons of the little bastards.  I hate those things as much as I hate mosquitoes.  If I were a Honey Badger I wouldn't give a shit, but I'm not, so I hate them. 

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Such a baby! - Village Park - Swansea, MA

• Trailhead: Colt Jr High
• Riders: OMMB and Dog Face
• Miles: 5.5
• Weather: perfect!
• Temp: 70
• Trail Conditions:  Some leaves and sticks... they're here for the Fall! 
• GPS Track: http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1369675

Notes: A real good ride today.  I felt good and quick BUT...I kept hesitating over technical stuff!  Such a baby. I think maybe the endo on Sunday was in my head. Such a baby. Followed some of the new stuff the trail elves have been working on.  They are doing a nice job on fresh single track.  I dead ended on a couple of trails they haven't finished...but it's going to be good stuff when complete.  I gotta say though, I hope the hell they're going to build a ramp down the rock face pictured below (although tough to see how steep it actually is)...what the hell are they thinking???  Those silly elves. I didn't ride it. I'm such a baby. 

Tidbits:  This fella is NOT such a baby...click on...Nastyass Honey Badger  

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Slam down = fun, not so much - Big River - RI

• Trailhead: Hopkin's Hill
• Riders: OMMB and Jesse Dog
• Miles: 6.5-ish
• Weather: nice, dry, cool
• Temp: 66
• Trail Conditions: mostly good, but puddles, streams and ponds were overflowing from the recent downpours
• Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: a nice Yikes!  It's been a while since I had a good endo...I remember them being not so much fun...well still not fun.  I was heading down a slight decline at a moderate speed, hopped over a boulder and a couple of roots, when my front wheel locked up on a protruding root that I didn't even see...back end up...stalled at the highest point...  "welcome to the slam down"
• GPS Track: 

Notes: Followed some sweet single track to complete a longer loop around Carr Pond. Some of it was chewed up from motocycles, maybe there was a recent race.  A moderately technical loop overall.  We happened to cross paths (twice) with NEMBA Peter Gengler and his gang of guys and dogs.  Jesse felt much better about his orange plastic "vest" when he saw the other dogs with various day glow wear.  I'll be sure to join some of the RI NEMBA "dog" rides next year.

Tidbits:  Pete told me about Ruff Wear.  Good place to get Jesse some new stuff.


Looks like a wolf fought a hunter......hunter lost.





Whoa jackpot!  Which ball do I go for first?



Happy Trails,

OMMB

Ten Twelve Eleven - Swansea, MA

• Trailhead: Library 
• Riders: OMMB
• Miles: 4.3
• Weather: partly cloudy
• Temp: 61 

Notes: Veered off to Swansea on my way home from work...that's all I got.

Tidbits:  In case you haven't seen these yet...

1) Antsy antelope...click on
2) Bad sign...click again

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Ten Six Eleven - Swansea, MA

• Trailhead: Case Jr High
• Riders: OMMB and JD
• Miles: 5.4
• Weather: Summer in October
• Temp: 75
• GPS Track: http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1352140

Notes: Someone added a nice ramp down the side of a rock drop off on a new section of trail (I mentioned a couple of weeks ago).  They did a good job on the ramp...had to try it a couple of times, good thrill!

Tidbits: Jesse split a claw...on the DL for a week or so! 

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Ringing In My Ears - Swansea, MA

• Trailhead: Case Jr High
• Riders: OMMB plus Jesse
• Miles: 4.75
• Weather: clear and cool
• Temp: 62
• Trail Conditions: leaves are a fallin 
• GPS Track: http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1350782

Notes: Ringing for two reasons... 1) it's now hunting season and both dog and man have jingle bells attached (so any drunk hunters know where to aim), and 2) the air now has that crispy nip that chills your ears.  It's definitely time to start wearing ear warmers and gloves.  Also time to pack the lights...darkness falls.

Tidbits: The "jingle bells" are actually called "Bear Bells", meant to scare off bears where bears may be.  They work just as well for warning Elmer Fudds who may be hiding in the woods hunting for Bambi wabbits.  Find them at http://www.pricepoint.com/  for three bucks. 

Happy Trails,

OMMB