Four Plus Three

• Place: Village Park
• Trailhead: Library
• Riders: Bob, Jeff, OMMB
• Miles: 4 then 3
• Temp: 40's
• Trail Conditions: slightly soft, not bad 
• Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: whoops by me off the Abrams Rock Bridge (again), whoops by Jeff off the Abrams Rock Bridge, nice tangled mess.  Whacked out my rear brake disk, Bob fixed it up with a fancy smancy tool at the shop in about 45 seconds.
• GPS Track (s):

Notes: Bob's goal was to track a potential race route.  The route, which stuck to the outside trails to avoid crossroads, clocked in at 4 miles exactly.   The second ride, for the fun of it, featured Leap 3 in reverse.  Really not bad at all since the Trail Elves have cleaned it up.

Tidbits: New Teeter on Kennedy Plaza...it's a keeper!

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Newest Map...

Voices in my head? No that's my App.

Notes: Out for a quick ride after work, weather wasn't as nice as expected, but decent enough.  Logged 4.75 miles (if the app serves me right) at a screaming 11.5 minutes per mile rate...hahaha....turtle turtle.  Speaking of "apps", the Endomondo PepTalk mode got a real test with an Elf sending me messages along the way.  Makes for an interesting ride when your phone randomly starts calling out things like "k9 butt cheeks" and "my son peed on himself"...almost lost it on that one! Good times.

Tidbits: I finally met one of the two Elves who built Leap 3...out putting finishing touches on the trail (of course).

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Trail Scoping Hike

Notes: Today Teri, Jesse, and I decided to scope out an area of Swansea for potential trail riding. The area borders Warren, RI and Swansea, MA off Rt 6.  We covered about 3.5 miles, a moderate section of the area, with many cool features. It encompasses Margaret's and Devil's Rock, associated with local Indian history.  Let me say that the potential is very high and that I'll be visiting the town hall to determine legal land use and public access (which could be a problem, along with parking).  Although some maintenance is needed, a rideable system of main trails already exists.

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Mud Fest 2012

• Place: Village Park
• Trailhead: Library
• Riders: OMMB and Jesse Dog 
• Miles: 4.5
• Weather: rain, hard rain, really hard rain
• Temp: 42-ish
• Trail Conditions: muddy, really muddy, really really muddy, and wet, really wet, really really wet...and some snow!
• GPS Track: "no track for you"... GPS App nazi wasn't being friendly

Notes: So what happens when your wife goes to a girlie get together on a Friday night?  Well you take your dog for a night ride.  But it's raining, it's been raining all day, except when it was snowing heavy wet snow this morning, and it's still raining really hard.  Ooookay.  Let the mud fest begin!   It was sloppy.  Not only mud mixed with snow here and there, also puddles covering most of the single track.  On top of terrible conditions, visibility was tough even with lights full blast.  I was all over the place, even the simplest of ob-stackels were difficult.  It was embarrassing.  Maybe not as embarrassing as say, bending over to pick up a pencil at the office and splitting your pants ass-wide open in front of your co-workers, but yeah, embarrassing.  Get me atta here...there's Black Cherry flavored Jim Beam waiting to warm me up at home....



Wolf Dude, professional Mud Play-a.



Happy Trails,

OMMB

This post was Wolf Dude approved.

Old guy pace rules!

• Place: Village Park
• Trailhead: Library
• Riders: Bob, Jeff, Jesse, Marco, OMMB
• Miles: 7 (my new app seems to be coming up short, so I'm rounding up)
• Weather: clear
• Temp: 28 to 34
• Trail Conditions: great, frosty, fast 
• GPS Track: http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/n9REuC23aME

Notes: After yesterday's shellacking, Bob decided that today would be an "easy" ride, and before I got to the shop, both he and Jeff had decided that OMMB would lead the ride today (surely guaranteed NOT to be 7 minute mile pace!).  To make SURE today would be a slower ride, for me anyway, I had brought the 26er (and the dog).  Turns out that wasn't required, since all were pretty receptive to a somewhat leisurely pace.  Fun ride!

Tidbits: It was good to see a certain Elf on wheels today... "all work and no play is no fun at all work and no play is no fun at all..."  ...Gary Fisher

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Gees...

...thought I was getting faster, but these guys dropped me like a prom dress!

Although I'm able to keep up for maybe half the ride, my overall endurance sux! (yeah I know, do some road biking)

• Place: Village Park
• Trailhead: Library
• Riders: Bob, Ben, Jim, Matt, OMMB
• Miles: 8.7
• Weather: crisp
• Temp: 30-ish
• Trail Conditions: frozen 
• GPS Track: http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/sthKENtWN0Y

Tidbits:

1) Elf #1 has completed a bridge at the beginning of Up and Over, west side of Abrams Rock. 

2) Check out the March issue of NEMBA SingleTracks magazine...you may recognize a place (and name)

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Helloooo Archie

• Place: Big River, RI
• Trailhead: Burnt Sawmill Rd
• Riders: T, OMMB, Jesse 
• Miles: 6
• Weather: nice 
• Temp: mid 40's
• Trail Conditions: perfect
• GPS Track:

Notes: Our goal was a leasurely ride in search of the hidden trail identified by Archie.  With all the maps and gadgets I had (including a hint from JM), I still passed right by the trailhead twice.  The only reason we found it was Teri's keen sense of her surroundings.  After seeing me struggle with "the map says the trail should be here somewhere", shes says "hey there's a trail off this one back there"...and proceeded to show me where it was!  So glad she spotted it, because the trail is awesome, and worth the adventure to find! 

I'm NOT lost...I'm just thinking!



Hey she found it!  Archie and T agree, go this way around the loop.





YAY FUN DAY!



Tidbits: I found that my latest gadget app uses OpenStreetMap, which actually shows some of the Big River single track...very useful (but not complete).

Happy Trails,

OMMB

I know where you are, I see what you're doing!

• Place: Village Park
• Trailhead: Library
• Riders: OMMB
• Miles: 5 point 5
• Weather: drizzly
• Temp: mid 40s
• Trail Conditions: not bad considering rain rain rain...trails fared well 
• Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: a whoops mounting the newest bridge Westside Abrams on the start of Up and Over...hit the wet boulder on ramp and immediately exited stage left!  Good news is, no endo on Leap 3 rock drop...because I walked it (such a baby!).
• GPS Track: http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/38295954

Notes: Lone wolf today, so I decided to test out a free GPS app called Endomondo.  Pretty cool app and very easy to use.  I like how it calls out each mile and gives you lap time for the mile.  Supports all the mapping and tracking (GPX or TCX) I need.  It also TALKS to you with status like miles completed, lap time, and total time.  I will continue using this app...thanks to JM for turning me onto this gem.  What's REALLY cool is you can track others (once friended) LIVE during their workouts.  In fact, I'm tracking JM's progress through Arcadia right now (Sat 12:42) on the Endomondo website.  Creepy huh?

Tidbits:  Ok now REALLY creepy... I can send him a "Pep Talk" message via the website, if he has audio turned on, he will hear my message!

Happy Trails,

OMMB

"Can you show me Orion?"

And my iPhone 4 (if I had one) would say, "No shithead, it's too f-in cloudy to see stars tonight, can't you see it's too damn cloudy?  What are you stupid or something?  Gees!"

• Place: Village Park
• Trailhead: Library
• Riders: Chris, Danny (Danny, Manny, same difference...hahaha), OMMB
• Miles: 7 up
• Weather: Dark (and cloudy)
• Temp: 40's
• Trail Conditions: surprisingly good, given the thaw and light rain this morning.  A little slippery in spots (especially J-Lo), but overall good. 
• Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: Manny, formally known as Danny (because OMMB is an idiot), had a nice Yikes on Leap 3, end-o-ed on the rock drop with the nasty pot holes. 
• GPS Track: http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1519460

Notes: Chris offered a night ride...hell yeah.  It was a perfect night for a ride; calm, mild weather.  Actually overdressed and heated up pretty quickly.  Of course trying to keep up with Super-chris-cross doesn't help you stay cool! 

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Hand numbing fast!

• Place: Village Park
• Trailhead: Library
• Riders: Bob, Jeff, OMMB
• Miles: 8.5
• Weather: nice
• Temp: 30-ish
• Trail Conditions: hard and fast  
• GPS Track: http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/downloadTrip.aspx?tripId=1517651&mode=gpx

Notes: Nice invigorating ride lead by Bob today...only a few short minutes of rest time.  Trails were in great condition for speedy travel.  A couple of new bridges...one in the works on the west side of Abrams and another Indian-like natural log bridge on J-Lo.  Rust never sleeps?  ELVES never sleep!

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Just a spin

Notes: Took the Jesse Dog out for a quick spin around Village Park.  GPS app was not apping so I don't have a track for today.  About 4.5 miles or so.  Amazingly, I returned the dog home with mud on his paws only!

Tidbits: The 100 map tri-folds we had printed for Bikeworks and Swansea Library are nearly gone!  My graphic arts printing Elf has made 200 more of the latest revision...look for them soon.

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Matt Atrack!

• Place: Village Park
• Trailhead: Library
• Riders: Bob, Jack, Jim, Matt, Paul?, OMMB
• Miles: 7 3/4
• Weather: mild
• Temp: 30s up to 40s
• Trail Conditions: good
• GPS Track: http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/downloadTrip.aspx?tripId=1512713&mode=gpx

Notes: Nice quick ride today...yes, somehow, I kept up.  On the 29er of course...arrrrrg.  Matt lead a great route that encompassed the new stuff ("Leap 3", and the tentatively, unimaginatively, named "Not Boulderdash", fire road east of Boulderdash)

Tidbits: Map with new segments...

Happy Trails,

OMMB

From the Makers of Ridge Loop comes....

...Leap 3! 

Cool new winding technical candy running from Up and Over (south side of Fire Road), ending on the Fire Road near where Roots starts.  We can all thank Elf R and Elf C for a nice job, with two of the best log-over bridges I've seen!  This was a night ride for me and Jesse, so I had to take the trail a little gingerly.  There's some great rock drops and tight technical spots that I'm looking forward to hitting in the daylight.  The Elves recommend, and after riding it I thoroughly agree, taking the trail from Up and Over.  Take Bridges out and Two Guys back then take a sharp right towards Up and Over.  You will find Leap 3 forking left before the large rock-over (if you get to the Fire Road, you missed the entrance).   Dark blue trail on map below. 

Also rode a new connect from J Lo to Pine Needles (no name yet, its creator is unknown at this time).  The trail is a straight shot but will maybe support an inner loop within the Pine Needle large loop someday.  Light blue on map below.



Whoa Jesse!  YOU'RE FREAKING ME OUT!!!


Happy Trails,

OMMB

Bob's Mix Tape

• Place: Village Park Swansea, MA
• Trailhead: library
• Riders: Bob, Jeff, OMMB
• Miles: 9
• Weather: almost Spring like 
• Temp: 40s
• Trail Conditions: frozen, but softened as the sun got higher

Notes: Bob put together a nice mix of trails for our listening, uh, riding pleasure.  I found his pace to be perfect for me...of course that was only possible because he was knocked down by a head cold and was riding slower! Works for me...great ride.

Tidbits: An Elf has cleared the rocks on the wall crossing that starts Neck and Neck...word on Elf Street is there's something new coming to that area.  Also, the deadly looking jump on Ridge Trail actually has a landing now...can't wait to try it! 

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Just a little O - Village Park

Notes: Me and the dog went for a quick ride before sunset.  Nice day, 45 degrees and clear, but the trails were quite soft.  Must have thawed throughout the day.  We looped a circle around the park, about 3.5 miles.  Ran into a guy on Rusty Car.  He was sitting by a nice campfire...almost felt like joining him.  He told me about some land on Rte 6, behind the Subway on 136 (I think) where there is a potential for bike trails...will have to check it out sometime.  He also was very thankful to the Trail Elves for all their hard work in Swansea.  Go figure, a random guy sitting by a campfire in the middle of the woods, grateful for the elves.  

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Team Zippy

• Place: Village Park
• Trailhead: Library
• Riders: Bob, Jeff (not Kona Jeff), Matt, OMMB
• Miles: 9.2
• Weather: chilly wind
• Temp: 30
• Trail Conditions: hard 
• Wildlife: heard a strange bird...maybe Spring is already approaching?
• GPS Track: http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1503634

Notes: Rode with the non-stop speedy crew from Bikeworks.  I was "okay" for about 5.5 miles, then my legs were jello.  Mostly because I don't roll fast enough, requiring a lot of work to keep up with those dudes. It's back to the Kona 29 next time (until I figure out how to make my bike go faster)!

Tidbits: Superbowl weekend begins with the Extreme Beer Fest in Boston tomorrow...yay beer!  YAY PATS!

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Just a Nickel and Change

• Place: Village Park
• Trailhead: Library
• Riders: OMMB & JD
• Miles: 5.4
• Weather: overcast, damp, very light snow/rain
• Temp: 30's
• Wildlife: the return of smelly mud dog
• GPS Track:



Notes: Good little route for an afternoon ride.  Went out on Roots to Lakeside Connect, Rusty Car, cut across Fire Road to climb Chutes and Ladders, down Buddy to Fox Hole, around Pine Needles clockwise, down Thing 1, up Thing 2 (thought about Superman, nope, not yet), down Chutes and Ladders, up Fire Road DH, Boulderdash to Two Guys, Abrams Rock Eastside, out Graveyard then Ridge Loop counterclockwise. 

Tidbits: Silly dog kept dry the whole ride...until plopping into that mucked up mess on Fire Road heading out to the parking lot.  Lovely.

Happy Trails,

OMMB