Just a quicky, yes thorny

• 

  Place: John Chafee Nature Preserve, North Kingstown, RI
• Miles: 4.5-ish
• Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets:  about 2 minutes into the ride hopped over a log, which collapsed and sent me into a brier patch. Removed myself from said patch verrrry carefully, then proceeded to swear, quietly to myself of course.  Ended up with a rear flat 30 minutes later, not surprised.

Notes: Been meaning to ride this place since walking the dogs with friends to view Harbor Seals here.  Very small area with easy trails, you could squeeze out 7 or 8 miles if desired.

A mailbox in a fireplace....

...filled with candy?

You never know where you'll find a candy mailbox and GPS Cache!!

Some scattered rock formations here and there

A sense of place?  ....may be

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Jungle Love

Bob, Matt, and I sweat our asses off riding through Village Park in ridiculous jungle-like humidity.  Nuff said.  (although I DID get to ride the sweet demo Superfly, thanks to Bob)





Tidbit:  Matt is racing tonight, Arcadia 666 Time Trials.... if he melts away any more weight from the heat he'll be invisible!!  Good luck Matt!!

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Messin with the Bees (or Hornets or whatever the F they are)...must be Friday the 13th.

Notes:  With Bob and Jesse Dog.  Also ran into Scott, Sol, and Greg.  Bob lead a gracious pace for me and the dog!!  Very dry conditions.  Not only did we spot the hornet nest under the Ridge Trail Bridge, the source of the recent attacks, the deer flies have swarmed this place too!

Tidbits: Someone is getting over zealous about working trails, found that some key boulders and logs have been removed from trails for no apparent reason.  Got to remind everyone that this is MOUNTAIN BIKING and the trails don't need to be smooth and perfect like a street!!!

On the positive side, there are some new features over boulders and such... good stuff (that's the right idea!!)

 
Happy Trails,

OMMB

Still Pedaling on Vacation, a T Loop

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Tappin the Trapps

We went up to join some friends at their condo at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT.  Big pluses for staying here are a brewery, great food, maple martinis, nice swimming pools, crystal clear air, view of the Long Trail over a neighboring ridge, a zillion stairs, a bike/ski/outdoor shop, a hot air baloon festival, blue cheese olive martinis, Trapp Lodge Dunkel, Frisbee Golf course, hippy cows, fireworks, music, a frog/fish pond loaded with (you guessed it) frogs and fish (cat and trout variety), and miles of singletrack!!

Lookin through the back door.

Here's the rides we did.... I'll try to post a map later.

Day 1 (7 July):
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/qb5Cir-9Ibg

Day 2:
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/t3EwTQTGJRs

http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/1787114

http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/ksEoXm0qGcQ

Day 3:
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/pRfJt3tczoA

http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/uwTejCszaEM

Day 4:
http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/kkP6QfoPpMg

http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/lAo8f5kuEtU

Tidbits: Trails I would highly recommend... Pipeline (although down and up same trail), Tap Line down, Kimmers down, Hardy Haul and Double Bypass, and Luce Hill Loop is always fun.  Use the Greenway trails for warm ups.

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Old Guys Rule

• Place: Big River
• Trailhead: Burnt Sawmill
• Riders with OMMB: 7 (will take me a while to learn their names)
• Miles: 9



Notes: I found out about a self-appointed "old guy" group that rides Big River every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday.  How I found out about this?  Alright I admit that I saw something on Facebutt (was it NEMBA?, not sure), and a brief comment exchange lead me to get on their email list. Great group of guys, I'm told they are very reliable about meeting on those days, and open to all levels of riders. I enjoyed the pace much more than the usual shellacking I take, with plenty of stops to allow the group to stay together. Only aggravation was the incredible amount of deer flies on the attack.  Mostly near Capwell Mill Pond for the first 30 minutes or so.  I'm on the "old guy" list...and look forward to joining them again when possible.

Happy Trails,

OMMB

You forgot to eat you silly head!

• Place: Village Park Swansea MA
• Trailhead: Library
• Riders with OMMB: Bob, Matt, Scott, & Sol
• Miles: 6.5
• Weather: humid

Notes:  I bonked after 5 miles. A bee sting didn't help matters. The group rode 9, OMMB did not.

Tidibits: So I remember... friends suggested fuel is fruit and/or oatmeal or shredded wheat and coffee, lots of coffee pre-ride, and a gel pack with plenty of water every hour.  Gotta get me some of them there gel packs.

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Wasted Away Again in Mosquitorita-ville

• Place: Village Park
• Trailhead: Case Jr High
• Riders with OMMB: Jesse Dog
• Miles: 5
• Weather: clear 
• Temp: 87, but a dry 87
• Trail Conditions: very good, puddles have puddled away
• Wildlife: I didn't see anything, but wanna-be wolf kept chasing stuff

Notes: Just a pre-clam boil ride...for the fun of it.  Stopping for too long (or short) meant you were dinner...tried to hold off on the repellant but gave up half way through.

Tidbits: I was informed of "old man" group rides at Big River (Hopkins Hill Parking Lot) on Mon, Tue, and Fri mornings at 08:30.  I may join sometime soon. 

Happy Trails,

OMMB

What Turkeys

About 5 miles with Jesse.  Nice cool dry air (65 degrees), some puddles on the trails, not bad.  Jesse felt the need (again) to harass a family of turkeys.  Good thing the little ones could fly already!





Happy Trails,

OMMB

Reverse the Course

• Place: Village Park
• Trailhead: Library
• Riders with OMMB: Bob, Matt, Scott, Sol 
• Miles: 8-ish
• Weather: hot and humid
• Temp: 80 at 8am
• Trail Conditions: excellent, dry
• Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: An Oh Sheet, almost off the bridge on Ridge, apparently Sol's extraordinary upper body strength saved him from a head would.  Hung onto the bridge with one hand and the bike with the other!! 
• GPS Track: http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/kqoyIgwUkjc

Notes: We rode Bob's favorite route in reverse...much different and tougher.  It seemed like a great idea, but then remember that we are in the middle of a heat wave.  WIPED!   But a great ride!!!

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Crazy Eights

• Place: Village Park
• Trailhead: Library
• Riders with OMMB: Al, Bob, Dan, Greg, Jesse, Scott 
• Miles: 7.5-ish
• Weather: getting a bit warm
• Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: Dan had some troubles being first time on a MTB...all good
• GPS Track: http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/rk6cJDxVYcU

Notes: Thankfully the group ride was at a pace (8 mins/mile) that OMMB and Jesse could tolerate.  Nice ride with decent amount of break time. 

Tidbits: How about this weather report...

...yikes!!! (need to go to Texas to cool off!!)

Happy Trails,

OMMB (King of the Recreational Pace)

Father's Day Frolic

• Place: Lynn Woods
• Trailhead: Pennybrook Rd park lot
• Riders with OMMB: Greg, Chris
• Miles: 9.3
• Weather: perfectly cool
• Technical Level: We stuck to mostly double track, with a side hike-a-bike adventure to Weetamoo Cliff
• GPS Track:

Notes: FINALLY made it up to Sadie and Greg's area to check out some trails.  Been eyeing up several areas around Beverly and Gloucester.  Father's Day provided a great reason to visit Sadie and get a ride in with Greg and his dad Chris.  Got quite a few miles in, due to a lot of double track routes, but the hills were still killer.  Great scenery, nice overlooks.  We (well I guess "me") wanted to see what Weetamoo Cliff was all about...since I also ride Weetamoo Woods in RI.  Getting to the cliff required some hiking, but we saw some real technical stuff up there, indicated by tire tracks.  Funny thing, we actually lost track of where we left the stupid bikes, and had to hike around with the GPS looking for them. hahaha.  All the terrain looked the same...no really, it did.  Good time. 

Tidbits:

1. Chris may be hooked...a bike upgrade is on his mind!
2. Weetamoo and her brother-in-law, Metacomet are credited with starting the King Philip War.

A VERY Happy Father's Day!!!

And the slide show...






Happy Trails,

OMMB

Oh Come On, Just a Quickie?

So because of my extended visit to a Toyota dealer for a routine service and inspection sticker taking 2 hours, my ride time planned for Big River was severely limited.  But I scooted over there anyway, since the sun was shining and the weather was just right after all the rain yesterday.  I cranked out about 7.5 miles, wanted to go see Archie, such a nice guy (trail), so I looped him in on an old route I used to take.  I rushed myself which helped my pace...quick for my standards.  Just a good quickie ride...quickies are cool.  (and just in time, rear tire almost flat on the last 1/2 mile)

GPS Track:  http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/uvkfjenzEck

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Top Ten Reasons to Ride Twice in One Day...

#10) It's Two-For Tuesday
#9) Bikeworks asked you to join them on a demo ride of Pivot Cycles bikes, AND you already had plans to take the dog for a ride
#8) You were frustrated about your inability to keep up with the sham-wow pace of the demo ride, so staying ahead of the dog at your own pace on ride 2 makes you feel more accomplished
#7) It's going to rain Wednesday, so ride twice on Tuesday
#6) It's Double-Shot Tuesday, the WHJY version of #10
#5) You needed to practice the new little trail you followed on the first ride
#4) You wanted to even out the bleeding on each leg; one took a gear bite on the first ride, the other got a good scratch on the second ride
#3) It's TWOsday (I know, I'm running out of ideas)
#2) The dog was upset when you came back from the first ride without him
#1) And the #1 reason to ride twice in one day.....................because you CAN!  :)


Here's the tracks (first ride with Matt, Scott, Steve, OMMB, nice-guy Dan a Mavic rep, and awesome Tom from Pivot / Second ride Jesse and OMMB):

http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/kA0yqW1n61w

http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/rIdXDy2YBRA

The bikes....

...I rode the blue 29er (Mach 429), which was a good solid ride, and the black, blue and white 26 carbon (Mach 5.7), which was the most nimble and quick 26er I've been on (real nice travel on the shocks)!  The upcoming 29er carbon is sure to be a kickass bike. All bikes had great components...look 'em up sometime.  http://www.pivotcycles.com/bikes

Tidbits:


Here's why I use a bash guard in place of the big ring
(can you tell I don't ride road?)























Jesse doesn't find the mud, the mud finds Jesse...

Now here's a tired pup!

What?  I'm fine!!



Happy Trails,

OMMB

Green Land

• Place: Village Park
• Riders with OMMB: just Jesse
• Miles: 5.5
• GPS Track...

Notes: Slippery trails, hit the ground twice in first 5 minutes on the Kona 29.  Let some air out and things were better...but not ideal conditions. 

Tidbits: I got really behind on the June blogs because, uh, I got tired of writing and was considering joining Facebook...still considering.

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Queen of the One Ring

Notes: Went to Weetamoo to find some new stuff.  Epic fail.  Trails I followed (north of Lafayette) seemed to be private paths cut through the woods that were nasty rocky.  Ended up busting the rear derailleur cable getting it all wrapped up in the front derailleur, rendering both derailleurs useless.  Managed to remove the cable and ride in small gears front and back.  Kind of like a single speed One Ring King (without the King part, cause I am weak).  Cut the ride short, storms a comin.

GPS Track: http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/jSAyMaYsgOU

I did get a nice tour of some hunter stands...

And look close at the mangle...cable where cable should not be...

So what mountain bike is complete without some freaky storm overhead...jeesh, what the hell is that??

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Rain Forest Ride

Notes: I think I went riding in the rain.  I think Jesse went with me.

http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/oKL3ZJORQtY

Happy Trails,

OMMB

It's All About the Tools

• Place: Village Park
• Trailhead: Library
• Riders with OMMB: Al, Bob, Jesse
• Miles: 7+
• GPS Track:

Notes: OMMB rode a sweet 29er demo from the shop.  A Gary Fisher Signature Superfly 100 AL Pro by Trek.  Real light and easy to handle, even though it was a large frame (which I didn't realize until after the ride).  I figured it was okay to try it right before our OBX trip, that way I would forget how nice it was by the time I ride again! 

 

 

 

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Tuck and Roll Grandma!

• Place: Massasoit State Park, Taunton, MA
• Riders: Al, Matt, OMMB
• Miles: 10+ 
• Technical Level: Fast rate, sharp hills up (and down!) 
• Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: A rare Oh Sheet by OMMB...following Al down a nasty root infested steep grade, as Al slid out at the bottom (as best I could see through the vibration), OMMB lost all hope of a controlled descent half way down and finally bailed at the bottom.  Good news...avoided hitting Al...bad news...somehow dove off the bike and tuck-n-rolled "around" a tree then front flip down a steep embankment.  Matt, who joyfully watched the two stooges, had the graciousness to hold his laugh until he knew we were ok!  All I thought was, great...another rider requiring a neck brace!!!
• GPS Track: http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/n_EoQ0UIJgQ

Notes: Both Matt and Al were tearing it up today.  Did all I could to stay within 5 minutes behind them.  Finally lost the trail nearing mile 9.  I missed a turn and kept going...they caught up (no surprises there).  

Happy Trails,

OMMB

National Bike Month...

...so the Swansea Library decided to sponsor a "Learn to Mountain Bike" event at Village Park.  They asked Bob to host. Bob asked me to help out...sure, any excuse to ride.  It was open to ages 13 and up, unfortunately not many people showed.  I think the time slot was not accommodating for most.

Anyway, it was a cool idea, I ended up riding with Greg and a couple of boys for a 5 mile ride.  A girl in the group made it for about a mile before Bob escorted her back to the library.

Hopefully a better turn-out if they try it again. 

Tidbits: Some Elfs have built a new feature...a large boulder drop near Wildcat Rock, just before where The Downhill and Buddy Trail split.  Looks like fun...

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Humidideet!

• Place: Big River, RI
• Trailhead: Burnt Sawmill Rd
• Riders: Hector, Ron, Scott, OMMB
• Miles: 11.5-ish
• Weather: humid, not really hot and humid, just really humid (drain the life out of you humid)
• Temp: 80s
• Trail Conditions: very good considering how much rain fell in the last 24 hrs! 
• Technical Level: yeah, technical
• Wildlife: 2 turtle doves without the doves.  1 painted turtle (obviously lost) and 1 box turtle (crossing the road to reach the other side, you know, like the chicken)
• Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: just a little whoops endo when OMMB tried to traverse a boulder, going up was fine, other side was not so forgiving.  Ron also had a whoops with a tree, and has perfected the art of how not to cross bridges.
• GPS Track...



Notes: My West Coaster friends were in town and I wanted to take them on a good long tour of Big River...but the life draining humidity really slowed things down.  So I cut the ride short, even though it seemed to take forever, and we refreshed ourselves with Blue Moon Summer Honey Wheat at the trailhead.  Along with the humidity came the first signs of bug-atry, so we were loaded up with ode de DEET.  I did get to give them a taste of the best hidden single tracks at BR, although technical and requiring some hike-a-bike, they all liked the ride...highlighted by lunch at "Alan's Cliff".  Desserts provided by the candy box for a well needed energy boost! 

Tidbits: My tailgate approach to carrying the bikes worked well for four bikes, even room for one more...Tim!  And speaking of tailgate, why on earth did I not bring a grill and burgers???  Maybe next time...so we substituted with a tasty seafood dinner at KJ's in Middletown.

One Bike...One Hike-a-Bike

Trekking out of the jungle, notice the scary bridge wooooo...



...oh not so scary!





Rest stop at "I See Dead People"





Finally at the "summit"!




Enjoying some energy food (aka candy from a mailbox)



A boulder climb, just AFTER Hector cleared it.

Here's how Ron and Scott cleared the boulder climb! 
(I seem to remember some sort of chicken noise coming from Hector!)

And now the good stuff...well deserved!

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Closed a loose end... (Arcadia)

• Place: Arcadia, RI
• Trailhead: Main parking lot, Rte 165
• Riders: Jeremy "E.B.", OMMB
• Miles: 10.5
• Trail Conditions: excellent
• Technical Level: challenging loop, several climbs and rugged descents.
• GPS Track: http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/sBteESxhOv4

Notes: Had not returned to this trail in many years, not since 2008 PB (Pre-Blog) I believe.  I remember trying to close the long single track loop (yellow trail?) that goes around Breakheart Pond and heads up towards Penny Hill, bordering the Alton Jones Campus land.  I never really successfully did the loop in one shot, attempted it from several trailheads. Well with the help of a seasoned Arcadia rider, we completed an "old faithful" route.  I believe this loop can be stretched to 12 miles, but I was spent.

Tidbits: RI NEMBA's first fun ride is here on 20 May, will be looking for the map to check out their route sometime...

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Weeeeeeet-a-moooooooo

• Place: Weetamoo Woods, Tiverton, RI
• Trailhead: Lake Rd
• Riders: Bob, Jack, OMMB
• Miles: 8+
• Trail Conditions: Very surprisingly good
• Wildlife: moooo cows black and white
• GPS Track:

Notes: Bob was looking to do something different than our usual Swansea ride, so we jumped down to Weetamoo to check out some new trails he heard about.  I was skeptical because each time I go there the mud and bugs drive me crazy...but I was pleasantly surprised!!!  There was very little mud, even though it recently rained, and the new stuff reminded me of the hidden single track at BR.  Although I felt quite kicked, little sleep, lots of rocks, this was a good ride.  I'm looking forward to going back to continue on the additional new stuff.  Convenient for a post work ride.

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Yeah Endomondo, the Bahamas are nice this time of year!

Check out where rthe Endo app figured we were riding today... http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/ptTcTPjznHA

...riiiiiiight.

Anyway,  Bob, Matt, and myself tore up about 9 miles in Swansea....regardless of what the stupid app said.

(this was short and sweet because I'm a week behind on my ride posts)

Happy Trails,

OMMB

From Big River to Holyoke and New Salem State Parks

• Place: Big River
• Trailhead: Division/New London Turnpike
• Riders: Jeremy, OMMB
• Miles: 294 by Non-do App; 11+ for real
• Weather: post rain clouds
• Trail Conditions: surprisingly good
• GPS Track: http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/ggIxdyl1E1s

Notes:  Met up with CT J again for a post-work ride to show him some more stuff at BR.   We covered Foster's Folly, got messed up trying to head back towards Carr Pond and ended up on some streets, but found our way back in the woods to ride the long singletrack that circles Carr.  We went up to the Hopkin's Hill parking lot then down to the cemetery trail on the north side of Tarbox Pond.  Did the Switchback trail then out by Halloween, Hoover, Lego and all those in reverse direction.  Pretty technical ride with more than usual climbing...yeah I was beat (J was just warming up for his 20 mile ride 2 days later)! 

Tidbits:  J showed me the "Meditation Circle" which I had heard about but had never seen (cool, and weird)...

Happy Trails,

OMMB

A Swansea Niner

• Place: Village Park
• Trailhead: Library
• Riders: Bob, Jesse Dog, OMMB
• Miles: about 9
• GPS Track: http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/mxIoCDFRC1E

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Family Fun Ride...

...all the way to Canada!  (according to my ridiculously flaky Endomondo App)

• Place: Village Park
• Trailhead: Library
• Riders: Alexa, Jesse, Teri, OMMB
• Miles: 978
• Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: One whoops off a bridge over log by T (aka ATK)
• GPS Track: http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/kKKXxZRwkSk

Notes: Well actually we rode 5 fun miles through the park with Alexa picking up right where she left off a few years ago...hopping logs, crossing bridges, riding teeters on the 29er.  She wasn't happy about us dragging her along for some fresh air and exercise, but she was very glad she did.  Teri, on the other hand, although happy to be riding, was shocked to find what a difference going back to a 26er was!!  Ohhhh boy. 



Look at the intensity!




Oh no!  What happened?



Happy Trails,

OMMB

Mud, Blood, Zombies and All

• Place: Amesbury Sports Park
• Runners: Sadie, Greg, OMMB
• Miles: 3.1
• Trail Conditions: Mud, guts, roots, shocks, slides and swamps
• Wildlife/dead: ohhh boy was there wild life...gees
• Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets:  Not even going to go there...the whole course was an hilarious Whoops!

Notes: So if you haven't already heard from Facebook, because Facebook is faster than blogging, especially since this post is a week late and I'm not Bookfaced, I got "invited" to run in a Zombie infested 5K obstacle course race called Run For Your Lives, along with Sadie and Greg.  Too STOOPID for words...so here's some pictures... Pics from Teri.

Gotta say it was a lot of fun (the other 6000 people who raced that day thought so too), even though calling it a race is debatable, because there's so much mud that even walking is almost impossible.  Somehow you do really move your ass when a Zombie freak is eyeing your "life" flags (intent was to make it through the course with at least one of your three flags in tact...none of us did).  I have NEVER seen SOOO much mud!  Everything from 6 inches to 3 feet deep...and smellier than Jesse after a ride.  Come to think of it, I've never seen that many Zombies either, there were at least twice as many than normally seen at work each day.  As if the mudding and loss of life wasn't degrading enough, they sent us down the world's biggest slip-n-slide at 200 miles an hour into something that resembled a cross between an African watering hole and low tide in New Bedford Harbor.  Oh, and did I mention, some of the obstacles involved electrical shocks?  Yeah, good times (for real).

Tidbits: Not sure how long this link will be available, but check out who was quoted as saying "I hate running, but I hate zombies more, so it makes me run"...  Newburyport News ....hahahaha

Happy (undead) Trails,

OMMB

"(Don't Go Back To) Rockville"

• Place: Freetown State Forest
• Trailhead: "Triangle" at intersection of Copicut and Bell Rock Roads
• Riders: OMMB
• Miles: 8.25
• Weather: cloudy, post rain
• Temp: 52
• Trail Conditions: good considering recent rain
• Technical Level: Miles 2 and 3 really sucked!  NBB (Nothin But Boulders)
• Wildlife: Looked like a Red Fox...but HUGE... Must have been a Coyote (unless it was a CoyFox). It was bolting from the horse farm, where I saw a new colt it must have been eyeing up for dinner! Naughty Coyote!
• GPS Track: http://www.endomondo.com/workouts/jqO3akWE2fU

Notes:  Had a dentist appt in the area, so afterwards I decided to shoot up to Freetown where I haven't trecked in a while.  Basically because everytime I've been there since a kid on a dirt bike, it's been chewed up and a miserable ride for a MTB.  Well with Elf #2's help, I wanted to find the area that he enjoys off Copicut.  I know I got off track right away, hitting NBB and mud ruts, but I think I found my way back to where I should have been near the new forestation area. Those trails were MUCH better and worth another trip here...hopefully with Elf 2 as a guide!

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Went for another ride...

Happy Trails,

OMMB