Trail (NOT) Report...5/11/09

- Place: Bristol Bike Path
- Riders: T, OMMB
- Weather: Clear & cool
- Temp: 58
- Trail Conditions: black tar...smooth with some root bumps, no mud or stream crossings
- Technical Level: beginner
- Hills: nope
- Distance: 6.2 miles
- Bug Report: damn gnats don't taste good at all
- Pollen Report: high
- Wildlife Observed: bunnies, bunnies, bunnies....
- Notes:

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...5/10/09 - Big River - RI

- Place: Big River (West Side), Exit 6 entrance
- Riders: T, OMMB
- Weather: Clear & windy
- Temp: 65
- Trail Conditions: good... several manageable mud & stream crossings
- Trail Technical Level: beginner/intermediate
- Hills: 15%
- Distance: 5.25 miles
- Bug Report: some skeeters
- Pollen Report: high
- Wildlife Observed: squirrel and raccoon (or fox) tails hanging from some guy named Mike's helmet
- Notes: Considering all the rain, this loop of trails held up well. We met several nice folks, one was so kind as to let us know it was turkey hunting season (glad I left my feather suit at home).

By the way, this ride was requested by T for Mother's Day (can't beat that).

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...5/9/09 - Case Jr High, Swansea, MA

- Place: Case Jr High, Swansea, MA
- Riders: T, OMMB
- Weather: Cloudy
- Temp: 60
- Trail Conditions: "they're baaaack" ... the mud crossings
- Trail Technical Level: beginner/intermediate
- Hills: 10%
- Distance: 5.1 miles
- Bug Report: several gnats
- Pollen Report: low
- Wildlife Observed: other than a goiter ridden dog, not much
- Notes: this week's rain really left it's mark. Kerry's Hoodlums have recommended that I start an OMMB BLOG...under consideration (thanks).

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...5/5/09 - Case Jr High, Swansea, MA

Today's ride...

- Place: Case Jr High, Swansea, MA
- Riders: Bob, Jack, OMMB
- Weather: RAIN
- Temp: 50
- Trail Conditions: good, mud crossings WERE almost dried up
- Trail Technical Level: beginner/intermediate
- Hills: 15%
- Distance: 5 miles
- Bug Report: if there were any, I was too busy trying to keep up
- Pollen Report: n/a
- Wildlife Observed: none... too wet for the ducks and too cold for the frogs
- Notes: those bastards took me on the usual route, but in reverse and fast paced...TOUGH! (only two stops for wind)

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...5/2/09 - Case Jr High, Swansea, MA

- Place: Case Jr High, Swansea, MA
- Riders: OMMB
- Weather: clear
- Temp: 55
- Trail Conditions: good, mud crossings are almost dried up
- Trail Technical Level: beginner/intermediate
- Hills: 25%
- Distance: 5 miles
- Bug Report: low - tasted a couple different types, no flavor
- Pollen Report: low
- Wildlife Observed: none
- Notes: threw some extra climbs over several rock outcroppings within the loop, interesting terrain
Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...4/29/09 - Case Jr High, Swansea, MA

- Place: Case Jr High, Swansea, MA
- Riders: OMMB
- Weather: clear & cool
- Temp: 55
- Trail Conditions: good, minor mud crossings
- Trail Technical Level: beginner/intermediate
- Hills: 10%
- Distance: 5 miles
- Bug Report: low
- Pollen Report: low
- Wildlife Observed: just bunny rabbits
- Notes: nice fast loop for a late in the day ride (52 minutes)

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...4/26/09 - Big River, RI

- Place: Big River, middle section
- Riders: OMMB
- Weather: clear (but hot for April)
- Temp: 80
- Trail Conditions: excellent, one mud crossing
- Trail Technical Level: intermediate
- Hills: 10%
- Distance: 7 miles of kick-ass single track (kicked my own ass)
- Bug Report: only one hit my ear!
- Pollen Report: not bad, spring is springing!
- Wildlife Observed:
- Notes: awesome 7 miles of single track, new bike is performing well, our balance and energy now seem matched!

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...4/25/09 - Case Jr High, Swansea, MA

- Place: Case Jr High, Swansea, MA
- Riders: T, OMMB
- Weather: clear
- Temp: 55
- Trail Conditions: some mud crossings
- Trail Technical Level: beginner/intermediate
- Hills: 10%
- Distance: 3.4 miles
- Bug Report: some gnats
- Pollen Report: none
- Wildlife Observed: family of painted turtles sunning themselves
- Notes: Big River planned for tomorrow morning

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...4/22/09 - Sycamore Canyon; Port Mugu, CA

- Place: Sycamore Canyon; Port Mugu, CA - Two Foxes/Sin Nobre/Sage/Hidden Pond trails
- Riders: Hector, OMMB
- Weather: foggy on the coast but cleared up in the canyon
- Temp: 70
- Trail Conditions: dry fast single track/hardpack
- Trail Technical Level: beginner/intermediate
- Hills: 20%
- Distance: 13.4 miles
- Bug Report: cooler today, so not many bugs
- Pollen Report: none
- Wildlife Observed: the crow, a group of funny looking birds that looked like small doves (but funny looking), a huge deer, a dove (not the funny looking type), a friendly rabbit that wasn't afraid, peck of pelicans, wild parrots that make too much noise, 2 horses with riders (not allowed in the canyon, must have been outlaws, or worse yet, gatecrashers)
- Notes:

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...4/21/09 - Sycamore Canyon; Port Mugu, CA

- Place: Sycamore Canyon; Port Mugu, CA
- Riders: Hector, Ron, Tim, Jon, OMMB
- Weather: clear
- Temp: 75
- Trail Conditions: dry, dry, dry single track/hardpack
- Trail Technical Level: on the flats, beginner; up/down hill, expert
- Hills: 60%
- Distance: 13.5 miles (6 flat, 3 up hill, 4.5 down hill)
- Bug Report: at sundown, LOTS of midges (look it up), skeeters, and occasional wood tick - this the end of the wet season, these guys are all doomed
- Pollen Report: none
- Wildlife Observed: a squirrel, a crow, a snake, several lizards (and a large squished one), LARGE animal droppings, noises of LARGE animals on the trailside (perhaps cougar, mountain lion... "just wildcats")
- Notes: the climbing is brutal, period. But the rewards at 1500 feet above the coastline is well worth the pain.

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail (not) Report...4/20/09 - Ventura Beach Bike Path, CA

- Place: Ventura Beach Bike Path, CA
- Riders: OMMB
- Weather: clear
- Temp: 95 (yep, you read that correctly)
- Trail Conditions: C-ment
- Trail Technical Level: n/a
- Hills: none
- Distance: 7 miles
- Bug Report: none, but I'm convinced some of the locals have them
- Pollen Report: none
- Wildlife Observed: dolphins, seals, plenty of small foo-foo dogs, surfers (and girlfriends watching their surfers)
- Notes: As you must have already realized, this is a bike route along beautiful Ventura Beach. Nice for a relaxing cruise. One thing I found odd is that ALL the surfers WEAR full black wetsuits. Don't they watch Discovery Channel? Seals are black, sharks EAT seals!! I think I would feel better in a white suit.

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...4/16/09 - Case Jr High; Swansea, MA

- Place: Case Jr High; Swansea, MA
- Riders: Bob, Jack, Al, Glen, OMMB
- Weather: clear, chilly at first
- Temp: 45
- Trail Conditions: dry single track, mud crossings are diminishing
- Hills: 15% of ride
- Distance: 5 miles
- Bug Report: none
- Pollen Report: none
- Wildlife Observed: none
- Notes: good quick 5 mile loop for a morning ride!
v/r
OMMB

Trail Report...4/14/09 - Case Jr High/Swansea

- Place: Case Jr High/Swansea
- Riders: OMMB
- Weather: overcast
- Temp: 45
- Trail Conditions: the mud and water are receding, mostly dry single track with very few obstacles
- Hills: short and sweet
- Distance: 4.5 miles
- Bug Report: none
- Pollen Report: none
- Wildlife Observed: none
v/r
OMMB

Trail Report...4/10/09 - Case Jr High Swansea

- Place: Case Jr High Swansea
- Riders: T, Mark, OMMB
- Trail Conditions: several mud and water crossings (water level is lowering making it much easier to cross); Overall the single track is in great shape, with a variety of terrain for all rider levels
- Hills: 10% of ride
- Bug Report: damn hoards of baby mosquitos; only seen after riding
- Pollen Report: none
- Wildlife Observed: none
- Distance: 3.5 miles
v/r
OMMB

Trail Report...4/9/09 - Case Jr High Swansea

Today's ride...
- Place: Case Jr High Swansea
- Riders: Bob, Jack, Stu, OMMB
- Trail Conditions: several mud and water crossings (water's getting deeper and it's cold!)
- Hills: 15% of ride
- Bug Report: none
- Pollen Report: none
- Wildlife Observed: none...too busy keeping up
- Distance: 7.5 miles
v/r
OMMB

Trail Report...4/8/09 - Case Jr High Swansea

- Place: Case Jr High Swansea
- Riders: OMMB
- Trail Conditions: several mud and water crossings
- Hills: 10% of ride
- Bug Report: none
- Pollen Report: none
- Wildlife Observed: 2 large deer with a fawn
- Distance: 3.5 miles
v/r
OMMB

Trail Report...4/5/09 - Swansea town forest

- Place: Case Jr High/Swansea town forest
- Riders: OMMB & T
- Trail Conditions: mostly dry rideable with scattered mud and water crossings
- Hills: 10% of ride
- Bug Report: minimal (some gnats)
- Pollen Report: none
- Wildlife Observed: several mating ducks (although signs of dung revealed presence of some large animal)
- Distance: 3.0 miles
v/r
OMMB

April is National Mountain Bike Month...

...so get your bike (and lung brush) ready!!!

Did a couple of rides this week, trails are pretty wet but with a couple days sunshine they should be good next week.

This is your open invitation for the season...call me when you are able and willing to ride! My bike will be with me most days.

-Old Man of the Mountain Bike

Trail Report...4/2/09 - Case Jr High/Swansea town forest

- Place: Case Jr High/Swansea town forest
- Riders: OMMB
- Weather: raining
- Temp: 45
- Trail Conditions: slippery with mud and water crossings
- Hills: 10% of ride
- Distance: 3.0 miles
- Bug Report: none
- Pollen Report: none
- Wildlife Observed: none
v/r
OMMB

Trail Report...4/1/09 - Case Jr High/Swansea town forest

- Place: Case Jr High/Swansea town forest
- Riders: OMMB
- Weather: clear, chilly
- Temp: 40
- Trail Conditions: mostly dry rideable with scattered mud and water crossings
- Hills: 10% of ride
- Distance: 3.25 miles
- Bug Report: none
- Pollen Report: none
- Wildlife Observed: none
v/r
OMMB
http://ommbtrailreports.blogspot.com/