Blog My Mountain Bike

Big Creek Park - 12-29-2010

2010-12-29T13:32:00.000-08:00

Tried out my new Garmin Forerunner 205 today at Big Creek Park. The software is pretty cool and interfaces with Google Earth; the below image overlayed my GPS track over Google Earth.

About the trail - it was a bit muddy in the turns, but overall a manageable ride. The temperature was about 50 degrees which was ideal.

New at Big Creek - The Roswell Alpharetta Mountain Bike Association (RAMBO) built a new trail (pump track) for young beginners. It is closed for the winter and expect it to gain alot of interest for kids in the spring.

Blanket's Creek - 3-22-2010

2010-03-28T17:53:00.000-07:00

March 22nd, the first day of Spring, and perfect conditions to venture out for some exercise. Our group of 5 were not alone, the parking lot was full, so I would estimate about 50-60 riders at Blankets when we got started. On previous visits (10/3/2009 and 10/25/2009) we rode the dwelling loop trail and this time we decided on the Van Michael Trail. The trail was renamed in 2008, formerly Area 51, it was renamed by SORBA in recognition a sponsor that donated $10,000.00 to the organization.

Van Micheal turned out to be the most technical trail that I have ridden to date. The uphill was intense and provided well designed trails that took full advantage of the natural terrain. The downhill was extreme and required a great deal of precision where hair-pin turns and steep drop-offs tested your ability to keep the momentum going. This is still early in the season, so I was a bit weak from a cardio perspective, but don't regret tackling this trail at bit!

We took a few snapshots in the parking lot, didn't take the camera on the trail this time, probably a good thing considering the difficulty.

Fun Plans for 2010

2010-03-13T09:27:00.000-08:00

Winter was not without some outdoor fun with some skiing in Whistler, British Columbia to keep up the adventure. Interestingly enough, Whistler is big into mountain biking during the non-winter months when the Whistler Mountain Bike Park opens on May 15th.

It's starting to warm up and plans for a fun 2010 are under way. As always, we need to get cooperation for Mother Nature, so a little rescheduling and we'll get to the trails and have some new adventures.

The plan is to hit some of the trails from fall 2009, then venture out from there. Last Saturday we did a warm up at Big Creek which was great ride; Blankets Creek and Chicopee Woods for the following weeks. The hope was to get out this weekend (3/13), but rain all last week will probably equate to bad riding conditions. We'll see how today goes (hopefully no rain) and we might decide on an impromptu ride tomorrow. We would also like to ride the trails at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, GA and also venture to Bull Mountain Trail in Dahlonega.

In addition to mountain biking we are lined up to participate in a few other events; the Southeast Warrior Dash on May 22nd where we have a group large group planning to compete (I think they're just doing it for the beer party at the end). Mountain biking is fun, but running isn't my favorite activity.

Training has begun for the June 5th iron man sprint at Lake Lanier Islands My First & My Next Triathlon at Lake Lanier Islands. So a two week rest between the Warrior Dash and this event, then more running, swimming, and some road biking.
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Chicopee Woods - 12/22/2009

2009-12-27T09:28:00.000-08:00

Chicopee Woods lived up to all the hype and it being a beautiful day with perfect trail conditions made it a day to remember. I rode with Joe and his father-in-law Dave; Dave is a member of the Gainesville Southern Off-Road Biking Association (SORBA). He shared much of the history and it is evident all the work and dedication that goes into developing and maintaining the trails shows a true passion for the sport and community that enjoy its use.

Gearing up for the ride.

Dave making his way down the trail.

Yeah Joe, we know you're waiting for us again ;-)

Joe always pushes the group to go a little further, our designated leader.

Dave and Joe deciding which trail is next.

White tail?

Joe and I obviously disagree.

Taking a minute to reflect.

Beautiful trails...

Dave on a downhill run...

Almost at the end of an awesome day!

Chicopee Woods Trail System

2009-11-11T19:52:00.000-08:00

The Chicopee Mountain Bike Trails are maintained by the Gainesville chapter of the Southern Off-Road Biking Association (SORBA). This non-profit organization is purpose is to help advocate for off-road cycling, build and maintain local trails, and help gain access to lands for mountain biking.

The Chicopee Woods Trail System is located near the Elachee Nature Center and the Gainesville College Trail located on the campus of Gainesville State College in Oakwood, Georgia. These two systems combine to provide about 16 miles of beginner, intermediate, and advanced trail. In 2008 the Flying Squirrel (intermediate) trail was opened and in 2009 the Copperhead (advanced) Trail was added.

To Pedal or Not to Pedal

2009-11-11T19:00:00.000-08:00

Trying to decide on what to do in regard to pedals. Pedals come in three basic configurations; platform, toe clip or cage, and clipless. The bike I purchased came equipped with platform pedals which essentially provide power during the down stroke and do not provide any fixed connection to the pedal. The cage and clipless options facilitate power thru the full rotation of the pedal which in efficient and provide a means to keep the riders foot connected to the pedal through rough terrain. Being connected to the pedal also has its perils; if you don’t unclip in time, you go down with the bike.

I decided to try out the toe clip since they were relatively inexpensive ($5.00) and easy to install. They definately took some getting used-to, but provided more power going uphill and kept me connected to the bike. The toe clips were not very difficult to release, so the tendency to fall was not an issue.

The example below of platform pedals have metal studs or teeth that help prevent the riders feet from slipping off the pedal. They are constructed of metal and much sturdier than their plastic counterparts.

Toe clips are available in various configurations; Strapless, metal, and hard plastic. Many platform pedals come with the capability to attach toe clips, but be sure to verify the holes line up and the screws are long enough to thread through.

Clipless pedals require specialized shoes with a cleat that is attached to the sole of the the shoe. The pedal is also specialized for the shoe/cleat to clip into the pedal. The rider must twist their foot outward in order to release from the pedal.

Blankets Creek - 11/7/2009

2009-11-07T14:36:00.000-08:00

It turned out to be a great day to ride the trails at Blankets Creek, despite the chilly start. We had four riders and rode the 4.2 mile Dwelling Loop twice, so we got a good workout. Last week we all realized our bikes needed some maintenance and enhancements, so the local bike shops are reaping the benefits.

I have read some reviews about Blankets Creek where people complained about overcrowding, today the parking lot was full 20 - 30 vehicles, but we only encountered one other group on the trail (lucky I guess). As I commented in the 10/31 posting, the Dwelling loop provides great challenges and with all the variation it will keep us coming back for some time. In addition, there are still two advanced trails we have not ridden, so we are very fortunate to have such a well designed set of trails so close to home.

Blankets Creek 10/31/2009

2009-10-31T13:59:00.000-07:00

Blankets Creek lived up to the hype in spite of the rain and with good fortune we had "someone" to motivate the rest of us who were a little apprehensive about getting soaked. All said and done Blankets Creek is the best trail I've ridden to date as it allowed for consistent momentum as we rode the Dwelling Loop. Dwelling Loop follows the shoreline of Lake Alatoona with consecutive rolling hills which resulted in good speed and lots of variation. As the trail turns back there is a good uphill trail that eventually transitions into a really nice downhill with a series of turns. The trail banged us up a bit, and I became acquainted with a big Oak Tree, face first, during the downhill. Needless to say we all probably need to get our bikes tuned up after this ride. All in all it was a great ride and we will definately be back to ride the rest of the trails.

Big Creek Park - 10/25/2009

2009-10-25T17:54:00.000-07:00

Lisa and I rode the Greenway from Alpharetta to Roswell then rode some of the Big Creek Trails before heading back.... It turned out to be a beautiful day and perfect for a ride!

Blankets Creek Mountain Bike Trails

2009-10-19T15:39:00.000-07:00

Blankets Creek Mountain Bike Trails are located just off of Sixes Road in Woodstock, GA and just east of Lake Allatoona. The US Army Corp of Engineers, Cherokee County Recreation Authority, and the Southern Off Road Bike Association collaborated to develop and provide 13.6 miles of mountain bike trails.

Central Park (Georgia) Mountain Bike Trail - 10-10-2009

2009-10-10T13:25:00.000-07:00

The weather held and we had six riders at Central Park this Saturday. The trail was muddy in a few spots, but overall conditions were not bad. The trail is not very technical, but fun never-the-less. Lots of root and small elevations type obstacles to keep you on your toes. A few downhills with curves that test your ability to maintain control (at speed), the trail also transitions between treed and open areas so you might want to bring some sunglasses on bright days..

Finding the Right Hydration System

2009-10-06T18:26:00.000-07:00

Time to benefit from the lessons-learned at Big Creek Park on 10/3 by finding the right hydration system. The options range from various bottle/cage configurations to hydration backpack systems. The hydration back system seems to be the way to go based on the following:

1) Capacity - Bladder containers hold up to 2 liters of fluid.
2) Accessibility - Convenient drinking tube so you can safely drink and ride
3) Portability - These are backpacks, so they fit on your back and are relatively compact. Depending on what you choose, it may have zipper pockets to safely secure keys, wallet, and maybe your camera.

Camelbak seems to have the market cornered and offer a wide variety of solutions. Looking at the Fairfax Hydration Pack (above) and it's on sale at REI.

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Big Creek Park - 10/3/2009

2009-10-04T07:56:00.000-07:00

So it begins, the weeks of rain that culminated into a 100 year flood have finally subsided, allowing for our first mountain bike adventure.

Early morning start and planning our route

On the trail....and getting a little breather...

Checking out the RAMBO event before hitting the trail one more time.
Getting ready to head home after a fun day of trail riding. Link to some additional comments from that day __________________________________________________

Central Park (Georgia) Mountain Bike Trail

2009-09-28T09:49:00.000-07:00

Central Park is an 85 acre sports complex located in Cumming, GA. It offers a wide variety of activites as follows:

- 5-Youth Baseball/Softball Fields

- 4-Adult Softball Fields
- 3-Soccer Fields
- 8-Tennis Courts
- 27-Hole Disc Golf Course
- Playground and Picnic Pavilion
- Mountain Bike Trail
- Recreation Center

The mountain bike trail is 3.75 mile long and offers beginner, intermediate, and advanced features. The trail opens at daylight and closes at 11:00pm. The trail is exclusively for mountain biking, so no hiking or you'll be asked to leave. Helmet is required. There is only one entrance point to the trail at the Kiosk.

Mapquest Directions

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Choosing my Beginner Mountain Bike

2009-09-20T19:35:00.000-07:00

I'll tell you, it wasn't easy finding all the information that I needed to make a decision. It took hours of searching the internet, visiting the local bike shops, and asking friends for their opinions. Some of the questions and comments that I ran across...

- Should I get a hard-tail or full suspension?
- Oh the frame, should it be aluminum or some type of composite carbon material?
- Do I need to worry about which derailer I get?
- Don't buy a bike from a chainsaw vendor!
- Should I get Linear-Pull Brakes or disc brakes?
- Everything is good on except the pedals
- Should I get clip-on shoes and pedals?
- You definately need a helmet!

Trust me, there were many more things to ponder, and price was important to me as well. I didn't want to spend $1,000.00 plus on my first bike. So I had a lot to learn and just wished there was a better, less time consuming way to figure out what to get. In any event, here is what I ended up getting...

REI Outlet had the Diamondback Response '09 model.

- Rear hub - 32h alloy cassette with CNC disc mount
- Tires - Kenda Klaw XT large casing 26x2.1
- Handlebar - DB SL318b oversize 31.8 mid rise
- Stem - DB SL318s
- Fork - Spinner Edge AL-1, 120mm travel
- Seat post - DB SL309p Alloy Micro Adjust 30.9mm
- Saddle - WTB Pure V Sport
- Pedals - DB toe clip compatible platform
- Headset Ahead
- Crankset - TRU-VATIV ISO-FLOW 3.0 with replaceable rings, 42/32/22
- Bottom bracket - Sealed cartridge
- Shifters - SRAM X-4 8-speed trigger
- Front derailleur - Microshift M20
- Rear derailleur - SRAM X-4
- Rear cogs - SRAM PG-820 Cassette 11-32

I have taken the bike out a few times now and I really like it so far. So I'm planning to put some focus on getting some experience and then deciding on next steps (upgraded pedals, etc). Keep checking in and you can see where the trail leads.

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Big Creek Park - Roswell, GA

2009-09-17T19:20:00.000-07:00

Big Creek Greenway and Mountain Bike Trails are great for beginners and close-by for anyone who lives in the North Fulton County area. The Greenway itself offers a great situation for cyclists and hikers alike with it's 6.15 mile concrete trail which stretches between Webb Bridge Road and Mansell Road. Detailed information can be found at City of Alpharetta, Big Creek Link

On the Southern end of the greenway is the Big Creek Mountain Bike Trail which offers beginner, intermediate and advanced features. Directions

Just off of the Greenway (near Webb Bridge Road) is a beginner mountain bike trail about 1.2 miles. The Greenway Map shows the trail which traverses through trees with lots of turns to keep you on your toes. The beginner trail circles a hill which branches off to a more difficult trail (over the hill) and adds a little challenge to the course as a whole.

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