I Heart Singlespeed

Starving Weirdos coastal séance

2011-12-30T16:53:00.033-07:00

Messing with Anthony's picture

Couple more rides. One of which was with Anthony and we got snowed on up high. It was fantastic ride in October. Anthony snapped some shots as well. The shots of me are by him

Up close and personal

Popping out to Hyde Park rd at Pacheco canyon

Anthony just above the Winsor on Sarah's Trail

In September I got the chance to ride with an out of towner up at Taos. David was a great guy to ride with and I hope I get the chance again.

Coming back down to the car at Nogal. I love Taos trails

The trails have been rather muddy and snowy with only the winter time trail spots going on. Been having to head down to Albuquerque lately

What's in your audio player? Love these take away shows. Been enjoying his latest album

Tea or Coffee?

2011-11-02T17:35:00.035-06:00

COFFEE of course
   Java Joes is roasting their own bean now and we are digging it over here at casa Wise

   Some past rides up to the tippy top of Santa Fe happened on the tail end of summer here One ride a while ago was with Brett to go see the damage from the Pacheco fire first hand. Parked at the bottom of Pacheco Canyon road and went up to the ski hill road and then took that up to the upper rio en medio and then took the nambe trail back over to rio en medio then the cutover back to the car at Pacheco Canyon road. It was insane the water damage that was caused once the fire took out any from of stability form the river banks. Got a couple pictures non of which really capture the feeling.
Great ride though
We saw no evidence of fire til we started to descend towards the nambe from the saddle. Then we got down to the nambe river and it was just crazy. Lots of hike a bike through big damned up areas of big trees.

This was one of the only areas that had a big burn area on the whole nambe section we took. Most all the other damage was just huge erosion

Anyone who has been to this juncture knows that the railroad tie that is here was just a curb height drop below it. Now it is like 4 ft.

   Did a shuttle ride with Matt, Robert and Todd. We met at nun's corner and proceeded to pile into Todd's truck and drove up to Aspen Vista rd. We rode up Aspen Vista to Ravens and then descended that and the Winsor down to Chamiza and then sidewinder back out to the cars.

This was the first time I was seeing some of the burn area.

Sometimes on Ravens Ridge the barbed wire is uncomfortably close

Decisions decisions... lets stay on Rio en Medio

Todd coming to the top of a climb on Sidewinder that is not as wimpy as it looks in this picture

When we got back to nuns corner we drove back to the shuttle vehicle up at Aspen Vista trai lhead and enjoyed some fine beverages. Great day on the bike

   A little later I hit up Ravens Ridge with Matt. It was a fantastic ride

Matt right as you get to the barbed wire fence

We stopped here for a snack just after you drop onto Rio en Medio trail off of the upper Winsor

Then like the other shuttle ride we drove back up to Aspen Vista to retrieve Matts car and have a beer

Then the family and I went to Zozobra to get rid of some unfinished gloom we were all holding onto.

   What is in your audio player? I am liking the latest from Cass McCombs. I have enjoyed his stuff ever since Ben hooked me with Catacombs.

Heart means everything

2011-09-26T11:31:00.043-06:00

Frontier art work
The Duke in the Duke city

“Sometimes I just get tired of thinking of all the things I don’t want to do.”
— Charles Bukowski
Going to Colorado is not one of them

I got to accompany Ella on a camping trip to colorado this summer and we had a blast. I got to ride my bike twice as well. I met up with Matt in Durango and he had me park at Coal Bank Pass and start climbing on the singletrack there and he would meet me on the climb somewhere as I was later then I thought getting into Durango. I didn't take too many shots but got a few of the wonderful trail he took me on. Thanks again Matt for the hospitality.
Once we got up the sweet climb we got into the high alpine stylee

Then we made a right here and took Coal Creek Trail back down to the parking lot.

View from the gas station in SIlverton

I think I could live here

Coming into Ouray

Ella definitely liked Ouray

The other ride I got in was originally going to be meet Matt up in Telluride for a ride there. Matt ended up not being able to get up there so with his suggestion I did a ride right from the campground while Ella and the rest of the campers went to Telluride for the day. It was a great ride because I did it all right from the campground. I road dirt roads from Ouray to Ridgeway and then took some more dirt roads up towards Mt Sneffels and then eventually descended some killer super steep singletrack back into Ouray on the Dallas trail.
Some llamas eyeing me up suspiciously

This was the where the singletrack and the Dallas trail started. I decided to add some extra singletrack in and went up towards Blaine Peak on the Dallas trail before heading back towards Ouray

I was glad to find the east Dallas trail head. I was thinking I was not on the right path for a while.

The trail got SUPER fun at this point

Can't say enough good things about our trip. I can't wait to go back up there for some camping and riding. Good bye Ouray

What's in your audio player? I have to admit I have been digging that track from Lana Del Ray- Video Games she performed it on Jools the other night.

This Day Will Never Happen Again

2011-08-21T19:29:00.026-06:00

A bit ago I hooked up with Mr. Glatz and his friend Liam and Good ol Brett for a ride in Taos. It turned out to be a fantastic ride with stops at multiple food and drink establishments afterward.

If you've been here you love this meadow

We pretty much separated from Todd and Liam during the initial climb and did not see them til Nogal at the end of the ride
Brett in the aspens

Brett enjoying the last part of the South Boundary trail chunk

Then after a stop for some margaritas and then some fish tacos from Guadalajara's we stopped by this brewery on the way home in Embudo

Then the following week I rode once again with Todd. This time him and I drove down to the foothills in Albuquerque because everything else was closed due to the multiple fires happening We had the pleasure of hooking up with Kino and Anthony.

This is the smoke from the Las Conchas fire. From my neighborhood

Todd and 40 behind him

Kino enjoying the day

Then I think it was the weekend after that Todd an I went down to hit up some tunnel/Otero action cause everything up our way was still closed. I snapped a couple shots there.
Todd on tunnel

Love this gate on 14. I wonder where it leads

What's in your audio player? Got some Bon Iver up in mine

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

2011-07-23T15:01:00.052-06:00

The 24 hours of The Enchanted Forest happened a few weeks ago and it was killer. It was the first time I took the family with me to a 24 hour race and it was awesome having them there.
The Wise Campsite

It was pretty nice camping right on the race course

Jeff is waiting for you to take a seat

our neighbors Lee and family

This would be Isaac BURLEY

Los Lobos Cycles

This young girl played the Star Spangled Banner on the sax for us to start the race

Jeff coming and Brian going

Brett joined us at the last minute. As of Friday we were going to just race with 3 of us since one of our team mates( Anthony) broke his shoulder and could not race with us. Brett stepped in at the last minute and had to singlefy his geared ride. Way to step up Brett. Here Brett displays not only his off the bike fashion of wearing PJ's everywhere but also one of his secret weapons the lactate dissolving torture vice (patent pending).

Jeff wondering who the hell just stepped foot into our camp. It would be the one and only FiftyWinkle

Leia from Santa Fe on her way to winning solo female

Ella filmed me coming in from my 2nd lap

Lee heading out for some night action

The pumpkin will light your way

Nighttime can be lonely with only the lantern to warm you

With the sun rose Ella and our spirits

Brett crossing the line to finish Team Xrx's 24 Hours In The Enchanted Forest

A back of the pack racer coming across the line for the last time

Met Darin I think that was his name at the tradeshow last year. Really cool guy from a shop called The Gear Exchange in Glenwood Springs in Co. They were all racing on Puglsy's and having a blast.

Dom, Lee, Isaac, and Aaron took 1st place and didn't get their Winners mugs cause they made a mistake in the results and the team that they called up there that they thought won took the mugs and didnt't bring them back. WEAK

For the race I changed my gear form a 32/20 on my 29er to a 32/18 It was perfect for the race for me. I have kept it on and have been enjoying it back here in Santa Fe too. Right before the race I got one ride in on the 18 tooth to make sure it would work for me. I did Aspen Vista and Ranvens Ridge and then rio en medio to winsor to sidewinder. Killer ride Went with Tony and Nel. Great day on the bikes

The views on Deception are stellar

Nell was owning the descents

Of course the irishman was enjoying Ravens Ridge

Tony and Nell discussing the finer points of eyewear

exit stage left

Can't wait to play glassrock again

Was asking my mom about this bakery in Baltimore that my friend Eric had told me about called Dangerously Delicious Pies that he said was super good. She hadn't been there yet but said she would hit it up next time she was in the area. About 2 weeks later a BaltimoreBomb showed up at my door. It was insane. Thanks again MOMS

What is in your audio player? I am digging this video from Washed Out

The Future Is Stupid

2011-06-06T21:45:00.026-06:00

Let's start this off with some bangin' fish tacos

followed by a dbl IPA

   Taos is GREAT. We parked at Mondragon and pedalled down the road to valle Escondido and then did the normal South Boundary ride but then took Mondragon back to the car which ended up making it a 33 mile day. Mondragon is sweet though. Can't wait to go hit it again soon.

grace

Up by Garcia park

This was taken on the lovely Mondragon trail that I can't wait to hit again.

man in motion

Enjoyed a beer on the other side of the river

   A while before the Taos ride I hit up Rancho Viejo with Preston, Mark, and the 2 Brians from work and Anthony. We all started together and then separated at rio en medio where Preston Mark and Brian went down that and Anthony and I continued onward to Rancho Viejo. We then met back up with them right at the perfect time to take the cutover back to pacheco canyon road.
Mark and BM climbing up borrego from Aspen Ranch

It's steep in Santa Fe. Tis particular trail is prolly all burned out from the Pacheco Fire. : (

Brian enjoying the cutover back to Pacheco

   Before any of these rides was a after work ride with Raney and we went up to the top of Pacheco via Borrego/Winsor. It was my first ride of the season getting up that high.

" Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet "
- Bob Marley

Been diggin back into my SY collection lately

Get Drunk

2011-04-26T23:02:00.029-06:00

Always be drunk.
That's it!
The great imperative!
In order not to feel
Time's horrid fardel
bruise your shoulders,
grinding you into the earth,
Get drunk and stay that way.
On what?
On wine, poetry, virtue, whatever.
But get drunk.
And if you sometimes happen to wake up
on the porches of a palace,
in the green grass of a ditch,
in the dismal loneliness of your own room,
your drunkenness gone or disappearing,
ask the wind,
the wave,
the star,
the bird,
the clock,
ask everything that flees,
everything that groans
or rolls
or sings,
everything that speaks,
ask what time it is;
and the wind,
the wave,
the star,
the bird,
the clock
will answer you:
"Time to get drunk!
Don't be martyred slaves of Time,
Get drunk!
Stay drunk!
On wine, virtue, poetry, whatever!"
         - Charles Baudelaire

   The springtime has brought a steady flow of fantastic rides round here A while ago I did a ride form the Balls up to Chamisa with Anthony. He is back to riding a good bit again which is good. Or shall I say on my schedule.

The bikes hangin on the rack at "the rock"

Is that water?

Then it was back onto the Balls for a bit more milage... and fun

   The next week Anthony, Todd, and I tried to get up as high as we could up the Winsor. We got as far as Borrego and decided we had gone far enough.

Coming down the Chamisa trail after the saddle towards the Winsor was precarious on the ice

Sunny snow on the Chamisa

Todd enjoying some Winsor

The moon rose fullness

   Then one day I met up with Preston, Jeff, Brian, Mark, Andy and Anthony and we went up Bland and up to the camper and down Killer Swichbacks and down Medio Dia. Was a fantastic ride and the first time in 2011 getting up tat high at Cochiti. ONly snapped a couple shots

Mark coming up the last section above Bland to the saddle

One of my teammates (Brian Martinson) in the upcoming 24 Hours OF The Enchanted Forest

and yet another teammate Jeff

the venerable Preston climbing on the Mojo

Antonio on the rocky goodness that is killer switchbacks

   I have been looking back at some old photos and thought I would revisit some old ones.
This was a sweet ride T-Glatz and I did on the Dale Ball South trails. I was on a rigid 26 inch wheeled bike... : o

Todd was on his Klein

fear does not stop death... it stops life

What is in your audio player? I have been enjoying the new Thurston Moore album being streamed up npr. Also was digging this early video of Arcade Fire.

SLOWCORE

2011-03-23T19:23:00.038-06:00

   The end of needing lights for after work rides has come and gone. I rode quite a bit with the lights this winter and am scared for the prospect of closures in the forest this summer if we don't get some moisture quick like.

Met up with Lee one night in February and got a nice sunset to start one of my last night rides of the winter season

   got up to Dorothy Stewert and and the Dale Ball trails a bit ago. This was my first ride on the Dorothy Stewart trail of the new year. It is always nice when more options open up

Santa Fe barely got any Hoptimum but the one I had was AWESOME.

   Hit up the Dale Ball south trails the other day and had a great time. Always nice to get on trails that are a bit more tech then the rest of the Dale Bal trails. I didnt take out the camera cept to shoot this pretty bike and trail.

R.I.P Jay

Back at the car for another tasty treat

After the ride I was heading home and at Paseo and Guadalupe the sunset was ablaze

   first attempt to go up Chamiza this year found me riding with Cheryl Mark and Dom. We made the hole ride and it was sweet to get back in the trees a bit.
Cheryl climbing up Chamiza

up on da saddle

Mark coming round the bend

Who doesn't love a clementine

Hazel by Ella

   What's in your audio player? Heard this track from the upcoming Fleet Foxes album and quite enjoyed it.

“ Just look at us. Everything is backwards; everything is upside down. Doctors destroy health, lawyers destroy justice, universities destroy knowledge, governments destroy freedom, the major media destroys information and religions destroy spirituality."

Spinning and Grinning

2011-03-04T09:03:00.032-07:00

   Hit up White Mesa about a month ago and met up with Chris and Andy for some nice gypsum on the tires

Andy heading up

Saw this hawk flying around enjoying the day

Cool to imagine that this area was once covered in water

Chris climbing up to the hole

Heading to the moon

up to the mine

The Nipple

This picture reminds me of the Outer Banks

Back up from the mine gets steep

Coming back to i25 on 550 you get a nice view of the Sandias

White Mesa never disappoints

   I had a killer after work ride a while ago at the Galisteo Basin Preserve trails I always enjoy the trails there

   What's in your audio player? I bought 2 Song's for a relief for Haiti That Bonnie Prince Billy and The Cairo Gang put out.

                     SPRING IS COMING!

Winter Doldrums

2011-02-03T17:45:00.035-07:00

   “ For all our conceits about being the center of the universe, we live in a routine planet of a humdrum star stuck away in an obscure corner … on an unexceptional galaxy which is one of about 100 billion galaxies. … That is the fundamental fact of the universe we inhabit, and it is very good for us to understand that."

Carl Sagan

   First ride of 2011 was a night ride after work on the Dale Balls. It was great. The trails were all covered in snow but enough people had hiked it so it was packed down as long as you stayed on the packed trail you were fine. This ride was on January 5th

   Then I started my weekly drive down to Albuquerque to hit up the foothills. I really enjoy riding the foothills. I have also discovered the new brewery La Cumbre on Girard in turkey town

   The next weekend we banged out a 30 miler hittin most of the foothills including a section of the south foothills that goes all the way down to the big I that i had not ridden before. It was sweet cause it has a really big climb on it. Which is always nice.
I guess this trail was courtesy of FOOMTB

The climb back up from 40 is a honker. That's right I said honker

Joaquin giving it

24-7

We hit up San Francisco for the holidays again and had another splendid visit to the city by the bay. One of the highlights was eating my brothers pizza.

A man and his pizza oven

There was drinking

...carnivouring

Tom and Jerrying it

Alcatraz diversion

Some more drinking

Some nice walks in between rain

Then some more beer

Had to bring some lovely nectar home with us

   What is in your audio player? I am excited about J's new album coming out in March. Fully accoustic with some accoustic fuzz thrown in.

                  WARMTH please

There's a limit to your love

2011-01-09T13:23:00.017-07:00

   Well, the new year has started. 2010 has departed. lay aside all that has happened in the past year and reflect and then move on. I sill have some remnants from the end of the year. There were a few more rides with sparse pictures from 2010. This was ,I think the last time I ventured up the ski hill road in 2010. I parked at the sierra del norte trailhead parking lot and peddled up past the Waves and on up to Chamisa trail then took that up to pacheco and up to hyde park then to big T and dropped that back to Winsor to chamisa up to sidewinder then back down to dale ball north and rode the north side of senor Dale Ball

A rock you all know if you live in Santa Fe

Sidewinda

   Then after that I met up with Anthony and Kino from Albuquerque for a stroll up Dome road one last time before the snows covered it. Kino had never ridden Cochiti.

Kino climbing Dome road

   Kino getting up to Carl Shipman. Soon after Kino would take a spill and have to bail out down cochiti canyon. Anthony and I continued with the ride but my battery soon died.

then home to a fantastic sunset and soak

I love this section of ridge trail on the Dale Balls North

Then it was a classic ride at the Galisteo Basin Preserve trails with Tony and Co.

   What is in your audio player? I have James Blake in mine.He has a new album coming out in March.

bye

I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride

2010-12-10T20:10:00.023-07:00

The lovely climb up Pacheco Canyon rd to start the ride

   Made a run down rio en medio about a month ago with Matt and Anthony and Mark. Rio en medio is one of the more technical trails around Santa Fe. Was a great ride and we drank beer and threw rocks at bottles at the bottom of pacheco canyon road.

Matt on one of my favorite parts of the cut-thru to Pacheco from rio en medio

   The weekend after that ride Krista was in town and looking to get a SS ride in while she was in town so we met up at Cochiti. I got there and a few minutes later Andy and a friend of his pulled into the parking lot just by coincidence so they joined us on a fun ride up Bland to del norte to killer switchbacks and so on. Was a great ride with everyone on SS's

Getting started on the road to Bland
photo: Andy

Andy gettin it up to the saddle

IF in da house

Sharing a moment of reflection    photo:Andy

Krista owning the descent

Andy hearts Cochiti

   Rode Atalaya with Raney a bit ago and we climbed up in the daylight and descended in darkness over to the Dale Ball south trails. It was a great ride. Mike is fast so it is good to be chasing someone the whole ride. only got a couple sunset shots and an arm extension shot of my first Celebration ale of the year.

   What is in your audio player? I have K'naan in mine. I really enjoy this desktop concert he gave at npr.

                           Happy Holidays everyone.

Shed The Light

2010-11-18T23:13:00.032-07:00

   Got some quality fall rides in recently. Also been hitting up some great rides after work. Had some fun up on the Borrego Big T ride after work one night with Anthony while we still had sunlight for the whole ride but just enough. You could tell time was short.

Anthony chasing the falling sunlight

   One of my favorite places to ride here in New Mexico has got to be Cochiti. Blasted a quick Bland to medio dia canyon to del norte canyon up to the camper and onward to killer switchbacks back down medio dia.

sidpa bardo?

looking back on a day well spent

   Made it to Taos for one more South Boundary ride in 2010. I doubt I will make it back there again before it is unridable. Went with Ben and Matt from work. No action shots but some nice landscapes
This was Ben's first ride up there.

Ben's ride for the day

Ohh man, I have to say the best fish tacos in New Mexico are from Guadalajara

What's in your audio player? The new Avey Tare has been stuck in mine for quite some time. Also I have been digging the new Arcade Fire. I liked Spike Jonzes video he did for them as well

                     I am thankful for much

"I'm a dusted old bummy Hurdy Gurdy Man"

2010-10-16T21:31:00.042-06:00

   Was digging around the garage looking for a match when I came across this, one of my favorite tapes back in the day. 92 I think. I would listen to this tape sooo much. Flipping that bitch over and over. I still think this is the Beastie Boys best album. Dust brothers definitely helped the Beasties step it up from Licensed To Ill.

    I Was dropping my mom off at the airport and thought that that would be a fantastic time to hit some dirt down in Albuquerque. Bruce was kind enough to meet up with me and show me around Otero. I have ridden here a few times but always like when I can tag along with a local so the there is less debating at junctures. We had a killer ride. Way too much fun to stop and take any photos. 'Cept for this blurry one. I do believe it is time for a new camera. The one I have is all fucked up. It has no lens cover anymore so the lens is just exposed all the time. Most of the pics come out with a lovely haze of oil on them.

   A and I ventured up to Deception Peak the other day and had a great descent down Ravens Ridge to Rio en medio to Pacheco then up to Winsor and then descend that all the way back to TVM

Deception Peak was blissful

I need to venture down to Nambe lake sometime soon

Anthony deftly descending Ravens Ridge

Aspens were just beginning there transition

The upper section of Rio en medio was BIG fun

Coming down Big T from the campground. After this it was a big ripper down the Winsor to the market to the car and cold beers

Interbike came and went as well in September. I went for the whole thing this year. Went to Cross Vegas and had a good time.

   This was my 2nd attempt at brewing. Still doing extract brewing. This was supposed to be an American IPA. It came out good but not really indicative of a American IPA. More of an Amber. I just brewed again this past weekend and went with extract again. This time i got an IPA recipe from John who has been brewing for a long time and is a chemist. I think this one will be much more like a true IPA. Also this time I am going to rack it into a secondary. I hope this helps the cloudyness that i got with the American IPA.

                     Half drank SSweetleafIPA

Susan Butler took 5th

Maureen Bruno Roy pushing it hard

The pro men take off

dolla dolla bill yall

Hey where is his bike?

It was good fun watching a cross race under the lights. Most the week at Interbike was work.
Interesting frame design

Cinelli has stepped up its game for 2011
the new Mash frame is tight

I think I might buy one of these

   What's in your audio player? I have Paul's Boutique in mine. Speaking of which I see they are coming out with another album.

                                Have A Great Day

"do whatever the TV tells us"

2010-10-06T19:08:00.029-06:00

Finally got up to Atalaya a few times in the tail end of the summer season. I really like it up there. Particularly the backside dropping down to the Dale Ball south trails. The trails are really technical and even though they seem to not of been built with mountain bikers in mind they still rip.

That was a solo Atalaya trip. Coming home was another boring sunset

Then there was a good one with Tony

Saw this guy up near the top of Atalaya above the last switchback.

Ohh boy! A couple weeks ago Mike,Mark and I hit up the South Boundary trail in Taos. It was before the changing of the leaves up there but it was a great ride.

Climbing up from Valle Escondido

MakaMeadow

Glowing orb of energy

Mike coming up to Quintana pass

Went to Sugars after the ride on 68 in Embudo.

Hit up some borrego-Big T action one night after work solo and had a fantastic time

After the ride I Had a sessions and a fuji from our tree

coming down Hyde Park rd was some good color

What's in your audio player? I have some National in mine

"A perfect end today"

2010-09-09T23:21:00.025-06:00

I Heart BEER

bout a month or so ago I hit up Cochiti with Anthony and Matt. This was Matts first MTB ride in Cochit (I think) which is always a nice treat to have someone on the ride that is seeing it all for the first time on 2 wheels. Mark couldn't make the ride because of a ant bite.
We took cochiti canyon up to Alamos trail

wet flower at shipman bottom

Lovely sights to be seen on the way

Matt had a few mechanicals during the ride. Always seemed to be in perfect areas though for a break

Anthony down yonder pickin berries

His bounty

What are they looking at?

We had a visitor. He was just hangin around eating

Marks new bike

What is in your audio player? Sonic Youth is still ruling it

Summer Time Rolls

2010-08-07T11:34:00.036-06:00

I cant believe that it is into August already. Time goes way too fast in this life.

   Have had a few rides from the last time i have been here. Right before the Firecracker Krista and I had a great 35 miler from town up to the towers. Didn't get many pictures at all cause i was chasing after Krista most the day. Still it was great prep for the 50 miler.

The Winsor is a nice climb and descent

Krista's Cannondale at the Big T campground

Krista climbing up to Aspen Vista trail

At the top of the triple they have a newish cabin they built for the lifties i assume .It is pretty sweet.

When riding up Aspen Vista one must take the obligatory shot of Santa Fe lake

The acequia trail off rio en medio

We hit up Folk Art Market again this year. I quite enjoy it.

I was digging these masks

I am rather jaded, but the skies here in New Mexico are mind bogglingly fantastic

   just a week or so ago I rode up the Winsor to Hyde Park and Big T campground then came back and hit Chamiza and sidewinder back down Sarah's trail to the Winsor and out too beers

senor Mark coming towards the saddle

The post ride high from endorphins and adrenaline mixed with alcohol is quite sublime

   What is in your audio player? Lisa at work turned me onto Mount Kimbie and I have been digging on them. I Particularly enjoy this XX remix. Pretty much dubstep I guess

                   Peace

Help Her Out

2010-07-29T22:26:00.003-06:00

Krista Park is heading to Europe to represent the good ol USA. Krista is a pro mountain biker who travels around full time racing with her husband Todd. She is really fun to ride with which is unusual when it comes to riding with pro riders. SO contribute a 5er and maybe win some cool stuff and know you are helping out a really deserving person.
Here is the link to enter the raffle CLICK ME
Krista's sponsors and friends have put together a $5 raffle to help her with travel funds for the Marathon World Championship race in Germany as part of the USA team.

* Grand Prize - Stan's No Tubes Wheelset (your choice of rim with ZTR hubs)
* Second Prize - Cycle Ops Fluid 2 Trainer with climbing block, mat, & Real Rides DVD series
* Third Prize - Magura Hydraulic Disk Brake Package
* Fourth Prize - 12-week coaching plan from LW Coaching
* Fifth Prize - Raxter Bike Rack
* Sixth Prize - Jagwire customization kit including Ripcord derailleur cable kit, Hyflow Quick-fit hose system or Ripcord brake cable kit; Non-crimp cable tips and disc brake pads all in the color/compound of the winner's choice.
* Seventh Prize - Chamois Butt'r package including 6 tubes of and 6 jars of Chamois Butt'r and 4 sticks of New Bod'e Arm'r stick lubricant

Additional Prizes include: 2 Incycle team kits, nutrition packages from FRS, 3 canisters of recovery drink from Fluid, 10 pairs of socks from Recovery Socks, jerseys from Cannondale, and two 6-packs of canned oxygen from Oxygen4Energy.

raffle ends August 2nd

Beginnings

2010-07-07T19:11:00.026-06:00

Just back from lacrosse practice
Ohh man, my first real bike. I remember the 20 and 30 mile rides I would do on that bike trying to chase my brother and his friends through the hills of northern Baltimore county.
My first true bike was an Evil Knievel bike which I loved. Particularly the fake gas tank

The Firecracker has come and gonna now and we had a blast in Breckenridge. It was BRECKtacular. Before the Firecracker hapened though there have been some killer rides. I have been not taking the camera as much anymore. I have taken a few pics from the rides though. One ride we did was the Glorieta to Apache canyon ride where we shuttle to the Baptist center and leave a car at El Gauncho to retrieve the car we left at the Baptist center. This time though we had Anthony's son Sky drop us off. : )

THe meadow below the tower is a lovely spot for a snack and to adjust your headset if needed

Enjoying the trails above Canada del los Alamos

Had a sweet ride a few weeks ago with Brian from Mellow Velo to get ready for the cochiti 100 that was happnin soon after. I was shooting for only laps 1 and 3 in cochiti and I succeeded so i was stoked. The full 100 just seems like too much suffering for me. Hats off to the 5 or so people that have finished it.

Brian's Skin is very vibrant

Brett (i think his name is) was along as well.

I have been enjoying the Abita IPA lately. Especially after the climb out of borrego

I will leave you with Crazy Rainbow Guy. I do enjoy a rainbow. We get tons of them here in Santa Fe. We even get frequent double rainbows. I have never reacted quite like this guy though. I appreciate his enthusiasm though. Thanks Eric

I LOVE Animal Collective and this video they did for Guys Eyes really captures the feeling of their music, to me at least.

Home

2010-06-09T19:58:00.021-06:00

When home was Baltimore Maryland. Chris Sieverts enjoying Denny's ramp.

Now home is Santa Fe New Mexico

   Ramping up for the firecracker 50 coming up soon in Breckenridge. Took an early attempt up to rio en medio in the beginning of May. It was pretty good to get back in it even though we hit a bit of snow.

(Anthony's)Bike awaits in the sun

watch your step

flying the colors of one of the finer IPA's in Santa Fe

saw this guy scamper across the trail. Just missed him

   Lots of cairns have been built on the cut thru trail from rio en medio to pacheco canyon road. I mean a whole lot of them. It would make the cairn destroyer go insane.

I absolutely love the cross over trail from rio en medio to pacheco canyon road. Thanks Matt!

   What is in your audio player? I have been enjoying Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zero's disc lately. Thanks Megan. I will also be spending the solstice watching them play on the patio at the brewery. YAHOO! especially after seeing their performance on Letterman.

These wrinkles masterfully disguise...

2010-05-31T09:41:00.016-06:00

the youthful boy below

   The weather has made a turn for the better here in Santa Fe. The riding has opened up bigtime. Only the highest up stuff is still snowy. The other day Mark and I journied up to Cochiti for the first ride of the season. We rode up Bland to medio dia and rode that up to the camper and then up to killer switchbacks and then back down. The water was crazy there. After that ride we hooked up with Anthony for some sidewinder action and got caught in some snowy weather but not enough to dampen the ride.

The water on the upper part of medio dia was crazy. It has since mellowed out a bit

I like this shot from Killer Switchbacks

Stopped along side the stream to have a snack and reflect

when you are heading out of the canyon at the end of the ride it is always nice to stop and look back up the canyon

Back at the lot with beer in hand

A few days later I met up with some doods and went for a ride up chamisa and sidewinder. was still chilly and snowy

always nice to stop and gaze upon all the lucky people's houses who are lucky to live on the mt.

Anthony feeling the turn

Everyone who lives and rides in Santa Fe knows of the Sidewinder trail... I hope

back at the vehiclesit started to snow more

wondering how snowflakes fall up

   What is in your pint glass? I got this new offering from Bridgeport. I have never been a big fan of Bridgeports beer but they have good prices so i get their IPA occasionally. I have to say this Imperial IPA is quite nice though. I will def buy it again.

   What is in your audio player?
I have been really digging the new Broken Social Scene record.
Live version of sentimental x's

I cried on the way to the trail

2010-05-10T18:46:00.013-06:00

   Jay Stolpestad passed way on April 24th in the early am. Jay was one of the kindest people I have ever met. The first person I road with when we moved here to Santa Fe was Jay. From that ride on Jay and I became good friends. Quite strange really since We are so diferent. Jay brought the best out in people and inspired everyone he came across. A couple years ago Jay was diagnosed with cancer. He never stopped fighting or smiling til the day he died. I will miss him dearly and I imagine many other will too.

We recreated this shot last week with Jay in our thoughts in the same spot on pacheco canyon road

   Jay loved PInback...

                See ya "my brutha"

Daily Operation

2010-04-21T20:40:00.032-06:00

                                                      R.I.P. Guru.
This guy had lyrical skills like no other. Rockin the O's kit too.

Been able to enjoy the comforts of a full carbon Cinelli Machine lately. This bike is really fun to ride. Going to ride it in the Santa Fe Century coming up. Then the next week is The Cochiti 100 which I am going to attempt again.

    A few weeks ago I took our new car to my weekend ride on Upper Canyon to test the new rack I put on the car.I Was heading to Boulder for a show and to meet up with Bill in his hood.
It was my first attempt to ride the Dale Balls for 2010. It was a bit snowy in parts but for the most part was ridable. It is GREAT to be back on the MTB again.

Fit with Picacho in the backround

First views of the Dale Ball trails. Can you spot the tire?

Hazel by Ella

   We headed up to Boulder for The Comunikey fest going on and to meet up with William and Jessica. I have known Bill for some years now. Autumn and Ella and I moved out here 41/2 years ago now and I hadn't gotten up to see them in there hood. This was my first time in Boulder. I have never seen soo many white people. Not much color there. Other then that the town RIPPED. Need to go back and spend some more time there to get a feel. We hit up The Books show Friday night after some pints and a burger at Mountain Sun. The show was killer. Fox theatre is a sweet place for music. Hoping to score a soundboard recording of the show from my coworker who was working at the fest. Proceeded to drink some more after the show we made our way to the Sundown Saloon which is sort of a dive bar but has some goodness on tap and good music playin. Good times sipping on a MahaRaja. Saturday was spent riding bikes at White Ranch. Took a few pictures.

When we got there it didn't look promising. If you look close you might be able to find the hidden item in the picture.

Big climb right off the bat up Belcher

Clouds rolling through

Still climbing Belcher

Started getting cold up top

Bill emerging from a haze

We don't have these signs in New Mexico

Mark enjoying Boulder

Riding Rawhide trail was fun

Rawhide opened up before we got to the juncture we took at longhorn.

Mark works the land

lots of signs and rules

More signs

Bill hittin some crack

Can't wait to get back to Boulder to ride with Bill again. Explore some of the higher up stuff.

   Mark commented on his blog that I was a "family man". It took me back to my time in highschool and listening to this album a bunch.

   Winter won't let go of us here. Thursday's after work ride turned into a raging snowstorm. opinions of this ride varied greatly from that was the worst ride i have ever been on to that was one of the best rides i have ever been on. Funny how people see the same exact thing so differently.

                      carpe diem

DIRT

2010-04-02T19:17:00.020-06:00

   The dirt is soo much more fun for me to ride then the pavement. I rode my mountain bike last weekend for the first time since surgery in White Mesa with a cool crew of people. Matt came and picked me up and we rendezvoused with Kevin and some Two Wheel Drive peoples. Really fun ride and I got to ride some stuff over by the mine that I had never ridden. Want to go back when I can really enjoy all the fun looking features.

One must always stop at the hole when riding White Mesa

   we then turned off the trail that I am used to riding and hit and headed over to towards the mine. It was really a good section that i plan to hit whenever I ride there. A good climb and some good stuff to play on as well.

We biked out to the mine

A mighty climb back up to the regular mesa

Autumn.... She's craftyyyyy

   Today is Good Friday. As we see more and more of how religion is a dangerous farce. Look inward to find morality, you won't find it in a pew.

Vatican Priest Likens Abuse Furor To Anti-Semitism.

Some Albuquerque roots via Broken Bells

                  Have a good one

Pavement

2010-03-21T20:36:00.022-06:00

The Cannondale has seen better days

7 weeks later and I am back on my bike. All though it is just the road bike til April 1. Got a couple road rides in this past week and got a sweet 50 miler in today with Ben and Brian. Finally did that cutover on county road 42 from Galisteo over to 14 above Madrid. It was a great ride I loved that loop. At mile 40 I bonked though and coming back up 14 in the wind became arduous

Brian waits for Ben and I at Oshara

Ben riding into Galisteo

Checking my headset at about mile 41 feeling the bonk. GREAT ride though. Can't wait to do it again this weekend

Since rides have been non existent for 7 weeks. I have no ride photo's to speak of so I thought I would do a retro post or a throw back post if you will. Just grabbed a few old photos to look back at a time well spent.

Man this picure takes me back. This was one of the first times I road the Arroyo trail from St Johns and Jay showed me the Stupa up in the hills. It is a great spot. The IF was still getting some love at the time. Look at those little baby wheels.

This picture was of my first attempt at brewing. It was suppossed to be a Tuppers Hop Pocket recipe. This was in our kitchen in Baltimore

One of the few road rides I ever do. This was one with Anthony. We rode through Bonnanza creek and then on through Las Campanas.

Ohh man. This picture is out front of our Lake Avenue house in the biggest snow storm we had while we lived there.

2 crazy guys I hung with in Jackson Hole. Scary

Jay in the ferns at Frederick Watershed. I miss riding with all those guys. When I went there to ride, I of course had to go to Frederick Brewing

Robert having fun on my first ride at Cedro

Bob is great fun to ride with.... and to drink beer in the parking lot afterward with. Dale Ball Central trails

The thing Autumn,Ella and I miss the most since moving out here.The beach. I think we will have to remedy that soon

Glowing Green Buddha at Cochiti

Blaine riding the Juan trail along little Tesuque creek

One of the nicest guys you will ever meet is Jay. here he is riding on the Dale Ball South trails after coming off Atalaya. I remember this day well. We had a great ride . The weather was primo.

What is in your audio player? I have been enjoying all kinds of stuff from SXSW. I love when bands play stuff that is really different from most other stuff out there.
Freelance Whales at SXSW. I like the way bands will do small shows for the press. It creates a really intimate feel. I remember PJ Harvey did one last year that was awesome.

"It's easy to get buried in the past"

2010-02-13T09:18:00.020-07:00

"....When you try to make a good thing last."

One of my last rides before the snow and shoulder surgery took me out of the game was at the lovely Cerrillos Hills State Park trails. These trails are a fun option when the stuff closer to the mountain are buried in snow. You head down the Turquoise trail to get to Cerrillos which is just north of Madrid. A lot of this area is here because of the turquoise and lead they mined from here and I think still do on a couple private claims to this day.

Mark riding one of the more difficult climbs at Cerrillos

bike in repose
by: A

Anthony climbing along on his Ahren's

This is a fun descent until you can't really ride anymore.....
by:A

Mark playing in the sand
by:A

Some more climbing
by:A

Where's Waldo (canyon rd)

Anthony hit the wall out in Cerrillos

It was a great last ride for me. I am now in my 5th week of post surgery no riding blues. At least I am on the downslope of the rehab. This past weekend Autumn and Ella and I hiked the Chamisa loop, It was great finally getting back into the woods even if it was without a bike.

What is in your audio player? I have the new Beach House album Teen Dream in mine. Baltimore throwing it down once again.

I can't wait til spring........

Mid Winter Jicker

2010-01-16T20:09:00.031-07:00

   Back in November on Thanksgiving day I had the pleasure to ride the Dale Ball trails with Mike from work and Mark and Matt and his friend Chris .It was a Really fun ride before heading down to Albuquerque for Thanksgiving dinner and visiting with family. We met at Mikes pad up on Acequia Madre and road from there. Good times.

Mike enjoying a Commencal Meta 5 full carbon

Matt climbing the North Dale Balls

Zembo climbing among the pinon

Always a sweet spot for a regroup and a headset adjustment

   A couple weeks later I had an enjoyable ride with Mark and Robert at the Galisteo Preserve Trails. They have added some signage and trail signs at each trail juncture which is nice. Also on the trail map they show some future trails that they are adding. Here is a link to a pdf you can download and print of the trail network and future trails.

Robbie up on the ridge.

Mark on the rock

   While we were in San Francisco over the holidays I of course had to score some Blue Bottle Coffee

   The Blue Bottle we hit is the one on Linden. You can tell when you go there they they have full mastery of the art of Espresso and the love.

On Linden. True Love

   Then into 2010 We went. The first ride I got in was at White Mesa with Anthony. We decided upon White MEsa for the start to our 2010 riding season. Weather was great and we got a nice 15 mile ride in by doing the normal clockwise loop starting on the dragons spine and then taking the center line down and then coming back up the dragons spine.

AHOLE

this is one of the bigger climbs at White Mesa. Particularly tough with ice at the top part of the climb

A bigger HOLE

   Bmore stylee. If you havent been to Pigtown then you really should check it out sometime.

   What is in your audio player? Would love to check out thelatest Dinosaur jr. tour if it is anything like this video.I saw quite a few good dino shows but only one(my first) with Jay Lou and Murph.

   Just had surgery on my shoulder yesterday. Hurting pretty bad. There was a good bit of damage in there he said. All went well though with the surgery. Gonna be off the bike for 4-6 weeks. : (

Snow........flow.....GO

2009-12-30T21:11:00.035-07:00

   Had a great snow ride with Mark the other day. Parked the cars at Sierra del Norte lot and biked up the ski hill road up to Chamisa trail to Sidewinder and then roamed around a bit on sidewinder and juan trail for a while then made our way back to the vehicles.

I love the burn section of the sidewinder trail especially with snow on it... yaaahooo

Down along the snowy banks of little Tesuque creek

   A few days later I hit a ride with Dom and Mark that took us up Bland to medio canyon up to cooperators meadow and above to the road and then back down the way we came till we got back to the saddle and descended medio dia of course.

We were following this guy for most of the ride.

Dom coming up to the pond

Mark letting off some steam

Dom showing it doesn't take 2 hands

Taking breaks and reflecting is one of the things I like about mountain biking

Then it was time to turn around and try it down.
Sometimes it is time for a clementine

I like this shot.

We noticed some discarded Tecate cans that someone decided they didn't need to pack out. Wonder who?

Then we got down to the winklecairn at the saddle above Bland

I Heart Breckenridge

Hope everybody had a sweet Holiday time.

   Mark and Tom from 2nd street put on anther PBE the other day and it was good fun. Anthony stopped plunging toilets to join us. He shot some vid on the fun rock up on the ridge.

To the victor went the spoils

   What is in your audio player? I sometimes don't know where my mind is.

                     2010

Goodnight Moon

2009-12-08T18:41:00.028-07:00

Ohh Jay oh Jay
what can i say
you made my day.
Rancilio people

    weather has taken a turn for the worse here in Santa Fe.I guess that depends on what side of the road you are on though. Have gotten some sweet snow rides in all ready. Cabin John Rob and his lovely wife Margaret came for a visit in the beginning of November and as always Rob who doesn't even mountain bike much( mostly a roadie) was up for lots of big rides. When Rob came out, another guy (Steve I think) from MD just happened to be here visiting as well and came along on a ride we did up to Borrego-Bear Wallow and Chamisa-sidewinder.

Mr. Glatz was kind enough to join us on this ride

Rob coming up to the saddle on Chamisa

next 3 taken by Dom

Todd is very happy to see you

Me coming up the rise

Todd playing around in Tesuque Creek

Rob hitting the switchback at the bottom of the Borrego trail

One of the better sections of Sidewinder that has been ruined by someone making it more like the Dale Ball trails.

Steve I believe

Steve hitting the burn on his Niner he rented from Melo Velo

    this year was really fun. We went to trick or treat in a neighborhood close to our neighborhood. There was a party there and the whole house was made up like a haunted house and they had beers for the adult trick or treaters and we had a great time.
Ella and I getting ready to hit up some trick or treating

    in you audio player? I have been digging on some Bibio from the album Ambivilalence Avenue. Thanks Ben.

    other night I hit up a ride after work at the Balls and it was in the 20's and I was freezing but the light and trail was incredible

                   Goodnight Moon

melancholy Rides

2009-11-17T20:38:00.040-07:00

Prior to the crazyness of the last couple months There were a couple weeks of Aspen color going on. Got a few good rides in to revel at the beauty that is aspens in the autumn time.
The plumber climbing Pacheco Canyon rd

Aspen leaves sprinkled on an evergreen

The Winsor is always a lovely affair

3 peeps and a peep.

spot the rider?

Fall is soo sweet for riding but also somewhat melancholy cause of the approaching winter.

Then there was the NorSki loop we hit from 102 with the Cairnman,the Plumber and Maka

The cairnman climbing up the 102

Nor Ski trail is a great trail to hit when the aspens are hitting

The plumber gives the international symbol for V the tv show

The Plumbers Ahrens

Leaving the Spearhead (free ticks from GeoMan) show the other night there was a fantastic sunset.

What is in your audio player? I am digging this track off of the N.A.S.A album. It is a track with Tom Waits and Kool Keith.

What do you all think about cairns? Goo or bad? If you see this guy let him know your answer.

Hope everybody has or had a good ol' Thanksgiving. I know the 45 million turkeys that are eaten over Thanksgiving won't. : (

GOBBLE GOBBLE

Good Morning Midnight

2009-10-17T19:59:00.058-06:00

Starting off Interbike right. At Bouchon

    Went to my first Interbike right after we got back from Baltimore. Went for 3 days to set up the booth for BTI and walk the floor for a day as well.

   On the second night of building the booth I left for my room after a 16 hour day. It was quite nice to walk the floor at 4 in the morning. Got a couple shots in the empty trade show room.

Some TT shit

   I thought the BMX section of the show was killer. There were all kinds niceness over there .Seems like a ot of the BMX companies are doin a urban fixietrickbike thingy

A room with a view.......sort of?

stopped by the BTI booth in the morning
The back side of the booth had some meetng rooms and a back alley type of feel

Ben was hard at work on the Cinelli side of things

The Gazettas are a new offering form Cinelli this year.It is a more affordable steel track bike that will come a some good colors. Pink being one

Some more TT love

One of my favorites from the show was the PK Ripper.

My first mountain bike was a Marin. I feel like they still put out some cool stuff.

Rock Mountain even jumping into the urban fixie scene

Raleigh looking good

Gotta love some colored tires made for tricksters

I liked this Torelli with the 2 color fade

Penny Farthing disc brake madness

I thought these push bikes were cool

Bianchi beaatches

    Right before Interbike I was back in Baltimore for my fathers memorial service and what not. While there an old Friend Eric brought 2 bikes and and a helmet and everything else i needed to go ride my old stomping grounds. It was a great diversion to what I was there for. Thanks Eric.

Rockin slip-on's,drops and gears for the ride

Eric sans gears and clipless

   If you ever make it to Baltimore get yourself some Ressurection and some Berger cookies

   When we got back from Baltimore I had one day before I left for Vegas so I had a MTB ride with Todd and we decided to ride up the Winsor and points beyond. It was great to get out before getting back on a plane.

The Winsor has theraputic abilities

Coming up to Pacheco Canyon rd

Todd in the burn on the switchback

29er for life

   What is in your audio player? I have Miighty Flashlight in mine thanks to my brother for turnin me on. Been digging it. It has a very "One Foot In The Grave" type of sound.

Old Friends

2009-09-26T23:21:00.034-06:00

  Dominic came from Bodymore, Murderland for a vacation with his wife to Santa Fe. While he was here we met up for a ride. As long as I have known Dom he has ridden a 700c fixed gear bike with drops. I tried to get him a fixed gear bike to ride while he was here but I failed to do so. I got him a full carbon Commencal skin. This bike is the antithesis of what he normally rides. He ended up loving it though. So alls well that ends well. I picked him up at his posh digs and drove up to nuns corner for some fun up there.
Dom riding the SM100

It was great seeing him and Miranda. Hope they come back for another visit.

  Dom climbing Chamisa with kids wheels and gears and a freewheel, oh yeaa and a little bit of suss

ohh Sidewinder, you are one fine trail

The Skin performed admirably

Nice views up on sidewinder

  After we got done with the lovelyness that is Chamisa/sidewinder We drove down to the Dale Ball trails so that Dom could get a taste of our "in town" trails.

On the Dale Ball North trails

Was great to ride with Dom again. I hope we do it agina someday
SunsetRIG

Come back soon yall

   Hit Dome road Carl Shipman Alamosa Killer medio dia with Jeff from work and a friend of his who's name escapes me at the moment and Anthony. Was a fine day to be in Cochiti.

Jeff and his friend climbing up Dome

  This trail is wilderness so no bikes. I have wanted to hke it though. I believe it goes to the Stone Lions which is a shrine wth something to do with a hunting ritual. I have wanted to go do this hike but didn't know if this trail head off of Dome road was the right one. If anyone of of the few people that see this know this hike let me know.

Getting to the Carl Shipman trail

Carl Shipman was rather washed out

Some macro love

Coming around the base of some sweet tent rocks as we begin the long climb up Alamosa trail

I wonder if Alamosa trail will be maintained

this trail does afford some nice views

This looks like a nice spot for a snack

  One of my favorite trails on this ride is the never ending meadow that takes you over from Alamosa trail to killer switchbacks

Jeff hitting a nice roller with full rigidness

   What is in your audio player? I have the soundtrack for Sprout in mine. Quite nice. Especially when you are dying to hit some waves like i am. The band has Money Mark, Tommy Guerro and Jack johnson among others.

The Sprout House Band
Issac rocking a lovely blouse he found on Hyde Park rd.

Sooo Long

2009-09-24T21:05:00.007-06:00

my grandmothers poem

If down some far green fairway of your mind
I am hurtled out of sight and sound
Beat the bushes, mark the spot,
Retrieve me on the next time round.

- Elizabeth D. Spitznas

Goodbye Dad

Bike Tosses and Bike Rides

2009-09-02T09:30:00.040-06:00

    Rode the fixie to the annual work party a few weeks ago.Autumn and Ella met me there. We had the party at The Bonanza Creek Movie Ranch and it was a good ol time.
There was lots of fun going on. Some people threw some bikes in the air.
Seth tossin a Huffy

Then everybody spun the wheel.
Trish took a turn

Andrew won some cash. He didn't gloat at all.

Ella got some Beer goggles

I spun the wheel and got dunked

The party was good fun. I hope the next work party is at the movie ranch.

    Had a couple of rides up to Deception Peak. One I hit solo so i only took a couple shots.
I rode solo for the ride, I had a friend at the peak though

Ohh Nambe Lake I feel quenched even though I have never drank from your water

   After the solo ride I hit a ride up to Deception with Dom and Anthony. It was a fantastic ride. Anthony took a bunch of good shots and I took a few as well.

Dom climbing the Winsor. by A

Anthony in the meadow

Dom heading into the trees

TeePee love. by:A

Laboring up Aspen Vista. By: A

by:A

by:A

Always love the view of the trail from above

hiking by:A

Dom descending off the top of Ravens. by:A

Timmy heading down. by:A

Then it was onto the Winsor by:A

the Meadow by:A

Jeff at work brought me a IPA triple from La chouffe that was quite nice. It has a 9%ABV. It was quite nice.

   It is quite a nice time in Santa Fe right now. The 400th Celebration has been going on starting the weekend. Then on Thursday is the BURNING. Then the weekend following the brun is the Fiestas.

    What is in your audio player? I have really enjoyed the latest Dinosaur album. The original crew of JayLouMurph is quite nice to hear again. I like when Lou sings.

                     Have a great day

The Peaks and the Valleys

2009-08-13T21:22:00.037-06:00

   After the Firecracker 50 race most everyone rolled out leaving Autumn, Ella and I in the townhome for one last night which was pretty nice. Ohh yeaa Eddie the Elk was still there too. I got to go out on a ride on our last day too which was a good ol time. I decided to ride the Peaks trail which starts at the ski area and goes over by the Co trail and ends up in Frisco. I did it as an out and back. I loved this ride. A good bit of hikers on it but I had no issues.Everyone was as happy to be out on this trail as I was. Kissed the girls goodbye and went right from the condo.
         PEAKS
   Lots of work has been done on these trails. Lots of wooden stuff because of all the water flowin everywhere.

It doesn't get much better then this

Seemed to be a bunch of old mines up there just like New Mexico

Rainbow Lake , Frisco

Then a late lunch at the Breckenridge Brewery. I will give it 2 thumbs down. Any place thaty doesn't have a IPA rollin is to be repremended.

   At least I got to grab a sixer of 60 minute IPA while we were up in CO. Since you can't get it in New Mex

I Heart Breckenridge

Cant wait to get back up for a visit to Summit County.
         VALLEYS
    Then it was a trip to the Valley. Valle Escondido to be exact. Sac and I dorve up to Taos the other day and met Dombonic and Bub1 and Bub2 for some fun in the mountains surrounding the lovely village of Taos.

Climbing up from the Valle

Dom exhalting the benifits of imbibing Justins Nut Butter

Todd and Robert riding their bikes

Todd is coming around the mountain

Isaac enjoying his fancy Italian made bike

I can smell the fish tacos now

Peaks and Valley's they are all good

   What is in your audio player? I am amzed by these kids Eric turned me onto. Even if you don't dig on Phish at all check out the vid. They are pretty damn good. specially at 14.

Big Lizard in my back yard.
Careful I have my eye on you.

A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall

2009-07-30T20:41:00.034-06:00

   Phewwwwwwww..... Went to ride up in Taos a few weeks past and got dumped on and almost felt hypothermic. Those who hang tuff persevere though and MOST of us survived without pulling the plug. It was freakin wet though. My camera ended up getting all fogged up. I am glad it dried fine.
Brian from Philly getting ready for some South Boundary

Climbing up from Valle Escondido was just dandy even though it was a bit soft. No rain falling yet ......

Ohh myy there are some clouds building

White is the new White

Biking provides time for solitary thought

Man it is getting ominus

Did I mention that it started to get muddy

   Brian is friends with Pete pictured here. They had rode Cochiti the day before Taos and stayed in Petes cabin he has in the Jemez and then met us for some South Boundary. Always fun to ride with these guys.

Pete's bike is of HIGH pedigree

Waiting at a turn I noticed that the weather was changing for the better. I finally started to warm up

2 friends glad to be riding together and also being glad to of made it out of the trail without hypothermia.

Foggy lens makes for discriptive image of the day

Matt and Pete on Nogal

   Heading home after some fish tacos from Guadalajara's I had to stop one more time and look north to Taos and thank it for a fine day despite the early rain.... .ohh yeaa and take a piss

   Ohh man the Firecracker 50 was spectacular. I was hoping to do a sub 6 for the race and pulled a 5:18 despite feeling it on the 2nd lap. Isaac who came up from New Mex pulled a 2nd place for SS this kid is mad fast. Then Jessica rocked top honers in SS Woman. She as well is mad fast. Jessicas guy friend Bill pulled a 5th I think. Ohh yeaa and Joe from Cafe Giuseppe Rocked 3rd in his class.

Isaac on the podium.

Jessica representin. I think her and Bill are rockin the Laramie Enduro today(Saturday the 1st of August). Hope they win it all.

Joe taking the podium

   What is in your audio player? I have some Will Oldham in mine. Fuk yeaa

                  Let us enjoy our day

36-268

2009-07-11T20:31:00.022-06:00

   Matt and I ventured out to Cochiti the other day before the Firecracker to get some bigger miles in. Bad weather was threathening the whole ride but only came down briefly.

Taking a break at the camper

While there I topped my water bottles.

The desert

Matt looking at his Garmin, which is useless in finding out where you are usually

Wetness hit us a few times on the ride but turned out to be a great ride. Because with the wet comes beauty

On the way home to Santa Fe the rain got worse.

To continue with the Obama theme . Got this from Here

    What is in your audio player? I am gonna stick with Fanfarlo. I wish I was in the yard with them when they did this track. I would play the banjo. I think that would accompany them well.

               I hope you have a good bye

A Gathering Rainbow

2009-06-27T13:25:00.024-06:00

   Here in these parts, we get quite a few rainbows. I never tire of seeing them though. The Rainbow Gathering is happnin right now in Cuba, NM right next door to us here. I debated headin down there to check it out but we will be in Breckenridge for the Firecracker 50 and to enjoy the 4th of July up there.

   Had a terrific ride the other day out on the Rancho Viejo loop. 10 of us embarked on this mission and 10 of us returned. great day for a ride. I took a few snapshots to try and capture the day.

Anthony's new bike

Good to pick your own path

Mark and Jamie takin in some food

Always a nice place to stop for a snack

This is Todd. Riding along the river. It was great riding wirh Todd who is Krista's husband (I think)

If you go through this meadow without stopping and soaking it in then you are crazy

Todd and Krista both laid their bikes down in the same exact position. Isn't that cute?

   Another killer ride in Santa Fe
   What is in your audio player? I have Fanfarlo's new album Resevior in mine. It is quite nice. I love this Will Oldham cover they do to. Thanks to Dan at work for showing me this

            Obama Blazed

                         Later and don't be a Hater