FINS, Roof Racks and De-Stitching

For some unknown reason I got myself into a rut with the FINS trail. Whenever I went to ride there I took essentially the same route. Mike and Spencer had complained that the trail was getting boring and I was starting to agree. Yesterday Mike had to work so it was just Spencer and I. We decided to take a different route this time and went up a part of the trail Spencer had never rode and I hadn't rode for probably six months. All at once the trail took on new life as we explored new parts of FINS and rode sections different directions. This morning I went back to FINS and again mixed things up. I even found a new little section that I had never ridden. Both rides were great and I was left wondering why I had ever allowed myself to only ride the trail a certain way. It won't happen again.

I purchased another bike tray for my roof rack today. We usually take Mike's van or Spencer's Tahoe when we go ride, but yesterday Spencer needed me to drive. I realized that the Volvo only had one bike tray on top and the back door is jammed shut, so there was nowhere to put Spencer's bike. Anxious to not miss a ride I went to Target, of all places, at 10 pm to purchase a trunk rack for the Honda. As was to be expected with a bike rack purchased from Target, it's a flimsy piece of $#!* (junk). But it got us where we needed to go. (Today I will take it back to Target.) When I got home I got onto Craigslist and found somebody selling a Saris roof rack with two bike trays. Since Saris doesn't make their roof rack anymore this is the only way to find accessories. I called the guy up and asked if I could just buy one of his trays. This morning I went over and picked it up. I may have even found a new riding partner as he is interested in hitting the trails together.

I am pulling my stitches out tomorrow. I had the doctor look at them on Thursday and he suggested I leave them in a few more days. I didn't want to stop riding simply because I had a few stitches but I also didn't want to prolong the healing process. Fortunately based on the location of the cut the stitches are not stressed when I ride a bike. But there is a chance of smacking my shin against something on the trail. Since I don't have any biking body armor I decided to improvise. I pulled out an old pair of soccer shin guards that I got while living in Virginia. It worked perfect. It came up just high enough on my leg to cover the wound, but did not restrain my riding. Even though I'm yanking the stitches out tomorrow I think I'll wear the shin guard for a couple more weeks on the trail, just to keep protecting my leg until it is completely healed.

All Stitched Up

I'm supposed to stay off the bike till the stitches come out this Thursday. I think I'll still try some road riding just to get some exercise.

I've been checking out some videos and reviews of the Goat Camp Loop out in the White Tanks. From what I've read it sounds like a pretty serious ride. 16 miles and some pretty technical downhill. I'm looking forward to riding it, but I think it might be best to wait for cooler weather. Even starting at 5 am a 16 mile ride is likely to put us into the midday. With temperatures over 100 degrees every day now I'm not interested in death by heat stroke.

It's Just a Flesh Wound

This blog is becoming more about flat tires and injuries than it is about actual mountain biking. Tonight when I came home from work I was tinkering with my bike before tomorrow's ride. I took it for a quick spin around the neighborhood and continued to make adjustments. Then as I was swinging my right leg over the bike my left foot slipped off the pedal, and my right shin came crashing down on the rear brakes. The little nozzle for adjusting the hydraulics sliced my leg right open. As you can see in the picture the cut was about 2-inches long and went clear to the bone.

Fortunately we had some friends over for dinner and they were able to watch the kids while my wife drove me to the ER. Surprisingly it didn't bleed or hurt very much. Also surprising, despite a waiting room full of people, we were able to get right in at the ER.

I got 4 stitches on the fascia (which is under the skin), 10 more on the outside and a bottle full of Vicodin.

Unfortunately, I don't think I will be riding tomorrow.

Another Ride, Another Flat

What the heck?! I've had this bike for less than two weeks, taken it on four rides in the mountains and had four flats. Today was the first that got me on the trail. (With the other three I finished the ride but my tire was flat when I got home).

This morning I felt more like riding in the mountains than spinning around the neighborhood, so I threw the bike on top of the Volvo and headed over to PIR. Since I didn't have a ton of time I rode the short Technical Loop. The Technical Loop was the first trail I rode after moving to Arizona but it's been nearly a year since I last rode it. I found it quite enjoyable. The first part of the trail is more rough and rocky than I remember but I still don't think the Technical Loop is any more difficult than the Long Loop.

I made my way around the loop in good time and was ing the last downhill when I felt the rough drag of a flat tire. (I am a little baffled as to when it happened as there were no cacti near the trail where I went flat. I might have pinched it. I guess I'll find out tonight when I go home and fix it.) I stopped to try and put some air in, hoping that the leak was slow enough that I could ride out the last 1/2 mile of the trail. But my bad luck streak continued when I snapped the presta adapter on my pump and was left without a source for air. So I resigned myself to hiking it out, at which time I learned that my bike shoes are not very good hiking shoes.

It was a good ride that was spoiled at the very end. But I can't complain. I got to ride this morning and my flat was in the last 1/2 mile as opposed to halfway through the trail.

PIR, Pinched Nerves and Flat Tires

This morning we were on a time crunch because Spencer had to be home by 8, so we stayed close to home and rode the Estrella Mountain Competitive track located behind PIR. A couple of Mike's co-workers joined us at the trail head. A lot of people I talk to don't really care for the PIR trail. While it's not my favorite I do enjoy the ride there.

Today was the first time I rode PIR on the new bike. I could definitely feel a difference with the new suspension. I'm getting used to the feel of the new bike. Last week I was considering putting on a longer stem to stretch me out a little more but I'm not so sure anymore. I also finally took some pictures of the new bike to post on here.

I've been bothered by a pinched nerve in my right hand all week. I think it is a result of last Friday's collision with the cactus on Hawes. It's not been a constant pain but it bothers me when I make a fist and write.

I have loved riding the new bike but I seem to be cursed with flat tires since I've started riding it. Over the last week I have had three flats.

Morning Ride

This morning I was out for a ride through the neighborhood. I'm trying to do a little more training during the week so I won't get so wasted on the trails. Of course I hate riding pavement, so I am fortunate that there is a dirt track that runs along under some power lines about 1/2 mile south of my house. Today I went riding a little further east than I normally do and I came into a new housing development that has only had the grating work on the ground done. It looks like it hasn't had anyone working there for several months as there are massive weeds covering the whole area. I found this great little spot that had drop that was a little over 3 1/2 feet high that I could jump off of. It turned out to be a more enjoyable ride than I expected. I started out thinking it was just going to be a training ride and I was able to mix in some jumping as well. Furthermore I got to really test out the suspension on the new GT. I am happy to say that it works very well. I'm going to drag Spencer and Mike over there next time and we'll snap some pics to post on here.

Twofer

Two rides in one weekend -- how lucky am I? I guess my lovely wife thought I was too excited about my new bike to just get one in.

Spencer, Drew and I hit FINS for a Saturday morning quickie. We took a different route than we've taken in the past and after NorthStar dropped down Grunt (rather than climbing it like we always do). It was good to change things up. I really enjoy the FINS system but the route we've been taking the last several times has gotten a little old.

Spencer and I stopped for a pose atop NorthStar. My right arm is still wrapped up from last week's spill, but it is healing pretty well. I just wanted to protect it in case I went down again (which I did not).

- Heath on NorthStar


- Spencer on NorthStar

First Ride on the GT

Our Friday morning ride took us out to the Hawes Trail, perhaps my favorite trail in the Valley. Spencer's brother-in-law, Drew, was in from San Diego and wanted to join us. We were delayed at the start when we discovered that the bolt on Drew's seat-post clamp was stripped and his seat wouldn't stay up. A trip to Ace Hardware and a quick jerry-rig got us on the trail a half-hour later. But then Mike's rear shock wasn't properly functioning. Rather than holding us up further Mike sent us on and said he'd meet up with us somewhere along the trail.

This was my first real ride on the GT and I found myself needing to adjust to the new bike. The geometry is a little different and I am sitting a couple inches higher and in a more upright position. While the bike handled the downhill sections beautifully I'm still trying to figure the best climbing position.

I drew blood while coming down the Mine Trail. I rode into a corner a little too fast and had to lock up to avoid sure and sudden death. I managed to stay upright but the skid took me off the trail and I slammed my right fist and shin into a cactus. I stopped to de-thorn myself and pulled out one thorn that was buried 3/4 of an inch deep into my leg. I still have a piece of thorn embedded in my fingernail that I can't seem to get out.

The incident also resulted in a flat front tire. Fortunately, however, the tire held up for the rest of the ride. I didn't discover the flat until I was off-loading the bike at home.

New Bike

After a few weeks of shopping Craigslist and eBay I finally found a bike that met my requirements and fit my budget. I actually found it on eBay, but it was a Phoenix seller so I asked if I could come test ride the bike before submitting a bid. He was happy to take me for a ride in the hills near his home. Three miles later I was hooked and his bike was sold.

The picture is not exactly a proper representation of the bike. The frame is a 2006 GT I-Drive 5 1.0, but all of the components are from a 2007 GT I-Drive 5 3.0. While the 3.0 components are not as high-end (Deore LX as opposed to XTR) they are brand new, and either way they are a significant upgrade from what I was riding before.

I'm still shopping for an older hardtail to convert into a single-speed. I've been hankering to see what it's all about.

Retiring the Fisher

I've been riding the Fisher since my college days. I bought her from one of my riding buddies in Utah over eight years ago. She went into storage during law school. I finally dug her out two years ago after I had started my practice here in Arizona.

While I've always loved the Fisher she just hasn't been performing as well in her old age. Out on the trails I've started admiring several of the younger bikes with their plush suspension, lightweight frames and 9-speed cassettes. Then in February Mike and I rode some demo bikes at the McDowell race loops. I tested a Specialized S-Works Stumpjumper FSR, and I knew that my relationship with the Fisher would never be the same. Of course I couldn't afford the $7,500 price tag for the Specialized, but the search for a new ride had begun.

Last Saturday I took her for her final ride at FINS. Somehow I think she knew it was our last time together. It was clear she was jealous because she threw me less than a mile into the trail. I was pretty roughed up as can be seen in the previous posting. But it must have got it out of her system because she performed fine after that.

I've found her a new home and I think she'll be happy there. I'll always have fond memories of the Fisher and our time together.