Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Desert classic passes trail 100 - cog swapping - change the chain




Cog swapping


The Outcast29 came with a bonus cog (a 33t chain ring). I swapped it out and hit the trails. Just geared lower. Still miss my gears, but I made record time on this ridged bike. Desert classic is totally doable without shocks. Just get off your saddle.

Heres a video I took today on the Outcast after I swapped the sprocket. (for the 33t chainring). Maybe someday I will show you what I ride like on a fixie as the Outcast has an option to setup fixy style too.




Change the chain

I broke out the old chain tool and was surprised to learn that the Moab was in need of a new chain. Replaced it and sure enough, the front gears sure change a lot faster. I wasn't having any trouble, but this made a difference. Good I caught it before I damaged my cogs.


Here is a photo of what a new chain looks like. The tool won't drop down on either end.  Once it stretches, it will fully slide trough the link. If it just slides through the .75 side, but not the other side it will get you by for a while.





Desert Classic passes Trail 100


Desert classic just passed trail 100 as the most ridden trail on my fat tire website  while my Outcast cracked the top 20 bikes. For some reason, my times are a lot faster on that single speed fully ridged bike than my geared bikes. Think the 29er really suites me though.




op Rated Trails
(Hide List...)
RankTop TrailsAreaAverage ScoreRides logged
1DESERT CLASSIC - South MountainPhoenix, Arizona4.7540
2Phoenix mtns trail 100Phoenix, Arizona4.9039
3National Trail - south mountainPhoenix, Arizona3.5315
4Hawes rd - red mountainPhoenix - Mesa, Arizona4.9212
5Phoenix mtns trail 8Phoenix, Arizona3.8312
6Phoenix CanalsPhoenix, Arizona3.0911
7McDowell mts Pemberton TrailPhoenix - Scottsdale, Arizona4.508
8Ridgeline Loops - South MountainPhoenix, Arizona3.638
9White Tank Mountains Goat Camp LoopPhoenix - Peoria, Arizona3.577
10Papago ParkPhoenix, Arizona3.147




1234567
Top Rated Teams and Riders
(Show Lists...)
Top Rated Bicycles and Models
(Hide Lists...)
RankTop Bike BrandsRideshours Loggedmiles Loggedaverage Speedfastest Ride
1Schwinn121166.91657.003.9417.65
2TREK3673.21321.904.4050.00
3Cannondale2957.82283.604.909.00
4Kona1862.72200.003.198.33
5Motobecane1222.08105.004.7510.29
1234
RankTop ModelsRides loggedmiles Loggedhours Loggedfastest Rideaverage Speedslowest Ride
16Lenzsport - Lunchbox 29er338.806.077.926.404.80
17Specialized - Epic Marathon 29er335.008.776.503.992.94
18Motiv - Backcountry327.708.824.623.142.40
19Trek - Y22217.002.009.008.508.00
20Motobecane - Outcast 29210.001.2510.298.006.00
1234567

When you go to the site, you can click the bars to hide and show the different categories.

Before anyone gives me any grief about the order of the list, hey it's not opinion. It's just based on the calculations of those who use the site. The biggest factor is the number of entries.

peace and as one speed would say - go ride.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Darren's Rides: Castle Hot Springs Road

Darren's Rides: Castle Hot Springs Road

Darren,
Nice post! Yet another Ghost Hot spring resort. I didn't know about the one in your post.

I have had another Ghost Hot spring resort on my list to ride to for awhile. frasiecs list: fat-tire.net Camp Verde hot springs i put a link to your post.

What are those strange red mountains? They look neat.

Frank

aka frasiec

hmm, one of my weather web services is not working here. Only a five day forcast.


Place
CAMP VERDE
AZ
86322
Coordinates
Longitude: 111.8551
Latitude: 34.56973
Web service two unavailable
Today's Forcast
High 49 fahranheit
9 Celcius
Low 21 f
-6 c
Current conditions
Currently 21 fahranheit
M/SUNNY
80 % humidity
December 27, 2009 10:13
Wind N
at 2 MPH
Pressure 30.17
5 Day Forcast
Day
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Thursday, December 31, 2009





Forcast High Fahrenheit
46
47
46
47
49
Forcast Low Fahrenheit
22
27
27
24
22
Conditions
Mostly Cloudy
Haze
Partly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
Partly Cloudy


Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Biggest Looser third weigh in - plus other stuff

Third weigh in. 216.2 pounds. Down three more pounds. Total of 6 lbs lost since I started the contest two weeks ago. Biggest lifestyle change = riding the Outcast29 to work.

Maybe I can win this thing?



Anyone heard of Electra Bikes out of San Diego?

My wife and I were furniture shopping and the owner was selling them. The bicycle looked really well made. Lot of wood on this model. Really pretty nice. It's actually a three speed.

I can just imagine myself cruising mission beach on one.

As my ride in Balboa park? Rather have a mountain bike. Commuter to work? This would work, but it's too nice. This bike is selling for $850 but looks much nicer. Wouldn't want to expose the wood to the elements for any length of time.


Rode Desert Classic today. Almost bit it once on a turn as I drifted into some sand. Other areas was riding high on the banks. Could really feel some g's. This trail is like a roller coaster, especially during the rainy season. Get that same shhh sound you get skiing. Often described as velcro conditions.

Here's a photo of Amit's bike. Kind of like his bike as it is a bit unusual. No conventional front fork. The shock is above. No weld joints. I guess it was molded. Got to admire Cannondale for trying different ideas.

Also took a short Video of the return to warpaint.



Friday, December 18, 2009

Coconino Cycles


Came across some nice work at Coconino cycles from denise's blog  and darrens blogs. Good old 'Cosmic Ray' recommended them to me when I was shopping for a bike, but a custom job was out of my price range.

I recently took the tour of the Titus bike company, now I may need to make a trip of Coconino Cycles for my own blog. Think I will plan for next summer. Maybe on my way to Point Sublime, carrying my new baby.


I'll take some of my own photos.







Thursday, December 17, 2009

Biggest Looser second weigh in



This week I weighed in at 219.2 lbs. Three lbs less than last week.

Diet:
not great. Cookies, pies and buffets at work. However, My diet is not terrible. We have a lot of stuff we grow ourselves. Even our own eggs.


Exercise: 
Rode the Outcast four times to work. My commute is doing me some good, it is enjoyable, it's saving me money and it's not bad for the environment.


Road the Moab once on the weekend.

Walked Xena twice a day, but that's just the usual.

 3 pounds loss. Ate all I wanted plus had some fun riding a bike. All in all, I will take it.



Side story. Years ago I had a friend known to some as 'funky cold Medina'. When we met, she was a slightly overweight young lady working at the Goodwill stores. She had a kid at the tender age of 15 and felt her only way to make good money was to go into stripping.  While I can't say I approved of her choice of employment, I always admired her for the way she could loose weight. She would run for miles and had a lot of will power when it came to watching what she ate.

I lost touch with the funky cold media years ago. Last time I talked to her, she was getting out of stripping and going to get married. Hope life worked out for her, but I always kind of doubted that it would.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

I luv gadgets



I love my Kitchen Aid Mixer. It's my favorite Kitchen gadget. So Versatile. Made in the USA; the way we used to make things.  Quality. Sturdy. Strong. Dependable. Powerful. Think of other positive adjectives, they will most probably apply.

I started competing in another Weight Lost contest this past Thursday. I weighed in at 222.2 lbs. That's why I am torn. Want to make some chocolate chip cookies but am afraid I will eat them. Cutting calories is half my strategy.

The other half of my strategy is an increase in my exercise. I started riding the outcast29 to work again. It's been cold, but I enjoy it and it will help. Amit and I are riding Phoenix Mountain preserve today. Mountain biking will burn some calories.

I guess I will post my progress every week until the contest is finished. The contest is will finish about the same time the baby is due to arrive. Oh my. Give me strength.


update, I made the cookies and I went for a ride. Even though it was raining.


Team: Goomba    Rider: frasiec    Date: 12/13/2009    6 average miles per hour
  
 Hours:Minutes:  Seconds: Miles ridden:
 Bike:Type:            Group Total:
 Trail:Rate:
              
traildateCalsBurnedMyJournalMakeModel
Phoenix mtns trail 8Dec 13, 09753Amit and I rode up over, the back on zipper. Not too much rain on us. Broke out the the rain jacket.SchwinnMoab 3
DESERT CLASSIC - South MountainDec 08, 09878.5love this old Moab more and more. Feel a real connection to the thing. Better bike than the old Mesa it replaced. Looks like same frame, but it's better. Too bad Schwinn makes crap nowdays.SchwinnMoab 3
Papago ParkDec 03, 09502Rode the Tempe Papagos. Looked over the ruins and such. Got a pretty good workout on the single speed ridged bike. The 29er is like a long pair of skis. More confident going down the steep stuff, but doesn't turn as quickly. I like it.MotobecaneOutcast 29
   

Saturday, December 12, 2009

fall colors in the back yard



Winter may have arrived up north and in the high country, but it looks like fall down here. The colors are pretty but only an appetizer when compared to the colors Venu and I experienced in New England. Not even the fall colors of Oak Creek canyon feel as satisfying.

Fall has always been my favorite season. Football, colors, and lack of allergens have contributed my love of the season, but it is even more special for those who live in maple tree country.

Vibrant reds, oranges, yellows and greens intermingling to create a wondrous spectacle for as far as you care to see. The falling leaves float to the earth, then rise and dance as wheels pass by. Sunsets and landscapes become indistinguishable when the pink - orange sky merges to the red - yellow - orange forest.   I wish I could ride a New England trail at dusk and dawn in Fall. Suspended animation. Would be like riding in the heavens.

Believe it or not, I am not from New England. Venu and I spent only three days and two nights in the Fall colors, but it was a fall I will always remember.

There were no rooms vacant anywhere, so we bought a tent and camped for two nights. Rain and falling leaves poured down on the tent both nights. The sounds of the nearby creek, the sound of the falling leaves, sound of dripping rain, the cold,  connected us to the landscape. This was not an experience viewed through a box, this was an experience. This was experiencing something very special, at a special time in the moment.

Photography at it's best shows the ordinary in an extraordinary way or the extraordinary in an extraordinary way.  I have some wonderful photos from the short time I was there, but I'm not posting yet - they are only showing a sample of the extraordinary in an ordinary way.

Photos don't provide the full experience in any case. Not the sounds, not the smells, not the feels nor even the visuals. Just a piece of the visual.

No, I want you to imagine it first. Secondly, I want you to experience the New England Fall firsthand for yourselves. Only then, will I share my photos through this box. Next year, next fall.

Another goal, ride in New England in fall. If anyone can suggest a trail, please comment. I would like to add to my List of trails to ride.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Titus - Tempe Arizona USA

Titus - the bicycle manufacturer based in Tempe Arizona. 


I have never come across a Titus owner who didn't seem thrilled with the product. They ride along with wide smiles. I've read the raving reviews, so I just had to see what the fuss was all about. 


It's kind of heartening to see that we still make things in this country. Great things at that.

My first stop on the Titus tour began across the street at Vyatec sports. Vyatek creates some of the tubing for some of the bikes. They also create golf clubs, tennis rackets etc.


I then came across the street and started the real tour.
My tour guide was a friendly fellow by the name of Jason. He handles the sales for the western United States. They have a small sales force, a couple of engineers and some guys working in the back.

It was great to go back and see bikes with that old MADE IN USA label. Something common in my childhood, but is more and more uncommon.

My old Moab was made in the USA, but Schwinns are now made in China and bear a sticker declaring that they are not meant for off road use. 

One thing I noticed was the there were no road bikes in the factory. I was kind of surprised because I had read the rave reviews. Jason said that they will custom make a road bike for you but all custom bikes are only made out of Titanium. (custom bikes are a bit more pricey). He also said they now focus on the mountain bike industry because there is so much more variation in Mountain bikes. Road bikes are all pretty much the same.







Titus now has two different tours going on at any one time. Keep a lookout at their website as to when you can demo one in your area.

This Jason is a pretty sharp character. At least in the area of bikes and bike history. We talked about the concept store. You know, like the Mac stores and now the Windows stores. Well, Jason said that Schwinn actually pioneered that concept. They are too small a company to start anything like that yet. Specialized is supposed to be starting some soon.

Anyway, I just had to go for a ride after the tour. Got on my old Moab. She's old, but I still love it. Maybe some day I'll have to replace her. Jason would help me find exactly the bike I need. Just tell him the trails I like to ride and how I ride them.






Friday, December 4, 2009

Tempe Papago park and the Motobecane Outcast 29





Funny thing about Papago is that it is split between three cities. If you google a map, you will only see the trails for the Phoenix portion of the park. I think that this may be one of the reasons the trails have no flow. Roads running through the park, there are museums, a golf course, the zoo, the botanical gardens, the remains of a private residence. Just too many obstacles to allow for a nice long flowing trail. The McDowell competitive tracks are great, and the terrain isn't all that different.

Anyway, I had to test the Outcast out. I just changed the rear tubes to SLIME tubes because I suffered another flat. The tubes were fine Kenda tubes, but normal tubes don't last out here so I always run Slime tubes. No flats.

The Tempe Papagos give me the best workout of the three sections. It's not epic by any means, but for me on a single speed ridged bike, it was fine. Also gave me a chance to try the big 29 inch rims on some slightly technical terrain. Like I have said before, it's like using a longer pair of skis. I had less to worry about on the steep downhill. No worries about an endo. Just rolled down and over big rocks. Felt like I didn't need to get as far back on my seat as I usually do. A full suspension 29er would be great for certain types of terrain. I don't understand why the downhill bikes aren't all 29ers. Geeze, you could get bombing on one.

The Tempe section has a lot of interesting historical features.






Apparently, this site wasn't always valued for it's historical value. These are the remains of some power poles (right next to the 700 year old "Loma Del Rio") from around 1910. I guess they are now part of history as well.






The park allows urban camping with a permit. I came across what looked like a homeless persons camp. The cloths and blankets were clean, so I was sure they would be returning.
Not a bad place to camp. Within walking distance of the lake and downtown Tempe, but it would sure be nice to have a tent to keep the criters out of your hair.


I shot a little video of the section near the freeway (the other side of a big wall). Thought my dad would like to see it.







Rode on the Phoenix portion of papagos too.

Check out the map of my ride.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Arizona Joe and the doll house

I was out riding trail 8 just trying to locate the Rock Circles I blogged about last August. I didn't find them, but I did come across a little doll house someone put up next to the trail.

It's a bit fascinating. The person(s) who built the doll house are probably the same person(s) who built the rock circles. It's somewhat of a remote location (for being in the middle of the city) so the situation seems a bit mysterious.

Anyway, I continued onward.  I climbed a bit more and came across wild life photographer Arizona Joe.

We talked about wild life, photography, mountain biking, conservation and other topics. He determined that the hawk that swooped down on Xena, me and one of our chickens Sunday was a red tailed hawk. Check out his site for a photo of one.



I also experimented a bit more with video. New method. Didn't turn out so well. Looks like I am riding on Mars.



Check it out if you dare. Don't blame me if your bored. It's only a couple minutes long.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

December trails

trTrails in Season for the Month of DECEMBER. Dec
Trail
Area
State
Effort
skill
Primo
Thumper Trail Loop (dead horse park)
Cottonwood
Arizona
Moderate
Intermediate

Soldiers Trail Loop
Flagstaff
Arizona
Easy
Beginner

Six Shooter Canyon
Globe
Arizona
no whiners
XX Expert

Greene Haven Slickrock
Greene Haven
Arizona
moderate
Intermediate

Arizona Trail
Jacob Lake to Patagonia
Arizona
Long ride
Expert

Badger Trail
Kingman
Arizona
difficult
Advanced

Camp Beale Loop
Kingman
Arizona
moderate
Intermediate

Moss Wash Mines
Kingman
Arizona
Moderate
Intermediate

Slaughterhouse Canyon
Kingman
Arizona
moderate
Intermediate

Valley Drive
Monument Valley
Arizona
Moderate
Intermediate

Page rimview trail
Page
Arizona
Easy
Beginner

Patagonia Ghost towns loop
Patagonia
Arizona
long ride
Novice

Cypress Thicket
Payson
Arizona
moderate
Intermediate

Doll Baby Ranch
Payson
Arizona
moderate
Intermediate

El Oso rd
Payson
Arizona
tough
Intermediate

Houston Mesa
Payson
Arizona
Moderate
Intermediate

Little Pine Flat
Payson
Arizona
moderate
Intermediate

mt peely road
Payson
Arizona
tough
Intermediate

Slate Creek Divide
Payson
Arizona
tough
Intermediate

Alta trail - Soutn Mountain
Phoenix
Arizona
Tough
Expert

Black Canyon Trail System
Phoenix
Arizona
Long ride
Advanced

Bulldog Canyon - Goldfield mtns
Phoenix
Arizona
moderate
intermediate

Coast to Coast - South Mountain
Phoenix
Arizona
Very Tough
xxx expert

DESERT CLASSIC - South Mountain
Phoenix
Arizona
Moderate
Advanced

Double Bypass - McDowell mtn preserve
Phoenix
Arizona
tough
Advanced

FINS (Fantasy Island North Singletrack)
Phoenix
Arizona
Moderate
Advanced

Helipad tt
Phoenix
Arizona
tough
climb

National Trail - south mountain
Phoenix
Arizona
severe
Expert

Papago Park
Phoenix
Arizona
Easy
Beginner

Phoenix Canals
Phoenix
Arizona
easy
Beginner

Phoenix Mtns Secret Trails
Phoenix
Arizona
All
All

Phoenix mtns trail 100
Phoenix
Arizona
very hard work
expert

Phoenix Mtns Trail 1A
Phoenix
Arizona
Tough
Expert

Phoenix mtns trail 8
Phoenix
Arizona
moderate
Advanced

Ridgeline Loops - South Mountain
Phoenix
Arizona
tough
Expert

Apache Trail
Phoenix - Apache Jct
Arizona
tough
Intermediate

Lost Duchman trail loops
Phoenix - Apache Jct
Arizona
Moderate
Intermediate

Lost Goldmine Trail
Phoenix - Apache Jct
Arizona
Moderate
Advanced

Queen Creek
Phoenix - Apache Jct
Arizona
easy
Beginner

Silly Mtn
Phoenix - Apache Jct
Arizona
Moderate
Intermediate

White Canyon
Phoenix - Apache Jct
Arizona
Tough
Intermediate

Woodbury Rd
Phoenix - Apache Jct
Arizona
Tough
Intermediate

Devils Hole
Phoenix - Carefree
Arizona
tough
Intermediate

hombolt mtn
Phoenix - Carefree
Arizona
difficult
Intermediate

new River Headwaters
Phoenix - Carefree
Arizona
moderate
Intermediate

New River Mesa
Phoenix - Carefree
Arizona
easy
Beginner

New River West
Phoenix - Carefree
Arizona
moderate
advanced

Sheep Bridge
Phoenix - Carefree
Arizona
moderate
Intermediate

Trail 4 - cave creek trail - Seven Springs
Phoenix - Carefree
Arizona
Difficult
Expert

Casa Grande Mtn
Phoenix - Casa Grande
Arizona
Moderate
Intermediate

Area 52
Phoenix - Florence
Arizona
tough
Advanced

Thunderbird park h1 - h5
Phoenix - Glendale
Arizona
easy
intermediate

Estrella Mtn Park (race loops)
Phoenix - Goodyear
Arizona
Good Workout
Advanced

Margies Cove
Phoenix - Goodyear
Arizona
Easy
Beginner

Blevins Loop - Usery park
Phoenix - Mesa
Arizona
easy
Beginner

Cottonwood Camp
Phoenix - Mesa
Arizona
moderate
Intermediate

four peaks
Phoenix - Mesa
Arizona
tough
Intermediate

Hawes rd - red mountain
Phoenix - Mesa
Arizona
tough
advanced

Moon Rock Loop - Usery park
Phoenix - Mesa
Arizona
easy
Beginner

Usery Pass
Phoenix - Mesa
Arizona
No Sweat
Advanced

White Tank Mountains Goat Camp Loop
Phoenix - Peoria
Arizona
Tough
Expert

White Tank Mountains Sonoran Loop
Phoenix - Peoria
Arizona
Easy
Beginner

San Tan Loops
Phoenix - Queen Creek
Arizona
moderate
Beginner

Cave Creek
Phoenix - Scottsdale
Arizona
Heap O work
Advanced

Dynamite and Pima
Phoenix - Scottsdale
Arizona
Not too tough
Intermediate

McDowell mts Pemberton Trail
Phoenix - Scottsdale
Arizona
moderate
Beginner

McDowell mts Race Loops
Phoenix - Scottsdale
Arizona
race pace
Advanced

Sonoran Mtn Preserve
Phoenix - Scottsdale
Arizona
Tough
Intermediate

Union Hills Loop
Phoenix - Scottsdale
Arizona
Long Ride
Beginner

Granite Basin Loops
Prescott
Arizona
easy to difficult
Advanced

Thumb Butte Loops
Prescott
Arizona
nothing too tough
All levels

White Rock loop trails
Prescott
Arizona
Moderate
Intermediate

Airport Mesa Loop
Sedona
Arizona
Pretty tough
XXX Expert

Bell Rock Loops
Sedona
Arizona
fairly easy
Beginner

Boyton Pass
Sedona
Arizona
Long easy roll
Beginner

Cathederal Rock Loop
Sedona
Arizona
Moderate
Advanced

CocksCOMB LOOP
Sedona
Arizona
medium work
Beginner

Deadmans Pass Loop
Sedona
Arizona
Moderate
Intermediate

Dry Creek
Sedona
Arizona
Moderate
Intermediate

Huckaby Loop
Sedona
Arizona
Hard
Expert

Llama Trail Loop
Sedona
Arizona
Hard
Expert

Robbers Roost
Sedona
Arizona
easy as pie
Beginner

schnebly hill trails
Sedona
Arizona
a good sweat
Intermediate

Secret Trails
Sedona
Arizona
tough
Advanced

Submarine Rock Loop
Sedona
Arizona
hard work
Expert

Brown Canyon Loop
Sierra Vista
Arizona
moderate
Beginner

Carr Canyon Loop
Sierra Vista
Arizona
Fairly tough
Advanced

50 Year trail (the chutes)
Tucson
Arizona
A good sweat
Advanced

Butterfly Trail
Tucson
Arizona
hard work
Expert

Chiva Falls
Tucson
Arizona
tough
Expert

Cobre Ridge
Tucson
Arizona
moderate
Intermediate

Elephant Head
Tucson
Arizona
tough
Intermediate

Fantasy Island
Tucson
Arizona
easy
all levels

La Milagrosa
Tucson
Arizona
tough
xxx expert

Molino Basin
Tucson
Arizona
tough
Advanced

Peppersauce Loop
Tucson
Arizona
severe
Expert

Saguaro National Monument East
Tucson
Arizona
Fairly Easy
Beginner

Starr Pass - Yetman wash
Tucson
Arizona
moderate
Intermediate

Sweetwater Preserve
Tucson
Arizona
Fairly Easy
Beginner

the Tortolitas
Tucson
Arizona
easy
Beginner

Tucson Mnts
Tucson
Arizona
Moderate
Intermediate

Gila Mountain
Yuma
Arizona
moderate
Intermediate

Martys Ridge to Liberty Bell
Yuma
Arizona
easy
Beginner

Gabrielino Trail
Los Angeles
California
moderate
Advanced

Borrego dessert state park
San Diego
California
moderate
intermediate

Florida Canyon
San Diego
California
Easy
Beginner

Miners Ridge Trail
San Diego
California
Good Workout
Intermediate

Sun Devil way
San Diego
California
good workout
all levels

Anderson truck trail
San Diego - Alpine
California
Tough
Expert

Marys Loop
Fruita
Colorado
Moderate
Intermediate

Munro trail
Lanai
Hawaii
tough
intermediate

Secret Trails
Maui
Hawaii
moderate
Intermediate

Mt Haleakala
Maui - Kula Forrest preserve
Hawaii
Tough
Expert

Kaaawa Valley
Oahu
Hawaii
Moderate
Beginner

B & A trail
Baltimore - Annapolis
MD
Easy
Beginner

Baby steps
Moab
Utah
moderate
Advanced

Porcupine Rim
Moab
Utah
Tough
Advanced

Sovereign Trail
Moab
Utah
intermediate
intermediate

Gooseberry Mesa
Zion
Utah
Moderat
Intermediate

Greenline #6