back to preach my awesomeness

well, maybe mediocrity.

more rock circles

New Years Day, sunset ride on the outcast29.

Came across some more rock circles. This time near the dreamy draw park. Yin and Yang or maybe just an S in a circle. Quite a bit away from the other rock circle and the doll house. Not as interesting as before, but here it is.

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.

1997 Klein Mantra

I happened to run into a fellow by the name of Todd who loves these old Kleins. He had restored a 1997 Klein Mantra with all new xtr components and I just had to get his story.

Turns out he was in the market for a new full suspension bike, but there was nothing new that he liked for under $5,000. Not wanted to spend that kind of money, he turned to Craig's list and found this 1997 Kein Mantra. He put about $1,800 worth of upgraded components and voila, he has his new bike.

The bike looks brand new. The one thing that draws you to it is the unusual top tube. I wondered if the design would have created a heavy bike, but actually this bike is quite lite.

Todd says he likes the way it rides. He wants to paint it purple, but I told him I like it the way it is.

Anyway, thank Todd for the story and letting me take photos of his bike.

The video is of some trails near the dreamy draw. I was trying out a new technique so my father could see a bit more trail.

trail 100 decent from the point at tapatio to under Cave Creek Road

Went back on Trail 100 to reshoot some video with my trusty old Palm Treo. This time "the decent from the West to under Cave Creek road" came out better. So, I am posting. If anyone films the decent from the East, let me know as it's a bit hairy for me to film. At least with a loose camera!

Someday I will string all these four minute videos of 100 into one long video, add some music and post. Until then, I you enjoy the short raw ones.

Phoenix Mtns trail 8 rock circles

I've been wanting to write about my experiences on trail 8, but I already have in a sense on fat tire Trail 8

Just copied my rides here and added photos.

I don't know who made the concentric circles, maybe it's a desert version of the crop circle. Anyway, I enjoyed it.

Stories of mechanicals and face plants are documented elsewhere and I don't care to relive.

I love how this trail can make you feel like it's in the middle of nowhere even though it's in the middle of the city. More isolated than 100. Starting from 40th street it's a long easy climb followed by one fun roll back down.

May 30, 09	Rode early, climbed early to avoid the heat. When temps got hotter around 7 am, was rewarded with fun glide back down. Had to finish on the 'privative' portion.
Feb 20, 09	Hot day today for Mtn biking. Talked to Ranger about becoming a park steward. Have application online for it but most don't get paid. Volunteer thing but they give you a bike. A lot of fire men do it. Mostly on South mountain rather than the phx mtns
Jan 01, 09	s.t. 12: New shimano deore xt v-brakes work great. Rode solo. Think I may have found a way to the dreamy draw without going over the pass. Some lady's were talking about going through a valley.
Dec 27, 08	suggested route 12: started at tatum on trail 100. Took first left up trail 8. Rode until first single track on right. Did not dab until came out of wash on this track. Rode across; took high trail up some more then down to trail 100. Took left on 100; then right (north) around mt on the fun tracks. Back up to 100; then back to tatum.
Dec 07, 08	Took Amith to the 40th street and shea starting point for the first time. Got his bike in shape and is getting back in shape. Had a good time. Trail 8; some 100 and some of the lower no name fun trails. Could have gone all day.
Dec 07, 08	Started 4oth st. climbed and climbed slight incline up the rocky trail. Then bombed straight down. That was a blast. Rode lesser used trails this time.
Nov 23, 08	I do not know why this ride is not mentioned in any trail guide; but it is one of my favorite trails. Challenging enough; smooth enough; fast enough pretty enough. Looked like it was going to be hot but it was perfect. Between 2 and 4.
Nov 08, 08	Tried the ride starting at the sqaw peak trail head. Mostly a hike a bike. Hit a rock and otb; face plant experience. Bike fell into cactus resulting in a flat. Brought patch kit; but didn't feel like finding hole. Next time will bring spare tubes.

t100 tatum and Schwinn Moabs

Phone snapshots of my bike. I wasn't the only one riding a Moab this morning. Some guy on the decent had a 2001 moab disc. You may hear me say, 'nice bike' in the video.

Good ole trail 100.

Not the greatest video, but it shows the decent and the different areas of the trail. I should edit it, but I have chores to tend to.

I Took the video with my phone while strapped to my chest. My own technique. Saw lots of others today with helmet cams. Some on the top, some on the side.