red mountain revenge

The ride started out good. The sky was clear. The desert was green. The mood was calm.

As the desert sky was transitioning from pink to black,  storm clouds off the horizon seemed to foreshadow pending doom.

SNAP ---- . . . dang!

My chain broke, leaving me to a hike-a-bike back to my trusty old Ford truck.

With the wind blowing the storm clouds my direction, I took comfort in knowing that I had gotten out of much worse situations in the past.


Pushed on by the thought that my wife be a widow and my daughter fatherless. I conjured up the strength to push onward.

Well, it wasn't '127 hours' but i was still stranded in the desert with no transportation for an hour in a desert with water. 

Come to think of it, I was carrying a chain tool too.

The Years Best Posts

Since I've not been riding much myself, thought I would share some of what I've found. Lists of the best of the best post other bloggers have posted.

I am not going to make a list of every category. The best video's around here combined with youthful folksy  language always come from U2meToo, the best trail information always comes from MTBikeAZ some of the best writing comes from OneSpeedGo, while the best still photos come from sprockets.

However, in honor of the late Anthony Sloan, I am going to focus on his style of blog. Posts that look like they belong in a National Geographic or Arizona Highways magazine. Great Photography, combined with informative, entertaining story telling. I'll do the nominating, I'll let you all vote for your favorite posts. Feel free to post a comment about a great blog I'm missing out on.


My nominations include:
Cactus Rod The Toughest Mountain Bike Rider I Know from Darren's Rides


Kicking around the Kaibab from Out There


Spring on the Cabin Loop from Sprockets


North Rim of Grand Canyon Sampler from MountianBikeBill

green desert

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 I took the commuter bike on the a more challenging trail than I ever have taken the Outcast29. Trail 8. Did great. Think I had a bit of fun without the cushion.

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no cell no movies

I got out to good old trail 100 this past weekend for a solo ride and had a blast.

I Missed the first half of the Superbowl, but I have no regrets. I helped a guy out on the trail. Had two blown tires and only one tube. Gave him one of my tubes and he fixed my hand pump. Got himself back on the trail. Said he had a long walk home otherwise.

You see some trees along the washes have been uprooted from all the rain we have been blessed with in recent weeks. Also see that wonderful green grass all over the desert.

Man, I like this old Schwinn Moab. I've ridden better bikes, but I'm used to it. It's good enough for me. Someone asked me how I can take photos without a cell phone. I answered, "with a camera".

Think I post some reward signs for my lost Cell phone. Maybe someone in that house will give it to me. Anyway, heres a repeat of the last post so you know what I am talking about.

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Cell Phones

I lost my phone on the way to work the other day. One of the reasons that I have not posted any video as it was my video player. 

Funny thing is I can see exactly where the phone is located via gps. The person who has it, takes it with them to the laundry mat and out. Mostly they just stay at home. I have talked to two different people in the home but neither know anything about it.  What kind of person won't return a persons cell phone? I was thinking old man (who didn't know what it was or teenager) but no, this doesn't appear to be the case. I am going to have to give up on getting it back soon as Venu is due any day now. She has to be able to get in touch with me.

Pemberton trail and shavers on mountain bikes

I don't know why, but I always seem to see roadies on mountain bikes whenever I ride McDowell mountain park.

I don't see them on south mountain, Phoenix mountain preserve nor Red Mountain. I guess they like the flow of the trails at McDowell park. Pemberton is almost like riding a dirt road except there is no danger of being killed by a vehicle and you are immersed in desert scenery far from black top.

The roadies are not that difficult to spot. Shaved legs and they never nod or even smile when you pass. I guess if a man is serious enough to shave his legs for his sport, he is going to be all business. Probably why they say they don't do post ride brews.

Anyway, I don't want to sound like a roadie hater.  I don't mind them.  Some of my best friends are roadies. In any case, they gave me something to blog about.  Any roadie reading this, you are invited to a post ride brew on me. Just smile once in awhile at your fellow biker. Peace.

All in all it was a great day to ride. I took the Outcast29 because a single speed is all you need for Pemberton. You also don't need any suspension for this trail. Thought I would use the 29er while it still has the small sprocket in front. It performed flawlessly. Thinking about using the Outcast when I finally make the treck to Point Sublime. Single speeds are extremely reliable and from what I've read, the trail is not that difficult. Just long. This bike fits too. The old GSX left my back aching and saddle sore after riding this trail. No ill effects after using the Outcast29. The bike must fit me perfectly. The seat isn't bad either. At least it's better than I had on the Mesa GSX.

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.

Red Mountain - Hawes trail

Hawes Red Mountain - Fat Tire.Net

I just love the trails in this area. The red dirt reminds me of Sedona.

Easy to get to too. From downtown Phoenix area just drive 20 miles East on the Red Mountain (202) freeway to Power Road. Then 1 mile north just past the canal. Park on the left or go further down to the park near the river. Fee area there though.

Click on the link at the top very for maps, more information, wait a wee bit for the current weather forecast.(Hawes Red Mountain - Fat Tire.Net)

Trail	Hawes rd - red mountain
Area	Phoenix - Mesa,   Arizona
Description	giant saguaro; ridge trails and mine shafts. Nice view of the river and red mountain. Sedona lite.
Distance	7.1 Miles
Primo Trail
Find Route	Moderate
skill	advanced
Effort	tough
Time To Ride	1.5 to 2 Hours
Directions	Take Red Mountain (202) to Power road and head one mile north

Average Speed	4.34659628073374
Slowest Speed	3.137255
Fastest Speed	6.025994

Season Months

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

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Oct

Nov

Dec

Map	Hawes
Trail Information	Mountain Bike Arizona
Trail Information	Mt. Bike AZ: Hawes Road
Photos	Phoenix trails
Videos	where the streets have no name
GPS graphs	hawes gps

Sep 17, 09	took a couple of really great HD videos and pasted on website. Check them out!
Aug 01, 09	Up Up Up Hawes to the ^^^Hike-a-bike^^^ to the Microwave tower. Down Down Down the pavement...over to new connector section of Wild Horse thru NRA pit to WH proper>>up Big Rock (sweet climb)>>Twisted Sister (rocks!)>>Saguaro>>CAP>>Chocolate Milk. Goo
Jul 13, 09	Since we got a late start on Hawes we didn’t get to complete the planned loop, though we sure tried. Good thing we bailed when we did because it got dark fast. Temps were friggin hot today, but by 7:15 it felt good to be out even though it was 102. H
Jul 01, 09	As I started down the backside of Mine I saw the Lenz rider again. This time he asked me “are you TheBarqsMan” to which I replied “I sure am.” He said he reads my blog. Cool. It’s fun to get recognized out on the trail. That plus the magnificent clou
Jun 16, 09	This morning’s ride was all about loving the ride. I didn’t plan on any specific route, I left it up to whims at each junction. I ended up riding the exact loop I did my first time riding Hawes years ago “plus a wee bit more that be nay thar aft then” (read in your best pirate voice).Riding Hawes always puts my love of the bike into perspective. Today I could see myself still on the bike at 70 years old. I want to be an old man that still shreds.
Mar 14, 09	Gary from Ohio arrived on Friday. We tweeked on bikes Sat morning and then horned in on a ride with Dale&Sonia and Beth&Randy out at Hawes in the afternoon. It was a designated ?flower sniffer? ride with a relaxed pace but somehow I still managed to be all tuckered out at the end. Fun times!!!
Mar 13, 09	Today I learned what happens if you take a roadie into the mountains?He will perform a spectacular endo for you. First; after his rear real bounced off a rock on a steep descent; he rode a full front wheelie for at least 10 feet; then just as the whe
Mar 08, 09	First 2 miles had a couple of killer (for me and Steve) climbs. We took shortcut home through story book - Ridgeline. Fun fun fun. Except Steve wrecked once and I did as well. Handle took the brunt of my wreck as it smacked a large boulder. Steve dro
Mar 08, 09	Met Frank near canal lot. Tough workout; then the reward of scenery & rolling downhill. Going a bit too fast & front tire caught some sand; sending me off the bike; unharmed. Camelback cusioned the fall and I rolled over a bit. Met a lot of interesti
Mar 08, 09	this trail kicked my butt. One tough climb up then wrecked on the screamer down. Felt like I been skiing all weeknd. Even my abs were sore.
Oct 27, 08	Ridge loop saw the park today. Nice shady area near the river. Something not expected in this area.
Oct 13, 08	Red rocks; Blue Water; Blue sky - Twisty; turney; rollie pollie breath taking fun.

Place	MESA	AZ	85201
Coordinates	Longitude: 111.8469	Latitude: 33.43174
Today's Forcast	High 80 fahranheit	27 Celcius
	Low 48 f	9 c
Current conditions	Currently 82 fahranheit	P/SUNNY	8 % humidity
November 26, 2009 15:13	Wind E	at 17 MPH	Pressure 30.05

6 Day Forcast

Day	Thursday, November 26, 2009	Friday, November 27, 2009	Saturday, November 28, 2009	Sunday, November 29, 2009	Monday, November 30, 2009	Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Forcast High Fahrenheit	80	78	70	63	65	68
Forcast Low Fahrenheit	48	49	44	40	41	40
Forcast High Celcius	27	26	21	17	18	20
Forcast Low Celcius	9	9	7	4	5	4
Conditions	Thunder Storms	Partly Cloudy	Sunny	Mostly Cloudy	Mostly Cloudy	N/A

McDowell Competitive Track

I had the day off, so I decided to head up to McDowell Mtn park. Ton of chores (painting the house, lawn seeding and more) so I can't get too far away. 

I always have enjoyed the McDowell park, but it's just a ways off. Fountain Hills to be precise. 

The last time I rode the Competitive track loops, I was on the Yeti 575 that Anthony Sloan set up. This was in February, Anthony passed on in May. Sad thing, he was so talented. Not only as a blogger and photographer but also as a bike mechanic. We talked about twenty minutes about bikes, but I had to rush home. Never talked Photography nor blogging. I didn't even know who he was at the time. Just hit me in the face when I saw his photo after they found him.  

The desert was not nearly as green as it was in Feb. The trail didn't seem nearly as smooth either. I don't know if the ruts got bigger or if the 575 just had that great of a suspension, but it seemed a lot smoother then.  However, you can't beat the Moab as far as a climber goes. I'm pretty weak these days, but I can climb like a goat with the Moab.

Anyways, I made another Phone video of part of the technical loop. You loose site of the the trail in the middle as the treo slide under the belt strap. I fix it through so bear with it if you want to see what the trail looks like. The dang thing wouldn't upload in blogger. I had to load it to You tube and embed it. Maybe this is better?

After the ride, I stopped in at Redendos for a slice of Pizza. One of the better pizza joints in town. Never had Biancos (hear you go in to a heavenly trance while taking a bite. Must be great as there is a five hour wait for pizza!) but I would rate the place slightly better than 'Slices' in Tempe off Mill, much better than Luigis and on par with Franks off of 32nd street and Indian School. Nellos and the Chicago places are something different. Good but different. 


Hope you enjoy the video as much I did making it.

So long for now,

Frank

End of summer

It may get to 108 degrees today, but if feels like summer in the desert is coming to an end . That's not a bad thing for biking in the desert. Just ask your local shop owner.

I headed out to 'Desert Classic' this morning and could not find a parking space at the 48th st and Guadalupe lot. I am telling you, it's like going to the beach in California or like going skiing after fresh powder blankets the mountain from the night before. Cosmic Ray said something like "You can't swing a dead cat without hitting some neon nig nog poser going way to fast." when he wrote about the DC, but I like it. I like the scene. The only drawback is parking and  It is only more difficult to find a parking spot because the city stopped allowing us to park on both sides of the street.

Not willing to wait for a parking spot to open up, I headed out to the 'Warpaint' trail head. This trail head is a local secret. Always a place to park and you link up to the trail with some sweet little side trail.

The ease of parking at warpaint may soon come to an end as well. Developers are bull dozing the area across from the entrance at warpaint. Some high end housing no doubt. The owners won't want us parking there anymore. Sighhh. It was good while it lasted. (for years and years)


Sorry I have no pics. My good old Palm Treo finally bit the dust. I found another one on ebay and will be back in business soon.

Anyway, I have some video of warpaint on an older post. petroglyphs in plain site

Here are some old DC pics I have never posted.  Here is Steve with a broken chain. Now that it's cooling off, he plans on coming out more. He no longer wears his jeans on the trail. He is not a neon lycra nig nog poser by any means but he's swung a bit in that direction. Just shorts and rock shocks were a big step for him. He used to ride the entire trail 100 on a fully rigid bike. "Shocks! I'd ride on the street if I wanted a smooth ride!" He used to say. Now he likes them.

Here is Phil taking a brake. Wonder how he got the nickname of 'Restbrake'. At least I have never seen him over heated.

Yeah, summer is ending soon. From October 1st to October 15th (north rim closes) we can ride anywhere in the state. See link: http://fat-tire.net/trailviewer/filteredTrails.aspx?Area=Oct

October and May are the prime months. (north rim opens May 15th)

Oh, for my dad. You can get some fishing stories at: http://fat-tire.net/feedz/newzFeedz.aspx fourth link from the left. I even made the font something I think you will like.

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.