Sunday, January 31, 2010

Moab ONE!





With Keith keeping track of all his camp outs on his blog www.50nights.blogspot.com It prompted me to keep track of my Moab trips this year. Number one was a great start!



A wee bit of snow, but nothing Greg had a problem riding through on those big rumblin wheels of his.



The trail conditions weren't stellar, but it's January, even in Moab.



The new bike is amazing. Once I get my seat to handlebar position figured out it will be a VERY sweet place to do business.



We were all wishing for a sunny Moab day. Mary, however, pointed out that we were all going to be riding our bikes, not hiking, not injured--healthy. Every day is a gift to savor. As much as I love sunny days, this one will stick out in my mind. There are plenty of chances to catch a sunny bluebird day out here, but most folks never see it like this, the crazy steamy clouds, the way the snow gives the red cliffs definition---massiveness! There is a sense of size you can feel as much as see. It was magnificent day!







Keith didn't get a chance to feel how snappy his new wheels are, due to his little chainring being worn out. He had to do the whole ride in his middle ring. Some one get that guy a 1x9 and a chainguide!









Tradition says I had to hit the Super 8, despite it being completely snow covered. (last year in January it was dry) It was a sketchy landing and I found the bottom of my suspenders.




Push Push Push, actually we did very little of this. Not bad for a 37 degree, cloudy day.

Monday, January 25, 2010

First Descent in 2010



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr4jTReaX34
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drJnxlgjD4c


I'm gonna lay claim to being the first in 2010 to ride Horse Thief Bench, INCLUDING the entrance. There were no other tracks on it, which means I got to break trail. Where have the Fruita guys been? If a few guys would go ride, it would be as smooth as Lunch Loops. Instead it's a crusty, boot print, hiked on, nightmare. The cliff side trail on the south side is nearly clear, but on the north slopes the snow is DEEP! I rode it couter clockwise which seems best considering the conditions. Too many chucklenuts have ridden Rustlers and Mary's when it's been too warm. DON'T GET CAUGHT OUT WHEN ITS ABOVE FREEZING!

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Let the good times roll....

From the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary...

BLING:
Main Entry: bling–bling
Pronunciation: \ˈbliŋ-ˌbliŋ\
Variant(s): also bling \ˈbliŋ\
Function: noun
Etymology: imitative
Date: 1999
: flashy jewelry worn especially as an indication of wealth; broadly : expensive and ostentatious possessions

And beside this definition there is a picture of MY NEW BIKE!

BLING BLING BABY!



Monday, January 18, 2010

Thursday Night Snow Down...

CANCELLED! IT'S TOO WARM--MUDFEST--I WON'T BE THERE!

Thursday Night January 21st, 7:00 PM at the upper Lunch Loop parking lot on Little Park Road. We'll ride the Gunnector, The Gunny, and either back up the road, or continue on the trail depending on how we feel at the road crossing. Riding will depend on weather this week, and how much snow we get. Call Brown Cycles if you are questioning whether any one will be there. 970-245-7939

Pictures below are of Brad, Gus and I's Sunday night ride. IT WAS AWESOME!








Saturday, January 16, 2010

Winter is the new Summer...

I blatantly stole the title line of this post from Greg, but I must say it was appropriate this Friday. We were shedding layers every few miles until we were down to long sleeves only.



I was determined to ride every line that I would in the summer, despite the snow. A little extra ooomph on the take-off, and then lean WAY back for the landing, seems to work best.



This has been the best January I've ever had. Since coming back from Tucson the temp has rarely climbed above freezing, but the sun has been out almost every day. This allows the trails to stay frozen and rideable, instead of mucky and gooey.




Greg is riding his new bike quite well. Over the years he has developed a very "balls in" style of riding, but his new Fisher, Rumblefish is allowing him the freedom of a pair of boxxers!






No excuses, keep riding ya'll!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

The weather outside is frightfull....

But the trails are so delightful... Brad, Greg and I got out for a little snow action. The trails are really quite rideable, considering the season. But watch those edges, once off the hardpack it can be a quick ride over the bars. I demonstrate below...






Thursday, January 7, 2010

2010...BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to http://www.commandonlandon.blogspot.com/ --I decided to make a change for 2010 for a few reasons.
First, Gus was upset that HIS website http://www.gustifson-h-blakfur.blogspot.com/ had become so ride focused, it had become less about him and too much about bike riding.

Second, I have been selected to be part of the Trek Racing CoOp. This year the CoOp, which has thus far been mainly race focused, will be branching out to include different genre's of riding. I will be promoting long travel trail bikes, which by and large have virtually no racing presence, yet are at the center of the type of bike riding most people do. My responsibility is to promote my genre in this region of the country. In the coming months this blog will be linked to Trek's global website, so I needed a new name that is a little more recognizable and easier to spell.
Soooo, here's to 2010 and the great riding that is yet to come. And....a few rides that have already happened. See Below!!!
TUCSON, ARIZONA

My first ride in Tucson is always Fantasy Island. It's fast and fun and a good way to get used to being on the saddle again. Gus prefers his white shirt for rides in the intense southern sun. I wet it down with water, Gus's own custom swamp cooler. The day after Christmas I headed out for a ride in the Rincon Mountains. I linked the Arizona Trail to my favorite, La Milagrosa.








Our normal Tucson group was a bit smaller this year as we posed near the top of Bug Springs. In attendance were my-self, Nancy and Tom Morelock, and Travis Vanden Brooke. Mary and Travis's dad, Bob, were running the shuttle.

Bugs was in primo condition, just a little snow to make it nice and technical.



And the perfect sunset to end a near perfect ride.


SOUTH MOUNTAIN,--PHOENIX, ARIZONA

Travis gives his approval of the trail we will soon start. He's fresh, as he shuttled up with his dad. Nancy and I had just climbed from the valley below. What Travis doesn't know at this point, is that there will be a LOT more climbing yet to do. YES DUDE!

National Trail is a chunky monkey. Leg withering steep ledgy climbing, some nearly 3 ft high. I was loving my new 36 tooth cassette gear for this one.



Trail is above road in the background.

Finally the trail tipped downward. Travis was leaping into unknown chasms as if he had limitless suspension. I followed, because that's what I do.
Another great sunset. It's good to be riding bikes this time of year. LUCKY!

BETWEEN PHOENIX AND YUMA, ARIZONA
I love bridges, old ones anyway. It's one of the few man made structures that I like to photograph.

IMPERIAL SAND DUNES--GLAMIS, CALIFORNIA
I would love to lay claim to this photo, but Mary shot this one. It's my favorite of the whole trip. This was the north side of the road--a wilderness. The south side was open to motorized travel, and well, it didn't look quite so good. Still, at one point in my life I dreamed of riding my moto at this place. Ironic now that I have had such a shift in my world view.
Ocotillo at another amazing winter sunset.

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK--MOJAVE DESERT, TWENTY NINE PALMS, CA
I would call Joshua Tree Nat Park, "Really cool boulders Nat Park." Because there were not that many Joshua Trees that we saw in the park. However the Mojave Wildlife Preserve had whole forests of them, so did the out skirts of Vegas.







This was a classic motel sign on the salt flats along old Route 66.


COWBOY TRAILS--LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

Who new, that 10 min from Vegas there was this much great riding and scenery?

Wild Burrow along the trail.

The Cowboy Trails. I have heard about these for 6 years. All the Vegas guys that would come through Moab had ridden them.

Dave Gove showed me around. "I wanna be a cowboy baby." GOOSEBERRY MESA--VIRGIN, UTAH

The road was a sloppy mess, but once we hit the rock on Gooseberry it was all good.

This is my second favorite shot of the trip. Our new camera is impressive. Email me if you want a bigger more detailed photo. She's going on a year and two months off the bike, despite the pain in her hands Mary rode her bike. Can you see that smile? This was the highlight of my whole trip. Only about 30 min of riding, but it was the sweetest half hour of the two weeks we were out! Here's to a lot more of these in 2010!MANTI, UTAH

Oh how shocking the cold was. Back to coats and gloves, layers and stocking hats. One last amazing sunset and it was back to Colorado.
The cutest girl I saw on the whole trip was also the smallest. Welcome to the world Auburn Rain Adamson. My niece.