Flash Back to December @ - 7 Degrees / Same Bridge with Three Feet of Water

A Week in the Life of a Snowboard Patrolin' / Mudder Mountain Biker in the Spring Time

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It was about 2 months ago that I was at this sign post. That night it was -7 degrees and over a foot of snow. Now with the Spring thaw in full swing the trail has a bit of different look and feel to it.

On the way out from the trailhead I encountered extreme mud and ice. There were sections that I had to slog through mud and water and push the Pugsley. I still have the studded tires on the bike. There were also sections of ice that were rideable and the studs were required. Once again the ride started out in the late sun of the afternoon and ended with the headlamps and dark ride back to the truck. Good Times!!

 I never get tired of witnessing a sundown in the country.

This is a section of the river valley that I have been riding and exploring for the past 35 years. Back in the late 70's it was on my enduro motorcycles. Then as they closed sections to summer motorized travel, the river valley is still open to snowmobiles in the winter, I began riding mountain bikes. I have been drawn to the banks of the river because of the diversity of the terrain and as the seasons change the challenges of the travel.

 As we pedaled along the river a pair of Bald Eagles flew past us and headed up river. It was then that I noticed the Eagle nest across the river high in a tree. Always something new to observe.

 Yours truly, hammering the Spring mud on the Surly Pugsley with the full pack.

 Navigating a water crossing in the dark under an old railroad bridge, it was a deep one. 2 1/2 - 3 feet deep. The best part of this crossing was that the bottom was solid and I just powered through it. I've seen it deeper here in the past.

 Back at the truck after a very good mountain bike ride. Mud and weeds hangin' from the Pug, it was an adventure. It wasn't easy, that was the good part.

With a Spring ride like this, it had a bit of everything. Mud, ice and water. Each ride along the river provides a challenge depending on the season and the weather conditions. That is what keeps me coming back for over 30 years. One has to at times look around and realize that there are opportunities to have an adventure close to home.

 Studs

Ride On!!

 Snowboarding Season Continues in Minnesota

 With a 2 day week-end, I have been splitting between mountain biking and snowboarding. With a good old time winter here in Minnesota the snow is still here on the ski resorts hills.

As I was riding the chairlift, I saw what the gold chair was all about. It had the date of the first year for Afton Alps December 1963, 50 years ago...Wow!

 With temps in the 50's the snow was good the carve around in. Many people can't wait for the next season, Spring to happen. I don't wish my life away. It is best to live in the moment and make the most of the weather and conditions that are happening in front of me.

Tomorrow looks like a day on the slopes, snowboarding and enjoying the warm weather on soft Spring snow.

Carve ON!!

Studded Tires and Boardn' in the Spring Time

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Been a couple weeks since the last fat tire mountain bike ride. So it was feeling good to get back on the bike. Snowboarding on my week-ends in March.

Headed down into the river bottoms on the snowmobile trails. With all the thawing and freezing the past weeks the trails were full of ice. The Pugsley performed great with studded tires. A fire after dark always adds to the adventure. The Canada Geese were circling and honking in the darkness. Good to be out in the woods...   

 Heading back to the truck crossing the old bridge that I have ridden across many times since 1985. Some things don't change...

Stud!!

Ski Patroling on the Board / Day 2

 Enjoying a brief snowstorm that dropped a few inches of snow.

It was a good week getting out on the bike and snowboard.

Keep ridin' and boardin'...

Best Winter Ever / Cold & Snow / Fat Tire Surly

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Good ride down along the Minnesota River on a beautiful evening. Started out in the late afternoon and rode into the dark. The snow conditions were very good and the temps were about 5 degrees at the start and dropped to about -2 degrees after 2 hours on the trails. We were treated to a moonlight ride back to the truck.

 The moon came out bright on the ride back and the Coyotes started their chorus of howling. It always adds to the adventure of being out and sharing a cold winter night with the sounds of the night.

Ride On!!

Moon over the Fat Tire...

Surley Pugsley + -15 Degree Temp / Moonlit Winter Night + 3 hours on the Trail = Good Time

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Riding along the river trail on a late winter afternoon. With temperatures at the start of the ride -13 degrees and dropping down to -15, the preparation is very important. I am making small changes to adjust to different temps. I bought a new lightweight shell jacket that has been a great addition to my winter mountain biking gear. I have been on subzero rides for the past month, so I have been able to fine tune my clothing.

There are going to be details like fingers and feet getting cold, they go through a cycle of cold and ya move your fingers and they warm up. With the feet, I just get off the bike and hike along for a bit, they warm right up. It has alot to do with regulating your body heat, you don't want to sweat. A couple of clothing rules that I follow are, wind protection, layer, having a vent system to move your body heat so as not to build up sweat. On my feet I wear a lightweight polyester / rayon sock. My boots are a mid weight Gore-tex boot, I don't want my feet restricted or sweaty. Over my boots I wear a neoprene boot cover that slips on easily.

I stop and snack on high protein snacks along with zero sugar energy drinks, Monster and Rockstar. Calories and caffeine keeps the blood warm, yeah!

It's not a race. It's just out enjoying the winter and as darkness settles in, the dark is my favorite time to be out, the woods are awesome. The moon was out tonight and with the bitter cold, there were tiny ice crystals floating in the air. I would stop and take a break, listen to the Hoot Owl in the distance. It's all good as long as I'm in the zone and have the proper mix of quality clothes.          

 Riding the snowmobile trails tonight along the river.

 This a 3 sided shelter with firewood and a fire pit. It was a good place to take a break after a climb out of the valley. My body was totally adjusted to the weather. The moon was bright over head.

  Rockstar...

 There are some massive logs laying on the ground along the river. So I can't resist climbing up and looking around. Kinda a neat view of the Pugsley below. 

 The face shot, a bit frosty tonight @ -15 degrees after 3 hours out on the trail.

 The High Life with snow crystals floating in the air.

Dashboard shot...Ride On!

Last Week of 2013 / Couple of Pugsley MTB Rides on the Snow Trails in Sub Zero Temps

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Snow biking the last week of 2013, the snow is deep and the temps are cold. With temperatures below zero degrees and a couple days of fresh snow it has been a blast to get out and have a winter adventure. Last week I had the -7 night and built the fire. That was all good.

Had another good ride on Christmas night with a few inches of fresh snow. I decided during that ride that I needed to try platform pedals and see how they would work compared to the step in cleats. Christmas ride was in fresh snow and I had to pop out of the pedals a few times and it was tougher then it needed to be.

On Monday, the last ride of 2013, there was about 2 inches of fresh snow on top of a solid base singletrack trail along the river. I used platform pedals and found that with the platform pedals, I was able to keep my feet warmer. I used my pack boots. Also, I could dab my foot quicker and keep my balance a bit easier riding on the narrow packed trail. I will be riding on the platform pedals any time that the conditions are tough and for sure on the narrow singletrack trails.  

 Every ride and hike down along the river, I am amazed at the trees and their shapes. This is the tree of the day.

 This is a fallen log that I came across, with it's roots in the air and the size of the tree, it must of shook the ground the day it toppled. It makes one wonder why one tree is uprooted and it is surrounded by trees that are still standing tall.

 I got a birds eye view of the Pugsley below. It was a dark night and the temps weren't as cold, about 2 degrees below zero.

As I was standing atop the massive fallen tree, a coyote began to bark and then progressed to an all out howl. He was close, maybe 30-40 yards away. I couldn't see him in the dark, I believe he was down along the river, just below the river bank. It was all good and I remained standing on the log and just listened to the night noises. It is at these times that I feel connected to the weather, landscape and any critters that happen to be in the area.

 The view from the saddle using the flash in the dark. Below is the view from my headlamp.

Here's looking to 2014 and more adventures to come...Ride On!!