We had Easter down at Jim’s house in Vancouver. He showed that he can cook a big feast for the whole gang as well as still use picnic tables as mountain bike obstacles. Rod, Austin, Zoe, and Dad also joined in on the ride at a wooded park in the neighborhood.
Fletcher had the opportunity to participate on building a machine built trail on Galbraith Mt, which is pretty revolutionary. The trail is likely to be named ‘Unemployment Line’ to reflect a majority of those part of the build. The full trail is not yet open, but we (me, Fletcher, and Jeff) rode it on a Friday after work. We rode a couple trails on the hill, Fletcher’s trail starts and stops when you see the caution tape. The video gets a little dark due to the sun going down in the horizon and the storm that was threatening. Video also ends when my fun did, when I broke my bike – so stay tuned till the end to see that.
Note: it takes just a moment for the video to load, but should play fine once going. I got a cheap hosting plan.
Me, Jeff, and Puddle hit the normal spot we’ve been frequenting in the Muk at Japanese Gulch. Days are getting longer and daylight savings time is in effect. First after work ride without the need of the head lamp. Hopefully the other side of the hill will dry out soon.
Enough about soccer and road bikes… I knocked the dust off of my trusty mountain bike! Friday evening I joined a local (Jeff) on one of his trails. An area called Glass Blowers, which is one of several that are webbed throughout the Arlington Tree Farm.
The hill to the top whooped me a bit. I was a bit sore from the previous day’s soccer game, a bit sick still, but man… my mt bike just isn’t an efficient machine like my roady. I was oddly uncomfortable on it for a good while. But I’ve never pretended I was much of a hill climber. The climb was worth it though.
The trail was a good choice for a first run of the year; and long while. There was a log drop at the very top. It didn’t lead anywhere, but fun to play on. I had a bit of trouble get’n up on it. The trunk twisted right and the run in was a bit bumpy. I never did get a clean run on it, but I did drop it a couple times once I got on the stupid thing.
The trails themselves were more speed oriented rather than technical or sketchy. There were several dips, turns, and bumps throughout. It was great to get my rhythm going again on my bike. It no longer feels like a stranger.
Jeff made it up clean and the first time:
I got up with a little dab off a tree to keep me going:
This video clip might take a bit to load; but Jeff held this wheelie back to the truck for over 1:32!
