...what do you do?

I took M___ out for a ride. He's a father/soccer coach guy, who moved here recentlyish and expressed interest in learning local trails. Mostly, I find myself with little to say to my "peer" group. I started in talking to him, initially, on account of his sweet Duluth pack (so don't kid yourself: your gear says things about you and your choices) and came to find out he's an inneresting guy. Used to work for the State D_________, and the United N_____s building armies (of all things to build) in A____a. So. Yes, I'm innerested in hearing his perspectives. That's not what I lik to build, but you get the point.

Last week we met at the elementary school, having dropped off our respective chirrens, and wandered up the hill to some close, above-board trails which are very easy to access and pretty tame. I thought it would be most useful to him, and I could get an idea of his competence/attitude/compatibility. Hey. The guy built armies. Who knows which way he jumps.

He jumps pretty sensibly, I think. Being a self-professored student of history meself, his views seem level-headed, if a little sharp-edged. This is not a place I care to engage in heated discussion of anything other than bikes, but I do feel it worth mentioning that this country seems to be heading (quickly) toward the edges, and I wish my children to have the skills needed to thrive. Less will be more.

Anyhow, today was Intro to Fort Ord. Mountain biking 101. It was a little dull. M___ is not a fast guy, or a techy guy, and has a crap bike. But (the most important but) he is willing. It was very like riding with the kids; a lot of slowing, waiting, calling turns, and picking smoother trails. I'll do it again. The conversation was worthwhile. Hopefully he picks up the hammer and starts swinging it himself, though, because I only have so much daylight to burn.

Sussing out new people is weird. Mostly, there's some filters already passed before you ride together; i.e. other folks' introductions, meetings on hard trails, etc.

NSFW audio, and poor video, but it's the only copy of this relevant recording of Louis CK (super comic- you should watch his show) I could pull up...



P.S. Astute readers who really pay attention have noticed the Paul's Thumbies I run (on 2 bikes) and have inquired as to their badassness. I reply: they are pretty bad ass. BUT (the 2nd most important but) you have to keep your housing clean if you expect them to index well with 9 speed. Haven't tried a 10 set-up. Yet. And, if you are too lazy to do this (keeping it clean) then don't expect real crisp friction shifts, either. Since the 9 (and presumably more so, the 10. Eff the 11) speed cassette cogs are so closely spaced, it is easy to misshift. Full stop.

thank you for the opportunity

I'd rather have the Orville Crouch original, but it's nowheres on the interwebs I can find. Anyhow, anyway, if you can turn your nose up at this Buck Owens interpretation (HeeHaw was formative for me, and I admit it) then you're just feelin mean.

Lay before me another section of duff covered, intermittently bermed, occasionally rooted, perfectly paced singletrack. For it is the best in the land. I'll take my turn on the climb, and find that old peace of mind.


Dirt commutes are worthwhile. Ideally it would be swoopy downhill both ways, but we all know how it goes: up and down, up and down. Climbing on pavement is easier and makes time. Descending on pavement is easier and makes time. After work, it is some time to spend climbing on dirt, enjoying the lullingly painful climbs that put you out of your head, and the flats that allow you to return, and (but mostly?) the downhills- which require you to be right there and only there.

I'm going underground

Deputies arrest three in late-night Fort Ord stop

The Monterey County Herald

Posted: 08/16/2011 10:50:09 AM PDT

Updated: 08/16/2011 10:50:09 AM PDT

Sheriff's deputies said they arrested three 18-year-old men after stopping their vehicle late Sunday near a closed road on Fort Ord.

Deputies said they made a traffic stop about midnight as the suspect's vehicle made its way among abandoned buildings.

One man was on felony probation, and a vehicle search turned up a police scanner, glass cutter, three sets of gloves and other burglary tools, deputies said.

The traffic stop occurred near Imjin Parkway and 3rd Avenue.

The suspects were identified as Alex E. Marinelli and Jose Rios, both of Salinas, and Miguel S. Perez of Hollister.

Huh..."other burglary tools" sounds funny. Funny haha. Like masks and sacks with $ printed on them.

FYI, the enforcement out there is handled by the Presidio Police. So if you're riding the mean streets of the Ord, watch out for the popo. Especially if you have burglary tools. They have a military mindset and little excitement, so they will pull across 4 lanes and screech to a halt blocking the bike path to enforce the law/check to see if you have your mandated head & tail lights.

Speaking of mandates, school has sprung here on the central coast, and J has a mother mandated extra length ride to school in the mornings. This in an attempt to calm him down at school.

We are now riding up the hill some (nice view) and taking Mission Trail down. Dirt commute?

Heck yes.

drawing the admiring gaze of all who have eyes to see

After 2 nights chasing the moon (sol0! You losers don't even care if a mountain lion eats me) I am dragging.



Dragging my arse up the hills of Toro Park. I have to get those trails wired at some point if I have designs on poaching the to-be-annexed 672 acres off the East end for camping and such.


This is a picture of poor product placement. I hit a dip, my rear wheel hit the koozied beer and kicked it sideways. Who has 2 thumbs and forgets a shock pump?


Lucky it didn't burst.

Trail riding in Toro is confusing. There are the usual intersecting trails to who knows, but several of what are clearly heavily ridden thoroughfares are signed as "No bikes".

I assume these signs are in error.

I took the likely singletrack (Gilson?) to the West side of the main road and ended up climbing Olasson until I found myself at the saddle. Airplane Trail seemed the good line from there, and it kind of was. Badly hoofed up (the cattle are so pesty there- terracing countless trails across the fall line and shitting everywhere) but shaded and somebody is maintenancing it. There's even a nicely placed slat bridge. Dumped out at the old homestead to climb a little more Ollason until I made the mistake of getting involved with Redtail Canyon. whoa. Lots of little ring grinding hoping the next corner would top out. You get in so far you have to keep going? I do. Cougar Ridge wound me down. Bumpy. Sandy. Hottt.
I will return, but it was a bummer driving 20 minutes to go for a ride. These trails may be worth hitting via cross bike this winter, when it's smoothed out some, but.



Hey, Texas in the 1980s, I remember you.

I don't check for fools

None of this will make any sense at all at all unless you are hearing Ali Farka Toure...



It is a rare event that the Full Moon is clear here on the central coast. I'm sorry: I buggged you repeatedly/ you were "on Maui"/ 12 times a year (only, and, if you're lucky) is no reason for exciting involvement/ etc. Bottom line? Too bad you blew it.

Yeah, you.

When visibility is so crisp, contrast so sharp, you almost lose control from the sheer immediacy of moonlight...that's a ride worth taking. Sanitized Local Loop- allowing for time constraints and low level fitness- rounds out 29.6 miles, but it feels more like 29.8. All aboard? Solo night ride.

Who put the Tecate under the caprock? Who left the Hamm's? Baw bawbubaw. De dong de dong ding dang...

don't kid yourself

ILY.

uva uvam vivendo varia fit

Like to what Gus told Call.


So. This and that can get in the way of bike rides. I have found meself slipping into soft (sit a)roundness...Time to snap to; turn some pedals.




Remedied by taking some yout' dem out to Fort Ord a ride bikes, mon.





School starts on Wednesday!?! J______ and I rallied the grommet (that's insider code for "youth interested in bikes and willing to do ish work") and his buddy inna MTB style.



Those guys are 14ish, so the pace was a little bit rushy for J, but we worked it out.





The 2 knuckleheads were fun to ride with as they strained at the leash like pea-brained spaniels (I hates a bird dog) only to stack it up in the corners whenever they were turned loose. J and I brought up the rear to find one or both of them in a heap several times. They are not my kids, but it was a good Dad-type feeling to see them find their level and give each other ish.


I tried to find a line between Coach Knowitall and laissez faire- warned them at the top of 68 about that dangerously placed wooden barrier at the bottom, but otherwise let them make their own beds. We gave them plenty of rope on Mudhen Express (also made sure they know the proper and respectful name for that fine trail) and they hung themselves nicely; coming into the whoopdedoos waaaay too hot, and blowing by the overlook to, predictably, lose control in the sandy mess at the bottom there. I could hear (grommet friend) S___'s curses and lamentations about his ankle and a mazanita bush. This especially amused me as he had been very quiet in the presence of a strange adult thus far.

Foreground Rockhopper= grommet bike. Not a bad way to spend your summer earnings... Poopy Trek was too small for grommet friend, but he run what he brung with a smile. J's and my bikes fit and twerked perfectly.

I have replaced the creaky pop squeak squeak 952 cranks with the Surly Mr. Whirly. It is a crazy versatile crank. The spider can be switched to several different BCDs. Worth a look at Surly. If you're into that kind of thing. Heavy but seemingly durable. I'll let you know in 14 years how they have rated.


We called the hounds back up to the Caprock to show them 50 and give them their assignment- to ride down it and climb back up it while J and I, uh, waited.

Look at them GO!



I used the time constructively; i.e. checking the beer cave while the yout' dem were not around. I am many things, but stupid enough to show 2 (not my own) teens where I keep booze in the woods I am not. Anywho, the situation is grim under there. I suppose I have my mission.




The yout' dem were very well behaved and thanked me politely (several times) for taking them. Next time I'm gonna show them those trails in Pebble Beach so they have some access they can get to without having to bum a auto ride. Learn the boys up right, in the ways of riding your bike from and to your door and trail.