Spring Thaw Gravel

Last sunday planned a ride via the K&P rail trail to Harrowsmith and back. Put it out on FB on a whim to see if others wanted to come. Only one came out for the little ride. Kurt came down from Verona to join in. So after a bit of waiting. Well, more like waiting for me to finish breakfast at Starbuck's which was the start point and I admit I do dawdle a bit.

 We headed out. I decided to skip the gravel section that goes behind the Crappy Tire which makes the Dalton ride time about half. You know, less time for Arsehat drivers to try see if they can clip you without spilling their Double Double.

 The trail surface was good. Not to soft with the only areas with issues was closer to Harrowsmith on the new addition. Run off had cut mini ditches in the trail. Unfortunately Kurt had his rear wheel pop out of the rear drop outs when be bunny hopped one.

  I was thinking that maybe this would make for a little Gravel Grinder in the future. Maybe something in Spring. Not like the Tour De Buttertart my buddy Marc puts on in Dundas.  Which while I would much rather be doing the reality is that this early in the year it's hard to plan to travel to events unlike later say in the fall. So this was more of an experiment this year to get an idea. I think next year with a bit more planning we can have a little Gravel Grinder in the spring..........kind of a Test of the First Gravel.  The cycling version of the first ski race of the FIS World Cup.

 Since I don't have a GPS or a bike computer right now it was the old school timing system of the wrist watch stop watch. So the time was ,

To Harrowsmith turnaround...1:49:49
Back to Stabuck's on Division...1:32:29
Total..3:22:19

 Really I think it is doable as a event. now I think I'll make a go of trying to do this next spring.

Spring A Delic

With 2 weeks out from the race here in Kingston headed out to CB to refresh myself with riding trail. Don't want to show up on the 21st still rusty as that would decrease the fun factor.

                 Sheesh.. You think it would have melted by now.

 Bridges are showing their age and starting to come apart.  It will need to rebuilt so the line can continue to be enjoyed.  Another project of course.

 After much delay and putting of. Finally got around to rebuilding my front Hope Mini. New master cylinder piston seals, a modded Hope Moto lever to fit, and a nice cleansing bleed with my Epic Bleed Solutions kit. And the Mistress has the Hope's returned to her.

And have something new ans well as being something old on the way. Hopefully Canada Post won't feel like dawdling excessively.

Ice Thaw Weekend

Last weekend was a road trip to Scarborough and a oppurtunity to ride in a couple of different places thanks to Joely having to work at Durham College. The Saturday afternoon was a trip to Greenwood where i have yet to ride. Well it was more of a packed snow ride then anything else.

                                  The creek on a winter day.

                           The Mistress taking a wee rest.             

  Thanks to the dog walkers for doing all the boot packing.

                      Time to drop a layer as it was getting warm.

 While it looked like a luge track the reality was other wise. As there was a thin layer of soft slush that allowed traction.

 Sunday's ride was to an area I have been before but always with a group. And when with a group you end up going at their pace not at yours. Which leads to less checking things out.



                  The CP Rail line to the bridge over the valley.

  Been at this look out a few times. Though this time missed by about 15 minutes actually seeing a CP train come over the bridge.

                  Just like Saturday the conditions where like.

               Still better then sitting at a busy cafe in Scarborough.

                       Next time will ride the rocks. But not today.

 Nothing spectacular for a weekend of riding. But have 2 places to return to later in the year as want to ride it more. Plus there is a trail following the CP rail line and an abandoned one that connects the Rouge with the Seaton Trail area.

Wet Concrete

And yet another day with another ride out at Collins Bay in the Wet Concrete snow from yesterday's snow fall. Though this time didn't take the DH run.

Though I noted a couple of spots where some more moving of dead fall is needed the next time I'm out. Which unfortunately won't be till next week.

 Arriving via the mail came a package that included the 2 seals needed to finish the rebuild of my Hope Mini's. 

 Also in the same envelope came this Hope light bracket for handlebars.  This is for a simple modification to mount the Cree light on my bars without using the annoying rubber elastic.

2.5 Minion Grind

What is one to do when it snows a bit of West Coast Powder type snow in Ontario? Go ride in it.

                                     2.5 DH tires worked well.

                                       Hmmm.. I see skin.

                                               Found the log.

                                    Yep it's West Coast powder.

                                    Fresh track on the mini DH.

Headbanger

With the weather being funky with the temps and working alot more thanks to the contract job I got. Not alot going on riding wise other then to and from work. And we all know how mind numbing sitting on a trainer is so I won't say more on that.

 New part arrived...MRP XCG BB mount guard or Taco as some call it. Hmmm.. seems to be lacking a bit on the Taco spicy sauce and Salsa. But we shall see how it works and will report back on whether the flavouring is up to snuff.

 This also led us to a chain ring and spider swap. As I went to four bolt as it is getting a bit difficult to get the old 5 bolt pattern. Looks like it needed a good cleaning as the gunk levels where a bit high.

                    Warm evening post work ride as the sun set.

             Spotted nature's head banger busy looking for dinner.

Spring Shadow

 This morning headed out for a 39 minute ride on the CX bike.  It was a shorts ride. 

Hmm...I think this year it is time to get my hands on a set Retroshifters. Especially since I never actually use the drops. And fortunately have a second P/T to make that happen.

                    Drafting the shadow. Turns out he had no beer.

                  Me thinks I need a new cap...white is ugh.

                            The snob part of town.

Mountain Feedbag