tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45014372244978008432024-03-15T18:10:14.198-07:00Cycling SpokaneJohn Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.comBlogger1534125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-34669103198911091572020-12-08T06:50:00.002-08:002020-12-08T06:50:34.514-08:00Review: Shimano SH-XM9 gore-tex touring cycling shoe<p> Just a short 11 years ago, I reviewed the <a href="http://cyclingspokane.blogspot.com/2009/01/review-lake-mxz301-cxz302-winter.html" target="_blank">Lake winter cycling shoes</a>. The Lakes are warm boots that were best at very cold and dry conditions. Anything else (i.e. rain/wet) and they're not so great. Their Boa lacing system is one that either you love or hate -- I still think they're solving a problem in bike shoes that don't need to be solved as they do with ski boots. So there. Oh yeah, and the Lake boots don't pass the "may look nerdy, but not bike nerdy" test. </p><p>Enter the Shimano <a href="https://bike.shimano.com/en-US/product/apparel-accessories/shimano/SH-XM900.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SH-XM9 winter cycling shoe.</a> I got this pair last year and I've given them a sound beating. I'm ready to share my thoughts...</p><p><b>tl;dr</b></p><p>I love em. In all the ways I was disappointed by the Lake shoes, I've been impressed and delighted by the Shimano boots. (They're labeled "shoes" -- by what metric do these meet that definition?)</p><p><br /></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AMCOpj3jJsM/X8-IxrLjSeI/AAAAAAAAUKo/rYuV6shld1YaiB637Tc5a1v22XoregZjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1223.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AMCOpj3jJsM/X8-IxrLjSeI/AAAAAAAAUKo/rYuV6shld1YaiB637Tc5a1v22XoregZjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1223.HEIC" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Let's start with basics: they have laces. That is the correct, proper, and a well-understood way to fasten your boots tightly. Centuries of shoe-tyers can't be wrong! Laces work! Laces Out!<div><br /></div><div>The boots have a webbing strap at the ankle that hold the laces -- coupled with open lace hooks above the ankle and magically strong laces, suffering through the ancient task of manually tying the boots is mercifully efficient. And of course there's a stretchy lace-keeper where you can stuff your tied laces.</div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1h8XQ-QMQxc/X8-Ivmqt_CI/AAAAAAAAUKc/oWACjKefAaIFP3dOuEaEo7ONLB2sobvXACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1079.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1h8XQ-QMQxc/X8-Ivmqt_CI/AAAAAAAAUKc/oWACjKefAaIFP3dOuEaEo7ONLB2sobvXACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1079.HEIC" /></a></div><div><br /></div>As for the "blend in effect" -- they do ok. One thing I always like to find are clothes and shoes that are pretty normal looking and will wear fine in most casual contexts. Although I no longer commute, I still appreciate being able to wear bike-useful clothes as a default mode. This approach makes hopping on the bike for a spin much less of a ritualized event.</div><div><br /></div><div>I especially don't want to be bikey guy with weird shoes that can barely walk or that looks like Flash Gordon. So while these are some generically damn nerdy looking boots, they're not bike-specifically damn nerdy, and that tiny sliver of difference is all it takes!</div><div><br /></div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Bga_4IvZu4/X8-Il8z9IsI/AAAAAAAAUKU/RTCr2oibY-8hkb0okJb9zWKoITk7W8SrACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1074.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Bga_4IvZu4/X8-Il8z9IsI/AAAAAAAAUKU/RTCr2oibY-8hkb0okJb9zWKoITk7W8SrACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1074.HEIC" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Cold? check. Wet? check. Even warm and summer? works -- a bit steamy, but passable. I'm not gonna carry on about the magic that is Gore-tex, because I bowed down long ago. There's a lot of snake-oil charleton bullshit claims of "breathable AND warm when wet" that are just bunk. Gore-tex -- especially in footwear, puts out. </div><div><br /></div><div>I wear two layers of thin wool dress socks with these suckers and I'm always warm. Pic above is buddy Joe at about 25F on top of Beacon Hill. This is proof that I've been outside with these boots when it was cold. </div><div><br /></div><div>For rain -- I learned in a misery fest ride in early fall on a rainy-assed climb on the Kettle Crest Trail that I need to make sure the upper cuff is tented with pants or god-forbid gaiters.</div><div><br /></div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WphF26xFp4A/X8-Ixl8dPsI/AAAAAAAAUKk/Yw3oH1cwrOwOFEZd5l_9HJFDH89fQUNMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1083.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WphF26xFp4A/X8-Ixl8dPsI/AAAAAAAAUKk/Yw3oH1cwrOwOFEZd5l_9HJFDH89fQUNMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1083.HEIC" /></a></div><div><br /></div>See -- that's a normal nerd look. Not a bike-specific nerd look. Boom. They look good after a year's worth of service. And while I don't wear them a lot, when I do, the conditions are either cold or sucky or both. So these guys mostly get hard use. They're wearing well. As they should. They retail for like $200. But looks like you can find them for around $150. Very worth it.</div><div><p><br /></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HolxDEkR_iY/X8-IvktWGzI/AAAAAAAAUKY/zhSzw358P3kwxOXyfRgbn40iu0lS1kUxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1081.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HolxDEkR_iY/X8-IvktWGzI/AAAAAAAAUKY/zhSzw358P3kwxOXyfRgbn40iu0lS1kUxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1081.HEIC" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Of course they're SPD (and other lesser cleats) compatible. That's an obvious requirement. </div><div><br /></div><div>But guess what else: they actually wear like a normal boot. If you could get over the extra crunching and screeching brought on by hiking over rocks with an SPD cleat installed, you could do actual, real hiking in these. </div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, I make this claim as one who is no fan of walking and disdains hiking. Especially up hill: what's the bloody point? you can't even coast down. Nevertheless, a guy could use these to hike, they're comfy and provide manly support.
</div><div><br /></div><div>The summary: good stuff these boots. </div>John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-32758776080351040902020-06-23T06:32:00.000-07:002020-06-23T06:32:15.135-07:00Climbing Boulder<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4b3hX9nGaH8/XvIDXqjZyPI/AAAAAAAAUF8/w5eOfuZsHacWaZE9pQlRa9cQPGgKfz8owCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4b3hX9nGaH8/XvIDXqjZyPI/AAAAAAAAUF8/w5eOfuZsHacWaZE9pQlRa9cQPGgKfz8owCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8310.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I'm not a fast hill climber, but I really like climbing long hills. There's a purposeful monotony to a long climb. So, my main sort of ride when I"m in Ferry County these days is chopping off a chunk of time to do some climbing. If I were all awesome and amped up, I'd use these climbs to work on intervals and to get fast fast fast. But I just don't. I guess that's ok. But I sort of wonder what it would be like to hammer those and get faster.<br />
<br />
I've been working on Boulder Pass all spring. I've climbed it about 1/2 dozen times. The last time, I tried it on the single speed. That felt much slower, but according to strava, that was my fastest time up the climb -- but only by 2 minutes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PDFCEM38vr0/XvIECiAjIRI/AAAAAAAAUGU/N_kzm7wL7X8F_iIEWB1Yvcv5jGelTjrsACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PDFCEM38vr0/XvIECiAjIRI/AAAAAAAAUGU/N_kzm7wL7X8F_iIEWB1Yvcv5jGelTjrsACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8946.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Boulder is a solid hill. It's 11.67 miles of climbing. There's short steep pitches throughout and a steady grade otherwise. You always feel like you're climbing. The last 2 miles is pitches up fiercely. But given that you're feeling near the top that steep bit at the end isn't too miserable.<br />
<br />
The official name of the road is Boulder Creek Road -- super low traffic road. I've climbed for 45 minutes or so without a car in either direction on a Saturday morning. It's a beautiful area to climb through -- at least I feel it is. The road is surrounded by deep national forest. For most of the climb, Boulder Creek is crashing down the mountain next to you. Spring is particularly lush and clean and lovely.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m2QYajV_Pk0/XvIEIxs1vKI/AAAAAAAAUGY/mWB10oC30SMyyJM8Rs8PvzP2rPNbFabPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m2QYajV_Pk0/XvIEIxs1vKI/AAAAAAAAUGY/mWB10oC30SMyyJM8Rs8PvzP2rPNbFabPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8910.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
When my dad moved our family to Washington State in 1974, he had come up here in an attempt to escape the demons he met in Viet Nam and to shake off his association from the hard-living life of "hanging iron" in LA during the continued high rise boom.<br />
<br />
One of his first jobs in the new rural Washington was working on a crew to pave Boulder Creek Road. About 20 years later, I'd climb this pass for the first time on a bike. It was an unplanned trip -- I had been helping him and my step-brother do some logging near Malo, WA - where he lived. We fought and I took off -- grabbed my bike and rode up and over Boulder through to Kettle Falls. It would take another 5 years or so before we talked again. That's a silly way to be. It's silly to waste time like that.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--hn_srAs_dI/XvIEPL3L1TI/AAAAAAAAUGc/J6jAGPrpnQ81wTtYRpKhJSbUF1u8-RUZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--hn_srAs_dI/XvIEPL3L1TI/AAAAAAAAUGc/J6jAGPrpnQ81wTtYRpKhJSbUF1u8-RUZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8911.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Climbing up Boulder sort of rinses my head out. This year especially... as I've brute forced my way back into cycling. When I climb up Boulder -- no matter how slowly -- I can blow out a bit more regret; I can remember nice moments; I try to capture lessons that I missed.<br />
<br />
And then I get to descend -- back into the present, back to my people who are here now.John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-1358512020982061742020-06-03T20:52:00.000-07:002020-06-03T20:52:04.517-07:00Bluffing the Heart Rate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJcsjJeAg6E/XthqmkDCnXI/AAAAAAAAUFA/DNVNDInQ1sEtcfCTwhZVD-3P2xg2sqO8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJcsjJeAg6E/XthqmkDCnXI/AAAAAAAAUFA/DNVNDInQ1sEtcfCTwhZVD-3P2xg2sqO8ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8853.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I can't seem to get enough of riding the single speed on the High Drive trails lately. I have this perfect 1 hour, 10 mile loop that I've settled into over the last month or so. It's got just under 1000' of climbing and lots of swoopy single track. It's a perfect lunch ride.<br />
<br />
I track my rides with a Garmin device and I'm noticing that my average heart rate is dropping over time, though my speed is about the same. I'm around 135 average heart rate for these rides. I think this means I'm getting more efficient. And/or maybe there's something going on with the way I'm forced to grind all climbs on the single speed -- all muscle and not as much heart required?<br />
<br />
Until I got <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_gjPETDYkB/" target="_blank">this single speed,</a> which used to be my CX bike until Glen made me <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-zYuiUjsXW/" target="_blank">a newer awesomer CX bike</a>, I was riding the Bluff trails on my mountain bike. I spent a few weeks in February trying to see how much elevation I could get out of a single ride on the trails in under 2 hours. I think the best I did was about 2200 feet. On those rides I was averaging about 150 BPM heart rate.<br />
<br />
What's it all mean? I feel like I would get better workouts with that higher heart rate. But I'm enjoying the grind of the Bluff on the singlespeed -- I tell myself I'm building muscle or maybe power? I don't care that much -- because I'm enjoying my rides now, so who cares. But I'm curious about what it all means. I'd like my riding to be improving something. It's fun and that's enough, but I'll take improvements too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-keOPFX1wAMI/Xtht43lAleI/AAAAAAAAUFM/CGIXw12EQegdBGUe9LtP5jFY60nrBPENQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-keOPFX1wAMI/Xtht43lAleI/AAAAAAAAUFM/CGIXw12EQegdBGUe9LtP5jFY60nrBPENQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8781.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Speaking of improvements. I'm going to make some to the single speed. I want to get it all light and rad and I want to go tubeless. As the Bluff trails have gotten more traffic over the years, a bunch of previously, mostly submerged sharp rocks have been exposed. On a mountain bike you can bomb and be ok. But on a bike with 35mm tires, you gotta run about 55psi to keep from getting pinch flats. That's too hard for finessing some of the most fun sections of trail down there. So tubeless will be happening.<br />
<br />
For tubeless I need new rims. I'm also going to put a carbon fork and other carbon bits on this sucker since I plan to race it in the fall and since spending a bunch of money on carbon bits will absolutely guarantee it will go twice as fast, at least.John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-10013686860882316562020-05-16T07:31:00.000-07:002020-05-16T07:32:14.987-07:00McNitt Road Loop<div dir="auto">This is an old morning-ride chestnut. It's quick loop with a bit of climb, a bit of dirt, a lot of deer. Only 10 miles. And a kickin' view.</div><div dir="auto"><br></div><div dir="auto"><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--XbwMqC-kOI/Xr_5cZM_JMI/AAAAAAAAUEo/kNRgAcCODTM7owruVUjrzQkQffT0lOApgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_8766-735018.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--XbwMqC-kOI/Xr_5cZM_JMI/AAAAAAAAUEo/kNRgAcCODTM7owruVUjrzQkQffT0lOApgCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_8766-735018.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6827449826313970882" /></a></div><br></div> John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-42441358834623168342020-05-13T07:40:00.000-07:002020-05-13T07:40:20.036-07:00Easter Sunday Mine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e6inWAIzdvc/XrwBBxnaRDI/AAAAAAAAUDk/5YXlhpkr42ER08D0tYwX-BrOJQJ6ghqyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e6inWAIzdvc/XrwBBxnaRDI/AAAAAAAAUDk/5YXlhpkr42ER08D0tYwX-BrOJQJ6ghqyQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8724.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I've been wanting to check out the Easter Sunday mine for a month or so.<br />
<br />
The ~1930's (?) map shows that there was a small mining camp way up in the middle of the woods. Each little square on the map was a structure of some sort -- I'm assuming a place where people lived or perhaps worked.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uGCCeMX9qkI/XrwCrQ2D0WI/AAAAAAAAUDw/zYQIbjoXu4klbfH1SYmCTlTbhm7V7wwYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-05-13%2Bat%2B7.21.29%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1600" height="199" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uGCCeMX9qkI/XrwCrQ2D0WI/AAAAAAAAUDw/zYQIbjoXu4klbfH1SYmCTlTbhm7V7wwYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-05-13%2Bat%2B7.21.29%2BAM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
But if there's a dot that made it to that map, then there was something there in 1930's, which is sort of interesting since according to the report, The <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Ore_Deposits_of_Northeastern_Washing/RagPAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=easter+sunday+mine+washington&pg=PA83&printsec=frontcover" target="_blank">Ore Deposits of Northeastern Washington</a> (published 1914), the mine was pretty much done by 1909... kinda makes you wonder what the hey was going on nearly 20 years later up in these structures.<br />
<br />
I took Monday off to go check this out. I invited Thomas to go with me. He's the dude in the first pic. As it works, I converged with Thomas online via Instagram. Sometime in the last year, he went to get some work done by Glen, who vetted him and proclaimed him, "a good guy... I really like him." <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ohshitballs/" target="_blank">Thomas' Instagram account </a>shows a dude who likes to explore. He's got Mondays off. And I prefer company when bushwhacking deep in the NF. So it was a go.<br />
<br />
With Caltopo, I traced the old route from the 30's map into a GPS track and dumped it on my GPS.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qKbN_-8VYEo/XrwEXWY5ZMI/AAAAAAAAUD8/QkU2nWMHPUwZrAX2hGWcphLTLwq1hqZUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-05-13%2Bat%2B7.09.09%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="1598" height="270" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qKbN_-8VYEo/XrwEXWY5ZMI/AAAAAAAAUD8/QkU2nWMHPUwZrAX2hGWcphLTLwq1hqZUQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-05-13%2Bat%2B7.09.09%2BAM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
According to the FS 2016 map, the old road is long gone. As it turns out, that's only partially true. In real life, the final 1/2 mile or so was actually spot on the red line. And the mapset I was using on my GPS unit was also in error with that fact. Additionally, the road numbers on both newer map sets didn't correspond to the real world in a couple cases. This is a good reminder to have a bunch of map options when playing around in these areas.<br />
<br />
You can see all the potential roads in the map shot above there.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XUlkIouz3Uc/XrwFwNMf_jI/AAAAAAAAUEM/FOUh5apXUdwBNWJ30kduWfbe6vTanB0pQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XUlkIouz3Uc/XrwFwNMf_jI/AAAAAAAAUEM/FOUh5apXUdwBNWJ30kduWfbe6vTanB0pQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8726.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worse pic of all time --especially given the horrific reality of what was way way down that hole: turbid, yellow water and a tunnel that goes surely goes straight into hell.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There's a lot to explore here, and none of the dots on my 30's map lined up with the single miner's cabin that we did find, but the mine detritus was definitely in the right spot. My thinking here is that by spending a bunch of time exploring this area, I'll for sure bump into many unmarked treasures.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ubzVRx_CeBo/XrwFvrCqYwI/AAAAAAAAUEI/Qb3YRyuwZlMw9Doc005EgkXzM8wS1fHkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ubzVRx_CeBo/XrwFvrCqYwI/AAAAAAAAUEI/Qb3YRyuwZlMw9Doc005EgkXzM8wS1fHkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8727.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This mine was only about 16 miles from our house, the transport stage is a pretty mellow 10 mile paved journey through beautiful farm and forest. Then NF opens up -- we rode about 6 miles of forest road (~ 4 gravel/nice and ~2 proper/gnarly) to get to this mine. We saw a very promising closed off road that requires exploring. I'll be heading back.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-12301369890995725872020-04-27T18:51:00.001-07:002020-04-27T18:51:11.456-07:00More Summit Lake exploration<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mpoVWZQLQqU/XqeKfvCmD9I/AAAAAAAAUB8/O5nA3t7XT2IzbPoHYkZIuuEZ18MEpA1RACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3419.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mpoVWZQLQqU/XqeKfvCmD9I/AAAAAAAAUB8/O5nA3t7XT2IzbPoHYkZIuuEZ18MEpA1RACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3419.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We drove up into the Summit Lake area last weekend to find some old mines. A couple excellent loops emerged. Specifically, I'm excited about a loop on FS Road 100 off of Summit Lake -- we drove the old jalopy up there and had to put it in 4x4 mode.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lmlZAnECFqc/XqeLnBFA-oI/AAAAAAAAUCY/eK4pUz-vuHE0ZT6hyGw8mhE4TMt4FcRqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3437.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lmlZAnECFqc/XqeLnBFA-oI/AAAAAAAAUCY/eK4pUz-vuHE0ZT6hyGw8mhE4TMt4FcRqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3437.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As a bike ride, the loop would make a fantastic climb and descent. Some view, some rocky-challenging surfaces and some smooth forest roads. Lots of filter-able water. And of course, not a soul to be seen.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qoKhokf95xg/XqeJ12S5ccI/AAAAAAAAUBk/ankv9_0REFwnX4f3oUIKUKSlAix40LdFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3421.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qoKhokf95xg/XqeJ12S5ccI/AAAAAAAAUBk/ankv9_0REFwnX4f3oUIKUKSlAix40LdFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3421.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cuHxnk09VW0/XqeJ5y3AxaI/AAAAAAAAUBo/ZbpRlyHxA5Y4aaXcpRcqvCl9jnGl205WwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3427.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cuHxnk09VW0/XqeJ5y3AxaI/AAAAAAAAUBo/ZbpRlyHxA5Y4aaXcpRcqvCl9jnGl205WwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3427.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
But there's a lot of evidence of past souls. Mines, cabins, tailings, foundations, abandoned steam equipment. Pretty fascinating.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ah6YsLLZSqA/XqeKI1SYaCI/AAAAAAAAUBw/JpUtW9IU3msjF2dk1hUesXMZySa6FzzggCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_3433.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ah6YsLLZSqA/XqeKI1SYaCI/AAAAAAAAUBw/JpUtW9IU3msjF2dk1hUesXMZySa6FzzggCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3433.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We just caught a tiny corner of this vast mining area -- nearly all of which is on Forest Service land. And is full of abandoned and forgotten roads that need exploring.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LileXzMR_Xg/XqeKxQUuVxI/AAAAAAAAUCI/VT3ACycVibot_k16CvFy8DdHQNwPDrbbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LileXzMR_Xg/XqeKxQUuVxI/AAAAAAAAUCI/VT3ACycVibot_k16CvFy8DdHQNwPDrbbgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8564.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rNkekvRmNmc/XqeKwljbk8I/AAAAAAAAUCE/IVeefRkqx20WSj-lN8Qwc0NvzJJbZIa_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rNkekvRmNmc/XqeKwljbk8I/AAAAAAAAUCE/IVeefRkqx20WSj-lN8Qwc0NvzJJbZIa_ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8565.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-19614553447155762292020-04-19T18:59:00.002-07:002020-04-19T18:59:44.794-07:00New routes in Ferry County<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqyHsym7s9s/Xpz7k3myZeI/AAAAAAAAUAM/oCnyb9qCkNg-llT4Y1sxpKEs6Wl0kFcZACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqyHsym7s9s/Xpz7k3myZeI/AAAAAAAAUAM/oCnyb9qCkNg-llT4Y1sxpKEs6Wl0kFcZACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8523.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I really get stuck in ruts. I like routine.<br />
<br />
I've ridden the same general area of Ferry County for about 15 years now: it's a rough square bound by Deadman Creek on the south, Kettle Crest Trail on the west, the Kettle River on the east, and Boulder pass on the north. You really gotta know this area to make any damn sense of that. But it adds up! It's a box that's about 20 miles x 15 miles of fantastic riding, almost entirely in the Colville National Forest.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qpnzTEMxBTg/Xpz7mRa8czI/AAAAAAAAUAQ/_LFySy0IZ5Ii3UT8rjVqbMeGBkHntPktACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qpnzTEMxBTg/Xpz7mRa8czI/AAAAAAAAUAQ/_LFySy0IZ5Ii3UT8rjVqbMeGBkHntPktACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8524.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
As I've got back into riding up here this spring, I've dug into the old chestnuts. I'm particularly happy with my early season climbing of Boulder Pass. That's a beaut of a climb. It 17 miles to the top of that pass from my house -- 11.57 miles of that is the climb up 3,338 feet. I've made 5 attempts and got to the top 3 times. I plan to ride that regularly this year.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">But there’s a bunch of Colville National Forest (CNF) all around me that I’ve not explored.</span><br />
<div class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
So, today I went up to “Summit Lake.” And was rewarded with a fantastic ride — it’s 15 miles to the lake from my door. GPS said it was about 2000 feet of elevation, but it didn’t feel like it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
On the map below, start at Barstow, head north on Pierre Lake Road and keep going until you hit Summit Lake. The map is there to illustrate the potential. It's like a steaming pile of guts up there: friggin roads everywhere -- and it keeps going like that for 20? 30? miles east. Old mines, ancient roads, endless loops. If I don't come home some day this summer -- look for my body up there.</div>
<div class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2w3tfwdiG7k/Xpz-eJU8OVI/AAAAAAAAUBI/LFR2jazxo5IllrvjlB_sIK_HZW9YTjP5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2w3tfwdiG7k/Xpz-eJU8OVI/AAAAAAAAUBI/LFR2jazxo5IllrvjlB_sIK_HZW9YTjP5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8480.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
The chunk of CNF I usually ride, up around the Kettle Crest, is interesting to me because it’s pretty pristine and natural — it’s far from untouched — but there’s just not a lot of historical left overs of human activity.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
<div class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
The region around Summit Lake and specifically, the area I’ve been eyeing northeast of Summit, is old mining area. About 100 years ago, this neighborhood was booming with mining, a bunch of little towns and camps, and 1000s of people. First gold. Then silver. Then lead. </div>
<div class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
I saw a few things I’ll need to go back and explore. Dig this old mining cabin:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bg2_c6K1Wlg/Xpz6WIlAdGI/AAAAAAAAUAE/s6VKKxtSMdsb3RveUDnG5CWTBGxfqE1gQCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1OcqwEW4ljMezwHH6xZfgaYu5ci6GEhWEioz-E31aqi-ZO6EhvZTCMoKTU3FypS5UN6tcmA8qUjUcwck9w5ZZS6p3WP7vn4uyKO5bcrCZSLMNyuT52-2LjBqvbyRuG2Csj9YmkL_rTQ-hX1Ze0uJXqBMSybbZEtijgJCtcow_ItV-V3qZlSO1BuRE4odu8Z3G6wCeJWeBSbJfO7Wizb8iEEzsXCGTP3g-Bj0H8gl2-jK_DHsDYjBqlgfhEiJDfetRNv9sm7NPXOjtQpnm72yz05gj4B7h3C8QoK802tb0Zm10ko-w8psdhQbcbm1ixqgYJ4Qt4Ps6o9CfZ8Yn7FUoJ92SzSBDtY8eljzbQBKh-7YTshKhgWj6uwCjUoJ_EosNQvKc5YVkyH49_HUny6rypSxoLx09qWO1AtIO0zJLKniioBpRk_s6yIt0j6auP1wa9t63xeDmb0DxAi4_euVjJS-ymT5ZiljJGDDbMAgPQVuvZrVwBVkWZq9KfLJ5k7RIdTYinGheVroI_HB1C3JjHdmlBE32bwT4I1dqSgGCtkvV1C1pMbT9GJefF89iijxW_SFo0VNSQPA4joQlIRKuttlCe0FQgg4pJp4owzYD09AU/s1600/IMG_8526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bg2_c6K1Wlg/Xpz6WIlAdGI/AAAAAAAAUAE/s6VKKxtSMdsb3RveUDnG5CWTBGxfqE1gQCEwYBhgLKs0DAL1OcqwEW4ljMezwHH6xZfgaYu5ci6GEhWEioz-E31aqi-ZO6EhvZTCMoKTU3FypS5UN6tcmA8qUjUcwck9w5ZZS6p3WP7vn4uyKO5bcrCZSLMNyuT52-2LjBqvbyRuG2Csj9YmkL_rTQ-hX1Ze0uJXqBMSybbZEtijgJCtcow_ItV-V3qZlSO1BuRE4odu8Z3G6wCeJWeBSbJfO7Wizb8iEEzsXCGTP3g-Bj0H8gl2-jK_DHsDYjBqlgfhEiJDfetRNv9sm7NPXOjtQpnm72yz05gj4B7h3C8QoK802tb0Zm10ko-w8psdhQbcbm1ixqgYJ4Qt4Ps6o9CfZ8Yn7FUoJ92SzSBDtY8eljzbQBKh-7YTshKhgWj6uwCjUoJ_EosNQvKc5YVkyH49_HUny6rypSxoLx09qWO1AtIO0zJLKniioBpRk_s6yIt0j6auP1wa9t63xeDmb0DxAi4_euVjJS-ymT5ZiljJGDDbMAgPQVuvZrVwBVkWZq9KfLJ5k7RIdTYinGheVroI_HB1C3JjHdmlBE32bwT4I1dqSgGCtkvV1C1pMbT9GJefF89iijxW_SFo0VNSQPA4joQlIRKuttlCe0FQgg4pJp4owzYD09AU/s320/IMG_8526.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Maddie loves exploring old ruins up here. And I love exploring them with her. I've figured out some magic with historical online maps and the garmin GPS software that results in a GPS file with waypoints for schools, houses, mines, etc that existed in 1936 up in this area. We'll be going up there with that situation to find the good stuff.<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O9zlT1lmG8M/Xpz8Hy_jPiI/AAAAAAAAUAc/cGkoVTP69Wwktk5QT4zotywnwY_8cVM4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O9zlT1lmG8M/Xpz8Hy_jPiI/AAAAAAAAUAc/cGkoVTP69Wwktk5QT4zotywnwY_8cVM4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8528.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These stacked rocks! Click for big to see the second stack in the background. Those are not small rocks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tdq__1gD4YY/Xpz8oQfXezI/AAAAAAAAUAk/RihtxKSBMLkZjDtc_V1NCBwlyAoMib4owCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tdq__1gD4YY/Xpz8oQfXezI/AAAAAAAAUAk/RihtxKSBMLkZjDtc_V1NCBwlyAoMib4owCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8530.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summit Lake -- according to my CNF fishing map, there's Cutthroat trout in there. I was pondering the fly-rod portage plan as I rode home this afternoon. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKLFU8N7pGE/Xpz9gpg5l8I/AAAAAAAAUA0/ClB7z6W4zygUhHipbL4b3woORdI3suLkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NKLFU8N7pGE/Xpz9gpg5l8I/AAAAAAAAUA0/ClB7z6W4zygUhHipbL4b3woORdI3suLkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8531.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The difference between Ferry County cows and Spokane-area cows? All Ferry County cows stop every-damn-thing and stare at you. Cyclists might as well have 6 heads. Spokane cows don't even lift their heads up when you ride by.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUOc9o0iKEw/Xpz9dJNuyEI/AAAAAAAAUAw/WWwq77V3Q-Is4y7M5fhsZ4VnwJk1Rk2VgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUOc9o0iKEw/Xpz9dJNuyEI/AAAAAAAAUAw/WWwq77V3Q-Is4y7M5fhsZ4VnwJk1Rk2VgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8534.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a gas station. Well. When it was a gas station, it was probably called a filling station. It's dead in the middle of nogoddamnwhere. I love that kind of shit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OBd0aOVmLWk/Xpz9TDlOtWI/AAAAAAAAUAs/40CC0681ULAISCFB68hVyiOYKy8wr7yYACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OBd0aOVmLWk/Xpz9TDlOtWI/AAAAAAAAUAs/40CC0681ULAISCFB68hVyiOYKy8wr7yYACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8535.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NO NO NO</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-45584532815639830282020-04-18T07:29:00.001-07:002020-04-18T07:29:44.676-07:00I ride a bike again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AV1Bznq5V0k/XpsOxMYhvqI/AAAAAAAAT_s/MHfN5QCEDXstUz5OSOjedxAJ6kZXCO_VgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_8486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AV1Bznq5V0k/XpsOxMYhvqI/AAAAAAAAT_s/MHfN5QCEDXstUz5OSOjedxAJ6kZXCO_VgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_8486.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I was out for a while. I had nothing to say.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
One reason I had nothing to say is because I wasn't riding enough.<br />
<br />
Blogs are long dead. This feels like the right place to carry on. So I think I will.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-76646805622885320252018-07-05T20:54:00.000-07:002018-07-05T20:54:06.554-07:00Some river<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6DYyWLheSPs/Wz7nvlTIcGI/AAAAAAAAT0U/evPl6ETkS_cI-fuFIQ-g35c1dK3cDR4CQCLcBGAs/s1600/P1020348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6DYyWLheSPs/Wz7nvlTIcGI/AAAAAAAAT0U/evPl6ETkS_cI-fuFIQ-g35c1dK3cDR4CQCLcBGAs/s320/P1020348.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mV1UfRdek6k/Wz7nvcf7qwI/AAAAAAAAT0Q/3JfJGUSXynw2mugOiMo8u5GVKBaPA02NwCLcBGAs/s1600/P1020354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mV1UfRdek6k/Wz7nvcf7qwI/AAAAAAAAT0Q/3JfJGUSXynw2mugOiMo8u5GVKBaPA02NwCLcBGAs/s320/P1020354.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ge24jNXpHY/Wz7nvR983tI/AAAAAAAAT0M/i9zLql6Dx0IHf6TzX7GrIybBnA0rjBXFgCLcBGAs/s1600/P1020358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ge24jNXpHY/Wz7nvR983tI/AAAAAAAAT0M/i9zLql6Dx0IHf6TzX7GrIybBnA0rjBXFgCLcBGAs/s320/P1020358.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Md8UU70wLDg/Wz7nwbtLQ3I/AAAAAAAAT0Y/uvBJgtbHtUYz-FdD0vU37PsYhf1wpVo9ACLcBGAs/s1600/P1020361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Md8UU70wLDg/Wz7nwbtLQ3I/AAAAAAAAT0Y/uvBJgtbHtUYz-FdD0vU37PsYhf1wpVo9ACLcBGAs/s320/P1020361.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-81265712888255669442018-07-01T19:44:00.001-07:002018-07-01T19:44:16.470-07:00Bring it<div id="compose-container" style="direction: ltr" itemscope="" itemtype="https://schema.org/EmailMessage"> <span itemprop="creator" itemscope="" itemtype="https://schema.org/Organization"><span itemprop="name" content="Outlook Mobile for iOS"></span></span> <div> <div style="direction: ltr;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCBPaC5hLMM/WzmRgjBAUGI/AAAAAAAAT0E/xzsKdm0G-ak68t5SBtF0z2Yx831Ef9itwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Image-756473.png"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cCBPaC5hLMM/WzmRgjBAUGI/AAAAAAAAT0E/xzsKdm0G-ak68t5SBtF0z2Yx831Ef9itwCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Image-756473.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6573445119465246818" /></a><br> </div> <div><br> </div> <div class="acompli_signature"></div> </div> </div> John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-64205516790257799882018-07-01T12:00:00.002-07:002018-07-02T08:21:33.100-07:00Wyoming 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O2nul5kkwN4/WzkkHEZWbfI/AAAAAAAATzI/4LXKCVYsGIEmrdAVkYHFX24IYH7s26lOQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O2nul5kkwN4/WzkkHEZWbfI/AAAAAAAATzI/4LXKCVYsGIEmrdAVkYHFX24IYH7s26lOQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_4971.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Our friends invited us to stay at their amazing family compound in Wyoming. The family place is about 10 miles outside of a cool little town called Buffalo.<br />
<br />
Aside from good company and food and just general hang time in a beautiful and amazing spot, I have three great experiences to report.<br />
<br />
Presented in no particular order. Except for #3, which is the coolest one.<br />
<br />
1. I caught my first brown trout. I pretty much only catch rainbow on the Spokane and at Kettle River. On the St. Joe river, it's nearly all cutthroat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l7HajTDTwL8/WzkkObvCM1I/AAAAAAAATzM/ydz4oKv0FU8nsrDgFHAw-592Cde7QpTvgCLcBGAs/s1600/P1020324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l7HajTDTwL8/WzkkObvCM1I/AAAAAAAATzM/ydz4oKv0FU8nsrDgFHAw-592Cde7QpTvgCLcBGAs/s320/P1020324.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So finally catching a brown was cool. As it turns out, Clear Creek, which is the fishery that runs through the property where we stayed, is jammed full of brown trout. So I caught a bunch of browns.<br />
<br />
<br />
2. I took the best ride so far this year. Maddie and I have been doing a lot of mountain bike riding together and it kills me how much I love doing that. She's so capable and fast and chilled. We did most of the Weds night races this year -- one lappers -- and she beat me every time. We've been hitting Beacon Hill in the morning and have committed to at least one morning ride there a week for the summer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tSWbRdboVxQ/WzkkUYkrauI/AAAAAAAATzQ/mQcwAu5O7MgC4KOQNpAhughwnghkatGOgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tSWbRdboVxQ/WzkkUYkrauI/AAAAAAAATzQ/mQcwAu5O7MgC4KOQNpAhughwnghkatGOgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_4946.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The ride we took in Wyoming was a beautiful descent from the family place where we were staying down into the town of Buffalo. It was about 2000 feet of descending over about 11 miles.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2811438300" target="_blank">Here's the GPS track</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r4gT7uUx8-Y/WzkkbTDprTI/AAAAAAAATzY/8cU5yGYRveMQ-uua5LTKdJWjq6vA_25QQCLcBGAs/s1600/P1020339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r4gT7uUx8-Y/WzkkbTDprTI/AAAAAAAATzY/8cU5yGYRveMQ-uua5LTKdJWjq6vA_25QQCLcBGAs/s320/P1020339.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The best part was a flowy bit of single track dropping between a couple mountains. I wasn't sure which bike to bring to Wyoming, so I brought my NFE -- for this ride, I'd have preferred my mountain bike, but the NFE took care of business. I had the required pinch flat, then took it a bit easier.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kgz5LDwGj3I/WzkklPIN6qI/AAAAAAAATzk/AHfs1k3GwgoBnzCwq5BUhiSB1I0rOcdRgCLcBGAs/s1600/P1020342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kgz5LDwGj3I/WzkklPIN6qI/AAAAAAAATzk/AHfs1k3GwgoBnzCwq5BUhiSB1I0rOcdRgCLcBGAs/s320/P1020342.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The end of the mountain section of this ride included a drop into the creek below -- there was probably a dozen or more tight switch backs... on the NFE I was able to clean them all. Not sure if I could have on the mountain bike.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c9w5qKgosAI/Wzkkq_TrwOI/AAAAAAAATzo/xv9FTZcvgyUxblU-3jEko34nbjNqsYVrACLcBGAs/s1600/P1020305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="1200" height="112" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c9w5qKgosAI/Wzkkq_TrwOI/AAAAAAAATzo/xv9FTZcvgyUxblU-3jEko34nbjNqsYVrACLcBGAs/s320/P1020305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
3. UPDATED:<br />
<br />
I *thought* that I caught a Golden Trout.<br />
<br />
I didn't. One plan in my life is to get fit enough again so I can do some alpine lake fishing, which is where one typically finds the mythical Golden Trout.<br />
<br />
I showed my pics to Sean at <a href="https://www.silverbowflyshop.com/" target="_blank">Silver Bow</a> and he broke it to me gently -- that this is a rainbow. The Golden doesn't have the spots under the lateral red/orange line. And the Golden usually has the medallion shaped spots too.<br />
<br />
I will not be deterred. Looks like I need to keep working on my fitness after all.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow05Oc13u0U/Wzkku0_Jb9I/AAAAAAAATzw/JbcRAoW_fVMgLZQ3iHRXyjd63swBXmMrQCLcBGAs/s1600/P1020308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow05Oc13u0U/Wzkku0_Jb9I/AAAAAAAATzw/JbcRAoW_fVMgLZQ3iHRXyjd63swBXmMrQCLcBGAs/s320/P1020308.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-74596042742361636342018-01-06T13:47:00.001-08:002018-01-06T13:47:31.073-08:00RSP<div id="compose-container" style="direction: ltr" itemscope="" itemtype="https://schema.org/EmailMessage"> <span itemprop="creator" itemscope="" itemtype="https://schema.org/Organization"><span itemprop="name" content="Outlook Mobile for iOS"></span></span> <div> <div style="direction: ltr;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4xOnfqCsApc/WlFD9BqZjDI/AAAAAAAATsY/FO9D_ckyS1gYC-Iz9S9klHrLGws9Efh2QCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/Image-751076.png"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4xOnfqCsApc/WlFD9BqZjDI/AAAAAAAATsY/FO9D_ckyS1gYC-Iz9S9klHrLGws9Efh2QCK4BGAYYCw/s320/Image-751076.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6508057652224429106" /></a><br> </div> <div style="direction: ltr;">Mobile post test.</div> <div class="acompli_signature"></div> </div> </div> John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-59959249554483681872016-10-21T16:42:00.000-07:002016-10-21T20:56:47.266-07:00New bike: Elephant CX<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6UAPeZnGCM/WAqfmRLeF6I/AAAAAAAATfU/tdMUJUiNH0g7o8Na79daWtzibb7-mtLtgCLcB/s1600/file3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L6UAPeZnGCM/WAqfmRLeF6I/AAAAAAAATfU/tdMUJUiNH0g7o8Na79daWtzibb7-mtLtgCLcB/s320/file3.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I once fancied myself <a href="http://cyclingspokane.blogspot.com/2010/10/cx-in-moscow.html">a cyclocross racer</a>. It only lasted for two seasons.<br />
<br />
Every summer as cross season approaches, I decide I'm going to race cross. Then I keep drinking beers and fishing and being leisurely in my bike riding. Then October comes and I can't imagine attempting to race. Last year, at the end of the season I went and watched <a href="http://www.elephantbikes.com/" target="_blank">Glen</a> race and remembered how much fun it was. I told him, "Force me to race next year, no matter what I say!"<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 28.125% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BKemFnWjo0U/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">we took this same picture last time we were here. way more color now. no filter! @maddie_speare #silvermountain</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A photo posted by john (@cyclingspokane) on <time datetime="2016-09-18T01:00:13+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 17, 2016 at 6:00pm PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
A year goes by. I drink more beer. My bike riding is confined to short trail rides. Maddie and I go to Silver Mountain a couple times and bomb down the mountain there, but that doesn't count as "riding," since we're sitting in a gondola on the up part.<br />
<br />
I did do a couple mountain bike races last spring. Those were fun until I got pneumonia. But Maddie raced a bunch of those races and had a great time. And did well.<br />
<br />
This year, as cross season approached, Maddie sort of wanted to try it and I promptly broke a rib on a lunch trail ride. So Maddie and Glen started doing some training rides and Glen taught her how to do proper bike dismounts/mounts.<br />
<br />
I sort of lazed around on a loaner bike. My super rad awesome CX bike was a <a href="http://cyclingspokane.blogspot.com/2011/10/rivendell-legolas.html">Rivendell Legolas</a>. I busted the chainstay on it about a year ago. It's been hanging in Glen's garage since then, waiting to be fixed.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;">
<div style="padding: 8px;">
<div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;">
<div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BLoxCiNjcaD/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">@maddie_speare CDA CX. pic by @christa.copus #elephantbikes</a></div>
<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
A photo posted by john (@cyclingspokane) on <time datetime="2016-10-16T20:19:43+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Oct 16, 2016 at 1:19pm PDT</time></div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>
Maddie did her first CX race: last weekend in Coeur d'Alene. She rocked it and looked great. The next race we can make is Walla Walla, so I ask Glen if he's going and he says, he'll go if I step up and race. I say yes, but he's gotta fix my Legolas, cause the loaner bike he's lending me is whacked: it's an old Novara CX that doesn't fit and has a super weird front end. He says, "I built you a bike."<br />
<br />
So there's that.<br />
<br />
Then he reminds me that he's supposed to bust my ass about racing, which is something I'd hoped he had forgotten. But he hasn't. Maybe that's why he calls it "Elephant Bikes?" Dude never forgets.<br />
<br />
So that's how a wheezy-assed guy like me came into a new CX bike: because Glen can knock out a new bike frame and fork in less time than it would take him to fix the chainstay on the Legolas. Or so he says.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cWeFSyy839s/WAqfpBw7SnI/AAAAAAAATfY/fnW612CwOH8WxhyZkqzoHWvQA7F2cwOGQCEw/s1600/file2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cWeFSyy839s/WAqfpBw7SnI/AAAAAAAATfY/fnW612CwOH8WxhyZkqzoHWvQA7F2cwOGQCEw/s320/file2.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SRAM double tap takes some getting used to. After two rides: I got it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
He gave me the bike yesterday. I'd originally planned to build it up with the parts from my old Legolas: the Shimergo 8/10 setup with whatever other old parts I could scrape up. Glen talked me out of that and got me into a SRAM 1x11 with clutch setup. I can't remember the last time I had a bike with all new parts on it. I think the only time was the <a href="http://26inchslicks.blogspot.com/2013/12/tis-season.html">Pugsley</a>, which Glen also gave me. damn. This guy.<br />
<br />
Honestly, the Legolas was perhaps my 2nd favorite bike of all time and most favorite road-shaped bike. (My first fav is my Elephant mountain bike - it's magic). I rode the crap out of that Legolas -- mainly dirt and non-technical single track, though lots of miles on pavement to get to the dirt. I loved the way it fit and how it responded to me and the way it handled and bombed. So, I was silently skeptical that Glen's CX bike was really going to fill that gap. And I was slightly disappointed that he didn't just fix it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BiozQdEexbg/WAqfpTXUacI/AAAAAAAATfc/ighBtEGyGCA2iAXJowi436v28ZAG8ySZACEw/s1600/file1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BiozQdEexbg/WAqfpTXUacI/AAAAAAAATfc/ighBtEGyGCA2iAXJowi436v28ZAG8ySZACEw/s320/file1.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note fender fixin's. Nice touch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
But after riding this bike I am amazed at how perfect it is. Glen has built me a lot of bikes. And we've done a fair amount of riding together. He knows how I ride, what I like, and what works for me. After bombing the Highdrive trails on this bike a couple times now, I'm ashamed for doubting his plan here. And I'm so grateful that he's pushed so hard on me to ride cross.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YSJ_rO2BcBM/WAqfpuwAn_I/AAAAAAAATfg/yX7dOu7yHtAM_BPYmC-zGhIkORpNirkNwCEw/s1600/file.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YSJ_rO2BcBM/WAqfpuwAn_I/AAAAAAAATfg/yX7dOu7yHtAM_BPYmC-zGhIkORpNirkNwCEw/s320/file.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First wreck. Ahhh. It rained a metric shit ton yesterday. <br />
The trails at lunch today were a tad soft. I only missed the line by an inch or two.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Riding the trails in yesterday's downpour and during lunch today, I felt the tug that I haven't felt for so long: I love riding light, road-shaped bikes on trails and dirt. And this bike wants to ride dirt and trails. I was immediately at home on challenging climbs and descents that I've done a zillion times on the Legolas or my mountain bike. The SRAM setup with the clutch is like a Swiss watch -- precise and reliable. The handling on this bike already understands me -- out of the box this bike just lets me do my thing. It's weird.<br />
<br />
If you're doing it right, then riding cross is hard. I'm thinking it's just as hard if your out of shape than if you are in shape. Because you're going as hard as you can go the whole time. Pain is pain.<br />
<br />
We've got a couple races in the queue. I'm gonna show up and race. I'll be killing myself and still probably come in DFL in the 40's Masters, but I'm looking forward to it and this bike is going to egg me on.John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-77542416821040719142016-10-09T14:38:00.001-07:002016-10-09T14:38:13.696-07:00Some Kettle Crest TrailPhone is busted. So no easy instagram dumps. It just so happens that I had just gone back to a normal camera before the phone died... having tired of attempting on bike photos and fishy watery photos with a wet iphone.<br />
<br />
this means: I got pics.<br />
<br />
And I got a blog. 'member?<br />
<br />
So here's a dump and I get to editorialize and carry on too! Bummer is that I had my camera set to take tiny photos.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TKyo9c5kzjw/V_q1nxJAqKI/AAAAAAAATes/gRuZmLPNUeY1XZlI9d_SdoL5S2pmnxYdwCLcB/s1600/P1000053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TKyo9c5kzjw/V_q1nxJAqKI/AAAAAAAATes/gRuZmLPNUeY1XZlI9d_SdoL5S2pmnxYdwCLcB/s320/P1000053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some Seattle bros came over on Thursday and joined Glen and me up at the Kettle River.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You can see two dots in this pic. One is Rory. One is Larry.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We climbed Jungle Hill then descended Wapaloosie Trail on Friday. The climb nearly killed me. The descent was super excellent. One of my favorites. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/4Fhtz4KiMM">First time was with Alex</a>, who should've been there this time.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tc9ChsM_oiM/V_q1n8fDM4I/AAAAAAAATek/mFSuOdEVtz0HMMAomDE6NH1xDlgKPTNHgCLcB/s1600/P1000062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tc9ChsM_oiM/V_q1n8fDM4I/AAAAAAAATek/mFSuOdEVtz0HMMAomDE6NH1xDlgKPTNHgCLcB/s320/P1000062.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Fred. After the climb. Drinking some clamato-jalapeno budweiser abomination, which he explained cheerfully, "has electrolytes."</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ao5c8oZXZI/V_q1n5iVe_I/AAAAAAAATeo/19CrAp5QXeoX97yMeNgSu4avKOcO8-x9ACLcB/s1600/P1000064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Ao5c8oZXZI/V_q1n5iVe_I/AAAAAAAATeo/19CrAp5QXeoX97yMeNgSu4avKOcO8-x9ACLcB/s320/P1000064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rory, Andrew, Lee. Looking solid after climbing Jungle Hill. Lee was on a single speed. Jungle hill is about a 2400 foot climb in under 4 miles. Sucked huge ass with gears. Single speed?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PlqxKEjW3RY/V_q1oLsBCJI/AAAAAAAATew/L_FVvcgix2c-cMYZbBwe9b-YbSJGBURSgCLcB/s1600/P1000071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PlqxKEjW3RY/V_q1oLsBCJI/AAAAAAAATew/L_FVvcgix2c-cMYZbBwe9b-YbSJGBURSgCLcB/s320/P1000071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Heading down Wapaloosie Trail. That's Glen and Larry. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/4LUJNsqiEb">Here's a photo of Alex</a> at exactly the same spot 68 weeks ago.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vtG4-zulTkI/V_q07QT8gWI/AAAAAAAATd0/omfyP8vB43YH9RpMB3QXMueIbz7I1S9rgCLcB/s1600/P1000091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vtG4-zulTkI/V_q07QT8gWI/AAAAAAAATd0/omfyP8vB43YH9RpMB3QXMueIbz7I1S9rgCLcB/s320/P1000091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Fred wheely'ing. Now this is Saturday. We went up Old Stage Trail, then cut across Kettle Crest Trail to Stickpin, where we descended onto the old S. Boulder Road back to the place on Kettle River. Great route: one I want to do with Maddie. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-67FJu4SYOPc/V_q07faNImI/AAAAAAAATd4/1JkmwI1gXWIkVm9dthkexaGbpqyBHeLRgCLcB/s1600/P1000093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-67FJu4SYOPc/V_q07faNImI/AAAAAAAATd4/1JkmwI1gXWIkVm9dthkexaGbpqyBHeLRgCLcB/s320/P1000093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Larry yuckity'ing.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tp5LbO_ze3s/V_q07XhDTKI/AAAAAAAATd8/tvSMc84g-MQuxfDloicTL0xqidGNvSK_QCLcB/s1600/P1000094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tp5LbO_ze3s/V_q07XhDTKI/AAAAAAAATd8/tvSMc84g-MQuxfDloicTL0xqidGNvSK_QCLcB/s320/P1000094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lee traversing.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4_MmkDESKSg/V_q07gcq8DI/AAAAAAAATeA/XUO1ciaCADUNom5SHEVFKMpSY0kOkpvvQCLcB/s1600/P1000098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4_MmkDESKSg/V_q07gcq8DI/AAAAAAAATeA/XUO1ciaCADUNom5SHEVFKMpSY0kOkpvvQCLcB/s320/P1000098.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Andrew. The guy in front? Coffee Joe -- who showed up on Saturday and joined us.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ziy1N8MdGRM/V_q07uTI5_I/AAAAAAAATeE/DWuDhigvIl4vXWTGWiNHqcTxOp60rUJ0ACLcB/s1600/P1000105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ziy1N8MdGRM/V_q07uTI5_I/AAAAAAAATeE/DWuDhigvIl4vXWTGWiNHqcTxOp60rUJ0ACLcB/s320/P1000105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is the edge of the burn on KCT: about 1/2 mile south of the Stickpin junction. This little section was my favorite of the weekend -- a 1/2 mile or so of twisty interesting single track with some rocks and roots and surprises to keep things fun.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gLkLr1fbHc0/V_q072-BHLI/AAAAAAAATeI/FBw5f1YGYDc9aWvTdaLM_VN4zE7-PBWrgCLcB/s1600/P1000112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gLkLr1fbHc0/V_q072-BHLI/AAAAAAAATeI/FBw5f1YGYDc9aWvTdaLM_VN4zE7-PBWrgCLcB/s320/P1000112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Joe descending through the mist.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sThGTQzGsE4/V_q071eyOhI/AAAAAAAATeM/YSjU1ew2-YgPO1f9pwKPUJmrJvim5QZugCLcB/s1600/P1000123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sThGTQzGsE4/V_q071eyOhI/AAAAAAAATeM/YSjU1ew2-YgPO1f9pwKPUJmrJvim5QZugCLcB/s320/P1000123.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Fred working it out.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ApxwWtRI83M/V_q07zLQIiI/AAAAAAAATeQ/ruf1Swx1r9MAoO1kyyqPQQucOBZkOGaaACLcB/s1600/P1000129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ApxwWtRI83M/V_q07zLQIiI/AAAAAAAATeQ/ruf1Swx1r9MAoO1kyyqPQQucOBZkOGaaACLcB/s320/P1000129.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lee: pondering his busted brake lever. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_O-gAI0HSBw/V_q4VRHi_LI/AAAAAAAATe8/5Z8cpc1TihAZKHxk_C0bPQkwFWxYYvtGQCLcB/s1600/P1000132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_O-gAI0HSBw/V_q4VRHi_LI/AAAAAAAATe8/5Z8cpc1TihAZKHxk_C0bPQkwFWxYYvtGQCLcB/s320/P1000132.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Roll out to the cabin was about 20 some miles of descent on mostly forest road. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-43971848273170017872016-02-14T16:34:00.001-08:002016-02-14T16:34:07.856-08:00On fat<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DoB2kMVtOsk/VsEbtLu498I/AAAAAAAATPQ/PXPTPFAA3Zc/s1600/IMAG0801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DoB2kMVtOsk/VsEbtLu498I/AAAAAAAATPQ/PXPTPFAA3Zc/s320/IMAG0801.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I've finally got the Pugsley dialed into a setup that works magically for me. I've set it up as the work horse explorer. Aside from the obvious rackage, the bomb change was the swap to the Space Bars. Buddy Alex introduced me to these bars years ago. I borrowed one of his weirdo Rohloff mountain bikes that had these bars and was sold. I'm not crazy for these bars as actual mountain biking bars, but for all other urban/trail/do-it-all setups, I love them.<br />
<br />
Speaking of mountain bikes, I've tried that kind of riding on the Pugsley and I just cannot make the tight corners at speed on this bike. I think it's just got too steep a front end for that kind of railing and rolling. But as an all-day work-horse unimog, the Pugs is excellent.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4-ShR0ichrU/VsEbssohSiI/AAAAAAAATPE/8eeVrXLJlG4/s1600/IMAG0743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4-ShR0ichrU/VsEbssohSiI/AAAAAAAATPE/8eeVrXLJlG4/s320/IMAG0743.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The Pugs has been a slow burn for me. Initially, my thinking about the bike's utility was limited to snow and sand riding. Right away, though, Glen and I discovered how much fun these bikes were on trail riding -- while we couldn't rail as accurately on fast turns, the monster traction and volume of the tires often made up for shitty line picks and the subsequent corrections. At about the time we started riding fat, a bunch of XC-style fat bike started emerging: slack angles and shocks (!). Buddy <a href="http://26inchslicks.blogspot.com/">Pat</a> has switched completely to fat for all of his dirt riding. I've got a Soma <a href="http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/sandworm-fat-bike-26-27-5">Sandworm</a> frame stowed away in Glen's garage. It's taking me some time to collect parts for it. Fat components, especially wheels and forks, are still fairly limited in selection and as a result pretty costly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wUNrwr933wo/VsEcx9ZcDRI/AAAAAAAATPk/_MnDK7mVr_c/s1600/IMAG0664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wUNrwr933wo/VsEcx9ZcDRI/AAAAAAAATPk/_MnDK7mVr_c/s320/IMAG0664.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Relatedly, the standardization (such as it is in the bike industry) across the various fat segments is still being sorted out. It seems to me that a lot of the standardization is driven primarily by QBP via the Surly and Salsa teams. These are the folks that ought to be credited with taking the big, expensive initial risks in mass-productization (is that word?) of fat components. From where I sit, these are some smart folks in both engineering and understanding the market. They seem to be informed largely by a more utilitarian design culture than your average race-first bike company, which is only a good thing. But -- since many standards are still competing -- for example, I can think of at least 4 different rear OLD standards and I'm not a fat bike nerd --- prices are high. If you're reading this and you are interested in buying or building a fat bike, then here's some advice: buy complete.<br />
<br />
Anyway, after slugging through a number of shitty snow rides, I discovered that the snow riding thing is not that interesting to me as a primary Puglsey scenario. I should qualify that a bit: if you're talking riding groomed trails in the mountains, I'm interested in that. But if your talking: "hey -- it's like 36 F and the snow is deep, wet, and sort of melting, let's grab our fat bikes and go for a ride." F that s. That's just not fun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sfY6RWwU_3I/VsEbtEuNTgI/AAAAAAAATPM/y7WW-5k0phw/s1600/IMAG0796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sfY6RWwU_3I/VsEbtEuNTgI/AAAAAAAATPM/y7WW-5k0phw/s320/IMAG0796.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The thing the lit the Pugs up for me was riding it at our place on Kettle River. I ride through the meadows along the edge of the river, over fallen trees, along the rocky shore, through the sand. Since much of the Recreation Area by our property is closed to motor vehicles, the Pugs enables me to expand my fishing reach into otherwise hard-to-access spots.<br />
<br />
This sort of exploratory riding requires rackage. For the last couple years, I've gotten along with a shitty alloy rear rack that rattled and didn't set the bucket panniers back far enough. I've been watching for a good cromo rear fat rack for a couple years. They're few and far between and for various reasons those that exist don't work for me. When I discovered that Tubus finally made a <a href="http://www.tubus.com/product.php?xn=83">Fat rack,</a> I knew that was the one. And it is. I love Tubus racks: steel, smart, simple, and can take loads of abuse.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r0rQ2zobzlI/VsEbsDd8kNI/AAAAAAAATO4/thnrxLnCEfc/s1600/IMAG0494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r0rQ2zobzlI/VsEbsDd8kNI/AAAAAAAATO4/thnrxLnCEfc/s320/IMAG0494.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
For front racks, a Tubus Duo will work, but I've wanted a proper porteur style rack for years. Surly just released their 24-pack front rack that is cromo and works good enough. I don't like how it attaches, but I understand that if you are going to produce a zillion racks you need to make them fit a bunch of bikes to sell them, so I get it. At some point, I'm going to hook up with Pat and braze some fixed mounting stays to the otherwise perfect platform. But for now, this is working.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJKRabOU8lY/VsEbs-IYnPI/AAAAAAAATPI/FSneJpgl4hQ/s1600/IMAG0789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XJKRabOU8lY/VsEbs-IYnPI/AAAAAAAATPI/FSneJpgl4hQ/s320/IMAG0789.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
<br />
I just bought Glen's small Pugsley for Maddie and Liza to share. With a short stem, and a women's saddle this is a great bike for them. Before summer comes, I'll get another Tubus rear rack for it and put the Duo on the front. We'll be doing some overnighters and interesting exploring.<br />
<br />
<br />John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-22873195830208175622015-12-12T17:51:00.001-08:002015-12-12T17:51:04.148-08:00Exploring<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h05C8WphmYk/VmzO9atqTHI/AAAAAAAATNs/jNqJA4MEQ1M/s1600/IMAG0386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h05C8WphmYk/VmzO9atqTHI/AAAAAAAATNs/jNqJA4MEQ1M/s320/IMAG0386.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
When I was a kid, I loved riding my BMX bike to explore new places. I remember how great it was to ride way up to my buddy's house on my own. It was only about 2 miles away, but getting there by riding through parks and taking the alleys was a major feature of the trip. My father lived up north in Steven's county. Riding a BMX bike around the dirt roads of backwoods Steven's county felt like an adventure. I still didn't go that far, but I have this vague memory of how simple and rad the idea of a knobby wheel riding over dirt was. I was about in 7th grade when I saw my first mountain bike and it seemed crazy to me: like a giant kid's bike with gears. I "got" it on the one hand: this thing could roll over ANYTHING with those huge wheels. But I didn't understand why the middle-aged man down the block would want such a obviously-childish thing. I ended up getting a paper route in 8th grade specifically to buy my first road bike: a used Nishiki from the same guy. Four years later, with a bunch of money I'd saved, I bought my first mountain bike: a Giant ATX 760. It was so sweet. One of the first rides I took was the river trail: out of People's Park, through the backyard of what is now the Mega Church Super Cul de Sac, and then up the old trail to SFCC. Anyway, the mountain bike for me was really about extending my reach and my ability to go find new stuff. If you look at mountain bike ads and books from the 80's, it was all about riding out onto mountains and fire roads and of course, moustaches. I had a "how to mountain bike" book by some joker whose author photo was a picture of him and his mustache drinking beers and smoking a cigarette. Fucking 80's man. So great. So lame.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think exploring is still my favorite thing to do on a bike. And mountain bikes especially are great for real exploring. And the Pugsley is even greater.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Maddie and I have been in a funk so I forced a bike ride today. I should've done it along time ago. The bike always fixes everything. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILGUxBGLgcE/VmzNl6--wYI/AAAAAAAATMo/m8dQnK3lBk4/s1600/IMAG0388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILGUxBGLgcE/VmzNl6--wYI/AAAAAAAATMo/m8dQnK3lBk4/s320/IMAG0388.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
There's an old cut-off road that runs over Sherman Creek at the confluence where it meets the Columbia. The road cuts off right as it crosses an amazingly cool old bridge. Last summer, I parked there a couple times, climbed down to the creek below and fly-fished it for about a mile upstream. It was fantastic. I plan on going there many times next summer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vJier7Bpmwg/VmzNl_9-yAI/AAAAAAAATMg/d_Yg-0Ong6I/s1600/IMAG0389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vJier7Bpmwg/VmzNl_9-yAI/AAAAAAAATMg/d_Yg-0Ong6I/s320/IMAG0389.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
<br />
Anyway, this bridge figures into my past when I used to ride up to the river frequently. I had studied the map for the approach from the south but never figured it out. When approaching from Spokane, that bridge is about at mile 110 or so and I never had the will to drop down and see what the deal was because I didn't want to climb back out if I got jammed up.</div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
So today, Maddie and I took the fatbikes and trucked out over the bridge. As soon as we got to the otehr side and interesting little trail (with boy scout signage) emerged. Maddie was all over that. The trail wound around a giant canyon and dropped us down about 200 feet over the course of a 1/2 mile or so. Maddie was unfazed by the the descent, which wasn't really that technical by any real mountain biking standards, but it wasn't nothing either. The kid has some skilz.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UmV7zNz4G_s/VmzNlw_NEAI/AAAAAAAATNY/iutb_0pnFQk/s1600/IMAG0397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UmV7zNz4G_s/VmzNlw_NEAI/AAAAAAAATNY/iutb_0pnFQk/s320/IMAG0397.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skilz. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N7IQL-vqYkg/VmzNmr9IxMI/AAAAAAAATNc/7yOGSFUtK9Q/s1600/IMAG0401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N7IQL-vqYkg/VmzNmr9IxMI/AAAAAAAATNc/7yOGSFUtK9Q/s320/IMAG0401.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyway, the trail popped us out at a set of picnic tables overlooking the Columbia. It would be an amazingly great spot to set up camp. It's only accessible by trail -- no motor vehicles -- and it's within the FDR National Recreation Area, which means unless posted, camping is kosher.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M-kykakubn4/VmzNm4j7OgI/AAAAAAAATNI/oof-LmeTQLA/s1600/IMAG0404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M-kykakubn4/VmzNm4j7OgI/AAAAAAAATNI/oof-LmeTQLA/s320/IMAG0404.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The trail continued from there to an old ferry landing, which made for an excellent summer camping spot -- on the water for swimming. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75bmolo7Mks/VmzNmi-y-yI/AAAAAAAATNE/GRGNS28RUd0/s1600/IMAG0402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75bmolo7Mks/VmzNmi-y-yI/AAAAAAAATNE/GRGNS28RUd0/s320/IMAG0402.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kt3ScpG8NIk/VmzNnE5lgaI/AAAAAAAATNM/av1niuBRmFg/s1600/IMAG0407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kt3ScpG8NIk/VmzNnE5lgaI/AAAAAAAATNM/av1niuBRmFg/s320/IMAG0407.jpg" width="181" /></a></div>
<br />
The trail then worked back up to the road -- on a nice, long, mellow grade: another excellent camping spot, this one with a crazy view north.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnJgf1hT7Ug/VmzNnFStUNI/AAAAAAAATNU/b0d3BDzJ6yI/s1600/IMAG0410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnJgf1hT7Ug/VmzNnFStUNI/AAAAAAAATNU/b0d3BDzJ6yI/s320/IMAG0410.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big washout. See next pic for other side of this gap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Continuing on, we found a National Forest pit toilet. The trail hooked into an old road, which had crumbling asphalt poking through the forest floor. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r5lv4Ol13QQ/VmzNnTmWpxI/AAAAAAAATNA/AjWGPKFKoW4/s1600/IMAG0416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r5lv4Ol13QQ/VmzNnTmWpxI/AAAAAAAATNA/AjWGPKFKoW4/s320/IMAG0416.jpg" width="181" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of road. This is the other side.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This whole area is only about 15 miles from our river place. Maddie and I wondered what it might be like in the spring -- when the Columbia is drawn down and river sand/rocks are exposed for 50 feet or so on both sides. We pondered an over nighter from the river cabin -- by road, trail, and river's edge on the fat bikes to this spot.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-68640812960203219132015-11-25T12:26:00.001-08:002015-11-25T12:26:46.845-08:00BFF for my BFFs(tap tap)<br />
Hello?<br />
(tap tap tap)<br />
Is thing on?<br />
Can you hear me?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aBGsS_qvVmk/VlYT4FR8o3I/AAAAAAAATLo/4Hk-4G5ahL0/s1600/kankle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aBGsS_qvVmk/VlYT4FR8o3I/AAAAAAAATLo/4Hk-4G5ahL0/s320/kankle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
That's my kankle.<br />
<br />
The Black Friday Fun ride is still on. Historic info on this ride is <a href="http://cyclingspokane.blogspot.com/search?q=%22black+friday%22">here</a>.<br />
<br />
The plan: Leave the Scoop at 10 AM. It will end at my house. Where I"ll have beer and bourbon and maybe some food.<br />
<br />
But Glen is hosting the ride. And if you've not seen Glen since the last BFF ride, then you're in for a surprise.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-clch8oRYDRA/VlYU47apPkI/AAAAAAAATL0/6nPcDW7EVhE/s1600/GlensweetsweetairCX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-clch8oRYDRA/VlYU47apPkI/AAAAAAAATL0/6nPcDW7EVhE/s320/GlensweetsweetairCX.jpg" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.32px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by Phyllis Benish.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Check him out. Holy hell there's a dude that's killing it lately. Unless you follow CX stuff closely, you'd never know that he came in 2nd in the State CX Championship, Geezer Class, a couple weekends ago. I like to say "Geezer Class" because it's funny, but more precisely, it's Masters 50 Men's. That's a competitive pile of dudes. He won by being fast, but also by being Glen smart. It's a good story. He's promised to tell it during post-BFF drinks.<br />
<br />
Also: if you are worried about keeping up with Glen on the BFF ride, you should. But he's handicapping himself by riding the Pugsley and hauling a saw. And if, you don't want to go on the BFF ride but you still want to hang for the bourbon beer part, you can do that too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UZpY87kREhQ/VlYX8mUaWQI/AAAAAAAATMA/YvF86mFLeaY/s1600/review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UZpY87kREhQ/VlYX8mUaWQI/AAAAAAAATMA/YvF86mFLeaY/s320/review.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Also, while we're on the topic of tooting Glen's horn -- go buy the latest issue of Bicycle Quarterly. You'll note that the NFE is on the cover. Jan gives it a good review too. The NFE stock project is going gang busters already. I'm thinking this review will make it more gang bustery.<br />
<br />
Anyway: go on the BFF ride for those of us that can't. It's always one of my favorite rides every year. Traditionally, it's a ride that I like to do with a CX bike, but this year I was planning on taking my mountain bike. Fat bike works too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-47337524504149305872015-08-10T11:30:00.000-07:002015-08-10T11:30:04.365-07:00Rat Trap Pass tires on the Elephant NFE and a CDA O'er nighter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ODMrZ-qLGrE/VcjeYFNIVeI/AAAAAAAATD4/BvrDQ9rmwSY/s1600/KIMG0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ODMrZ-qLGrE/VcjeYFNIVeI/AAAAAAAATD4/BvrDQ9rmwSY/s320/KIMG0022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been a big fan of 26" tires on road bikes ever since I first learned about the XO-1. It's just always made sense for the riding I like the most. The smaller wheel is inherently stronger than bigger sizes -- all other attributes being equal. The smaller wheel feels more maneuverable to me than larger wheels. I dig lots of volume. But until recently, there's really not been a great 559 tire. The Panaracer Pasala wire bead 26 x 1.75 was my favorite all rounder. When I migrated to 650b for most of my bikes, a primary catalyst for that migration was the availability of great supple tires -- mostly from Compass Tires, but Pacenti made a great "event" tire with his Paris-Moto. Once I rode excellent supple, lower-pressure tires, I put them on all my bikes. Even in 700c -- or maybe, especially in 700c -- these types of tires were game changers for me: perfectly "fast," but crazy-comfortable compared to other clincher alternatives.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A couple years ago, Compass Cycles introduced a 559 1.75" tire. I rode that tire a handful of times on <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tehschkott/6958644376/in/photostream/">Alex's Travel Gifford</a> and liked it. Though, with a herringbone pattern and relatively stiffer casing than the beloved Hetre that has become my standard 650b tire, I was hard-pressed to really distinguish the riding characteristics of the Compass from the much cheaper (though impossible to find) Panaracer Pasala. I know I loved the bike and how it felt with those wheels though -- it's just so right...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyway, Jan at Compass Cycles has now created a new 559 tire that he calls an "<a href="https://janheine.wordpress.com/2015/04/04/the-enduro-allroad-bike/">Enduro Allroad</a>" style tire. On paper it's listed as a 2.3" -- but in real life, mounted on 23mm rims, it's about 52. Click through that link there and read up on the tire. Sounds good to me. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The <a href="http://www.elephantbikes.com/stock">Elephant NFE</a> was designed for 650b wheels. Specifically, Glen optimized the "commute mode" for Hetres with fenders. (<a href="http://cyclingspokane.blogspot.com/2011/10/glory-years-and-my-official-statement.html">Disclaimer - I work for Glen. I'm not unbiased</a>). If you do some math to figure the diameter of a 650b x 42mm tire, you get 668 mm diameter (584+42+42). Now compare that to a 26" x 52mm tire: 559+52+52 = 663. That's only a 5 mm difference. That's money. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since the NFE is a disc bike, the solution is easy. The hard part is getting your hands on the Rat Traps, since they're in production as I type this. I told Jan that I wanted to try his tires on the NFE -- figuring the description of Enduro Allroad bikes pretty much aligns with the design of the NFE, which boils down in this context to: a road bike that can take road doubles with fat tires. Jan consented to send me a pre-production pair and I was golden.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I borrowed some 559 disc wheels from Glen and rode the bike. I was smitten immediately. This is the bike I've been after for years. There is ridiculous volume in these tires. Paired with super supple casing and not too much pressure -- on the road, on the trail, on fire roads -- this is the tire for me. I built up a proper front wheel with a dyno hub and then mounted fenders. Done.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-weeiSJIOJq4/VcjeV-MpqJI/AAAAAAAATDg/E4w9Sh7zDPM/s1600/IMG_20150804_161907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-weeiSJIOJq4/VcjeV-MpqJI/AAAAAAAATDg/E4w9Sh7zDPM/s320/IMG_20150804_161907.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's the critical fender mounting shot. Otherwise, it's straight-forward. Glen builds the NFE with fenders in mind: the rear stays are placed equidistant from the rear axle and drilled with fender bosses. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For front fender mounting, subsequent versions of the NFE will make fender mounting easier by adding a boss on the fork blade instead of relying on the eyelet that is under the disc mount. (Thanks <a href="https://instagram.com/fancy_fred/">Fred</a>). Fenders are <a href="http://store.somafab.com/metalfenders.html">Tanaka alloy 559x60</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I think I told Jan I'd give these tires back. I'm not sure I can do that.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVNmE1YMTrw/VcjeWYW66lI/AAAAAAAATDs/6nMftRUqKtw/s1600/KIMG0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVNmE1YMTrw/VcjeWYW66lI/AAAAAAAATDs/6nMftRUqKtw/s320/KIMG0020.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pat and I went on a quick overnighter at CDA National Forest. Pat did <a href="http://26inchslicks.blogspot.com/2015/08/busting-out.html">a quick write up on his blog</a>. It was quick and generally had huge overhead given the relative time we spent on bikes, but it was one of the most inspiring things I've done this summer. Our quickie overnighter reminded me of how great and massively huge the CDA forest is and how chock-full of potential that huge space is for excellent exploring and fishing. And we can be there setting up basecamp in about 2 hours. I am committed to making a spring long weekend there next June. This weekend it was super dry and the numerous streams, creeks, and river were pitifully low, but the potential... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyway. I dropped my bike at Pat's the night before we left. He's super into packing and packing a lot, which as I've <a href="http://cyclingspokane.blogspot.com/2010/04/1st-s24o-o-10.html">mentioned before in this space</a>, is the best kind of riding/camping partner a guy can have. So when Pat wants my bike for the most efficient packing situation, I give it up. As I unloaded it I noticed the non-standard clamp-down solution that he had to create to accommodate my fenders and lo-riders. I made some glib comment like, "whoa, cool, looks like you had to create a new thingy for my NFE..." Pat was uncharacteristically curt in his reply, which included something about how fussy my bike was and that he actually had to get the welder out the night before and that yeah, he had to create a new thing. I think next time we do this, I'll put traditional lowriders on there before I drop it off -- see if we can get a suite of low-rider clamp-down options for the back of his truck. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WfDswSiK_Iw/VcjeWvgb4XI/AAAAAAAATDo/_AoIi8Gx7Rs/s1600/KIMG0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WfDswSiK_Iw/VcjeWvgb4XI/AAAAAAAATDo/_AoIi8Gx7Rs/s320/KIMG0021.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since we're getting gear heavy here, the Swift bag is worth mentioning. For about 6 years, I've used the giant <a href="http://cyclingspokane.blogspot.com/2009/03/new-front-bag.html">Swift Pelican bag</a> as my front rack go-to bag. It's great. But it's too huge. Which of course means I have to fill it up. And it crowds my hands a bit. This bag is a review bag that we (Elephant) ship with review bikes to various cycling writers. I've not used it before. It's their <a href="https://www.builtbyswift.com/products/5">Ozette Rando bag</a>. It's the right size for NFE-inspired riding. Here, I have my fishing vest, tenkara rod, a couple apples, some cashews, binoculars, and bear spray onboard. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nplCoTMULgo/VcjeZlqXCgI/AAAAAAAATEE/-JXAsANDj9Q/s1600/KIMG0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nplCoTMULgo/VcjeZlqXCgI/AAAAAAAATEE/-JXAsANDj9Q/s320/KIMG0026.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pat had a perfect little loop for us dialed in. It was a 15 mile loop up and over a mountain. The climb was my favorite type: just a steady grade for 5 or 6 miles. This is where I decompressed and resolved to make CDA a regular destination. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The descent was knarly and I didn't take any pics. It was dry, dusty, and strewn with fist sized rocks, deep ruts and giant baby heads protruding out of the ground. The tires soaked it up crazy and with their volume -- I was never worried about pinch flats or busing up my wheels, but I did want a bit of tooth on some of the tighter corners. I think for wet riding of this knarly type, I may try some 559 Thunder Burts.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FcPudpZSaYE/VcjeZqFZ07I/AAAAAAAATEA/8hC_HWQnRbM/s1600/KIMG0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FcPudpZSaYE/VcjeZqFZ07I/AAAAAAAATEA/8hC_HWQnRbM/s320/KIMG0027.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Post ride hang and beer in the dwindling North Fork CDA river.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rSRDEpd8yw0/VcjeZ6-15lI/AAAAAAAATEI/olfqPCZK3C4/s1600/KIMG0028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rSRDEpd8yw0/VcjeZ6-15lI/AAAAAAAATEI/olfqPCZK3C4/s320/KIMG0028.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You can get a feel for the water level by comparing the picture above to one from <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CGYQGxEMolw/TB5o0-ch77I/AAAAAAAAJqU/1VqM4fwwKow/s1600/P1000742.JPG">June 2010</a> and <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CGYQGxEMolw/TIzXEqhLLgI/AAAAAAAAKQk/Nn9knPb5Oys/s1600/P1010897.JPG">September 2010</a>. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-otbx6QhHpuM/Vcjea4CXvfI/AAAAAAAATEU/hfBFdhom0eA/s1600/KIMG0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-otbx6QhHpuM/Vcjea4CXvfI/AAAAAAAATEU/hfBFdhom0eA/s320/KIMG0030.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've done a fair amount of stream/creek fishing this summer -- in BC, in Ferry County, in Stevens County -- and while water levels are low and miserable all around, I've always got a bit of action. Even if that action is just a tiny little trout attempting to hit a fly. On this trip -- I got nothing: zip. I rode up and down the road from our campsite looking for potential pools and interesting river features. I found a couple, but there are no fish there right now. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
June baby. June. I'm going back.</div>
<br />John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-84510679873319448242015-07-23T18:59:00.004-07:002015-07-23T19:28:59.888-07:00Biking and fishing in Canada, eh?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AIUlN_flf3s/VbGV87d2BDI/AAAAAAAAS-M/qch-RQGawM4/s1600/KIMG0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AIUlN_flf3s/VbGV87d2BDI/AAAAAAAAS-M/qch-RQGawM4/s320/KIMG0002.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First, there was the birthday pie. From the ages of about 8 to 43, I was a mud pie guy. This year and forever more, I shall be a rhubarb pie guy for birthday dessert. The observant reader will recognize this pie hauler as the <a href="http://cyclingspokane.blogspot.com/2014/07/sh-80-is-back-in-business.html">SH-80</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d2UQmII-1So/VbGV82WFExI/AAAAAAAAS-Q/C8ffywnhDoA/s1600/KIMG0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d2UQmII-1So/VbGV82WFExI/AAAAAAAAS-Q/C8ffywnhDoA/s320/KIMG0020.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're not in Canada yet. This is Glen. Click for big and take a close look at that fork. Yep. That's a Ruby. Glen had to do all sorts of unnatural acts to make it work with that bike. The previous version of John would've taken at least one full blog post with many illustrative pics to walk you through it... there's a lot going on there. He's talking about riding that on the Midnight Century. My quick ride down east 16th ave (which is as rigorous as any MC washboard section) proved the utility of those forks to me. I wish there was such a thing as an ultralightweight, short travel road sus fork still. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LFrJwNpoI0/VbGV8_pwidI/AAAAAAAAS-U/S6NLzaaTY4M/s1600/KIMG0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--LFrJwNpoI0/VbGV8_pwidI/AAAAAAAAS-U/S6NLzaaTY4M/s320/KIMG0071.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Liza in Canada. On the <a href="http://www.slocanvalleyrailtrail.ca/">Slocan Valley River rail trail</a>, which is an excellent family vacation plan for chill biking and river swimming. And fishing. Thanks to <a href="http://stinesworld.blogspot.com/">Stine</a> for turning us on to this gem.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0trYAnrHITw/VbGV-8s0S1I/AAAAAAAAS-k/gaMgzwDIdko/s1600/KIMG0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0trYAnrHITw/VbGV-8s0S1I/AAAAAAAAS-k/gaMgzwDIdko/s320/KIMG0072.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a standard swimming hole off the Slocan rail trail. Super rad. The Slocan River is fat, mostly deep, clear, and nice and cold. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mjCbJ-9MQLk/VbGV_PkuvWI/AAAAAAAAS-o/X7f4HOtL_3g/s1600/KIMG0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mjCbJ-9MQLk/VbGV_PkuvWI/AAAAAAAAS-o/X7f4HOtL_3g/s320/KIMG0077.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dead Maddie float.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--nmbWXIcASg/VbGV_b927sI/AAAAAAAAS-s/KVmmnbu4DqY/s1600/KIMG0087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--nmbWXIcASg/VbGV_b927sI/AAAAAAAAS-s/KVmmnbu4DqY/s320/KIMG0087.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After day one of riding, we stayed in this excellent cabin in Winlaw. At the <a href="http://www.karibupark.com/">Karibu Park campground</a> to be more precise. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bYx3Fu5abGs/VbGWAaGGd_I/AAAAAAAAS-4/WYmKocHrpSo/s1600/KIMG0090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bYx3Fu5abGs/VbGWAaGGd_I/AAAAAAAAS-4/WYmKocHrpSo/s320/KIMG0090.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a happy kid. Ride for a bit. Swim. Eat. Repeat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WVk1khTJvIY/VbGWmweLoYI/AAAAAAAAS_Q/ZRHsHZ8cMwU/s1600/KIMG0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WVk1khTJvIY/VbGWmweLoYI/AAAAAAAAS_Q/ZRHsHZ8cMwU/s320/KIMG0092.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're out of order here. This is day 2. This is Wilson Creek outside of New Denver, where I was skunked. We camped at Rosebery Provincial Park. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tf-hlKx_sM4/VbGWnPJcu1I/AAAAAAAAS_I/dIv_8EsNNPA/s1600/KIMG0142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tf-hlKx_sM4/VbGWnPJcu1I/AAAAAAAAS_I/dIv_8EsNNPA/s320/KIMG0142.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is later on Day 2 at Lyonel Creek somewhere up in BC. Pic by Maddie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qK6vZNZZPnA/VbGWm751noI/AAAAAAAAS_E/iUup-l0efTk/s1600/KIMG0158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qK6vZNZZPnA/VbGWm751noI/AAAAAAAAS_E/iUup-l0efTk/s320/KIMG0158.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a brook trout from Coffee Creek. I woke up at 5:30 and hit this creek before the girls woke up. Lots of these dudes on a rager of a mountain creek.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CjFjOSY1m0Q/VbGWol3gMjI/AAAAAAAAS_c/LgFBPwoLbjc/s1600/KIMG0161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CjFjOSY1m0Q/VbGWol3gMjI/AAAAAAAAS_c/LgFBPwoLbjc/s320/KIMG0161.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See red print. Seems great in theory. But delivery was slow and portions were minuscule. I was really excited when I saw this at first.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOaFgfZtGls/VbGWo4LtdPI/AAAAAAAAS_g/ZBJ_3n3N5hc/s1600/KIMG0162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JOaFgfZtGls/VbGWo4LtdPI/AAAAAAAAS_g/ZBJ_3n3N5hc/s320/KIMG0162.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your basic pre-teen. In Trail BC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nish5qr77nE/VbGWpWHa9kI/AAAAAAAAS_o/6a4auDtE45w/s1600/P1050567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nish5qr77nE/VbGWpWHa9kI/AAAAAAAAS_o/6a4auDtE45w/s320/P1050567.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh. Back to Day 1. More swimming hole off of Slocan rail trail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7D6Xtaho_Lk/VbGWqd1kZUI/AAAAAAAAS_0/0C043tqjfGM/s1600/P1050577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7D6Xtaho_Lk/VbGWqd1kZUI/AAAAAAAAS_0/0C043tqjfGM/s320/P1050577.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Liza. Post swim. Back on the bikes for more flat landing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJFLAZib4vc/VbGWq0xa1YI/AAAAAAAAS_4/VwSq7eynLgQ/s1600/P1050581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RJFLAZib4vc/VbGWq0xa1YI/AAAAAAAAS_4/VwSq7eynLgQ/s320/P1050581.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddie and I chatted like crazy for miles. That may have been my favorite part. Well. Second favorite. Keep reading.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ueikOKlBmA/VbGW9SpwM9I/AAAAAAAATAM/UwKIjXeLsFk/s1600/P1050587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ueikOKlBmA/VbGW9SpwM9I/AAAAAAAATAM/UwKIjXeLsFk/s320/P1050587.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figured out how to make the fill flash work here. Bam!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2EdUwNDPYj0/VbGW9RlK2bI/AAAAAAAATAE/2WBZBX_RsEE/s1600/P1050590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2EdUwNDPYj0/VbGW9RlK2bI/AAAAAAAATAE/2WBZBX_RsEE/s320/P1050590.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slocan river trail is well-marked. These little signs point to food and lodging. In this case it was a ridiculous bakery. Ridiculous good. Too bad we'd just eaten or we'd have hit that much harder.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-faiKIDh_2SA/VbGW9Tqw8UI/AAAAAAAATAI/64VIAeNiF24/s1600/P1050592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-faiKIDh_2SA/VbGW9Tqw8UI/AAAAAAAATAI/64VIAeNiF24/s320/P1050592.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Maddie busting down the trail from the bakery. Most of the paths to the off-trail attractions were on these excellent little overgrown connectors. Light is on for safety.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3YQr1Xh2JkI/VbGW_nhLaLI/AAAAAAAATAg/YVV6NyCuqV8/s1600/P1050598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3YQr1Xh2JkI/VbGW_nhLaLI/AAAAAAAATAg/YVV6NyCuqV8/s320/P1050598.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon Creek. Wait for it...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-328oTodoetg/VbGW_rWhypI/AAAAAAAATAc/diCAOzHlZXo/s1600/P1050607-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-328oTodoetg/VbGW_rWhypI/AAAAAAAATAc/diCAOzHlZXo/s320/P1050607-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big ass rainbow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IpLameBpkR8/VbGXAW2KQzI/AAAAAAAATAk/7USqXey9t5A/s1600/P1050607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IpLameBpkR8/VbGXAW2KQzI/AAAAAAAATAk/7USqXey9t5A/s320/P1050607.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here it is again. This was my favorite part of the trip. I did a lot of fishing and caught a lot of smallish brook trout, which I love. But catching this monster was excellent. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CvLUFZ2haQw/VbGXBTTtKMI/AAAAAAAATA0/nuZLOGaim4I/s1600/P1050616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CvLUFZ2haQw/VbGXBTTtKMI/AAAAAAAATA0/nuZLOGaim4I/s320/P1050616.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over-the-shoulder shot. Dig that trail!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B2SsHKHICAY/VbGXC54vDfI/AAAAAAAATBA/gpsgHQJh3Qg/s1600/P1050619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B2SsHKHICAY/VbGXC54vDfI/AAAAAAAATBA/gpsgHQJh3Qg/s320/P1050619.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slocan Lake. Reminds me of SE Alaska. Click for big. Maddie can jump.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MmTb0aIoJ0M/VbGXCg3_qLI/AAAAAAAATA8/9XxXDVGm7Wk/s1600/P1050627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MmTb0aIoJ0M/VbGXCg3_qLI/AAAAAAAATA8/9XxXDVGm7Wk/s320/P1050627.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liza. Good egg, her.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-61913441300910379082015-07-03T10:09:00.001-07:002015-07-03T10:09:58.824-07:00More bikefishing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm not the first to recognize the obvious peas-n-carrots relationship with biking and fishing. But over the last couple years, the fishing component add-on has been the primary hook (pa dum pum!) to keep me on a bike. Well. I commuted a bit, but that's more practical than fun. And mountain biking draws me out too. Generally, as evidenced by this blog: I've not been as spazzed about cycling over the last year or so. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But I'm recognizing this fishing/cycling bond is really appealing to me. And in the last year I've started fly-fishing, which is a wonderfully complex and difficult thing to learn. Any seasoned blog reader (or mental health professional-- is there really any difference?) will observe that there's all the fixings here for some good old fashion obsessive behavior. You've got the skill building bit, the attraction of far-flung outdoor adventure, and of course.. the gear! If this isn't blog gold I don't know what is. Keep your expectations appropriately low and we'll see where it takes us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XOsUKs5AF9o/VZa6lmQHDbI/AAAAAAAAS78/FWWzbjnxfzg/s1600/KIMG0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XOsUKs5AF9o/VZa6lmQHDbI/AAAAAAAAS78/FWWzbjnxfzg/s320/KIMG0026.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
First, we're here in Ferry County on the Kettle River. Liza is busting through our little river trail to my favorite local hole.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rEXz-gYABSI/VZa6lqsH7NI/AAAAAAAAS8E/MUGVFytX58s/s1600/KIMG0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rEXz-gYABSI/VZa6lqsH7NI/AAAAAAAAS8E/MUGVFytX58s/s320/KIMG0031.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pugsley is an excellent short-haul forest fishing bike. With the bucket panniers it's a great work horse and hauler. One of the panniers has holes drilled in the bottom to drain goo -- the idea is to fill it with ice, field dress the fish, and keep them on ice. Still an idea at this point... but the holes have been drilled for a year!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqpaVg987S0/VZa6lUJxUQI/AAAAAAAAS74/1lXoEHywVqs/s1600/KIMG0032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AqpaVg987S0/VZa6lUJxUQI/AAAAAAAAS74/1lXoEHywVqs/s320/KIMG0032.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That tiny person in the center is Liza doing yoga. On big rocks. The Kettle, like most local rivers is just too warm for the season and nothing is happening. I caught a couple trout last week, but that's it. There are some dead whitefish floating through the water. I assume that's a reaction to a too-unseasonably-hot June. I caught the trout with hoppers, which is the shorthand fly fishing lingo for "grasshopper." My buddy Mike says the genus is "terrestrials" -- so to sound like a pro, you might stroll into a shop and talk about how you're looking for some terrestrial patterns because the rainbow are hitting the hoppers. Got it?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EXHbZ-sh-B0/VZa6ogTO6aI/AAAAAAAAS8Q/RwBnOYsNYe4/s1600/KIMG0041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EXHbZ-sh-B0/VZa6ogTO6aI/AAAAAAAAS8Q/RwBnOYsNYe4/s320/KIMG0041.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's this little pond tucked away on the FDR Rec Area -- this is about 1.5 miles from our place up here. I've known its there for years, but it's a long walk through tall, usually swampy, grassland to get there. With the dry year, the swampy part has firmed up and the Pugs rolls over the clods and grass nicely. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C51vc-k4Uik/VZa6qiwG-PI/AAAAAAAAS8c/JWDScGHN8yc/s1600/KIMG0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C51vc-k4Uik/VZa6qiwG-PI/AAAAAAAAS8c/JWDScGHN8yc/s320/KIMG0043.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There may be fish in there, but I'm not skilled enough to get that fly out beyond the muck and there's only a couple places you can work from on the edges of the pond.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nIm42e-RUE0/VZa6qd60zPI/AAAAAAAAS8Y/oYxkEVjA84A/s1600/KIMG0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nIm42e-RUE0/VZa6qd60zPI/AAAAAAAAS8Y/oYxkEVjA84A/s320/KIMG0045.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But this is where I think the future of my fun lies. For years, I've tooled around the roads up here in Colville National Forest. I've got a pretty good handle on a small wedge of this forest -- where the streams, mountain ranges, etc are -- and this bike is made for riding these roads. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E6AlvmbmMvk/VZa6rMwr-MI/AAAAAAAAS8s/68sDwIW5RD0/s1600/KIMG0049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E6AlvmbmMvk/VZa6rMwr-MI/AAAAAAAAS8s/68sDwIW5RD0/s320/KIMG0049.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the lazy way to transport the rod -- and it's pretty much the best way to screw things up. One thing that real fly fishers don't care about is disassembling their rod and then restringing the whole thing multiple times a day. I'm super not into that, especially in a place like the South Fork Boulder Creek -- where I was yesterday. The scenario there is that you get into the creek area, which is generally pretty thick and not an easy approach, find your spot to fish, work it a bit, then hop back on the bike and go up the road until the next semi-exposed area, fish it, etc. This section of road/creek is about 2 miles, hence the "lazy transport" setup.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iDqvzJhIcbU/VZa6s8FY9GI/AAAAAAAAS8o/GnQZWH2waj0/s1600/KIMG0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iDqvzJhIcbU/VZa6s8FY9GI/AAAAAAAAS8o/GnQZWH2waj0/s320/KIMG0052.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But how great is that? This is the fishing I've come to enjoy the most. There's tons of shade, the water is fast and cold. Every little pool has a couple of brook trout looking for action. They're tiny and fun to catch. If this isn't great, I don't know what is.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BKTPYzHPBT4/VZa6ug9HDmI/AAAAAAAAS84/jbuFGqOWE0g/s1600/KIMG0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BKTPYzHPBT4/VZa6ug9HDmI/AAAAAAAAS84/jbuFGqOWE0g/s320/KIMG0054.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sister took these last two shots. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-28103937611983662212015-06-24T10:13:00.001-07:002015-06-24T10:13:48.034-07:00Some bike stuff<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rgB9RoWPvkM/VYrdzKAp0rI/AAAAAAAAS3g/YGe3LzMHpbY/s1600/IMG_20150528_161129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rgB9RoWPvkM/VYrdzKAp0rI/AAAAAAAAS3g/YGe3LzMHpbY/s320/IMG_20150528_161129.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousin Livy rocking the Zebra bike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTAyddKIckk/VYrdzOM8sII/AAAAAAAAS3o/WR7qLrryeT8/s1600/IMG_20150528_165235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTAyddKIckk/VYrdzOM8sII/AAAAAAAAS3o/WR7qLrryeT8/s320/IMG_20150528_165235.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BMX pegs. I wish the old cruiser we had up there could take these pegs, but it's a coaster brake hub and doesn't have the long axle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ty4f9Ufm03k/VYrdzCg4UYI/AAAAAAAAS3k/U7nvtn7YP3E/s1600/KIMG0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ty4f9Ufm03k/VYrdzCg4UYI/AAAAAAAAS3k/U7nvtn7YP3E/s320/KIMG0013.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddie rickshawing her buddy, Carmella.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6DqbhUdLsf8/VYrd0nWlWBI/AAAAAAAAS34/0hLyipBCLNM/s1600/KIMG0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6DqbhUdLsf8/VYrd0nWlWBI/AAAAAAAAS34/0hLyipBCLNM/s320/KIMG0017.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yizS_Tojw-Y/VYrd1jrkBzI/AAAAAAAAS4A/rXWBWbfDoX0/s1600/KIMG0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yizS_Tojw-Y/VYrd1jrkBzI/AAAAAAAAS4A/rXWBWbfDoX0/s320/KIMG0023.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex came up and we rode the Jungle Hill trail one day, then Hoodoo Canyon the next. Both were exceptionally great rides.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AvAtXzdAHfA/VYrd2S7KTWI/AAAAAAAAS4I/Il9qPikcvq8/s1600/KIMG0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AvAtXzdAHfA/VYrd2S7KTWI/AAAAAAAAS4I/Il9qPikcvq8/s320/KIMG0024.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pugs fishing set up. I'm setting to ghost ride Maddie's bike back to the cabin here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KhUMAHg6EYI/VYrd3n-AKQI/AAAAAAAAS4Q/2UDXtj_vCWo/s1600/KIMG0035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KhUMAHg6EYI/VYrd3n-AKQI/AAAAAAAAS4Q/2UDXtj_vCWo/s320/KIMG0035.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wapaloosie Trail. We took this down off the Kettle Crest after riding up Jungle Hill.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9WRQQMUE10/VYrd4zu2N8I/AAAAAAAAS4Y/tFNKhegokQA/s1600/KIMG0042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9WRQQMUE10/VYrd4zu2N8I/AAAAAAAAS4Y/tFNKhegokQA/s320/KIMG0042.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Wapaloosie. The views are insane up there. That's at about 5,000 feet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8OTNQAaA_ss/VYrd6vyKMBI/AAAAAAAAS4g/-lZuW22WJyA/s1600/KIMG0047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8OTNQAaA_ss/VYrd6vyKMBI/AAAAAAAAS4g/-lZuW22WJyA/s320/KIMG0047.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I rode my magnificent Elephant -- which I need to ride more. Mountain biking is about the only kind of cycling that's getting me excited these days. Bit of a funk lately...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PFqaz0fgkiI/VYrd7avMNLI/AAAAAAAAS4o/DLP2iHryqls/s1600/KIMG0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PFqaz0fgkiI/VYrd7avMNLI/AAAAAAAAS4o/DLP2iHryqls/s320/KIMG0059.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took the Pugs up South Boulder Creek road and did some fly fishing -- I'm taking the Elephant NFE this weekend for much better range.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6hN9dN-sVLM/VYrd7qJ5ASI/AAAAAAAAS4s/rv5dvnI-6dc/s1600/KIMG0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6hN9dN-sVLM/VYrd7qJ5ASI/AAAAAAAAS4s/rv5dvnI-6dc/s320/KIMG0095.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex reported that he likes the fat bike for river and forest riding, which is how my Pugs is employed, but he's not going to run off and buy one for the riding he does.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hdc91b3mbME/VYrd_PqAg1I/AAAAAAAAS44/BOjEbWABlHI/s1600/KIMG0096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hdc91b3mbME/VYrd_PqAg1I/AAAAAAAAS44/BOjEbWABlHI/s320/KIMG0096.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3SPzUMf4dLE/VYreBAtB2nI/AAAAAAAAS5A/_UU8cE6EICE/s1600/KIMG0104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3SPzUMf4dLE/VYreBAtB2nI/AAAAAAAAS5A/_UU8cE6EICE/s320/KIMG0104.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the Hoodoo Canyon ride. After the previous day of Jungle Hill and tons of climbing, we anticipated a relatively easier ride for Hoodoo Canyon. It wasn't as much climbing, but there was a lot. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a_GIKJxbhG0/VYreCFEjElI/AAAAAAAAS5Q/T86nmqPIc8E/s1600/KIMG0107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a_GIKJxbhG0/VYreCFEjElI/AAAAAAAAS5Q/T86nmqPIc8E/s320/KIMG0107.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's the Hoodoo trail overlooking Trout lake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FeitnkyjrdQ/VYreCEK_BeI/AAAAAAAAS5E/uvroLzm9p4A/s1600/KIMG0130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FeitnkyjrdQ/VYreCEK_BeI/AAAAAAAAS5E/uvroLzm9p4A/s320/KIMG0130.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddie and I went on a short bike camping trip to Shaw Island, which is an excellent intro to bike camping trip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3nWchHzeU1U/VYreDfBl15I/AAAAAAAAS5U/OOr4L7YLpAo/s1600/KIMG0133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3nWchHzeU1U/VYreDfBl15I/AAAAAAAAS5U/OOr4L7YLpAo/s320/KIMG0133.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Shaw campground is just over 2 miles of easy riding from the ferry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fp3JyRbHWU/VYreDwppS2I/AAAAAAAAS5c/FCwYLNX56qs/s1600/KIMG0136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fp3JyRbHWU/VYreDwppS2I/AAAAAAAAS5c/FCwYLNX56qs/s320/KIMG0136.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMpHUqmcUKY/VYreGUZMhoI/AAAAAAAAS5s/qAsgtMVeJBA/s1600/KIMG0162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMpHUqmcUKY/VYreGUZMhoI/AAAAAAAAS5s/qAsgtMVeJBA/s320/KIMG0162.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a bunch of dirt roads on the island to explore. We took a post-dinner ride and found the local school, museum, and library tucked into a little treed part of the island.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8RHCTxl4MPQ/VYreGadoHEI/AAAAAAAAS5o/s4itaVA22rc/s1600/KIMG0165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8RHCTxl4MPQ/VYreGadoHEI/AAAAAAAAS5o/s4itaVA22rc/s320/KIMG0165.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hill climber.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDsSE71dPvE/VYreGnFJWyI/AAAAAAAAS5w/lYV13HjrBHA/s1600/KIMG0170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDsSE71dPvE/VYreGnFJWyI/AAAAAAAAS5w/lYV13HjrBHA/s320/KIMG0170.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our plan was to go to Lopez and camp for two days after we stayed at Shaw. Maddie's cold, which had been percolating for a couple days prior to our departure went into full fever mode the first night. She woke up in the tent all hot and spacey. The next morning, she said she was feeling better and that we should continue to Lopez.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cA50h_7FlHM/VYreJcl6p6I/AAAAAAAAS6I/CctXi_MX-_U/s1600/KIMG0175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cA50h_7FlHM/VYreJcl6p6I/AAAAAAAAS6I/CctXi_MX-_U/s320/KIMG0175.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we got to Lopez, we rode to Lopez Village (about 3 miles) and by then she had hit the wall with a monster headache. We rolled out a pad and she slept for a couple hours. We decided to head back to the ferry and ditch camping. That was a good choice. After death marching back to the ferry, she slept for another couple hours. This is very abnormal Maddie behavior.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WBSpiYIbURo/VYreIdWnaZI/AAAAAAAAS6A/TRostmNS0BA/s1600/KIMG0178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WBSpiYIbURo/VYreIdWnaZI/AAAAAAAAS6A/TRostmNS0BA/s320/KIMG0178.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But she still managed a smile as we boarded the ferry back to Anacortes. Aside from her fever, the bike camping was a success and she wants to go back and do more.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I5MHjzoOp9s/VYreJvmiGYI/AAAAAAAAS6M/UrYKOgZVTrU/s1600/KIMG0234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I5MHjzoOp9s/VYreJvmiGYI/AAAAAAAAS6M/UrYKOgZVTrU/s320/KIMG0234.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Batch 2 Medium NFEs are going to ship tomorrow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lUYUZ2AagTE/VYreKUDNjbI/AAAAAAAAS6Y/N2s7sd5nxZg/s1600/KIMG0236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lUYUZ2AagTE/VYreKUDNjbI/AAAAAAAAS6Y/N2s7sd5nxZg/s320/KIMG0236.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCC-znajaxg/VYreMf_IKFI/AAAAAAAAS6g/1VVHC4st0hg/s1600/P1060172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCC-znajaxg/VYreMf_IKFI/AAAAAAAAS6g/1VVHC4st0hg/s320/P1060172.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out of order: Maddie and my campsite on Shaw.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zsdhzofs8ek/VYreMqJKKkI/AAAAAAAAS6k/j3eu2QTcCp8/s1600/P1060173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zsdhzofs8ek/VYreMqJKKkI/AAAAAAAAS6k/j3eu2QTcCp8/s320/P1060173.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bikes. NFE and the X-R. We started with Maddie frontloading, but it was too sketchy at low speed, so she ended up putting her little panniers on the rear rack. Much better.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-reANiaxVa6Q/VYreNGrpqpI/AAAAAAAAS6s/1Q0529P52xE/s1600/P1060179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-reANiaxVa6Q/VYreNGrpqpI/AAAAAAAAS6s/1Q0529P52xE/s320/P1060179.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOnSlYAWXjA/VYrePP0xgBI/AAAAAAAAS64/0sqqcGPXI6s/s1600/P1060187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOnSlYAWXjA/VYrePP0xgBI/AAAAAAAAS64/0sqqcGPXI6s/s320/P1060187.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old Swift Pelican bag came through -- with it's lined interior, it makes an excellent cooler. We made a run to the little store, filled it with ice and other good stuff and it held for a day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-INBopZGn-cs/VYrePO4E5VI/AAAAAAAAS68/8sc1SPD7SXg/s1600/P1060192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-INBopZGn-cs/VYrePO4E5VI/AAAAAAAAS68/8sc1SPD7SXg/s320/P1060192.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maddie sleeping off the fever in a field in Lopez Village.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-68419907348396555682015-04-22T11:16:00.000-07:002015-04-22T11:17:29.250-07:00Racking Rocinante<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7FLx3bCgYh0/VTfeJFxW1lI/AAAAAAAASrE/n-3FYvLXJGc/s1600/KIMG0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7FLx3bCgYh0/VTfeJFxW1lI/AAAAAAAASrE/n-3FYvLXJGc/s1600/KIMG0415.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
If you've perused this blog much you'll know that my family has a river place up north on the Kettle River. You might also see pics of our trusty old Toyota truck, Rocinante. This truck belonged to Liza's dad. He named it. He gave it Liza a few years ago before he died. It's really a perfect truck for us in the context of the river place. I load it up with all sorts of crap for projects up there. And while there, it's the main hauler for people and supplies on the back roads of Ferry County, where you're expected to load up the bed of your truck with people, coolers, and inner tubes for floating the river.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7afQf8LjiM/VTfeycgYBjI/AAAAAAAASrM/h2fRncQBmPM/s1600/P1040061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--7afQf8LjiM/VTfeycgYBjI/AAAAAAAASrM/h2fRncQBmPM/s1600/P1040061.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Since it was made back in 1983 when compact trucks were truly compact, it fills up quickly when I put a couple bikes in the bed. I've been bugging Glen for at least a year--in the subtle way that I do-- to help me get some racks going for it. Since he started the <a href="http://www.elephantbikes.com/stock/">stock NFE project</a> though, he's just slammed all the time trying to keep up with demand. That's great and I'm a part of machine that is generating orders for him and watching the schedule and trying to keep customers informed of progress -- so as a result, I've backed off in the last few month with my nagging about racking Rocinante.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uQ7KZoOEFUc/VTfcXJneM1I/AAAAAAAASqs/XycmZ9rY4jU/s1600/IMG_0451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uQ7KZoOEFUc/VTfcXJneM1I/AAAAAAAASqs/XycmZ9rY4jU/s1600/IMG_0451.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before racking: two fatties pretty much filled 'im up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A couple weeks ago I had big pile of crap to bring up to the river. I wanted to bring *my* NFE for obvious reasons, but with all the crap, it was a pain to wedge in the bed of the truck. Necessity is indeed the mother of invention... and as a result, my jammed up truck resulted in what I like to think was a pretty innovated solution for hauling the bike. To wit:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2P5Ghv2KR8M/VTffOcaz9aI/AAAAAAAASrU/4jChoS-B8Xo/s1600/IMG_3177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2P5Ghv2KR8M/VTffOcaz9aI/AAAAAAAASrU/4jChoS-B8Xo/s1600/IMG_3177.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
For some reason this horrified Glen. Perhaps it was the zipties holding that grate to my lumber rack. Perhaps it was the thought of the grate grating on the NFE paint that got under his skin. Maybe it's a class thing: he didn't want his NFE associated with a dumpy-ass, Joad-looking pile of crap. Who knows. If you know Glen, you know he's not the most verbose dude in the world. All I know is that after posting that pic to Instagram, he sent me an email with a picture of a bed-mounted, side-load bike hauling solution that made me WANT. He told me to bring my trays over on the next Saturday and he could probably knock out that solution in about an hour. Had I know that just hacking my own solution would've motivated him into action, I would've done this a year ago. Handy bit of intel for the future, that.<br />
<br />
Sensing the zeitgeist, I pushed it as I often do: "Hey, while you have your welding shit out in the driveway, how about you hook me up with a front hitch mount. There's a plate with holes in it down there and really, how hard could that be?"<br />
<br />
He crawled around under the truck for a while, gave me a shopping list of two metal objects, one of which, of course, I screwed up. And told me to be there Saturday. He's always got home and yard stuff going on, so I told him I'd try my labor for his: I'd do his Saturday work of pulling out a little retaining wall as he racked the truck. Until the stock NFE project came along, he would normally work through his honey-do list on evenings and weekends. But now he's working early and late every day. So weekends are really his only time to block off and get other projects done. So it's win-win.<br />
<br />
His time estimate on the side racks was on the money: it took him about an hour. It's simple, elegant, and pure Glen excellentism.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ETaduwjHVY/VTfgVuMVkgI/AAAAAAAASro/zx99WGDW1Ss/s1600/IMG_3289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ETaduwjHVY/VTfgVuMVkgI/AAAAAAAASro/zx99WGDW1Ss/s1600/IMG_3289.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GIrh_Mjo6zE/VTfgVogoJgI/AAAAAAAASrg/46zRVlV9Pbo/s1600/IMG_3292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GIrh_Mjo6zE/VTfgVogoJgI/AAAAAAAASrg/46zRVlV9Pbo/s1600/IMG_3292.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhDQVsLgJ7Q/VTfgVmCVibI/AAAAAAAASrk/bBcrznC8CRQ/s1600/IMG_3294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhDQVsLgJ7Q/VTfgVmCVibI/AAAAAAAASrk/bBcrznC8CRQ/s1600/IMG_3294.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CQQlyen703M/VTfgWj70zNI/AAAAAAAASr4/K3Er7BEZSjA/s1600/IMG_3304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CQQlyen703M/VTfgWj70zNI/AAAAAAAASr4/K3Er7BEZSjA/s1600/IMG_3304.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The front hitch part, which he reminded me that he hadn't "estimated the time for this tomfoolery," (that's a direct quote, "tomfoolery") -- took about 4 hours. In that time I moved approximately 2 tons of rock, debris, earth, and trash (that's a direct Truth).<br />
<br />
Sidenote: The supplies part that I screwed up was that I got the wrong receiver hitch. So it turns out that there's a 2" receiver and a 1 1/4" receiver. Everyone knows that. I knew that. What I didn't know is that there's a sleeve for the that fits in the 2" receiver that looks damn like a 1 1/4" receiver. They might as well be identical. Anyway -- looked good to me, but Glen wouldn't have it. No hacks for Glen when you're hauling bikes in front of the car. So it looked like he'd get mostly done with the project but not be able to put the actual receiver on. This was about 2 hours in. Getting this time with Glen and his welder out in his driveway was such an opportunity.... and it would be difficult to reconstruct as we're trying to get these NFEs out the door. I was bumming but trying not to show it, when buddy <a href="http://26inchslicks.blogspot.com/">Pat</a> showed up to watch the progress.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nlV77nZoEP8/VTfi8gxuLvI/AAAAAAAASsE/4MIOp1KuPms/s1600/IMG_3111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nlV77nZoEP8/VTfi8gxuLvI/AAAAAAAASsE/4MIOp1KuPms/s1600/IMG_3111.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The muddy ass on the left belongs to Pat. That's the most recent picture I have of him. It's from our <a href="http://26inchslicks.blogspot.com/2015/04/orcas-2.html">recent Orcas ride</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Pat is an engineer in the outside world, but in real life he is a super nerdy problem solver ex-grease monkey (build, modified, and raced stock cars: fucker's legit) dude that loves building cool bike shit and being involved with building cool bike shit. He knew of this event and wanted to check in on progress. AND, like Glen, Pat's a solid. So he shows up. He and Glen barely exchange more than a few grunts and nods and Pat gets it -- understands the fix Glen is making. Totally sees the stupid wrong receiver that I bought and he's out of there. He shows up a 1/2 hour later with the right hunk of metal and a receipt for $25 for me. At this point I had moved approximately 1.5 tons of rock. It was hot. I was dehydrated. But I swear I nearly cried with joy when he showed up with what was of course the correct receiver and I realized that my project would complete.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrmQe7qiERQ/VTfj6LhIWwI/AAAAAAAASsM/kHIANP3GsAM/s1600/IMG_3300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrmQe7qiERQ/VTfj6LhIWwI/AAAAAAAASsM/kHIANP3GsAM/s1600/IMG_3300.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It goes without saying that my "simple front hitch solution" was neither simple nor a solution. Click for big. One hunk of metal that I did get right is a 1/2" plate of steel. That's the money piece there wedged in between the receiver and the truck.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hWckjc7OL2Y/VTfk3EEtztI/AAAAAAAASsc/lBcxHMRgt9M/s1600/P1050505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hWckjc7OL2Y/VTfk3EEtztI/AAAAAAAASsc/lBcxHMRgt9M/s1600/P1050505.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's Glen's Pugs. Liza borrows it when we head to the river.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mrW5q_Mh9ys/VTfk25gVBrI/AAAAAAAASsY/ORD5povUqqA/s1600/P1050506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mrW5q_Mh9ys/VTfk25gVBrI/AAAAAAAASsY/ORD5povUqqA/s1600/P1050506.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rack is the best value hanger rack of all time: a Sun Lite. It's burly and super easy to hack/modify. Glen shortened it a tad to increase visibility.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
In the end, I'm thrilled. Glen has asked for a picture with the truck loaded up with at least 8 bikes. That will come, but I want to happen naturally. Watch this space for that someday in the future.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7xnD71LcSXc/VTfdRf_olDI/AAAAAAAASq4/0pvoHkVDR_o/s1600/IMG_0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7xnD71LcSXc/VTfdRf_olDI/AAAAAAAASq4/0pvoHkVDR_o/s1600/IMG_0251.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Your standard bike pile at the river.<br />
There are 7 bikes here. Five of them came up with us on this particular hang: 3 in the truck, 2 on the car. This year: all on the truck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-935706691345385222015-03-23T19:45:00.000-07:002015-03-23T19:46:51.792-07:00S'plorin' w the s'plorer<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BVK9UPS8pfE/VRDMyDEENMI/AAAAAAAASos/QRnw7iZKLsk/s1600/IMG_3083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BVK9UPS8pfE/VRDMyDEENMI/AAAAAAAASos/QRnw7iZKLsk/s1600/IMG_3083.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made a quick run to the Kettle River yesterday. This morning I got up early and had a couple hours to tool around. This is the end of the road. There used to be a bridge/raised roadway that continued here. You can't see the pilings in this picture, but they're there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vf4N8HTZ2-A/VRDMvemIKkI/AAAAAAAASoM/XAjH80Ercqc/s1600/IMG_3071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vf4N8HTZ2-A/VRDMvemIKkI/AAAAAAAASoM/XAjH80Ercqc/s1600/IMG_3071.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a little section of trail that my brother-in-law Andy and I revived last summer. It's an old road that shaves off a good chunk of road riding for a loop we like to do. Last summer we cleared away the deadfall and started riding it often. I'm guessing it's being maintained by the local game animals now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNTrxcMba1Q/VRDMv0sRAUI/AAAAAAAASoU/2NVyz2SFh4U/s1600/IMG_3080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNTrxcMba1Q/VRDMv0sRAUI/AAAAAAAASoU/2NVyz2SFh4U/s1600/IMG_3080.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found an old root cellar.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kw0QQW7O6sQ/VRDMvz9YMxI/AAAAAAAASoY/yFzyBXGuFGU/s1600/IMG_3076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kw0QQW7O6sQ/VRDMvz9YMxI/AAAAAAAASoY/yFzyBXGuFGU/s1600/IMG_3076.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's cool to see how someone put a long time ago put this together -- they used the local rock, then mortared it all together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oNEPpvy8xps/VRDO37BwnpI/AAAAAAAASpA/u6M_j18JsVc/s1600/IMG_3077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oNEPpvy8xps/VRDO37BwnpI/AAAAAAAASpA/u6M_j18JsVc/s1600/IMG_3077.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Timber roof. Long since caved in. I wonder if there are any old jars of food under that rubble? I saw some busted crocks and jars in there. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3JUiZtpu3hM/VRDMw61TsTI/AAAAAAAASog/jPRV-vORQiY/s1600/IMG_3082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3JUiZtpu3hM/VRDMw61TsTI/AAAAAAAASog/jPRV-vORQiY/s1600/IMG_3082.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few years ago a forest fire came through and cleared out all the undergrowth and tiny tree forests that were under these trees. That's a great method for making things very ridable. You don't need a trail with that set up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfRE5CbXLyc/VRDMyon_50I/AAAAAAAASow/qR2A1w18giM/s1600/IMG_3090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IfRE5CbXLyc/VRDMyon_50I/AAAAAAAASow/qR2A1w18giM/s1600/IMG_3090.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In unrelated news. When I got home I found this odd situation in my garage. The hook holding the cargo bike broke/pulled out of the wall and the bike fell on its nose -- and leaned against the tires. No harm. No broken stuff. No big whoop. I left it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-16401695266061979622015-03-22T19:40:00.003-07:002015-03-22T19:42:47.233-07:00Fly fishing... in reverse order<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NaCnYP14H7o/VQ97j-C66uI/AAAAAAAASnQ/dAFs1gPIETM/s1600/photo%2B5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NaCnYP14H7o/VQ97j-C66uI/AAAAAAAASnQ/dAFs1gPIETM/s1600/photo%2B5.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packing it in. Skunked again. Live bait spinning is rarely this demoralizing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1y1NTioGO0/VQ97g_4fKtI/AAAAAAAASm4/drQXxIr1wkA/s1600/photo%2B4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M1y1NTioGO0/VQ97g_4fKtI/AAAAAAAASm4/drQXxIr1wkA/s1600/photo%2B4.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You're done when you lose your fly. Or it's hopelessly tangled. <br />
Or you're out of beer. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ5_HdSQdgM/VQ97hOL_zoI/AAAAAAAASnA/wlcNGOdeySI/s1600/photo%2B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tQ5_HdSQdgM/VQ97hOL_zoI/AAAAAAAASnA/wlcNGOdeySI/s1600/photo%2B3.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the eyes on this wooly bastard. He's so delectable looking, I just about ate him. Somehow the fish were able to resist the lure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GtrvZaOuKV8/VQ97hGrR26I/AAAAAAAASm8/BmIKSlw9eXs/s1600/photo%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GtrvZaOuKV8/VQ97hGrR26I/AAAAAAAASm8/BmIKSlw9eXs/s1600/photo%2B2.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packing up. Optimism is high. The river is more than half full. The fish are surely eager and hungry... ready to hit anything, even a rookie's fly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4501437224497800843.post-31232019310335969282015-03-13T19:15:00.001-07:002015-03-13T19:15:06.446-07:00Saddle time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2sxi7J1f9lc/VQOUSE9A6ZI/AAAAAAAASjk/RP367AGWIkk/s1600/P1050915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2sxi7J1f9lc/VQOUSE9A6ZI/AAAAAAAASjk/RP367AGWIkk/s1600/P1050915.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Maddie and I are slowly building up saddle time. Watching her ride over the last week or two has highlighted a few changes that still need to be made to the bike.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm going to find her narrower bars and get them a bit closer yet. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She often rides with her elbows locked. We did a 16 mile ride today and her arms hurt. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFyNG41Te-k/VQOUTeMIGpI/AAAAAAAASjs/mE1B3YwBUdc/s1600/P1050924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFyNG41Te-k/VQOUTeMIGpI/AAAAAAAASjs/mE1B3YwBUdc/s1600/P1050924.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm also going to put some smaller rings on it. Maybe use the 74 for a 24 and then the inner 110 with a 38 and a bash guard on the outer. She never uses her big ring, which is a 46 or so. I let her set the pace, and on flats it's pretty relaxed. She never pedals down hill, preferring -- like any sane person -- to coast instead.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qPydfOMLfx8/VQOUT37kWtI/AAAAAAAASjw/-CLhaUzVIQk/s1600/P1050927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qPydfOMLfx8/VQOUT37kWtI/AAAAAAAASjw/-CLhaUzVIQk/s1600/P1050927.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She stands on all climbs always. And hauls arse too. On dirt climbs she spins out a bit, so with a lower gear I'm hoping she will sit back and spin up without loosing traction on the rear wheel.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CXOSxm5cmGs/VQOUYxJo8yI/AAAAAAAASj8/SPy3vmjPZdU/s1600/P1050931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CXOSxm5cmGs/VQOUYxJo8yI/AAAAAAAASj8/SPy3vmjPZdU/s1600/P1050931.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
She's into dirt. We were traveling down this paved road when she decided to go jetting through the adjacent field instead.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OXrmtG27Wr0/VQOUdUoE7iI/AAAAAAAASkE/Y70lwe0QtHA/s1600/P1050935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OXrmtG27Wr0/VQOUdUoE7iI/AAAAAAAASkE/Y70lwe0QtHA/s1600/P1050935.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Stopping and exploring is important. This can be hard for me and I need to go with it. I was pretty fixated on our destination today and I had to remind myself to chill. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bwkWobr8T2M/VQOUed3RlfI/AAAAAAAASkM/k97s8qICuFQ/s1600/P1050942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bwkWobr8T2M/VQOUed3RlfI/AAAAAAAASkM/k97s8qICuFQ/s1600/P1050942.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our destination was an old blocked off road that I've ridden by a bunch and always wondered about. Turns out that at the end of the road there's an old train loader, long dead. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2bTDY7HeBiQ/VQOU0brsBSI/AAAAAAAASkU/hdoal_UVXlA/s1600/P1050949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2bTDY7HeBiQ/VQOU0brsBSI/AAAAAAAASkU/hdoal_UVXlA/s1600/P1050949.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Beyond that is the Kettle -- about a mile from the Columbia confluence. The Columbia is drawn down, so this section of the Kettle River is way more exposed than normal. This is the pre-mud picture.</div>
<br />John Spearehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07187638368645707099noreply@blogger.com0