Raystown Trip - day 1

It's been a couple weeks since a blog post.  It's also been a couple weeks since I've felt well thanks to a cold, so there has not been much riding since the Manatoc Experience.  That changes this weekend.

Several weeks ago Ryan and I decided a fall trip was in order.  We discussed options closer to home than our previous trips that have taken us as far south as Georgia.  Without too much searching we zeroed in on Raystown Lake, Pennsylvania.  Consistent reports of fast, flowing trails solidified our choice destination.

Our plan is a three day weekend of driving, riding, camping, riding, camping, riding, and driving.  The Allegrippis Trails at Raystown Lake consist of about 33 miles of bi-directional trails.  I figured most of the trails could be covered, in at least one direction, in three days of riding.  This morning we kicked off the trip with some driving.

After loading Ryan's gear into the car and securing his bike to the rear rack, we left Apple Creek at 8:05 this morning.  This was the first road trip in the Mazda3.  We made the most of the hatch and rear seats, filling both with camping gear, cycling gear, food, and a cooler.

The sun was low in the sky as we drove east.

We took 250 then 22 to Pittsburgh in about 2.5 hours.  It's the first time I've been through Pittsburgh, at least as an adult, and I thought the city looked pretty nice as we passed through.  We saw evidence of the bicycle friendly reputation the city is gaining.  There were miles of bike paths visible along the highway.

Bridges and high rises on display.

Now the question was how to get to Raystown.  We chose the PA turnpike for the outgoing drive.  $10.15 later we exited the turnpike, backtracked west on 30, and turned north on 26.  It was almost exactly 5.5 hours after leaving when we rolled into the campground at Raystown Lake.

Warp speed through a tunnel.  I was loving

this picture as soon as I took it.

Prior to the trip I had done some research to learn the Ridge Camp section of the campground had the quickest access to the trails.  Upon arrival it also seemed to be one of the more nicely wooded sections.  We setup camp at site 14.

Getting ready to ride.

After some mid-afternoon lunch we saddled up and head out to ride the southern trails.  It didn't take long to discover the trails are very well marked.  We were using a pamphlet from the campground office which split the map of the trail network between front and back sides, but this was very usable for route guidance.  Every trail intersection had a 4x4 post with the trail names displayed.  At strategic points throughout the trails there were full blown maps on the posts.  Many posts had a two letter code on the top that could be looked up on the map.

Strangely enough, there was absolutely no

"you are here" type of indicator on the map.

We rode the Shade, Alleghany, and Barrel Bay trails.  In short order we understood the reviews and commentaries we had read about this place.  Lots and lots of flow, like riding a roller coaster.  There were no technical challenges to speak of but fast trails with dips, bumps, and berms to put a smile on your face.

Our first good view of Raystown Lake.

To add some more miles to our ride we turned around and rode the loop backwards.  I always like how a trail feels completely different ridden in reverse.

There were some rocks to be found.

In our final couple miles of the ride, coming across the Hollow Trail, Ryan abruptly stopped ahead of me and announced he had flatted up front.  We speculated about whether or not either of us had every flatted while on a mountain bike ride together.  I think the answer was no and this was the first.  The flat was changed in short order and we rode back to camp.

One ride, one flat.

The shower house was a short walk from our campsite and offered a seemingly endless supply of hot water.  Showered and refreshed we cooked some dinner.  Spaghetti piled with sauteed vegies and meat sauce got the job done.  The sun was dropping fast as we cleaned up camp for the night.  Fleece pullovers and stocking caps were in order as the temperature dropped to the low 50's.  We sat out beneath an overcast night sky listening to the cicadas sing, looking forward to some more riding tomorrow.

Winding down for the day.

New toy! (without wheels)

A Google Nexus 7 sits in my left hand while I peck with my right index finger.  It seems to be a useful and fun device, but this is a slow way to make a blog entry!

Manatoc Re-Experienced

For the second year I made it to the Manatoc Experience.  Last year I couldn't spell it correctly. Unfortunately this year Ryan was not able to make it.  Right up to the morning of the event I debated if I was going to fly solo or wait until next year for a re-visit.  These trails at Camp Manatoc are only open to the public once a year.  I'm glad I went.

After paying the $5 entry fee I parked in the gravel lot near the boy-scout's lodge.  There was a good crowd assembled for the festival. A lot of people were there to ride and every few minutes I saw bikes headed towards the trail.  As I pulled my gear out of the car I saw OCC rider Keith Feeman riding circles in the parking lot on his new Groovy bike.  We headed out with his friend Lisa for a lap of the course.

Keith's custom Groovy hardware.

I quickly realized I have not been on my Paragon for many weeks. The squish up front felt comfy but inaccurate at the same time.  I frequently found myself unnecessarily attempting to soak up roots and transitions.  The new carbon bars may have also contributed to the added comfort, I know they did in terms of sweep angle.

Part way into the lap I jumped on with Ryan Knopf and Mike Chapman.  We finished the lap together and meet up with some of the other Soupcan guys near the festival area.  I felt pretty good on the first lap and was enjoying the fast course conditions.  Just like everywhere else around, it's been dry at Camp Manatoc.

Starting my second lap.

I headed out on a second lap following Jason, Wes, Mike, and another guy I do not know.  It was good to ride with faster riders and see their lines.  I lost contact in the second half of the course but enjoyed the ride.

Back to the car I was about to dismount my bike when asked by several ladies if I could take their picture.  Rather than use one of their phones I took the picture with my camera and promised to email it to them. We chatted after I took the picture and they headed out for a lap.  It was nice to meet some new people on mountain bikes and I'm glad the picture came out well.

Smiles for the upcoming miles.

Forgetting about demo rides, I changed clothes and stashed my bike and gear in the car.  I walked over to the expo and had a look through the displays.  I guess I didn't really have a need to demo ride as I'm not bike shopping in the near future.

The expo area.

Trek and Felt were the manufacturers at the expo as well as a couple bike shops.  There were some interesting things to see.

The Trek booth.

A Kona fatbike at a shop's booth.

I met a guy and his Karate Monkey, the only

one I saw today.

Found a sweet cross bike for you Ryan!

All the while a log pull event was in progress.

Michigan Vacation 3

Just like last year we made a trip south to Clare for some tasty pastries at Cops and Doughnuts.  Ellen didn't hesitate to enjoy the sugar.  Our good weather continued and it warmed up later in the week, making swimming in the lake more enjoyable.  More fish were caught, I got in another mountain bike ride, and there was plenty of chasing after the kids.

Doughnut time.

 Which is bigger... hanging basket or

the bike seat?

I spy an Ellen.

Someone forgot their pedal.

 I'm being watched.

Not so much a tan line, more a sand line.

  I thought it said $6k... I was ready to buy.

 Thanks for the fun MMCC trail and Karate Monkey.

After another summer trip to the cottage I wonder where we will go next year.  I guess we'll have to take requests from both kids when the question of "where do you want to go on vacation?" is asked again.

Michigan Vacation 2

It's nice to be on vacation.  We've spent time flying a kite over Lake Huron, hiking around sand dunes along the Au Sable River, and jumping off the dock at our cottage.  Never a cloudy sky so far.

Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron.

Lumberman's Monument, Huron-Manistee National Forests.

Budd Lake, Harrison, MI..

I made it back to the MMCC for another ride.

Parked amongst registering students.

Slow riding past the camera.

There's fungus among us.

 Sandy puddle ahead!

 British Soldiers Lichen on a stump along the trail.

 The "powerline climb" of the trail.

Michigan Vacation!

Back in the spring we asked Daniel where he would like to go for vacation.  Without much hesitation he said, "the cottage!"  KT and I agreed, remembering the good times we had last year on Budd Lake in Harrison, MI.

A major goal for this year's trip was for Daniel to catch a fish.  Without much delay, we headed to the boat dock upon arrival.

KT and Daniel casting away.

Fortunately fish are not very smart, at least not at first.  We soon caught a nice sunfish by simply dropping an un-baited hook into the water.  Subsequent attempts were not as successful so we progressed to banana chunks and finally bait on the hook to catch several more sunfish.

Nice first catch fisherman Daniel!

The temperatures were pretty mild the first part of our week on the lake.  It was mid to upper 70's by day and in the 40's at night.  We still spent plenty of time down by the water.  Tuesday I headed 5 miles south to Mid Michigan Community College for a mountain bike ride.

Forgot bike pump and didn't have presta to schrader

adapter.  Solution... shoot air into CO2 pump head.

It worked!

Last year I really grew to like this ~10 mile course.  It's not flat but rolling, there's plenty of corners and twists, and the occasional sand puddle adds to the interest.

In the woods.

The course was in great shape this year.  From some web reading I'd heard there were some storms resulting in down trees earlier this year.  I saw very little evidence of damage and constantly thought this is a cared for trail.

Plenty of interesting 'shrooms along the trail.

The Karate Monkey was my steed this year.  I knew it would be a perfect match to the course and there were no disappointments in this choice.  Only one gear is needed, though I could've used a smaller cog on this course, and suspension is not necessary here.  The quick handling and agility of the Monkey made for tons of fun.

Banana stop.

KT and the kids went for a hike while I rode.  As we relaxed under a tree near the parking lot a mountain biker car pulled in.  We talked with a retired couple of school teachers who came from nearby to ride.  They also had a really positive review of the course.

Post hike rest break.

This is how retired teachers roll.

 

Less than 10 minutes from our cottage to the trail, there will be more rides this week.

The end.

Knob with Patrick

After being rained out yesterday afternoon, which has not happened very often this year, Patrick and I went to the Knob after work today.  We enjoyed a nice ride.  I asked Patrick of his first memory of the Knob and he said his first visit was about 1995 just after the official opening.  It was interesting to hear his comments about different sections of the course and how they had changed over the years.

Towards the end of the course.

One Way Commute

Set out on an extended morning commute this morning.  After work KT will be in the neighborhood anyhow and pick me up at work, so I added some distance to the ride in.  Once again I was on the road while the sun was rising and enjoyed the brightening sky.

A pastel sky in the morning.

 

The weather forecast called for afternoon rain so the plan to ride in and get a lift home was a good one.  I rode further east before turning north towards work.  The back roads are nice and calm in the morning.  Sure, there's the occasional car that flies by, someone hurrying to work, but these passings are few.  I sure do enjoy the ride in.

Having the road to myself.

Carbon Control

It's been long enough with the Bontrager Big Sweep bars that came stock on my Trek Paragon.  These are abnormal bars with 17 degrees of sweep.  They were awkward at first, I sort of got used to them, and this summer I've come to blame them for the mild wrist pains I've had the past year.

The Big Sweep.

I upgraded to a carbon Bontrager bar with "only" 9 degrees of sweep.  This matches the setup of the Race Face bars on my Karate Monkey which have treated me well.  Now what to do with the boomerang?

An expensive carbon fiber tube and some cheap grips.

Rising Sun on the Commute

Finally made a bike commute happen today.  Though I often think about it, the schedule rarely cooperates.  I set my alarm for 6:15, rolled out of bed at 6:20, and was on the road by 6:30.

Bike was in the garage the night before and pointed out.

On my way out the door I questioned whether or not to bring the digi cam.  I was already carrying two cell phones and some food in my jersey pockets.  Do I really need the camera?  Yes, no, yes, no... yes, may as well in case there is something interesting to shoot.

More than half way to work I realized I never even thought to take a picture.  Why did I bring the camera?  To justify the carrying it along I paused eating a banana, holding it in my mouth, pulled out the camera and snapped four quick pictures towards the rising sun.  Later in the afternoon I had a look at the pictures and was glad I packed the camera!

Eastward on Secrest Road.

Nice morning light.  Cold enough for arm

warmers when I first left home. 

Lovin' the morning commute.