I was fortunate to have last Friday off. After getting some chores done we went for a short mountain bike ride. It was a little later than we anticipated so it was quite short.
Some background for that ride.......
Some background for that ride.......
Just over two weeks ago Troubadour found a great deal on a dedicated mountain bike for me (so I don't have to use the hybrid on single track) and we ordered it from REI. 40% off a 2014 Novara Madrona, we figured we couldn't go wrong. A week ago last Friday we drove to Eugene to pick it up. It was as nice as we'd hoped. 27 speeds, 29 inch wheels, hydraulic disk brakes, and it is backed by REI's one year 'love it or return it' guarantee.
I think hubby got it figured out I'd need something besides the hybrid to willingly follow him down theprimrose path single track trails without maiming myself.
I think hubby got it figured out I'd need something besides the hybrid to willingly follow him down the
Last Friday happened to be our first chance to take it out for a shake down ride. Raise the seat further, adjust the grips a bit, and off we go.
We chose the Vineyard Mountain Loop at the Lewisburg Saddle north of town. We've previously ridden out there so we knew what we were getting into. Just a gravel road to start off. Bluekat has been out there recently too.
Because of our late start and encroaching darkness, we didn't have time for the full loop. We figured to ride for an hour and turn around and head back to the car. It was all uphill until the turn around point.
We did stop for a few pictures along the way. The sun even came out for a short spell.
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| (A look behind us at what we climbed) |
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| (A look forward at the climb ahead) |
Further up the road we spotted a bit of sunshine coming through the trees and stopped for a bit.
The sun through the trees made the leaves look bright.
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| (Artsy pic by Troubadour) |
A little further up the hill we stopped at a fork in the road.
And a little further up we climbed.
We rode almost to the end of a spur road. There were buildings ahead and we decided not to get too close - not knowing if they were private or research related.
But.... we found more sunshine.
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| (Troubadour's Trek X-Caliber) |
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| (Me laughing at something Troubadour said) |
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| (Arsty photo by Troubadour) |
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| (Me checking out the cool looking fungus) |
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| (Close up of fungus) |
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| (An even closer look at the fungus) |
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| (Last quick photo of Troubadour's bike) |
We used this as our turn around point and it was all downhill back to the car. While pedaling uphill kept us warm, the downhill ride was a wee bit chilly. Even with gloves on my hands were cold by the time we got to the car. The thermometer in the car indicated 47˚F (8.3˚C)
We arrived home about 4:30 pm with about 30 minutes to spare before dark.
The main difference between the new bike and my hybrid is that the seat on the new bike is a little smaller and not quite as soft. The brakes however, are much better for a controlled descent. I did find it odd that there are no gear indicators on the new bike, but it didn't seem to matter much. Is it too hard to pedal - shift. Are you pedaling too fast without getting anywhere - shift.
Did I mention that uphill seems to be easier too? More riding and less walking, hooray!
The main difference between the new bike and my hybrid is that the seat on the new bike is a little smaller and not quite as soft. The brakes however, are much better for a controlled descent. I did find it odd that there are no gear indicators on the new bike, but it didn't seem to matter much. Is it too hard to pedal - shift. Are you pedaling too fast without getting anywhere - shift.
Did I mention that uphill seems to be easier too? More riding and less walking, hooray!
Saturday we drove to coffee in the heavy fog, then went home to get ready for the Team Oregon annual banquet in Salem. It was a late night for us.
Sunday, was at one time, forecast to be dry and sunny. Somehow that changed (as it usually does in Oregon) and the day dawned grey and drizzly. Instead of taking the bicycles or motorcycles out we stayed in and did some honey-do projects. Troubadour finished the back gate and also made a bike rack for the spare room to house the bicycles. He's crafty that way. I tidied the house and baked some yummy squares - it's what I do. (recipe on the food blog next Thursday)
- Au Revoir
" Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." - Albert Einstein
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Beautiful photos! That looks like a wonderful area to ride. Does the bike meet expectations? The square tubing makes it look heavier than your hybrid.
ReplyDeleteSo far the bike is great. I really noticed the lack of cushion in the seat compared to the hybrid. Might have to switch seats. I didn't notice it being heavier, but then I haven't had to carry it over any logs yet.
DeleteOh...that makes me feel so bad. I never took my bike to the Trek flagship store just a mile away for a trade inquiry. I didn't even take it off the hook this year. Summer went so fast. Autumn just got here and now it's gone. I'm painfully nostalgic for my private rides in the woods up north.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely ride you had. Very interesting bike, too. I have to look that up.
No reason to feel bad, we went years without getting our beach cruisers out of the garage. Wasn't until we got new bikes we take them out a lot more often. More fun and easier to ride than a three speed with coaster brakes.
DeleteI'm amazed at the variety of shapes and colors of fungi. And they hold still for photos :^)
ReplyDeleteAnd if they don't hold still ... RUN!
DeleteYeah, not just mushrooms around here. Not sure what kind they are, but I guess that stump just doesn't get enough light to dry out.
DeleteAnd yes, I'd run if it started moving, or opened an eye, lol.
Great pictures! Love the colours and the sun peaking through the trees.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrew, it was a pretty time of day. All the downhill in between shadow and blinding sun was interesting too.
DeleteNice one! Great photos and I especially like the artsy ones. Somebody has a good eye. :)
ReplyDeleteBike racks in spare rooms tend to be slippery slopes … Next thing you know you have a room filled with bikes ;)
Thanks Kari. Brad was the artsy one with the good eye.
DeleteYeah, there are three bikes in there now....... until Brad finds a fat bike he likes. Brad still has his beach cruiser in the garage too. It is pretty big to drag into the house. Good thing we never have company and don't need the spare room.
I like seeing the colors and hills and shadows and light. 47 degrees? Keep taking pictures. (Good from afar).
ReplyDeleteYes, hence the reason my hands were cold coming down the hill even with gloves on. Mind you they were perforated summer gloves. I forgot how chilly 47 degrees was. Woke to 33 this morning. Warmer than some parts of the country though.
DeleteGreat photos. Nice looking bike as well. Having the right equipment for the job makes the ride sooo much more fun. I hope the weather holds and you can get some more rides in before it goes bleah for a few months.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Having the right tool for the job should make a big difference on the single track trails. Sure was easier going uphill on the forestry road. Fingers crossed we'll have a few nicer days to get out. A lot of single track is closed until Spring due to mud, sigh.
DeleteGood photos, still seems like a lot of work though.....;)
ReplyDeleteBikes sure have changed since I was a kid.....weird frames, hydraulic brakes and discs....what next...ABS?
The uphill was work, downhill not so much.
DeleteABS on bicycles? Perish the thought.
Brandy, that's an awesome looking bike. Since I am also into more and more into cross-country cycling I am also considering another less heavyset bike. Also, looking into something more convenient for hill-climbing. Funny how we all seemed to get into cycling in the past year or so. Might be Kari's good influence...
ReplyDeleteThank you Sonja. I did find going uphill easier with the wider tires with better tread and a few more gears may have helped too. I felt sturdier on the gravel than with the hybrid tires.
DeleteAnd yes, I do think Kari is motivating us.
Brandy,
ReplyDeleteFall is in the air, I can see it in the colors and the aromatic smell of the fungus. Your photos are wonderful as always...made me feel as though I was right there with you. You guys set a good example for folks like myself who are a little more sedentary than we should be. I need to get off my butt and get some exercise...thanks for the motivation.
Cheers,
Curt
Most of the trees and shrubs in our yard still hadn't changed colors or dropped their leaves....that is until this weekend when the temperatures have dropped down to 20˚F. They sure didn't like that much. I don't think they'll turn colors now, just lose their leaves. We have two maple trees in the back yard that are usually a pretty red, not this year, still green but the leaves are dropping.
DeleteWe usually get out more than we did this year so we feel better when we actually do. Maybe we'll go for a hike in the sunshine today. That should keep us warm in the cool temps.
Nice new bike and awesome trails to ride - enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThank you m'lady.
DeleteCurt said it....your photos, the lower light, the colors all scream autumn. Just beautiful, all the way around. It would have been a shame to spend your day anywhere else.
ReplyDeleteYou're too kind. It has been too chilly the last week to get out for another ride, but we are hoping to soon.
DeleteThere was a time when I biked a lot. For some reason the two very good bikes in the garage just hang there from the ceiling playing possum. Maybe in the spring.
ReplyDeleteMy beach cruiser used to sit in the garage too as it just wasn't great for the type of riding we wanted to do. Of course the rains have returned so my new bike sits in the spare room, waiting patiently for me to ride.
DeleteI used to have a 10 speed... That's how long I have been on one... LOL! Looking at the beauty you are riding in makes me want to get one... however, I know better ;) Love that fungi even though it can be dangerous it is remarkably beautiful! Now I am going over to see what you are teasing me with on your food blog.....
ReplyDeleteI had a 10 speed in high school, I loved that bike. Until someone stole it, doh!
Deletebootiful pictures once more and the insight into the area you have to explore there
ReplyDeletelike the honey-do phrase and may have to use that
You are a married man and you've never heard of the 'honey-do' list. Honey do this and honey can you do that.....there are always projects on the honey-do list.
DeleteI do think you'd like exploring the forests of our area.
My son and his wife have mountain bikes by "Cube". new name to me, being an old Marin chap, but they loo fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of the brand Cube. I had to google them. They look pretty nice.
DeleteI see Merida is another brand popular with some of the other bloggers, but they don't sell them here either.
Great pictures! Two wheels is still two wheels, whether motor powered or pedal. New bike looks good, happy pedaling! :)
ReplyDelete