Secret MTB trails.

Some of the folks from Bike Pedalers own land that has been developed into an amazing mountain biking spot. They've been very selective about who was invited out to this secret MTB heaven. This week the property was listed on Craigslist so after all the work they've put into the trails the guys wanted to show it off and have some fun riding before it's too late. I talked our oldest son into letting me borrow his Marin MTB and headed out to this secret private Eden. Once there, I got the grand tour. The trails are well made and full of sweet features! As I arrived they'd just built a vertical wall. We built up a berm before and after it, then tried our luck letting the g-force carry us through when we found the right line... when we didn't we got a chance to practice emergency off camber breaking. When you had the guts to hit it hard enough to stick it the wall was too fun! Back at the cabin the fire pit was the place to share stories and relax. It was an honor and a privilege to be invited and riding those trails made this afternoon one I'll never forget. There were a slew of other biking events going on all day today in Lincoln, and I hated to miss them, but chances like this can't be passed up. Hopefully a cyclist will be the buyer, it'd be a shame for this all to go to waste. It's an amazing place!

Xterra Bolt race at Branched Oak Lake

I rode out to Branched Oak Lake to cheer on some friends racing today. I was asked to help run one of the timers giving me an up close view of the action. Competitors swam 1000 meters, rode mountain bikes 15 miles, then ran 5 miles. It was a perfect morning for it and it made for a fun ride out there and back. Click here and here to find out more.

A cutie on the bike path at Holmes Lake!

The misses and I went for an evening spin on the path around the lake, it's a great night for it and there is no one I'd rather bike with. Plus, having biking on her mind can't hurt when she goes to pick out an anniversary gift for me later this month. I want her thinking about bikes rather than neck ties or socks! I'm stepping up the sweetness and leaving bike catalogs strung around the house. Let's hope it pays off. Lol!

All added up today I got 28.3 miles.

From TDF to Wilderness.

Today began by waking up early for a ride over to Andrew's man cave to watch The Tour live starting at 6:30am our time on his projector.

After a few hours of watching the race and visiting with several other cyclist and one self proclaimed groupie I left and rode to the office.

I did a little work so I wouldn't have to tomorrow and I'll be free for a gravel ride we're planning to Ashland and won't have to hurry back. I made a detour on the Mopac, but it was pretty dead.

Once I got home I was able to borrow our 18 yr old's MTB and left home again to ride some single track with a cool couple I met on the NSFW ride. We went through Wilderness and then some, we had a great time out there.

Today's miles = 45.4

The Pivot Mach 4 commute.

Since I didn't have to return the demo Pivot Mach 4 to Bike Pedalers till close yesterday I decided to make the most of it and rode it to work and back too. It was sure footed. Quick on the hills and off the starts. It floated over bumps and sailed over curbs. I really only noticed the slower wide tires on the straight-aways when my road bike would have had an advantage. The extra effort pedaling, though nominal, was made up for with extra comfort. If you'd rather take a couple more minutes to get there, but not feel like you've had your fillings rattled out of your teeth you might be just as happy using something like the Pivot Mach 4 in town as well as on the single track.

Demo'd the Pivot Mach 4 at Wagon Train.

I LOVE this bike!

Ok, we got back to Lincoln and unpacked. I then headed to Bike Pedalers to pickup my Felt from getting a tune-up and new brake pads. They showed me their newest line of bikes. They are now a dealer for Pivot Cycles. I was planning to ride some single track tonight with family and asked if they would let me demo one. I was excited when they said "yes", but I had no idea what a treat I was in for!

I was given the Pivot Mach 4 with Fox suspension, and Deore XT components all the way around to use for the next 24 hours. We rode the same trail as was used for the recent Angry Cow Adventure series 12 hour Mountain Bike Race. It was my first time riding out there and shortly after starting I went into a turn on a downhill section too fast and braked too hard sending me head first into the trail. After shaking it off and realizing those disk brakes will do what you ask of them weather your ready or not. I took a moment to visit with other riders before hitting the trail again.

The Pivot line of MTBs have a stiff fast feel and are very quick! It was a real treat to ride and it found torque over every type of surface. The Mach 4 really shined in the climbs. It was like a rocket going up the hills! If your a competitive single track racer or considering some serious trail riding you need to give the Pivot a try. I had a great time and absolutely loved this bike.

I'm going to ride it on my urban work commute tomorrow and see if it behaves in the city as well as it does in the woods. Stay tuned. This bike is too cool!!! Tonight's miles = 5.1

Wagon Train 12 Hour Mountain Bike Race.

Tonight from 6pm - 6am is the angrycowadventures 12 hour MTB race at Wagon Train State Park near Hickman. I went out for awhile to cheer on friends. There were just under 100 racers and the weather and trail was great. It might rain in the early morning hours. But so far the race is a success. Lap times were being clocked at 20 minutes.

Cycle Works Tomac Open House.

Tomac based out of Lincoln Ne held an event at Cycle Works tonight with a chance to see the line, visit with company reps and enjoy refreshments and prizes including a 29" MTB frame.

There was a good crowd and everyone was hopping to be drawn for the frame. Jim came away with first prize. It was a great chance to see friends and browse the store.

After riding to this mornings bike to work event, riding on to work, then later to Cycle Works on 27th I got 35.4 miles for the day.

Gravel & single track with the bentventure crew.

The good folks from bentventure.com invited me to join them on a ride from Lincoln to Branched Oak Lake yesterday on gravel for some single track riding followed by a stop at James Arthur Vineyards.

This was my first real attempt at mountain biking and I had a great bike to spend the day on.

The group was so fun to ride with and I loved riding off road. It was the most fun I've had on two wheels all year!

I was riding a little beyond my abilities and by the time we were at the vineyard I had bonked like I never had before, so I caught a ride back to town and ended the day with 46 miles on the Marin MTB.

2010 Marin Mount Vision 5.9 Review

In this post I'll review the 2010 Marin Mount Vision 5.9 Mountain Bike from Bike Pedalers. I picked it up Friday and rode it home on the city bike trails and through some residential neighborhoods.

First off I want to mention that I have almost no MTB (Mountain Bike) experience. I had a 15 year old $80 MTB from Wal-Mart before moving to Lincoln and really starting to ride bikes, then I rode a Marin Comfort bike for 2 years and 6,000+ miles before buying my Felt Z-70 road bike last fall. So, for me to review the Marin Mount Vision 5.9 is like having someone that drives a Camaro test drive a Hummer - it's not really apples to apples. But, if your considering jumping into single track in a big way, maybe my thoughts will be helpful.

After leaving Bike Pedalers Friday afternoon I was quickly impressed with the hydraulic disc brakes, they stop on a dime and you'd better be ready or your going over the handle bars. You quickly realize you need to feather the brakes. The breaks are incredible and are VERY responsive. You give it a little break, you get a little break, you give them a big squeeze and you will stop right where you are. Their predictable, and once you have a feel for them, they invoke a strong sense of confidence.

The Marin Mount Vision 5.9 is a full suspension bike, you can look up the specks for the low-down on how it works. I noticed that it felt plush and forgiving on the streets and trails. Any cracks, bumps, holes, etc. were just floated over. Rather than the harsh treatment I'm accustomed to on my rigid road bike. Of course it takes a bit more effort to build up momentum and keep it going, but it really wasn't as bad as I anticipated. It weighs in at 25 lbs and can hold it's own on the pavement, it's not the tank I thought it might be.

I love the way it shifts, it's responsive, smooth and quick. Being used to my 30 speed road bike I noticed my cadence was faster when I was maxed out in the gears going downhill on pavement with the wind, but for anything short of that, there was a gear for every situation.

I also really liked the ergonomics, I found out fast that I needed to raise the seat a couple of times, because when your riding it the rear shock is absorbing your weight and that sets the bike lower than when your off the seat. Once I had that adjusted to my liking I felt really in-tune with the bike and like it was a natural extension of my body. It really fits well. The bars are comfortable, the saddle is surprisingly comfortable and it was just an all around joy to ride.

The Marin Mount Vision 5.9 looks as cool as it is, and is fun to be seen on around town.

Yesterday morning I joined up with the folks from bentventure.com I rode 12 miles across town to our starting point. Again I loved the way it acted in a urban riding environment. I'll write more about the ride in another blog post and just focus on the bike in this post. We began by heading N.W. on gravel to Branched Oak Lake, the last mile or two was on highways. The Marin Mount Vision 5.9 loves gravel! It was SO smooth over the rocks and bumps. It was sure-footed in deep loose gravel, would climb like that's what it was meant to do and bomb down hills like it was going out of style. The only weakness was the rider.

At the lake we hit the single track mountain bike trails. Now, this is where the Marin Mount Vision 5.9 really felt at home. Wow! It was SO fun. Even though I'm not an experienced single track rider I was safe and secure and had a sense of confidence the whole time. I truly felt like the bike was reading my mind. It absolutely did everything I asked of it. It was shocking how fast, smooth and agile it was. I had the time of my life. If you take nothing else from this review, take heart in this... The Marin Mount Vision 5.9 will go wherever you point it. And not where you don't. Even at times when I was riding outside of my abilities, the bike was forgiving and well behaved. We rode single track for several miles and I never had to get off and walk it, never accidentally strayed off the path and didn't wreck the whole time. It was predictable and knew what it was doing even when I wasn't. This bike will get you where you want to be quickly and safely.

We then left and rode down highways into the wind to James Arthur Vineyards. By the time we got there I was spent. I'd put 46 miles on the Marin Mount Vision 5.9 on Saturday alone. Some of the group continued riding back to Lincoln while I joined a couple others in a car ride back to town. The bike was a blast and was capable on all terrains. But really shines in the places I can only dream of going on my road bike.

I also want to mention the reliability. I didn't have any mechanical issues whatsoever all weekend. Not so much as a flat.

If your ready to step up to a more capable mountain bike. Or want to jump into a new sport with both feet. Then you've got to give Bike Pedalers a call, or stop by and see the Marin Mount Vision 5.9 in person. This bike is a demo and is available to perspective buyers to take out and put through the paces. Rather than just riding around the parking lot of the bike shop. That way you can feel confident that the Marin Mount Vision 5.9 is the right bike to get you out on the trails and home quickly, safely, and with more fun that you can imagine!

MTB Lesson #1.

When taking kids 14 and under on trails, don't try to show off by riding through a creek that is way too technical for your ability. It's funny how they scream out "Are you all right?" before your face even hits the water. And are laughing before you even come up for air. Their quick aren't they?

My 1st endo into a creek. *ouch!*

Walk your bike through tricky creeks. Trust me!

Riding Single Track at Wilderness Park

Took the two youngest and a couple of their friends out to try some dirt riding this afternoon. Lots of fun!

Our 11 yr. old Rocking it out on his new whip from Bike Pedalers!

Check out his new MTB from Bike Pedalers! He couldn't be prouder!!!

A quick outting this weekend.

Burr! Over the weekend I did get out once and went to a Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor appreciation dinner at Platte River State Park. It was my first time there. And I loved it. It’s a gorgeous park and I encourage you to go there, I know we’ll be back when the weather is better and we’ve got time.

Before the dinner I took a few minutes to go down a path on my bike and see a cool waterfall. Other than my State Park Permit, (which was a x-mas gift – thanks Doc!) it’s free to go. Can’t wait to go back and try out the rail to trail converted bike/ped bridge and some of the single track MTB trails, it’s a great place! While there I saw several of the trail runners cross the finish line on their 12 K. race.

The dinner was awesome! Thanks Mike & Herb and ladies from the office. It was a great chance to compare notes with other instructors.