Went for a ride at Oak Mountain today with Tommy and Moran. We ended up starting late because I had a family lunch I needed to be at and could't make it out till 2:30 or so. We headed out Clockwise and went at a gentle pace. Upon arriving at the Rock Garden we noticed that Tommy's gnome had a "friend" We later learned that her name was Isabella and now he had someone to help keep him warm on these cold winter nights. Tommy was extremely happy and hopes that soon there will be some other Gnomes poping up around the trail now. For once I did not carry my camera, so I had to snap a few with my phone (which I luckily had with me ebcause I was expecting a call). We continued on to the north trailhead and I could tell Tommy was having trouble. He later told me he was having knee pain due to switching pedals and decided to turn around. Me and Moran continued on thinking we might could beat Tommy back as we only had a couple extra miles. We finished up and Tommy had beat us back to the car and was looking pretty cold. We packed up and left quickly as it was getting dark at this point.
I will tr to get pictues up later
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
SNOW in Alabama!
You are about to see something very rare. The chance to bike in the snow in Alabama. BUMP was supposed to have the 3rd Sat club ride today at 9:00. 
I had called Tommy last night and he said he could go about 10. I called him this morning about 9:15 and woke him up. He asked me to pick him up so we finally got out there about 10:20. It was snowing pretty good so we checked out the southernmost parking lot no one was there. We decided to park next to the canoe rental building so we could get to the trail easier. We got ready and hit the trail. The snow was 
incredible an the trail was a little muddy. I was a little worried that the trail would be hard to see, but it was no problem at all. I started out and my hands were frozen. I could not feel my fingers at all when we made it to the first log crossing. Our goal was to ride to 
the N trailhead and back so we could make sure Thomas the Gnome was enjoying the snow, but with the really slick roots and the mud we were considering turing around. I started feeling better and Tommy said he would just meet me at the north Trailhead. He headed back and I slowly made my way down the trail. I really enjoyed the scenery and stopped to take 
quite a few pictures. I finally warmed up and was really enjoying myself. I made it to Thomas and I offered to build him a fire to keep him warm, but he said he was doing fine. Near the north trailhead a couple was riding and went by as I was snapping some pictures. I was supprised to see anyone else out, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves. 
There was also a runner who ran to the north trailhead an back. Crazy people out in this weather. Finishing up my feet were frozen. My feet had gotten wet due to the mud so I drove home barefoot as I did not have dry socks. I got home and washed my bike off as I couldn't let it go to be dirty.
I had called Tommy last night and he said he could go about 10. I called him this morning about 9:15 and woke him up. He asked me to pick him up so we finally got out there about 10:20. It was snowing pretty good so we checked out the southernmost parking lot no one was there. We decided to park next to the canoe rental building so we could get to the trail easier. We got ready and hit the trail. The snow was incredible an the trail was a little muddy. I was a little worried that the trail would be hard to see, but it was no problem at all. I started out and my hands were frozen. I could not feel my fingers at all when we made it to the first log crossing. Our goal was to ride to the N trailhead and back so we could make sure Thomas the Gnome was enjoying the snow, but with the really slick roots and the mud we were considering turing around. I started feeling better and Tommy said he would just meet me at the north Trailhead. He headed back and I slowly made my way down the trail. I really enjoyed the scenery and stopped to take quite a few pictures. I finally warmed up and was really enjoying myself. I made it to Thomas and I offered to build him a fire to keep him warm, but he said he was doing fine. Near the north trailhead a couple was riding and went by as I was snapping some pictures. I was supprised to see anyone else out, but they seemed to be enjoying themselves. There was also a runner who ran to the north trailhead an back. Crazy people out in this weather. Finishing up my feet were frozen. My feet had gotten wet due to the mud so I drove home barefoot as I did not have dry socks. I got home and washed my bike off as I couldn't let it go to be dirty.See all of the pictures Here:http://picasaweb.google.com/grundcm/OakMountain2008_1_19
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Back in the Saddle again
Well I am finally feeling better after being sick for a little over a week. It is really rare that I do not ride on a weekend and I missed last weekend because I was really sick. I was finally feeling a little better so I went out to Oak Mountain with Tommy, Matthew and Moran. We rode a loop counter clockwise and had a great time. Matthew managed to make it out and was riding the log rides like they were nothing. We rode a nice slow lap which was what I needed to see how I felt.
Monty had posted that he was going to ride on Sunday, so I joined him out there for a ride. There was a couple of people who had traveled down from Tennissee and Kentucky to Ride. We took off heading clockwise and Monty set a pretty quick pace. I learned the visitors had already ridden one lap and were starting their second. The guy was commenting on how Monty was pushing the pace pretty hard, but decided to push himself ahead and left our group. The girl rode with us for a few minutes and decided to catch the guy. I was hurting pretty good at this point and once they were out of sight we slowed the pace a little and I was finally able to recover a bit. They waited for us at the North trailhead, but
we told them to not wait and headed up the hill. Heading down blood rock, I choose a poor route and found my front tire heading for a large root. Somehow I managed not to crash but did have to dab a foot. It was even up near the top where I don't usually even think about it. Anyway, we got down to the road and I hit Johnson's mountain. I was pushing myself a bit and finished up the loop. I got back to the parking lot and the out of towners were talking of riding a bit more. Since it was such a nice day, I decided to join them. I mentioned heading counter-clockwise and they both thought it was a good idea as I think they wanted to ride a different direction. I warned them that they may have to slow it down a little, but they assured me they were going to take it easy. We headed up Johnson's mountain and I was finally feeling pretty good. We got back to the road and they decided to head back.
I chatted with them in the parking lot for a few minutes and decided to ride a little more since I had nothing else to do that day. I headed Counter-clockwise with the intention to skip johnsons mountain, but ride the rest of the trail. I came out of the woods and ran into a couple of joggers. Without thinking, I just stayed on the trail. I decided to just ride on a little farther. I ended up riding a whole loop and it really felt good. It was a slower lap and near the end I started cramping pretty bad. I haven't had that problem in a long time. I guess it was due to being off the bike and out of the gym for 2 weeks. I am finally feeling better and am looking forward to next weekend.
Monty had posted that he was going to ride on Sunday, so I joined him out there for a ride. There was a couple of people who had traveled down from Tennissee and Kentucky to Ride. We took off heading clockwise and Monty set a pretty quick pace. I learned the visitors had already ridden one lap and were starting their second. The guy was commenting on how Monty was pushing the pace pretty hard, but decided to push himself ahead and left our group. The girl rode with us for a few minutes and decided to catch the guy. I was hurting pretty good at this point and once they were out of sight we slowed the pace a little and I was finally able to recover a bit. They waited for us at the North trailhead, but
we told them to not wait and headed up the hill. Heading down blood rock, I choose a poor route and found my front tire heading for a large root. Somehow I managed not to crash but did have to dab a foot. It was even up near the top where I don't usually even think about it. Anyway, we got down to the road and I hit Johnson's mountain. I was pushing myself a bit and finished up the loop. I got back to the parking lot and the out of towners were talking of riding a bit more. Since it was such a nice day, I decided to join them. I mentioned heading counter-clockwise and they both thought it was a good idea as I think they wanted to ride a different direction. I warned them that they may have to slow it down a little, but they assured me they were going to take it easy. We headed up Johnson's mountain and I was finally feeling pretty good. We got back to the road and they decided to head back.I chatted with them in the parking lot for a few minutes and decided to ride a little more since I had nothing else to do that day. I headed Counter-clockwise with the intention to skip johnsons mountain, but ride the rest of the trail. I came out of the woods and ran into a couple of joggers. Without thinking, I just stayed on the trail. I decided to just ride on a little farther. I ended up riding a whole loop and it really felt good. It was a slower lap and near the end I started cramping pretty bad. I haven't had that problem in a long time. I guess it was due to being off the bike and out of the gym for 2 weeks. I am finally feeling better and am looking forward to next weekend.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
First ride of the year
Me and Tommy went for a ride at Oak Mountain on New Years day to start the year off right. We were supposed to be joined by my brother and Moran, but both of them backed out due to hangovers. I guess it helps to stay home and not drink as my Fiancee was sick and I just stayed at home with her.
We started out Clockwise at Oak Mountain and rode. Did I mention that it was cold today. My fingers were pretty frozen and we only rode to the North trailhead and decided to turn around and ride back. Tommy was able to ride the log for the first time today and I actually got a video of him backing it up with a second successful ride.
Lastly we stopped to take some pictures of Thomas the Gnome that showed up next to the Rock garden sign. It looks like he wants some company. Maybe there will be more showing up over the next few months if the park doesn't remove him.
I have been doing a pretty good job of keeping track of my rides on Bikejournal. I created an Oak Mountain trail and I think I am going to do the same for Lake Lurleen and a few other local trails that are not on there yet. I did come up short on my goal of riding 600 miles since I joined in late September. I am trying to get Tommy and Moran to join so they will give me some competition to ride more this year. I was thinking of starting some sort of club to log allour rides to, but that might be pointless. I have not set any goals yet, but intend to do it soon.Link to remainder of the pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/grundcm/OakMtn2008_1_1
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