Lynx rufus (aka Bobcat)

Hello! Who’s that?

Photos taken today in the Catalina Foothills. The cat was not scared of me, equally curious as I was. It crossed the trail just in front of me before jumping behind the rock wall to observe a goofy mountain biker in his happy habitat.

Later I heard coyotes …. [Continue reading]

February 22nd, 2009 | Category: Mountain Biking | One comment

More progress in the Canelo Hills

Paula and I joined a strong crew of Arizona Trail volunteers, led by trail hero Zay Hartigan. The object of our wrath was a ~mile stretch of Canelo East that could be a case study on how NOT to design trail in the desert (no fault of Zay’s — he didn’t design it, he just …. [Continue reading]

February 22nd, 2009 | Category: Mountain Biking | Leave a comment

SweetSolo

I met Paula at her school for the weekly Sweetwater ride. But she announced she was feeling sick, which is rare for her. She pretty much has to be incapacitated to actually admit she’s sick. So I left it at that and pedaled out to Sweetwater solo.

I’m really diggin’ the lens flare …. [Continue reading]

February 20th, 2009 | Category: Mountain Biking | Leave a comment

A leap of faith…

… that I wasn’t able to take.

I got dangerously close to purchasing a ticket to Alaska this week. The idea was to ride 350 miles to McGrath, not as a part of the race, but tagging along with Mike. I casually mentioned an interest in getting a snow overnighter under my belt to him. …. [Continue reading]

February 20th, 2009 | Category: Mountain Biking | 4 comments

Viz

Not much time for words lately, but many visuals are floating through my mind and dreams.

Another beautiful day in Tucson…

…followed by another ‘ho-hum’ sunset.

Water carved a solid surface perfect for riding:

Stray and you’re working hard and/or walking. Kinda reminds me …. [Continue reading]

February 18th, 2009 | Category: Mountain Biking | 2 comments

Only in Tucson

Chad and I combined forces on the river path, pre-dawn. We were set to take on yet another daunting challenge, one that I’ve never successfully completed.

Home->Summerhaven->Red Ridge->Charouleau Gap->Cherry Tank->50 Year Trail->Catalina SP->Home.

(Usually by the time you survive to the Gap, you bail and take pavement the rest of the way. Or …. [Continue reading]

February 8th, 2009 | Category: Mountain Biking | 12 comments

Sonorasaur

Louis and I rolled up to Cherry Tank environs, the stomping grounds of the legendary Sonorasaurus.

Louis, about to roll down the back of the Sonorasaur (real dinosaur, but also the biggest patch ‘o solid rock I’ve seen in Southern AZ).

We gorged like a ‘saur on other free ride …. [Continue reading]

February 6th, 2009 | Category: Mountain Biking | 2 comments

More Cheeziness

Louis and I rolled again yesterday. More new stuff for me, and plenty of practice on steeps. I rolled the ‘unintentional nose wheelie’ one again and managed to keep the rear tire on the ground and make the turn. Making the transition from steep up to steep down in 0.25 seconds is what caused my …. [Continue reading]

February 4th, 2009 | Category: Mountain Biking | Leave a comment

Mind burn

Finally took the snot rocket (new Green Behemoth) out to the 50 with Louis. He’s got some new goodies, and I had unfinished business with several classics. I’ve watched people ride some of these lines for a couple years now, but always passed. Finally rolled both of the spines of doom and a huck that’s …. [Continue reading]

February 2nd, 2009 | Category: Mountain Biking | Leave a comment