Tuesday, April 9, 2013

all things new, what's been up, plans for the season

Blog posts are boring sometimes. Maybe even most of the time. I guess I wonder occasionally why I do it? Are there people that are interested in my ramblings? Do I do it for referral to what I've done and plan on doing? I can tell you that there are very few times that I have looked back to things. 

Blog posts are often boring if they are just words. I try to have pictures to add with captions for quick pass over viewing. It is irritating when you bring in a bunch of pictures in hopes to make a story of them and they scramble in what ever order they choose. Not sure how to control it, so I will do the best I can with what I have.

I did a couple of group fatbike rides this winter with my new Necro. I did a ride at Trapps family lodge in Stowe. I did an event at Burke Mountain called Winterbike. These two events were basically my introduction to snow biking. I found it to be quite a blast. I will be looking forward to putting some more time in on the bike this Spring to give it a little go at some trails.


Mark at Trapps

Trapps trail map

S24O

S24O
 I just rode the Necro for a ~60 miles round trip S24O from Essex to Waterbury and back. I stayed at a leanto at Little River state park. It is close enough to get there and back by bike in a short enough time. It was early in the season for Spring so I almost consider it a winter trip. I had a low of around 18*. The winter bag and some layers kept the cold at bay. I also borrowed an insulated sleeping pad for the trip and I think it made all the difference needed to make the night tolerable.

Trapps

Trapps

Trapps

Trapps

S24O
 I had set the Moment tent up on the leanto platform. I recently got the optional ridge pole for the tent that allows it to set up freestanding. It works fair enough but I think it would work best staked out. I think the plan for next winter is to use a bivy instead of the tent. Especially at a leanto, it would be a better setup.

Trapps (that's a whole lot of FAT)

S24O

S24O

S24O

Well, it's time to get the fitness up and the legs back for the warm riding season. I went for a two hour loop ride with some friends. Plenty of climbing which I have a tough time with but overall the ride went well and it felt good.

I need to get some off bike fitness stacked up to help me with the bike. I have some good plans for this year. There will be the usual events. I will probably to a century charity ride, the VT50. I want to do the brevet series. I want to get out for a 4 or 5 day New England dirt road tour. That will be a pacifier for missing this year's Tour Divide as well as give me a little taste of daily "eat, sleep, ride". I can't wait.

Stay tuned!