St. Patrick's Day

Ah, the time of year that Southie is over run by thousands, intoxicated and in green.  This is also a time that if you move your car, be prepared to park very very far from your house... so I was pretty much stuck in Southie all weekend.

Saturday I took the risk and left Southie bright and early for the first trail work session at the Fells.  It was a great turnout, had about 30 people there.  We made short work of the task at hand - rerouting an uphill section of trail and then regrading and narrowing the trail coming down the backside.  I had never ridden this trail before (orange), as it had previously been illegal for mountain bikers to access, but it was great to start getting our "new" trails ready to ride in April.  It was also nice to hear "thank you" from the many dog walkers, hikers, and joggers that came through while we were working.  So no matter how loud one group may be in damning us mountain bikers, the majority are truly cool with shared access and appreciate the work we are doing.

We've got much more work to do in the weeks ahead to get the orange trail fully open and ready to go for bikes... and then some planning and work on building new trails - which will be rad!  Working on the trail was rather fun.  At the end (sorry, didn't take any pictures) the trail looked as if we hadn't done anything to it... which is perfect!! One guy commented - "it's like a woman and her make up - takes 2 hours and you can't tell the difference!!"  Too funny!!

When I got home I was luckily able to park right down the street (after multiple laps looking for a spot).  I was itching to hit the trails, but already the streets were getting packed (and double parked) as the masses were rolling in for their night of partying, so Annie and I just went out for a nice lunch down at the Seaport instead.

Sunday was parade day.  Again, that meant no trail riding for me... so I took out Georgia and hit the streets.  As I was leaving Southie (a couple hours before the parade start) I encountered cab after cab coming into the neighborhood and masses of people in green walking their way in.  Of course I represented with the Ireland jersey but was headed out of the chaos.  Nice little ride.  The weather was perfect and I combined the last two ride routes into a 35.2 jaunt.  Still have one section to iron out but this will be a nice little loop I think.

Today I do have the HiFi on the pterodactyl and I'm ready to ride after work!!  Not sure exactly where I'll be yet... maybe Foxboro or Upton... but I'm sure it will include fat tires and dirt!!

We interrupt this program

Media Friday has been bumped by the following news (aka. and email I received)

DCR Stewardship Council Approves Middlesex Fells Reservation Resource Management Plan (RMP)

"On January 6, 2012, the DCR Stewardship Council unanimously approved the Middlesex Fells Planning Unit RMP after careful consideration and deliberation. With this approval, the RMP (available at http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/rmp/rmp-midfells.htm) becomes the official adopted management document for the Middlesex Fells Reservation. Recognizing that plans are living documents and that adaptive management is an important goal, the Stewardship Council also asked the DCR to monitor its progress in implementing the plan and report back in one year."

Sweetness!!  So that means more trails legally open to mountain bikers with the future addition of new trails - hopefully including NEMBA in the design and construction!

User conflict has been a huge thorn in the side of this whole process.  The DCR included this in their email:
"User Etiquette: The DCR Middlesex Fells is a popular urban reservation with a variety of uses and users. The DCR asks all users to practice the following etiquette.
· Respect other users, expect other users.
· Be friendly and courteous.
· Share the trails. Ride, walk or run on the right, pass on the left.
· Stay on the official trails. Going off trail or on user-created trails creates erosion, damages habitat and causes new trails which can't be maintained.
· Bicyclists yield to equestrians, runners and hikers.
· All users yield to equestrians. When a horse approaches, move off the trail and ask the rider for instructions.
· Always ride within your ability, under control and at a safe speed.
· Avoid unpaved trails when they are muddy or wet.
· Warn people when you are planning to pass. Bells or horns may frighten horses.
· Anticipate other trail users around corners and blind spots.
· Respect wildlife.
· Leave no trace. Pack out your litter.
· Dogs should be kept on leashes and under control on all trails.
· Pick up and properly dispose of all dog waste.
· Respect private and posted property."

Nothing surprising and all good rules to follow wherever you are... common sense and courtesy people!!

Trail closures will be starting to decrease redundant trails.  If you would like to get the details on the plan feel free to follow the link: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/rmp/rmp-midfells.htm 
This is a big win for us in the Boston Metro area.  May sound foreign to riders in other areas of the country, but here trail access can be a highly contested thing.  Generally it isn't, but the Fells has been an ongoing battle for 25 years, finally we are seeing some positive outcomes for the biking community.

The Fells has not fallen!

Over the past couple months I've mentioned the battle for the Fells... rather the Resource Management Plan the DCR was drafting to determine how they move forward with the management of the Fells.  As I've mentioned previously, biker access has been a hugely contested battle for over 25 years in the Fells.. with current legal riding being restricted to mostly fire roads.  The one "mountain bike loop" is 85% fire road and 15" singletrack...  Thankfully progresses seems to continue on our side.  The DCR released their final version of their DCR and they have stood firm with their findings that mountain biking does not cause excessive damage to trails (as some groups would like you to believe) and that there is a real need (and plan for) more access for mountain bikers.  You can check out the final document here if you would like.  It still needs to be voted on and passed in the regular old bureaucratic way, but it is a positive that their plan was not swayed by a few... "haters."

The biggest opponent to equitable mountain bike access has be Friends of the Fells... check them out if you like... what you'll like come to realize is that this group combative against the rights of any users other than their own members.  It's sad really.  They also would like to limit dog access to the park...

I had heard people talk about the "Friends" and characterize them as crazy.  I thought that this might be an exaggeration people commonly throw around... but when I went the the DCR meeting about their RMP I got to see first hand how out of touch some of their members were.  Being aggressive and rude towards the DCR, and making claims that made absolutely no sense with no real logic to back them up... oh well.

So, hope remains that the DCR will make positive choices and move forward with equitable access - as there is in practically every other state forest in Massachusetts.

Settle down there

Attended the DCR's presentation of their Resource Management Plan last night.  Got a sneak peak, the full version will be up at some point today - check it out... it's long... section 4 is where the important stuff is at.

Honesty...  I was underwhelmed at the turnout - in general.  I was initially underwhelmed at the turnout from NEMBA/mountain biking community.  But when I saw the overall turnout I'd say we were probably best represented from any one interest group... so I guess it evens out.  Again, I'm new to this whole scene, so maybe I'm all "bright lights, big city" dreamin, maybe this is the deal.

From the presentation I'd say there is hope.  It's not a "free for all" for mountain bikers, nor should it be if we want to be fair and equitable.  But mentioning the addition of new mountain bike accessible singletrack is definitely a step in the right direction.  Yet the step was smaller than had been hinted in the past, and not as much as NEMBA had been hoping... but again, this was a sneak peek summary meeting. Have to read up and see what the deal is.  I'm new, I'm still hopeful.

The "entertainment" for the night was provided by one member of the Friends of the Fells.  I don't want to bash the group as a whole, that is certainly not my intention... but man they really need to reel this guy in.  Other members were much more diplomatic, calling for cooperation... might have been a song and dance, but that's politics.  This guy, on the other hand, started attacking the DCR's study in the middle of the presentation... way to start on the right foot there guy.  When it was his chance to speak he starts calling into question the specific study noted in the presentation... NO SPECIFIC STUDY WAS NOTED IN THE PRESENTATION!  Again, it was a quick summary presentation.  Dude man was off his rocker.  Angry, angry man.  It was sad and comical at the same time.  I think a rogue mountain biker must have stolen his child or something - Leonard Smalls style

The meeting went long so I didn't hang around to speak with the GBNEMBA contingent present as I wanted to get back to the puppies.  And good thing I did.  As I was walking up the sidewalk the dogs were going nuts at the window (I checked Annie, no damage, the new window withstood a brutal attack by Maggie, and the sill guard you installed worked flawlessly) because an opossum was headed my way. It turned and hightailed it when it saw me.

But yeah.  I'd say the best thing we can do is to work with the DCR in the development of any new singletrack open for mountain bike use to ensure maximum flow and sustainability.  Create a great union now - save them some time and money by getting in and doing the work - and hopefully open up more access moving forward.  I'm new (theme here) and maybe this has all been offered in the past, but the door is opening, let's help widen the gap.  I'd be down for even representing GBNEMBA in "all interest" group to help smooth out some relationship with the other users of the park.... unlike other parks we won't be able to use the "Friends of" moniker since it's been aligned with a group who, historically, has been against bikers... I'm thinking "Citizens of the Fells."

ugh... Monday (but now it's TUESDAY!)

So Annie is out of town... I'll post up a little something in her absence.

Last week I talked about getting all involved and whatnot with the local NEMBA chapter, and Monday was that time... well part of that time.  A time I almost forgot...  I was busy getting all frustrated with the garmins.  I don't know what is up with it, I seem to consistently get longer distances than is reality - and I only know this due to races...  Weird.  So I was all google boarding (I don't like web surfing) trying to see if anyone else had any issues similar to mine.... but alas, I've screwed thing up in my own unique fashion.  You'd think errors would be on the short side, but somehow I go longer...  It is annoying to say the least.  So I gave up with the computer searching and decided to ditch the prescribed wheel circumference I have entered into the 500 and I finally did a real deal rollout to measure my wheel, at my pressure, with me on the bike... and it turned out that indeed my wheel circumference entered in the garmins was higher... I don't know if the difference was large enough to account for the miscalculated distances... but we'll see.

So that should have been a quick, not so annoying fix, right?  WRONG!  Looking over my race data I noticed my cadence was in and out... the cadence sensor johnny slide down the crank so the magnet wasn't hitting the sensor at various times on the course so I started to remedy the situation.  Then I thought, maybe I should just take the damn this off and let gps determine my distance and speed and be done with this mess.... so I took it all off....  Then I thought, well speed and distance should be more accurate with the sensor (if correctly calibrated) and looked to put the junk back on... and that's when I noticed the time.  CRAPTASTIC!

Dropped the nonsense and took off for Medford... old school style - that's right, directions written on a post it note (Annie has the vehicular garmins in LA).

The chapter meeting was held at JRA Cycles.  Man that place was packed full of goodies.  I didn't investigate thoroughly at all (I really should have) but it looked like they had some sweet ass rigs in there - I caught glimpses of some Niners... oooohhhhh, aaahhhhhh!

So anyway, I was glad to be at the meeting, but a little "disappointed" at the turnout.  I have no idea how many people usually come... so maybe this is the usual crowd, but there were only a hand full of us there - and I was certainly the new kid on the block.  With such an important meeting coming up - WEDNESDAY (the other part of my involvement) regarding access to local trails I had hoped for a big turn out.  As I mentioned last week, which was confirmed at the meeting, a lot of people have been burned out by decades of battling with the DCR and their inability to take control of their own land and not be swayed by a select few interest groups.  Let's just hope there is a greater presence at the DCR's presentation of their new plan.... and of course that in that plan there is good news for us mountain bikers.

So, I'm not sure if I have any readers in the Boston area... or Massachusetts for that matter... but if you are out there, and you are reading this... get your ass the the McGlynn School in Medford on Wednesday at 6:30pm.  More info here.

I apologize right now, but did you think you'd get away clean after I wrote that I was the "new kid on the block?"  Come on... it's horribly amazing... HOLY F!!

Get More: New Kids on the Block, Music, More Music Videos

Coming Up

Night riding will soon be a reality!!  So I finally came to a decision on a light...  and it's on its way!!  Initially I was heavily investigating some options from NiteRider.  I was settling in and accepting the price and dropped a NiteRider Pro 700 Race in my pricepoint shopping cart.  Then, out of nowhere I got a reminder email from REI about their Labor Day sale going on.  Now, I SWEAR that they had trainers on sale and I was ready to pull the trigger on the CycleOps Fluid 2 but when I revisited their site there was no trace of that being a sale item... the hell??  No trainer, but they did have lights, so I perused their offerings and something caught my eye...  on a whim (meaning only about an hour of online review, research, and comparisons) I had a CygoLite MityCross 400 coming my way!!!  

The initial estimate was that I'd receive the light on Monday 9/12.  I thought that was perfect timing... no new toys to distract me prior to the Landmine Classic.  Then, yesterday I happened to get a wonderful email informing me that the light would be at my doorstep on Thursday 9/8 - for those of you still on summer time (or is it just me that gets on "summer time?") that is TODAY, yeah boooyyeee!!

MityCross 320 & 400 from Cygolite on Vimeo.

As Annie mentioned, I'll be sure to fill you all in on how this bad bay performs on the trail.  Having never ridden in the dark before I won't really have anything to compare it with... other than it's ability to keep me from totally destroying myself on the trails at night.

Monday Greater Boston NEMBA is holding it's monthly chapter meeting, and I think I might just go.  I've wanted to attend in the past, but never actually made it... mostly because I was on "summer time" and didn't realize I missed Monday altogether...  But I feel that this meeting is especially important as the DCR is revealing it's final Resource Management Plan for the Fells.  For those of you who ride in Massachusetts you know how crucial this is.  For those of you not from the area here's a brief history of the Fells, which is a Reservation super close to Boston.  

The Fells has been super stringent with mountain bike access for the past 25 years.  NEMBA has been working hard to gain equal access and debunk some of the crazy claims that other users (The Friends of the Fells, cough, cough) make to try to keep mountain bikers off the trails.  Since I have known the Fells bikes have been limited to fire roads and one loop that consists of about 15% singletrack.  To say the least, riding legal riding is limited.  Knowing how contested things have been for so long I've always kept to the designated mountain bike accessible trail and roads.  I can't say all riders have, and from what I hear the not so legal stuff is killer... but others have worked far too hard and too long to get us rights for me to throw that all away so I can shred some singletrack.

Over the past year or two the DCR has been assessing trail use by holding public forums for groups to voice their concerns, has collected many surveys from users and local community members, and have conducted surveys throughout the Reservation to examine the sustainability of trails and soils throughout the area.  They've seemingly done their due diligence throughout the process to hear everyone's concerns and desires and on Wednesday 9/14 they will be sharing their final Resource Management Plan.  

I figure it's high time that I get active and do something to help gain further access to the resources we have here in Boston.  I ride here.  Now I race here.  Time for me to pitch in so we can all keep on riding here!!  I'm excited.  I'm hopeful.  But I'm new...  I know there have been many before me that have worked hard and stayed positive only to be shut out year after year.  Let's hope things are different now... and if they aren't, well I want to be there for the planning of the next step.

New roads, races, AND trails!!

Thursday I looked over Fells commute route, tweaked it a bit, waited for the plumbers to finish and off I went.  Ended up with a ride that was only a little over a mile less than the Cutler commute, but still...  you don't get a view of Boston on the way to Cutler.

Climb up this bad boy (located in the Mystic River Reservation in Medford)...

And catch a glimpse of the Beaner

You don't really want to know what I found under the look out....

Had a decent little ride around the Fells.  I was able to quickly join the Bike Loop from my entry point, toured that around and came across a number of riders, which was really nice.  I often ride without seeing another mountain biker, so it was cool to see a number of riders.  I probably jumped off the loop sooner than needed to in order to get back to the task of rodeoing back home... but that is what transpires on a scouting trip.

Saturday I hit up Wompatuck to ride attempt to ride the race course (as they have posted up a map outlining the course).  Overall it was pretty easy to find, a couple head scratches here or there and I was back on track... but I did get tripped up twice.  One was due to a lot of intersecting trails amongst some sweet dips, turns, and jumps... rode around that hill for a bit trying to determine the actual course.  The other spot was coming to the end.  I got suckered into following the Time Trials markings and got all turned around... and of course this occurs in probably the most technical area.  Which, in reality was just a great opportunity for some practice.  I was totally psyched that I was clearing all the rock gardens and rooty/muddy mess that was thrown in front of me.  When I determined I was off track I backtracked through the technical minefield and attempted to get to the finish line.... well it never happened.  I ended up doubling back somewhere by mistake and with my time on the trail nearing 3 hours I decided it was time to get back to the car (after all there were beers, wings, and the company of friends by an open fire to be enjoyed later that night).

Of course there is a race BEFORE the Landmine Classic, but there doesn't seem to be much going on in terms of a pre ride on that front.  I did see today a GPS from last years race and it seems I have ridden much of the course on my ride down there earlier in the summer.  So I feel fairly confident in heading down the day before to just tour the course.  One of the things that I was reminded of while riding in Wompatuck is that I need to utilize my gears.  This seems to be a cycle I fall into where I stop using my gears and just try to push too hard.  I don't know what it's all about (some subconscious feeling that I should be stronger/faster?) but it throws me off my game.  I was very happy to snap myself out of it and get back to spinning - pushing hard and riding fast, but making sure I was spinning those gears.

I'm in a good mindset going into the Annual Hodges Village Dam race so I'm feeling good about that.  I've backed off working my legs this week as I started the Fells Commute with a nice "burn" going on that never went away in my right thigh.  My legs felt pretty good at Wompatuck (could feel them working throughout - which is MUCH better than the void they were floating in for the Boneyard) so I'm hopeful I'll be in good shape for this upcoming race.  I'm ok with "feeling" my legs, as long as there is some output!!

Monday I decided to have some fun and hit up a new trail.  I went up to Chelmsford and rode Russell Mill.  HOLY CRAP that place is sweet ass!!!  The trails were just pristine.  So sweet and fast.  They did a great job of utilizing the natural features, hitting up rollers and wall crossings whenever possible.  Some nice quick twisty singletrack throughout.  And a pump track to boot!!  Not the longest trail system ever, but certainly a fun place.  I wanted to hit it for a second loop (mainly to snap pictures of the awesomeness that was the trails) but clouds were coming in and I had to get to the grocery store before I picked Annie up so I had to bail.  No fear, I will be back... and probably with much more media accessing technologies than just the garmins and iphone (possible mini movie??).

is it time?

Monday I took as a day off from the bike after the race on Sunday.  My body was tired and aching, but I still went to the gym!  I have also discovered a nice sized mystery bruise on the back of my left hip area... and a smaller one on my spine... and I wondered why my back was aching as I was coming across the finish??  Must have been a result of the mud hole crash.  Ah well.  Oh, and not to mention the intense blister I have on my left heal from hike-a-bike on dead legs...

Free to a loving home!

Tuesday my plans were fuzzy as I had a nice window of "between 10-2" for the Salvation Army to come pick up our stacked washer/dryer unit that has been taking up space in the kitchen.

We built a "real" sized laundry room downstairs and have since been trying to get rid of the unit in the kitchen so I can get busy working on another "job" for the summer... converting the space into storage of some sort (for cleaning supplies, pots/pans, or food... we shall see).

mmm project!!

So the tentative plan for Tuesday was to hit the gym as soon as said washer/dryer was picked up.  As for a ride, that would be dictated by previous said events (washer/dryer pick up and gym time).  They came and almost didn't take the unit because of a small scrape on it... apparently the Salvation Army is very particular when receiving a FREE working washer/dryer, but the driver suggested some nice white nail polish would make it good as far as he would be able to tell... so bingo bango the washer/dryer was gone at about 2 pm.  Leaving me to head to the gym.  I'm digging my new workout routine (with the higher reps and lower weight) as I can certainly feel the workout but without "getting me swole on" as they say in the great state of Georgia.  As previously mentioned, I need to do the opposite and slim down.  Still working on the diet - but that will be the goal for this week, figure out what I'm going to be doing nutritionally and get on that ASAP.  Perfect timing really as we need to hit the grocery store here soon.  After picking Annie up from work I headed over to the Fells for a spin.  I wanted to explore a bit of the southern fire roads as I'll need to know that section when I get my Fells Commute ride up and running.  I had a lot of fun over that - other than the dealing with traffic on the way and subsequently racing the sun to finish my ride...

Today I plan on hitting the Cutler Commute route to get those legs working again and to continue just stretching out my miles.  This time my plan is to get a full ride in at Cutler, so about 10 miles or so??

Random note... during the Boneyard I SWORE the course was switched and we rode through the Boneyard backwards... but apparently (thanks to the magic of the garmins) it wasn't at all, and the course was the same as the pre ride.... very strange how perspectives get mixed up/fuzzy...  kinda blows my mind really!!

Ride to the... ride

Going for a ride includes:

1. Deciding on which trail to ride

2. Getting my gear together

3. Loading up said gear into the pterodactyl

4. Brining the bike around the back of the building to get to the front, load it

5. Handling my business in traffic to get to the trail safe/sane

6. Putzing around getting everything set (tire pressure, shoes on, garmins all set, etc)

7. Enjoying my time getting my tires dirty (who am I kidding, getting the bike filthy, and myself muddy/smelly)

And now back to town...

8. Loading up the gear and bike

9. Leisurely driving home (since I've gotten my ride in I'm much more "calm") until someone somewhere pulls a dick move which then causes me to "handle my business" on the rode and get home as quickly as possible

10. a. Finding a spot that will accommodate my car AND bike (street parking is FUN!)

b. flashers on, unload the bike real quick, throw it into the foyer and then find a parking spot

c. flashers on, unload bike on random sidewalk, park and ride bike back to condo

11. Dip behind building and stash my bike in the basement hallway

I'm envious of my buddy Sean who has some sweet trails right outside his door.  I'm envious of people who have trails within 5 miles.  On Friday I stopped being envious and I rode the HiFi to the trail!! 

This was a ballsy endeavor for a couple of reasons.  The weather, for one, was being it's badass self and I woke to a day of forecasted thunderstorms.  After accepting the fact that there would be no riding a window of no rain/thunderstorms opened up.  That was all I needed and I google mapped my way from Southie to Cutler Park.  Googles told me that to get from here to there by bike I'd be looking at about 11.8 miles.  Would that give me any ride time legs at Cutler (taking into account that I'd have 11.8 miles to go to get home at the end of the ride)?  I googled my Charles River ride and found out where the  12 or so mile mark was for that ride.  Always felt good at that spot - and then some - so I figured I can get out there and tool around at least a little bit!!

The ride was actually pretty nice.  Getting through Boston I headed down Washington St which was pretty sweet considering they have a whole lane dedicated to buses bikes!  From there I was able to jump on some bike paths (one along Melnea Cass and the SW Corridor) and the scariest of scary - the VFW parkway - was actually pretty sweet as well, with a nice bike lane/shoulder to cruise in.  The route was pretty straight forward and before you knew it I was at Cutler!!

I paused to drink some fluids and munch on a Clif bar and decided to check out the old weather forecast to make sure no storms were heading my way.  Of course I find that where I am now (just outside of Boston) is not in the clear at all, with 50-60% chance of thunderstorms starting NOW!!

What to do... hit the trails at Cutler and risk riding home in a storm, or turn tail now and book it home.  Compromise time!!  I'll do a quick/short loop in Cutler (it had been raining in the overnight anyway so I didn't know what to expect for trail conditions) and then head home.  The trails were pretty sweet, nice hard packed and relatively dry (besides the highway was perfect!!  the other side, a bit soggy).  

On the way back I did a quick tour of Mount Ida as a bunch of our kids typically go there every year.  Nice little campus... but then back to getting home.  Made it home with no rain... could have gotten a "real" ride in at Cutler, DRATS!!  But for a first time trip it was probably best to do a quick ride at Cutler to ensure I'd have legs to get me home.  

I'll likely try to make this a weekly ride to help build up miles in the legs.  This ride also got me scheming a way to make it to the Fells, which is actually a little closer (9.6 miles)!!  It sucks that the miles to get to either trail is all pavement... but at least it's riding!