Amazing Desert Ride...Almost

Some days just don't turn out like you planned them to. We were looking forward all week to riding on saturday at McDowell. Lonna hadn't really ridden on dirt (except for a dirt road for about 30 min.), and we wanted to try some easy trails to warm her up. After consulting all the mountain bikers we know, the Pemberton trail seemed like a good place to start. Going counter clockwise offers a good intro ride and you can turn around at any point (turning around is not really what we go for, but when starting out you have to keep options open!).

Note to self; check event calendars!...

We showed up at 9am to find the parking lot at the trailhead filled with cars and tents for some sort of biathalon race (no water near for swimming!). Not being ones for crowds (our beginner rider was nervous), we opted to try another area. The only close area we really knew was the Competition course, so off we went. We decided that the sport loop was our best option, but were nervous for lonna as it was her first real trail ride. After unloading the bikes and strapping on my new clip in shoes (my first ride on a trail in clip ins!), we headed out. I am real proud of Lonna! She didn't make it all the way around, and did a bit of hike-a-bike up some of the hills (and down one steep one!), but what a trooper! I think that our attitute is always more important than our performance. She felt bad and freed me to ride ahead since i promised her the trail was very well marked. I made one loop and was feeling great. Stopping at the top of the first climb on my next lap to catch up to her, I could see her on the trail a ways out. I rode on figuring that there was no way to miss her.

Well...

I had just topped one hill and was wondering why I hadn't caught up to her yet, when I heard my name called out from below me. Turns out the trail isn't as well marked as I thought (being a guy), and she had found her way down a small access road used only, I think, by park officials and ambulances.

Anyway...

I was pushing her too hard for a first ride, so we decided to head back. The fun (to me) and fast part of the loop was just beginning, and Lonna didn't feel comfortable trying it yet. I didn't blame her. She was tired, and landing in a cactus isn't fun anytime, especially when you are tired.

The competition trails are one way only (some riders are very fast and don't want to run into head on traffic), so we wondered how to get back. The small access road Lonna had found turned out to be our salvation. It took us back to the road and we liesurely rode back to the truck.

As always, the time on the bikes was great, and the day was beautiful. Being outside and away from modern distractions has a great theraputic effect on the soul, and we were glad for it.

Zac raced this day in round 3 of Dust Devil series at White Tank Mtns. We didnt have time to go all the way out there, so didn't attend.

He appears to have wrapped up title in his expert class, so was allowed by his coach to ride the pro class for the first time. He was doing great! Working his heart out and leading quite comfortably until his massive power overcame his equipment and the front chain ring sheard off the cranks! Three of the bolts came with it, so it was hike-a-bike time. Not a great way to end your first pro ride, but his attitude prevailed... "I've got another race ahead to redeem myself, and I will!" (the first round of state series is on the same track). You gotta love the positive attitude that permeates the mountain bike world.

Get out, Get on, and Get riding!

Lonna Gets a new Ride...

There comes a point in every riders life when the ride you currently own does not seem up to the tasks being asked of it. We reached that point in Lonna's life this week. The old beach cuiser just wasn't cutting it on the greenbelt rides we do, and we weren't even going to try it on a trail. So, what to do!? There was no shortage of advice from the seasoned riders we know. Hard Tail or Full Suspension? What size for her 5'4" cuteness? Color choices (she's a girl after all!). Did she need disc brakes? Clip in pedals? And so the choices went.

What it really came down to in the end, after lots of shopping online, was price. How much bike could she get for how much money. It's probably the same for nearly every rider when the shopping starts - you want it all. Then when it really comes down to it, who has $2800 for a new bike? (we didn't). We ended up at PerformanceBike.com. There we found an IronHorse Warrior 4.5 that was 40% (wow!) off and had all the neat goodies we wanted. Full suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, 27 speeds, and the stamp of approval from Zac, our nephew and cyclefreak extraordinair.

Heres a picture of the bike after we got home.

and one of Lonna installing her water bottle holder.

Getting the bike was an interesting adventure. While on Performace bikes website we saw that members get 10% back on every purchase, so we decided to sign up. We could use the 10% back for more gear! Looking on line there was only one left in the size Lonna needed (small). And we also found that you can save the $48 shipping if you order from a red phone at the store (and have it shipped to the store). Zac works there, so we thought saving the money was a good idea, and he could pick it up for us. Lonna went to the Chandler store after work to order the bike (thinking she would be about 15 min.). Turns out they had the exact bike we wanted in stock! It was the correct size and everything. Just needed to figure out the pedals (lonna doesnt want clip ins yet), and did we really want to spend the bux. Its funny how much easier it is to spend money online than in person. Lonna called Zac and he came down (wasn't working at the time) to help. Thanks man! Anyway, (an hour later), the bike got home in the back of the Benz with Lonna driving and all was well. She couldn't wait, so we quickly mounted the lights and rode the neigborhood at night. It happened to be Halloween, so it was fun to be amoungst the goblins and gouls.

I found I needed to adjust my derailure, but didn't have a stand to work on. The girl scout in Lonna, who is always prepared, suggested the bike rack. Mounted the rack to the truck, and backed into the garage and Voila!, instant work stand!

We havn't gotten on any real trails with Lonna's new bike, but we can't wait to get there. If only life didn't always get in the way!

We did ride around the parking lot at McDowell Mtn Park this morning at Zac's race (dust devil series round 2), and Lonna is doing great. I think this mountain bike thing may prove addicting.

Zac did great in his race - First Place in his class! I'll have him write about it soon. Meanwhile, here's a pic and vid from the race...