Lets get this started.

Well this was a good start to the riding in 2013. I 

should have started riding earlier but this year for some reason has just been a wild one so far. With the interest rates and housing prices we are about to close on our first house, and with my work year end is just a very busy time of year. 

I am just glad again that I bought this Airborne last year and started riding. I feel as though I am off to a better start this year then I was last year and hope to get more riding and become a better rider and in better shape after this riding season then last.

So I had to try and get a ride in before we move and then keep up the "habit" of riding every week. Although I will be busy with the house I will also have a garage  and will be able to do a little better maintenance on the bike and hope to find more rides close to the new house. So more exploring, more riding and more blogging to come.

Ah spring.....

While the sun is getting warmer the days are still short. The air is still cold but the itch is starting. Have to get out and ride. To all of those others that wish they rode more and worked less this post is for you. Hope to have some good shots from this weekend where spring is starting.

The Airborne Guardian is ready for some miles to be logged as I have had some fun little rides with my 4 year old to check on the local park. If only Airborne made a kids bike... but I know they are making the quality to impress at a price point that helps us working people be able to ride.

Happy New Year

Well I started the year off on the right foot. In the saddle for a nice little ride. Took my son to the park, had the wife pick up the son as it was getting dark and rode home on my pace.

Two great things about that. My son is doing so amazing on his bike. I am thinking the training wheels are coming off as we rode over a mile to the park. He is such a trooper and a bigger 16 inch bike is in his near future.

The second is that the first day of the year I was in the saddle. So again I am happy for my purchase of my Guardian. Last year I was thinking about getting riding and now this year it is just about how much riding I can actually do. So to good weather and lots of miles!

Here we go 2013.

Successful? Or Bust?

I had been out of mountain biking for 12 years. I played hockey, and did other activities but had not been riding. I recently have had 2 children in the last 4 years and could not continue to pay the large hockey fees and buy the equipment so I was looking for an outlet to get out and do something. To be active and have some fun.

This season is over and I do wish I would have ridden even more but was it a good season? Was it a success?

I have to say yes. I started, again, on a hobby that I enjoy. I was active and was able to start the process of getting my legs and lungs working together on a bike. Yes I had some bad weeks, and some vacation, and even my first big crash, but I am so glad I was able to start mountain biking again. I want to get some rides in this winter still but it will be hard. With trying to keep the kids active and busy while not being able to get outside much it will definitely be a challenge. But as soon as I can I want to start riding in the new year. I want to set a goal of 70 miles a month. I had been trying to do 10 -20 miles a week but would miss a week and get frustrated. I need a more flexible plan.

I really have to thank Airborne Bicycles for putting out a product that I could afford that met my expectations. I knew they had put together a good bike. But until you actually get to ride it and enjoy it everything seems like just a dream. Something out there but without substance. Without a solid bike to ride at a decent price point I would not have started this journey.

And the journey at this stage is the most important part. Getting on the mountain bike, enjoying the thrill of the ride and pushing my limits again. So onward.....

Head over heels

Had a good ride but a interlude of a head over heels crash. Bike is good but I am in some pain. I was really enjoying my time going down the hill. The day was gorgeous and everything seemed so great. I was just out having fun. I am going to be riding this circle as my circuit. It is 6.2 miles with some good climbing and some fun singletrack heading down. I did find out though that when you are tired you make little mistakes.

I made one little error. I was not going fast but I was tired. Fatigued from the climb up the hill and should have slowed down even a little more. I came up to a right hand with a little rock and then a good sized drop. Instead of prepping for the drop and unweighting the bike so I could settle it on the drop and ride out I just rode through. The rock did just enough to slide the front tire a little and then the back tire hit the rock which made my momentum go even more forward. I keep playing that back over and over in my mind. I still feel like I should have been able to ride that out but nope, my momentum carried me over the bars. Took the impact with my hands and then ate the track up with my face and chest. OUCH. This is the first crash that I have ever had that hurt me more then me just hurting my pride.

This was the path to my demise! Yes this was the top of the hill and made for such a nice view. The weather was great and I was happy to be on the bike again. I have not been as faithful to riding as I should have. And now I have paid the price. Now I have a sprained wrist and elbow. So I have to made sure I have the stamina and am pain free before I try this ride again. But oh what fun it was until my experience of flying into the side of the hill.

I had to grab a parting shot of the sunset. Some beauty while I was in pain heading down the hill to rest up and heal for some more adventures.

Time Z Mountain Bike Pedal Review

I have to say I was excited when I saw these pedals for the price. I wanted something I could throw on the bike that I could use my MTB shoes and be able to clip in right away but also be able to jump on the bike and go on a ride with my son.

These pedals were exactly what I was looking for. They have a good clip in system that is similar the the Shimano SPD's I rode with before but they give a great platform for a quick run to the store or a leisure bike ride with my 3 yr old.

I have ridden around 120 miles on these pedals now and am very happy with how well they have behaved. There has not been one problem and I have used em for some big crazy climbs and descents, as well as just jumping around while on a nice ride with my boy.

Where to Buy
I am riding on an Airborne Guardian 29er and these are a great compliment to a budget friendly ride.

You can see my review of the bike here.

I give these a 10/10 for price, performance, looks, and feel.

Lovely evening for a ride

I was able to get out and get a good ride in. I have not been as good about prioritizing riding and I need to get out and continue to ride more. I am feeling the effects more this morning because I have not been as consistent as I would like. I found a little singletrack that was a fun ride. It is really bumpy though but was good to enjoy the trail.

I want to find a good circuit and I think I can include this singletrack on the way home. I can head around on the larger trail and pick this up to finish the ride. So that is my goal. Get this done as a big circuit and then ride it so I can start improving my times.

 This panorama shot shows a big curve. Comes down from the right and continues down the ridge looking over the town of Concord.

There was a fire on the other side of the hills, they had started to get it contained by the time I was out riding. Every time I get out riding I enjoy it and feel better about getting out but then it seems like I want to keep getting out but then life rears its ugly head and just seems to put lots of obstacles in my way.
Fire in the distance