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

The grasses of Norcal

I am really enjoying riding this area. This is the second time over by the Old Borges Ranch. The grasses are so brown now and its only the beginning of summer. I miss the beautiful greens but am still happy to get out and ride.

 

 This area has some punishing hills, but they are not so steep that you cant ride up em. There was two climbs on my route that had 300ft of elevation change. The day was perfect though, clear skies right around 80 degrees.

 All day I was seeing these birds of prey. The area has a number of ground squirrels and so these birds were soaring looking for a little meal. Amazing to see such great sites while out for a little ride. Considering I am on the outskirts of such a huge Metropolitan area as San Francisco. Below here its hard to see but that is the 680 and 24 exchange. So only a few miles from thousands of cars and yet I feel like I am out in the wilderness.

This picture really gives the scale of the hills here. The washout provided a great natural kickstand, showing off that nice Airborne Guardian. There are some good climbs and great downhills. The trails here are all 8 feet wide though there are a couple single-tracks that are for hiking and horseback riding. Dont understand why bikes are not allowed. I poach a little bit but have to be careful not to upset the hikers or equestrian type people.

There is a great place to ride about 20 mins north of where I live that has a network of single-track(meant specifically for Mountain Biking) and I will be heading up there, but I am still exploring the rides close by. There is so much trail here that I can make different routes and ride varying trails so it keeps things exciting.

Old Borges Ranch RIde

This was a great place to ride. Still quite a lot of elevation change, 260 ft of it. This ride wasn't just go to the top and then fly down. You do climb right off the bat and then get into the meat of the ride.

 The first ridge you see here is actually what I climbed and then the fun decent during the last ride. You start in the valley on the opposite side which is where a creek bed lies. The hills in the background are those lush green hills which are already browning this early in late spring.

Late afternoon ride after work, this is about a third of the way up the hill as I was trying to get a decent sun bloom shot but didn't quite work out.

 

 Looking south east during the ride this is such a great view. What a great place to be able to ride! Glad I love exploring, but I am sure I will be visiting this place and getting some good riding in all summer long. This is in the East Bay Area in Northern California. Berkeley and Oakland are on the other side of those hills with San Francisco past them. Yet up here I feel like I am away from all the crazy population.

A few shots of the Airborne Guardian and the singletrack.

 Showing Mount Diablo looming over my riding area.

After the ride a parting shot of the trail.

So far the 29er is doing a good job of keeping me riding. I did have to break out the grease and take care of a creak in either the seat rails or the seat post. 

I am really loving the hydraulic disc brakes. They are a large upgrade from my previous Trek 950 and I have been confident in my ability to scrub speed or control the bike on some steep transitions. Overall I have positive things to say about the Guardian. For only $600 the bike has been a great purchase for me to get out and ride.