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

Sunset Ride

 Had a nice 5.7 mile ride, finally, after getting moved and settled. We just moved in town as the rent was going up we found a better place for a better price. Was some work and took away from me being able to get some ride time in. I need to make up for my lack of riding. So I plan to go out a couple more times this week. It has been really hot here in NorCal the last week so I
waited for the end of the day to get
 my ride in and I was so surprised
 by the beauty I found.

 Its hard to see in the picture to the left but there were three deer that were looking at me as I started back home. I did some digital zoom work just to show them on the ridge(two pictures above). It was fun to see them out eating and enjoying the evening as I was.

I need to find a good circuit or route now from my new place to see how I am improving my riding and fitness. I am closer to some decent riding so that shouldn't be to hard.

I also had another great ride with my little guy. We rode 2.2 miles broken up half way by a Jamba Juice stop. Was a little slow at times and I am having to work on him to use the brakes rather than his shoes but he is riding so well. I cant wait to move him up to a bigger bike. He is such a champ!

Moved.....uhg

So have not been able to ride for a little over a week because of packing and moving. But our new place is in a better neighborhood and is closer to some trails.

Two positives.

So this week I have to get out to ride and make up for the last week. Hope to get some good pictures, and some great rides in.

Longest ride, fun ride

 This is my ride. A 18" Airborne Guardian. I bought this bike to get back into doing something outdoors and active so I can have more energy with my wonderful two kids. I have been trying to get in at least 10 miles a week and have been enjoying my new bike and my rekindled love of mountain biking.

I have been riding around 9 miles on a nice little loop plus another ride of a couple miles each week. This week I wanted to go further. I didnt get too much further then a thought, but it is progress. I pushed it to 10.4 miles. It was 90 degrees and baking with little shade to ride in.

Luckily I had my new hydration pack with me. I just bought a High Sierra pack for $25.00 from Costco.

Similar Product

This worked great as it kept the water cool and helped keep me hydrated. I would recommend a hydration pack as it allowed me to more easily drink on the go yet kept the water nice and cool. Very happy to have found one for so cheap.



Everything around is now shades of brown. I really wish I lived in an area that still had some lush greens. But luckily I have many places to ride and enjoy. Glad I did 10 miles. See if I can improve on that next week.

What goes up must come down.

Took a quick ride up at Briones. I really like the ride except you just climb, climb and then climb. So there are really no good breaks between getting up to the top and then heading back down. I will be coming here again though and working out some of their larger loops. But I needed more water then the bottle I had with me.

The view from up here was gorgeous though, looking out over the bay that is the Sacramento River Delta was great and I can't wait for the weekend to get back up here and do it all over again.