Cabin Loop!

Having never been on an overnighter/ bikepacking trip, I took the opportunity. Thanks to Yuri for the use of the gear and Gordon for showing the way. Cabin Loop, northeast of Payson had me wondering if I was actually in AZ.





What's that Dave? You'll see us in 3 hours on the trail?







Bivi, sleeping bag, GPS and feedbag.





Absolutely some of the finest singletrack I've ridden in the state.
Came up on a controlled burn. Forst Service had closed sections of the forest and trail networks in the weeks leading up to our arrival. Calls to the F.S. confirmed they were open, but still got a little hairy when the smoke was billowing our way and the plane flying overhead.











First cabin.





Punched out 30 miles fully loaded. Just wiped and time for bed.



Second cabin and where we stayed the night; Pinchot Cabin.




Third Cabin.



Fern lined singletrack. Nom, nom, nom, just motoring thru.























A little Duct tape will hold that pipe leak!




Fourth Cabin.











A quick check of the GPS confirmed it was late and this was the last water we'd have before returning to Pinchot cabin for another night. Might as well stay in this nice canyon.


Set up camp only to walk around the corner and find a mo-bettah place to stay. Grab yer stuff.




Much flatter, nice fire ring and easier access to water.


In the morning a nice pedal back to the car.










Looked like Dave's leaveitis didn't affect him this time. Sorry Dave.

Escaping The Oven

Once the temps reach 100+ degrees the valley floor becomes too hot to tolerate. Mt. Lemmon provides quite the respite and we wanted to find a new camp spot where travelers are a rare site. Water being the only determinant of just how far in you can go, it was nice to discover a pure spring atop the hill. A short 2 mile hike from the observatory you will find stunning views and a rarely used camp spot.























Libby introducing the dogs to mountain spring water.






After several weekends of camping in the pines, we headed to Sedona for a mini-moon. Time to celebrate the marriage and do a little hiking. West Fork of Oak Creek was just the place to escape the temps and do some exploring.

A New Addition

After 4+ years, the day finally arrived. Destination- Santa Barbara for a week of fun with our families and friends. A year of planning behind us it was now time to enjoy the fruits of our labor.






Not a bad way to start the day. Coffee, pool and some sun.


We went wine tasting for a day...













The boys played a little golf while the girls were treated to spa day.







For the rehearsal dinner we had 30 lobsters flown in from Maine.








"You know, it's not too late to get out of here..."





















Clergyman Wood





The in-laws

And things wouldn't be complete without serenading the bride!

Up n' Over The Hill

For the past 3 years it's eluded me. Something always came up, until now. With several weekends of long rides under my belt I felt I had the legs to give it a go. And why not? I had the time and the weather was in the 70's. I've ridden 100 plus miles on the road more times than I care to recall, but 100 miles on a mountain bike is a little different. The added rolling resistance from the nobbies, different gearing, 'er, scratch that last one, but it's no walk in the park. And throw in one gear to make things a little more interesting!


Just a slight hill thrown in the mix and 8936 ft. of climbing by the end of the day.


I think I have enough stuff... I went thru 200 oz. of water and four large water bottles by the end of the ride. I wanted to ensure that I was properly hydrated and consumed enough calories. Maybe it was too much since my stomach was upset most of the ride from digestion and I stopped probably every 20 minutes to drain. However, this was not the ride to bonk on.

Wake up call came early and unfortunately, Brendan was running a little late. Sure was chilly standing in the dark at 5:30am.



Between Bear Canyon and Windy Point my pedal decided to break. WTF? I was just riding along...Since Brendan didn't have a spare left eggbeater pedal in his pack we made some phone calls and found Dan more than happy to drive thru town and up Mt. Lemmon highway to drop off a new pedal. Now that is a friend!



We continued rolling up the hill where Dan finally passed us and jumped out. Like pit lane in NASCAR, I pulled in, jumped off and handed the bike over for a quick pedal change. A pat on the back and a handshake later, we were rolling on.

Stopped at Palisades for water only to discover that the Forest Service hasn't put the hose nozzle on yet. In the winter they remove it and replace it in the summer months which is a refueling station when riding up.



Quick safety check before committing and dropping in for 29 miles of dirt to the town of Oracle. I knew there was a reason we brought our mountain bikes!





Looking back you can see the highest point on the mountain and where we came from. Still around 50 miles to go.


Brendan's face says it all: ugh. The sun was beating down on us and we were a little tired. Keep pedaling.





Once we turned on Oracle Rd. the spirits lifted. Home was insight, albeit some 40 miles off in the distance.

Spun out with one gear, Brendan provided a nice refuge from the wind and I was able to draft. It definitely helped having a friend along for the ride to share in the sights, jubilation and suffering.



The GPS doesn't lie. Not a bad day on the bike. Now I can add this to my list of "things done once and no desire to do again," right under skydiving.

TMP Oddities

Had some time on my hands so Matt, Brendan and I ventured out to Tucson Mountain Park to explore. Left the house at 7:45am and didn't come home 'til 5pm. Another good day on the bike.

Quick stop at Cafe Paraiso and then off to Starr Pass.

Ducked under Ajo Road and headed to the new Robles Trails.

More tunnels.

Hmm, we need to be on the other side of this fence...

Made our way over to the boy scout camp for lunch.

Matt realized that he was low on water and climbing Golden Gate wouldn't be a good idea, so we pedaled to a nearby Circle K.

Circle K number 1.

Oh, so it's going to be one of those kinds of rides.

Almost at the top of Golden Gate looking back where we came from.

Beer Stop!




Matt determined to make the empty can fit into his pack.

Circle K number 2 and time for more beers. After all, it was on our way to more trail.

Still raining back in town, and hey, I have one more beer in my pack...




I've ridden TMP for years and never knew about this rock wall/dam, nor the single track leading you there.


We rode out 36th St. and headed for more dirt. Riding thru an open gate led to some washes, some random desert trails, a stint in the ghetto and more washes.





Riding thru this random storm drain/wash led us to a catwalk. Some guy leaned over the fence upon hearing us below and recognized Matt. Wha?

Turns out the guy was instrumental in building/developing the Robles Trails and led us thru his property to more washes!



We popped out by the Pima County jail and took the Santa Cruz river path back to town.







Then on Sunday Libby and I headed out to the Pistol Hill section of the AZ Trail where we met up with my Dad and Spiker.

South Lake Debauchery

Thirteen descended upon South Lake Tahoe for several days of alcohol induced shenanigans and skiing. From San Diego to as far east as NYC and Boston, my bro's came to send me off in style.





Valet shuttle service in the Lincoln Towncar. Sure those ski bags will fit...





With nearly a foot of fresh in the past 24 hours, Sierra was a wise choice!










Peops didn't start arriving until the next afternoon.
These boys mean business, getting started prior to 8am.


Later that night...

Quail egg shooter. Mmmm!


3am breakfast at the casino, this guy was about to fall out of his chair.




4am shenanigans. Thanks fellas!


7:45am roll call

Hey, whatcha drinking Senior Basura? You should feel pretty good after going to bed at 8:30pm last night.



Who's flying this plane?


Kirkwood







"Yeah, just another 15 minute hike over that ridge."


BIG THANK YOU to Jason for playing tour guide and showing us all that Kirkwood had to offer!




Heeey, nice Bogner one piece!


It would be rather tough considering that's a T-bar.







More hiking...








Ah yes, Guido Von Schlesser was there, too!


This fellow was wearing what appeared to be a 3/2mm wetsuit with a net shirt buttoned over it. For close to 30 minutes (per Walker standards) he pointed to the slopes. NOICE!


After Trashy serenaded the Argentinian girls, "don't cry for me Argentina!" they apparently didn't want any 99 Bananas.


A store downstairs in the hotel. Best mannequins I've ever seen.



The 'ol ball and chain. Special treat wearing this to dinner!




Heavenly was rather a yawn. Plus the hordes of skiers didn't help matters.





Ah yes, the place where the Tahitian diver from the Steal A Wish Foundation pocketed coins from the fountain.

I consider it a great success; no one spent the night behind bars and no one lost their shirt at the casino.
Thanks boys!

10th Annual 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo

Sweet Ride!









Yuri on the Le Mans start.





Katie remarking, "Yeah, we'll kick some ass."






Chris Walker's stunt double.

The Woods' came out to cheer with their 'lil bruiser, Ryan.



Siren Cycles

Brendan had a pretty nice display of bikes.

Katie's new single speed on display.

Libby feeling good after her first lap.

Where we met five years ago. Somewhat of an anniversary.

Plus, it was Valentine's Day. The little lady outdid herself with the cake.














Hey, what's on tv?

Team Hosie Cow had the beer flowing through the night.

Special camp guest; Dave the Gnome.


Some other gnome...

Chris Walker's stunt double being welcomed back to town after an evening lap.

1:30am. Frazzled after riding 3/4 of the course without a light. Following wheels thru cactus-lined trail tests the nerves.

Free Vodka!
Saw this guy before I went out on my last lap. I decided to stop for my free vodka and consumed half a cup. Needless to say, I was drunk by the time I rode WAHOO rock.




Katie and team won the women's 4 person and beat team Luna Chicks.

Team Pussy Power.