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A Cyclist’s Heart Beats Again

08.13.2010 by Ray Niekamp // 6 Comments

Just about a year ago, I returned from vacation to learn that a local cyclist, Kevin Underhill, had died after crashing in a bike race.  I blogged about Kevin, who was a regular reader of Bike Noob.

What I didn’t know at the time was that Kevin was an organ donor, and his heart went to a man who also rides a bike.  Thursday, that man went back to the scene of Kevin’s crash.  Watch the story from Austin’s KVUE-TV.

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Categories // People Tags // people

Five Top Recommendations for Trail and Mountain Biking

08.12.2010 by Ray Niekamp // 1 Comment

Bike Noob has always focused primarily on the recreational road biker.  But it’s always a good idea to break out of the routine.  If that break out involves travel, guest poster Maeyahn Aguilar suggests some mountain biking destinations.

As a cyclist, you probably prefer spending your biking days exploring little known trails. But how do you find them? We’ll make it easier for you. Here are five of the top areas that you should definitely try.

1. Park City, Utah

Park City provides you with breathtaking scenery. Its trail is 8000 feet above sea level along a 20 mile radius. And it has up to a 3000 foot altitude change! We suggest that you take Sweeny North or Sweeney South until you reach mid-mountain.

2. East Burke, Vermont

At first glance, it seems to be in the middle of nowhere but if you look closely at the map, you will see that it is a two hour drive from Montreal and Burlington. This trail is definitely worth the drive. In fact, East Burke is on the map because of the Mecca Kingdom Trails which consists of 100 miles of non-motorized trails.

East Burke has abundant and beautiful landscape. Beginner and experienced cyclists will definitely find this trail worth trying. It is one of a kind.

3. Fruita, Colorado

Fruita provides cyclists with hundreds of miles of thrills! The uphill and wide open views of the Grand Valley Basin provide breathless views of nature. The descents are tight, but worth it as you fly down the mountain.

4. Asheville, North Carolina

Located between the Appalachian Mountains and Blue Ridge, Asheville is surrounded by natural and lush attractions amidst the western North Carolina mountains. Note: If you want “grippy” granite or “sandy” soil, then proceed to the DuPont State Forest.

5. Pontiac Lake, Michigan

Pontiac Lake is actually a recreation area but its 11 mile trail consists of challenging climbs that lure cyclists of all kinds. Imagine a trail that will make your lungs scream, legs burn and mind completely focused while navigating roots, rocks and sharp turns.

Pontiac Lake is divided into three sections. It changes as the rider goes downhill and along the rooty sections. And even though heavy use of the trail has led to some erosion, it is definitely a must ride for amateur and experienced cyclists alike.

So those are my recommendations. You might disagree with me as favorite trails are like fingerprints – everyone’s are different!

Have any trails you’d like to share? Shoot me an email – Maeyahn@ndparks.com.

Maeyahn writes for NDParks.com, the site that reviews camp grounds and all sorts of camping equipment, from family camping cots to the best folding camping chairs. You can read her latest post on camping with kids.

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Categories // guest post, Travel Tags // guest post, mountain bike

The Climb

08.10.2010 by Ray Niekamp // 4 Comments

Guest poster Jeff Hemmel tracks his relationship with a hill, from hate — to love-hate — to love.

I live in Florida. That means I ride lots and lots of flat roads, and never leave the big ring. The biggest hills I get are a pair of bridges over the Intracoastal Waterway, decent in many respects but barely a speed bump for any serious climber.

Every summer, however, I get to escape to the Adirondacks in New York State (the perks of a work-from-home journalist), and there, awaiting me like my own mythical Ventoux, is The Climb.

Okay, it’s really just a big hill, less than 2.5 miles in total. But to me it’s become somewhat of a yardstick to measure my cycling fitness. The hill rises to only about a 5 percent grade by mile 1, but throws a 9 percent grade at you during mile 2. A lot of people hate that climb, but in my own perverse way, I’ve grown to love it.

A number of years ago, following a problematic ACL reconstruction, I tackled the hill as a challenge on a mountain bike. Truth be told, I wasn’t even sure I could make it the first time. When I first climbed it on my road bike, I seriously questioned whether I could do it on my compact double without the safety net of a third ring. (Believe me, I got down to the smallest cog in my cassette!) Now, I return to that hill at the end of every ride, no matter how many miles I’ve put in. The climb has changed from “can I get up it” to “how many miles can I ride and still get up it” to now just a “time to get up it” conclusion to my ride. (I’ve even found another one to throw in mid-route, but that’s another story…)

Yes, there is one other way to return home that’s far less steep. But to me, tackling the hill at the end of my rides is the only way to go.

By now, I’ve gotten to know it intimately. I know where the house is that sometimes has sweet corn and vegetables for sale, all on the honor system. I know the dip that at one time signified I was about to be eaten by the most vicious dog I’ve ever met, but now just signifies I’m about to drop into the small ring as the toughest section lies ahead. And I know the secluded spot where I once felt like someone was watching me, only to discover a deer standing inches away as I rode past.

And starting this year, I also know just how long it takes me to get to the top. Like some kind of glutton for punishment, I started timing myself.

Summer’s winding down and I’m returning home, back to the flat, congested roads I’ve ridden time and time again. Yesterday I clocked my fastest ascent of the summer. Doing so, however, made me realize it’s not how fast I get up the hill that’s important, it’s the climb itself — and all its idiosyncrasies and personal meanings — that I most enjoy.

I’m going to miss it.

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Categories // guest post, Rides, training Tags // guest post, Hemmel, hills

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