Bike Noob

Because I'm Always Learning Something New

Five Top Recommendations for Trail and Mountain Biking

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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.

Breaking Out the Mountain Bike

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The other morning, my road bike was out of commission. I had taken off its handlebars in anticipation of replacing them with a different pair. As the previous post mentioned, that didn’t happen. And when Pat suggested we get out for a short morning ride, I thought I’d have to decline. Then I remembered the mountain bike.

Why would I forget I have a mountain bike? Because this is the way it spends its time.

It’s not exactly at top of mind. But I did remember it, and realized it would be an excellent way to ride with Pat, and stick close to her. Usually when we ride together, I’ll get way ahead, and stop and wait for her.

So we rode. The fat knobby tires and the squishy front suspension really slowed me down from my usual speed. Several times, Pat pulled ahead of me and stayed there for awhile. Because she had to take a work-related call, we couldn’t ride long. But we did 40 minutes on a favorite neighborhood route, and I got a nice reintroduction to the bike. It has some possibilities.

The first thing that came to mind was that I have to get serious about using it for an errand bike. I’ve run errands on it from time to time, like going out to our community mailbox to pick up our mail. But the supermarket is only a mile from the house, and I should be taking the bike. It’ll just be for the small, occasional items we always seem to need, like milk, bread and cookies.

The second thing to come to mind was modifying the bike. Those knobby tires suck on pavement. I’m going to have to get some narrower, slick tires. Then a rear rack of some kind — and maybe a milk crate to mount on top of the rack to carry larger bags of groceries.

The third thing was — this bike needs help. It will be a great opportunity  for me to develop my repair skills without messing with the road bike.  The mountain bike won’t shift out of the middle ring, and only has use of five cogs there. So over the next few weeks, as the spirit moves me, I’ll be getting some derailleur adjustment time in.

And back when Pat gave me the bike as a birthday present, I never bothered to get a fitting. Time to fiddle with the seat height and fore-and-aft position.

Hey, this ought to be fun. It’s almost just like getting a new bike.

Smoked by a mountain bike

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Just when I start to get a little cocky…a little confident in the way my training is going…

I was wrapping up my Tuesday evening fast ride on the Veloway.  With just a mile to go to reach home, I stopped at the red light at the corner by the supermarket — the corner that leads up to the Mild Suburban Incline where I’ve had some adventures in the past.

The notorious Mild Suburban Incline from the stoplight across the street.  Sorry for the poor quality cell phone shot — dusk was fast approaching.  Although the road ahead looks flat, it slopes uphill for a good half mile.  The supermarket is barely visible on the right.

Sure enough, it happened again.  A young guy pulled up behind me at the light.  He was on a mountain bike, dressed in a t-shirt and cargo shorts.  He did have on a helmet.  We nodded at each other, and I turned my attention to the light.

It changed.  I stood on the pedals, and headed across the intersection.  Young mountain bike guy (I’m guessing he was in his early 20s) pulls out beside me, passes, and heads up the incline, gaining speed.  I can’t believe it.  This isn’t supposed to happen.  My bike has skinny tires, and is therefore fast, right?

I shifted up one, and pulled on the pedals.  He stood on his pedals, and pulled away.  I kind of stayed with him, but I wore myself out and shifted down to an easier gear.  He got to the top of the hill, and peeled off to a side street on the right.

Well, kudos to him.  Anyone who can outrun a road bike with a mountain bike — even when he has an age advantage of 30-35 years — deserves praise.  I hope he doesn’t gloat over it too much, because I’ll be looking for him, and the next time we meet — that hill is mine!

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