Blog hits the 10k mark

To think, Todd, Cory and I started this blog in August of 2009 to have a place to show others our videos, pics and to share some stories from the weekend. I think it all began with me taking the tumble at Lewis and Clark (The "Oh Sh*t video). Then Todd's turn when he tumbled at Manawa in THORs playground. Anyway, 10k visitors in a little over a year ain't too shabby.

We've made a lot of good friends, rode a lot of miles, and squeezed in a few races here and there. Thanks for reading folks!

Trailday before winter hits

You gotta work to play. There were two THOR traildays at Manawa and Tranquility yesterday. Great turnout for help at Tranquility, I think the word got around at the last Monday Night Ride. Riders were armed with shovels, Mcleods, and rogue hoes in hand to give the trail a touch up before the snow hits. Trees were trimmed, edges were leveled, and water channels were put in to help with the erosion and ruts. Great day for trailwork. Thanks for taking care of the trail everyone!

 

Great turnout, few people I didn't know were there to help

Aaron and Dave N were taking care of the edges 

Yes, even I get into the pictures sometimes! 

 

Creating a diversion channel 

Dmars, Chris, Dave, Dale, and Paul there to represent! 

Since Todd was asking - Snowshoes

It's my goal to stay in somewhat decent shape this winter. Snowboarding, some biking on the rollers, and my usual 4-5 days of weight training at Gold's. Added to the list this year? Snowshoeing. Yeah, you tell people you got new snowshoes and they are like, so, big deal. You got new shoes for the snow. Like snowboots? NO, SNOWSHOES! Like the backwards looking wooden tennis racquet from 100 years ago. Oh, those snowshoes! Well they are much more advanced now. Flex this, different types of bindings (rotating and fixed) that, and even different types of crampons. Now a lot of these features you look for are determined by the purpose of the snowshoe. Many are categorized into recreational, aerobic, and mountaineering. I'm no expert and am fairly new to all of this so do your research first. For now, I bought an entry level pair just to see if I even like them. The gang at the MNR a few weeks ago thanked me for buying them because it means that it won't snow now. Which would actually be okay with me because I would rather stay on the bike all winter long. Either way.

Trail work to be completed before winter hits

Watchya doin this weekend? Working on the trail of course. Couple of trail days, one is tomorrow and two planned for this weekend. The more people that get out to work on the trail, the less time it takes and the faster you get to the riding.
From THOR blog and THOR trails on facebook

1. Trail day. Tuesday, November 2 · 9:00am - 12:00pm
Mountain Bike Trail Head at Missouri River boat ramp. The plan is to only cut and move trees, logs and branches. Bring the goods, people. Winter riding is around the corner. Lunch will be provided.

2. Trail Day
Saturday, November 6 at 9:00am
Location: Lake Manawa State Park


3. Tranquility Trail Day Sat Nov 6th @ 1pm
We are looking for a small group to come help finish up the fall cleanup. Meet at the Fort St trail head at 1pm.

MNR - Yes, I was that guy

Nothing like following in other people's footsteps...or in this case, MagicShine light. One lap down at Tranquility, so far so good. It was dark and I think Greg yelled out that we should ride the trail backwards, heck yeah! Well, before even rolling out of the parking lot for lap two, my Stella dies. Dangit, forgot to charge the light! NOOO!!! It has happened to Todd, Paul, and now me. Yes, I was THAT guy. And I was constantly harassed by Aaron and Todd for being the fool tonight. Let me tell you, riding through the trail in your own shadow or even a few short feet in complete darkness is an eye opening experience. Don't try it. Like those guys that fly by you on the tacoride without a light on in near pitch black situations. Dumb.

Can't remember who this was in the foreground, maybe Dave? But see the white lights down in the distance? More riders. 

Anyway, MNR was a great ride. No snow, no rain. I'll settle with tights and long sleeve thermals for a ride on November 1st. Great turnout, I lost count after I saw over 20 people at the regroup before the South climb. Welcome to new rider "Biombo", glad to have met you tonight. Paul, hope you get to feeling better. Ride on!

Prepping for the new tennis courts 

Can I borrow some lights, please? 

Somebody rounding the corner. Okay, the little Canon Elph in fireworks mode just isn't a long enough exposure. If MNR is on for next week, I promise the DSLR, tripod, and remote will come out to play.  

Dog running

This video clip cracks me up everytime I see it. If you haven't seen it before, watch!


Sleeping Dog Runs Into Wall - Watch more Funny Videos

Kris Holm on the uni

You know that when trials master Hans Rey tweets about you, that you've got to be good! Check out Kris Holm doing some trials action on the uni. Watch the gap that he clears at 1:44, going up stairs!!! Wow!



NAUCC 2010 from Max Schulze on Vimeo.

Bluffs police donate bikes to the Boys & Girls Club - Omaha.com

Check out this article about the Council Bluffs police donating bikes to needy children. Like they said, rather than get a few bucks at a police auction, might as well give them to a good home!

Bluffs police donate bikes to the Boys & Girls Club - Omaha.com

Happy 40th Russ!!!

What a lucky man Russell is to have a wife like Tiffany! I've known Tiff and the crew now for ten years, back from the days when they worked at the eye institute. Well Russell recently turned the big 4-0 and Tiff wanted to throw him a surprise party. I think she was having trouble at first finding a place to hold the soiree, but she persisted and it ended up a great success! Russ got drunk and people had a good time. Happy birthday Russ!

Wait, those cups don't belong there! 

 Always good times when the old coworkers get together

Highlight of the night? Andrea's shoes somehow ended up on the rooftop of the clubhouse and she wore koozies as shoes. The way she slipped those koozies on, I have the feeling that she's done it before! ROFL.

Koozies R'Us 

MNR - Monday Night Rain

Wow, the rain falls from the sky. It's been a long time since I've seen that. Mountain biking trip to KC canceled again because of rain in the forecast. Only to have Cody say that it didn't rain down there...grrr. I guess biking trips just aren't meant to be! Oh well, we made it out for a Monday Night Ride and I'm happy with that!

I think I counted 17 on the ride tonight? One of the larger groups that I've seen out. 

Yes we bike at night, yes we bike in the rain, and yes our bike ride recovery drink consists of barley and hops. Can't think of a better way to kick off the week! The leaves on the trail were starting to get a little slippery and my legs were burning, wasn't sure how much more I could take as I saw Paul charge up the South Hill for one last go around. Cody and I were the last two left at the crossroads. Wanna go drink a beer. Okay.

Great ride fellow biker friends. Hopefully we'll squeeze in a few more before we see that white stuff hit the ground. Ride on!

Hi Aaron! 

Glad I work on the second floor of a building!

These guys climb to crazy heights just to get the work done! Yikes!
Full sized video here

A turkey of turkeys crossing our path at Lewis and Clark

The pitter patter of the rain had just begun as we made our way back to the parking lot at Lewis and Clark. Wasn't planning to get any riding in this weekend because of the forecasted rain, boy we proved them wrong! And to think I watched the Husker game with four meteorologists yesterday! Liars!

Stopping to discuss the strategy needed to make it through the new section 

 

Dave giving his thumbs up of approval! 

Cody with the white gloves, those have to be hard to keep clean!

Brian H. sent out an email and we ended up with a small group of riders at L&C today. Cody, Todd, Brian, Dave N and myself would finally get to experience the new reroutes that we've been hearing about. First off, let me say thank you to Dale and everybody else at T.H.O.R. who put in the hours of work to help with moving dirt and cutting trees. Secondly, the new routing is awesome! Definitely a challenge, lots of  loose dirt spinning under the Race Kings. Wrong gear? Too bad as you'll soon find out when you have to unclip from your pedals to put your foot down.

I remember first lap, I took it a little slower at the beginning just to make sure I stayed upright. First thing I noticed at the beginning of the lap was the nice reroute, no more trying to decide who is going the correct direction. Now you can just focus on the trail and the beautiful colors of the leaves overhead. Probably one of the nicest times to ride the trails. Oh yeah, watch out for the giant turkeys. Three of them crossing our path.




Grrr....getting up those humps! from DJ Chi Wai on Vimeo.

Brian at the start of his second lap. Thanks to THOR for the nice reroute 

Todd ready to make a climb 

Leaves everywhere, but not too bad yet

As much as I love the new sections, I still hate the climbs. Probably the most I've ever used the granny gear in a single ride. Pathetic, but it got me back to the top. Neverrest no more, as the last climb is now manageable! Two laps completed, with an extra run of the new section thrown in just for the challenge.


Wheeee..... from Misterlime on Vimeo.

Like a real cameraman, Dave goes out of his way to get the shot  

Taking a well deserved rest at the bench 

View L & C in a larger map
Map provided by Dave's phone, thanks Dave!

Man O Man I was sweating like crazy!

Plenty of beautiful foliage still left on the trees 

 The car enthusiasts were out

Two 350Zs, old school 911, 300ZX twin turbo, Lotus, Miata...not sure how the black Scion XB (boxy thing below) fit into the equation? 

 I heard them talking about getting their picture taken by the photoradar at one of the stoplights in CB.