The lone biker
riding in edmonton, more riding, bikes, bike pictures, music, and stellar beer reviews
Saturday, January 21, 2023
Monday, January 16, 2023
Fort Saskatchewan Hub Destroyer
The good news is the bridge construction hassle looks like it is off for the time being and I could resume parking at Turner park. A far better parking spot than the boat launch for me anyways. They still have the bridge blocked off and it looks good to cross, I am sure some safety bullshit excuse is behind that one. Like a missing railing or part of the floor structure missing. oooooh scary.
It was perfect conditions on smooth ass trails that looked like some sort of advanced alien spaceship of a trail groomer went through. It was pretty cool and fast rolling. Both ends going east and west of the boat launch were groomed with this nice little groomer they must have.
It was both ends ridden after exploring some newer trails on the cool west side that everyone rides. Train In Vain was ridden for the first time and it was like someone was obsessed with Flat Pete and the trail turn arounds were insane. I was not able to make it on a couple turns and blamed the bike. I will probably ride it in the summer but honestly you cannot beat the original old singletrack so I will probably stick with riding that instead of all the new stuff unless I work it all in which is what I tried today.
The morning ride was great. My hub did blow up after it showed sone signs on the ride with Jason. I was surprised at how fast it went today as the bike was running smooth for the most part until I started coming home after taking the bridge pic. The bike became unrideable as everytime I stopped pedalling the chain would slack forward and I would have nothing once a quick hill would come up. I retreated to the paved and the hub completely was done by then. Some walking was done until I learned if I pinned the cranks enough it would catch and I could lightly pedal back to the Jeep.
The shit bike will be called into service as I was hoping to head out more before work. Yes there was panic happening when I knew the hub was done.
come on… open er up |
some of the newish stuff happening here, god bless em |
people are pure garbage |
Sunday, January 15, 2023
Beer Friday. Eighty Eight Brewing & Chartier, Sugar Shack II
Friday, January 13, 2023
Hey Jason, Been a Little While
It was January the twenty third of 2018 when I had the last one on one ride with Jason This ride right here.. It brings me great pleasure to announce that this day the 13th of Friday the year of our Lord Two-Thousand & Twenty Three a meetup with Jason happened yet again.
Thursday, January 12, 2023
Flat Pete Turnaround
Getting the cobwebs worked out after another rough work week and this ride was a ten out of ten on the "oh that was just a delight" scale. It will in no way make any sort of ride of the year lists but it certainly won't make the worst rides of the year list.
Phew!
I was worried. It was a very rare Terwillegar start as I wondered where I could go to get the blood flowing and have it be nice and easy not hunkering down and climbing lots of hills. You know? I wanted a pussy ride. Fort Saskatchewan was my first thought but it can be hit or miss in the Winter and I assumed the east side trails would be pretty much untouched.
Terwillegar was the winner and a ride around the outside bend with an ending in Oliskew on the log trail and the Pete's was quite enticing. You know, nice and quick and staying out of those pesky hills. It was a perfect start to the week off.
The snow was ok but a bit loose on some of the corners. Annoying fat tire ruts on the small ups and downs make me wonder why. The Pete's were fun as always and Logarythmic was its usual better winter self. A pre ride brake bleed had me in safe hands with those Avid Elixer brakes keeping me in complete control of those deadly Flat Pete trails.
ha ha ha, fook me I'm funny.
Great little ride kids!
Top Rides of 2022
It was kind of hard to pick a true top five because I had some pretty top notch rides throughout the year. It was a short span though, pretty much from June to October with no Winter rides making the cut.
#5. June in Berta
One of the most insane storms that I have ever got caught in close to Concordia University. The clouds were out in the beginning but I had greatly misjudged them . Sewers were shooting up water. Cars had just stopped driving in the middle of the street. The hail hurt and was relentless as I tried to find shelter after climbing out of the ravine.
#4 September The Great
Click The Link
Just an all around great ride where everything came together quite well kind of unsuspectedly on a route that is heavily ridden.
#3 Science Park Redemption
I never liked this part of the valley and this ride it totally kicked ass. The creepy old men were there sitting in their vehicles again and I believe once they all finally leave the Science park will one no more.
#2 The Murder Tree Diaries
All amazing on an amazing bike. Everything just came together perfectly here. on a night shift tun=rn around yet! Say whaaat?
#1 Rainy Day Exploring
This was the one. I think this one tops last years ride of the year too. I have fears of turning into a full time gravel rider as I get older and older and these are the rides that will do it. The weather was terrible but I finally rode to Fort Saskatchewan from the valley and it was quite memorable.
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
2022's Three Worst Rides
The uninspired and sad attempts for a bike ride of the last year.
Annoying text messages asking when I am done right when I started after leaving late for something I had hoped would have been a lot better. Disorientated, tired and confused I should have just stayed home.
Operation Suckfest
Some more super cold to super warm winter weather which created some super shitty singletrack. I did attempt a ride on a trail that has the most sun exposure so there is that.
Millcreek Soul Crusher
Just lame on all levels. No energy paired with no inspiration on a nice day. I hate these rides.
-
A short and quick ride to Terwillegar was made today because I had matters to take care of afterwards. The trip out was made all to see ...
-
It was a productive day as the orange Winter wonder bike was put back together with new pedals and a brake bleed where it was successfully d...
-
I know every car guy has that one car that car that drives them crazy with feelings of lust. In some cases extreme feelings. They would gi...