The lone biker

Happy Monday

2012-02-06T17:24:00.001-07:00

This one is very deserving of being played loud, and repeated over and over and over...

Lung Bustin

2012-02-04T15:33:00.002-07:00

A quick return back to the valley and it was every bit as good as yesterday. The focus today was climbing and trying to blow all the bad shit out of my lungs that I may have ingested while running through a smoky shop.

The legs were quite sore from yesterday and they let me know. A few trips up to Forest Heights and down attacked from both sides with a few mid climb stops so that I could hold on to a tree and try not to throw up.

The highlight of today! Almost getting passed by a female jogger on one of the attempted climbs. She was hot on my tail but my pride helped me pull away from her... Once at the top I faked a minor drivetrain problem, primarily to try to get ahold of myself and try not to pass out! Good Lord I'm in rough shape right now!

edmonton fire rescue playing on the river

new shorts? maybe it's time

Beer Friday. Boris Bold

2012-02-03T21:42:00.001-07:00

After a return to the riding, a return to the beer reviews is promptly on order. "Weeks of slow inactivity on here posting up you tube videos must come to an end!" Said lonebiker.com's executive assistant to the non existent Vice President, Herb Schingleb of Pensacola Florida. Wow! That is one powerful man helping run this blog! I'd better get my shit together!

From Saverne, France comes a beer that packs a wallop! An 8.6% wallop that is, in the past I've been scared of strong beers. In fact you may have read about it, laughing at me and calling me a girly little bitch who can't drink strong beer. Oh ya, I heard you mocking me through through the thick walls of the interwebs, pointing your fingers at the screen and mocking me! Well guess what? Strong beer doesn't scare me anymore! I've reviewed enough on here to not be afraid.

The pour was an adventure as the head was so large I thought it was going to exit from the glass and set on world domination starting with my poor ass in Beaumont, and then moving on to Edmonton, then the province... As soon as it rose it dissipated and I was relieved and quickly put down the phone and hung up on the 911 operator. The first sip gave me no real strong beer shivers and I was a tad relieved. Sadly though, you could tell this is a strong beer. Something I'm really not a fan of. Beer is made to be savoured. Not drunk quickly. And sadly, I think this beer is made to get hosed quickly. I am almost finished my can, which by the way survived a ride tonight (for that I give it high marks) but truth be told. I'm feeling it, and I drank it slow. If you want to get pissed drunk in a hurry, buy this beer! If you want to enjoy a few watching a hockey game, try something else. If you'll excuse me now, the police are at the door.

This beer gets 2 suds out of 5

A Return to the Glorious Valley

2012-02-03T20:21:00.000-07:00

An after work ride in what seemed like months! Finally, I grew a set and went out after work to Edmonton's Holiest of Holies. The River Valley! The weather is certainly nothing to hold me back as it's been on the plus side of the thermometer all week. The only thing holding me back was me. I'm not blaming work for this week's collapse.

The trails were a tad sloppy in some areas but for the most part were good for non studded tires. A few icy sections to keep one on his toes for sure. The overall feeling of being down there made me giggle uncontrollably... In fact a dog walker had to come over and ask me if I was all right. Everything in the valley this evening was perfect. From the sewer smell in Mill Creek (oh you know that part) to the sound of the trees in Ewok Forest. Sometimes this valley is a magical place! Especially when my time down there has been rare lately.

I even took a beer along for a ride!

It's 2112 Today

2012-02-01T18:32:00.000-07:00

I guess I did jinx my ride after that Monday post.

That's two failed rides in a row now. Dang....

Happy Monday

2012-01-30T18:54:00.002-07:00

I'm actually packed for a bike ride for tomorrow night! Can you believe it?

I just set myself up for failure didn't I?

Sunday Cruisin

2012-01-29T20:04:00.000-07:00

A return to the river valley on the third anniversary of my Fathers death and it was indeed a sufferfest. After weeks of working and absolute zero physical activity I climbed aboard the White-Winter-Wonder- bike and rode on through some of the easier trails I could find....

I hope this is the start of the regular riding regime...

picking up garbage with my bottom bracket

We Have Been and are Currently Experiencing Technical Difficulties

2012-01-26T21:16:00.000-07:00

I kinda feel like the guy on the left right now

If you haven't noticed, things here have been a "tad" off kilter. No riding, and no beer reviews. I can't even post up a photo dump as my camera has been sitting idle alongside my bikes and home beer reviewing kit (I bought that at WalMart two years ago)

Dare I blame.... Work? Yes, but those faithful ones who come on here would only think that I have ill feelings towards my job. That isn't the case. Truth is I love what I do right now. Which deep down scares me as I know it can't last forever.

There are major changes happening right now which have my undivided attention. Nothing serious, just the switching of shops thats all. Thus all my might and energy have been sadly focused away from the bikes. The bikes ok now but I don't have the time. A ride tonight that was planned and is now a distant figment of my imagination. Where would I have gone? What would I have encountered? Every ride in the Edmonton river valley usually entails some sort of story doesn't it?

See you sometime soon...

Have a Happy Week

2012-01-23T18:52:00.001-07:00

Warm weather again... sigh

Give it a Week

2012-01-21T23:15:00.002-07:00

And we will soon be back to our regularly scheduled programming...

Which equals bike rides and beer reviews...

Till then....

It Feels like January

2012-01-18T16:51:00.001-07:00

So here you go...

Still no bikes to ride so I'll just use that as an excuse for the extreme lack of riding.

Have a Happy Week

2012-01-16T18:25:00.001-07:00

And stay warm...

Beer Friday. Wells IPA

2012-01-14T22:07:00.000-07:00

I had wanted to do the first ever wine review on here tonight but was shut down by the higher ups that be. Well the higher ups being NFL football, and realizing I'm not allowed to drink wine on such a sanctimonious weekend of divisional playoffs. Oddly enough I didn't have a drip of beer until now; a good twenty minutes after the last game. So I guess I could have had the wine... You see how I sometimes over think things! This happens quite a bit and can be quite serious and thankfully have meds to take care of my problems. Sadly two of those "meds" are put away for the season and the one that "goes" is having the bicycle version of a quadruple tripass.

Wells makes it's home in England and is actually named Wells & Young's brewery after a merger between Charles Wells Brewery and Young's in 2006. The company is very proud to be independent and between the two has over twenty five beers in their lineup.

Wells IPA is the leading imported India Pale Ale coming into Canada which is probably why I found it so easily on a somewhat cold snowy Beaumont night. Or is it that Beaumont liquor stores are quite competitive as there is four with a rumoured fifth opening up in such a small town... Fubar

The pour was unsuccessful as I was holding the glass the wrong way giving my a large head of foam that would have been useful if a jetliner crashed into my front yard. The smell was somewhat different compared to most common beers. Fruity hoppy goodness made its way into my nostrils and I was delighted. The taste was a tad nutty (Austin Powers forever ruined that reference) and slightly metallic when drunk from the can. That's why you pour beer into cups kids! As I did...

This beer gets 3 suds out of 5

Living

2012-01-13T21:51:00.001-07:00

The next time you complain that your getting too old for something

Think of this guy...

Oldest Park Rider Ever from Nate Wagner on Vimeo.

Hopefully will see you around tomorrow for some wine tasting... I hope!

Have a Happy Week

2012-01-09T17:38:00.002-07:00

No bike riding till mid next week.

I'm sure Winter will be here in all it's infinite glory by then.

That doesn't bother me.

Truth be told, I kinda miss Winter.....

A Sunday Morning Photo Dump

2012-01-08T11:03:00.001-07:00

No bikes to ride for the moment, so I'm left wandering around with a camera...

Beer Friday. Muskoka Harvest Ale

2012-01-06T23:24:00.002-07:00

Four months past harvest? Why not! This bottle caught my eye the same way a bag of Doritos would attract many many potheads. It sat there in the store with a light beckoning from above. At first I thought it was heaven but quickly realised it was the lighting in the cooler... Silly me! Muskoka brewery, from Bracebridge Ontario resides in the heart of Ontario cottage country and it now proudly makes it's second lonebiker beer review appearance (oh , I'm sure they are damn proud!).

Their Harvest Ale is now in it's second year and is their Fall time brew. Yes I know it's now the dead of Winter so you can just pretend it's Fall time now o.k? This beer is packed with a punch. A 6.4% punch that is. I have had trouble in the past with strong beers, so I wasn't going to take shit from this beer. I started to show it who was boss right in the store by speaking loudly at the bottle, you know, making threats. There were other people in the store at the time and they moved away quite quickly once I uttered my menacing threats at the bottle. Ya! I can be badass when I want to be!

Once home I opened it up and was awestruck by the foggy goodness that was emanating from the bottle. It was at that moment I knew my threats had won over the heart of this strong beer. It sat for picture time with an attitude, and virtually no head. It was a one finger head (and you know which one that is) that quickly dissipated much to that of the dreams of a New York waitress. The first sip was what it was. A tad bitter, and then I had another and appreciated this beer for what it is. A craft beer made only once a year for the farmers... Or maybe the Oktoberfest people... I don't know. This one is a good, different but good. Buy a bottle and share it with friends (it's big) or just hog it all to yourself, the bottle is self closing you know.

This beer gets 3 suds out of 5

An Opening Flub for Twelve

2012-01-02T20:34:00.000-07:00

I thought I fixed my problem with the skipping drivetrain that ruined my ride on Boxing day. All my bolts were loose on my chain rings so I tightened them and quickly forgot about the problem, after patting myself on the back of course! Within a minute of riding out of Capilano park I knew I was screwed!

I resorted to pushing the small ring and climbing up to Ada boulevard and back down repetitively... Which got boring right away and quickly my first ride for Two Twelve was a dud!

Oh well... The highlight was the sound of all the coyotes in the river valley. They all decided at once to talk to each other and it was almost surreal. Both sides of the valley were singing which added to the sound of all the traffic and the fire engines that seemed to be lost. It's pretty cool to think of all the coyotes that are down there blending in and going unnoticed. Until they decide to speak of course...

And to the guy who decided he would be safe and smoke a joint in the Capilano rest stop rather then smoking it in the safety of all the forest that surrounded him. I say well done sir!

Are You Ready For the Most Annoying Year Ever?

2011-12-31T17:59:00.001-07:00

All thanks to the Mayans ending their calender people the world over are freaking out. And no thanks to Discovery channel and the History channel for the last three years of doomsday shows ( quickly played right after the Japanese earthquake/tsunami) for propagating that fear to millions of people who don't know better. Expect this year to be worse and as it gets closer to December the internet and the media will be spreading the fear.

Thankfully we ride bikes. Thus our heads are clear...

Happy New Year and stay safe in Twenty Twelve.

Beer Friday. Molson Canadian

2011-12-30T22:41:00.001-07:00

New years eve tomorrow night and my weekend has just begun after a fun week of inventory combined with a classic case of reorganizing. I was planning on reviewing one or two tomorrow night but after this week I couldn't hold back.

If you were on here two years ago you would have read an angry review on Molson Canadian where I; like many a douchebag on the internet had an open forum to trash something without fear of repercussion, and trash I did! What exactly was my problem back then? I have no idea? Some leftover angst form the Canadian custom agent giving me grief about my bike.... maybe. Well Molsons. Lets forget the past and become friends shall we. Even if I don't like you much on this here review?

Canadians have an inferiority complex. I blame that on big brother living next door. Most of us won't admit it but you know it's there. We feel great when attention is given towards us. The Vancouver Olympics was a great example, the Vancouver hockey riots. Not so much... Attention on anybody makes them feel great. Just saying somebody's name in conversation when your with them makes them feel all warm and fuzzy. Just talk to any high level business professional and they will say your name repetitively in a conversation. Molson Canadian has unbelievably great advertising. They hit all of our soft spots in 30 seconds making us proud of who we are. They show us winning hockey games, doing fun stuff in the mountains, playing hockey, doing fun stuff at the lake cottage, and of course watching hockey playoffs.

The pour gave us a nice crisp, cool, smooth and refreshing looking beer! Ironically like a beer commercial would show it. A two fingered head that didn't last long enough to get the camera ready after I set up my Barbies.... I mean my daughters Barbies! The first sip gave me some good old familiar 22 year old me love. I have not had this in a long time, in fact the last time was when I did the review on here a couple years ago and the taste was really quite... Ordinary. A slight skunky taste to make it more familiar. Yes Molson Canadian you are ordinary. But don't change cause I love you the way you are. Your great "Canadians kick ass" commercials and your image.... Ahh, I have tears of pride running down my cheeks.

This beer gets 2.5 suds out of 5

this is wrong... so wrong, yet strangely arousing...

Enjoy what's left of the year

2011-12-27T20:52:00.000-07:00

Two-twelve is fast approaching and I don't have a chance to ride till Saturday.

Bummer...

Boxing Day in Fort Saskatchewan

2011-12-26T16:59:00.001-07:00

On another traditional Boxing Day ride I took tradition and tried turning it into something great. Well it would have been great if I didn't run into drivetrain problems. I hate running into mechanical problems! I lose focus on the ride quickly, and once I get things settled, the thought of what was happening never leaves my head therefore putting me into a foul mood.

Before the shit started I made it to the back loop and couldn't get over how things were down in the Fort Saskatchewan valley. Much like in Edmonton, things are still good to go, the singletrack is packed down good on the spots that there was snow, the areas under heavy tree cover still had dirt and ice to ride on making me love my studded tires as they held me up and kept me from falling in to the frozen river. The first half of riding was awesome until click, click....BAM... click, click...BAM!

I tried to do a quick fix on the side of the trail, yes me and my "stellar" mechanic skills, and surprisingly somehow rectified the problem and limped back to the Jeep.

eat your heart out best buy

ice and steep descents equals good times

Beer Christmas! Rolling Rock Extra Pale

2011-12-25T22:21:00.000-07:00

A return to the beer reviews after a much needed vacation. The lonebiker pro beer police took some much needed time off as the pressure to review beer weighed them down heavily. What a bunch of giant pussies! All they have to do is drink beer and talk about it!

Rolling Rock comes from St Louis Missouri. Home of the Godless Rams and the current baseball champs. They are in St Louis as the giant Anhueser-Bush company now runs them. They started in western Pennsylvania and grew to be a national product which inevitably made Budweiser jealous so they bought them out (oh yes, I'm positive that's how it went down). One of the curious things about Rolling Rock is each bottle and can has the number "33" on it. Nobody know why there is a 33 but the myths are out there, one going so far as saying that number is the highest the Freemasons can get. That kind of shit creeps me out a little. But I get creeped out by clowns so I guess it doesn't take much.

The beer poured nice and golden and showed a giant head that was larger than my hand. Amazing? Is it not? I am quite out of practice with this beer review thing so my beer pouring talents have gone to shit! The taste was quite ordinary, much like you would get out of any Budweiser or Coors. There was nothing that stood out as I swirled it around my mouth, although some shot out my nose when I saw one of my dogs try to hump the angry birds plush toy laying on the ground. That kind of shit cracks me up! Would I recommend this beer? No. It bored me, unlike watching my dog fornicate with small plush toys. That my friends is good quality entertainment!

This beer gets 2.5 suds out of 5

Twas the Day Before Christmas....

2011-12-24T22:20:00.000-07:00

a blurry post potty break ride photo

And all throughout the river valley. Not a creature was stirring. Not even those pesky dog walkers! Well, o.k. I saw a few, but the day before Christmas there was practically nobody down there on yet another unbelievably beautiful day!

I finally took some time for a ride after the most hectic two weeks I have ever had. A short ride but still one warranting of being posted on this here blog. A trip from Mill Creek to Dawson bridge with some icy singletrack thrown in...Nice!

riding the best swing in edmonton on christmas eve, one of the best days of the year = epic moment

Happy Winter

2011-12-21T20:58:00.002-07:00

I wanted to put up Christmas in Hollis, but while searching I found this gem...

See ya Friday.

Happy Friday

2011-12-16T22:14:00.002-07:00

my backyard... they won't leave

Just a quick update so nobody thinks I fell into the river. This has been one of the busiest Christmas seasons ever. Every night this week has had some sort of an event pulling me away from a possible ride, the same schedule is welcoming me this weekend and the coming week ahead.

Meaning; not a heck of alot going on here till after Christmas. Maybe, just maybe I can sneak a ride in but the closest I get may be daydreaming about riding while I'm running through a busy mall.

Beer Friday should be back next weekend and hopefully some normalcy soon after...

Have a Happy Monday

2011-12-11T20:46:00.000-07:00

This one is very deserving of being played loud over and over and over again....

River Valley Cycle... Goodbye

2011-12-10T23:30:00.000-07:00

After hearing the news about River Valley Cycle going bankrupt when I got home after a long day last night, I was put off. My mind wandered a thousand miles an hour thinking about all the times I've spent in there. Strange behaviour yes, but I'm sure there are hundreds of people all around right now doing the same thing. I have accepted what happened now but truth be told denial was there. A coincidental meeting in the parking lot earlier today brought four mtbr members (well, one not coincidental) standing outside looking through the windows wondering what happened.

In 2007 I had the same feelings; only magnified when I heard their shop was on fire. My thoughts then said they are gone and all those bikes are gone with them. I made a few trips to the fire site and sadly looked at all the melted bike frames and strewn apart bike parts and felt a little creeped out. My "biking world" just had a nasty kick to the groin.. Fire is horrible. Nuff said. This shop has had it's ups and downs with me over the years.

So if I may? A few words for a shop that should still be around...

I'm sorry we didn't get along like we should have, I had Coast bicycle to help me get going. In those days I flirted with you probably because you had all those nice high end bikes in your Whyte Ave location. Oh how fitting of a location was "River Valley Cycle" which pretty much bordered the river valley (well Mill Creek, but close enough). The place was a hotbed of activity and after a few years of riding I finally caved and betrayed Coast and bought my dream ride Rocky Mountain Altitude T.O.

The time flew by and we became distant again. You moved, I flirted and eventually bought another bike elsewhere.

Then the unthinkable happened and walls became rubble. I remember being in Mill Creek for a ride and riding through a smoky haze. That moment in my riding life was very surreal as I was thinking about all the frames and memories that now were floating through our river valley. You were reborn and I was on the bandwagon and walked in with a sock full of money to get back in touch with my boys from British Columbia, but oddly enough found Ibis instead. Yes I betrayed you again.

Our relationship has never been that strong yet I feel like I just got dumped by my girlfriend. That girl I had a strange on again off again relationship with. We had our troubles but when she was gone, I was a mess. Now she's gone for good. Man I'm going to miss her!

Just a Friendly Reminder the Beer Reviews are on Vacation

2011-12-09T22:23:00.000-07:00

So go on, thats it. Nothing to see here. Move along soldiers. Get going, I'm sure you have stuff to do...

Riding. Mill Creek- Dawson Bridge

2011-12-07T20:00:00.001-07:00

Coldness was there in all it's magnificent glory tonight, and I suffered through a quick rip from my favourite little ravine to the north side of the river all the way to my favourite little bridge, and back on the south side. The cold wind was the problem today and I thought I could escape it in the ravine...

Not quite! I escaped the wind but the temps down below left me shivering when I got home and I had nobody to feel sorry for me, or smack sense into me, mainly for being a bit foolish and under dressing

for the elements.

a proud snow melting potty break

The ride was great and truth be told it really wasn't that cold when I was moving. The big highlight was the rhythmic way my snot would glow magnificently when I blew it from my non stop running nose in front of my bright lights. It was really... really quite therapeutic and gave me Christmas shivers...

a quick moment to play with the camera then up the hill and home

Have a Happy Week

2011-12-04T20:11:00.001-07:00

And a happy December...

Saturday snow crunching

2011-12-03T14:10:00.001-07:00

a potty break monochrome for the masses

A roll through the fresh snow on yet another warm day. The falling snow was a welcoming sight cause as everybody knows, riding through falling snow is da-bomb! And I mean that with all sincerity. The snow which would have been perfect for a snowball fight, or building a giant fort proved to be troublesome for my gunk friendly candy pedals. Although a few kicks and I was in so really no big deal.

The route from Mill Creek-southside of the river- High level bridge and across to the north end was a dream ride in the snow. The ride was smooth and the accumulating snow didn't hinder progress at all. It seemed to only encourage it, I felt like I was on rails the entire time other then the few trips through the still open singletrack. The highlight was the crossing of the High Level Bridge. There is something magical about this bridge, those who ride across it know. Other Edmonton bloggers blog about it. If you have lived in Edmonton for over a year and consider yourself a cyclist and have not crossed this great wonder. I implore you to go hang your head in shame and lock yourself in a room for a week while eating nothing but animal crackers. When the weeks up, grab a bike and ride across, you owe yourself...

a pause before the crossing...

searching for singletrack

A Non Beer Friday Photo Dump

2011-12-02T21:10:00.001-07:00

I needed content, another ride lost today...

Beer Friday will be Suspended until December 23

2011-12-01T22:04:00.001-07:00

A break is needed from the high demanding pressures of reviewing beer. Feel free to copy the above sticker that I stole off somebodies site and turn it into a sticker and wear it around for the next three weeks. I wont blame you...

Maybe there will be an increase of ride reports? Or a k-cup coffee review! How awesome would that be?
*A K-cup coffee review! I can hardly contain myself!

* No!

November....Really?

2011-11-29T20:30:00.001-07:00

Finally a ride again after nine days of bitching to everybody that I haven't been riding. It was a little odd as the last ride was in -20 million degree temps (slight exaggeration there...slight) and I have not been out since. Been busy, that's my excuse.

The ride was very typical of Winter although it did not feel like it. I stayed on the paved trails on purpose although I could have been on the singletrack.... okay, wait a minute! Why did I do that? There is not enough snow to render the singletrack "un-do-able" This could have been alot different now that I think of it. Oh well, guess I'll have to wait till Friday now...

The highlight of the night. Removing my head wear cause it was too damn hot!

Awesome... Just Awesome...

somebody affixed a swing to the peace dove ....

genius, absolute genius!

Have a Happy Week

2011-11-27T20:46:00.001-07:00

I'll get back on the bike soon. I promise...

Beer Friday. Grey Cup Edition, Kokanee vs Labatt Blue

2011-11-25T21:37:00.001-07:00

With the Grey Cup a mere two day the feeling was to do a battle royale between two beers that best represented the teams playing.

In the East, Labatt Blue representing the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The west brings us Kokanee for the B.C Lions. Two beers that were reviewed on this site already if you just hit the links. The battle will feature everything about these beers that I feel like talking about at this given time, and they will be awarded points and it will be a guarantee lock to see who will win the Grey Cup! So if you plan on making a few bets I suggest you pay attention sucka!

History. Kokanee was a niche brand of beer in the B.C interior and was bought ironically (only to this review) by Labatt in 1974 and the brand grew more popular with some clever advertising. Labatt Blue's history goes back further to 1954 when Labatt started a new Pilsener Lager and named it after the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. That alone gives Labatt a 10-0 lead after the first quarter, cause that my friends is pretty cool to have a beer named after your football team.

The overall appearance and with that marketing was something else that scored points, Blue was appropriately blue and featured a maple leaf with some wheat on it that made me feel all warm and fuzzy, but Kokanee features the mountains covered in snow bringing lustful dreams of playing in the holiest of holies. 10-7 Blue. A long search of youtube videos from both beers brought annoyance and frustration as to why it's so hard to find a good beer commercial. Kokanee wins this one hands down once I saw and remembered they put cute girls on mountain bikes and then put that on t.v. 14-10 Kokanee, halftime.

The pour gave us much of the same from both as far as colour goes, Kokanee retained it's head much longer giving them a late 3rd quarter field goal, the taste was close and looking at the archives I gave both beers 3.5 suds out of 5. Is this close or what? Drinking the beers head to head sadly gave me no real deciding factor on which one is better. They are both a bit above ordinary. With the final sip going down between these two I'd have to give a slight edge to Kokanee, but very slight. That looks like a safety to me...

The final score Kokanee 19 Labatt Blue 10

It's a Lonebiker YouTube Extravaganza

2011-11-24T20:18:00.001-07:00

That's three youtube videos in a row now. None of them have anything to do with riding!

Except maybe this one, yet another reason on top of thousands to go to Europe.

The Best Way to Run from the Police

2011-11-23T20:13:00.001-07:00

It's low content season, why am I not riding?

Hope you are...

Happy Monday

2011-11-21T17:02:00.001-07:00

This one gives me goosebumps, goosebumps like I had on Saturday when I was out riding...

Rolling Through the Frozen Valley

2011-11-19T15:29:00.001-07:00

days like this call for the lobster gloves

made it to my planned destination, will the trip be good back?

Getting out on days like this is always met with lots of satisfaction afterwards. Of course with that satisfaction comes chills that take over an hour and a half to get rid of once your home even after a hot meal and an extremely hot shower.

A ride in the cold from Mill Creek to Kinsman on my poor Stumpjumper.... It was once my proud main ride which has now been relegated to the "shit show" bike. O how sad! Everybody take a moment and think about the poor Stumpjumper now...

The equipment seemed to hold up quite well, my newer Exustar Winter shoes I bought last year did their job until the end of the ride after an hour and a half of riding when my feet started to feel numb, all I had on was wool socks and the temps were dipping to -20˚. The lobster gloves were summoned four kilometers in and by the time I reached the LRT bridge my hands were two steaming cooked lobsters and I switched back to my main Winter gloves (Axiom) for the return home which did their job admirably.

a river valley bathroom, an essential spot to stop and warm up, and try not to get raped...

oh who am I kidding, nobody's gonna rape that!

Beer Friday. Sleeman Clear

2011-11-18T21:11:00.001-07:00

After enjoying another late snow free November the snow showed itself and Winter came to us in a fury. The temperature right now is -18° and it took me forever tonight to warm up. A night out with the girls and I screamed like a baby and ran to the car every time we went outside. I'm not ready for this Winter thing! I realized it's time to suck it up, and being the genuine Canadian that I am I decided to drink cold beer and talk about it on this here Internet thing.

Sleeman brewery began in 1834 in Ontario by a guy named John Sleeman. Sadly prohibition closed their doors in 1933 for bootlegging into Detroit.... Wait a minute. That's so badass! I just grew a giant mound of respect for Sleeman beer and their badass bootlegging! I can see a bunch of well dressed guys driving Buick 8's armed with tommy guns crossing the border with their stash of alcohol for the dry Americans. I know the real story is far from that but the term "bootlegging" conjures up images that most likely don't even come close to resembling what really happened.

Sleeman Clear is described on their website as canada's first low carb beer (oh thank Heavens for that) with 90 calories which would equal a quick trip through Mill Creek ravine or maybe a little more. At 4% it claims to be easy drinking and after a few sips I see why. A far cry from the giant bottle of 8% French Canadian bottle that stood and stared at me on the shelf which said "whatcha looking at bitch?"prompting me to quickly turn around and grab my Sleemans and head for the register. I didn't pour it as the bottle just looked too damn good! The first sip seemed sour and carbonated and after a few more the sourness never really went away. Upset I threw the bottle at my dog and tried another... The same. It wasn't just soured with carbonation, it also tasted like water. Sleemans Clear had me at hello, but quickly lost me on taste.

This beer gets 0.5 suds out of 5

Hope You Had a Happy Hump-day

2011-11-16T19:00:00.001-07:00

With a plethora of snow on the way tonight, we can only look forward to one thing.

Beer Friday is a short two days away!

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy....

A Ride at Home

2011-11-15T20:37:00.001-07:00

On a night I didn't feel like sitting around I decided to test out the Winter bike for a short roll around Beaumont. Bring the camera? Why not!

I heard the spikes on my tires screaming in agony as most of the paved trails here were swept clear of the skiff of snow that covered them late yesterday afternoon. I cruised to the other end of town (which really isn't that far, in fact it's kinda pathetic on how small it really is.)

The trails run between the backs of houses and I decided to get a serious case of creep and peer into all the homes that left their window coverings open. Once on the outskirts I scared the shit out of myself and rode as hard as I could to get away from my own shadow which I thought was a rabid werewolf (o.k, coyote) chasing me down, only to rip my chest open and steal my heart and take it into the depths of hell...

Well it didn't take too long to realize it was me and not a werewolf (like only 5 minutes.) It did make me wonder how I ride by myself in the river valley at night though.

Tis the Season

2011-11-14T20:18:00.001-07:00

A night spent arming the Winter Warrior for another inevitable Season of ice, snow, and thousands upon thousands of excuses not to go riding.

What will this Winter have in store for me? I say every year I'm going to ride my bike more in the Winter but never really do. So this year I'm going to say I'll rarely ride. It's genius absolute genius...

Is this the Moots Last Hoorah?

2011-11-13T18:15:00.001-07:00

oh pretty little creek

My first snow ride is finally official. Well not a heck of alot of snow is on the ground to warrant a "real" winter ride but it still had it's slippery spots. Watching a guy fall on his ass while walking his dog as I took my bike out of the Jeep made me chuckle.... He was fine, I asked him if he was o.k, stop judging me! It did make me worry about the conditions though.

The ride was a rather short one. Mill Creek to Dawson bridge and rather then staying in the valley I climbed out on Rowland road and rode through the rough seedy underbelly of downtown, and made a quick exit back into the valley.

Will I be putting on the studded tires on the Winter warrior tomorrow? That may be my night, getting that bike set up for Winter. Last year was the first season I rode on studded tires and I know I will never go back...

after sliding out while climbing, a picture...

commonwealth on your right, half full for a playoff game and you could hear them in mill creek

Beer Friday. Pumphouse Blueberry Ale

2011-11-11T22:40:00.001-07:00

I couldn't find a more appropriate beer to review for tonight after a rather rough few days. The barn which has been a staple in my wife's family for years came to an incredibly dramatic end on Wednesday night. A fire tore through the old structure within minutes and ended up an inferno that people could see from Edmonton a good 25 km away! Thankfully the wind was blowing in the right direction and nothing else was damaged and nobody was hurt. So in the end, they came out o.k as I believe it could have come out way worse. Still the shock of what happened is clearly evident with my wife and most of all. Her parents.

This does explain the slight inactivity on here, primarily with riding. I threw the towel in on two rides already in this amazing November weather we are having... Dang!

The beer for tonight is from a brewery named Pumphouse all the way from Moncton, New Brunswick. I read up on their website wondering when these crafty little buggers are going to talk about how their brewery is in an old firehall. It never came up and I found out later that the founder "Shaun" is a full time firefighter. Thus the connection...

I will come out and admit that blueberry beer isn't one I'd pick, but when searching for "fire themed beers" the picking is somewhat of a challenge. Pumphouse gives this brew a good dose of blueberries mixed with peppery blueberries, malts and spicy hops. Is this the perfect pre ride beer? I load up on blueberries before long rides and beer is beer thus....

No I don't recommend drinking before or during a ride. That kind of shit ain't cool boys and girls! I poured this into a glass and looked at the golden, blond beer colour and wondered how this will taste like blueberries. The smell was simply great! The blueberry and spiced hops made me cry tears of joy. But will it taste like it smelled and I became worried. The first reluctant sip went well and tears of joy ran down my cheeks. A few more sips and it was gone and I sat bewildered wondering what to do. "Oh ya! I have more upstairs" I screamed. The second was a winner as well, this is not what I was expecting when I bought it, it was great because the blueberries were not overpowering like alot of other fruit beers seem to be.

This beer gets 3.8 suds out of 5

A link to the barn pictures here. Don't click if you get sad when you see barns on fire!

Oh, and happy Remembrance day!

Some Downhill Stoke

2011-11-09T19:58:00.001-07:00

It's worth the four minutes and four seconds of your life...

Evan Schwartz - Ride the Fall from Liam Mullany on Vimeo

A Ride Cut Short...

2011-11-07T20:53:00.000-07:00

got em!

All thanks to me forgetting my glasses on the trail while taking pictures. I was a good four kilometers away from the photo spot and about to enter some tight singletrack near Connors when I realized I had no eye protection. "Oh fiddlesticks!" I screamed...

Do I keep riding or go back and retrieve them? Knowing I would be focused on my lost glasses on the trail all alone in the dark... I had to turn back.

My ride ended after that, getting to blind some guys drinking beer on a trail leaving Mill Creek with my lights kinda made up for it.

Wait a minute.... No it didn't.

in the dark mill creek

sundown, it was dark, so I opened the shutter for 5 seconds and wanted to ride by with the lights on but never entered the frame, it turned out kinda cool considering how dark it was at the time

Have a Happy Week

2011-11-06T20:04:00.000-07:00

Four days... Yep.

Beer Friday/Saturday. Tiger Beer

2011-11-05T23:24:00.000-06:00

After missing last night's beer review all thanks to a bike ride, I decided to miss tonight's bike ride all thanks to a movie night... Stupid movies! They're cramping my riding style! Movies wouldn't ruin my riding if I wasn't married... Uh Oh, Only a few sentences in and I'm looking like a giant piece of ass. We all know I'm just kidding so...

Tiger beer is a proud Asian and is one of the areas "Budweiser" if you will. Headquartered in Singapore the beer's brewer "Asia Pacific Breweries" has breweries all over the place. Tiger Beer was launched in 1932. A time when people were probably wanting the harder stuff as opposed to beer, but I'm sure it helped soothe some people's worries.

For tonight's trip to the beer store to pick up a tester I can't remember seeing this blue and silver can as it stood out quite predominantly. Much like a nice high end bike would at a shop. Odd I thought after reading about how popular it is the world over. It got special acclaim on it's website saying how "popular" and "great" this beer is. How strange of a companies website to promote their product like that! The Detroit Tigers baseball team also has a strong tie to this beer but I can't quite figure it out...

The pour showed a big three fingered head which christened a nice golden coloured beer. The smell was that of any common beer out there. I did pick up corn so I felt it to resemble this blog "corny."The first taste was a tad skunky, and so was the second and third. Midway through the taste got better but there was really nothing that impressed me on this one. Nope, nothing at all.

This beer gets 2 suds out of 5

Friday Night Lights

2011-11-04T22:25:00.000-06:00

it still has new bike smell!

First off. An apology if you came here looking for a beer review. It was a pretty damn cold night in the river valley and I was quite unprepared (keep reading) thus, since I've returned home I've had a hot 45 minute shower and am still chilled. Therefore I don't feel like reviewing cold beer. Although I am tipping back a few right now...

more new bike beauty

New bikes, much like new high school relationships are pretty damn sweet!

Getting to meet up with Jason and his new Giant Anthem X29 (oh ya, them's big wheels) and witnessing that new bike love first hand took me back to every new bike I owned. That period lasts for a good two to three months for me.

His eleventh ride on the new "ride" which started in the cool daylight which disappeared and gave way to the mysterious black valley. A valley that has a new set of visitors once the sun goes down. Critters and humans alike...

some blurry night time new bike love

The ride from Mill Creek to Capilano ended up kicking my ass. If you haven't ridden with Jason you should know one thing. The dudes got power! Combined with a new dual suspension twenty nine inch wheeled bike. I was struggling to say the least! I know I could make up all sorts of excuses like "I worked in a shop all day" or "I had a shitty year of non riding..." Phttt! Like my favorite line from Platoon, when Sargent O'Neil said "excuses are like assholes, everybody got one." How true.

It was a great ride despite my shortcomings, the trails are in prime condition which is always pretty special this late in the year. A roll through Rowland trail in the dark with coyotes singing gave me trail orgasms that could rival parts of Jasper will be something to remember. Sadly the cold got to me and my unprepared self as I went out with no booties or warm socks of any kind, and my feet started to freeze forcing me to do the awkward thing and ask if we could pull over so I could "rub myself."

After the rubdown it was a quick return home ...

Les Stroud would have been so disappointed in me...

a double bike shot potty break photo

Happy November

2011-11-01T10:32:00.001-06:00

Monster Ride on a Monster Day

2011-10-31T18:05:00.000-06:00

eyeing a switchback on rowland trail

my halloween contribution... a dead bird, yah that's right

I gave the middle finger to work today and ventured out on what was hopefully going to be the longest run of the year.

I had planned on doing a Science park to Terwillegar park and return to Science park ride but in the theme of this year it didn't happen. It was still a big ride nonetheless.

I took a very slow pace knowing I had a long way to go and would have to return the same distance. The thought of bonking because of no energy really played with my head.

giving up on terwillegar, I crossed the bridge at hawerlak and ventured home

The other contributing factor to a slow pace was the amount of pictures I took. A total of 68, I know I had more on other rides but today I even annoyed myself by all the stops. It was an exquisite day out there and I was motivated. Like the picture of the dead bird.... Beauty!

It's a shame about not doing the full ride. I wanted this badly to cap off a rough year, this would have made things a bit better when I look back on twenty- eleven. I guess it doesn't really matter cause it was a darn good ride even though I didn't make it. I hit Rowland, Ewok, Mackinnon, and all the other good stuff. Mostly on the south side. Once I came through Mackinnon I rode paved (ya, I know) pretty much all the way back to the Science park.

With November approaching tomorrow the thought of long end to end rides seem to be fading away, maybe I have a chance next weekend if work doesn't get in the way....

the climb out of the valley

the future home of a new park served by a funicular that will bring people down
to the valley so they can complain about all the mountain bikers.... oh joy

the final push home through the science park

Beer Friday. Yukon Brewing, Yukon Gold

2011-10-28T22:40:00.000-06:00

The last Friday of the greatest month of the year. Oh how incredibly sad! On a happy note. The riding has seem to have returned almost back to full gear. Entering November and it can only get better and better as the forests get ready for Winter and the cool air and dense dead looking trees add a certain splendor to the magical trails.

Yukon brewing from Whitehorse, Yukon. One of the more desirable places to go for anyone who likes to do stuff in the outdoors in case you didn't know. The brewery opened it's doors in 1997 by a couple lads from Ontario who like to do things in the outdoors, under the name Chilkoot brewing. The idea to start a brewery came to them on a canoe trip. Yet another good reason to get a canoe! Business ideas! Another good reason. Canoe dancing. Yukon Gold is their flagship beer which features work from artist Lynn Blakie. A piece of work that captures the spirit of our Canadian north.

The pour gave us all a nice golden beer that would make Anheuser-Bush proud. Or would he just be a stuck up prick about the whole thing? The crisp white head hung around long enough for a Green Day song and soon vanished. The smell gave us some earthly hops but quite faint. Should we all be worried? Hell no. The taste was a warm welcome to the end of another week. Nothing too special that stood out. Just an all around good tasting beer. Faint hops that lead your weekly worries into an empty field full of unicorns and lollipops. Or was that the alcohol?

This beer gets 3 suds out of 5

Not Long Enough for the Lights

2011-10-27T19:46:00.002-06:00

I blame the pre ride nutrition on this one. A planned romp on the north side to Gretzky and back via Rowland and Ewok never materialized into anything. Poor eating probably was what ruined me...

It was a shame as this night was stellar. Nice and cool out, just the way I like it. Oddly enough there were many people out in t shirts and shorts including scantly clad girls (giggidy) running. Most likely freezing their asses off. I even saw a roadie wearing a jersey and shorts. Is it me or is that just not good for the joints?

the way back through Ewok, decisions, decisions.... I took the easy way

oh yeah! something tells me bad asses were here

Lights on at 6:36

2011-10-25T21:10:00.001-06:00

the point and shoot came through today

An after work rumble through the leaves from Mill Creek into the river valley. I took the upper Ewok trails and was riding soft. Stopping and smelling the roses a little too much....

Brothers and Sisters. That is not how one is supposed to ride the mighty Ewok! I exited and rode Riverside somewhat half high speed thinking about crossing Gretzky and had an epiphany. Rowland trail will cure one who is soft.... Or hurt him! So I hit it and quickly "manned up" quickly realizing that this Rowland is one badass trail. The steep climbs, the sketchy sidehill riding, those awesome switchbacks! Gosh! I'm gushing! Fort Saskatchewan? *What's that place again?

I exited Rowland and climbed up the pavement up to Forest Heights where I descended quite rapidly to the river. Once on the lower trail I marvelled at the trail work some people have done. The little wooden bridges once built have been replaced by stone. How long has that been there? With my crappy season it may have been there since August.

The ride back through Mill Creek was welcomed promptly at 6:36 when the light were turned on making me think of how fast we are losing daylight. The dark trails were a great way to end a day.

an abandoned critter jail

rowland trail in the dusk... this place will see more of me

*THAT WAS A JOKE!

Happy Monday

2011-10-24T17:29:00.000-06:00

I got this Saturday night on iTunes and have not stopped listening to it...

This Place is Addicting

2011-10-23T20:21:00.002-06:00

A return to Fort Saskatchewan in the late morning! I can't help it, this place is just too much fun! This time back to the solo rides when it's just me and my bike...

Much like yesterday the wind was a menace, and unlike yesterday the trails were clogged with traffic. It was one of the busiest days I've seen here ever! I guess people are still riding their bikes after all!

A ride that started crappy with badly chosen lines and bad legs ended very well with a high speed return after the loop... I was flying baby! And yes, if your wondering about the log ride I looked at it, pulled up my skirt and went around...

a break at the best rest stop in the area

A Mid Morning Visit to the Famed Fort...

2011-10-22T22:20:00.001-06:00

damp log rides can sometimes give one a very sore shoulder

Or is it not as popular as once thought? Nary a soul was found on a Saturday Fall ride through Fort Saskatchewan. Fine by me! What happened to everybody who rides bikes though? Strange...

It was a treat as it was a rare ride with Joe. Or shall we call him "fearless Joe?" No we won't. I won't have anything to do with that. I'd say the dude is pretty ballsy though. Fort Saskatchewan is known for it's technical trail features and he attacks them armed with audacity. It's cool seeing how other people ride bikes...
A good example would be a wet log ride that he hit at full speed, where most would come up to, investigate, and then hit it. No not him, "just grit your teeth and hit it" would be the motto of a crazy man. It did have the end result from hitting too fast and a rather serious looking crash ensued. If only I had my camera out...sigh.

It was a great roll through the forest especially with a guy who go's way back, impressive to say the least about someone who's still fairly new to riding. Here's hoping for another one before Falls end...

with my tail tucked, I promptly went around

yet another log crossing, not too many places like this in the edmonton area

Beer Friday. New Belgium Hoptober

2011-10-21T21:59:00.000-06:00

Finally a review from the "magical six" that was gifted to me back in mid August! With severe neck problems forcing me off my precious bikes I refused to review "bike related beer" as I wasn't riding. A bit nutty but it made sense.... to me that is. Now with normality returning with mid week rides returning and soon to be some longer weekend rides in these ever so glorious Fall days. Why not start with the beer that tastes like the season were in.

New Belgium in Fort Collins Colorado was founded in 1991 by a genius names Jeff Lebesch. The company is now well known in the United States particularly for their "Fat Tire Ale." Which is coming soon to this here fine beer reviewing website. Hoptober is one of their seasonal beers and ironically October from U2 just shuffled itself onto my Itunes while spelling Hoptober.... Is this the start of something great? No it's just irony dumbass, get back to the review. Hoptober is seasonal from August to October.

The pour gave us what we were expecting and we were ecstatic. Glorious gold beer beckoned from the glass and I trembled as I set up the camera to take the picture. The one fingered head hung on for a few minutes and soon deflated like my current lungs on some good climbs in my valley. The smell was citrus mixed with hops. My first sip was now quite a while ago and I seem to remember being taken back to last Fall when I was trying Fall beers. I then fainted. Once awake I tried it once more and was warmed with hops and fruit that had a dry aftertaste. It was something that sadly I wish I had more of...

This beer gets 4.5 suds out of 5 (no bias here... really! It's great)

Splendid. Simply Splendid

2011-10-20T20:44:00.003-06:00

a potty break in the fabulous ewok

It is very rare for me to have company on an after work ride. I cannot remember the last time it's happened, I know the Stumpjumper was my main ride at the time and George Bush was in his first term.

I met Jason and the weather and trail conditions were simply spectacular. This truly is the best time of year to ride a mountain bike and tonight proved it. It was a quiet river valley, a cool river valley, it was an awesome river valley! A definite "stellar ride" so to speak...

a soon to be neglected gary fisher, bring on the giant, giant

From Mill Creek, through mid Ewok and a high speed run beside river side golf course and across the river via Wayne Gretzky bridge with all the people venturing to Rexall place to watch an Oilers game. I shook my head and was thankful I was on a bike. Nothing against the Oilers but you know...

if only we could just hold on to this season a little longer

I Heard Mackinnon Calling...

2011-10-18T20:45:00.001-06:00

So I went...

A rather monster of a ride for an after work special and it was a good one. It started out ordinarily enough with me exiting Mill Creek wondering where to go when it donned on me to hit the lustful trails known as Mackinnon. Or do they have a name? African roots seems to come to mind but that might not be it. Oh holy hell, who cares! I rode the north side and entered Mackinnon, climbed up to the end, turned my bike around and stopped at the entrance to the lustful singletrack. I swear I heard Angels singing, or was that the church that's in the area?

potty break, mill creek style

Me and the bike entered the trail and a sudden grin enveloped my face. "I love this place" I said under my breath and listened to the leaves crunch under my knobbies. The first set of roots came and I handled them like one should on a hardtail. Sadly it was over too fast and with the sun rapidly going down I knew another run would be out of the question. It wasn't that sad because I had the southside of the river to ride back on. Upper Emily Murphy, Kinsman, lower Canada cup, and then a completely dark Mill Creek where my lights guided me back to the Jeep.

I'd say Im rather enjoying this bike riding thing again...

leaves cover the Mackinnon singletrack

my idea of trail porn

Happy Monday/Tuesday (it's a tad late on a Monday)

2011-10-17T20:02:00.001-06:00

I like me some Lykke Li...

Saturday AM

2011-10-15T11:29:00.000-06:00

Waking up at 5:30 this morning with a well deserved grumpy reaction thinking I'm having to go into work was gone once I remembered I was heading out for an early morning ride. Funny thing how that works...

Meeting Jason at Mill Creek and descending into the cold ravine was a welcoming beginning to the weekend. Certainly a better way to start then sitting in front of the computer downing coffee and reading up on the arguments on why Wal Mart bikes suck on the bike forums.

The ride was cool, crisp, and a tad slippery. The roots got Jason and the slippery leaves got me. In the end we came away unscathed. I suffered hard on the climbs as my legs and lungs are still far away from prime meaning one sure thing. Ride more!

not a potty break photo, merely a me collapsing on the side of the trail photo

good morning edmonton...

Middle October Sans Beer Friday

2011-10-14T21:20:00.000-06:00

How could this happen in the greatest month of the year?

An early ride planned and a late work night on Saturday spoiled this week.

So until next week.... Enjoy some beer wenches...

Now that the riding is happening the magical six pack will start getting it's paces.

Or should I just wait till next year, ya maybe I'll wait, I've waited long enough...

I can't review such magical beer after such a rotten season could I?

Do you see how I over-think things? Lordy, Lordy....

Terwillegar to Sunset

2011-10-13T20:54:00.000-06:00

classic terwillegar

My first after work ride in what seems like years required a trip to the now highly unvisited destination of Terwillegar. To think I hummed and hawed this one sitting in the office at 4:30 arguing in my head on how much better the couch would be rather then suffering on a bike in the cold wind. Oh how sad!

Thankfully smart me took over and I went and it was well worth it. The climbs were painful, the wind was cold and bitter, and my lungs and legs burned yet again...

It was one of the best rides of this scrambled year.... Seriously!

the return of the potty break photos

breathless anyone?

Thanksgiving Ride

2011-10-10T20:18:00.000-06:00

me slowing down Jason...

rolling through the leaves

The second bike ride in a row and my body is now in shock from the activity. I feel like it's early season riding after time off the bike from a long nasty winter. It's not. It's October! The month when most people are in their prime. Well not me...

running into people with pythons around their necks is not an everyday
occurrence, this guy was awesome

Joining Jason for today's ride was a good decision. Being by myself again in rough non riding shape would have probably forced a quick return to the Jeep. That is one great thing about joining up with other people as you are always pushed to go the extra mile whether it be distance or pushing the limits.

I guess the theme of today's ride was Jason asking me "what about these trails?" and me quickly replying "hills man! Too many hills..." I waited for him to come slap me but thankfully the back of his hand never came. We rolled through lower Ewok, Capilano (there's hills there) crossed and came back on the north side of the river valley. A river valley that is showing off it's incredible colour right now.

Ride Attempt Number Two (In just about two and a half months)

2011-10-09T21:30:00.001-06:00

donning a jersey, first time in the river valley in a long time
and I was representing!

And that ride was motivated by a big win by my boys from Seattle.

It's funny how something so simple as a win can make your day. It is magnified substantially when you (and the whole world) are expecting a huge loss. I was bouncing around the room and decided I needed to get rid of some of that energy in the valley. "To hell with my neck" I shouted with vigor, and was on my way.

Truth be told I had wanted to go riding and was tossing the idea around during the game.

It was a short ride as Thanksgiving plans forced me back early. It would have been short anyways due to my now hideous physical condition. Feeling my belly jiggle as I passed over each root and rock was new to me and made me think about the possibility of getting liposuction. I then remembered I was wearing a Seahawk jersey and thought I would fit right in with the football fan stereotype. I gave "Charlie! Charlie! Charlie!" chants as I passed each walker (that may only be funny to Seahawk fans) to help establish the stereotype.

Overall. The short one hour ride kicked my ass. The climbs in Ewok and Mill Creek showed me what a little chump I have become (or should I say large). Dare I say "fuck it" and ride despite the consequences? Every fiber of my being screams yes.

the pool was full of people last time I passed by on a bike, it's now full of leaves...

Beer Friday. Alley Kat, Ein Prosit!

2011-10-07T21:57:00.000-06:00

Welcome back to another rideless week. With the only thing remaining on here of any sort of merit being the beer reviews, I bring you Beer Friday* (*soon to be trademarked). At least a defunct neck doesn't keep me refrained from doing the reviews. On with it shall we...

Alley Kat is a proud Edmontonian and this is it's second glorious showing on here. The brewery on the southside has a store from where you can purchase merchandise and also get tours. They claim to be Alberta's fourth oldest brewery, and are Edmonton's longest running microbrewery. Hmmm, a lonebiker brewery tour someday? No! Ein Prosit is their take on Oktoberfest, the best festival in the world perhaps? October being the greatest month easily of the year for riding combined with beer and sausage, and of course German polka! What more could a guy want?

The pour showed itself in words one cannot describe other then remarkable. A beautiful Fall leaves golden coloured beer emanated from the bottle and sprang forth a one fingered head that took charge of the room, kicked me in the balls and called me Sally. Yes, one fingered head. It was small but ever so impressive! The aroma again made tears of joy run down my cheeks. Well not quite, I figured after building up the pour so much I should just keep going.... I know that may lead to severe disappointment in the end so....

The taste did not disappoint. Microbrewery beers are simply awesome. There is no better word to describe them. It has been a little while since I've had a microbrew so I don't want to jump the gun and bow down and worship this one so.... It does seem a little weak but at 6% I feel a little silly saying that. They hide it well, really well.

This beer gets 4 suds out of 5

Happy Tuesday

2011-10-04T20:28:00.001-06:00

Another Oh-- So-- Close-- To riding day!

Stephen Wilson, from the United Kingdom.... bibio

This Is What's Called "Searching For Content"

2011-10-02T21:14:00.000-06:00

A post up of the pictures that didn't make it on here after the ride. As another weekend of non riding all thanks to a fubar neck (and I came so close) goes by. I was looking at the stats on this here blog and since July ended the posts have been down quite a bit. So...

I have been asked many times on how I get the shots of me riding. So to quell anymore questions via email or when we meet. It's just simply a Joby tripod or a log, with either the point and shoot or SLR camera set on timed capture.

These are some of the shots I hummed and hawed about putting on here, a few self timed and not. Maybe I'll post up more later

Fort Edmonton bridge

an early season singletrack surprise

McKinnon

Rowland trail

Ewok hunting

you know. I'm almost positive I put this one up already.... Yep, I checked
and I did. Oh how embarrassing...

Beer Friday. Moosehead

2011-09-30T21:17:00.000-06:00

With pride this beer boasts that it comes from Canada's oldest brewery. Really? Is that true now? I've had beer on here that loudly proclaimed how old they are. Some wouldn't shut up the whole ride home. This one in particular shoved it in my face the whole ride just about forcing me to crash my poor little Jeep into that crowd of schoolchildren! Thankfully we have wikipedia now days and it proved the point of this obnoxious big mouthed Jeep crashing into schoolchildren beer. It was right! 1867 was the year it was born. Not nearly as old as some of the great beers that have been on here, but it is a proud Canadian as it started the same year as this Tim Horton donut loving country. And hey! 1867? Really? We Canadians are really not that old compared to some countries. My real concern is, what the hell are groups of schoolchildren doing out at nine on a Friday night?

The pour showed a good golden beer colour.... The way it should be damn it! A good odour that went undetected all thanks to my giant nose picking up every allergic fiber outside (thanks for the big nose Dad!). The first taste took me straight to sweet memories of drinking Kokanee sitting around the campfire after a good day of riding. Cause that's what this stuff is for, it does not offend the precious inside of your mouth, you don't want to wash it down with cat urine (that's a bonus) due to an incredibly offensive aftertaste. It's good, not great. But good goes a long way especially if your sitting around the campfire chillin with a few brews. This stuff would be most welcoming. Go out and get some, and if your an employee with Moosehead I'm truly sorry about the below photo with the Beibs. I'm starting to have to search for things to take pictures of the beer with. I'll try to make it up to ya...

This beer gets 4 suds out of 5

Happy Wednesday

2011-09-28T19:51:00.000-06:00

Wishing I was heading back to Seattle this weekend for one more game.

Guess I'll blow off the dust on one (or both) of the sexy bikes and go for a spin.

That'll do.... That'll do.....

Love Ya Seattle!

2011-09-26T19:49:00.001-06:00

Not the photo dump I wanted as spending two days with an eight year old can take away from your time with the camera. I swear I could spend a week by myself here walking around taking pictures.

It was good and hectic, and in the end the good guys won...

Beer Friday will have to wait

2011-09-23T15:34:00.000-06:00

It'll be a "Jam" packed weekend. See you next week with some riding pictures (hopefully)

There will be a fresh Seattle photo dump come Monday

Till then enjoy a fine ballad...

Just Four Short days...

2011-09-20T21:03:00.000-06:00

One Thousand and Thirty Three Hours later...

2011-09-18T20:43:00.000-06:00

Finally! A return to the trails. After a good month and a half I sucked it up and went riding.

I chose Fort Saskatchewan for my return, not only cause it's my beloved, but, cause it's easy as pie (that is aerobically speaking). I realise some of you may have spit chocolate milk on your computer screen when you read that and I apologize.

For the first fifteen minutes I rode those trails like a champ. Big ring flying down tight twisty singletrack can sure be good for a guy who's been off for so long. My only concern was the amount of traffic I encountered. I have never seen it so busy there. Could all my boasting about how great the place is have anything to do with it? I doubt it but just in case. Fort Saskatchewan riding sucks. Don't go there! There, I feel better now. Oddly enough the traffic was heavy for the first one or two kilometers and then nothing. Which made me think of how most rides in the mountains and places where you depart from a specific trailhead the same thing happens ( the river valley doesn't count, there's too many starting points). Do people start and only ride the first few kilometers back and forth? I've always found that strange.

the way lonebiker was meant to be, riding pictures...

The ride midway started to beat me up as expected. I conquered the log crossing, somewhat root infested trails but at the end physically. I felt it. This may take a week or two to get back to riding shape. Hopefully my neck doesn't start screaming tomorrow and I can get a couple rides in this week before a trip to Seattle on the weekend.

Until then, my only question is, can I have my summer back?

Beer Friday. Rainier

2011-09-16T23:00:00.000-06:00

After getting shut out of blogger last Saturday night, a big night as the NFL kicked off in a big way the next day with thirteen games including my beloved Seahawks. A team that looks as bad as they could ever be. A team I will show my undying love for even though I will probably bet against them on every NFL pool and sports select ticket I buy throughout the season. Hey, I may be a fan but I'm not stoopid. With all that being said I bring you Rainier, something to help drown the sorrows for a long season.

1884. Yes 1884 the beer Gods gave birth to this brewery. A wise man named Edward Sweeney started up the Claussen-Sweeney brewing company in the Georgetown neighbourhood of Seattle. Yes Seattle. See what I did there? Genius! Although ironically Rainier isn't brewed in Seattle anymore. As of 1999 Pabst who owned it , closed it down and is now made under contract in Irwindale California. The old brewery, a Seattle landmark is now home to Emerald city beer company. So the glory days of Rainier is now long behind them. I was surprised to find a six pack hiding in the deep hallows of a Beaumont Beer depot.

The pour showed a beautiful golden color that made me stand tall and proud thinking of this beer's glory days. The smell was somewhat like one of the big three but there stood something special about it. More hops I presume? Seriously! I have no idea. And I'm not afraid to admit that. It did have a little something-something to it though. The taste took me back to my very first head trip, hand in hand with Scarlett Johansson through a leafy forest, skipping listening to Enrique sing his classy love ballads.... Wait a tic. No it didn't, I'm just happy cause I could be riding soon. I liked the taste, it had all the virtues of a good beer, smooth, tasty, crisp, and clean.Try it!

This beer gets 3.8 suds out of 5

Bike Lust. Moots Gristle Zirkel

2011-09-14T20:41:00.000-06:00

I could stare at this picture for hours

The best of both worlds comes at you via a Moots dreambike. 29 and 26 wheels on this freak of a bicycle. What do you get when you combine the root smashing, rock stomping, soul finding merits of a 29" front wheel, combined with the awesome snappiness of a 26? That combined with the amazing workmanship from the folks from Steamboat Springs. I did mention this front triangle is made from US made seamless cold-worked stress relieved 3/2.5 titanium tubing. Ladies and Gentlemen. I think my world has just imploded!

The Gristle is Moots answer for making the best of both worlds come together, they introduced this option in 2007 at the height of a 29/26er boom, in what some companies called the bike a 69er, oh how badass and clever they were!

The Zirkel isn't the only bike in the in the Moots line up that gets frankensteined with the Gristle 29" front wheel. The Rigormootis hardtail and the classic YBB have the Gristle option as well. The Zirkel is a viable Mojo replacement for myself (ssshh, don't tell my wife) and the thought of a big wheeled front end helping in the rolling over of practically anything kind of gets my heart beating a little faster, or is it the thought of another Moots in the family?

Whatever the case may be, the Zirkel is a matched arc suspension system (marc) that has no pivot at the rear axle, the rear triangle is made from 6061 aluminum made by Ventana bikes. A better material to use than titanium for rear suspension according to Moots. I'm guessing the titanium rear ends were way too flexy. The bike also comes with replaceable derailleur hangers, a lifetime warranty on craftsmanship and materials and the option to go with a Rohloff rear hub.

So the real question is, do you really want to spend that kind of money for the optional big wheeled front end? The 29" naysayers will tell you it's impractical, the steering is slower, and gasp! You will have to carry spare 26 and 29" tubes! Can you imagine the horror? The 29er evangelists will stop at nothing to tell you how awesome those big wheels are and why you should just say to hell with it and get a full 29" wheeled bike, so that you and them can ride away together into a perfect big wheeled fat tire bliss. I say fly to Steamboat springs and demo a Gristle Zirkel and a 26" wheeled Zirkel, and why the hell not. A full 29" XZ. That would be the perfect weekend to make a decision. Don't you think?

Happy Tuesday

2011-09-13T17:34:00.000-06:00

What to listen to on the way to the trailhead.

Or on the trail...

10 years

2011-09-11T09:50:00.000-06:00

Beer Friday, and Blogger is going bonkers

2011-09-10T22:53:00.002-06:00

I tried posting up a beer review and the site kept on crashing. I even had some sweet Seahawk stuff in with the pictures (which took literally minutes of work) As you may know, tomorrow the season kicks off.

Now that I'm on here it doesn't seem to be giving me grief. I am not going to try and re-write what I had, it is all erased and I'm a little bit miffed. So this will be rescheduled for next week.

Until then, a riding video sent to me on the interwebs. This is in Hinton, Alberta. A place I always pass when I'm driving to Jasper. This is part of the Moustache madness cross country race.... I did say cross country, watch the video and tell me how it looks "cross country"... Pretty great!

I gotta get better....

And yes, I know it's Saturday again. Leave me alone. Got a problem? Write a letter.

Happy Labor Day Knuckleheads

2011-09-05T11:28:00.000-06:00

It's been close to thirty days since my last ride. Thirty days and August was awesome. September seems to be getting to a pretty sweet start. All I can hope for is to be good for the sweet Fall riding season...

If I start riding again will I bring the rain clouds back?

Beer Friday. Crabbies, Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer

2011-09-03T21:39:00.002-06:00

I find the name of this beer the most appropriate to describe me thanks to this forgettable season of shit. Crabbies originates from Scotland, and was formed in 1801 by a guy by the name of John Crabbie, who made a ginger wine to help sailors ward off seasickness. Ginger beer isn't for everyone, as you may have figured out "ginger" is the main ingredient, thus if you ain't into the strange taste of ginger. Stay away.

The pour showed me something that resembled ginger ale, ladies and gentlemen I think we have a connection here. Ginger! Plus carbonation of course! The creation of this beer takes over two months, which impressed this here beer reviewer, although I'm impressed whenever an airplane flies over so....

I went into this one trying to be optimistic as the fear of ginger overwhelming me had me a little nervous. I tasted it and my fears came to heed. The ginger was overwhelming. I tried putting lemons in it but it didn't work. I tried watering it down.... Nothing.

To be fair I'm not going to rate this cause if you love the taste of ginger this just might your dream beer.

Bow Valley, deux

2011-08-31T19:58:00.000-06:00

Soon. The bikes will be out again...

And I will be back riding..

Happy Monday

2011-08-29T18:59:00.000-06:00

Oh this takes me back to when I bought the Mojo!

Sweet memories....

A Bow Valley photo dump

2011-08-28T20:33:00.000-06:00

After the "good" part of the last week spent in Banff, some pictures

Sadly no riding, but lot's of photos....

oh to be riding again... sigh

early in the morning on the bow

even earlier on the bow

minny

the jewel of the park...

Riding cleanses the soul

2011-08-24T20:40:00.000-06:00

August seventh was the last posted bike ride on here. Seventeen days ago, and I haven't been on a bike since. Not even for a spin around the block with the kids. After nearly twenty years of riding bikes I've had my share of dry spells. Some were extremely bad dry spells, like in 2001 and the beginning of 2002 I decided to give up riding and buy a racing quad, also the year I embraced America, thanks to September 11th. Not in a good way. I went the route of the white trash American and adorned everything with American flags. The car, the windows of our home, and my bandanna that I wore on my rare trips to the river valley, there was even a flag flapping on my sweet little racing quad! Yes that was the time of my life we moved onto a farm into a mobile home. How fitting. Oh how I needed to ride a mountain bike.

Thankfully bikes took over my life again midsummer of 2002 and it started to clear my head. Which is what riding does. It cleanses. The seventeen days I have been off the fat tires, I've noticed a change. I'm becoming more prone to extreme periods of grumpiness, my spring has sprung from my step, and my thoughts have changed. I am starting to stop thinking of literally everything I see and wonder how much better it could be if mountain bikes were involved. Instead of daydreaming about going riding after work, I'm wondering what I could do with myself. Of course that narcissistic trait of judging everybody you meet and think to yourself "man! That dude needs a set of fat tires to roll around on" as he talks incessantly about his sword collection is still there, and will not go away. Probably cause I'm a dick.

Riding cleanses, that's what it does. The short sections of singletrack that interconnect in our river valley that I lust after will take all the bad thoughts and turn them into stark dreams of trips to the mountains. With each technical rooty climb conquered on a hardtail, each bad thought about work or life quickly gushes away. When you ride, you let go of everything. That pompous ass in sales... Some smooth flowy singletrack accompanied by a few sketchy log crossings will take care of him. That preppy looking yuppy couple who just let their dog shit all over your lawn... Who cares! I'm heading to Fruita next month!

Just being on a bike, especially in the river valley is the true epitome of all that is awesome. In the nineties that camaraderie with other riders was never more prevalent. Meeting other riders on the trails was often met by exhuberant talk about bikes, and trails. Sadly, nowadays lots of other riders don't seem to really care if your there. I blame the invention of smart phones, texting, and Facebook, and of course, elitism.

I hope to get back out. Maybe next week, or maybe I'm dreaming. Three nights I will be getting treatment for this, and I know the other nights may be involved with work. So I sit and stare at the computer reading about other peoples rides, watching youtube videos of guys ripping it up and having their soul "cleansed," and looking up other frames and wonder if it would be worth it to replace the Mojo after such a rotten season. It's tempting, but I don't think it is warranted.

A Sunday morning photo dump

2011-08-21T10:18:00.000-06:00

A few photos from the Summer of two-eleven.

Happy trails...

It's a Beer Friday Christmas miracle

2011-08-19T21:39:00.001-06:00

Christmas can happen in August right? well it did for me. A dear friend just returned from the holy land. Not the holy land of Jasper, but Grand Junction, Colorado. And with him he brought four fine outdoor themed beers to test. Two of which are Mountain bike theme orientated. The famous New Belgium's Fat Tire Ale which I've partook of several times (thanks Seattle), and Boulder Beer's, appropriately named Singletrack. Once the bike themed ones are out of the way, New Belgium's, Blue Paddle and Hoptober will be given a fair shot.

For now. No reviews till September second. Events are happening that forbid me from reviewing beer. These four new blessings will be sitting and waiting for their "approval" (me thinks the bike ones will have the pleasure of a strong bias from the reviewer.) Yes. I'm going to milk this, other bought beers will be thrown into the mix prolonging the reviews. Really. I don't feel I should be reviewing bike beer when I'm not riding a bike...

Until then. Happy trails.

A new Edmonton trails Site

2011-08-16T20:21:00.000-06:00

A link to a new site for Edmonton trails, little content as of now but hoping it gets some headway.

Click the link

As for me, still no riding. We may have nailed down the problem but still quite painful. Sucks...

So instead of ride reports, a new Danny MacAskill video. Amazing song in this one!

Happy Monday

2011-08-15T20:52:00.003-06:00

I'm still sodden with grief over the breakup of Alexisonfire...

A return to Fort Saskatchewan (on foot)

2011-08-13T22:08:00.004-06:00

being on a bike here is so much better, believe me....

Waking up depressed this morning cause I can't ride my bike, but quickly realizing with a sense of regal pleasure that I can eat like shit for breakfast and the consequences will not be felt as that would be on a mountain bike deep in the bush suffering on the beginning of a steep climb. Oh wait fat-ass! That's probably a bad thing!

I returned to Fort Saskatchewan since late June when most of those trails were underwater wondering how things would look.

The word that best describes the trail system here is "adaptable." The club that runs the trails here should be given a medal. Every trip down here things are always good to go (unless it's underwater.) The section that keeps falling into the river reminds me of the current Ewok, except Ewok isn't going to be underwater soon. It seems as the trails give way to the river and the rain, the trails "adapt" to the current situation, all thanks to the heros that take care of these trails. It doesn't matter how dire things may seem. There will be a way through, if only for a few weeks.

Makes me really want to ride a bike....

the adaptation of a bridge that will soon be in the river

oh look! bike tracks....sigh

it's ugly here, it wont be long till this slides into the mighty north saskatchewan

Beer Friday. Tusker

2011-08-12T22:15:00.000-06:00

A first for Beer Friday! A beer from Africa... Or so I believe one hasn't been on here. After that disaster of a review last weekend I'm super pumped on getting back to the beer, and to get one from Africa. Sweeeet! My special lonebiker beer fetcher boy scouts went out and did their homework today and got me a gooder.

Tusker, from East African Breweries in Nairobi, Kenya. A land that so many people want to visit but probably few have was formed in 1922, a rather late year compared to lot's of the brews that were formed in the early or late 1800's. Tusker is one of the breweries main beers and came to be after one of the founders was killed by an elephant in a hunting accident. A rather rough way to die in the outdoors I would think, but yet, most deaths in the outdoors would probably not be too pleasant. I mean really. When you think of it. Why do I have to be so dark sometimes?

The pour showed a lighter golden brew that showed little head which reminded me of my balding spots. The head dissolved quickly and I thought the beer was making fun of me, so after a lengthly discussion, me and the beer made up and I drank it. The taste was very much common of the Bud lights, and Coors lights of the world but a little bit more watered down. At 4.2% it is what you can expect. With the exotic factor coming on strong for this one. I was hoping for more.

This beer gets 2 suds out of 5

Oh epic Summer of Two-Eleven...

2011-08-11T17:35:00.000-06:00

moments like this will have to wait...

My spine has decided to start welding itself together, which explains the searing pain in my neck that comes and goes and has been especially bad in the last two weeks. This has been a problem for the last four years and it never got serious until now. Riding will be a bad idea as that is something that seems to trigger the pain (the day after.) I am going to have tests and x rays in the coming weeks and hopefully I can end this bullshit soon.

So if you come on here looking for Edmonton riding content, rest assured it will be back, hopefully soon! Till then expect the beginning of lot's of photo dumps, hopefully some bike lust, of course beer reviews, and the ever so unpopular music Monday. Maybe I should just shitcan that one and introduce porn link dump Monday. That should increase readership on here should it?

Till then, hope you all are having a better riding season then me....

A not so happy Monday

2011-08-08T17:44:00.007-06:00

RIP Alexisonfire...

Cool air Sunday

2011-08-07T15:55:00.002-06:00

folk fest in full swing

a break from ewok hunting

It's been one week since my last ride, a theme that seems to be growing. The weekend warrior that I am becoming is something I hope to shake off as it's August and were on the downswing on Summer. Meaning only one thing. Ride more!

Overnight rain showers again struck us and I imagined the trails would have been quite crappy but soon realized that they were in pretty good shape, the cool air was great to be riding in this morning and it made me think of the upcoming Fall riding season. Easily the best time of the year...

The Folk Festival is on at Gallagher park, an event I welcome every year. Riding through the trees with the live music in the background is always pretty cool. The downside is having to avoid all the hippies that are on the trails congregating towards the event. They are always everywhere during the Folk Festival, Mill Creek, Forest Heights, and Louise Mckinney especially. In their birkenstocks, tie died shirts with their cute hippy girls (giggidy) and some of them even have little hippy children. Their presence is everywhere and you will find them in the oddest places. Some gave me stink eye as I approached them quickly on a section of tight singletrack with blind corners as they were sitting in the middle of the trail. What they were doing there is anybody's guess. Well it's a pretty easy guess! Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against hippies, I always find it amusing though how peoples views vary so dramatically from person to person, and how so many of them let it affect their life so much.

rollin below rowland

sweeeet shoe man!

Beer Friday....Whiskey Friday. Tangle Ridge

2011-08-05T22:36:00.003-06:00

After a few days of suffering amidst searing neck pain this little nugget fell onto my lap at work. Me not being one to enjoy the fruits of the "hard liquor" fearing I may end up living in a tent in the river valley, and most notably, horrible memories of "that night" at the pub when I was 19, send shivers down my spine. The very smell of hard liquor make me wonder how people can drink it. "Sicko's" I always think. Today though, with bad neck pain bugging me for the last three days preventing me from riding and pretty much doing anything except work. I decided to take it home when the offer was there. Inevitably this may be the cure for this gay neck pain. I may wake up naked the next day on the neighbours lawn, but thats o.k. Thats not gay is it?

Tangle Ridge is a fine Canadian whiskey that hails from...... Wait a minute, I'm not going to spoil this already "great" review on some geographical knowledge of a Canadian whiskey that you all don't give a jack shit about (well maybe some of you do). Let's just get this over with shall we...

Someone once told me that Tangle Ridge is like candy, "whoa-man, thats really fucked up!" I thought to myself while smiling as polite as I can. I guess thats the way I've always thought of hard liquor, what will this little gem tell me tonight? The smell made me want to throw up. Oh how sad and unmanly I am! I know... ouch. I did do the bold thing and drink it straight without any mix or chaser, cause I'm a real man. Once I got back from dry gagging in the bathroom I was ready to partake of this bad ass drink. I partook and almost threw up, but successfully swallowed it. A few more sips and I could handle it, and hey, I see where they can get that "candy" reference from. Sadly though, this Friday I do miss my beer...

This whiskey gets 2 whiskey barrels out of 5

oh playas be playing wit dat playskool

Happy Tuesday, Wednesday

2011-08-02T20:48:00.001-06:00

See ya Thursday chumperinos..