The Humbler: Version 2.0

Garmin Connect -

Activity Details for
Humbler2.0

So what if it was "just" 85 miles, 12,666 ft of climbing AND ideal weather: it was still humbling to spend all day in the presence of so many people who willingly saddle up for such an endeavor. Moab, Fruita, Marin, Vermont, or BC do not hold a monopoly on legendary "epic" rides. Labels like that serve only to stifle and constrain the true soul of why many of us embark upon an arduous journey in the first place - to share in a meaningful and profound experience with those that share similar (perverse?) feelings and motivations to our own.

When film can no longer capture the majesty of white LED lights flowing through labyrinthine single-track,the glow of stars on a clear, cold night; or when equal parts pain and lactic acid flood through your body up the last 30 degree switchback words fail to accurately convey the true magnitude of feelings. There is no translation, no slideshow, only shared experiences speaking silently.

Hard Core 24 Race Loop GPS

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/6140941

The Hard Core 24 has a new venue which promises to set the benchmark for events in the area.  Here's the tally so far...electricity, plumbing, campfires, dogs, beer and more singletrack!  I'm not sure if the list of improved amenities could get better, but the Craft Guild certainly won't disappoint.  It is certain to be a memorable weekend.  July 11, 12 and visit http://www.thehardcore24.com/

Long live long rides

Summer has officially arrived.  Spring was pretty alright for trail building and riding; now the green is here, the trails are dry and the days are ticking by on the calender until the next big event kicks off.  Yes, and we all recognize that when the conditions are good you shouldn't be driving a computer desk, updating a blog or twittering.  

For now what you need to know is that Ontario County Park is the place to ride your bike (unless you live closer to Shindagin, if so don't complain, save the gas).  

Disclosure: If you want to stand next to your car with your spotless bike perched atop your 4 wheeled coffin like an expensive totem you want people to envy, then you know where to go.  However, if you aren't afraid to get dirty & want to RIDE your bike on some fun, flowy trails, and then head toward Naples for a 5 hour beat down, pack your light and extra AssMaster ride on some of the best singletrack around... then just check out the maps, GPS files and keep checking in for updates and photos, mod racing videos and a whole lot of Heee-Haawws!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/3930645

A Humbling Experience

Sometimes even your own expectations fall short. Last Sunday 22 local riders showed up for the 3rd annual first annual Humbling 100... or in the parlance of some, Just Another Big Ride ("jabber"for the phonetically challenged). As the cliche goes, "only those who have gone too far know how far one can go,"... well, last weekend we got a glimpse down the long dark corridor of what is possible.
Members of the Trail Building Colletive helped clean and mark close to 70 miles of singletrack for the Pedaling Productions (www.pedalingproductions.com) event. For those not familiar with the hidden gems that the Naples/Italy/Bristol Valleys hold this event was an eye-opening opportunity to sample the goods and white-knuckle it down some of the region's best singletrack descents and become re-aquainted with their granny gear on some of the unmaintained fire/seasonal road climbs cloaked in golf ball sized, loose, pea gravel.
New singletrack along the Naples Creek "Bluff Trail" and Ontario County Park were unveiled for a mass audience. For those of you that liked that, there is more to come; please contact us (trailcollective@gmail.com) for project overviews and timetable.
A re-cap of the day is not what this blog is about, we'll leave that to some of the others - see our links at the side. But please check out the photo gallery and the Garmin data...even upload the course and have at it! Or, just check out the new singletrack... The quick and dirty stats were 111 miles, 16,648 ft of climbing, 10,600 calories and 12:43:00 ride time. For the real data go here: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/776836
During those 12 plus hours there was a lot of time to do math: 53 total attempts, 4 completions - your turn for some mental gymnastics.
Enjoy the pics and we'll see you at the Burning Bike Festival this weekend (September 12-14) at Ontario County park for trail building, singletrack ripping and beer drinking - maybe not in that order. Enjoy.

Preparing to be Humble(d)

August has been all about getting the legs back for 10 hours on the bike because if you haven't heard, there is Just Another Big Ride (JabbR) coming up. On September 7th the local mountain bike community will be riding the best singletrack Western New York has to offer - that, and some climbing too. FYI, this is the 3rd year and the planned course has yet to be completed. For more info go to www.PedalingProductions.com.

Utah+ Rental bike + free beer = Good weekend

Trail RIDING Collective

The more astute, and dedicated, of you will have noticed that there have been very few posts this summer. Surprise, surprise... riding has given way to exploring new singletrack and re-visiting old favorites. Sooner or later the GPS files from Shindagin, OCP, Birdseye Hollow, Hi-Tor and Mossy Bank will be posted. Favored events on the horizon are the Humbling Hundred (formerly the Horrible Hundred) on September 7th, and the action packed Mountaineer/Highlander weekend in conjunction with the Burning Bike Festival at Ontario County Park September 12, 13, 14th - for more info go to http://www.victormtbc.com/
This promises to be a fun weekend of riding, partying, riding and partying in that order.