New Co-Pilot

It only took 40 years of crap gifts from yours truly to finally come to the grateful decision but my family decided about a decade ago to stop buying for each other (besides the grandkids). I was king of the crap gift, whether it be the car back rest with beads or the hand held desk fan for those days at work when you just need a little more breeze, I bought some crap. It's amazing what you can buy at three in the morning. I burned my brother one year and wrapped a fake gift (along with the real one separately), which he tried to burn me back by opening it early; little did he know it was some crap literature from the mailbox. 

So that is the backstory of not buying gifts. My mom, however, still has her eyes open for little knickknacks while shopping for the grandkids. It must be a mother's premonition but the light on my Schwinn recently went out and what did I get from Santa but a new handlebar light (sweet helmet on that bird). 

Trail Head

Trail Showcase - taking it inside

The helmet cam takes us to southwest Cleveland, specifically Ray's Indoor Bike Park, to...indoor mountain bike. I had heard other riders speak of the place so I had to give it a try. Carved out of an old warehouse with a mix of concrete and wood comprising the "trail", it was a funky experience. There were a few areas that were out of my riding expertise (or lack there of) and didn't want these youngsters on their BMX bikes to see an old man with a limb hanging so I watched from afar in those areas.  

With Detroit's many warehouses collecting dust (hello Packard Plant), I would think the Motor City would embrace the concept with so many riders in and around the city. Idea guy helping out. No charge Mr. Mayor.

Attached are some views from the experience with a tumble from yours truly at around the 3:17 mark (lesson learned not to lollygag on turns/curves). 

(cell phone users need to click the link to view the attached)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-cyNStXmAY

(put quality settings to 1080hd for best picture quality)

Trail Head

Trail Showcase - the art of getting passed

Yesterday was the official/unofficial Global Fat Bike day in the mountain biking world. Normally promoted heavily by the local riding chapter with festivities at Island Lake (including some well placed "soda pop" dispensers in the back of trucks in past years) but this year is not normal and the normally packed trailhead lot on the first weekend of December was only half full.

Based on my speed (or lack there of) and the amount of times I was passed on the trail, it should be re-named Global "on your left" day as that is what I was hearing most. Nephew Jackson was being respectful of his elderly uncle for a few miles but wisely kicked it into 20-something gear and we met back at the parking lot after the loop. Slow speed and all, a great day to be out.

Attached are some views on the art of being passed. For those doing the passing, a call out is recommended about 20 or so yards before the pass or you might get a snake scream from the ADD rider you are passing who was in a deep thought. 

Cell phone users need to click the link to view the attached.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oQ7sAm9aqg

(put quality settings to 1080hd for best picture quality)

Trail Head