It started on Friday evening when a good friend, David Brown called Marlene to discuss a possible dinner engagement at Bigz Burger Joint the next evening. When told that we were going mountain biking in the morning he jumped at the chance to join the ride saying that Keahi and their children were out of town on vacation at the beach. So the date was set, mountain biking in the morning, Bigz in the evening.
The next morning as we were getting packed out our neighbor Debbie was outside and we mentioned where we were headed. She jumped from her plan of heading to the gym and packed her bike and off we were to Government Canyon.
Here is a map: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4505_165c.pdf
Upon arrival we checked in and waited for David to arrive. The phone rings, he's running late, Keahi and the children are back in town so she's coming with him. Awesome, we were glad that we were going to see them both as it had been a couple of months since our last soiree.
Once there we took off on Lytle's Loop which is in the frontcountry and pretty tame. A good ride for all five of us. Once completed Debbie had to leave but the rest of us decided to go ride some of the backcountry, off on the Joe Johnston Route. This trail is a lot more fun than Lytle's Loop with a lot more rugged areas but not too hard.
After doing a little out-and-back we got back to the cars, packed up, and headed to Hills and Dales which is a little beer joint, biker bar, icehouse. Lots of beer, some peanuts, some chips, a cigar for David and me, and lots of good conversation; we were there quite awhile. Finally, we decided we better go home and get a nap because we were meeting again at 6:30 PM at Bigz. Yes, a three hour nap. I got up on what Marlene say's was the third time that she tried to wake me. Anyway, showered and off we were to Bigz. Met David, Keahi and children, as well as another friend, Steve for a very enjoyable dinner of burgers and fries that were outstanding.
What a great day this was; mountain biking, partaking of libations, eating burgers, and talking about whatever the topic was at the moment.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Monday, June 4, 2007
O. P. Schnabel Park, 3 Jun 07
Our first ride on the new bikes. What a difference having bikes that have been fit to you makes. So much more comfortable. We got up early and Marlene was ready to head out the door even though I had a bit of a headache. Beer!
This park has some really nice trails and the fact that it is close to the house I can see that we will visit here alot. We saw a few deer, some rabbits, and a squirrel or two. There is one section that we rode that is surrounded by huge bamboo. I really enjoyed this ride, but it would have been more fun without the tuna sandwich for breakfast and the throbbing headache.
Of note, we suffered our first flat tire. Luckily it happened only a short way from the end. We were able to pump it back up and finish the ride before it went flat again. Good thing we bought spare tubes and a pump when we bought the bikes.
Can't wait until the next ride.
This park has some really nice trails and the fact that it is close to the house I can see that we will visit here alot. We saw a few deer, some rabbits, and a squirrel or two. There is one section that we rode that is surrounded by huge bamboo. I really enjoyed this ride, but it would have been more fun without the tuna sandwich for breakfast and the throbbing headache.
Of note, we suffered our first flat tire. Luckily it happened only a short way from the end. We were able to pump it back up and finish the ride before it went flat again. Good thing we bought spare tubes and a pump when we bought the bikes.
Can't wait until the next ride.
Mine...a 2007 Specialized Rockhopper, Hers...a 2007 Giant Rainier
So, we made the big step and we returned our borrrowed bikes and took ourselves to the local bike shop - Ride Away Bicycles at Huebner Oaks http://rideawaybicycles.com/index.cfm .
And after about 2 hours of shopping and riding different bikes, I now have a new ride...a 2007 Specialized Rockhopper with disc brakes.
And Marlene, she decided on a 2007 Giant Rainier...also with disc brakes.
We've now officially jumped feet first into our new world of mountain biking.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Muddy McAllister Park, Memorial Day, 28 May 07
What was suppose to be a three-day Memorial Day weekend of getting out and doing alot of riding and also hiking at Enchanted Park, ended up a weekend of lots of rain. It started Friday and even though the rain stopped most of the day on Saturday and Sunday, the parks were closed due to flooding.
Finally Monday morning and the sun is out and it's going to be a nice day. We called Government Canyon, but they were still closed to biking. Knowing that O P Schnabel was also closed because we visited there the day before, we packed up and headed to McAllister Park.
Along the way we stopped off at Ride Away Bicycles and got help with adjusting our helmets to fit right. We also talked with a gentlement who I forget his name but he was very helpful with information about mountain biking being that we are new to this.
After grabbing some lunch at Wendy's (mistake, don't get the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich) we made it to the park, unloaded and headed off.
Not really having an idea of which way to go, we just took off and road. Mudd. Slippery mudd. But fun. Made for some slow going at spots, but not all of it due to the mudd. The bike skills are in difinite need of improvement. Still feeling a little reserved when hitting certain areas with lots of rocks and not knowing how to hit them right. We rode out and just kept hitting different trails, not really knowing which way we were going. Actually had to get off at one point and wade through the water where it was still to high to allow riding. Soaked feet the rest of the trip. After about an hour...I have no idea how much time actually since we don't wear a watch. Maybe we should, but it's all about just getting out and enjoying and not being confined by time. Anyway, after about an hour, we decided it was time to head back, so we found the paved road and started back. At least we thought we were heading back. Another biker informs us we are going the wrong way. So we turned it around and headed back.
This was a great day of riding and we were out for about 2 hours. I think it took another hour when we got home to wash the bikes. What a great day!
Here are some pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gparkerelvis/sets/72157600291094378/
Finally Monday morning and the sun is out and it's going to be a nice day. We called Government Canyon, but they were still closed to biking. Knowing that O P Schnabel was also closed because we visited there the day before, we packed up and headed to McAllister Park.
Along the way we stopped off at Ride Away Bicycles and got help with adjusting our helmets to fit right. We also talked with a gentlement who I forget his name but he was very helpful with information about mountain biking being that we are new to this.
After grabbing some lunch at Wendy's (mistake, don't get the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich) we made it to the park, unloaded and headed off.
Not really having an idea of which way to go, we just took off and road. Mudd. Slippery mudd. But fun. Made for some slow going at spots, but not all of it due to the mudd. The bike skills are in difinite need of improvement. Still feeling a little reserved when hitting certain areas with lots of rocks and not knowing how to hit them right. We rode out and just kept hitting different trails, not really knowing which way we were going. Actually had to get off at one point and wade through the water where it was still to high to allow riding. Soaked feet the rest of the trip. After about an hour...I have no idea how much time actually since we don't wear a watch. Maybe we should, but it's all about just getting out and enjoying and not being confined by time. Anyway, after about an hour, we decided it was time to head back, so we found the paved road and started back. At least we thought we were heading back. Another biker informs us we are going the wrong way. So we turned it around and headed back.
This was a great day of riding and we were out for about 2 hours. I think it took another hour when we got home to wash the bikes. What a great day!
Here are some pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gparkerelvis/sets/72157600291094378/
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Hill Country State Natural Area, Sunday, 20 May 07
This was our first adventure away from Government Canyon and the little city park by our house, so we had no idea of what to expect other than what we read at the official website.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/hill_country/
The park is about 10 miles from Bandera, Texas which is another place we have never been. A nice little scenic ride from San Antonio, about 47 miles from our house. Bandera looks like a cool place. We definitly have to go back and have a beer there at one of the establishments.
When we arrived at the park, we went to the reception building and was greeted by two people who looked at us as if we were aliens. The park is used alot by equestrian types and I guess our attire didn't quiet add up to what normally walked through the door.
After checking in, we were off riding on Trail 8. Well we started riding and then quickly converted to pushing. Up the hill with lots of rocks. Big rocks. Big challenge. I quickly realized that this was alot different from Government Canyon and was worried that Marlene (that would be my wife) was going to give me the what the heck did you get us into speech. But no, she was actually enjoying herself and stated so. I was amazed.
The first part of the trail was like I said mostly pushing the bike over large rocks, but once we got to a certain point which i would say was just less than halfway, the ride changed and the trails were better going and we were able to stop pushing and start riding.
This is where I realized very quickly that Marlene is more brave than me and was attacking the the trail like a bat out of hell. Yes, she was ahead of me most of the way.
One highlight of the trail was Comanche Bluff. Beautiful view.
The photos of this adventure can be viewed here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gparkerelvis/sets/72157600236712324/
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/hill_country/
The park is about 10 miles from Bandera, Texas which is another place we have never been. A nice little scenic ride from San Antonio, about 47 miles from our house. Bandera looks like a cool place. We definitly have to go back and have a beer there at one of the establishments.
When we arrived at the park, we went to the reception building and was greeted by two people who looked at us as if we were aliens. The park is used alot by equestrian types and I guess our attire didn't quiet add up to what normally walked through the door.
After checking in, we were off riding on Trail 8. Well we started riding and then quickly converted to pushing. Up the hill with lots of rocks. Big rocks. Big challenge. I quickly realized that this was alot different from Government Canyon and was worried that Marlene (that would be my wife) was going to give me the what the heck did you get us into speech. But no, she was actually enjoying herself and stated so. I was amazed.
The first part of the trail was like I said mostly pushing the bike over large rocks, but once we got to a certain point which i would say was just less than halfway, the ride changed and the trails were better going and we were able to stop pushing and start riding.
This is where I realized very quickly that Marlene is more brave than me and was attacking the the trail like a bat out of hell. Yes, she was ahead of me most of the way.
One highlight of the trail was Comanche Bluff. Beautiful view.
The photos of this adventure can be viewed here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gparkerelvis/sets/72157600236712324/
How it all got started; two loaner MTBs and the need for adventure
I am sure that it is easy to see that I just read the book "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" thus the rip-off and use of the title for this blog. Searching on the net for information about local trails 
to ride for me (on the left) and my wife (on the right) and not finding much, I decided that I would start one myself. Equiped with two mountain bikes on loan to
us from a friend and the desire to seek out and actually experience some adventure led us down a this road with all of about zero experience in mountain biking. No problem. How else do you learn other than to just jump right in with both feet. So far, we've been at it for the past three weeks with most of the rides in Government Canyon State Natural Area http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/government_canyon/. Oh by the way, we live in San Antonio which is no where near Las Vegas.
So given that, the aim here is document our rides, experiences, and adventures so that in the future, for some odd reason we can come back here and read all about it and look and see if anyone out there has peered into our world and read what we took the time to post here.
My apologies for all the bad grammar and all the misspelled words.
to ride for me (on the left) and my wife (on the right) and not finding much, I decided that I would start one myself. Equiped with two mountain bikes on loan to
us from a friend and the desire to seek out and actually experience some adventure led us down a this road with all of about zero experience in mountain biking. No problem. How else do you learn other than to just jump right in with both feet. So far, we've been at it for the past three weeks with most of the rides in Government Canyon State Natural Area http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/government_canyon/. Oh by the way, we live in San Antonio which is no where near Las Vegas.So given that, the aim here is document our rides, experiences, and adventures so that in the future, for some odd reason we can come back here and read all about it and look and see if anyone out there has peered into our world and read what we took the time to post here.
My apologies for all the bad grammar and all the misspelled words.
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