pictures from my failed attempt in Tillamook State Forrest yesterday
Here are some pics of the trail at Gales Creek. You will notice a ton of snow. So, I didn’t mountain Bike, I just hiked around until my shoes got cold and wet.
Where is the trail?
No biking today, just hikers
Guess I won’t be back up there till a bit later (April?)
Jeremy
Snow on Endor, or why do ewoks have fur?
Why do Ewoks have so much fur? Does it snow on Endor? I say yes.
Today I took the Karate Monkey out to Tillamook State Forrest to ride. It snowed previously on the coastal range and has not had a chance to melt off yet. Usually this place reminds me of The Forrest moon of Endor from Return of the Jedi. I usually ride on the Northside of HWY 6, but felt like hanging on the Southside today. The snow that was there (which I was not expecting, err hoping wasn’t there) was between 3-6 inches deep at times. Not enough to stop me from riding, but enough to make this only a quick ride. I ended up stopping a lot and taking pictures. Once the feet got cold I turned it back to the car.
The thing I like most about Winter riding is the slow methodical pace. Just the wilderness and I, no need to race it. I think I found the perfect setup for the Karate Monkey. Yesterday I took the rigid fork off and put the suspension fork back on. I kept the high rise stem and the flat handle bar and bar ends. I’ve also kept it as a single speed. This enables my to take it easy and enjoy the ride. And that is exactly what I did today.
Jeremy
Snowy trail head
Snowy bridges
Where is the trail?
Fat tires and snow
[Panaracer Rampage 2.35 - Great tire!]
Action Shot!
Across the bridge
the rocky trail
Other pics:
Tillamook State Forrest and a waterfall
This past week I took a vacation day to get out of the office and ride. It was warm and sunny, so it was the best time this winter to get out and ride.
They have been doing some maintenance on this trail and there were new features and trees cleared. I love the new bridgework that is happening here. The old bridges were a little sketchy when it was wet (all the time). I always felt like I was going to pull a Goonies moment and slip, fall, and straddle the log. The new bridges are wider and consistent with the others in the State Forrest.
Have fun,
Jeremy
Here are the pics.
“one way to do trail work”
“new bridge installation”
“This way to the light”
“karate monkey and a waterfall”
“some guy, a waterfall, and the karate monkey”
Snow on Endor (AKA Tillamook)
On Sunday I went out to Tillamook State Forest. I just wanted to get out and enjoy some dirt. It was awesome as usual even after it started snowing on me.
J
[caption id=”” align=”alignnone” width=”400” caption=”don’t let the face fool you I’m happy, just cold”]
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[caption id=”” align=”alignnone” width=”400” caption=”end of ride, started to snow”]
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Slide Show:
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Mountain Biking on the forest moon of Endor
Sometimes when I ride in the coastal mountains I feel like I am riding on the Forest Moon of Endor.
This weekend I took the newly converted Karate Monkey to test out the winter build. Single speed, Rigid, with Panaracer Rampages (2.35). The difference between this build and the usual Single speed version is a flat bar with bar ends and a higher rise stem.
Switching from suspension to a steel fork always takes a bit of work. I normally use the suspenion to help get over obstacles and a rigid fork quickly reminds one not to to do that ;). The rigid fork also forces one to “Flow Like Water” over roots and other obstacles. Whereas I usually just ride over the bumps suspension, with a rigid fork I find I look for the easiest fastest route.
Unfortunately the pictures really didn’t turn out to well since the weather was rainy and cloud covered. The ride ended up being more fun than the pictures detail. Oh well.
J
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Bike Geek, Cancer Survivor, and geeky dad. Writes about cycling, two wheeled culture, and the bicycle industry.