Beer, Bikes, and Snow

There seemed to be some confusion about when the 30 in 30 contest ended.  Yes, there are 31 days in July. I needed to ride today regardless and I won't have a "rest" day until the weekend.  So getting in another day wasn't a big deal. Today I rode over to Otto Farm to do some intervals - 3 x 15 minutes.  Rode the traditional Wednesday night practice loops. http://app.strava.com/activities/71172621

Today was the last day for the 30 in 30 contest.  When I decided to sign on for the challenge, I thought "how hard can it be...I already ride 6 days a week normally".  Well, it was harder than I thought.  Those days I would normally have off to recover were gone.  And I realized just how important they were.  Granted, I wasn't killing myself or doing my normal training routine, it was still draining - mentally and physically.  But I'm glad I stuck with it. Today Ben met me to work on some CX stuff.  First, I learned how to make some adjustments to the rear derailleur. Swingsets make a good bike stand apparently. Then sufferfest.  This was my first official CX workout...and it hurt.  Intervals are hard...and they seemed even harder on grass today.  But I know this is what is needed for the CX season, so I gave it all I had. Feels good knowing I made it through this...and now I can focus on training for CX. http://app.strava...

Today I was considering going out on the CX bike but wanted to check out the local spot to see how the grass situation was.  Headed over to Otto - looking good for some rides this week! On my way out of the lot, the corner pole caught my eye. Sourlands Spectacular , signs for Peacock's (which I've never been in), and a skull. http://app.strava.com/activities/70707459

I had every intention of getting up early this morning and riding over to see the massive balloon launch.  But when my alarm went off at 5:15, my body wasn't up for it.  While I'm bummed to miss seeing the balloons this morning, there are always balloons in the area I can see. Decided to take an easy ride through the neighborhood.  Lots of people walking their dogs and fetching the Sunday paper.  I decided to stop for a cup of coffee and our local paper myself. http://app.strava.com/activities/70396589

Today I attended the MTBNJ CX clinic.  Such a great day - spent time working on skills. Too busy learning to take photos - so here are photos from before and after. http://app.strava.com/activities/70270192

Today we headed to 6-Mile for our last day of mountain bike camp.  We broke into 2 groups, both starting on the Canal side.  I took my group over to Jacques Lane, had lunch and headed back. http://app.strava.com/activities/70067065 It was definitely bitter sweet today knowing it was my last day of camp for the season.  I will say I'm looking forward to having the rest of the summer off - not from biking of course.

Today we headed to Stewart.  I don't get to ride there often, and when I do, it's usually racing. We started up Scofield and I should have taken this as a sign as to what was ahead... ah yes.  Stewart is known for it's poison ivy.  Scofield was heavily overgrown.  I don't think anyone has touched it since SSaP back in April.  My campers struggled...and at one point, I had to jump off my bike to untangle a camper - and I managed to put my entire right leg into poison ivy.  So on the way home, I stopped to get this... We bumped out onto Ridge Road and from there the trails were fine.  We covered most of the 6-pack course, with some SSaP and DH40 tossed in.  The campers did great all things considered.  Brad and I had lots of reminiscing about the 6-pack, SSaP and DH40.  Memories of Stewart...hopefully the poison ivy won't be one. http://app.strava.com/activities/69561261

Today we headed to Allaire.  Seems we have been hitting Allaire on Tuesdays and seeing ChrisG's car at the lot - he's out enjoying the road. Below is a photo of the bell on my bike.  I've had it since I started at camp - and it comes in handy.  I alert the kids know of oncoming traffic or if something is in the trail - it grabs their attention.  I also use it to let Brad know the whole group is together. Noticed some poison ivy popping up on my shin.  DOH! And here I thought I was going to make it through camp sans PI.  Also, today was my first flat for the camp season.  Luckily we were finishing up our ride. http://app.strava.com/activities/69298128

Today started week 4 of mountain bike camp. It's our final week - and we have our biggest group.  A wide variety of abilities - 11 campers in all.  Some have parents on the forum!!! Today we started off on Patriot's Path to gauge the various riders' abilities.  One of my campers wasn't feeling well this morning, so we cut our ride shorter than Brad's group.  Still managed to get a shot of some future shredders! After lunch, I lead the group only to be surrounded by gnats.  I felt like Pig Pen from the Peanuts.  Just as we were about to start up the yellow at LM, it started to rain and I decided it would be a good time to head back. http://app.strava.com/activities/69064992

Had to get out early this morning as we have a family function today.  Started out with lights/blinkie before the sun came up.  So quiet and peaceful, more than normal for Hunterdon County.  I should ride this early more often seeing as I'm usually awake. Headed over to the Three Bridges area.  Last summer I saw an article that gave this area the "Top Ten US Road Biking Routes" .  Not really sure why or how they judged this as there are so many gorgeous routes just alone in Hunterdon County.  I may be biased though. http://app.strava.com/activities/68657418

They say the heatwave is going to break today...the cold front is coming.  Nice breeze today on my ride.  Funny how during the winter, I hate a headwind.  Today it felt good. Just a quick recovery ride.  My legs are feeling heavy so I just did a short loop near home.  I've passed this road a few times - could it be named for me? Sadly, there is no hill.  It's just a dead end for a development.  Sigh. http://app.strava.com/activities/68458738

Week 3 of mountain bike camp wrapped up today. We decided to try a new place - Nassau Trails in High Bridge.  I had only ridden there once, Brad never.  We were ready to mix it up with our riding locations.  I knew there would be some climbing and the rocks could challenge our riders - but I also thought they were rock stars and could handle it. It was hot.  At one point I stopped to talk to Brad...and the sweat was beading on my shoulders. The kids were feeling the heat too.  Brad and I thought we would take the kids to the Columbia Trail - and hopefully get the kids in the nearby river.  Little did I know that the trail is high above the river. Oh well, we were able to get some miles in before heading back to the camp to the pool.  I think Brad and I were more excited about all the chotchkeys along the trail - we counted 19 on our way back. http://app.strava.com/activities/68306246

Thursdays we usually hit KVSP - we grill and hit Cliff's after.  Today was no different. Trying to keep the kids cool - we stopped to pick berries.  They are in full bloom at KVSP. Got in some riding...but after lunch the kids voted Cliff's over riding.  Can you blame them? http://app.strava.com/activities/68103812

We opted to take the kids to 6-Mile today...looped from Rt 27 over to Jacques Lane and back.  We were prepared for the poison ivy, with our higher socks... Brad and I both wear 3-liter Camelbacks - we carry first aid kits, sometimes our lunch...and lots of water.  Today while we were topping off the kids water bottles at Jacques Lane, the kids said "wow, it's really hot".  This is how hot it was... We headed back to the lot, ate lunch and headed back to camp.  The kids got to cool off at the Mo-Beard pool.  Tomorrow we will ride 1/2 day and then bring the kids back to swim. http://app.strava.com/activities/67855921

Some of our campers have never had a geared bike...or if they do have gears, aren't sure how to use them. This is one of the things we try to work with throughout the week. Today we headed to Allaire...and I heard kids shifting gears in anticipation of changes in the trail...sweet! http://app.strava.com/activities/67606406

Today started the third week of mountain bike camp.  We have 9 kids this week, including 2 girls! We opted to start the morning on Patriot's Path heading west from LM towards Mendham.  We were constantly reminding the kids to drink up and stay hydrated.  Riding through some of the streams sure felt nice! After lunch did a short loop at Lewis Morris before heading back to camp. http://app.strava.com/activities/67352718

I was considering doing the Bulldog Rump today but my legs were not having it...I made the decision Thursday evening just to stay local this weekend and take it easy.  After the past two days of riding, I'm more than happy with the decision I made. I opted to take the CX bike out today...I have my junker wheelset and tires on, so the bike is heavy (at least to me).  It takes some effort to get it going, but once it's moving...weeee! Of course my front brakes are squealing - gotta love cantilever brakes.  Guess I'll be adjusting them today. Stopped at Otto's Farm, where in about a month, CX practice will start up.  Can't wait! http://app.strava.com/activities/67033391

Lance mentioned doing a road ride together today...since he was training for Battenkill and the State Road Race and me not training for anything, we barely got any riding time together since the New Year.  Was nice to follow him around today. Hit some of my favorite roads today.  Sun and sprinkles throughout the ride. http://app.strava.com/activities/66808920

We opted to take the kids back to 6-mile today since they enjoyed it Wednesday. We parked at Jacques Lane but headed toward the 27 side.  http://app.strava.com/activities/66610672 This week we really focused on trail etiquette and being courteous while on the trails. The kids were phenomenal with this!  Week 2 of beginner camp in the books!

Thursday we headed to KVSP with camp...parked in a different lot than usual so we had the place to ourselves for grilling... Bugs were still brutal, but the kids kept smiling. http://app.strava.com/activities/66610673

Today we parked at Jacques Lane and headed over to the Canal Lot for lunch.  We had a few sprinkles but the weather held out for the most part! The kids were excited to ride the boardwalk.  Some left their imprint on the sides of the trail... One camper made Brad and I bracelets.  I also got a ring...I wonder if Lance is going to be jealous... http://app.strava.com/activities/66166695

No...I'm not looking for "double points"...but got in 2 rides yesterday with over 3.5 hours (moving time) in the saddle.  We headed to Allaire in the morning with camp. Campers (well, at least the ones I was with) LOVED it and asked if we could come back this week. http://app.strava.com/activities/66044368 Morning from Allaire! Then I headed out for an Orange and Blue ride with Andy, Norm, Utah, and Lance. Some new roads for me! Good times - except when I ran over a chipmunk. http://app.strava.com/activities/66044373

Today started week 2 of mountain bike camp. Eight boys for "beginner" week. Started off at Loantaka this morning.... http://app.strava.com/activities/65695509 here's mama duck and her ducklings. After lunch we headed over to Patriot's Path. http://app.strava.com/activities/65695507

Entered the Flanders Time Trial in the Open Women Non-TT bike/Eddy Class. Been enjoying the circuit TTs. This one had a punch-in-the-face climb in the first mile (up Naughtright Rd). Happy with my finish of 2nd place... Files are broken up - my warm-up and the actual race. http://app.strava.com/activities/65434574 http://app.strava.com/activities/65434586

Lance's State RR was down in Bridgeton today...just down the road from the Independence CX course. So I brought my CX bike and headed over while Lance was out racing. http://app.strava.com/activities/65223890 This is the Amphitheater of Pain - running up this with a CX bike at my midget stature multiple times during the race was tough. I opted not to run up it today.

We finished off our first week of beginner mtb camp at 6-mile.  Parked on the 27 side. Some mud spots on orange on a few corners but the rest dry.  Headed to Jacques Lane for lunch - the section between Middlebush and the lot was in better shape. http://app.strava.com/activities/64968440

Was supposed to take it easy today...always a hard thing for me. Saw lots of people out and about today - probably close to 30 people. Just as I was on the last stretch home, I passed a guy in the new blue Halter's kit. Stopped for a photo of my favorite cows - Belted Galloways - they look like Oreos. Also got a photo of a great place to stop on rides - the General Store in Seargantsville. They will fill you water bottles, have a floor pump if you need it and snacks - "bikers welcome". http://app.strava.com/activities/64659654

Today we headed to KVSP in hopes that the trails would be ok to ride. Some slimy rocks but the mosquitoes...oiy!  http://app.strava.com/activities/64546158

We rode at Allaire during the day with camp.  The kids always ask "who put all this sand on the trails". Ran into MTBNJ celebrity Chris G. in the parking lot. Got home and decided to go out for a road ride - and saw Darth Vader Walrus....I was later told it's a manatee.  Silly me. http://app.strava.com/activities/64336104

Today was our first day of mountain bike camp - the first of 2 beginner weeks. Eight boys were ready to ride until the sky opened and...well... We stayed on the paved path at Loanaka before lunch, which ended up being about an hour. Then headed over to Patriot's Path for just about a 1/2 hour. Worked on teaching the kids how to use both brakes...as well as gears. http://app.strava.com/activities/64138271 http://app.strava.com/activities/64138275