Skull & Bones Sign Solves Mystery of Cleared Hill

One of the highest hills in the Fort Lewis area between Yelm Highway and Rainier Road was completely stripped clean of every piece of vegetation late in this last summer. The hill (about 900-1,000 climb) has phenomenal views of Mount Rainier, and the surrounding hills when its not fogged in or clouded over. You may recall pictures taken late in the summer of a Chinook helicopter flying overhead? That was taken right on the very top of that hill. Well today . . . we found out what was going on with the clearing of the one particular hill. By the way, it's about 9 miles in from Yelm Highway. Have a look . . .

This morning we parked right out from of the Nisqually Police station's jail on Yelm Highway. (Parking out in some parts of Fort Lewis can be an invitation for vandalism.) Officers that Mtn-Biking Man had previously met up with while they were patrolling the nearby Yelm Highway and Fort Lewis area had said the location is THE safest place to park because police cars are always in and out. And, the inmates tend to look out the window and drool . . . for what they don't have, wheels and freedom and no lies to live.

Just As The Snow Begins . . .

Under the falling snow, I feel the pounding in my brain, ice cold water running through my veins, got a bad taste in my mouth from bitter tears, ah I'm feeling glad now cause it's not bad . . .

Pictures of a Cool Winter Ride

Chores done. Lights were up on the house after one's repeated delays yet wife's friendly and increasing number of reminder notes. It was time for a cool ride. And, some pics as a reminder of why I didn't want to put lights up in the first place. Funny, there was so much procrastination in taking the lights down last year that at first the Rubbermaid container with lights couldn't be located. Darn! Turns out they never made it off the garage floor to the attic. It was holding up a bike in one of the garage bays!

Find of the Week

Found . . .
while riding single track 5 miles out from Yelm Highway. Flare?

29(er) Meets 1937

Seven miles out in the woods from the Nisqually Casino & Yelm Highway area and Mtn-Biker Man runs across some kind of marker from 1937 out in the middle of the woods! (3.5 hour ride today Yelm to Rainier vicinity.) Was 1937 better off than 2009?

Map to Rescue Bike

If you are desperate for a new (to you) bike, here is the map to the Rescue Bike. It can be found at the top of the last loop.

Rescue Bike?

Found . . . a bike out in a fairly remote wooded area of a ride today. Someone with a sense of humor labled it "rescue bike" but to Mtn-Biking Man and Jeff, we think it'd be a pain in the ### (take a look at the seat.)

In Memory of Jeff Holm

It is with sadness we announce the passing of a fellow mountain-biker. Jeff Holm, state GIS Coordinator (1994 to 2007), friend, co-worker, and husband passed away last night October 22, 2009 surrounded by his family and friends.

Shortly after retiring from state government in 2007, Jeff was diagnosed with methothelioma cancer. He had aimed to do more mountain bike riding, to work on putting his Porsche sports car back together, to travel with his wife Susan and do many other things that retirement affords.

I (Mtn-Biker Man) will remember forever the 6-day mountain bike trip that Jeff’s wife Susan, and my wife Naomi gave us both for Christmas a few short years ago where we were able to s-t-r-e-t-c-h it out to 13 days of hard riding in areas from Fruita Colorado to Moab Utah.

Background: Jeff was born and raised in Minnesota. He served in the Navy for two years, based out of Bremerton, was stationed for some time in Viet Nam and worked special operations in other unnamed places. (His family laughs over the letters from Jeff that were screened and mostly blackened out.) After the Navy he attended college here and decided to stay in the Northwest because of the mountains, hiking and climbing. Jeff worked in various IT capacities for the state, the vast majority with the Department of Information Systems. Jeff had a profound passion for GIS work and stewardship that overflowed to his outside activities and passions with mountain biking, cross-country skiing, board-sailing, sailing, and good coffee. And yes, his wife Susan was involved in these as well! Jeff is survived by his wife (Susan), mother (87), three adoring sisters, two compassionate sister-in-laws, and a wonderful mouser cat “Sneakers.”

Let there be thanks we had the opportunity to know, work, and bike with him.

Greetings to New Participant Jim G.

"Mountain Bikers’ Blog" extends a warm welcome to a new participant . . . Jim G. One of your editors and Skyler were just finishing up an hour’s + rush / big push on single track at Fort Lewis (area 23) when we literally ran by Jim on the trail.

We chatted up a bit and found that Jim has a passion and interest in riding the trails in the area with others. (Jim's ride is a sweet Motobecane Fantom Team Mountain bike, which does have pedals, unlike this pic.)

A warm welcome to Jim!

"Heart Attack" HA Hill Ride @ Kennedy Creek

One of your other "editors" Jeff H. recently rode Kennedy Creek area and rode up “Heart Attack” (HA) hill and did a figure 8, cutting across at the mid point dual-track. Jeff is thinking it would be a nifty challenge to run it the other direction, taking the mid-point road uphill twice… ….someday. Here is the link to his ride and "stats": http://connect.garmin.com/activity/15310474

Stellar job Jeff! The stats speak for your work.

Bike "Trick or Treats" at Lake Chelan

Lake Chelan’s Echo Valley Trail system (9 miles out of town) serves up a real treat and is a blast for riding. A map of the area is located here at this link http://www.uncletimstoys.com/echo_trails.htm.
If you’re riding with a group that has mixed skills and abilities you won’t want to pass this opportunity up. We stayed at a condo at Lake Chelan Shores and drove up to go ride every day. We found out “Uncle Tim's Toys” has some awesome up-to-date cabins, each very private, well appointed, wood stove, stellar views, private hot tub, and smack in the middle of some great trails. Check it out at http://www.uncletimstoys.com/

My wife loved the area (about 3,500’ to 4,000’ elevation), the riding, open and panoramic views, and the winding fast downhill rewards. The hills are not so steep to be overwhelming or a discouragement. Elevation gains are mostly gradual.

At the end of your ride, check out Uncle Tim’s for your favorite beverage and some good conversation. Tim is a fun character. (He rents full suspension bikes there too.)

Oh, the wine touring and tasting of the some 15 or so wineries was fun as well.

Saturday's Route

Here is the link to Saturday's Ride. Have not got to it yet, but hope to start making real maps soon...

Trail Work & Special Forces Squirrels

Today was all about stewardship of the trails. Jeff H took Mtn-biking Man out to help document the situation and to help with clearing trails from a number of large problematic “non-jumpable” logs disrupting the Ying/Yan and Feng Shui flow of one of the most challenging yet fulfilling pieces of single track at Ft Lewis.

Unfortunately, Ranger-trained Special Forces (attack squirrels) were on a rampage to frag and discourage us from removing their log freeways. The attacks were numerous especially near the oak trees and it got to the point where it could of become a gnawing situation.

Jeff has mapped out the route we did today and we’ll add a link to it soon.

Soggy Saturday

A soggy "early winter" ride in the waning days of August. Exploration ride of Ft. Lewis area off of the Yelm Hway by the Nisqually reservation. Lots of nice double track, a few decent hills, but no single track discovered. High potential for spouse rides. See the ride here.

Sunriver Trip & Riding

One of your editors (Mtn-Biker Man) just returned from a week of relaxation and glorious riding at Sunriver, OR area. Our family stayed at a place right on the Deschutes River. Floated the river some. Rode a lot more than anything else.

Editor’s wife tried out a new Giant Yukon FX (4” full suspension) and she liked its all-mountain performance very much. Great trip, even better riding!

Oh, and wonderful time with the family (including mom and dad up from CA). Every biker-dude should have a like experience

While Riding Through A Park . . .

Sometimes, it’s hard to know what this world is coming to. Everyday the news brings a new boundary that’s been crossed -- a new taboo breached -- a new convention that has been trampled underfoot.
Recently in Sweden, a 50 year old man was innocently riding his bike through the park when he was horribly and disgustingly violated. As he was enjoying his bike ride, someone grabbed the basket on the back and pulled the bike to the ground. Turning to see who might have done such a thing he realized that it was a ruffian gang of women sporting tattoos.

These women proceeded to hold him down on the ground, remove his pants and underwear and then sexually do things to him. After having had their way with him, the women then quickly ran off leaving the man unable to pursue. As of this writing they remain at large, doubtlessly lying in wait for their next unsuspecting victim.
Back in my day, I remember when being sexually assaulted by a gang of women was the purview of adolescent boys who might let their imagination do unrest. (We only heard there were also a few magazines that explored this issue but it was only ever dealt with in literature.)

Anyway, the victim provided the police with a description of his attackers featuring the 5′ 7″ woman with tattoos on her forearms who actually grabbed his basket first. It is hoped that this information might be used help bring these ruthless and unmerciful succubi (def. -- in medieval times, a deviant woman that was believed to have sexual ********** with men while they were asleep) to justice.

Before anyone else gets hurt, it might be time to step in and take direct action on this. Maybe we should all start an organization of like-minded middle-aged men who might regularly patrol parks and pathways and act as lures to bring women like these out of hiding. It sounds like the perpetrators have perfected their getaway technique but these men would simply need to understand that they might be repeatedly subjecting themselves to this degradation until these disgusting perverts are finally brought to justice.

We’re open to accepting donations to begin founding this type of organization. Please notify us if you’re interested. Since the funds will be lacking at first, we might have to undertake this task alone for a while. Please wish us Godspeed.

Acknowledgements for breaking story: John P. Frade , Database developer and analyst in NJ, USA
Source:

http://www.thelocal.se/20694.html

Chinooks Fly Fire Maneuvers Over Biking Route

While doing LSDs (long, slower, distances) today we came within 200-250' of Chinooks doing fire prevention over dry meadow areas. One flew directly overhead within 75-100' with the water bucket and we feared / thought they were going to drop its contents but they were nice and didn't. The "rotor wash" pushed water out of the bucket like rain and the bucket was the size of a small import car (at least the size of a VW bug).

Today's ride was from Rainier Rd to Yelm and back in 90°. Yowser!

I Like My Bike

Join the "I Like My Bike" campaign and write to Pearl Izumi today! This fabulos riding shirt is currently only available in kids sizes, so big kids like us cannot proudly proclaim "My bike is fast" or "My bike makes me strong." After asking at a coulple of retailers about adult sizes, the unversial response has been "no, not available, but tons of people ask." The manager of the Pearl Izumi outlet in Bend had the same response, but then encouraged me to contact the home office - "maybe they'll listen to you" she said.

So, if you "Like your Bike" and want to tell the world, join the campaign and contact Pearl Izumi at: info@pearlizumi.com I did and got a nice response that my e-mail was being forwarded to the product development folks. Maybe if they hear from enough of us kids, we'll soon be riding in style too.

Lost Rides Found

Just when I thought it was lost, found my device still held the June 14 Magnificent 7 ride. Also found the Ft. Lewis Summer Classic from June 20. Still have hopes of overlaying these rides onto a topo map to begin laying out the trail network. Someday...

Spouse and Spokes

Suzanne's first big ride on the Giant Yukon full-susser: An Out & Back from Circle 7 to Lava Lands Visitor Center. Nice flowing single track with a good rise on the way out making for an easier return. Total ride just over 14 miles. A good time together and a good milestone ride for Suzanne to measure progress against. Looking forward to more time in the saddle with my best friend.

A couple of ride maps....

Still figuring out the Garmin. Lost the big Ft. Lewis ride with the magnificent 7 (June 14 post), but here are links to:

Peter Skene Odgen - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/8951034

Skokomish River (see July 3 post) - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/8951056

Peter Skene Ogden Trial

A perverse reverse ride yesterday morning: Ride single track up the mountain and take the forest service roads back down. Apparently user conflicts over the years have made this the rule on the Peter Skene Ogden trail. And after having climbed 2,000+ feet on just over 8 miles of trail (starting elevation 4,250), I can see how it would be screaming fun to flow back down, but the unexpected meetings with hikers and horses coming up would be a problem.

A good ride overall - trail was sandy for the first 2 miles, but riding the trail edge kept the tires rolling. Miles 2 - 5 were a nice easy "I could do this forever" rise. Miles 5 - 7 were peppered with short steeps and switch backs with just enough recovery in between to keep you riding. The last 1.3 leveled off, but by then the legs were tapped, so felt like it would never end. Then victory - a quick peek at the lake and then down, down, down (rather borning going down, though some good speed at times). 2:10 to the top and 40 min back down. Pic is at one of many falls along Paulina Creek which the trial paralells on the way up.

Big “Shout-Out” to John PR (JPR) for Trail Clearing

A big thank you and “shout out” goes out to John PR who

(we just found out) cleared a long stretch of single-track from Scotch Broom, tall grass, and ferns which previously overflowed / overgrew the trail in area 21 (Ft. Lewis – off Rainier Rd). The editor can attest that . . .

“this trail absolutely rockets

from the start to finish.” (One can look well ahead and see the trail!)

Today was a recovery ride for the editor after yesterday’s ride on Capital Peak Green Line #6 to #20, to #8 from Mima Mounds.

Today’s ride took place in area #23 – single track through woods, up the hill to near the top of the old “Rainier Lookout,” and back. Mind you . . . JPR was on a single speed, 23 lb’er hard-tail bike. Editor = dual-suspension, 37 lbs (the bike) and about 10-14 lbs overweight (editor). Nothing like a good ride (humbling) for getting motivated to eat less, and ride the same, if not more. At least we were out on bikes for 1 ½ hours! (Could have been doing something far less healthy.)

Find of the Day

Came across this while riding tonight out in the middle of a meadow. Neato . . .

Video of Don riding "Primal Scream" Trail

On a recent July 5th ride at Ft. Lewis (area 23), William W. took this video shoot of Don D. riding the tough, and steep pitched “Primal Scream” trail.

Preping for Primal Scream takes some
psyching up and mental preparation.

Welcome to William W. & Dog Rescue

We’ll have more to pics and a video to follow on this shortly yet first an introduction to William W (Left) who joined Don D., and John for his first mountain bike ride today. William rode a nice full suspension bike (Kona King Kikapu) rented from the Bike Stand. For a first-timer, he did amazingly well in hopping over logs and navigating some of the more technical pieces today. A dog also joined us today. In spite of providing him a lot of water, the distance and heat just got to be a bit too much. We drove a truck in to extract him out of the woods with about a mile to go. Not worth risking the well-being of “man’s best friend.”

(@Right- Don & William)

Remote Trails Can Be Lonely -- Affected by Recession Too?

A few of us went up to the South Fork Skokomish River area (South of Lake Cushman) for what we recalled two years ago as “heavenly single-track.” Things change over time. Marriages do. Friends do. The type of cars we drive. Our bodies do. Work and trails do too. Over time, trails can become overgrown, and in a tough economy, coupled with remoteness can yield tough passages, whether biking, or hiking. So no heaven today. We parked a ¼ mile up North from the Brown Creek Campground area, rode up FS Rd # 2300 to #2361 to its end – about 12 miles.

Going back down the river involved taking trail #873. The first 1.6 miles goes fine until you come to a river crossing. When you cross (wade) the river you end up with a “hike-a-bike” bush-whack for about 3-4 miles. There were several sections of trail completely washed out by the river, and other sections of trail with 4-6 huge trees to climb over, under or largely deviate around -- places where one only gains a mile in a single hour. If you decide to not to cross the river (like we did initially) you end up with a “hike-a-bike” that drops over a cliff down to the river, or leads up a jeep trail back to #2361.
Here’s what we recommend based on our lessons learned.

• Park at Lebar Creek Horse Camp. (Don’t forget the $5 day fee like we did or you could receive a citation.)
• Ride trail #800 out that then connects to #873 after about a mile (heading in a northerly direction). The first 5 miles of the trail is quite well maintained along with a few technical pieces, including 7-8 quite steep, sharp-turning, and very exhilarating down-hill switch-backs as you head out. Coming back you may likely find some way too steep and long to ride.
• After 5-6 miles out on the trail, it sort of disappears and it becomes quite overgrown with vegetation. When you start hitting / seeing logs across the trail or see the trail head over a cliff to the river, that’s the sign to turn around and go back down (by sometimes going up very steeply).

Net for the day: 25-26 miles, 5 hours, 2,100’ in elevation gain, and twitching muscle spasms towards the end makes for spastic partners for one’s significant other (the wives). Fireworks and a good meal soothes the worst parts of this though.

“Magnificent Seven (7)” Ride

Seven of us gathered (gaggled?) today and had one swell ride from Yelm area toward Rainier direction and back. There was lots of fun single-track and friendly yammering throughout the “3-hour-tour.” A fair amount of the trail was so overgrown it segued to “ride-by-faith.” The weather never “started getting rough” and the bikes never got “tossed,” and no bike or rider ever got marooned (on a “tropical isle” -- weak analogy to “Gilligan’s Island” here). Someone (think it was Al?) coined the group “magnificent seven.” The question surfaced, “what happens if there’s an 8th . . . and, someone pronounced . . . “I thought there’s only 6 of us?” There was either too much lactic acid buildup or not enough oxygen intake at that point because I don’t recall anyone responding. Sad to say we had to “take a body count” a number of times just to make sure there was actually seven. SOME thought there truly was only 6.
Video: Bill and Al.

Join us in saying “welcome” to Bill. E. (far Rt.),
and
Barrie W. (we never use last names for privacy).
Barrie shot many of these pics. Thanks Barrie!