I never did post about snowboarding last winter (Jan-March 2008).  I went out and had a blast snowboarding.  Since I used to skateboard, this was nothing.  Easier and softer then mountain biking.  I went out 6 times and got to the point of hitting jumps and pulling off frontside grabs.  It was a blast.  I fell once and lightly tweaked my shoulder, but nothing significant.

So I was anticipating going out this season.  With the economy in tatters, I  wasn't sure that this was a great idea, but I certainly can't argue against a little fun now and then.  So I finally went out the Sunday before Christmas.  I was on vacation and we just got a good amount of snow.

Sure enough I got right back into it.  I was only sore for a couple of runs and then it was just pure fun (and cold).  But I pushed it and on the last run I managed to fall and bang my knee good.  (I knew I should have called it a night the run before)

Well, the weather has waffled like the politicians and I'll probably not be going back out until next week since tomorrow its gonna be C.O.L.D.

Had some good riding with some friends.  Probably the last ride of the season.

Ride with Rob stats:

Ride with Rob Vert Profile:

Google Maps track of the ride with Rob.  Google Earth track of the same.

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Riding with everyone

Ride with everyone stats:

Ride with everyone vert profile:

Google Maps track of the ride with everyone.  And the Google Earth track of the same.

Here are the details:

The track is here.  And here is the Google earth view.

Here is the track from 9-24-2006.  Some great challenges for the beginner I was with.

The Google Maps GPS track (without track splits)

A view from Google Earth.

The elevation profile:

Went out both days this weekend and had a lot of fun riding. 

The overall stats:

 Heres a set of tracks.

Here is the Google Earth view. (save to disk first)

Here is the elevation profile:

 

Nice ride with a co-worker.  (its Google Map, so you can zoom in on the track via the control)

Dryer_Road_8-26-2006.htm (106.36 KB)

Rode here a couple times this week.  Almost 8 miles of technical riding.  Click the pic for the interactive Google map.

Here is the profile of that trail (careful! - its huge so you can see the most detail).  The way we rode this trail it goes in a figure 8, starting at the bottom right and going across to the bottom left, then to the upper right, across to the upper left, then down to the bottom right.

Here is a Google Earth version, with altitude data included so you see a wall indicating the trail altitude.  Clearly not great accuracy, but probably somewhat close.

Other then riding at Dryer Road Park, which rocks, there is another place to ride near Rochester.  Royal Coach Parkland, which is public property as far as I know.

Royal Coach Parkland race course

I made this with GPS based on my rides at Dryer Road Park recently..click pic for the full experience.  Click trail names to blink them.  See my updated version.

Got my GPS yesterday, but had to wait a whole day to play because I HAD to study for my 070-299 MCSE exam (Windows 2003 Security).

Check out this nice map of my first GPS track, my location is not visible.

http://ydns.no-ip.com/blog/track.html

As I prepare to take my 70-299 MCSE exam, I have started geocaching.  Its a nice way to get outside, or something to do inbetween more intensive outdoor activities.  ;)  As many other newer outdoor activities, its eco-light and unlimited in scope.

I encourage everyone to have a fun activity like this that can be played anywhere on the cheap.  So if you travel for work, you can geocache there.  The only cost is a basic GPS device like the Garmin geko 201 ($~120).  That device can be used for any basic GPS needs, such as fishing, hiking, sailing, etc.

I must admit, it is possible to geocache without a GPS device, albeit harder and slower.  (As I can attest to these past 2 days)

The Devils Time

   I finally got to ride a decent trail with my new bike.  It isn't all that, but it is certainly a good trail for me.  I have a bike with full suspension and I'm sure it helped.  It was exilarating taking blind curves on the trail at a pace that could easily cause harm.  OK, I wasn't tearing it up, but I was going a little fast for my experience.  I did slam my shoulder into a tree on a tight turn.  The hills were killer.  This trail has been used as a race course this month.  I really doubt I could do a single lap without stopping.

There is one last race on Wednesday that I'm planning on giving a shot.  I watched last weeks race and the beginners class had a lot of kids, but something tells me I couldn't do it any better then them. I was dead after half a lap.  I've been slacking on my workouts recently, but I'm hoping I can manage the race.  I can at least say I gave it a shot.

So, get a bike and hit a trail, no matter your skill level.  You'll enjoy the outdoors and it'll provide a good chance to avoid work.