Erwin Park

Today I visited McKinney, Texas and Erwin Park. I would guess the length of the trail to be 6.5 miles. If you like roots this is the place for you. Back in my jogging days I visited Tampa, Florida - Alafia State Park - and this is the only rival I have ever visited for the Mayor of Rootville.

There is no sand, which is good, no water crossings, which is not good, and a different feature for a trail - open field riding. A good portion of the trail is out in the fields which is OK just different. It almost has the feel of cross country rather than mountain bike dirt trail.

I am going to be short on my review of this trail as I was not very impressed. I made two rounds and then left. I really wanted some more saddle time so I ended up at River Legacy to finish out my day. Pics from Erwin:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28201157@N08/sets/72157625146924025/

The trail does have some nice features and I have tried to capture them in my photo's. Also, work continues on upgrading the trail as you can see from the pics. Bottom line - Erwin won't be high on my list of places to revisit.

GPS Coordinates for Erwin:
32°46.389  97°06.666

In keeping with the Et Al title of this blog I'm happy to announce I have purchased a new tv. It is a serious TV - a 63 inch plasma. If you are interested in the selection process I went through drop me a line.

Later

LB Houston

I cranked up the GPS again and headed for a new place in Irving - LB Houston Nature Trails. It was Saturday morning, the day after the Texas Rangers won the ALCS, I was at the game, and this morning it was cloudy and looked like rain. I began my ride at 8:00 AM and I was first at the trail. You know what that means - I did spider web patrol. Luckly, there aren't as many webs this time of year. I do not like all those webs clinging to me. But...

According to DORBA there are 7.5 miles of trails here. My garmin agreed - if you say on the main trail and don't take any of the bypass'. This trail had a couple of features which are a little unusual. First, the dead car, you don't see that too often on a MTB trail. The car is something of a surprise as you round a corner. I immediately wondered how in the world it ended up here. There has to be a story behind this. It is a pleasant diversion and worth a stop to check it out.

Next, there is a stand alone skills area. See saws, wooden turns, and a large whoop-t-do are parts of the skilz (their spelling) or fun area. I must admit I have never been a big fan of see saws. I did, however, play on them for awhile. Link for all the photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28201157@N08/sets/72157625104509725/

The trail itself is what I would qualify as a beginner/intermediate trail is fun. It has a technical loop, several fair sized dips, and many roots. There are no creek crossings which I found disappointing. The trail surface is dirt, no rocks or sand. All in all, I had a good time and will be going back.

I did also discover a concrete pathway next to the trail. If you are interested in putting in some straight line miles without worrying about traffic this is the place to do it. There were lots of bikes, joggers, and walkers on this "trail" while I was there. I never did find the name but I did ride it from end to end and my estimate is for a length of 7 miles. I will post the GPS stuff along with the LB Houston coordinates. For this Saturday morning I was able to log about 30 miles by combining LB Houston and the concrete path.

On a personal note I have added swimming into my weekly routine for aerobic exercise. I really don't like swimming much, fir me it is the equivalent of a treadmill in the water but in the winter time it has the advantage of being inside. It's not cold here yet but it is coming.

GPS
LB Houston  32°51.993  96°55.363

Concrete Path  32°51.758  96°55.536  or  32°54.969  96°56.441

See you on the trails.

Later

How to choose a mountain bike.

Just as there are many makes of automobiles, TV's, and cell phones there are many makes of mountain bikes. How to select the one that is just right for you? That is the answer I will be helping you with in this post. I will be the first to say I don't know everything, I don't know you, but I do know some of the questions to ask and facts to point out to make a selection easier.

Let's begin by defining what it is you will be doing with your bike. I read somewhere that no more than 25% of all fat tire bikes are used on trails. The majority of them are used to get back and forth to school, work, or just to tool around on. Bike requirements are very different depending upon it's use. If you plan on going out on the trails as often as you can it would probably be best to buy a good name brand bike with heavier components. Let's face it, the trails are tough on brakes, shifters, and forks. If you do plan to be a trail rider you might want to consider going out to one of the local trails and ask around. There is nothing like a personal recommendation to bolster confidence. If you see more of one brand than another that can also be a good sign. While we are on the topic of how you will use your bike it might be a good idea to talk about the difference between a hardtail and a fully suspended bike (FS). By way of definition a hardtail has a suspended front fork while an FS bike has additional suspension for the rear. If you are new to MTB I would suggest a hardtail to begin with. It is cheaper and easier to maintain.

One of the most important factors in deciding upon a bike is cost. As a general rule of thumb buy as much bike as you can afford. There are exceptions to that. Let me relate my tale of bike acquisition as an example. I began biking after a knee surgery. I had not ridden a bike in years but wanted to keep up my exercise regime. I put out the word among my friends and co-workers that I was interested in buying a used bike. Not long after the word went out I was the proud owner of a $20.00 non-name brand bike. A cheap set of tires and a friend supplied (free) tune up and I was ready to roll. As time went on I found myself enjoying biking more and more. I then discovered MTB and I was hooked. After a year and a half on the $20.00 bike I bought a new one.

If a new bike is the way you are going I suggest several things. First, do your research. Google mountain bikes and read the reviews on various bikes. Decide a price range that is right for you. If you are not sure biking is for you get into it cheaply. Do as I did, ask around for a used bike. Second, visit a local bike store (LBS). Most stores allow test rides and the importance of a test ride can not be over estimated. If you are going to spend several hours on a bike make sure it feels comfortable. When I bought my last bike I test rode two bikes and the minute I set on the second one I knew that was the one. It just felt right.

Notice I am suggesting a LBS rather than a large department store? As a general rule the LBS will give you more bike for your money. The Walmarts of the world will give you a cheaper price but remember, you get what you pay for. If your bike breaks often it isn't much of a bargain. As importantly is repair of the bike. Sooner or later it will break - guaranteed. If you are out on the trails it will happen more often than if you are just riding the streets - Duh - but it will happen. Here is a shameless plug for the LBS where I bought my bike http://www.bicyclesinc.com/ Good shop and they give free maintenance for as long as you own the bike. That is a deal. Be sure, if you wreck your bike and break stuff it won't be covered but the routine stuff is. It has saved me a bunch of money on tune ups and adjustments. Won't get that at Walmart.

So far then - decide your use for the bike, pick a price range, do some research, find an LBS, and, take a test ride. So what else is left?

One thing for sure. Have your LBS person fit the bike to you. Yes, that is important. Getting the most out of you and your bike means making sure it is adjusted specifically to you. The seat height, the position of the handlebars, and even the size of the grips can make a big difference in your performance and comfort. Have a professional set you up, it is worth it. Did you know bikes come in different sizes? I'm not talking about the tire size - 26 inch or 29 inch, I am talking about frame size. Generally speaking, the size of the frame is dictated by the height of the rider. Your LBS professional can get you in the right size bike.

Well, enough for now. Feel free to argue with me on any point or to drop me an email at marshall212@yahoo.com

Later

Life Lessons from MTB

I was thinking the other day that there is much to be learned about life from mountain biking. If you stop and think about  the skills needed for mountain biking some of them fit very well into life lessons. Follow along with me on this;

• Keep focused on the task (trail) ahead. So, here you are riding along and you begin to daydream, or your thoughts wander a little, I guarantee you the next turn or jump will catch you by surprise and your newest friend will be a tree. Is that so different from life? Let's keep focused here on our work lives. You are in the middle of a project and you lose your train of thought. Seems to me a tree, figuratively, may appear in your path.
• Have a plan. In MTB a plan can be, and usually is, a little different from a life plan. But to keep this rather simple let's focus on a project for work plan, not our lives in general. In biking our ficus is very short in the future. If I focus more that about 5 feet - consistently - my friend the tree or a large rock will get me. So...work plans are similar. Sometimes you must look up to scan the horizon but most of the time focus on the immediate.
• Don't be afraid to fall. No matter how good you are in biking you will fall. The better you get the more challenges you find. If you didn't want challenges you would be a street biker (no offense). Trying a new whatever in the working world will occasionally end with you tires up. When that does happen you dust yourself off, put a band aid on it, and begin again.
• Take time to enjoy. OK, it's the smell the roses kinda thing. Have you ever been riding and just stop to look at the river, forest, or prairie simply because its' pretty? If not, think about doing that sometime. Some times at work the same thing needs to happen - set back, put up your feet, and smile. It will do wonders for the day.
• Be flexible. Some times plans do need to be changed. In MTB suddenly what you thought you saw becomes something else - a jump, a crossing - you get the idea. It is time to change your original approach to the challenge. Hey, same thing in work/life. Be prepared to change as the situation dictates. Blindly following may end you up with another band aid.
• Keep you equipment in good working order. This really means you. Eat well, get enough sleep, and smile occasionally.

OK, there are probably scores of other examples I could use but I think you get the picture. Have fun and maybe I will see you on one of the trails or some project somewhere.

Later

Rowlett Creek Preserve

This morning I dusted off the Garmin 660 GPS and set out for Rowlett Creek Preserve (RCP). This was the first time I have been there and I was pleasantly surprised. I am not sure of the total trail length but it must be around 12 to 15 miles. Two of the loops are shut off now as there is construction on the railroad which borders RCP.

I think I counted 12 loops with 4 of them squarely in the expert category. The other are varying degree of difficulty but none of them are serious difficult.

The loops have the usual stuff; roots, rocks, very little sand (yeah), a few modest climbs, at least one creek crossing, and some prarie stuff. As you can see a little something for everyone. The singletrack is well marked and is as hard as asphalt. It would be nice to have a little rain to soften up things, but can't have everything.

I saw a few joggers, hikers, and dog walkers so you do need to approach  the blind corners carefully. There is water at the trailhead and even a hose to rinse off the dust from your bike.

I would say the first 6 loops are the least technical. You can pretty much just ride without worrying what is coming up next. The trails are well marked so don't worry about getting lost. If memory serves me right loops 7, 10, 11, and 12 are the most difficult. There is a map at the trailhead and the loops marked in blue are the tough ones. Check out the map before you head out.

Some of the loops follow along the Rowlett creek for quite a distance. It's kind of a backwoods area and very quiet. Check out some of the photos I took today;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28201157@N08/sets/72157625171152060/

I spent somewhere between 3 and 4 hours riding. Some of the loops I went over several times. All together my GPS  says I rode 31.2 miles at RCP. Without a doubt I will go back. I highly recommend it.

I thought today I might write a little bit about what I carry in my backpack. I do not use a Camelbak, my backpack has the stuff I need in case I get a flat or breakdown. There is nothing worse then being out in the middle of a singletrack with a flat or broken bike.

First, I carry a spare innertube; a mini pump; patch kit; 3 plastic tire spoons; a Topeak multi tool; a fork; and a CO2 tire inflator. Couple of things, first, the fork is because I like to bring along a can of peaches if I'm riding for any length of time. The CO2 inflator was given to me as a gift and doesn't weigh much so I keep it with me. The mukti tool is really cool. Has just about everything you will ever need for trail repairs.

Depending upon where I am and what kind of biking I am doing I may also put a lunch in my backpack. More than once, especially at LBJ National Grasslands, a forest service map may also be there.

Back to the tools. More than once, way more than once, I have come across brokem bikes or flat tires and the rider has nothing for repairs. What is up with that? A little weight is better than pushing your bike for miles. So far, knock on wood, I haven't had any problems which I have not been able to repair. Here's a tip; if nothing else bring stuff to fix a flat.

OK, so much for now. RCP is great - if you get a chance try it out. Maybe I'll see you there.

GPS Coordinates
32°55'12.3"
96°35'44.0"  Different format i know - deal with it.

Later

Suncoast Trail

This last weekend I was in Tampa, Florida and took Sunday afternoon off to do a little jogging. I happened to be staying in a hotel close to the Suncoast Trail so that is where I ended up. The trail is an asphalt strip 10 feet wide that extends for 41 miles. I was in Florida for such a short time that I was not able to find a bike rental place so jogging it was.

Some background - I stayed at a Residence Inn, a wonderful place. If you are interested it is located on Northpointe Parkway in Lutz, Florida. It is located about 30 minutes from the airport via a tollway, Veterans Expressway I believe was the name. Hotel's telephone number is 813.792.8400.

Back to the trail. It follows right beside the Suncoast Highway so the road noise is a little oppressive. The Sunday I was there lots of bikers, skaters, but not too many joggers. As I mentioned, the surface of the trail is asphalt so it isn't too hard on knees and ankles, although I was a little sore after my run. I usually don't do long runs anymore unless it is on dirt so that explains part of it.

Bottom line - decent place to bike, OK place to jog. Not much scenery and the trail is loud with car/truck noise.

One final note; the pictures I post here are taken with my Canon SD 1000 Digital Elph. I have had this camera for some time and really like it. It is completely metal and has survived several falls from bikes and several mud puddles. It has a couple of bad pixels on the display but that doesn't effect its'  pic taking ability. Bought it on EBay some time ago.

For more information on the Suncoast Trail go to;
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/westcentral/trails/suncoast.htm

Later

GPS Coordinates for Trailhead at Suncoast:
28°11.313  82°32.876

Northshore

Over by Lake Grapevine is one of the best, if not the best, off road trail in the metroplex - Northshore. The full meal deal runs about 20 miles, long for a MTB trail and full of many surprises. Before I go into the merits of this trail; I began the day, upon arrival at Northshore, by breaking the stem off my rear tire. All I wanted to do was put some air in the tire. Have I mentioned that I am not a fan of presta valves? After this morning I am seriously considering drilling out the valve hole in my rims to accept schraders (car style valves). I could expound for awhile about why in the world there are presta valves but what is the point - they are here.

Anyway, after changing my back tube I was on my way. One more "hold it there cowboy". I always wear a small backpack, when I ride off road, full of tools and goodies for just these kind of occasions. Admittedly, I don't break off many valve stems but I do have my share of flats. I do carry an extra inner tube and a pump for just these kinds of problems. I also have a patch kit but I usually wait until I get home before I patch.

Northshore is constructed so that you will run into almost every kind of situation. Sand - yes; Rocks - yes, climbs - yes, roots - yes, the slick kind, other people -
bikers - yes, lots, hikers -  yes, lots, this is one busy place. I arrived at the trailhead around 8:00 AM and I bet there were at least 30 cars already there, and this was just one trailhead. I talked with a guy who seemed to know and he said it is not uncommon for 600 people to be on the trail in one 24 hour period.

To get a sense of some of the trail follow the link to some pics of Northshore.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28201157@N08/sets/72157625128532282/
This is one trail you need not worry about getting lost. It is probably the best marked trail I have ever seen. Even if you did manage to get lost, and it was on a weekend, you could wait a while and someone will come by who can help. I stopped to take a drink after one strenuous climb and before long there were three of us talking. MTBers are certainly friendly.

There are plenty of places to turn around and head back to the barn if you don't want to do the entire 20 miles. The trail is a singletrack and so well marked (as I said before) that you will always know where you are. I started at the trailhead in Murrell Park but there are many other places. At the bottom of this entry you will see the GPS coordinates for the area I parked in.

I will admit here and now there are a few places I walk my bike through on this trail. Nothing to be ashamed of, some things are just beyond my skill set. I say this so that if you attempt Northshore you will know it is OK to walk. I also know I am not the only one. I did go tires up once today. Got my pedal caught on something. My big toe is also a little bruised but that too will pass.

Final word; great trail, nice and long. A little of everything. Give it a try you won't be disappointed.

Later

GPS Coordinates:
33° 00.301
97° 05.864

River Legacy

What a joy it is to be back on this trail. My first off road experience was here and I love returning. This is definitely not the most difficult or challenging trail in the metroplex but it does have its' positive features. It is between 5.5 and 6 miles at its' farthest but can be much shorter if you elect to take the several bypasses. This is one of the few trails where you can really get up some speed, especially in the prarie loop.

What does River Legacy have to offer? Well, it does have some technical areas, some jumps, and some interesting looking water/ravine crossings. Remember, the jumps and more difficult areas are marked in red while the easier trails are marked in blue. You can always walk your bike through any area you feel is beyond your ability. If you follow the link you can see some of the pics I have taken at RL http://www.flickr.com/photos/28201157@N08/sets/72157625093099882/with/5051097342/
If you use the link above you can check out some of the features and fun RL has to offer.

What does RL not have? Sand and rocks. Rocks I can live with but sand is my worst enemy. I have gone tires up in sand more than any other material. I think the absence of these two evils is one of the reasons I like this trail so much.

A couple of reminders - this is a single track so basically keep left. The right turns are generally for bypasses. If you see yourself going against traffic just stop and turn around. Eventually you will get the hang of it. The trail is pretty well marked but it is easy to miss a directional sign. Pull over to the side to let someone pass. Finally, we share this trail with hikers - we do not own the trail, we share it. Be nice, let hikers pass.

To check the condition of the trail go to http://www.dorba.org/ If the gate is up do not try to ride. Riding on a wet track will destroy it.

Mention should be made about the concrete path which runs for 7 miles through the park. If the off road trail is closed you can always ride on the concrete. Not nearly as much fun but at least it is biking. On the weekends it generally is host to all kinds of joggers, bikers, and strollers. Remember to announce"On your left" when you pass.

A good time was had by all.

Later

GPS Coordinates for RL parking lot
32° 47.591
97° 07.018

What's Up With Another Blog?

Well, what is up with another blog? First of all, it's mine. My goal is to provide information about (1) jogging and mountain bike (MTB) trails in Dallas/Fort worth, (2) descriptions of other trails I have been or will go on as I travel, (3) just general stuff. What you won't find here is the ranting and raving that seems to have taken over many posts. I will evaluate the trails and greenways I bike or jog on so the reader can make an evaluation regarding the available areas in the DFW metroplex and parts of Texas.

When I began to get into jogging anf biking I found it was kinda difficult to obtain realistic reviews on trails around me. I hope this will make it easier for others to find parks, trails, greenways, rails to trails etc to j or b on.

A bit about me and my stuff. I have a mountain bike - a Trek 6000. I started with a Trek 4300 but found I needed a heavier bike for some of the stuff I do. For complete description of my bike click here;
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/mountain_hardtail/6_series/6000/
I like this bike very much and can recommend it if you are looking. My jogging shoes are Mizuno's and if you are new to jogging I highly recommend going to a running store to be fitted. There really is a difference.

To track distances, speed, and heart rate I use a Garmin Forerunner 305. Won't win any beauty contests but works well. See it at: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=349&ra=true. It uses a chest strap to monitor heart rates and the unti itself straps on your wrist.

For software I use a web based program to track all my workouts - http://www.mapmyrun.com/ I know it says run in the title but it does track biking as well as other forms of exercise. It is not waterproof so swimmimg must be entered manually. Iphone has an ap for mapmyrun.com and it does work pretty well but I have had problems with my iPhone battery running out before I'm finished.

More and more I find myself enjoying biking over jogging. I haven't given up jogging, especially before work in the mornings, but whenever I can I do bike. I am not a purist or a weight nazi. I enjoy off road biking (we really don't have mountains in North Texas), crusing on county roads with little traffic, and state parks. The one area I stay away from is street biking in the city. Too dangerous for me. I would rather hit a tree that a 2000 Ford F-150.

Finally, a great source for trail conditions in North Texas is http://www.dorba.org/ The Dallas Off Road Bicycle Association does a wonderful job of keeping posted conditions up to date for many tails in and around the metroplex. Check'em out and if you are from the DFW area please join. When I discovered them I joined and I think it's important that we support our sport.

My next posts will start the process of evaluating the trails etc I ride or run on. I may occasionally throw in some other stuff so stay tuned. I appreciate hearing from anyone out there. I do travel some and I would love to hear about other trails and where to rent bikes in your area.

Later