Let the racing begin

Road racing season began recently with the Greene County race. It was a 36-miler through the hills of SW Pennsylvania. I, along with many others, hung on to the pack until a tough climb around mile 26. By that time, several riders had dropped off. I joined a group of two for the remaining 10 miles. Finished in the middle of the pack - not really what I was hoping for, but it was my first race of the season. Then I rode the Steel City Showdown. It's a criterium that races over two of the main Pittsburgh city bridges. Great cycling atmosphere and always some strong competition from the surrounding states. A pack of 10 of us managed to race for 30 minutes. But we were pulled after the lead pack managed to pull ahead of us leaving us out of contention. I was hoping to race for 40 of the 50 minutes, so still managed to hold my own for a good portion of the race. Upcoming races include road races at the oval and some mountain biking races in June.

Ghost Trail ride

Over Easter weekend, we did a bike ride through parts of Pennsylvania that has some rich history. The Ghost Trail that runs approximately 32 miles through mostly small towns, is where many of the old coal mines used to be. Since the late 1800's and early 1900's, these once populated towns and mines have been abandoned. However, there is still the old Eliza Furnace that is near Vintondale, PA. Basically, it's a huge furnace that is in the middle of nowhere. Coal was brought brought to the furnace where it was heated and then shipped out to Pittsburgh. Interesting that we now have a trail in the city named after this furnace. Anyway, decent ride to get out of the city for a day.

Simple acts of grandeur

First day of spring road ride

Got out for a nice 38 mile ride which took my around the city. Went through Highland Park, across the bridge to Aspinwall and up Center (Dirty Dozen hill). Then up Spring Garden Ave, which was a pleasant gradual climb that I've never done before. This took me near Riverview Park, so I road through there on the on-street bike path. Then back down to the city via the riverfront trail. Hit the Jail Trail and back up to Squirrel Hill via CMU campus. Longest ride since the fall, so I was hurting that day and the next. The racing season kicks off in April.

New studded 29'er tires!

Rocked the new studded tires on the Fisher Paragon through Frick Park. They made for a great ride!

Big Papio trail - Omaha

Nearly 50 degrees over Christmas in Nebraska meant that we needed to be on the bikes. We headed out from home and road through our old stomping grounds of Wildwood Park and Ponderosa. Stopped in front of our old house where we reminisced about our younger years. Cruised around Ponderosa for a while where we pointed out homes where our friends used to live. Then through Seymour Smith Park onto the Big Papio trail. Ended up logging almost 20 miles for the entire round-trip ride. It was an excellent way to spend a warm, sunny winter day.

Tranquility Park - Omaha - trail ride

Ryan and I got out for some singletrack riding over the Christmas break. I opted for the bike rental from former employer Bike Rack. They hooked me up with a Trek hardtrail that did the trick for the ride. I think we did most of the Tranquility loop. We even did the new section that goes farther north past the baseball/softball fields. Several nice pump tracks were added to the trails that were even marked (as blue). Tranquility was one of my favorite Omaha locations to ride and race, and it seems that it even got better with the new additions.