Yeah, I've actually only been out to Marmota bridge twice, and it's not far from home. I mean, I go directly there, don't have to drive somewhere with the bike. It's more of a winter ride cos in the summer it's scorching and there's very little shelter. And it's basically all on dirt roads so perfect for my XC bike, with a focus on speed and fitness (as opposed to skills), and it's fun! This photo is from last September. This was my second stop, first was the Valdeleganar lookout point, third was the midieval bridge, then I went to Colmenar on a fun technical trail, then along the Arroyo Tejada, and back home.
Right that! Although... heading northwards would offer a pretty gnarly steep rocky section followed by a long trail beside the river, which is always underneath by your left, and by turning right you would climb along Trialera de Las Viñas?? to reach Colmenar. Then you can either make your way back via Bike Path to Madrid, in just a wink , or go along the arroyo Tejada, wading it quite a few times, refreshing but not exciting under this weather. Actually I'm coming addicted to that kind of trails and looking forward to ride them back. They are too often in my daydreams, spots like Marmota, Hoyo and Sierra de la Cabrera, close to home and almost as breathtaking and demanding as the Sierras
Good morning! Dec 31st so it's time to summarize and see how the year went. How you feel about it? From my behalf it's been a time of lights and shadows. Speaking my mind, I feel a bit disappointed. On the one hand I can say there have been good news: I started up in XC racing, not a great accolade but helps you out to realize how tough these guys are out there . I also lifted a weight off when I finished that race in Aragon I bluffed years ago due to mech issues. And did some good results in running and duathlon. But being honest, something important to point out is the fact that I've ridden a lot, have had much fun and met new people like you! . And last but not least 2k13's been the year in which I commited the most from my wife to get on her running shoes and go out there. I love it! Shadows are that I'd better improve a bit more and be aware of my limits. Sometimes I was far fetched, like in that long distance races in which I had to give up. These DNF hurt me yet. I mean this is a bit awkward as I have increased running distances but in exchange I ride shorter. Well, some other bad feeling came when I underwent that bad luck run, ripping spokes almost every day out. Should it be fixed with some money I see, but I don't do it Ending up now.... I wish that many of my missing riding mates make their way back, either family issues or injuries have shortened our heard, and sure we'll keep hammering pedals recklessly! Cheers!
Yeah, good idea. It's the end of the year so time to take stock, time to look at how things went and think about how we're going to be doing things in 2014, just a few hours away as I'm writing this. So sounds like you had your ups and downs. Of course, you took up XC racing! That's really exciting. Trying new things. I've tried some new things too, namely I use an exercise bicycle now, ha ha. Competition, I guess I've decided not to go down that road (or trail, ha ha), but I'm sure that'll give you another perspective on things, you know, really pushing yourself hard both fitnesswise and skillswise, and going up against some really fit guys. Actually, hate to be cynical but I wonder if some of them take performance enhancing drugs, like Juan Pelota, aka Lance Armstrong. I think Inter told me that it's filtered down to everyday riders. And duathlons! Sounds to me like you're really stretching yourself. Hey, you're doing good! Doing things I've never done. Maybe you haven't had the results you'd hoped for, but you'll do better in 2014. As for me, I'll be steering clear of races and just work on improving my technique and maybe fitness level. And I'm just going to try to stay healthy, you know, not wipe out. I know that sounds like a negative goal, but as my technique improves, so does my speed, and the potential seriousness of a crash. It's ironic but in some sections it's actually safer to go faster, and more fun too! Hey, maybe one of these days we can go to Marmota bridge and in that area, just not sure when. That takes a while, it's not like El Pardo which you can do in a couple of hours if you want to. Well, happy New Year everybody!
Well, I'm starting out 2014 big! Not! Just a ride to the Casa de Campo with old friends, who I don't see very often these days: Rod, Brian, Dillan (Brian's son), and me. It was actually a pretty cold gloomy overcast day, but at least it didn't rain. This was my first real bike ride in a week, have just been doing hamster workouts. I took my 20-year-old hybrid bike, you can't see it in the pic cos it's behind the tree and all the good bikes
Hi guys, Happy New Year! If I take a look at 2013 I can also see something similar to a rollercoaster. I started up almost from zero, because it was my recovering year. The home trainer became real and my very best friend along winter and spring time. It was my basis to be capable of visiting Alcalá's Park again without dying in the attempt, and I even enjoyed some very good rides there. In cantabria I realized how poorly fitted I was, but that was my stimulus to keep pushing and riding everyday I could. In the end I pushed the limits and for the first time I paid the consequences hitting the ground harder than I could deal with, so I stopped once more. And this has lasted much more than I would have expected, maybe because I wasn't so young as I thought... Nowadays I feel myself as agile as a potato... and Christmas time has also cooperated on that, ha ha, but 2014 is my return time, I know that. I'll try to go step by step, and I hope I'll be enjoying my bike again on summer time as if nothing had happened but, a lot of indoor and flat and easy outdoor riding is waiting for me before that. Then I'll try to keep not so close to the edge, and my very first wish is to enjoy a long long time without stopping riding. Maybe this year I can finally meet El Pardo, can't I?
Cycling, like life, does have its ups and downs, light and shadow, and it can be like a rollercoaster. These are the metaphors we've used to describe our two-wheel adventures in 2013. I know it's been that way for me: I injured myself last May and was off the bike for six weeks. I suppose it's easy to feel down, to feel you're not as good as you'd like to be. You always want to see improvement. I think we're happiest when we're growing and learning to do things better. The problem is when you reach a plateau and are just maintaining your level, or maybe even losing what you've gained! So that's discouraging and forces us to rethink things. Anyway Mario, these days I'm feeling as agile as a pototo too, mainly because I have a cold, ugggg. Winter's a good time to go El Pardo so maybe we can go for a ride there sometime.
And speaking of El Pardo, surprise, surprise! that's where we went today. Seems like we're going there every Sunday lately, but the Sierras are riskier because of the ice, rain, and snow. Well, at least I'm getting out on my bike sometime, and it's not just exercise bicycle. And happily my cold and cough are better, so really had a good ride today, even though it was foggy. I also feel my technique is improving. I've been watching videos on mountain biking techniques lately, and I've realized that I've been making some basic mistakes. For example, normally you shouldn't brake when you're going around a corner or turning. I have the bad habit of doing that and it slows me down So I've been making an effort to improve. Anyway, here are two pics from today: the group
Nice shot, David. Good to read you're starting to feel better, that's also my point. My activity these days is reaching my limits, due to job reasons, and at the same time I'm sticker to a cycling training plan, focused on improving my heart rate. It's the best time of the year if we take a look through the window right now, I think. I'll tell how things are getting on.
Keep at it, keep training, there's light at the end of the tunnel! But the forecast for the next few days is grim, we may be doing more indoor training.
Doom & sadness for bikers let's turn into joggers....How long will it be half full this damned bottle?
Well, it's definitely high time I checked in here, I've just been off my bike for so long, just amazing really, but maintaining fitness on the hamster machine (as Mario says), not too much jogging tho. Anyway, today finally got out on two wheels, went on my road bike for 92 km or so with Juan Carlos. It was nice to feel the cold wind blowing in my face again
Last Sunday we went somewhere completely new for me: Pelayo de la Presa, and we did the five Marías! ha ha, the Marías are the names of the downhills. It was actually a lot better than I'd imagined: a really pretty area and some really fun downhills, fast and fun with lots of berms, not too many rocks. You could easily do it on a non-enduro bike. In this pic you can see me, and the town of Pelayo in the background. The picture doesn't do justice to the natural beauty in the area.
This is me at the start of the fouth (and best) María. It was really a blast! This is a great place to go in the winter cos it's not too high so there was really no snow at all. It's a bit far tho, and I'm told in the summer it's scorching. In any case, last weekend we finally got a break from this cold, wet, windy weather we love so much, so I'm just really happy to finally go for a decent ride. Actually you may notice that I did a bit of photoshop (Gimp, actually) to the pic, I'm not really sure it's any better than the original, but here it is!
Very nice pics David, as usual. Chain airlines continue working hard... As you said I continue switched to hamster mode and crossing fingers to be able to ride outdoor tomorrow morning, despite the forecast is not so encouraging. Since my performance nowadays is everything but good, I'm taking advantage of this damp winter following the Chema Arguedas' training plan. Do you know "Planifica tus pedaladas"? It's his book. I'm reading his btt version, and it's really interesting. I don't know what I'll be capable of improving, but it's worth a try if only I succeed in reducing my heart rate. And by the way, Inter, where are you? He is our MIA man.
Yeah, Inter's gone AWOL. Actually he says he's very busy with work these days but he thinks he'll be back in action in March, probably when we start getting some spring weather. I've heard of Chema Arqueda, I think he has another book called Alimenta tus pedaladas. In any case, haven't heard of mountain bike version. I'll check it out sometime if I get the chance. Hope you get on your bike soon. There's nothing like the real thing!
In spite of this friggin´cold weather? You'd better face it now that's still soon enough, you're totally deranged. Go find some professional advice fella, that's sick!
