Thomas Jenkins

Thomas' passion for bicycles has him very active with the Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition and local bike scene. His favorite time with SVBC is spent building and maintaining the great trails around Harrisonburg. Thomas lives a few blocks from the shop with his wife Julie and two sons.

Author's posts

Let’s start building the rest of the FC Trail to connect the new high school NOW

When a great project takes way too long to complete, do you still celebrate the result? I think you must! You must celebrate what has been done and push for the next great result not to take as long.

My hat is off to the City of Harrisonburg for completing a major phase of Harrisonburg bike/ped plan, The Friendly City Trail.

If you have not been on the new trail system, I encourage you to get out and experience one — or even all — the legs of Harrisonburg’s newest bike/ped facility.

In a few Saturdays, June 11th to be exact, the Harrisonburg Parks and Rec will hold Pop Ups in the Park at Hillandale Park. This event, at the unofficial City bike park, will be a great chance to bring your bike or walking/running shoes and experience the connectivity provided by the Friendly City Trail. Unlike the remote and secluded feeling you can get in the Rocktown Trails, you will most likely be greeted by others on the Friendly City Trail. Each time I have pedaled or run a portion of this trail, I have enjoyed the experience of seeing others happily using the new paths. The one thing you won’t see is cars!

In all honesty this trail should have been built in 2005 when Harrisonburg High School first opened its doors on Garber Church Road. There were folks in the Harrisonburg bike community pushing for the trail to be built when the foundation was being poured for the high school. Unfortunately those advocates had to wait too long for their kids to be able to enjoy a safe bike ride to high school. Instead, we are celebrating the trail opening 17 years after the completion of the high school, 38 years after the middle school opened its doors, and 3.5 years since Bluestone Elementary was opened. Even though this trail is long overdue, we still must celebrate!

There is a simple question I have continuously asked through construction projects of our schools … We would not open a school that we cannot drive to, so why do we open a school to which we can not safely walk or ride? We need to make the commitment when we decide to build important destinations within our City that we make them connect for all users, not just the car users!

Unfortunately, we have broken ground on the Friendly City’s newest school, Rocktown High School, with no plans to connect this school safely for all users. This thought hit home the other day when I was driving by with my 13 year old son, Ethan. As we drove down South Main Street, I pointed out the new lights hanging above the yet-to-be-built athletic fields, and I said, “maybe you will be playing under those lights soon.” Ethan asked, “will they have a trail?” I had to tell him that there are no plans yet. After seeing how much he enjoys the new trail, I was saddened that he would not be able to pack his soccer ball on his bike to ride to his new high school.

As we enjoy and celebrate the Friendly City Trail, let’s put an arm around our City workers and leaders, give them a squeeze of gratitude, but also give them a pinch to remind them not to wait so long for the next great result.

Open PDF of Friendly City Trail

PODCAST — Mountain Biking with Thomas Jenkins

Thomas Jenkins shows VAOA podcast host Jessica Bowser their route on the Western Slope
Photo courtesy of J. Bowser

Virginia has earned bragging rights as one of the best places for mountain biking on the east coast. From the well-maintained slopes of Massanutten to over 100 miles of backcountry trails within George Washington National Forest, Harrisonburg, Virginia has something for every experienced or beginner rider.

We always joke about whether we spend more time riding or hanging out in the parking lot, eating and drinking. But that’s the mountain biking community, and that’s the Virginia outdoors. It’s about people.
~ Thomas Jenkins, SBC

VAOA podcast host Jessica Bowser enjoys a ride on the Western Slope with Thomas
Photo courtesy of J. Bowser

Fueled by his love for two wheels, Thomas Jenkins, co-owner of Shenandoah Bicycle Company in downtown Harrisonburg, has spent 25 years working to improve trails and transportation in his community. A former mountain biking competitor, Thomas shares how to access the best local trails for all experience levels. Whether you want to cruise a country road or shred on a downhill, Thomas shares the tips and tricks you need to plan your off-road adventure.

Let’s Go!

Listen through VAOA

It’s summer time, go for a Mountain Bike bike ride …

Last week I had a text from a friend who was coming to the Burg with some old buddies to ride for a few days. I had not talked with Jesse in years and probably the last time we saw each other in person was during 24 Hours of Moab in the late 90’s. Jesse and his group from North Carolina were coming to the area for 3 days of tasting Harrisonburg trails. The crew planned to hit the lift served trails at Bryce, then spend a day on the Western Slope of Massanutten before taking their final vacation leg west of town. I was super happy that I would be able to give them more than just directions, but actually be their tour guide for a few hours on the last day.

Whenever you take folks you do not know on a mountain bike ride there are always looming clouds of questions in your mind. Mountain biking is such a broad term and folks it can mean so many different things to different folks. I would soon find out what mountain biking would mean to this group of friends.

Not knowing what type of riding the crew of 4 wanted to experience I picked a meeting location with options, Braley Pond. From this part of the forest there are a handful of 3 hour loops that usually do not disappoint. If you are open to letting rides be more of an outdoor experience, an adventure and less of certain ride expectations you have so many more offerings.

After quick introductions the guest stated they were up to anything that had them back to the car in 3 hours so they could hit the road to home and family. I rolled the mental ride dice and it landed on Crawford Knob hike-a-bikes/Chimney Hollow. Knowing this might be a tough roll and even harder ascent I smiled and told the crew the down hill does not disappoint. Note to reader: if your guide ever tells you this it means there will be some tough goings before you get to the “does not disappoint” part.

The first several miles of the ride consisted mostly of paved and gravel roads that slowly tilted upwards, giving me the opportunity to warn them of the Crawford hike-a-bikes. My warnings of the pitches ahead seemed to bounce off them. Their minds were taking in the beauty of the forest, they were only concerned about what we were doing now not what laid ahead. I had now become the student, the client, as these veterans of off road riding were reintroducing me to the full experience of mountain biking. With every pedal stroke this crew was taking in the surrounding forest and enjoying each word of conversation. Mountain biking is more about what is around than what you are on.

When we arrived at the top of the gravel climb we took the left and were immediately greeted by the first Crawford Knob pitch. These pitches are steep and long, soul crushing regardless if you ride or hike the faces. As we topped out of the first pitch I awaited for a barrage of foul language directed towards me, instead I had 4 veteran riders laughing at this experience. Even though each was past their riding prime they still knew what it meant to enjoy the woods, regardless of what the trail brings. Two miles later we finally arrived at the top of the downhill, this is the time for any guide to pump up their crew, tell them they now will be rewarded for all their effort. What came out of their mouth next is something I have never heard at the top of Chimney Hollow, “this is awesome”. We had yet done any descending but this crew was happy, enjoying just being in the woods with each other mountain biking like they have for the past 30 years.

The next three miles of the ride consisted of 1700 vertical feet of loss which was enjoyed by all. Six inches of dirt and rock is what held us onto the mountain, any fall would have been padded by overgrowth that comes in May. The rocks on the upper slopes of Chimney Hollow are not stable, but move under the rider letting you know the mountain is in control. The final gentle slopes of the trail twist through the drainage bringing you down gentle from the down hill high.

The final paved roll back to the car was all smiles with high fives being passed around to all. This tour guide breathed a sense of relief, the clients were happy. “That was a mountain bike ride not a trail ride” was words that came out of one of the crew. This brought discussion for the next 30 minutes about mountain biking and how a mountain bike ride is different from trail riding. Even though their previous 2 days of trail riding was great this they said was their first mountain bike ride of the trip.

A good mountain bike ride does not stop when the wheels quit rolling, it continues for hours if not the days to follow. A mountain bike ride is more about the beauty of forest than the trail which holds your tires. A mountain bike ride is about exploration, the unknown of what lays ahead. As I write these words some 48 after the Crawford Knob pitches the ride is still living in me, like any good mountain bike ride it will last for days if not a lifetime. Take some time this summer to go for a mountain bike ride, explore a new part of the forest and take the time to enjoy it with others.

Happy Summer to each and all.

Deja Vu … The past and future colliding

Deja Vu Mountain Bike Relay is a fitting name for this event on so many levels. The idea of riding a lap over and over again in a set amount of time might make one think they are playing Bill Murray’s role in Groundhog Day. For me, the Deju Va portion of this event was the reliving of so many mountain bike team relay events from my past while creating many new memories, and seeing what the future might look like for this awesome event. During all of the 24 hours of Canaan, Snowshoe, Moab and Big Bear events in which I participated, I never once thought I would be doing a similar event with my family. Bringing the family aspect to such a fun event is the brainchild of event promoter and friend Dusty Burchnall.

The originator of 24 hour mountain bike team relay racing was Laird Knight. Laird, an early mountain bike pioneer, fully understood the camaraderie aspect of mountain biking and wanted to bring the team aspect to the early 90’s race scene. Until one does a team relay mountain bike event, they don’t understand the attraction or addiction some riders gain from such events. Unlike most mountain bike races where the course is the attraction element for riders, the team aspect is what made mountain bike relay races blow up 25 years ago. I remember passing on the opportunity to do the inaugural 24 hours of Canaan in the summer of 1992. On that June evening Chris Scott and I sat in a booth at Sirianni’s Pizza in Davis West by God Virginia, making a stop over on our travels to a race in Ohio. We sat there eating pizza with Laird Knight while listening to the riders in the booth behind us talking about their unknown upcoming adventures. The feeling that Chris and I were going to the wrong event was growing inside, history was being made and we were about to drive away.

Team Jenkini at Deja Vu Mountain Bike Relay 2020

Now I jump ahead almost 30 years later with two boys (Ethan 11, Carter 9) who I would not classify as mountain bike lovers, but they are sport enthusiasts who like fun events. I was not sure if the Deja Vu event would spark their interest enough to get them to register, but after my initial invite, Ethan jumped on the chance to do any sporting event. Carter was not far behind with excitement, especially after we went out to pre ride the fun 5 mile course that traversed the lower western slope trails of Massanutten. Any parent of a sport minded kid knows that youth have not been able to scratch this itch for the past 6 months; for many kids this was their opportunity.

I was not able to talk my wife Julie into riding with us, but she was a vital piece of our team. Julie had the experience of being a part of mountain bike relay adventures in the past, she just had to Deja Vu back 20 years. That is the thing about mountain bike team relay events, it involves much more than riders themselves. These events allow and encourage others to participate and have as much fun as possible. The early years of 24 hour racing was jam packed with fun, spectators figuring out any way to participate, those creative juices were stamped and signified so many great events. Dusty’s event encouraged any family member to participate, riding or not is the heart of the Deja Vu. Having the whole family do something together goes to the core of what Dusty believes.

Team Jenkini at Deja Vu Mountain Bike Relay 2020

When race time came and after much strategizing between the two brothers, the decision was made for Ethan to be the kick off for our team. Thinking I would be next was a mistake, for there was no holding back Carter’s excitement, he “had to go next”. For the next few hours, my afternoon involved sitting in the lawn chair encouraging riders, enjoying conversation and watching my boys taking turns conquering the 5 mile loop. The time was right for me to sit in a lawn chair and watch history unfold. When it was finally my turn to ride and the baton, or wrist band in this case, was swapped, I got transformed into a competitive junkie from the past. For me the competition is within, pushing myself to my limits and encouraging others to do the same.

As we watched the sun begin to set from one of the prettiest spots in the Valley just above Hensley’s Pond, riders began equipping their bikes with illumination tools. Night riding has changed a lot in the past 25 years. Today’s technology has removed some of the surprises and tunnel vision that used to come with your night lap in the 90’s, the 50/50 chance of your light lasting your lap has been replaced with thousands of lumens packed in small self contained sticks. No more duck tape, flashlights and the constant turning off of your light to save your system. I know this technology helps any parent send their child into the darkness of night riding.

After a majority of riders and support folks left to the warmth of their home, a few of us huddled around the fire pit. Stories told, beverages drank and the feeling that we just experienced the start of the new Harrisonburg tradition grew inside. Next year, maybe my kids will stick around late enough to hear some stupid tales of 24 hours of Canaan.

Hope to see you and your family next year for a Deja Vu weekend.

Thank you Laird and Dusty!

Thomas Jenkins – Team Jenkini

Thank you Massanutten Four Season Resort for supporting the Harrisonburg Community with access to the Western Slope!

Struggle Bus on the Alpine Loop!

For years my Gran Fondo day has been working the Brandywine Rest Stop with the SBC crew, helping riders recover from the mountain they just climbed and more importantly preparing them for the unknown that lays ahead. Having never done the Alpine Loop, the sharp right turn just south of the Brandywine rest stop has always been a mystery to me. I am no stranger to the beauty that shines on the country roads that make up this part of West Virginia, but there is a part of the organized route that I had yet to adventure, that was until this fall when I jump on the “Struggle Bus”.

When my old college roommate Jon sent me a message at the end of September saying he was thinking about coming up to ride the Gran Fondo I read his message with excitement and fear. I was very glad that he was back on the bike, knowing that he would not try and tackle this challenge without some preparation. I feared for my well being knowing that I would certainly have to be his side kick on this ride, repeating a history that runs deep back to our college days at Radford. Cycling had picked both Jon and I up during college, moving our motivation from the party zone to the bike racing scene, a change of lifestyle habits that was needed for us both. After college he followed my travels to Arizona, enjoying the warm winter mountain race calendar, deepening our love for two wheels and pushing our bodies to the limits. After winters in Arizona I continued the cycling lifestyle route while Jon went the more responsible and professional route. But once you have been bitten by the cycling bug it never leaves your soul.

After a few messages and phone calls we were both signed up for the Alpine Loop route, more on a dare and challenge which was only fitting for our relationship. So much of our history was base on stupid decisions like one we just agreed upon. I knew at this late in the game there was no training to be done just shit talking and faking a high confidence factor, something that had taken me this far in life. When Jon arrived in town for the event we both knew we had to prep his bike out, lowering his VA Beach gearing to its fullest potential and making sure his Cervelo was stuffed with the largest tires possible.

When the Sunday morning roll out began down Main Street I made sure that I kept Jon in sight so our goal of completing this route together would not end before we hit Route 33. If my warm up and preparation was longer than the one block ride to the Farmers Market pavilion I might have noticed that my seat was too high, giving evidence that the last ride of my road bike was not by me. After fidgeting around for 15 miles I finally pulled over on the Rawley Springs flats to lower my saddle, but the damage had been done, my hamstrings were toast and Jon had ridden up road. I doubted I would see Jon again…

Climbing over Shenandoah Mountain on Route 33 had been a staple for me 25 years ago but this morning I could not remember the last time I did this ascent. As I peddled with my long time friend Paul Johnston we both commented how this event enabled folks to enjoy this twisting climb in safe fashion, with bikes overtaking the mountain pass instead of cars. As we came to the State border I continued to ride, not pulling over for views like so many other riders, I was too excited to soak in the beautiful bank turns that welcomes you to “Wild Wonderful West Virginia”! I also had to track down Jon.

Coming into the Brandywine rest stop I was able to enjoy the event from the other side of the snack table, packing my jersey pockets with sugar waffles, knowing that I had probably taken more than this riders allotted share. Better yet Jon and I were able to reconnect, take the next right turn of mystery and experience the humorous hell called Fultz Gap. Fultz gap was the leg of the route for which I was not familiar. No cue sheet or route description can prepare one for the 1400 vertical feet of gain that you do on this 2.5 mile dirt road. It is seldom that you see folks falling over on road bikes, walking to the next single digit grade (if there is one) but this was the site on Fultz Gap. What you think is the devil laughing at you while you turn a 20 rpm cadence is just the cows mooing while they freely walk the dirt surface, knowing they own this gap. The top of the climb is the opening of Heaven, you go from the shaded tree canopy to blue skies and green pastures. Riders pull over at these Heaven gates, waiting too for their buddies so they can enter together, just like Jon and I. As the delirium wears off you begin to realize these are not the gates of Heaven just cattle guards keeping the cows back. Life can be mean!

Over the next 30 miles the Alpine Loop route takes you through the back roads of eastern West Virginia and Highland County. This is a place that seems stuck in time, where beautiful roads have been welcoming cyclist for decades. This area is a hard and beautiful place, something I experience over the next two hours of this ride while my body continually yells at me for one simple mistake that I had not admitted before, “YOU DID NOT PREPARE FOR THIS RIDE”! Once again there was no need for Jon or any other rider to wait for this guy, I had jumped on the Struggle Bus and the next stop…nowhere in sight. When you are on the struggle bus it is the “do not quit time”, the time to “dig deep”, the place you go during deeps bouts of exhaustion. The experience on the bus is one that will actually drive you to do something again in the future, but you don’t know it now because your mind and body are only thinking about pain and loneliness.

As I rolled the last few miles to the Sugar Grove rest stop I was super charged by the energizer rabbit, Paul Lottridge. Paul is the only guy I know who can do endless hours of exercise without ever breaking his smile, something this kid needed. Thank God smiles are contagious! Being greeted at Sugar Grove by Jon and Kevin Rogers was the best site for this soul, these two dudes were going to get this rider to back the Burg! As Kevin tucked ice cubes in the gaps of my cycling kit Jon waited patiently laughing, as if in a time warp back to the early 90’s, having scene this site in the past.

It is amazing what moving a saddle forward 1″ can do for ones hamstrings and ice cubes with shots of coke can do for ones inner core. As soon as Jon, Paul Johnston and I hit the steep slope just behind the Sugar Grove rest stop I knew things had changed. My 75 mile training ride that I had just completed had prepared me for the next 35 mile ride. This guy’s body had come back and was ready for the western side of Shenandoah Mountain.

As I look back at those last 35 miles it is a blurred memory, one of just endless smiles. As rain clouds and skies parted for our return to the “Burg” I was super happy to ride with numerous friends back into town. I was super grateful to the two wheel Gods for Alpine Loop Gran Fondo. I was thankful to cycling which had brought these good people into my life over the past 32 years of bike riding.

It usually takes a few days or weeks for the pain to subside after a hard ride event before thoughts of doing it again ever begin to surface. For Jon and I it only took a plate of food, one beer and an hour of laughter before we agree to see each other next year’s Alpine Loop Gran Fondo. See ya next fall Jon, and hopefully many of you too!

Yes, this was a long blog post but a 100+ mile ride is long as hell too!

Thomas

“The Puzzler” is complete after 4 years of collaborative efforts

Buy Western Slope Trail Passes
A few Thursdays ago the trail work crews took the final walk off the mountain from “The Puzzler” trail. With headlamps lighting up the hanging orange tape, we ripped the flags from the trees that had marked our access path for the past year. It had been 4 years since the first flags marking the potential corridor for the new trail were hung, now only a few faded and torn pieces remain. I was expecting a more dramatic end to what has become the most challenging trail built to date by SVBC. But after 2 winters of planning and 2 years of construction, all of our energy had been left in the rocks, in the jagged pieces of the puzzle. “The Puzzler” is a 1.1 mile trail that connects the Massanutten Peak Trail to the lower slopes of the Western Slope trail system.

The early exploratory days of “The Puzzler” did not hide the relentless terrain that jets out of the upper slopes of Massanutten. During the dozens of scouting days, the upper rock fields were always dark, cold and windy, uninviting to most, but for us with rolls of tape the rocks gardens were magnetic fields that pull us deeper into the woods. When we would finally break through the rock gardens to reach the ridge trail on those cold scouting days, the view of the white ski trails and resort grounded us, giving us bearing when the compass seemed to be broken. We could have continued for years exploring and searching for the “best line”, but at some point you need to take that leap of faith and release. You just need to create the line, connect the dots, and put the puzzle together.

The trail that has been rightfully named “The Puzzler” was like most SVBC projects, a partnership of passion. A collaboration by those who love to build and create with their hands and minds. Built not just for their own enjoyment but for all those who love a good singletrack trail traversing the slopes of a mountain. The partnership was a collaboration of so many groups, the dedicated Thursday work crews who showed up every Thursday for two years to build the puzzle. Sam Skidmore who spent a month building with the mini excavator, that kept finding rocks that seemed to be growing instead of decomposing. The Saturday work crews who came at the 12th hour when a hand was needed.The Appalachian Conversation Corps. work crew who help build a trail they had never seen. The amazing part of this project, like so many other trail builds, was the trust given by each group. These folks probably did realize how much that trust meant to us project leaders. It was the building of the puzzle without ever seeing the picture on the box, that is trust! Thank you!

Now that trail is built, I look forward to walking away for a while, a needed break to clear the mind. When a big trail project like “The Puzzler”, “2K” or “Lookout Mtn” is completed, I value some separation from the project, a time to clear the mind in order to come back and fully enjoy the trail experience. It is at this time when no tools are left on the trail, when I am refreshed, that I can fully enjoy traveling the memory lane that the trail has to offer. Each rock reminding me of the individual that helped with that section. There were over 150 folks who had a hand in putting “The Puzzler” together, an accumulation of more than 2300 work hours. That is a lot of triggering of great memories.

I would like to thank all those involved, especially SVBC, for always trusting, believing and providing the resources to build what we love … trails and memories. Massanutten Resort whose partnership with our local community only grows stronger with time. The Western Slope is a playground for which we are very grateful. Vince & Karl who also were there when I had to walk (or fall) away on Thursdays. Rich Edwards of IMBA who always is the distant driving force of knowledge and trail building.

I look forward to building with you all again!

Thomas

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30th Annual Massanutten Hoo Ha

This weekend a special annual event will happen on the local cycling calendar, the Massanutten Hoo-Ha. The 2018 running of the event will be the 30th time in as many years that this cross country mountain bike race has taken place on the Western Slopes of Massanutten, just outside the sleepy town of Keezletown. The Hoo-Ha event is one of the main reasons I first came to Harrisonburg and then later decided to make “The Friendly City” my home. In the late 80’s & early 90’s most mountain bike races were taking place in our neighbor State of West Virginia, the Hoo-Ha helped bring mountain bike racing to the Commonwealth.

It was 1989 mountain bike races were more then a race, these events were a tool to provide new riders like myself with a place to ride, a place to meet new riders and a chance to explore this new sport of mountain biking. In the late 80’s there was not much info on mountain biking, there no apps or websites to rate mountain bike trails; races were the faucet for mountain mountain beta.

Driving though Keezletown for the first time and looking for Happy Valley Road made this suburban boy feel like a fish out of water. After several wrong turns our confidence was low and our fears were high as we looked up at the looming mountain top of Lairds Knob, fortunately then and now we do not top out on the highest peak of the Massanutten Ridge.

The early races of the Hoo-Ha and Yee-Ha (the spring cross country race) the course was much shorter, usually 4-7 miles per lap. The single track we are all use to riding now did not exist in the 90’s, so most “trails” were the gravel roads, old logging roads and paths through the heat packed fields that we now avoid. The race venue which was based out of the Pond hosted some the finest post race hang outs that happened at any mid-Atlantic race. The pond jump was always a crowd favorite, too bad the old ramp/dock does not exist anymore, we will just have to think of new way to celebrate a great day of racing and riding.

Come out this weekend and join the fun while celebrating 30 years of goods time on the Western Slope.

– Thomas

City’s Youth Tryathalon

What a great event!

Some events you just need to be there to get the full feel, The City’s Youth Try is one such event. Go once and you will be motivated to put it on your calendar for next year. This is the 4th year the City has put on the Youth Triathlon, a unique event, designed to introduce kids to Triathlons. With age groups ranging from 5 to 17, there is a spot for any kid. There is no emphasis on winning or losing but just getting kids to finish and try something new.

SBC has participated each year making sure the kids two wheel machines are ready to take them from the swim leg to the run leg of the event. Supporting local events like this is an important part of the SBC business. The event is held each year at Westover Park. A big “THANK YOU” to the City Parks and Recreation Department, the HPD and all the volunteers who made this such a memorable day for the kids and the parents.

-Thomas

Winter Riding — learning by years of mistakes

When the window to ride is open I have to jump in with both feet, regardless of the weather. My window to ride was open this past Sunday morning. Even though the temperature was reading 8 degrees at the house I was motivated to grab my Salsa Horsethief hit the snow on Shenandoah Mountain. A last minute connect with Andrew from the shop and I had a motivated riding partner

Over the years I have made a lot of mistakes when it comes to winter riding. What I have learned through these mistakes is something I would like to share so hopefully you will get to experience a beautiful winter riding day on the mountain.

Thomas’s top ten tips to making the winter ride a little bit better!

  1. Taping the brake levers: I run a thin layer of cloth tape on my mountain & commuter bike brake levers to help insulate my hands from cold metal. Constant touching of the cold levers will sap your hands of heat.
  2. Warm clothes: Make sure all your riding gear is warm when you go to put it on … a riding bag in the trunk does not count.
  3. When to get dress: Don’t get dressed in a parking lot, you will lose all your body heat. If it is a close drive to your riding destination then get dress in the warmth of the house. If it is longer drive I like to get partially dress at home then do a quick pull off 5 or 10 minutes from the destination, this will allow me and my cloths to get acclimated, I am also ready to roll when I arrive.
  4. Gloves: Very seldom am I doing a ride with only one set of gloves. I usually have two pairs to cover a temperature range, doing a quick swap out before my hands get too hot or cold. I will sometimes store the extra gloves under my vest to act as a warmth layer and get the second pair of gloves warm (putting cold hands in cold gloves does not help). Bar Mitts – there is nothing better for days like it was today! On cold mornings our family even uses them on the trail-a-bike for taking the 5 year old to school.
  5. Shoes: I sometimes use toe covers but most of the time nothing is better then a good pair of winter shoes. This is not low cost purchase, but when I did the math the two pairs of winter shoes I used over 14 years cost me less then $40 a year (just got my 3rd pair last year). How many times have you told yourself on a cold ride you would do anything for warm feet! Decision time … “freshies” either way!
  6. Helmets: Do you ski or snowboard? If you do you probably have a warmer helmet. When the weather gets really cold I grab my snow board helmet instead of my bike helmet. It has great coverage and warmth.
  7. Neck gator: We don’t put enough importance on keeping our necks warms. So much of our daily living (and riding) tension is held through our next and shoulders. Keeping this area is key to a healthy ride and life! I love a merino wool multi tube that goes around your next. It keeps this area to warm and is easy to pull over your face as needed.
  8. Good wool base layer: A good merino wool base layer should be what you have covering your top half. A merino wool base layer is comfortable and keeps you warm when it gets damp from sweat. Just remember to gentle wash in cold and never put in the dryer.
  9. Vest: No matter if it is in the 50’s or single digits I am always wearing my vest. A vest is a great way to keep your core warm and preventing you from over sweating.
  10. Adjust & eat at the right time: Adjust your cloths and eat before it is too late: Almost every ride I will have a few “time to adjust” break points. Make this clothing adjustments before you are a slightest bit too cold or too warm. If you get too cold it takes your body way to much energy to try and get warm again. Our bodies also consume a lot more calories when it is fighting to stay warm so remember to eat when you are not hungry yet. When you take these adjustment brakes do them in sunny and wind sheltered spots.

New Ride With Old Friends

Even though I have had my Salsa Horsethief for over a month I finally have it set up and riding perfectly. With the addition of my new Industry Nine wheels and Shimano brakes the Thief is dialed! No better place to test the updated Horsethief then Lookout Mountain and Timber Ridge. No better crew to ride these trails with then your buddies who you first explored this forest with over 20 years ago.

The Thief taking a break after the might Sand-springs climb

It is always a treat to showcase the work on Lookout, the reroute of 6 years ago has now blended perfectly with the old ridge line sections. I remember riding this trail the first time with Adam Krop in 93′, except we did it “backwards” in the rain. Lookout is usually enough to satisfy most folks but yesterday’s crew wanted to hit some old school trails so we ascended up Sandsprings to Timber Ridge in the hottest of conditions. The down hill on Wolfe Ridge was rolling fast even with the summer growth that is coming in from every side.

A bear was hungry.

This might be the last time riding Wolfe in it’s current state, the next phase of improvements is about to start next week. More to follow soon!

Enjoy the summer heat with good friends!

-Thomas