Today I rode from Whiting to the end of the Hojack and back on my geared 29er. Nothing too exciting. I occasionally saw some other trail users.
I had a mix of failed and successful hill climbs. I want my 24" uni sometimes.
About 14 miles:
Showing posts with label Gosnell Big Woods. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gosnell Big Woods. Show all posts
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Tour de Webster 2
I haven't been feeling super excited about muni lately. I like to have some kind of goal to be riding for. Sometimes my goal has been riding specific trails successfully. Maybe that's wearing out. Upcoming races are good motivation, but there aren't a whole lot in the month of May.
Though there are a few events this month in Pennsylvania, including The Six Hours of Brady's Run. I was very close to doing this race on Saturday and even had hotel reservations, which I canceled. Registration was open until Thursday and I hesitated because rain was looming, and because it was in Beaver Falls, PA. It's a 5 hour drive which means staying the night before and likely the night of the race. Time and money add up quick and by Wednesday I was feeling like it wasn't worth it. This race is most similar to the local Suicide Six race I've done in August. I've only ever been able to do two laps in that and I've left the race well before it officially ended. Again, maybe not worth the costs of a weekend trip to PA. Sure I'd see some muni friends, but not much during the actual race. I really wish it were local. But the Brady's Run race was able to get 8 muni riders and I don't see that happening locally.
Anyway, I didn't feel much motivation for riding this weekend. Yesterday was crazy windy. So today was the day to ride, despite a headache. Looking for motivation and a good place to ride, I remembered the Tour de Webster ride I did in 2012. So that was the plan: road from home - Webster Park - Whiting - Gosnell Big Woods - Big Field - Vosburg - Hojack - road to home.
This time I rode my geared 29 which made the roads and Hojack more exciting, as I rode between 10-13 mph. The trails were good, but I often wished I was on a smaller wheel in the more difficult sections. Parts of Webster Park where I entered were swampy as expected, but I'm not sure of a better entrance on the east side. Unlike last time, I didn't respect the "Pedestrian Only" rules and rode through the Big Woods. It has some nice features and I don't see why bikes aren't allowed. In any case, my 24 would have been better on some of the rooty climbs and descents.
At Vosburg I stopped and called home to see if my family wanted to meet me at North Ponds Park, which I'd soon be passing on the Hojack. It's Mother's Day after all! Amy already had a plan to go to the Webster Arboretum for some photo shooting of the kids. As I cruised down the Hojack at breakneck speed I thought I'd possibly extend my ride and head to the arboretum instead of home. That's what I did, and after meeting up with my family, I ended my ride with a loop around the arboretum "trails", and hitched a car ride home.
It was a good ride and I feel more into the sport than I had during the week. My lower back muscles got rather fatigued, but that's often a problem. It looks like I rode close to 17 miles.
Though there are a few events this month in Pennsylvania, including The Six Hours of Brady's Run. I was very close to doing this race on Saturday and even had hotel reservations, which I canceled. Registration was open until Thursday and I hesitated because rain was looming, and because it was in Beaver Falls, PA. It's a 5 hour drive which means staying the night before and likely the night of the race. Time and money add up quick and by Wednesday I was feeling like it wasn't worth it. This race is most similar to the local Suicide Six race I've done in August. I've only ever been able to do two laps in that and I've left the race well before it officially ended. Again, maybe not worth the costs of a weekend trip to PA. Sure I'd see some muni friends, but not much during the actual race. I really wish it were local. But the Brady's Run race was able to get 8 muni riders and I don't see that happening locally.
Anyway, I didn't feel much motivation for riding this weekend. Yesterday was crazy windy. So today was the day to ride, despite a headache. Looking for motivation and a good place to ride, I remembered the Tour de Webster ride I did in 2012. So that was the plan: road from home - Webster Park - Whiting - Gosnell Big Woods - Big Field - Vosburg - Hojack - road to home.
This time I rode my geared 29 which made the roads and Hojack more exciting, as I rode between 10-13 mph. The trails were good, but I often wished I was on a smaller wheel in the more difficult sections. Parts of Webster Park where I entered were swampy as expected, but I'm not sure of a better entrance on the east side. Unlike last time, I didn't respect the "Pedestrian Only" rules and rode through the Big Woods. It has some nice features and I don't see why bikes aren't allowed. In any case, my 24 would have been better on some of the rooty climbs and descents.
 |
| ended my ride at the photography studio |
It was a good ride and I feel more into the sport than I had during the week. My lower back muscles got rather fatigued, but that's often a problem. It looks like I rode close to 17 miles.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Tour de Webster
Today I wanted to go riding but my lower back was feeling stiff and sore. I decided to do a lot of stretching and do a lighter ride.
I've been wanting to do ride a loop from my house through several connecting trails throughout Webster. Since a good portion would be road and path, it would be an easier ride. I also raised my seat a bit hoping it would help my back.
I rode on the street from my house to Webster Park. I knew there was an unmarked trail-head on the eastern most side of the park. From there I rode the trails, only slightly knowing where I was going. I don't normally go through Webster Park this way. It wasn't long before I was on part of my typical route and I headed out to Whiting.
My trip through Whiting was very direct. I know these trails well and my goal was to pass through: blue to orange to red to white, exiting at Pellet Rd.
Across Pellet Rd I entered into the Gosnell Big Woods. This is a pedestrian only trail, so I hiked through, pushing my uni. As a board member of the Friends of Webster Trails, I especially feel obligated to honor the no-riding rules of this trail, and I did. But I have to say I don't see the issue. While the woods may contain very old trees, I can't see how riding on the trails would be a problem. The trail surface appears to be like any trails in Webster and the trees would not be damaged from riding. Perhaps this will be changed in the future. I think it should.
As I pushed my uni along, I encountered a group doing trail work. It was Alisa, a board member of FWT who has been coordinating many scout projects in our parks. Today the project was to build some benches and extend a bridge with boardwalks. I stopped briefly to say hi and continued on my way. Nice work!
Once out of the Big Woods I rode around the Big Field, crossed Vosburg Rd and entered Vosburg Hollow. It only took a few minutes to ride through Vosburg and I was onto the Hojack Trail.
Aside from the street crossings, I rode in high gear on the Hojack and made good time. The Hojack was recently extended so I stayed on it the whole way to check it out on my muni. Another option would have been to take the Bird Sanctuary Trail to the Chiyoda Trail, which I would probably choose next time. The new length of the Hojack was made by compacting road millings. It works, but it's pretty boring. We need some log piles or skinnies along the way to make it interesting. Haha.
Finally I hit the end of the Hojack and headed up Philips Rd towards home. This road has a relatively new bike lane but it's so flat and straight that once you've seen 10 feet of it you've seen it all. I was able to stay awake for most of it.
Along the way I pushed pretty hard to make good time and there were a few good hills to climb on the trails. My back didn't bother me too much. Overall it was a fun outing.
I forgot to turn my GPS logger on until I got to Webster Park, but I added the missing road section using Google maps.
The trip was about 13 miles.
I've been wanting to do ride a loop from my house through several connecting trails throughout Webster. Since a good portion would be road and path, it would be an easier ride. I also raised my seat a bit hoping it would help my back.
I rode on the street from my house to Webster Park. I knew there was an unmarked trail-head on the eastern most side of the park. From there I rode the trails, only slightly knowing where I was going. I don't normally go through Webster Park this way. It wasn't long before I was on part of my typical route and I headed out to Whiting.
My trip through Whiting was very direct. I know these trails well and my goal was to pass through: blue to orange to red to white, exiting at Pellet Rd.
Across Pellet Rd I entered into the Gosnell Big Woods. This is a pedestrian only trail, so I hiked through, pushing my uni. As a board member of the Friends of Webster Trails, I especially feel obligated to honor the no-riding rules of this trail, and I did. But I have to say I don't see the issue. While the woods may contain very old trees, I can't see how riding on the trails would be a problem. The trail surface appears to be like any trails in Webster and the trees would not be damaged from riding. Perhaps this will be changed in the future. I think it should.
As I pushed my uni along, I encountered a group doing trail work. It was Alisa, a board member of FWT who has been coordinating many scout projects in our parks. Today the project was to build some benches and extend a bridge with boardwalks. I stopped briefly to say hi and continued on my way. Nice work!
Once out of the Big Woods I rode around the Big Field, crossed Vosburg Rd and entered Vosburg Hollow. It only took a few minutes to ride through Vosburg and I was onto the Hojack Trail.
Aside from the street crossings, I rode in high gear on the Hojack and made good time. The Hojack was recently extended so I stayed on it the whole way to check it out on my muni. Another option would have been to take the Bird Sanctuary Trail to the Chiyoda Trail, which I would probably choose next time. The new length of the Hojack was made by compacting road millings. It works, but it's pretty boring. We need some log piles or skinnies along the way to make it interesting. Haha.
Finally I hit the end of the Hojack and headed up Philips Rd towards home. This road has a relatively new bike lane but it's so flat and straight that once you've seen 10 feet of it you've seen it all. I was able to stay awake for most of it.
Along the way I pushed pretty hard to make good time and there were a few good hills to climb on the trails. My back didn't bother me too much. Overall it was a fun outing.
I forgot to turn my GPS logger on until I got to Webster Park, but I added the missing road section using Google maps.
The trip was about 13 miles.
Muni Around Webster - 2012-09-16
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