cycling Naples, Italy

On October 4, 2010October 3, 2010 By Rick McIn cycling, travelLeave a comment

HOTS loaned me a mountain bike. And gave me recommendations on where to go.

My favourite man made structure here is the Galleria Umberto.

Happily it was a lazy Sunday. And there was an important futball game on TV. The roads were, for once, not busy.

I set out along the Bay, Vesuvius in the distance.

The highlight was vistas out over the sea from Virgiliano Park.

That’s Nisida island.

Most of those are not my pics which, sadly, did not turn out all that great.

But you can see more interesting photos tagged Naples on Flickr.

Best Bike Lane Graffiti EVER

On September 9, 2010September 6, 2010 By Rick McIn cycling, economics, health & fitnessLeave a comment

(via the adventure life by Peter Drew of Adelaide)

cycling Crested Butte, Colorado

On August 20, 2010August 18, 2010 By Rick McIn best bike rides, cycling, travelLeave a comment

I could live in Crested Butte, my favourite American Rockies town, a mecca for skiing and mountain biking.

The hostel is the best in Colorado, … so says Lonely Planet. It is awesome.

Between afternoon thunder showers I did a warm-up ride on the Snodgrass. Gageesh! It was tough. I was sucking wind at high altitude. Power sliding turns through mud and horse poop at the bottom of hills.

How was the much more famous 401 going to go, next day …

The 401 Trail is often listed as one of best singletrack mountain bike rides in the world, especially in the Spring wildflower season.

And I’m pleased to report that my 52yr-old self and my $500 bike both survived. I rode about 85% of the time both up and down the 401.

Levi Leipheimer wins Leadville 100mi

On August 15, 2010August 15, 2010 By Rick McIn cycling2 Comments

I made a 30mi detour yesterday to check out the infamous Leadville, Colorado. It’s a grim looking mountain mining town.

It was festive yesterday, however. …

Just shy of three weeks after a disappointing performance in the Tour de France, Levi Leipheimer made a triumphant debut in the Leadville Trail 100 on Saturday, pedaling to a new record, 12 minutes faster than the previous record teammate Lance Armstrong set last year.

Leipheimer (Mellow Johnny’s), who finished 13th overall in late July in the Tour de France, overcome several crashes to claim the high-altitude mountain bike ordeal in 6 hours, 16 minutes and 37 seconds. …

“That was ridiculous,” Leipheimer told CyclingNews.com after the race. “I don’t know if I’ve ever suffered that much before. …

Levi Leipheimer pedals to dominating win in Leadville Trail 100 debut

I really can’t comprehend how road cyclists can switch so easily to mountain bikes. … Pain tolerance is pain tolerance, I guess.

Rebecca Rusch (Specialized Factory Racing) not only topped her first-time from last year by coming in at 7:47:35, she smashed the course record by nearly a half hour.

Keiran on the Slickrock Trail

On August 8, 2010August 8, 2010 By Rick McIn cycling, friends, travelLeave a comment

From the Facebook album: Dying in the heat

The Slickrock Trail, located near Moab, Utah (USA), is a popular mountain biking destination with worldwide fame. This 10.5-mile (16.9 km) loop takes intrepid riders over a landscape of “petrified” sand dunes and the eroded remnants of ancient sea beds. The Slickrock Trail is one of the more difficult rides in the Moab area and possibly the U.S., both technically and cardiovascularly, and is not suitable for novice riders. …

Keiran took a spill into cactus, I hear. … Video to come.

When I was there a few years ago, I was thrilled to get through the Slickrock without hospitalization. It’s tough.

cycling the Hiawatha Trail, Idaho

On August 3, 2010August 18, 2010 By Rick McIn best bike rides, cycling, health & fitness, travelLeave a comment

… The “crown jewel” of rail-to-trail mountain bicycle trails is operated by Lookout Pass Ski Area which is located adjacent to I-90 at the Idaho/Montana state line, 12 miles east of historic Wallace, Idaho. The Hiawatha Trail is generally open late May through early October. …

Winding through 10 tunnels and 7 high trestles, this 15-mile route crosses the rugged Bitterroot Mountains between Idaho and Montana. The Route of the Hiawatha is best known for the long, dark St. Paul Pass, or Taft Tunnel, which burrows for 1.66 miles …

details

more photos tagged “Hiawatha Trail”

It made Allie Comeau’s list – 10 Great American Bike Trails

Morgen Hartford’s big ride

On June 24, 2010June 24, 2010 By Rick McIn cycling, friendsLeave a comment

Over 700mi all over Montana. With a group of great people.

“Life Changing”

hiking / biking the desert

On May 10, 2010May 1, 2010 By Rick McIn cycling, hiking, travel1 Comment

I’ve been posting trip reports of my adventures on my hiking blog.

in Monument Valley

On May 4, 2010July 28, 2010 By Rick McIn cycling, hiking, travel3 Comments

Gorgeous.

I’d been to Monument Valley before. But the Valley itself was closed for the (very cool) Red Bull Air Race: Photo by Timothy K. Hamilton

This time I did the only independent hike allowed in the Park, the Wildcat Trail (3.2mi). I had low expectations, but it turned out to be superb. I felt like a Mormon trailblazer.