Claremont Loop and Marshal Canyon

 Tuesday night, Otto, Jose, Alex, Wilson and Cesar joined me today.  We climbed up Burbank and headed down Marshal Canyon.  

Marshall Canyon with Nat

Nat is up for riding around town.

Lately Nat and I have been riding around town in the afternoons. This week we rode up Thompson Creek Trail to Padua Park. It was mostly paved but I did take her on a few dirt paths to see how she handles them. A few days ago we rode to the base of Marshall Canyon and up a couple miles to the swing just before you enter the golf course. Natalie handled the contours of the trail just fine. She had to hike a bike a few sections but I have no doubt she'll learn to navigate through water crossings and the steeper climbs

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A gravel adventure to end the year

2018 was a definite year to remember and I am grateful to move past it. Today we explored more of Bonelli.

Here is Douglas showing off his mad skills.  I told him I was going to send this to Peter Sagan letting him know there is a new boss in town and t look out.

Gravel Adventures - Bonelli and Marshal

On Saturday, Mike K and Novo joined me on a gravel adventure.  I had a rough idea of where to go but wasn't 100% sure of the details.  We met at Euro Cafe and headed to Bonelli Park.  From there we did a mix of fire roads and double track.  After Bonelli we headed to lower Marshal Cyn.  We took the wash that leads to the entrance off Emerald but had to jump a fence.  At 40 years of age, climbing a fence isn't as easy as I remember it. 

We headed up the double track on lower Marshal Cyn to the top of Cobal Cyn and finally down to Mills Ave.  Total trip was 26 miles. 

Key Take Aways:
1. 35C tires work but 40c or greater will be better.
2. Tubeless is the way to go.  I was running a traditional setup and at 85 psi, the ride was very rough
3. Climbing Fences suck
4. 11 - 30t cassette is rough.  The better setup is 11 - 34 or greater.  Gearing depends greatly on your style of riding (Flats vs Hills vs Climbing) and you front chainring setup.

MTB and CX Marshal Canyon Adventures

Mike and I hit up the local trails.

Cyclocross Adventures at Marshall Canyon.

The Maiden Voyage

Its always fun leading out new riders to new destinations.  Mike K, Nathanial K, Nathan P, Stan L and I headed to Potato.