Elkhorn River Ride

Riding gravel roads can be great in the winter but sometimes the views can be boring. I've been looking for a road on google maps that follows the Elkhorn River and found some gravel between Arlington and Fontanelle, Nebraska that looked like it might be interesting.

Friday night Dale and I were building bikes at the shop. We decided little adventure would fit into our lives. It was time to ride someplace we have never ridden before. So today, at a little past high noon, we rode out of Arlington, Ne. on a northwest path. It started with paved rollers for the first 3 miles. As we got closer to the river we found ourselves on gravel on a ridge that overlooked the river. This was just the kind of riding adventure we were looking for. Even for February winter grayness the views were fantastic.

We stopped to take a photo and this friendly black lab made an appearance. Not long after the dog was getting aqquainted a passerby motorist from the area told us that his name was Bob. So we called him "Friendly Bob" because the dogs we typically meet out riding gravel are not very nice.

Once we got to Fontanelle we found a historic building that was worth investigating. The Fontanelle Township Hall is also pictured here. This was our halfway point for the day. We turned our bikes around into the wind and headed south.

After an 8 mile ride back in Arlington we stopped to refuel at "Our Place". Turns out it's a good place to start/finish the ride. We were happy with the adventure and decided it would be worth doing again.
View Elkhorn River Gravel Ride in a larger map

Warm November Trail Ride

The buzz around the cubicle farm at work this week was we are riding Calvin Crest this weekend. Finally, Alroy, Chris B. and Nick are going to experience the trail awesomeness that I've been telling them about. Bryce and Dale were also free to ride so the 6 of us met up for a Saturday morning Calvin Crest adventure. It's weird November weather when the temps are already close to 70 degrees by mid morning. It made riding the single track that much nicer.

After the first lap I rode ahead to take some video.

The beavers are still busy dropping trees along the river trail. There were plenty of firsts on the ride. First ride at CC for the West PMO riders. Dale's first ride on his Surly Ogre. My first ride after trimming my handle bar ends back by 3/4 inch (great decision). Even with a few crashes it seems like everyone liked the ride and wants to go back real soon. Great ride!

This is the tower on the north side of the trail.

This is Alroy's view from the tower.

Chris had a narrow escape almost getting kabobed by a tree. But he survived the drop over the 20ft dropoff behind him.

Thanks for the photos Alroy!

Cranksgiving Omaha on Saturday, Nov. 17th

Cranksgiving Omaha is a little more than a week away.

Cranksgiving will be held Saturday, November 17 at Bike Masters. The function collects donations for the Omaha Food Bank. The fun is a scavenger hunt style event on bikes.

Here's how you can participate:

- Ride in the event to collect food.
- Bring a food donation to the event.
- Make a cash contribution.


VOLUNTEER TO HELP OUT! Perry Mitchell is organizing this event. He needs volunteers for registration, rider check-in, food preparation and food serving, etc.

Tell everyone you know! This event is great fun and serves a worthwhile, community-building cause!!!

Who knows, you might be the winner of the prestigious golden crank!
Contact Perry at perry.mitchell@cox.net for more information on how to volunteer for this event.

Bike Masters is located at:
5265 N 129th
Omaha, NE 68164
(402)964-1080

Postcards from France

Well, one of these is from Emma's friend in Alaska.

But Cali has been some amazing places in France in her short time there. Last weekend she was in Normandy at the site of the D-Day landing in WWII. Before that she was in Paris, Saint-malo, Dinan, and Fougeres.

Thanks for all the postcards Cali. I miss you.

Pete says you are missing from me Cali or "vous êtes absent de moi Cali".

How to get on the singletrack at Calvin Crest

If you have not been to Calvin Crest to ride the single track this will give you a feel for how to find it. When you arrive at Calvin Crest you will see a basketball court on the left side of the gravel road. Please park in the large parking lot by this basketball court. See the map for the path (in orange) from the parking lot to the singletrack.

For the rules and up-to-date information on trail closures go to this link www.calvincrest.org/Mt_Biking_Trails.php And finally, this is a great video by Mark Sullivan that gives a riders view of how to get into the singletrack at Calvin Crest. This is a great fall destination! See you out there. -Paul

A trail bridge too far

The mission for the THOR brigade for today, build an alternate bridge at Calvin Crest. The sway cable bridge is nice but the bike traffic is putting a bit of stress on it and it would not be suitable in race conditions.

About a hundred yards upstream a new bridge was constructed out of two 17ft telephone polls and treated 2X4s. There was a large crew working the bridge and trail on both sides of the now dry creek. Using a tow strap tied to the heavy poles they were dragged into place.

It was Cody's job to guard the planks.

Once the job was finished there was the matter of a quality assurance load test.

And then the ride...

And finally, DMARS...

CC Trail Day September 23, 2012

Click here for more photos.

Ride Some Dirt

Have a great Labor Day Weekend. Get out and ride some dirt. Thanks for the photos Omaha Dirt!

THOR in the local news

Good news, THOR, our trail work organization, was on the channel 6 news last night. It was fun to see our friends from the Monday Night Ride at Tranquility on TV. Eric Geiger and Roxanne Feagan did a great job with the interview.
The link to the story:
Volunteers Build And Maintain Mountain Bike Trail In Omaha