Warm Winter Weekend Ride

This winter has had its share of temperature extremes. The typical winter weather for here in East Tennessee is either bitter cold or rainy. But this weekend we had record high temps with breaks between the rain clouds... on a Saturday! Of course, we were not going to waste it on the couch!

Again, we boys headed out on another Greenway that we had not tried. This time we chose the Third Creek Greenway. The thought was to start in Bearden and go until the young ones started looking tired. The hope was to at least make it to Knoxville Skateboard Park before heading back.

The "trailhead" started in the parking lot of Earth Fare in Bearden. Technically, the trail runs beside the parking lot so there is no real entrance, but we figured it out. We headed out with the many runners, walkers, and bikers taking advantage of the awesome weather.

Eventually we arrived at our target goal: the skatepark. Most people are surprised that such a nice facility is tucked under the interstate. Surprisingly, the kids were up for more riding. The goal changed to simply getting to the river. Still, they wanted more. The carp under Calhoun's was our next landmark. Yes, we made it but the kids were starting to grumble a little. They had just done 7.1 miles one way!

Nearing the basketball stadium at UT

One of the many tunnels along the way

Gay Street bridge being repaired

The great thing about this Greenway is that the scenery is so varied that one never knows how far one has ridden, especially for a first-timer. And if you stop often for short rests, the kids will get a second (and third and fourth) wind. Bridges criss-cross many creeks, there is a playground at Safety City, another playground at Tyson Park, a couple tunnels, the gardens at UT's Ag Campus, the mighty Tennessee river, going by both stadiums at UT, and of course the fish under the Calhoun's restaurant. There were hills but they did a good job of designing them to be bike-friendly.

This a great trip for kids. We did the 14.2 miles in 2.5 hours and that includes the many stops along the way. This have become a new family favorite!

Thanksgiving Ride

It has become a family tradition: as soon as we are able to move again after stuffing ourselves, we get out for a walk, ride, anything that involves getting off our turkey-filled body moving. After a quick game of soccer at the local park someone suggested we try out the new-ish single track just down the road. A plan was hatched for another day... need to gather bikes for the out of town family members.

Two days later we headed out into the warm afternoon sun, the whole family (except moms)... three generations from 8 year old nephew to 73 year old Popi. A couple miles down the road we took off into Black Oak Trail, the single track that leads to the North Boundary Trails in Oak Ridge. The young ones occasionally had a little trouble with the slick leaves but "grandpa" had no problem. In fact, mentioned that he would have liked to ridden faster.

A quick rest while we throw rocks into the water

The moon above (and in) the quarry lake

One of the many cemeteries along the North Boundary Trails

Because Dad was riding my bike I had to pull out my old GT Timberline. I have not ridden a rigid off road before and was really surprised. With all the talk on the mountain bike forums of "not even bothering riding a sub-$1000 bike" I was amazed how much fun it was. There was this simple, connected-to-the-world feeling. In fact, I was able to do trails that might have been more difficult with the crummy fork on my Fuji. Sure, the ride was rough, the bike heavy, and trails not difficult... but fun is fun. I am going to be using this bike more and more in the future. And with all the high dollar carbon fiber and titanium machines on the trails around here, there is something cool about seeing some vintage steel out there!

1989 GT Timberline

Tech Tip: Self-Cleaning Hub

Recently I learned about "hub shiners" while dreaming about the awesome vintage machinery on The Cabe. It seemed like an intriguing idea, especially on my son's constantly-getting-dusty mountain bike. Not having any leather handy, I had a brainstorm: A Zip-tie.

Having self cleaning hubs and two zip-ties for fixing stuff on the trail appeals to me (I just love multipurpose tools). 

The trick is to not push the end into its case too far. You don't want it to start ratcheting and be come un-removable. Also, if you put it on so that the tail points toward the rear of the bike it tends to bump the spokes less when turning and therefore runs quieter.

After a few attempts I was able to get one on and removable. It actually works! It cleans the dust of the hubs and gives me a few more options for fixes out on the trails.

Skatepark and Helmets

After two years after hearing about it, we finally made time to visit our local skatepark. With bike and skateboard in hand we headed out to the Knoxville Skatepark for an afternoon of thrill-seeking.

With so many people there we took our time, scouting out the place for the areas we could and areas we shouldn't ride. Plus it also gave us time to see who to avoid (if you have been to a skatepark you know what I mean). After a while watching we ventured onto the concrete to try a few stunts.

As a dad, safety is foremost on my mind especially as my son's skills get better (amazing)... we were fully padded. But we were clearly the minority. The only ones wearing gear were kids. Puzzling to me as even when I was a teen riding without "nagging parents" around, we always wore helmets and knee pads. And with rumors of receiving tickets from police who were constantly circling only added to my confusion. I suppose it is a new time when cool trumps all.

Either way, my son was NOT going to ride without a helmet. Scaring his dad (doing the same tricks I did at that age) was a strange bitter-sweet feeling of amazement and terror.

As soon as I had convinced myself to stop being an over-protective dad, the other "old guy" there decided to show his grandson "how it's done" You know the rest of the story... he went off a jump and over the handlebars landing on his forehead. Blood everywhere. The teens scattered (either from feeling sick or knowing the ticket-giving cops would soon be showing up.) While calming the guy down and checking for shock, I was thinking how clear it was what happens when you don't wear a helmet.

But as paramedics strapped him to the neck board, I remembered an article I had read recently that claimed that bike helmets not only did not help but actually hurt people. Crazy? Yes and no. The article stated that few people ever hit their head on the top, the area where helmets cover. It suggested that if a rider landed on his face for instance, the helmet hitting adds an exaggerated bend in the neck that causes higher numbers of spine injures. Watching the ambulance leave, I am wondered if a helmet could have changed the guys' injuries. He more than likely he would not have had the gash above his eye but if we believe the article, might have sustained a neck injury. If we think of the worst case scenario, we are increasing our risk of becoming paralyzed from the neck down but decreasing our risk of instant death. So, I suppose we have to decide which we feel is worse.

What I do know is that both times I have had big crashes as an adult, I have hit my cheek. And this was also true of "Stunt Grandpa." And of my son's two big crashes going over the handlbars, one ended with a dent in the front of his helmet and the other with a broken arm (the bike came over on him even though he didn't have on his helmet). So of the four wrecks, only one clearly would have helped a head injury. But if we have a 25% of hitting our heads in our future accidents, I am going to be serious about those odds.

Since that day I have noticed that many BMXers (online, not at our park) wear motorcycle-style helmets that protect the face. It certainly makes sense... covering both head and face. And a full helmet would not have the neck-twist of a traditional bike helmet. So, the hunt is on for a helmet that will really protect my son while doing high-risk riding. Hopefully he will actually wear it when I am not around to nag him to do so.

Took A Kid Mountain Biking Day

Another "Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day" has come and gone. And as always, it was a blast. The number of kids and their ages were much more varied than past years. There were tiny boys on strider bikes all the way up to junior high daredevils, and all ages in between. Because there were enough at each level, we were able to split up according to skill level and challenge them all.

It had rained the night before so the trails were very slick. The wood on the first bridge was like ice and three of the five in our group lost it, myself included. A few scratches and mud soaked clothes were the only evidence of our "unplanned trip." We continued to areas of The Dirty South that I had not ridden before. Between the slick conditions and the unfamiliar trails, our leader really upped our skill level that morning.

At the end of the ride we all met up in the parking lot to compare bruises, eat a few snacks, and take photos. Everyone was treated to a free Specialized water bottle and t-shirt (really neat design!) There was talk of an unofficial "Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day" in the spring. There were even discussions of starting a Knoxville-area kids' Mountain Bike team/club (I will be the first to post details here when we organized.)

Again, a huge thank you to The Bike Zoo, Appalachian Mountain Bike Club and IMBA.

Note for next year... don't forget bug spray!

Weekend Ride

Biking and flower picking... a wonderfully relaxing ride with the kids!

Tech Tip: Hand Grip Removal

Every now and them I find out that something little I am doing that can save someone a lot of time and even better, frustration. I think this is one of those tricks: using alcohol to remove and replace bike handgrips.

I have heard others use hair dryers, heat guns, hairspray, liquid glue, and other concoctions when dealing with grips but they all have their tradeoffs. Alcohol does not seem to have a negative. It makes getting grips off easy, it makes putting grips on easy. So here is the way it works:

You will need rubbing alcohol of course and a screwdriver or thin stick such as a chopstick or bamboo shish kabob skewer. First insert the stick deep in between the grip and handlebar. Then pour a little into the gap. Now grab the grip and start twisting (with the stick still in). It will be a little difficult at first but will quickly become easy as the alcohol works its way around.

Insert a stick/screwdriver and pour in some alcohol

Now start twisting.

Installation: a little alcohol on the handlebar and inside grip will allow it to go on easily. If you don't get enough on then the grip will only go on half way. Don't worry, just use the removal method above (a screwdriver and more liquid) and it will slip right on.

Another good thing about this stuff, is it does a great job of cleaning oil off the handlebars. This means the grips will not slip around... once everything dries. But it will take a little while for the alcohol to evaporate. So if the grip is loose, give it an hour or two.

Happy wrenching!