Saturday, January 09, 2016

2016 Is Here! El Nino Is Keeping It Crazy.



January 7th, 2016 here in Columbus. Not a snowflake to be found.

Unseasonably warm days have led to rain-filled gorges in the Hocking Hills of Ohio.

Conkle's Hollow in December of last year.

It has been one crazy "winter" here in the Midwest. Mild temps, not a single flake of snow on the ground, and we have been warmer on many days than back home in So Cal. The nice thing about that for me, is racking up 600-plus mile months on the bike! The ground will freeze soon enough, and that means the mostly unrideable mountain bike trails will be ready to go.
Hail makes road riding "interesting."

Miles are piling up here in the Midwest.

Jeff and Josh have been hosting some great mountain bike rides in Kentucky, and even spending some time down in the New River Gorge logging some miles. I have been dabbling with the new Polaroid Cube + Jennifer hooked me up with at Christmas, and thanks to some amazing January weather, working on maintaining about 120 miles per week...unheard of here this time of year! I am all ready to go for Spring with a new cassette and KMC SLTi chain. My current one has over 4200 miles on it!

Jeff Williams' pic was seen on MAMIL SPORTS UK's Facebook page last month!

Josh and Jeff riding in the leaves at Greenbo State Park, KY.

Ara is recovering well in Glendale. Tsolag is looking after him, which may or not be helping:)
Bob and Cyrille have relocated to a nice new home in Santa Rosa, and VB has not missed any opportunities to ride his various bikes both on and off road.  Randy checked in from the outlying areas of San Diego Friday, where it was just 48 degrees in Ramona. he has been rocking some night rides with his SIGMA Buster 200 and Karma lights. Even my mom sent in a pic from the old backyard of snow-capped Idyllwild. California is frozen, and Ohio has had 70 degree days in December. Craziness!
The Fuzz with his Next-Gen 'cross racers.

Bob eating oysters. Don't ask why.

Randy's Trance is ready for some night riding action.

Matt Thome just had a baby! OK, his girl did...but he had a marginal bit of input on that situation. Mark is probably riding the Fullerton Death Loop and drinking beers.
Matt Thome and the new baby screaming for mom.

Mark Thome ends his rides the way I used to. Bastard.

I hope everyone is healthy, happy, and taking every chance to ride bikes and get ready for the coming season. Sea Otter is just around the corner!