It's riding weather once again

Well, it's been riding weather for a few weeks now, but the rain has kept me home reading mostly. I like mud riding, but I didn't want to tear up and rut my local trails for my fellow riders and me as well. This coming weekend I plan on dusting off the saddle, giving her a grease job and washing her up for my first ride this year. God I hope I emptied my CamelPak after my last ride before winter set in. I have a feeling it's going to be funky...

MTB Project

Just wanted to share with everyone this cool little app I found on the Google Play store MTB Project.
``
App description:
MTB Project: the evolution of mountain bike guides and trail maps.
*** MTB Project is brand new and has limited content. More is being added every day, and you can help! http://www.mtbproject.com ***
We connect you to the trails you want to ride, wherever you are. With the thoroughness of a printed map, we offer full GPS route info, elevation profiles, interactive features, photos and more. Like a guidebook, we suggest the best Featured Rides to explore, either near your current location, or in an area you search for. Local experts show you the highlights, challenging features, and insights you need to plan a great ride.
App Features: 
- Incredibly detailed mountain bike trail and ride database - New Rides and Trails are constantly being added. 
- Your exact location is shown on the trail and vertical profile 
- Downloaded trails work OFFLINE (no cell reception needed) 
- High resolution photos 
- Detailed topographical trail maps 
- Syncs with your To-Do List, Check Ins, and favorites on MTBProject.com.

There is only one trail listed for around my area, but if we can get people using it then maybe this could be a go to app for our rides in Texas. At least give it a try. 

** Available for Android and Apple devices.

VAUDE - Haute Route: Life is a Pass - MTB Movie (HD)

Proper Skewer Tension

A couple days ago, a question was raised on Google+ Bicycle Maintenance community about proper skewer tension. Proper skewer tension is a balance between mechanical ability to keep your wheels attached to your bike (safety) and not damaging the skewers, skewer threads or even your hub.

After a little research into this topic across different bicycle, hub, and skewer manufacturers I have discovered the proper way to set the proper tension on your skewers.

1. Place the skewer cam in the adjustment position (Cam lever should be pointing straight out from the hub)

2. With the cam lever in the adjustment position, tighten the opposite side nut until it is finger tight.

3. To lock the skewer in position, place the cam lever in the palm of your hand and using the fork for leverage lock the cam. The cam should not be able to lock in position without using leverage. If you do not need leverage to close the cam start at step one again.

4. Enough force should be required in locking the cam in position that it leaves an imprint on your palm.

I hope this helps some people. There is all kinds of mixed information out there on the internet and some could cause real damage to your bike. The above information is taken directly from manufacturer websites and thus is the proper procedure for insuring your tires are on securely and at proper tension.

End of the week summary

This week ended with 48.1 miles in of which probably 9 miles is paved trails and the rest single-track and double-track. My best ride this week was this mornings at Collins Park. I hadn't been there in a while and the trails were in good shape. I found some more sections to the trail but am still missing another section where all the jumps are. I did find the teeter-totter and gave that a go. It was pretty easy and fun.

All but one ride this week were rough terrain and I really got some good workouts in. I'm satisfied.

Been a while since the last update...

So what have I been up to? I've been riding my MTB quit a bit. I'm trying to do 30-50 miles of trail riding a week right now. I'm of to a strong start though so hopefully I can keep it up. Work has me traveling over the next 2 months so that kinda sucks and will slow me down a bit. Now for some news...

My buddy Pat - Pat and I were riding in the Kingwood dirt trails one night when Pat decided to take off and starting running through some high grass on the Bayou right-a-way. I was on the packed dirt so easily overtook him then next think I hear is a "Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww......" and as I turn around, it's just in time to see his back wheel over his head and his face impacting the ground. OUCH!. Because he was riding in the tall grass he didn't see the 2 foot wide crevice that was about 4-5 feet deep - but his front tire found it for him luckily enough...ha ha. Anyway's Pat tore his rotator cuff and his ego, but he's healing nicely and we just started riding again although mostly easy trails while he continues to heal.

Woodlands Cycling Club (www.woodlandscycling.org) - I don't think I've shared this but I am the 2014 Woodlands Cycling Club Vice President. Everything has been going great with the club. Membership is up and we are striving to make MTB a strong part of the club - but there is only a few of us as the club is mostly road bikers. If you are interested in Group rides and joining the club and being part of our MTB chapter hit me up. Our website is www.woodlandscycling.org. Membership is cheap!The club has monthly meetings and gives out at least $1000 - 1300 in door gifts every month. These gifts are mostly tailored to the road biker but there is useful stuff for MTB as well. Some of the gifts include at least two - 3 sets of tires valued at $150 or so per set. Good ass tires too. All our gifts are provided by our #1 Sponsor BikeLane of the Woodlands. If we can get more MTB riders at the meetings then we can hit our sponsor up for door prizes for the MTB crowd as well.

GHORBA (www.ghorba.org) - So I just started talks with GHORBA (Greater Houston Off Road Biking Association) about becoming the Trail Steward for Cypress Creek Hike and Bike trails that are in my subdivision. The trails cover about 7 miles of single-track in the main park and another 3-5 miles of double-track on what used to be the old railroad property. I've already been helping maintain the trails by removing fallen tree's and the like so we'll see where it goes. Website - www.ghorba.org

Bike Maintenance - So I've become the group repair shop for all my buddies. I have just about all tools I need except for a truing stand and maybe one or two major things that I would rather leave to my local bike shop mechanic. But, I can maintain everything on my bike now with the exception of truing wheels and suspension rebuilds. I have just about every necessary hand tool and am only needing a KHS chain separator and that's only a convenience tool. I was thinking of making some video's for the club, but there's already a bunch on youTube. Maybe the club would like to see one of its own in some video's??? I'll continue to ponder it...

WANT A NEW BIKE! - Don't get me wrong, I love my 2012 Cannondale 29er Trail SL4 but I need a more agile bike. There are times you just need a full suspension bike to ride some of the trails around here. My bike handles well on the trails I ride but I want to ride harder trails that require more control such as the Anthill's, Double Lakes and Huntsville. You can ride them with a hardtail like mine, but it definitely is a rough ride.

I've been looking at Craigslist but even the cheapest used full suspension bikes are out of my financial grasp. I love the Cannondale brand but damn are they pricey! I'm not looking at top of the line bikes but I could definitely use a Cannondale Rush 29 2 (MSRP $1840) or a Cannondale Rush 29 1 (MSRP $2170), but could probably get it at my local bike shop for less if they had them in stock. I think they are only carrying Scalpel's though which are a bit more pricey starting at MSRP $3250. If anyone wants to by a bike for me or donate money for one that would be fricking awesome...ha ha...seriously though....I want second bike.

Here's some pics! These are pics of my bike. It is just turning two years old and its still in great shape. I maintain it thoroughly and do all the mechanical work myself. These are after a wash.

More MTB Modeling updates

Mountain Bike Update

I completed some of the front forks, added a little detail but not too much. Just enough to see something.

MTB WIP

Getting back into it....

MTB Bike WIP 001

Fox MTB Presents | Follow The Leader A- Line/ Crabapple | 14 Cameras, 10...

Best MTB video ever! 4 Fox MTB riders play follow the leader with GoPro's facing front, back, chest mount, etc...Excellent editing, views and music.

Cypresswood Trails - Collins Park 2

Collins Park - Oct 2013

On Oct 1, I took a trip to Collins Park in Spring, TX for my first ride there. I had a damaged front rim so the jumps you see me crawl down are so I could finish the ride without having to walk my bike out. I have replaced my front rim and hub now so am heading back tomorrow to find some of the bigger jumps. So look for the next video coming soon. I'll try to make the video a little more clear as well.

Shot with a GoPro Hero 3 (Silver).

Ironman Texas 2013

Ironman Texas 2013 - this weekend was the Ironman held in The Woodlands. This is my second year attending, last year as a fan and this year as a volunteer. I was stationed at mile marker 86 on the 112 mile bike portion of the race.

New Bibs on the way

I just bought: 'Tenn Bib Shorts Pro Black/White XL' by Tenn-Outdoors via @amazon amazon.com/dp/B00501MJLW/…

— RampageBiking (@RampageBiking) April 6, 2013

Half-Century

BP MS150 - Registered

Hi all - I have registered for the BP MS150 from Houston to Austin on April 21-22, 2013. If you feel like you can support me spread the word. I am going for the bare minimum on fund raising of $400.00.

My MS150 page is here: Donald McDade - BP MS150 Profile

There is a link to donate on the bottom left corner of the page.

Fluer-a-da!

This week I am sitting in Jupiter, Fluer-i-da (Florida) in training. The weather is nice, but I still like home better. Can't wait to smother the wife with kisses (yes, I miss her - ALOT!).

This coming week I am getting back on my aluminum horse whether it is on the road or the trainer. I'm hoping to get some new video's for Christmas for my trainer -  www.thesufferfest.com. These video's from what I hear kick butt. I can't wait!

Anyways, Happy Holiday's everyone!

Woodlands Cycling Club Makeover

It's been a long while since I last posted. Haven't been real busy, but I have been working on our cycling clubs website. Head on over and check it out. It's still being developed but is 100% operational.

http://wcc.cloudaccess.net/

Half-Century

On a Monday???

30 Mile Out-n-Back