Cycling: Mountain biking is among us

Mountain biking this time of year is really rewarding. For road riders, cool temperatures and blustery winds are enough to keep people off their bikes.

However, the cool temperatures can be a relief for mountain bike riders since the riding speed is lower and their is no generated wind to keep cool as on a road bike.

Since we all ride slower on mountain bikes, cool weather can make an unpleasant day really nice as we generate heat mountain biking. Most mountain bike rides are in the trees (even in the sparsely treed Pinenuts) and the trees make a for a nice wind break. I have ridden out in the Pinenuts in gale force winds and it is surprisingly nice riding.

If you have been following these articles, the Pinenut Cracker had cool weather and variable winds last Saturday.

In addition, the spring usually comes with some moisture like we had the night before thre Pinenut Cracker which keeps the dust down. If you have ridden around the valleys in the summer, you probably know how dusty it can get. If you have questions about what trails are the best to ride this time of year, you can go to the local bike shops for the latest conditions of the best trails.

In addition to the Pinenut Cracker, the www.altaalpina.org club has finalized the 2009 Twilight mountain bike schedule which starts Tuesday at "The Tree".

These races are the same format as the road series: a friendly, beginner appropriate series on different courses every week. There are a few faster racers who use this series for training, but the atmosphere is kept convivial. The last few races of the series are rumored to be at Lake Tahoe, on new courses and cooler weather which will be welcome in June. There is even some interest from Kirkwood to host some events later in the summer. I have ridden at Kirkwood and it is almost as fun to ride there as much as I love to ski there. The Kirkwood trails are great singletrack and the valley is really beautiful in the summer.

For more information, you can contact me and I will put you in contact with the Alta Alpina Series race organizer.

This brings to light one of the great things about living where we do: Winter/Spring and Fall mountain biking is great down here in the Valleys. Summer and Fall mountain biking is better up in the cool weather around Tahoe. Plus the extra variety of trails in the High Sierras is a nice change.

Sometimes to get a mountain bike fix, I do a dawn patrol (6 AM from the tree) before work while it is still cool here in the Valley. This is great to start the day, except the getting up early part. I really don't like getting up early, but being up early is worth the struggle.

I usually start riding without any coffee and just a piece of fruit in the fuel tank, which makes for a relaxed morning after the ride: short on sleep, low on caffeine, low blood sugar and a little tired from riding. It all makes me immune to any stress that may come with the beginning of the work day. So we will see you out there on the dirt.