Click the link up top to check out our tenative schedule for the first part of the 2013 season. We will be updating it as we go, adding and modifying events that will best fit our team and sponsors.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
Affinity teams up with Serfas.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Skeggs point venture.
Well this past weekend, Shawn and I decided we would ride Mt. Diablo to get in some climbing miles. It was a perfect morning, fairly chilly, and still foggy as we left town. As we created the summit of the Altamont Pass, Shawn started to toy with the idea of going somewhere new and different. I turned to the iPhone and pointed us in the direction of a new place he said was surely to swell our legs, El Corte de Madera, AKA Skeggs Point.
Shawn had been there only once previously and his ride was cut short by mechanical problems, so he didn't get to really experience it to its full potential. I started reading different things online of suggested routes, area tips, do's and don'ts, etc.
The first thing you can't help but notice as you approach Skeggs is the sudden and awesome change of scenery. It's like you are driving through the normal Bay Area metro area, then all of the sudden, BOOM! Redwoods, ferns, cliffs, everything a mountain bike rider loves! So we parked and geared up, and headed towards the trailhead, which was just just about a quarter mile from the parking area. Our choices were single at the trailhead: right and flat, straight and flat, or left and down.... Oh ya we went left!
The first trail we took was called Fir trail. What started off as a rolling fire road quickly turned into a really nice, high speed, technical downhill. You would have a nice pace coming through a corner and then next thing you would know, here lies a 40' downhill rock garden, infused with rain ruts, and tree roots. Talk about an awesome trail. We were only a mile in, and were riding one of the top trails we had touched all season!
Fir trail kept dropping and dropping and eventually dumped out into a intersection. We shot completely from the hip on the next few trails. The map review we did before we left let us know that we really couldn't get lost, and that it was a fairly nice layout for a trail system.
Once we climbed to what felt about like 3/4 the elevation we dropped we came to a fork in the road. Shawn asked " which way ya wana go?" I responded, " whatever looks more fun" so down we went. I believe the name of this segment was the Connector trail. It was single track, off camber, downhill, littered with tree stumps, switch backs, berms, ruts,... Ya it was amazing! The trail itself was fairly short. Just long enough for you to want to immediately turn around and climb back up it to smash down again, which we did! The climb back up was actually a really fun one compared to the fire roads we had been climbing most of the day.
After we reached the bottom we continued into another fire road climb. By the time we reached the top, we had about enough day light left to hit a couple of the random trails that lie between the bottom parking lot and the upper, where we had parked.
3,100' of climbing in only about 12 miles was satisfying for our first time there. Given the layout of the trails, it would of been difficult to get any more mileage without dropping back down into a canyon, which required more time to climb out than we had daylight left. But all in all, I rate the place as a 8/10. I would love to go back with a local, and get an earlier, more direct start so we could kill a whole day up there. But if you are looming for awesome scenery, brutal climbs, and a mix of downhill trails, definitely give Skeggs a shot. Just make sure you dress appropriately!
-Cole
Shawn had been there only once previously and his ride was cut short by mechanical problems, so he didn't get to really experience it to its full potential. I started reading different things online of suggested routes, area tips, do's and don'ts, etc.
The first thing you can't help but notice as you approach Skeggs is the sudden and awesome change of scenery. It's like you are driving through the normal Bay Area metro area, then all of the sudden, BOOM! Redwoods, ferns, cliffs, everything a mountain bike rider loves! So we parked and geared up, and headed towards the trailhead, which was just just about a quarter mile from the parking area. Our choices were single at the trailhead: right and flat, straight and flat, or left and down.... Oh ya we went left!
The first trail we took was called Fir trail. What started off as a rolling fire road quickly turned into a really nice, high speed, technical downhill. You would have a nice pace coming through a corner and then next thing you would know, here lies a 40' downhill rock garden, infused with rain ruts, and tree roots. Talk about an awesome trail. We were only a mile in, and were riding one of the top trails we had touched all season!
Fir trail kept dropping and dropping and eventually dumped out into a intersection. We shot completely from the hip on the next few trails. The map review we did before we left let us know that we really couldn't get lost, and that it was a fairly nice layout for a trail system.
Once we climbed to what felt about like 3/4 the elevation we dropped we came to a fork in the road. Shawn asked " which way ya wana go?" I responded, " whatever looks more fun" so down we went. I believe the name of this segment was the Connector trail. It was single track, off camber, downhill, littered with tree stumps, switch backs, berms, ruts,... Ya it was amazing! The trail itself was fairly short. Just long enough for you to want to immediately turn around and climb back up it to smash down again, which we did! The climb back up was actually a really fun one compared to the fire roads we had been climbing most of the day.
After we reached the bottom we continued into another fire road climb. By the time we reached the top, we had about enough day light left to hit a couple of the random trails that lie between the bottom parking lot and the upper, where we had parked.
3,100' of climbing in only about 12 miles was satisfying for our first time there. Given the layout of the trails, it would of been difficult to get any more mileage without dropping back down into a canyon, which required more time to climb out than we had daylight left. But all in all, I rate the place as a 8/10. I would love to go back with a local, and get an earlier, more direct start so we could kill a whole day up there. But if you are looming for awesome scenery, brutal climbs, and a mix of downhill trails, definitely give Skeggs a shot. Just make sure you dress appropriately!
-Cole
Monday, December 10, 2012
Helmet Cam footage
We borrowed a GoPro helmet cam this weekend and took it to Skeggs point, and then rode the local trails with it. Here is a clip from one of our local trails. I will post a ride report from Skeggs later today with photos and more gopro video.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Ride report: Rockville Park, Fairfield.
Well today we ventured out to a spot we heard would be rideable in the rain, Rockville Park in Fairfield. We have been hearing more and more about this place and it's technical terrain, so we decided it was time to give it a shot.
The morning started by stopping to see George at George's bikes in Ripon to grab some energy munchies and some last minute trail pointers. No sooner than we hit the freeway did the rain pour down. It rained the whole drive and about the first half hour of our ride.
A place called Rockville, and rain just doesn't not sound like a good combination, but the traction was surprisingly great with an exception of the many manzanita roots. The soil soaked up the rain the perfect amount, leaving Shawn a few puddles that he could splash in still.
Our ride was not planned, we didn't bring a map, and we were in no hurry. This allowed us to bounce around the park, riding the more fun technical trails a couple times in a row, and trying some of the super technical switchbacks, or root and rock infused climbs, until we were smiling ear to ear.
Rockville really has a good mix of all the aspects you could want in a technical riding spot. This isn't a spot I would go if my only desire was endurance training or climbing. But it is definitely a place we will frequent to have a blast and work on technical bike handling skills. Don't get me wrong, you can definitely get your lungs and legs burning here though!
Anyway, tomorrow will probably be a mud ride down at dry creek, trying to avoid slipping into the creek!
Here are a couple pics from today!
Thanks for looking, and check back
often!
The morning started by stopping to see George at George's bikes in Ripon to grab some energy munchies and some last minute trail pointers. No sooner than we hit the freeway did the rain pour down. It rained the whole drive and about the first half hour of our ride.
A place called Rockville, and rain just doesn't not sound like a good combination, but the traction was surprisingly great with an exception of the many manzanita roots. The soil soaked up the rain the perfect amount, leaving Shawn a few puddles that he could splash in still.
Our ride was not planned, we didn't bring a map, and we were in no hurry. This allowed us to bounce around the park, riding the more fun technical trails a couple times in a row, and trying some of the super technical switchbacks, or root and rock infused climbs, until we were smiling ear to ear.
Rockville really has a good mix of all the aspects you could want in a technical riding spot. This isn't a spot I would go if my only desire was endurance training or climbing. But it is definitely a place we will frequent to have a blast and work on technical bike handling skills. Don't get me wrong, you can definitely get your lungs and legs burning here though!
Anyway, tomorrow will probably be a mud ride down at dry creek, trying to avoid slipping into the creek!
Here are a couple pics from today!
Thanks for looking, and check back
often!
Friday, November 16, 2012
Winter training and riding.
Well, the valley sun has finally succumbed to dark rainy days. Not only have the days gotten shorter, but now they have gotten much, much colder! As mountain bikers, we love being outside rain or shine, night or day, cold or hot. Rain does however damper a lot of cyclists fun, as does the cold.
Do you ride in the rain for fun? What about if you are training, do you take it indoors to a spinner, or do you just suck it up and ride?
We are almost left with no choice but to ride in all elements if we want to progress as riders. Sure you can run on a treadmill, do some circuits at the gym, or hop on a spin bike, but eventually you will need that real world riding. Most riders don't even give themselves the opportunity to adapt to the elements, or see if it is enjoyable. I have found getting people to go out and ride with you when it's dark, cold, wet, dry, hot, is pretty hard. The term "fair weather" has never applied to a situation more!
So the message is this: Go try and ride! Throw some long johns on, a couple layers of long sleeves, a hat under your helmet, etc. You don't realize how fun and enjoyable it still is until you do it. I strongly encourage any rider, seasoned or not, to just go ride and have fun, rain or shine.
Well, enough of that rant. We have some exciting stuff in the works, and should be posting more and more updates on a regular basis. Check back often. Leave any comments you may have on the bottom of this post!
Thanks for reading.
Do you ride in the rain for fun? What about if you are training, do you take it indoors to a spinner, or do you just suck it up and ride?
We are almost left with no choice but to ride in all elements if we want to progress as riders. Sure you can run on a treadmill, do some circuits at the gym, or hop on a spin bike, but eventually you will need that real world riding. Most riders don't even give themselves the opportunity to adapt to the elements, or see if it is enjoyable. I have found getting people to go out and ride with you when it's dark, cold, wet, dry, hot, is pretty hard. The term "fair weather" has never applied to a situation more!
So the message is this: Go try and ride! Throw some long johns on, a couple layers of long sleeves, a hat under your helmet, etc. You don't realize how fun and enjoyable it still is until you do it. I strongly encourage any rider, seasoned or not, to just go ride and have fun, rain or shine.
Well, enough of that rant. We have some exciting stuff in the works, and should be posting more and more updates on a regular basis. Check back often. Leave any comments you may have on the bottom of this post!
Thanks for reading.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
First post!
Hello!
Our blog is still under construction and will be finished up soon. This is a place where you will be able to follow along our journey, read stories, check out cool pics, and even watch videos we post.
We wanted to give friends, family, fellow riders, and sponsors somewhere to get an update on what's going on in our little bike world. We should have a lot more content posted up in the next week or so, so keep checking back.
Please share this page on your twitter, instagram, facebook, blog, etc. We will help share others' pages as well.
Thanks for looking!!
#AffinityBiking
Our blog is still under construction and will be finished up soon. This is a place where you will be able to follow along our journey, read stories, check out cool pics, and even watch videos we post.
We wanted to give friends, family, fellow riders, and sponsors somewhere to get an update on what's going on in our little bike world. We should have a lot more content posted up in the next week or so, so keep checking back.
Please share this page on your twitter, instagram, facebook, blog, etc. We will help share others' pages as well.
Thanks for looking!!
#AffinityBiking
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