Third from First

 

Since my Fat Bike was down due some shifting issues and the rear wheel is out of true, I pulled the Cujo out of stable and I discovered a broken spoke while putting air in the rear tire. I pulled off the wheel to take it to the shop later and then I pulled the Stump Jumper out of the stable. Of course it had a flat tire, too. I put air in it and hoped it would hold air.

Buttah!

We got around an inch of snow overnight in Rutland and I waited till noon on Sunday for the temperatures to warm up a bit. I got to PHP around lunch time and it was still around 19 degrees. Heading out I was making the first tire tracks on Escalator. 

19° at Pine Hill Park

I wanted to ride Pine Hill Park on New Years Day but the high was 15 degrees and I thought it would be prudent not to ride in such cold temperatures. After today's ride I am don't think it would have mattered. Headed out to the park after grocery shopping. The sun was out and it was a blue bird day only by the time I got on my kit, put the bike in the truck and drove out to the park I had sun for all about 5 minutes.

Riding with Studs

Had to wait until after lunch to head over to Pine Hill Park today because I wasn't really excited to ride when it was 10 degrees.  I got my tire pressure dialed in and my new frame bag secured. Loaded the bike in the truck and drove over to the park. I wore my hunting jacket, a Columbia Wind Stopper Fleece with zip pits. This used to be my go to winter riding jacket and I brought it up to Rutland to give it a try.  Once again, I went with a short sleeved base layer, long sleeved thermal shirt, and a thin long sleeved riding jersey and I was sweating while climbing up Pond Hill Road today.

2nd Fat Bike Ride

 As luck would have it, all that good snow last week got washed away in what I call the Vermont December Warm Up. Saw this last year skiing at Killington, we were skiing knee deep powder the first two weeks of December and then there was a warm up and some rain, and then freezing temperatures to reinforce the meaning of Ice Coast skiing again. Apparently, there was still some snow at Pine Hill so I threw the Fat Bike into the back of the truck and headed over to do some riding.

New Fat Bike Day!

For the longest time I have avoided buying a fat bike because I didn't want it to interfere with my other winter activities but I finally pulled the trigger on one.  Mountain biking was my first love and this year that love has been reawakened at Pine Hill Park in Rutland, VT. In the winter, Pine Hill is off limits to tire sizes less than 4 inches which prompted me to get a fat bike. The Park Manager put me in touch with Doon at Green Mountain Bikes in Rochester, VT who hooked me up with this great deal on a SevenPeaks Tracker 11 Fat Bike.  It's a discontinued model but a new bike, for around $1000 with 4.5" tires and a dropper post, I couldn't pass it up.

Stick Season at PHP

 

Like every other state in New England, Vermont has four seasons but unlike those states it also has two bonus seasons: Stick Season - after all the leaves have fallen but before any major snowfalls; Mud Season - when the snow melts and the trails and dirt roads get soft and muddy. 

PHP in Autumn

With ski season coming next month in November Ann and I took our last downhill mountain biking laps at Killington around lunchtime. Then we headed back home and I rode over to PHP for some unassisted ascending  

Closing Day at the Beast

Ann and I took our last laps at Killington on October 26th, because the mountain will be changing over for winter operations. 

New Dropper Post Day!

After a few rides and having to periodically stop to change my seat post height either for climbing or descending I decided it was time to add a dropper. I took the bike over to Down Valley Bikes in Rutland. It was a little pricey but it was worth it and they did a great job. Of course it took a bit longer than it would have taken if I had it done in Connecticut but that’s Vermont for you. 

Discovering the Slate Valley Trails

Little did I know but The Slate Valley Trails started right across the street from the camp ground we were staying at over the Memorial Day weekend. So I headed out solo to reconnoiter the trails nearest to us. 

Memorial Day camping and riding bikes

 

Ann and I went tent camping at Lake Saint Catherine State Park in Poultney, VT on Memorial Day weekend and we brought our mountain bikes. We also got to try out her new Yakima Backswing for the bike rack. Awesome design and functionality which lets you keep the bikes on the rack but get them out of the way when loading and unloading. 

Memorial Day at The Beast

It started out pretty crowded Saturday morning because the Rams Head lift was having some issues. 

July at PHP

 

I brought my hard tail up to Vermont in July to ride at Pine Hill Park, because I was keeping my Specialized up at Killington and I wanted to be able to ride the park Friday afternoons when I get up to Rutland.

Afternoon Downhill in the rain

 August 19, 2024

Ann & I headed up to Killington to take a few downhill laps. It was a lot cooler in the mountains compared to Rutland so it was an easy decision to make for a summer afternoon activity.

Rediscovering Pine Hill Park

I rode Pine Hill Park for the first time back in June 2013 when a riding buddy of mine, Glenn Vernes, and I decided to hit a few parks on our way north to NEMBAFest. Fast forward to July 9th, 2024, returning to the park I had no recollection of what I rode 11 years ago so it was like a new adventure.