There is no off season.......

Gassed up and ready to roll.....Don't worry, I used ethanol.

Heading north

Heading south

Freak or Phenom?

You decide.....

#4 Apex - Golden, CO

As we move into the top four trails, Goathead nation knew this trail had to make an appearance. Unless of course you thought Tranquility made the list and Apex did not. Why ranked so high? Whether it is riding over tree roots, rocks, or 2.5 foot drops offs, you will learn how to handle your Trek (or Redline) better. Do you like the burning sensation of lactic acid building up in your legs? Then the climb to the top will delight you. Perhaps you want to bomb down a hill because the chute at Lewis and Clark is “closed”. Apex will not disappoint. HOWEVER, if you like the flatness of Manawa DO NOT ride Apex. You are either fighting gravity or enjoying its usefulness.
Besides the features the trail possesses, there have been some interesting Goathead moments.
1)As the Goatheads fought for oxygen at the top of the climb, Austin announced Jessica was pregnant with their second child.
2)One time I was feeling pretty good about the speed I was carrying down the hill and over the rocks. Lumpy looked around, saw how close I was to him, then displayed why he is the downhill master among the Goatheads.
3)This trail shows why J.A. is the most complete rider of the Goatheads. Climbs in the leading group and descends in the leading group.

3 in 1

Wow. I'm not sure how rigid the boards are that he breaks, but even if they're parchment paper, this is pretty impressive.

Cold Commute

There are really only two things I don't like about commuting in January. 1) It takes longer to get ready. I mean it wasn't super cold out this morning, but it took almost 15 minutes to get all the layers and other junk on. 2)The ride takes longer. Obviously a direct result of me being out of shape.
I came close to getting hit today as well. Just as I was getting ready to ride into the parking lot a Grace Security guy almost hit me.

#5 Slickrock - Moab, Utah

As time goes on and team Goathead takes more road trips, I'm guessing some of the trails in the top ten will get bounced from the list. In fact, trails like Dakota 5-0 and Three Sisters have a pretty precarious hold on their spot at the moment. I have a feeling one, two or possibly three of them might get replaced this July.
However, the trails in the top five can sleep easy, knowing that they are securely entrenched in their spot. These are trails that have either proven themselves over and over again, or they have left such a lasting mark on the collective memory of the Goatheads, that the sheer mention of them evokes primal urges that originate in the loins.
#5 is such a trail. It really needs no introduction. Bikers have made pilgrimages to Slickrock for decades, and few have left unsatisfied. Over and over again I was told "it can't be described, you have to experience it". Now that I have, that's really all I can say about it as well. The physical geography is like no other place on the planet. I'm pretty sure God created it with mountain bikers, 4x4 junkies and Mars astronauts in mind. It challenges the rider mentally and physically, while at the same time rewarding the rider with an endless, sandstone roller coaster......Behold, Slickrock!

"A front of crap"

I was going to post a few comments about how much this weather sucks and about how I yearn to ride trails. Then I decided BikeSnobNYC broke the weather down better than I could:

"Inhabitants of the snowbelt may scoff, but here in the New York City metropolitan area we're experiencing what we amateur meteorologists call "crappy weather." The scientific explanation for this is that a front of crap is moving through our region, carrying with it such crappy things as snow and coldness. Temperatures are below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about [mumblemumblemumble] degrees Celsius. Of course, as anybody who watches the weather knows, we no longer go by Fahrenheit or Celsius. We go by "feels like." According to Weather.com it "feels like" 4 degrees Fahrenheit right now. (Weather.com arrives at this figure by forcing three naked people to stand outside for five minutes and then guess how cold it is. They then take an average of the responses.) According to me, it "feels like" my nose hairs are freezing."

20 degree temps actually sounds pretty good right now. I could ride if it were 20.

Since weather moves from west to east, we typically get the same weather the east coast gets, we just get it a day or two earlier. I always get a laugh out of the national news when they whip themselves into a frenzy over the weather pattern that we just experienced. Weather isn't a story until it reaches the east coast, and when it does, media hysteria sets in.......Oh well, it allows me to live with a chip on my shoulder.

On Feb. 15th a few of us will be doing the Panama winter adventure race. I think I'll be ready, but a stretch of nice days would be great so I can get out for a few runs. Anyone else doing the race?

#6 7 Oaks - Boone, IA

Some trails needed no help making the list, they were simply incredible trails. The 7.5 mile loop at 7 oaks can't really compare to the previously ranked trails. As a trail, 7 Oaks has the climbing of a Platte but the turns of Jewell. But a big factor in the rankings was the Goathead experience. Perhaps it was the mudfest we encountered on our first trip to Boone. It might have been the earth movers that woke us up every morning in '06. How many trails can you ride where you can literally camp 10 yards from the trail? That certainly played a part in the score that 7 Oaks received. Then again, maybe 7 Oaks seems so mystical because it answered one of life's biggest questions. "Just how many Goatheads can fit in a tent?"

Everything's better with bacon!

Try bacon on your favorite website. Just add bacolicio.us to the url. You'll be amazed how much it enhances the experience. Try MTBGoatheads to get you started.

#7 Lair O' The Bear - Jefferson County Colorado

I've always considered Larry the Bear one of my favorite trails, but I think part of the reason I remember it so fondly is because of the conditions we rode in that day. When we left for the trail-head there was sun. When we got to the trail-head it was overcast and spitting a little bit. Halfway into the ride, it was a down pour, and to our surprise, it didn't really matter. Coming from Omaha, we're all used to a little bit of rain ruining a ride. Nebraska soil may be great for corn, but add a little water and it sucks for mountain biking. Larry the Bear, on the other hand was hardly effected by the rain. In fact it enhanced the experience. Picking your way through a rock garden in a downpour just added to the adventure factor, and the pucker factor.
The trail itself offers a lot of variety. It starts with a 3 mile climb that has about 5 or 6 technical spots. Then it turns into several miles of rolling single track. The only downside of the trail is that it's an out and back. I always prefer loops.
The only downside of the rain, was that we didn't take many pictures. The only pictures I do have don't really do the trail any justice, so I'll just include a group picture, a picture of someone I don't know enjoying the trail....... and a post-ride picture of The Professor

Wingsuit Base Jumping

In case ramps aren't your thing...

Happy 2009!

Set your goals now!

#8. 3 sisters (Evergreen, CO)

I'll admit it, this trail fails in the "epicness" category. Sorry T-rev and Lumpy, but we will all admit that the more Goatheads the better. However, the facts don't lie - THIS TRAIL ROCKS. For starters 3 Sisters starts at 7,000 ft. and goes up to 8500'. J.A., you know that brings a smile to your face. Don't forget, this climb is a loop. If you go up, you must ride down. You want some technical riding? Between the rocks put there by God and the switchbacks cut in by trail gurus, 3 sisters will test you handling ability. If you are thinking none of that information is appealing, T-rev proved it is also a great place to take your bike for a walk. The views are amazing. When you are at 8000 ft. and all you see around you are mountains you realize why people say that Nebraska/Iowa are flat.

Awesome!

Now, if only we could attach some sort of motor...

Merry Christmas, Goatheads!

#9 Landahl

Coming in at #9 on the list of best trails that Team Goathead has ridden is Landahl

It's kinda ironic that Landahl made the list, considering the fact that we didn't really intend on riding there. If I remember right, we had a trip to Crowder State Park planned, but based on the weather map, we opted for the drier trails of Landahl.
Once we found the place, we immediately knew why it was a favorite of folks in the area. To start with, there is camping two minutes from the trail head (as long as you get permission from the local Boy Scouts). The trails them self are well marked and offer a variety of riding conditions. The less technical sections are fast and flowing like Swanson. The more technical sections are filled with rock gardens that'll snap your chain stay in two (just ask J-Mac). There was just enough climbing to keep The Professor smiling, and just enough drops to keep the A-train from getting bored. If this trail was in Omaha, it would probably be comparable to Platte, but it's not in Omaha, which makes it better than Platte. Putting it 3 hours south of Omaha makes it a perfect weekend road trip destination. The "road trip" enhances every trail. Once you're there it's all about riding. Leave your watch in the car, your legs will tell you when it's time to stop riding and time to start building a fire.

Whopper Virgins

Is it possible that there are still some corners of the world where people don't know what a burger is?..... If Burger King has any say in the matter, there won't be.

Question: if you had never seen a burger before, would you know how to eat it? Would you want to eat it?

10. "Oh, we're way out of our league." - Lumpy

The 10th ranked trail by mtbgoatheads.com is the Dakota 5 0. This was not so much one trail as it was a loop made up of many trails. Does it still count? YOU BET. What are its qualifications? Incredible single track and amazing views certainly help its credentials. Look at the profile map, that is a thing of beauty. Make no mistake, the climbs are harder than they look. That is what makes them so fun/horrible. The 5 0 route forced all participating members of Team Goathead to experience at least one of the following affects, severe leg cramps, mental meltdowns, or vomiting. That alone earns this trail top ten status. HOWEVER, despite Lumpy's pre-race pep talk (see above title) all four Goatheads finished the race. Goatheads 4 Dakota 5 0 zero. Oh and all particpating members plan on returning to Spearfish in '10 (some by choice, others by my choice).

Mr. and Mrs. Lumpy were missed

On Sunday, the Goatheads held their second annual Christmas party. Good food, good conversation, and a great gift exchange was on tap. I am sure Mr. and Mrs. J-mac think they made out the best between Mrs. J.A.'s cookies and cycling socks. However, I think Goathead nation will agree I got the best gift of the evening.

Mediocre thougths from some average guys

A couple years ago Lumpy sent a letter in to one of the national bike magazines. As usual, 90% of it was sarcastic. He talked about being un-motivated and hinted at being lazy. Well as usual people didn't know how to react to Lumpy and took him seriously. The next month somebody wrote the magazine talking about how bad people like Lumpy were for society because of their laziness. Well, the next 10 weeks will offer some proof to people like Mr. "Goathead hater" that we are in fact not lazy.
Posts on Mtb.goatheads dwindle during the non-riding months. So for my viewing pleasure we will be ranking the top ten trails ridden by Goatheads. Hundreds of trails were considered, but not all met the criteria. For starters, at least two Goatheads had to have ridden the trail. Other considerations were: degree of difficulty (i.e. no Wabash), some degree of fun (going down, GOING UP!!!, or TTFs), and probably the most important element - EPICNESS. This week we will start with the Honorable Mentions.
SWANSON - this is old reliable in Omaha. So maybe nobody will drive from CO to Omaha, just to ride this trail, but on a warm day in the summer it is hard to find a parking spot because this place draws so many people.

INDIAN CAVE - for me this is the first place I ever went on a mtn. bike ride. Also, it could be considered home to the first Goathead group ride. If you like hills, great views, and spider webs - this place is for you.

LEWIS AND CLARK - in the Omaha metro this is probably my favorite trail. In years past you could always test your fitness against Mt. Neverest (R.I.P.).

PLATTE RIVER STATE PARK - What?!?!?!?! Platte doesn't even make the top ten, well that is how good the top ten is. HOWEVER, just look at the poll on mtb.omaha to realize how great Platte is. The only problem I have with Platte is that I have only been there 5 times in the last two years. This is my favorite Nebraska trail.

So, next week we hit the top ten. Feel free to comment, be a critic, or give praise.

New skill....

If the economy continues to head south, we may all need to learn new skills. Personally, I see myself as a brick stacker. When all the financial institutions collapse there will be a lot of bricks to stack.

Bike Hero

Bicycle + Guitar Hero = Bike Hero

A couple more.....

I stole these from Lucas. He makes my feeble attempt at photography look silly.

Cranksgiving

May I have your attention please........

I don't have time at the moment to post pictures of the Goathead Cranksgiving, but I would like to announce that all gas stations within a 4 mile radius of Bike Masters are currently out of peanut-butter and jelly. Please stay tuned for updates.

Sunday at L&C

A chill in the air, leaves on the trail, hills, setting sun, Goatheads on their bikes...

November Pics

November Surprise

The last month of fall is starting with some great weather. I decided to take full advantage of this and got two days of mtn. biking in. First off, Tranquility was great. They T.H.O.R. people of that trail put in a nice re-route. Lately in Omaha it seems like every re-route has some how made the trail easier. Lumpy put it best describing the new route, "you could actually get hurt". Again, great job Tranquility T.H.O.R. members. J.A. and I did a lap and met up with Lumpy for lap two. A-train where were you?
Yesterday, the wife and I hit Manawa. I forgot that we gained an hour of sleep, but lost an hour of light. We hit the trail at about 4:45 and that was almost too late. Some of the TTF sections that had been lost to the flooding have been replaced. Great job trail dudes (i.e. T.H.O.R.). My wife really does prefer Manawa to Swanson (something about hills). She also learned the art of the bail out. While attempting the TTF bridge (lack of a better term), she got stuck and began to fall. While starting to fall she flung herself over her bike and landed on two feet and still held on to her bike. I am not sure how she did that, but it was impressive.
Next up Cranksgiving. The Goatheads plan on sending a contigent and they hope to see you there.