MTBJUNKIE

Working Hard

2011-03-28T07:14:00.000-07:00

I'm going to save my self some time and let Patrick's words speak for our workday on the SMP Freeride trails yesterday. All I want to add is that this is incredibly hard work. Breaking out 2-9" thick bedrock out of a 9" hole in the ground with a rock bar (16lb steel rod) is no simple task. This is excruciatingly painful work! My hands, forearms, and shoulders were cramping, cold and my arthritis (too many days punching walls and people in my adolescence) was really starting to swell up and hurt due to the cold weather and snow. I could feel the blisters starting to form even though I was wearing thick work gloves. It felt as if we had worked for an hour and only made it an inch down. It's mentally exhausting and demoralizing work, but after putting up the first structure and being able to see the fruits of our labor, it makes it all worth while.

Here's Patrick's post on SMP Freeride:
http://www.smpfreeride.com/2011/03/workday-report-sunday-3-27.html

God Bless,

-Shannon

Arkansas Canceled

2011-03-25T10:50:00.001-07:00

My trip to Arkansas to ride some super sweet downhill had to be canceled due to rain. Oh Pacific NorthWest, why are you so far away?

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Eureka! Downhill

2011-03-18T15:34:00.000-07:00

Spring is here and the trails are dry...for now! It's been a REALLY long winter and until recently, I hadn't ridden since October.

A couple weeks ago I got to take a day trip to Arkansas with a friend. The weather was iffy the days prior and there had been some rain, so I didn't know if I'd make it until about 10:30 the night prior. We woke up early and headed to Eureka Springs to ride the downhill trail. 4 hours later we pulled in and geared up for our first run. I'd like to say I was really excited, but the only way to get to the top that day was to push up, and I wasn't looking forward to that, but the weather was spot on at about 60 degrees and overcast, so it darn near perfect.

On the way up I got to see what I was up against and really study the trail before I rode it, which to me is key in not breaking bones. My first mtn bike ride I didn't do this and it it was Trail 1 - Shannon 0. Ended up with several broken bones and probably a slight concussion.

Once at the top we got a drink, caught our breath, and let the good times roll!!

The ES DH trail is very smooth with lines around pretty much every feature. This is great for beginners and more mellow riders who just want to check it out. I am all about making things accessible for all groups. This gains interest in our sport and especially in this discipline.

The go big or go home lines can be intimidating after being off a bike for 5 months, but in the end we hit about every line save for the big stepdown at the top. This thing is intimidating, but totally do-able. It's probably only a 6ft step-down, but the turn afterward just seems like it's going the wrong way for the direction of the line. I headed in a couple times but opted for the sally line instead. Just wasn't feeling it and any good mtn biker knows, if you're not feeling it, it's probably not going to turn out in your favor.

Aside form the step-down up top, there's a three tier rock roller to drop, a couple gap jumps and hipped jumps to berms, and a nice rock slab step down with plenty of room to bomb it. that last one is fun, but right after a slow, non-bermed turn so it takes a few pedal strokes to really hit the transition.

All the berms that are there are super packed and smooth. No big braking bumps (pot holes) like you'd experience at the big resorts. They make the flow of the trail dan near perfect. About the third run I was railing them pretty good for a guy who lives in LevelLand.

After a huge burger and fries (some sort of bbq concoction with grilled onions and mushrooms I think) at The Rowdy Beaver, which is highly recommended, we headed back down for two more runs. We were both hurting on that 5th and final hike to the top, but the ride down was super sweet and really fast.

After 5 runs and cramped legs, we were on the long road back home to KC. I was super stoked to get back on the bike, and even more pumped that I finally got to try out my new GT Sanction setup. The bike handled well, but will need some minor adjustments and parts upgrades to make it a killer!

We are heading back down in a week to camp and ride again, but this time we will have a shuttle driver!!!! That's and easy 10 runs per day and I can't wait for some more sweet, sweet downhill! I'll get some pics this time around and share the experience in my next post.

'Til then, thanks for checking in and God bless.

-Shannon

Bar Spin Flip Whip?

2011-03-02T20:55:00.000-08:00

Really, Greg Watts? A Bar Spin Flip Whip? Really? And then you follow it up with a double backflip just for kicks! Who does that? Anyone who thinks that mountain biking isn't one of the most progressive sports today is off their rocker.

Burns' Playground

2011-02-23T21:16:00.001-08:00

I finally got o hop on the new bike today and put it to the test. Saw a post from Bovine inviting people to ride his backyard mini trail system and with weather in the 50's and snow in the forcast, I knew I couldnt pass up dry dirt, log rides, a teeter, and ladder bridges so close to home!

Patrick and I had the place to ourselves for about and hour and a half, rode every possible line and I am sure we even made a few new lines of our own. This place was a blast, especially for the first ride on the new bike and the first ride in a few months.

I gotta say, Sean has done a good job squeezing the maximum amount of fun into such a small area. There are several lines that took a few times to clear and some that I will be back to conquer with more flow.

We talked about him putting in a pump tack back there and a few new lines and ideas for more features. I cant believe that every mtn biker in Kansas City isn't jumping all over the opportunity to ride dry dirt after so long being confined to the road or, in my case, the couch! With the added opportunity to build bike handling skills and learn something new, he should've beem fighting people off today.

So, we had a great time and I realize how out of shape I am now. I guess I'll be taking him up on the invitation to ride anytime. Can't wait!

-Shannon

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Up and Running Again!

2010-09-28T18:36:00.001-07:00

I would like to share a map with you

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Far Away - Lecrae (Haiti Relief)

2010-08-09T13:08:00.000-07:00

This is such a powerful video. The images of what those in Haiti are still dealing with today are heartbreaking. Lecrae has a special talent of being able to put our thoughts and prayers into carefully crafted flowing rhymes to express our need for God and His love for us and backing everything he says with biblical truth.

-Shannon

Call to Glory

2009-09-11T14:35:00.000-07:00

I've been watching The Uprising for the past few days and finally found out who sings the opening and closing songs on each episode. Thought I would share. I know it won't meet every one's fancy but it IS for everyone. They are spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ through music. The Gospel is for everyone.

I like how everyone on this show has such a strong testimony that so many people today can relate to. They are real. their experiences are real. And they are not ashamed to admit what they went through without Christ in their lives and then testify to what God has done in their lives since accepting Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour. Hearing each persons testimonies on this show really makes me believe that He really did 'save' them from eternal damnation.

Everyone these days seems to be trying to satisfy their emptiness with things that are of the world (violence, drugs, sex, suicide, alcohol money, fame), when in actuality God is the only thing in this universe that will fill that whole in your heart for eternity and get rid of any doubt and fear in your life.

Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." -John 14:6

He is the Way to God. The Truth in any argument and uncertainty. And the Life. The Life that you cannot find by seeking it within the world. Abundant Life. Eternal Life. He will give you Peace, Joy and Happiness like you have never known.

I hope you like it.

-Shannon

Check em out.

http://www.myspace.com/calltogloryband

Shawnee Mission Park Freeride MOU Passed!

2009-07-22T13:53:00.000-07:00

Check it out on Freeride Lounge

Clipless Pedals

2009-07-10T08:41:00.000-07:00

Despite everyone (I mean everyone) telling me to use the clipless pedals on the road before you use them on the trail, I decided to ride the Swope Trails (first ride on the new trails) with my new clipless pedals.

I mean, how bad could it be? Right? I'll practice clipping in and un-clipping in the parking lot before I hit the trails and it'll be all good!

So I put the cleats on my old 661 shoes, stripping two bolts in the process (apparently you cant Hercules them on there). Thought to myself, "Will this e a problem?" Nah! But I had better bring the wrench and flats in case I don't like the clipless.

Patrick pulls up as I am starting to get used to pedaling and not having the ability to simply pull my foot off the pedal and pretty much tells me that it is a bad idea to try them out on the trail first. Should I take the warning? Probably, but damn it they are on there and I am not taking them off!

We take off UP the trail and its fast and smooth! Perfect! Just like riding on the road. The first round of rocks come and go with ease and I am feeling confident about my abilities and my decision. "What's so hard about this?" I say as I am flying along, swerving in an out of the trees.

I see the upcoming semi-technical hill and pick up the pace to ensure that I make it over as it is quite steep. Going...going...going...crap... Split second decision! I violently throw my right ankle to the side releasing the cleat from the grip of death binding on the pedal, adjust myself to plant my right foot on the ground to stop the fall, and fall to the left side toward the cliff. I hit hard head first and I am now upside down sliding straight for the cliff, left foot still entangled in the pedal that has a relentless grip on my shoe with the handlebars underneath me. I stop, thank God, and try to reposition myself to un-clip from the pedal and after a couple minutes of wondering why the shoe is moving but the cleat is not releasing, my shoe finally breaks free without the once attached cleat.

Great! So much for my great idea. I collect my pride and hop back on the bike, right foot clipped in, left foot slipping off the pedal every other stroke. I finally catch up with McQ and decide that the best idea is to take the clipless pedal off and replace it with the flats that are in my bag. Both pedals? Nope, just one. I'll be good right? I only have to worry about one foot now. And I got that one out very well the last time.

We head out again and the trails are awesome! Fast flowy downhill sections swerving in and out of trees. We are leaned over so much we look like MotoGP racers rounding the corners. Oh, life is sweet! We hit a nice technical rock slab section and I charge it full speed. I am hopping up and over rocks and roots like a pro. I see the foot and a half tall rock slab in in front of me, track stand for a minute to negotiate the obstacle, find the best approach, pop the front wheel up there first, good. Now the rear, up, OH, ALMOST...ALMOST...crap! Normally I would kick my right foot forward to get that extra little umph to get me up and over the obstacle however, that didn't happen this time because for some reason my right foot wouldn't move. "What happened?", I wonder as I lay on my back with a very uncomfortable rock poking me in my right buttock. Ohhhh! That's right. I was still clipped in on that side because I though it was a good idea.

Once again I gather up my pride and hop back in the saddle (I am good at that part) and take off down the trail. Coming a little fast into the first turn reach to feather my rear brake and I'm not slowing down! I look down and notice that my brake lever broke off during my last rendezvous with the ground. It must have met the same rock that my left butt cheek did.

The rest of the ride went ok. I took it slow for the most part because I didn't want brake too hard with the front and end up with my face in the dirt or worse. Patrick tried a few different unconventional lines on the rock faces and we railed some more of the DH sections on the way down and out.

Overall the experience was great save for the two falls I had. The Swope Trails are my new favorite trails and are most likely the fastest flowing and fastest drying trails in KC. Great job and many thanks go out to the trail stewards and volunteers. Next time I'll try it without the clipless.

-Shannon

So I didn't ride but......

2009-07-06T13:56:00.001-07:00

We went to Denver to visit Shahana's friends over the long weekend. I decided not to take the bike so she could spend as much time as possible with her friends and not taking me to ride. It was a last minute decision but the right one in the end.

On Friday we visited Boulder and the CU campus. The drive into the hills up Canyon Drive is amazing. There was rappelling, rock climbing, tubing, kayaking, cycling and mountain biking all within a stones throw of each other! Pearl St was cool and very much like The Promenade in Santa Monica, CA. In fact the entire atmosphere in Boulder was much like the coastal cities along SoCal. I loved the vibe and it took me back a bit. We had lunch on a rooftop deck with a view of the Iron Flats. I had the bbq sandwich with the "Kansas City style bbq sauce" just for a laugh. I gave them the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately I was disappointed with the food but everything else made up for it! Why do flip flops cost $60 these days?

That night Shahana's friend Julie, who was so gracious to let us stay with her, had a few friends over to celebrate the 4th and we watched the Coors Field fireworks display after the Rockies game from her 4th floor deck less than 1/4 mile away from the stadium. The Rockies won and it was a decent display.

Saturday morning we headed for the mountains. Shahana knew of a hiking trail with a great view so we headed up to Mt. Evans (a 14er). On the drive up we all started feeling a bit woozy from the altitude change so we stopped along the way to stretch and regain our composure. In a few miles we met Echo Lake and the awesome view of Mt. Evans. The weather didn't seem to want to cooperate but with patches of sun here and there we were hoping for the best once we got to the top. We headed straight for the top (no time to really hike Mt. Evans but there was talk of returning to make the hike from Echo Lake in the near future) and bypassed Summit Lake and the hiking trail due to the weather. Everything seemed to clear up just as we arrived and we were pleasantly surprised with miles of blue skies and fluffy white cumulus clouds.

As we started the hike to the top from the parking lot, I got the great idea to bypass the switchback well beaten path and shimmy my way up the boulders, straight to the top. 5 minutes later, lungs and legs screaming for air, I reached the top of Mt. Evans only to have what little breath I had taken away. I could not believe how beautiful the view was. Oh the awesome power and view of God to create such a magnificent place! I could not get enough. With a little courage and a lot of huevos, I jumped and scaled my way up to the highest rocks to soak it all in.

After a few photo opportunities and one scare from my misplaced footing we made our way down to the car. While I was waiting for the ladies to come down the path (I am a mountain goat at heart apparently as I jumped down from boulder to boulder) I took the opportunity to take some pictures for a nice group of motorcyclists from Ontario, Canada. They had been on the road for quite a while and still had quite a trip ahead of them. Obviously proud of their cruisers and their country the took pictures of their bikes which were all sporting their Canadian flag.

On our way back down to Summit Lake the clouds rolled in (I should say fell right on top of us) and the view was ridiculously limited to about 15 feet in all directions (even over the cliff with no railing). Needless to say it was a long drive back down. At Summit Lake it started to drizzle and was a cool 38 degrees. The lake was still a bit frozen and there was snow packed in some areas still. They ladies were freezing since we were all in shorts and we were debating whether or not to hike the trail. Shahana made it seem like it was worth the time and the weather wasn't getting any better so I suggested a nice little trail run since we were all in our running shoes anyways. Like I said, I am apparently a mountain goat because I took off like a bat out of hell down the trail, up and over boulders along side, and through the snow.

I took some time to take in the view of the lake and looking up at Mt. Evans peak before the clouds overtook the mountain. Shahana shouted down from the ridge so I ran up there and once again my breath was taken away (not from the lack of O2). As I stood atop a boulder overlooking the valley below and the endless mtn range in front of me I truly felt that Rocky Mountain high. It was most likely a combination of the adrenaline from running, lack of oxygen, the freezing drizzle on my face and the amazing view of God's green earth that made me feel so alive that I could have died happy in that moment.

We watched the fireworks from the balcony again on the 4th and even though the Rockies lost, they still put on one heck of a great fireworks display. Much better than the display the night before. We slept and met with a childhood friend of Shahana's for lunch the next day.

As we headed back East toward KC, Shahana cried and I comforted her. She really misses Colorado, the vibe, and her friends. KC and Denver are worlds apart and I totally understand why she misses it so much. I was completely in my element while I was there and I now feel CO pulling at my heart to get me back. I can't explain the joy I felt just being surrounded by the outdoors and the positive attitude (mostly), seeing how happy Shahana is there, and being able have the time spent with God and her up on that mountain.

As I write this and look at my new screen saver of Mt. Evans overlooking Summit Lake, I feel like something in me is missing and all I can think of is getting back! I took several hundred photos. As soon as I get a chance to rummage through them I will post up a few.

I hope you all celebrated your independence fully! Remember: If you love your freedom, thank a Vet. God Bless

-Shannon

Black Market and The Dotte

2009-06-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

Iv'e been watching BM's steady progress in the past few months and I finally had a few minutes last night to check it out for myself.

The skinny on BM: Dirt jumps, gap jumps, berms, technical rollercoaster style skinnies, step-ups to step-downs, drops, and other rad stuff to come.

I only hit the entry DJ a few times and didn't get down into the good stuff. Pretty stoked to go back and ride the entire trail and especially the rollercoaster style skinny. Looks amazing!

The Dotte: Skinnies, drops, berms, teeter, step downs, creek gap jump, big finish line jump.

Scott's old trail. Jen told us we can come ride whenever so Patrick and I went out and did a little trail work to get it back in shape. My string trimmer ran out o string so I only got about 1/2 way through the trail. Planning on going back Wednesday to work on the rest and seeing if Jen needs help with anything around the house.

The finish line jump needs some dirt work to get it popping again but overall the trail looks good for not being ridden since last fall and zero trailwork done since then either. But it'll make a good Thursday night ride spot if Jen is ok with it.

It sucks not riding there with Scott....But it's ice to have a place to ride and remember the times we had. I want to ask jen about building a pump track back there for Riley. He was having a blast Memorila Day weekend in DD riding the little mounds of dirt we layed out for him. I think he would love it and it'll keep him riding.

10 Hours At Pleasant Valley Skate Park

2009-05-19T17:33:00.000-07:00

10 HOURS! My pasty arms are so red one one side I could use them to stop traffic! My entire body hurts. Took a couple of nasty spills, took out two kids (or was it the same kid twice), re-learned the no footers and the rawk-stars, the x-ups and the whips. Taught Jesse how to do no-footers and that encouraged him to try supermans. That and a little camera courage. Hopefully we get to see those pics.

It felt good being back on the P bike at the park. I can't wait to get that lip built up tomorrow. I may have found a good person to visit the Ish more frequently to keep the trail in tip top shape. We'll see. That would be awesome to have someone that lives close to keep an eye on the trail.

10 Hours..........O_O

Shannon

Landah "Ish" Trail

2009-04-29T14:42:00.000-07:00

Saturday Chandler and I headed out to Blue Springs to work on the downhill(ish) trail.
The plan was to build what we could with a couple shovels and pulaskis. I was hoping for a couple step downs and a jump to be built in a few hours. Little did I realize how large of a goal that was.

With zero machinery and just a handsaw, building anything that needed to be framed in would have to wait. In the beginning of this trails existence we had started building a small table top jump on the lower section. I had hoped to get there and throw a little dirt on it, give it a nice curve and move on to the step downs. When I saw how much the jump had been beaten down from the weather I soon realized that the jump needed a major renovation and not just touch-ups.

The lip and transition were almost completely washed away and the run in wasn't looking so hot either. We ended up spending the entire day working on just building up the lip of the jump(minus 15 minutes throwing some dirt on the stepdown). There is still a lot of work to do to build the lip to a point that it will get you vertical and not just launch you out. The transition will need some major work to build it back up but it will be worth every ounce of energy to have a public dirt jump in KC....and more to come.

With a little love and some machine work it will definitely be the start to a relationship between the more progressive riders in KC and the land managers.

Here are some pics of the beginning to the lip.

Bone Bender

2009-04-09T20:58:00.000-07:00

Bone Bender April 18th @ Smithville Lake
This will be my first mountain bike race. Some might laugh since it's not something hard core like downhill racing or 4x but you gotta work with what you have. Hopefully it won't turn into a road race and we actually get to hit the dirt. Smithville has some pretty nice trails and they are great on a SS bike. 3 hours on a rigid SS ought to shake things up a bit. Eh?

Canada Eh?

2009-04-09T20:28:00.000-07:00

In October, Dave, Patrick, and I took a end of season trip to the Pacific Northwest. Patrick and I were on the same flight and landed in Seattle, WA around 10:30AM. We decided to go check out the I-5 Colonnade Bike Park while we waited for Dave's flight to come in. We sessioned the park for around three hours and had a complete blast eventually pinning every line in the park.

Colonnade Freeride Park, Seattle Wa from Patrick McCue on Vimeo.

Once Dave arrived it was off to the border. At the Canadian border we were lucky enough to be invited for a grand tour of the border patrol's interrogation building. Apparently the Canadian govt doesn't take kindly to strangers.... Especially those with misdemeanor assault charges. But I pulled the Marine card and the fella at the desk was nice enough to let me through. It's amazing what you can get out of by mentioning your time in service (not that I have ever abused this blessing).

Once in Canada (pheww!) we headed to Vancouver to meet our wonderful hosts Ken and Natalie. They are both very genuine and down to earth people and very solid riders. They lent us there floor, bed, and couch for the night and even cooked up a killer breakfast with homemade bread to fill up on carbs. After breakfast we headed up to Mt. Seymour. The anticipation to ride real freeride and DH trails was killing me during the long ride up the mountain. It was a very cloudy day and the fog was thick. At the top we geared up and headed down to the trailhead of CBC and into a whole other world than what I am used to.Ken forgot his full face but luckily he had a skid lid in the trunk.

The forests in B.C. are temperate rain forest so from what I hear it stays moist most of the year and it is absolutely beautiful even with the heavy fog. I think it made the experience even better and more technically challenging. CBC is a very fun and well armored freeride trail that has countless hours of volunteers blood, sweat, and tears put into it. About half the way down CBC Ken flatted and we took a few minutes (very few as Ken is quick to change a tire) to play around on the steep rock garden up ahead. Not long after that Ken decided to become a problem child and broke his derailleur hanger.

You are half way down a mountain, in the middle of nowhere, with some of the worlds gnarliest trails in front of you and you have no way to pedal...what do you do? Well you could climb back up and take the car down. Not Ken (or most other mountain bikers for that matter). Ken opted to ride down the rest of the mountain chainless. Even chainless Ken is skilled and even pretty fast in the flowy sections. Unfortunately this meant taking the sally lines (if present) or walking around the wooden stunts. Big bummer for Ken but we still had a lot of fun.

The rest of the ride was a super steep, rocky, rooted, and slippery mess of bliss. The feeling I got from riding these trails is the exact reason that I call this site Big Grin. Just like a stoner gets perma-grin when he's had some super sticky icky, the amount of adrenaline you have pumping through your veins after clearing a super tech section or a sketchy drop or skinny is unreal and euphoric. I am an adrenaline junkie in it's truest sense.

We ended up riding CBC-Corkscrew-Salvation-Pingu-Pangor. Here's the link to a clip I found of the trails:

http://www.trailpeak.com/trail-Mt-Seymour-CBC-near-Vancouver-BC-170

The trails empty you right out on to the road and right behind the shopping center where we stashed the retrieval vehicle. The LBS didn't have the hanger that Ken needed and it wasn't repairable so he made a few calls and found one on the other side of town. Dave and I stayed with the bikes while McQ, Ken, and Natalie went for the other cars. Just about the time they got back with the cars the sky opened up and wreaked havoc on us. I didn't think it rained anywhere else on earth like it does during a Midwestern thunderstorm but I was WRONG! It reigned down upon us like it was the end of the world and I think it even hailed!

Ken drives like a S.Korean taxi cab driver so we where at the other shop lickedy split. Once Ken had his rig all fixed up we decided not to go back to Seymour but to head up to Mount Cypress. On the way up the mtn the fog/clouds/wall of white/whatever you call it, got so thick that we were having a hard time seeing 30ft in front of us and it made for a slow drive up to the trailhead. Ken decided on Mystery Downhill to start.

Mystery DH was amazing! Steep, rooted, and super fast the whole way down with almost no stops. I could smell my brakes smoking! I had never before experienced this and I wondered if my clothes were on fire. In one section my bike slid out from under me and it was so steep that i had a hard time regaining my balance and composure. At just that point Natalie comes down the trail to "encourage" me. "Come on Shannon, let's go." "What's wrong with you?" That's all it took to get me going and determined to chalk up a win against this mountain. Once we go to the road we booked it down the hill and across a very unpleasant eyesore that our "friends" at BP/Guinness were lovely enough to place on the mountain.

At the trailhead to Family Guy, Ken and Natalie told us that the trail would no longer be there in a couple months. BP/Guinness's land developing company is currently destroying that part of the mountain to build condo's. So sad. It makes me a little sick to know that this beautiful trail that gives so many people such enjoyment, has been destroyed so some black suit corporate prick can have a pad with a view of Vancouver that he will probably never have time to bother with enjoying. Nor will he ever truely ever respect the forest for the magnificent emotions that it produces and the beauty that is within the treeline. Thanks! [rant over]

Mystery DH to Family Guy was the most fun I have ever had on my bike and it also challenged me more than I had even been since I began riding. BIG GRIN!

(To be continued..)

Lindland

2009-04-09T20:15:00.000-07:00

Recently Dave, Jared, Patrick, and I made a trip out to the little town of Wamego, Kansas to visit our friend and Manhattan, Kansas' most influential freeride advocate, Jason Lind. We call Jason's place Lindland just for fun although it has recently been dubbed "Door Prizes" for reasons known only to the KGB (Kansas Good ol' Boys). Jason has been building and riding freeride stunts and trails for going on 10 years and is the most die hard builder I know. Thanks again Jason! Check out the video that Jared put together.

Freeriding in the Kansas Prairie from Jared Bayne on Vimeo.