Riding At Jim Thorpe

I have done many mountain bike rides in this mountain town but none as enjoyable as these! Riding with the family is slower, easier, and more visually enjoyable then my normal bike rides. Check out the full face helmet on Luke!

Camping Trip #1

The Family went on our first tent camping trip on Thurs. into Friday! Jim Thorpe would be the location. The weather was calling for possible showers or thunderstorms, when we arrived in town it startrd to rain within minutes. We proceeded to kill time and wait for the rain to subside. After eating dinner at Hotel Switzerland it was time for a decision! Stay or Go! As we stood in the ceter of towm and looked up at the sky I was leaning toward coming home and Becki was thinking lets stay! I knew their was a reason she is a great wife. She can predict the weather! We drove the few miles up to Mauch Chunk Lake and set up camp.
The weather got much better, the tent set up went well, and we even got a camp ground with a view of the lake. The only thing left to do was set up the FIRE and hope I could get it started. As you will see in the pictures it did start and the kids loved it. Overall, a great family first camping trip! More to come on the activities we did in Jim Thorpe!

New Camera

Beach Report #3 Rides

The kids loved the rides this year. Thanks to Nana and Papa for spending the big bucks for the kids to ride. The faces and the memories were priceless.

Beach Report #2

Andy and I battling the wind at the shore. It was great getting to ride with Andy! We went into the wind for about 45 min. and then turned around and flew home! Yes, he forgot his helmet! He looks very european!

Beach Report #1

The holes were the big hit on the beach! Andy, dad, and I would dig some holes and pathways that would connect them. The kids would then play for hours! Luke and Meg model one of our creations.

What do you want to be?

I think Luke is on his way!

Rain Ride

I took the kids to Valley Green for a ride that turned into a wet and messy affair! We unloaded the car and hooked up Meg's trailer under threatening skys. I chose to go ahead with the ride and it started to rain within 2 minutes. We took shelter in a picnic area with several other cyclists and waited. The rain slowed down within a few minutes and we were off. Now the gravel path was a muddy and wet mess. Luke was in his element. The mud was flying and he figured out that he can skid in the puddles and make a bigger splash! Needless to say we all got a shower when we arrived home! I should also mention today Becki begins her Redstone adventure. Good Luck Becki you will be the best one they have!

Meg and Luke on Ice

A trip to Wintersport for a little summer ice skating. Luke has been asking to go and there is no time like the present. Becki had to do her Redstone Grad class so I took both of the kids and it became Meg's first skating session. Meg did a great job although she liked going fast with Dad more then skating on her own.(check the pictures) She kept wanting me to go faster! Luke on the other hand is going faster on the ice. He is really getting it now. He did some good skating without any cone assistance. I will be getting them on the ice regularly this summer. He is really ready to progress and learn. Let the fun begin. Let play some Hockey!

Better

I got to go on a nice mtn. bike ride today to Valley Green. For the past few years I have been riding my mtn. bike on the road the three miles to get to the trails. This started out as a way to maximize ride time because of the kids. At that time I was not even thinking of the gas it might take to drive to the trailhead. Now I do it for two reasons! I am lucky to live only three miles away from some really great trails. I was not sure how I would feel on the bike because of the throw up bug that went through the family last week. It turns out I felt pretty good. I was creating my own momentum, that is always good on the Rig.
At this time I have to also say a BIG thank you to the man behind the Prsent Tense! Andy Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It means alot to me that you think of me everytime you get your Ten Club tickets! What a show! Last Friday I got to see Pearl Jam in Concert. It is always amasing to see them play. Thanks again Bro!

4 Hours

Last Sat. I went on a solo mission to White Clay for a longer singletrack ride. I was able to cover all of the park and even learn some new sections. By new I mean new to me. Both new and old trails are amazing. I can not say enough how great it is the work that people have done on these trails. The hard work has paid off with some of the most "buff" singletrack anywhere. Thank you to Becki for the time! This was part of my fathers day gift. I have taken some more pictures as you can see, but they really don't do it any justice! Enjoy!

The Big Bike Race

The big bike race came to town this past Sunday. The temps were hot and so was the racing. This would be the 5th bike race for Luke and Meg's 2nd. For me it is fun to share this day with the family. I have been going for 15 years and the family time now is the best. It is fun for me to watch the look on the kids faces as they see the racers go up the "wall". The riders pass within inches of them and they love it.

It has also become tradition for Leo and his family to come and hang out with Luke at the race. Leo is one of Luke's best friends and they were able to run around and enjoy the motorcycles, cars, and bikes. They even did the "guy" thing and took a pee in the woods.

Charlie and Laura were also with us for the day. Charlie and I have been togther for many a bike race and we always have a great time. Next year we are riding home from the race through the woods to my house. When we get there we will have dinner! Mark your calender Charlie and Leon!

Losing Weight

The Rig lost some pounds and got a whole lot faster. The 29in. wheels are great when you can lighten the bike up. The Rig is noticablely faster! The tires are WTB Nano with no tubes. They roll faster then the Bonty's and are lighter. This equals speed!The white seat is from my Indy Fab, also lighter then the stock Bonty. White seats just look good to me! The biggest change is the fork. Going from a Reba to the Bonty carbon saves a couple of pounds. The bike is faster in every situation, and much more enjoyable to ride. A late addition to the bike is bar ends and orange grips. I had to have a little orange on the bike!

Experiment