Villa Grove on Memorial Day

I had to work Memorial Day weekend, but got off at 9:00am on Memorial Day. Steve and Grant kindly waited for me and we headed out to catch an evening glass off at Villa Grove. Villa Grove is at the northern tip of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains. The launch is at 9400' over looking the San Luis Valley.

The Sangre De Cristo Mountains

Launch

(at the top of the brown triangle under Galena Peak)

Drive Up to Launch

We got there the wind in the valley was strong out of the south, so we relaxed and waited for the evening glass. I rigged the T2C and was happy to see that the Phoenix Multisport logo I had just applied was holding strong. It would be my first flight with a newly acquired Rotor harness and Icaro helmet.

New Stickers on the Phoenix Glider

New Harness and Helmet

Brave Paraglider Going Up

And Trying to Come Down By Folding His Wing into "Big Ears"

Larry launched first followed by a few others. My launch was clean, but my hang length was a little lower than anticipated. The air in front of launch was ratty so I got the hell out of there to adjust my harness. I ran to the south and easily climbed to 12,000'. It took a while, but I got my harness sorted and began to enjoy the flight.

Larry Launching His Custom Harness

My Launch

The strong south flow in the valley had increased and people were hovering down to land in 25mph winds. I had no desire to do land while it was strong so I hung out on the shoulder of a ridge and waited for the evening glass off to develop. It took about an hour, but soon the air calmed and started rising. I worked my way back to Galena Peak and soon was at 14,000'.

Waiting Out the Strong Air at 12,000' South of Launch

Digging My New Helmet

It was a typical Villa Glass off with gentle lifting air everywhere, that you could do no wrong in. The sun was low and cast long shadows of Galena, Mount Otto, and Bushnell peaks deep into the next valley. Grant and I were the only pilots left in the air, unfortunately Steve got shut down by strong cross winds on launch. I did my best not to take it for granted and boated around with Grant enjoying the incredible performance of the T2C.

Looking North at 14,000'

Turning Over Mount Otto

Grant Over the Trees

Galena Peak and Its Shadow

Pure Bliss

Video of Me Making a Pass Over Grant

Video of 360 Degree View at 14,000'

After another hour the sun was kissing the horizon and I was getting cold. Grand and I headed out over the valley and spiraled down to land at Larry's house. Total air time 3:00.

Decals, Bike Racks, and M Coupes

Last weekend the Phoenix Multisport decals for my hang glider came. The first set I ordered were all the wrong size, which was the result of ordering them without looking at the glider in person. Coincidentally Jonny V had just bought an M Coupe the same weekend and brought it over to install the bike rack. Matt showed up to help out and we all got to work.

First I rigged the glider and pulled VG to get the sail tight. Then while it stretched out we got to work on Jonny's car. I know all the local M Coupe owners around and happened to bump into Daryl who owned an Imola Red 2000 M Coupe earlier in the month. He told me he might be selling his and later Jonny told me he was thinking about buying one. One week later the deal was done! I've invested all of my money and energy into hang gliding this year, so I was happy to live vicariously through Jonny. Adapting a Thule 753 rack to fit the narrow roof line of the M Coupe is easy, you just have to extend the channels in the rear bar with a grinder.

M Coupes and the T2C

After the grinding was done it was back to the glider. The 4' Phoenix Multisport logo was first and hardest. I wanted to mount it centered on the wing root, but that area has multiple seams which aren't perfectly smooth. Jo came out and worked with Matt and I to apply the giant sticker. We started at the bottom and worked our way up towards the nose. It was tedious work, but we managed to get it on with only a few air bubbles. A needle made short work of it.

Applying the Logo Decal

Next were the lettering on the leading edge lettering. We only had one shot, but dark storm clouds were ominously building over the mountains. Our time was limited. Not giving in to the pressure we carefully applied 8 feet of Phoenix Multisport lettering to the left wing. The wind was picking up as the gust front approached. I turned the glider around, tail into the wind and we pressed on. Lightning struck nearby and thunder clapped overhead. We were running out of time. We managed to stick the the T in Multisport just as the heaven opened.

Applying the Leading Edge Lettering

I de-tensioned the wing and we carried into the garage. Soon the rain turned to hail and the M Coupes were in jeopardy. Jonny took off to find an over pass while I threw everything possible that would pad the car and not scratch the paint on top of mine. I had mix of sleeping bags, flannel coats, soft rugs, and finally a tarp. It wasn't enough the hail turned from pebble size to gum ball size. Matt and I grabbed our bike helmets and a tarp and sacrificed ourselves to save the car. The tarp kept the car safe, but the gum ball sized hail hurt as it pelted us in every nook and cranny. It hurt most on bony areas like knuckles and spine, but after 20 minutes of pelting the storm had moved on.

The Skies Open Up

Protecting the M Coupe from Hail

It Still Hurt with the Bike Helmet

Jonny returned and we inspected our cars. They were in pristine condition. With our cars okay and the stress of the storm over we did the only natural thing - burnouts in the hail on the street!

With the Cars Unscathed a Few Burnouts were in Order

Post Storm Rainbow

Fruita

Jo and I headed to the La Sal Mountains above Moab last week to do some wedding planning and re-con. I won't say much but here are a few teasers of the venue.

A Few Wedding Venue Teasers

On the way home we stopped to ride some classic Fruita trails. The high desert is at it's most beautiful in late spring with green sage, junipers, pinions, and lush wild flowers and cactus in full bloom. Fruita is a mountain biker's heaven with a network of trails that offer everything. There is sticky slickrock, winding single track, fast smooth bits, and lots of technical sections to complete the menu. The scenery is as wonderful as the riding. The trail runs along a shear cliff ban above the Colorado River with views of Colorado National Monument upstream and Rabbit Valley downstream. To the north the book cliffs tower above the grand valley with majestic grandeur. We enjoyed ourselves even though our mountain biking skills were comically rusty at times.

Sweet Single Track

Flowing Cactus

(the green thing in the center is a catapillar)

Desert Wildflowers

Found this Collared Lizard on the Side of the Trail

Riding Along the Cliffs Above the Colorado River

More Wildflowers

Rocky Mountain Moonrise

On the way home from Moab last week Jo and I stopped by Jeff and Lauri's place in Eagle for dinner. Just as we got there Jeff noticed the full moon rising over the sunset lit mountains. I'm not happy with the lighting, but I still think the image is blog-worthy.

Bike Touring in Eugene

I found myself in Eugene, OR yesterday. It was a beautiful sunny 75 degree day which was pure bliss after spending the last week in Colorado's cold and snow. I happened to have the Ritchie Break-Away Cross bike with me and took the opportunity to explore the town and get a ride in. Unfortunately I forgot my camera and had only crappy iPhone camera to take pics with.

Eugene, Oregon

Eugene is located at the south end of Willamette Valley where the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers meet. The town itself has a super cool vibe, way cooler than Boulder I have to admit. I imagine it was like Boulder was 10 to 15 years ago, before it's steadily increasing wealth brought uptightness and rules that make a mockery of its laid back marketing hype. There ton's of cool older houses down town that each had its own unique style. It is also one of the most bike friendly places I've been to. There are bike lanes on almost every road with dedicated signs, routes, and even estimated riding times. Along the rivers there are plentiful bike paths with a mix of modern and reclaimed railroad bridges offering multiple crossing points.

Downtown

Converted Railroad Bridge

I spent an hour riding around town taking talking to people, sampling the farmers market, and even managed to find a pair of Puma Driving Shoes in my size I've been looking for forever. People were super friendly with absolutely no ego or attitude, dare I say unlike Boulder!

Geese in the Park

Bike Friendly Eugene

The Building Next to this phone booth was a sports car shop. I was drawn in by MG's and Triumphs in the yard, then in the show room I saw it. Glistening on the other side of the glass was a Ferrari F430 Scuderia. I know, so typical, lusting after a Ferrari. It was pure sex in automobile form. I drooled through the glass and imagined flogging all 510 horses to their limit. I pride myself as being someone who, if they owned a Ferrari, would drive it to its limit, which is probably enough reason along for me not to have a Ferrari! As I was drooling, the owner shooed me off the "closed" property, hence why below is a photo of a British telephone booth and not the afore mentioned Scuderia!

The Ferrari

(see above)

The lush green mountains surrounding the valley were a majestic sight. I rode up to the hills north of town and climbed through pine forests that would put the best of Colorado to shame. In the distance the snow covered volcanic peaks of the Three Sisters added depth and color to the landscape.

The Hills North of Town

After the hills I was starting to fade, but it was such I nice day I decided to add another lap around the bike paths along the river. It was only 12 more miles, but I took my time and soaked in the sun. When I got back to the hotel I was spent. A day like that was the exact reason I got the Break-Away - easy to travel with, no compromises, and capable off road!

The Break-Away Cross