Paul H
Fearless OOS Poser
You, sir, are a gentleman and a scholar!
Book of Paul H
- Thread starter Paul H
- Start date
Paul H
Fearless OOS Poser
On Friday, rode the unmarked trail... or I will just refer it as JimN's HM loop or JHML.
I totally sucked on the downhill switchbacks. Felt like that "guy in a mountain with a bike" again. It was a pretty disappointing feeling to know that you don't know how to turn. I kept on locking out the brakes and I was skidding all over or coming to a complete stop. Maybe I need to grow some balls. To make an excuse for myself, HM was still a little wet. Then I went explorer mode and stumbled upon an easier single track on the southeast side of HM. It started off the yellow south of the summit and it ended up on Degray St in North Haledon I think. I thought it was much more beginner friendly. Let's just say that this trail forced me off the saddle only twice or so and the climbs weren't as steep. Not to mention, no crazy corners. Also passed by a dude that was smoking weed. I might have startled him a bit. If he stuck around, maybe I would have asked for a puff and hit the switchbacks on JHML! lol Unfortunately, my phone was running low on battery and was not able to map it. Next week, I will go back and try to look for this trail again and map it on mapmyride.
On Saturday, I needed a confidence booster and rode the color trails. Rode it like a superstar.... well.... as far as a noob goes. Came upon a ATV trail up north off yellow and went on explorer mode again. It was a total waste of time IMO. Most parts of this trail was so freakin rocky and bumpy that my butt was killing me.... AND I WAS WALKING! Back to my color trail and when I was coming down the red towards the WP parking lot, rode by a kid on a MTB. I would guess he was only in middle school or so. Pretty cool to see new breed of riders in HM. He was walking with his bike and it was like seeing myself not too long ago. For a split sec, I wanted to turn back and give the kid some encouragements and pointers. Then I came to my senses... I am in no position to do so. I am sure he will fly by me in a couple of months. One thought did come across me.... after riding JHML, the colored trails became pretty stale in a way. Don't get me wrong, I still have fun on them but not sure how I will feel about it in the near future.
For the month July, I have Fridays off so for the rest of this month, get beat up on JHML one day and as a morale picker upper, ride the color trails the next. Not to mention, explore more in HM.
I still want to check out the Jungle tho.... still on my things to do list.
I totally sucked on the downhill switchbacks. Felt like that "guy in a mountain with a bike" again. It was a pretty disappointing feeling to know that you don't know how to turn. I kept on locking out the brakes and I was skidding all over or coming to a complete stop. Maybe I need to grow some balls. To make an excuse for myself, HM was still a little wet. Then I went explorer mode and stumbled upon an easier single track on the southeast side of HM. It started off the yellow south of the summit and it ended up on Degray St in North Haledon I think. I thought it was much more beginner friendly. Let's just say that this trail forced me off the saddle only twice or so and the climbs weren't as steep. Not to mention, no crazy corners. Also passed by a dude that was smoking weed. I might have startled him a bit. If he stuck around, maybe I would have asked for a puff and hit the switchbacks on JHML! lol Unfortunately, my phone was running low on battery and was not able to map it. Next week, I will go back and try to look for this trail again and map it on mapmyride.
On Saturday, I needed a confidence booster and rode the color trails. Rode it like a superstar.... well.... as far as a noob goes. Came upon a ATV trail up north off yellow and went on explorer mode again. It was a total waste of time IMO. Most parts of this trail was so freakin rocky and bumpy that my butt was killing me.... AND I WAS WALKING! Back to my color trail and when I was coming down the red towards the WP parking lot, rode by a kid on a MTB. I would guess he was only in middle school or so. Pretty cool to see new breed of riders in HM. He was walking with his bike and it was like seeing myself not too long ago. For a split sec, I wanted to turn back and give the kid some encouragements and pointers. Then I came to my senses... I am in no position to do so. I am sure he will fly by me in a couple of months. One thought did come across me.... after riding JHML, the colored trails became pretty stale in a way. Don't get me wrong, I still have fun on them but not sure how I will feel about it in the near future.
For the month July, I have Fridays off so for the rest of this month, get beat up on JHML one day and as a morale picker upper, ride the color trails the next. Not to mention, explore more in HM.
I still want to check out the Jungle tho.... still on my things to do list.
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Nice, I don't typically ride this trail because it doesn't fit into the main loop, but yeah it goes to Degray St/Vine St. It's more of an access trail to get in or out of High Mountain, which may be useful to you since you are riding in on the road from your house. You can see the trail here: https://www.strava.com/activities/216988989
Paul H
Fearless OOS Poser
Rode JHML on Friday and was able find that unmarked trail in the southern section. For some reason, it was tougher than I remembered it to be. I was able to make a loop... but whether you want to or not is another story. I almost rode into someone's backyard and the tail end of it was basically like the colored trails. I didn't know there were fences along college rd in the south sections.
http://www.mapmyrun.com/workout/1076910311
Oh... I still suck on the descending switchbacks. It was pretty dry so no excuses this time. I just suck! lol
Any tips?
On Sunday, it was exploration day. Been wanting to see if there were anything I missed out on the north side. Rode north on the blue trail. If anyone else was curious... don't waste your thoughts. At the very north end, there were signs on the trees saying private property and looked like no one really goes up there. There were plenty of sections where you couldn't even tell it was a trail other than by the markings on the trees. Ran into a few kids who drove their 4x4 in. There were trying to make small talks with me. I figure they were trying to see if I was going to take down their license plate. Also ran into a jogger shortly after. First time seeing anyone in this part of HM other than the dude that was camping. When I got back to my starting pt, I was pretty drained from all the hiking and decided to do some road riding instead. Big mistake... it was around high noon and the sun was beating down pretty hard and felt like I was burning.
http://www.mapmyrun.com/workout/1079499731
Next weekend is supposed to be better... weather wise....
http://www.mapmyrun.com/workout/1076910311
Oh... I still suck on the descending switchbacks. It was pretty dry so no excuses this time. I just suck! lol
Any tips?
On Sunday, it was exploration day. Been wanting to see if there were anything I missed out on the north side. Rode north on the blue trail. If anyone else was curious... don't waste your thoughts. At the very north end, there were signs on the trees saying private property and looked like no one really goes up there. There were plenty of sections where you couldn't even tell it was a trail other than by the markings on the trees. Ran into a few kids who drove their 4x4 in. There were trying to make small talks with me. I figure they were trying to see if I was going to take down their license plate. Also ran into a jogger shortly after. First time seeing anyone in this part of HM other than the dude that was camping. When I got back to my starting pt, I was pretty drained from all the hiking and decided to do some road riding instead. Big mistake... it was around high noon and the sun was beating down pretty hard and felt like I was burning.
http://www.mapmyrun.com/workout/1079499731
Next weekend is supposed to be better... weather wise....
Paul H
Fearless OOS Poser
As long as you can handle my speed!.... meaning you are going to have to stop quite a bit and wait for me to catch up. 🙂
Sure! Just let me know!
I'd be down for a JimN and the Koreans ride if you guys want a tour.
Paul H
Fearless OOS Poser
Aww man... sorry to say but weekdays doesn't work for me. I work in the city and I get home pretty late.
I guess I am going to have to sit this one out.
But if your friend would like to ride with a fellow noob and see HM at a noob pace, I would be more than happy to ride with him on any of the weekends.
Let me know.
I guess I am going to have to sit this one out.
But if your friend would like to ride with a fellow noob and see HM at a noob pace, I would be more than happy to ride with him on any of the weekends.
Let me know.
I don't have anywhere to be until 2pm, so that should work for me.
How about @1sh0t1b33r ?
Zaskar
Well-Known Member
Why what's happening in Aug?
Magic
Formerly 1sh0t1b33r
High Mountain (William Paterson College) Saturday Aug 1, 8am. I suspect it won't be over 2hrs. Make it happen! Where's your wedding at? Congratulations!