I have been playing around with my new Go Pro Helmet Cam and I tried mounting it on the handlebars of the mtb.  I must say, this is a no go.  Its pretty amazing how much the handle bars twitch from side to side during a normal ride.  I am the one that did the filming and even I got sick watching the video.  This morning I moved the mount up to my helmet so hopefully that will turn out some higher quality videos.  I think, in general, it is a much wiser move.  On the handlebars, you would see the bike come up to a pretty cool obstacle in the trail, then would see the sky, then the ground as I went up and over it.  I think with it on the helmet, you will be able to see exactly what I am seeing and hopefully have a better view of what it looks like to do a little mtbing.  At least, that is my thought and plan.

Yesterday and today, I have been doing a little product testing for some companies. Last year, I was sent a Seal Line Urban Backpack to try out while commuting to see what I thought and give them feedback on. While I rode the back for almost a year, it just never seemed to really rain on me while commuting. I am not sure why, as I rode just about every day, but it never really seemed to downpour on me so I couldn’t get a god feel for how it kept things dry. Today and yesterday were those days to see how it handled the water. No question about it. This sucker keeps things dry. It is nice and comfy on your back, lightweight, a decent size to fit all of my work clothes (including shoes and a Nalgene bottle), and if all that doesn’t tickle your fancy….It comes in orange… WOOHOO!!

The other little gem I have been trying out these last 2 days is the Go Pro Helmet Cam sent to me to give a whirl. This little camera takes some pretty decent videos, plus the waterproof case it comes with seems to keep out all moisture. I have a little movie in the works on my laptop and hopefully will get that posted up soon. The one major downfall of this thing is that it chewed its way through the fresh set of batteries that came with it. I would assume the camera works fine and that the batteries were close to DOA when they got there. Either way, the new batteries this morning helped me with the 25 minute commute to work.

Speaking of commuting, I have been using the MTB instead of the road bike. The trails are clean of snow but still are a little wet (especially with the flood warning we have been issued). For some reason, I find it easier to commute 25 minutes on the mountain bike than I do on the road bike, even in the down pour of rain. No idea why that is…

Well, I am finally back from Sea Otter and it wasn’t the best of times.  While I was there, the average temps were in the low 60s with Friday having a high temp of 52.  Here in New Hampshire, the average temp was around 75.  Good thing I missed that.  Stupid weather.

Back to business now as usual.  Trying to ride every chance I get and the legs are starting to feel it a little.  Not only am I trying to start to do the longer miles, but also pushing the pace of those longer miles.  I think I should really only be trying one or the other.  When will I learn??

I have been walking the dog on the single track the past few days and it seems as if they are drying out nicely.  I would imagine that by the end of this week or beginning of next week, I will be able to hit the dirt for a little…

Off to the Sea Otter Classic for the next few days, so unfortunately, no road riding for the next couple of days.  Hopefully, if weather cooperates, I will be able to get a few mountain bike rides in.  That, and I will get to enjoy some warm weather for a change.  That is the most exciting part of all.

The weather has started to turn a bit for the good recently.  It was in the low 60s today and some of the snow is melting.  Sure, we still have about 2 feet of snow on the trails, but my yard is showing some grass.  Seems like it is time to start planting some things for the garden.

With this nice weather, I have been out riding a bit more.  I have a little more than 60 miles logged since Monday, which doesn’t seem much, but I did a say with some hill climbs in it, so I am happy with wear I am.  With the better weather coming, there is only much more riding in store.  And I can’t wait.

I didn’t ride today and it was almost perfect conditions, 50ish degrees and a slight wind. Not sure why I didn’t ride though. I was in quite the pissy mood when I left work so I just took the dog for a long walk.

Today I drove through one of the notches and got some great views of Mt Washington. Too bad I didn’t have the camera with me. Either way, it got me thinking, I need some sort of adventure and I need it soon. Riding a bike is great, but it doesn’t always fit the bill. I need to get out there and get a good 5 hour hike or something of that nature in. I live in this beautiful valley, the Mt Washington valley that is, and I have yet to take advantage of all of the spectacular trails that it has to offer. I think that is the one thing that I really miss and liked about Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Sure, I road 6 days a week or so, but I always had some time for some hikes and always had some great adventure planned. Seems as if I need to get on that again. I’m not sick of the bike, but I am sick of crappy conditions. I have always been able to hike in the worst conditions. Snowing, sure, windy, sure, raining, sure, bring it all on. Not on a bike though. I have all the gear, but mentally, I have a hard time doing some of that stuff…..I think it is time to dig out some maps and get me an adventure going…because I am starting to go crazy. Last night while complaining about things to Kelly, she said simply, “it’s because you aren’t outside doing something or riding your bike”. I think she is right..now is the time..

On that note, I think that is something that has always made me think that I want to give adventure racing a shot. I get to ride the bike, I get to hike, I get to run, I get to paddle….all kinds of things, never letting my mind get too bored with one thing. Too bad most events are team events and a lot of them are on the west coast. Seems like I need to start doing some research on it..

And the circle goes around and around and around…and so on.  I have lost the desire to keep posting everyday, which is why you see a post once a week or something along those lines.  I have a feeling it will pass.  It always does.  I get into a groove where I post something every day and it doesn’t take much motivation to do so.  Then there are spells, like now, that I struggle to come up with anythine.  Ohh well.

I haven’t been on the bike yet, as mother nature is not being nice to us.  More snow and rain every day.  Its getting quite sickening.  Even the people at ski resorts that I have talked to say they are ready for this snow to be over.