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January, 2010:

International Blog My Trail Day – PHX Mountain Preserve

Jan 8th, 2010
by WanderingJustin.
2 comments

Sometimes, real life eats up more time than it should. Work and other responsibilities nip away at my time until there’s little left over for mountain biking.
For weekend days when scooping the cat box, doing dishes and washing the laundry deprives me of some time, I still take solace in the fortress of mountain bike fortitude near my house: The Phoenix Mountain Preserve at Piestewa Peak/Dreamy Draw.
I can think of no better way to honor this prime piece of foresight than to tell you about it as part of the inaugural International Blog My Trail Day. The trailhead at the east end of Northern Avenue is about 10 minutes from my house. So when I’m short on time, I can count on Trail 100 and its many offshoots to give me a great workout and even better fun without spending too much time behind the wheel.
Typically, my ride starts with:

a cruise through a wash
a steep, switchbacked hill
and a fast, slightly downhill romp through medium-radius turns (marked in purple on the map).

Here are some other highlights marked on the map. If you want  a bigger version, e-mail me and it’s yours:

Yellow trail – a little-known, slender bit of singletrack. Super-fun!
Green trail – a long downhill stretch. You’ll love it, but watch for other people and some occasional rock ledges.

Throughout the ride, I’ll encounter everything from super-smooth ribbons of singletrack and stair-stepped rocky nightmares … and a lot of cholla cactuses.
How’bout wildlife? I’ve seen rattlesnakes, hawks and even someone on a show [...]

Arizona State University Threatens Microbrewery Over Beer Name

Jan 5th, 2010
by WanderingJustin.
5 comments

That’s it. It’s time for me to head back to school and get a master’s degree from Northern Arizona University or the University or Arizona. Heck, I’d even take an advanced degree from Dr. Nick Riviera’s alma mater, Hollywood Upstairs Medical College. That way, when people ask where I went to college, I could say something besides Arizona State University.
ASU’s latest bold move, to harass a local craft brew over its Sun Devil Ale, makes me embarrassed to admit I walked its increasingly dark and evil halls. It certainly will prevent me from ever donating as long as Darth Greedious (aka Michael Crow, the university’s president) and his minions are in charge.
According to a story by Edythe Jensen, a reporter from The Arizona Republic, attorney Glenn Bacal says San Tan Brewing Company “unlawfully misappropriated” the Sun Devil trademark and is selling “a counterfeit product.”
Nudist Colonies to Liquor Stores – All Bearing the Sun Devil Name
Do a keyword search on “Sun Devil.” I used the Bing search engine, and the first page included a women’s nudist club, a liquor store and an auto repair chain. Rumor has it there’s even a bail bonds company. The article acknowledges this, and says that many are alumni who sought permission – and I’d bet they also ponied up a donation. That behavior certainly weakens Bacal’s unlawful appropriation point. As to the counterfeit product – ASU should find itself an attorney that actually understands intellectual property. Nothing San Tan Brewing Company is doing in any [...]

One Driving Habit that Makes Cyclists Crazy

Jan 4th, 2010
by WanderingJustin.
4 comments

For today’s somewhat late edition of Mountain Bike Monday, Wandering “I Like Referring to Myself in the Third Person” Justin is dishing up the goods on a driving habit that puts a bunch in his chamois like few others.
At one portion of my super-idyllic ride at McDowell Mountain Regional Park, the trail crosses the main park road. Bicycliusts have a stop sign. We’re supposed to stop, look both ways and proceed when clear.
My plan was to do exactly that with minimum fuss.
However, a driver had other ideas.
He stopped 100 feet from the intersection. He smiled beatifically and benignly. He waggled his fingers to indicate I could cross.
Um, no, thanks. I jabbbed my finger at the stop sign on the trail, pointed at him, then gestured for him to get his butt in gear and clear the road.
Now, motorists, I now you think you’re being friendly and benevolent when you do this. But you’re not. You’re making things unpredictable and dangerous not only for bicyclists, but for every other driver around you. Here are the problems:
1. If you don’t obey the traffic signs, you are unpredictable. Who the hell knows what you’re going to do?
2. If I cross in front of your car, guess where it’s aimed? Right at me. I’d much rather cross the road with you headed away from me, thnxsomch.
3. Not every other driver around may sure your inclination. So do I have to negotiate some sort of seperate treaty with each driver?
So let’s do this, in the [...]

Take a Ride McDowell Mountain Park’s Trails

Jan 3rd, 2010
by WanderingJustin.
No comments yet

I know I’ve mentioned the McDowell Mountain Regional Park before here on WanderingJustin.com. And let me tell you, my love for this park continues unabated. In fact, it’s stronger than ever thanks to some new signage springing up on the Pemberton Trail, aka Trail B.
Here’s the thing: The county officials thought most riders would abandon the Trail B once the Race Loops opened some years back. But though they’re far less technical, Trail B and its offshoots are big fun, and a perfect stomping ground for 29ers and singlespeed bikes. It’s seriously like Formula 1 racing, man! The Coachwhip Trail (see video) is primo stuff! Let’s not forget the elevation change adds to some super-sweet vistas looking east from the Valley.
Enough of my blather: Check out the video!

Tempe’s Sleepy Dog Saloon & Brewery Primed for Success

Jan 1st, 2010
by WanderingJustin.
No comments yet

I am really thrilled to report that there’s a new brewery in metro Phoenix, and that it’s poised to become a regular stop for people who love craft beer. I’m talking about Sleepy Dog Saloon & Brewery (1920 E. University, Tempe). I just made my first stop there tonight;  it was a spontaneous trip to finish an evening of devouring Asian food at Tottie’s Asian Fusion in Scottsdale (which is also excellent). All we had to do is keep driving past the plastic generic Everytown USA hell of the Tempe Marketplace, and we were soon there with fine beverages perched on the cold-rolled steel bar in front of us.
With our bellies full of Asian eats, the wife and I couldn’t have more than one each. I opted for a Rottie Milk Stout, with the wife choosing a Scottie (that’s a strong Scottish ale, big surprise!). Both were excellent, with a strong malty kick and silky textures. The carbonation was spot-on, and they tasted like terrific examples of their breeds. I really, really wanted a Ridgeback IPA, but my stomach was just too full to allow it. Curses! Well, at least it was fish panang and dragonfly noodles occupying the valuable space.
HMFIC Rob has salted snacks available, but he doesn’t serve food. Guests can bring their own food – in fact, some folks celebrated their New Year’s Eve at Sleepy Dog by bringing in a crock pot full of weinerschnitzel. So bring your favorite take-out. Make something at home. Doesn’t matter, [...]

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