Today we completed a smaller version of a loop I’ve been waiting to do again for over a year now: Oracle Ridge Trail #1.
The upper 2.5 miles are still closed due to the Bullock fire. But this meant the opportunity to try out the eastern approach to Dan Saddle through the mining roads.
MR Sadow had wild ideas of taking the Soul Ride on part or all of Oracle Ridge. I told him to expect people complaining furiously–but that I was all for it. A race that went anywhere near Oracle Ridge might actually be a challenge. Wait, technical challenge in a mountain bike race? In Arizona? Get out of town.
This pretty much summarizes how he felt about the trail and its prospects for the race. At some point he turned to me and said “This isn’t my idea of fun.” Then, he asked “How many times have you ridden this trail?”
The ride was a blast, but the funny thing is that it was the easiest of the three big rides Odin and I have done in the last week. The hike-a-bike where I almost had to call the waaa-mbulance out on Sadow isn’t that long, or that hard. The rest is just challenging and mostly ride-able trail.
Odin hung back behind us for the 20 miles on #38 control rd. I explained to Sadow who asked if Odin was going to be okay for the ride that he just doesn’t put effort into flat, downhill or slightly uphill portions. But when the grade steepens he cranks things up.
On the mine roads to Dan Saddle I spun away enjoying the pine trees and my own pace up the mountain. I waited for 2 or 3 minutes at the top and expected Sadow to be on my tail. I heard a “Oh, crap… no!” and a tire spin out. It was Odin, making his first dab on the climb. Five or six minutes later Sadow pushed his bike up the hill.
We all ran out of water but were absolutely saved by unseasonably cold temperatures — 94 in Tucson. At 5000′ and given the nice wind on the ridge we were sitting pretty–almost.
We grubbed up at Rosa’s and laughed the afternoon away.
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