Paula and I turned the car north for Xmas break. When I checked the mileage (for oil change) I saw that I put more miles on my bike than my car in 2005.
But cars are great for long distance trips. On the first night we camped at the northern terminus of the Arizona Trail. Again, that one track mind of mine. Well, it happens to be some of the best singletrack in the state–all situated in beautiful southern Utah cliff country. I had a nice sunset run on the end switchbacks, confirming that the riding really is GOOD and that it wasn’t just “end of trip high” making me think this trail was oh so very sweet.
It was on to St. George to meet up with (most of) the rest of my family. We had a great time cracking jokes and enjoying some quality St. George living.
My Dad, brother and I rode Broken Mesa Rim on Saturday. I was one dab away from cleaning the singletrack climb. The rest of the ride seemed technical and rough to me. Great fun, and all very do-able, but still moderately hard.
Next up was a hike in Johnson Canyon (closed half of the year) and a quick spin on the Snow Canyon bike path, trying to meet up with Paula on her 22 mile run. I never found her, but I did enjoy some nice red rock scenery. We need some bike paths like that in T-town.
On Monday Mike Curiak and trail monkey Fritz arrived from Grand Junction. The main event was Gooseberry Mesa, but first we went out for a high-spirited cruise around Gould Rim. As we pedaled the dark clouds that had been perched on the Pine Mountains began their approach. 30 seconds after we bailed onto the highway the mayhem began. Fierce winds and stinging hail? No biggie. Heavy traffic on a winding road? Definitely a biggie. I got behind Mike and Fritz for a few moments before realizing that drafting was not safe. Mike put his head down and disappeared. I stayed near Fritz for a while, before desperation took my pace higher. It was pretty bad, but I knew that it would not last long. Soon enough I was back in the relative safety of Hurricane. I read that they recorded 97 mph winds during the storm. I guess we know where the name of the town comes from.
Tuesday was much better weather, and it was time for the main event. I was wholly unprepared for the kind of riding they were doing. But it’s a component of mountain biking that I’ve always loved and have been neglecting. It took a while for me to collect the gumption necessary to “quote” some of their moves. Note the “some” in that sentence. Fritz, in particular, will let his bike roll of almost anything with very little hesistation. He makes it look easy. He makes it look like YOU can do it. Which was a good thing, since I needed all the confidence I could get.
By the end of the day my upper body was trashed. I haven’t felt this kind of cycling fatigue for years–probably since the last time I did an extended trials session. It felt good.
Round 2 began on a new ride — Slickrock Swamp. The riding was good. As good as Gooseberry but with better access and less people on the trail. I loved it. We played follow the leader, where dabs send you to the end of the line. Not surprisingly, I was often at the end of the line. I only got Fritz once and it was by hopping 180 degrees with a cactus between my two wheels. He got me (and Mike) dozens of time. Definitely fun stuff.
For the last ride I took them on Broken Mesa. I saw the ride through a new pair of eyes. The climb seemed tame and easy. I cleaned it with Fritz on my tail. They both showed me how to clean a tight section between two rocks that I couldn’t get last time. But overall, the ride seemed completely different. It was still fun, but the contrast between the two rides and how my standards had changed over the past couple days was quite interesting.
I clearly I have a lot to learn. This is a good place to be. I look foward to the process.
Back in Tucson, I can already feel the effects. I’m seeing new lines, and riding the fun line instead of the “race mode” choose the path of least resistance. I rode the Rincon Valley AZT with Mark F, Jeff H, Mark H, Chris E among others. The best part of the ride was when Mark F was the only one to climb the loose, steep climb on Camino Doretea. Even I dabbed. And he still claims he’s out of shape and super slow. Hah.
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