Backtracking

Very little writing lately. Much more reflection.

One thing is certain: it’s good to be home.

We loaded up our trusty 4-door sedan with just about everything from our Colorado apartment. The four bikes rode on top, after some juggling. Leviathan, B29, Juliana, Behemoth, in that order. Things got interesting during the windstorm in north NM, but I get ahead of myself.

After the usual painful day of packing and cleaning, Paula and I got up and went to eat breakfast (we had no food, nor means to cook it in our naked apartment). While eating I caught the local news radar loop out of the corner of my eye. My jaw dropped as I watched a giant blue blob engulf the state of Colorado, extending onto the front range by 10 am.

We paid up and dashed back to load up in a frenzy. It started raining as I loaded bikes and Paula crammed everything into the car.

It snowed 4″ in Golden, starting less than an hour after left. First snow of the year.

Once we made it south of ‘the Springs’, the sky cleared up, and so did the beast that is front range traffic.

We stayed in Sante Fe for two nights, meeting Alan who was attending a conference and visiting LANL. We managed one really good ride, on the Windsor Trail. Mucho stream crossings:

But the upper section was solid gold, especially upon descent. Al got me back for some of the ridiculous rides I dragged him on while he lived in Tucson. This time it was me that was hurting, and him loving it, eating up every foot of the climb. He stopped a few times to wait for me, and as I got closer I’d think “he’s got to be thinking about turning around now.” But he’d ride off before I got there, and we eventually made it to the pavement at the top.

Arizona

I joined Mark Flint, Rudi and Jay on the AZT in the Rincon Valley. Great ride, but I still felt weak. I decided that an entire year of agressive riding was enough. It was time for a break.

It’s been almost two weeks, and I haven’t ridden any trail, just a few errands by recumbent. It’s been a nice break, actually. Paula and I have taken a few hikes in the Catalinas (wilderness trails), and I’ve been able to do quite a bit of trail work.

First was layout/planning for the AZT event on Oct 28th. It was great to get out with Mark and Bernie. Layout is always challenging. Judging by the lack of erosion on the existing trail that we all laid out, we have largely succeded, especially considering the massive rainfall this summer.

The actual work event went well. My crew was kinda wimpy, but it doesn’t really matter. We got some trail built and had some fun. It’s going to be great to see all of this trail built and connected up.

Yesterday I was out on a paid crew, building new trail at Tucson Mountain Park. Yes, finally, the new access trail for the Golf Course Trailhead is being built. This marks the first time I’ve ever been paid for working on trail. ‘Pro’, for sure. Pro’s usually forget that it’s mid 80’s and run out of water, right? I did. Had to make a trip back to my car for more water.

Trail building is slow at TMP. Dig down 1 mm and you hit rock.

More trailbuilding (good time to be off the bike with all this going on) this weekend. There’s a campout and two work days at Colossal Cave.