Creastmas

Two excellent rides on Creastmas and its eve.

For the first I met up with Mark Flint and other folks to ride the new Arizona Trail in the Rincon Valley. Rudi showed us all up by riding out to it. It was cold enough that he was using a discarded hardhat to shield his hands.

We took Dorotea over to intersect the trail, then went out n’ back to Rincon Creek. On the first approach I cleaned the entire climb. Subsequent tries, of course, were met with failure. Several us gave it some good attempts, but it just wouldn’t happen. Finally, I got my rear tire up the rock and was turned the right way…. but everyone was standing at the switchback, watching!

It was a treat to ride the sections that my crews worked on. But the best part was the turn around into Colossal Cave Mtn. Park. The scouts and ICO folks did a superb job benching in the trail. It was so cool to see a section of trail that we laid out less than a month ago (for the first time) get built so quickly. I was yelling and shouting in excitement, which is rare for this normally reserved diarist.

On the ride back there was some confusion and Rudi and I ended up riding back to Pistol Hill rd, then heading back on Old Spanish Trail, looking for the rest of our group. Lomax picked us up and took us back to town. I was glad Lomax got to ride all of the trail since he has had a large part in its construction as a crew leader.

Ride two was early xmas morning, with Paula, Doug and Rick. The loop? Agua Caliente to Milagrosa. Known for its technicality, and thus, for runners ability to keep up with bikes. At least this bike, anyway.

I got a head start by cruising the first 2 miles of pavement to the trailhead. Cruise probably isn’t the best word since it was 24 degrees and my hands were about to freeze and fall off.

Once my tires were on the trail everything heated up. There’s something about riding at near 100% effort, lunging your bike up water bars and rock ledges and desperately directing your rear wheel to any available traction, that generates some serious heat.

Despite stinging hands I actually had a good (above average) run. I rode a few sections by the hair on my chinny chin chin, but others I cleaned like a pro. I still walked the majority of the climb to the saddle, and this was precisely when Paula and crew passed me.

Ah, but hauling my bike up paid off in the downhill. See ya runners!

I waited down at the wash, which was running with clear water. A group from canyon ranch hiked their way past us as we headed up to climb up to Milagrosa ridge. I was once again walking, so the runners got quite a bit ahead, only to be caught and dropped on Milagrosa itself.

I always chicken out of several spots on the last part of the descent, but Milagrosa is always a pleasure to ride.

This week – more TopoFusion development, and the next piece of the Arizona Trail puzzle: Lee and I are heading north of Superior!