Today while I was riding the Hurricane Cliffs 20.6 miles climbing 2057′ pedaling almost non stop for 2 hrs 40 mins starting from the towers above town. Sunny with pedaling warmth and no wind. Big hump up Goulds double track right at the start. Just did it.
Out above Goulds wash the trail in places was covered with tumbleweed sometimes completely and completely blocking the trail. The first patch I came to I observed that previous riders had ridden off the track to avoid the tumble instead of clearing it.Their off trail tracks can start a widening of the trail, this happens when anyone rides off the trail and others follow. The trail just gets wider and less challenging. Troy from Altitude in Vernal and concerned rider wrote in his guide book: there are plenty of excuses to ride off the trail but there are none for you to fix your divot. OK, Not verbatim but is expression is so true. Keep your tread in the tread.
My stopping and clearing several patches of tumble weed caused me to think of yes and no.
No, there are no trail fairies who build and maintain the trails you are riding on. Your care you can do on a ride like clearing the tumble as an example you can do out of the kindness of your respect for the land and follow on riders.
No, there are no dog poop baggie fairy that magically carries it to a receptacle.
Yes, I can be coaxed out of my comfort zone. Kevin spoke of Angels Landing in Zion. I casually heard about it. He invited me to hike it with him yesterday. We meet early at River Rock where I buy my coffee beans and lattes. He drove us into the park. Our early arrival in the park put us ahead of the masses soon to be climbing. I watched a utube video of someone’s “hike” which gave me the jitters. I have body parts that are suspect that the climb would either reveal or be a non issue. The brain commanded the body to get ‘er done. Been up and down it, no need to hurry back. Kevin took lots of pics on his cell phone. I took a few but only where I could stand.
yes, for your stomach tightening viewing google Angles Landing and watch a utube. The route is almost a class 3 mountaineering climb some places on the knife’s edge arete. It was well protected by chain hand lines and some places foot buckets carved into the rock. Slippery sand stone. I kept one hand always on the chain. I wanted to quit but Kevin called me to continue with almost there. I climbed like pics I have seen of older people all insecure. I climbed like that. I am aging. Strong desire for mishap avoidance and possible injury. Just not as agile.
Yes, many other people were hiking up as we were heading down. well played being early.
No, Tractor Supply sold out of propane just before I got there. I needed to resupply before closed days. I had enough for the night.
No, there is no white bearded jolly old man riding in a sleigh stuffed with your goodies who will enter your house down the chimney.
Yes, you can let this jolly old man into your house thru the open front door.
Yes, wind events blow thru here this year frequently. 2 nights ago parked at the jem I was less than head onto the blow. As a result the van was buffeted and rocked all night. Noise. Yesterday morn no winds, just calm. How quiet. Been burning the furnace all night and just using the doubled over down blanket, I am acclimating to 55 degrees inside. Batteries are keeping up to the blower demand.
Yes, this present administration is tearing apart America for their own benefit and not for the people or at least the millions more people who chose the other candidate.
No, STC’s effort is harmful in the long run. I liken them to a flat rock dropped in a mud puddle. Big splash sure to attract attention but not sustainable. Again, like the present administration. IMBA’s effort is correct for continuing to be a participant with other heart propelled advocates. STC fragments mtn bikers from the family of hearts.
Yes to sustainably built trails.
Yes to my sisters box of home baked goodies keeping our mother’s goodies alive.
No to moving my belt out. Yes to pedaling to be able to eat more.
Yes to writing this.
Who is filling your stockings hung with care tonight?
I hadn’t checked your blog / site in way too long, that is “my bad”. Binge reading posts going back a couple of months.
I like many have been following you since the beginning of your amazing journey. And like many I suspect, I am jelalous of how you are living your life.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Eve.
Todd
Merry Christmas Craig!
I concur about STC efforts. Driving a wedge seems to be their MO. Question I have is why?
Snowing here in SW Ontario. Beautiful fluffy powder. Too much to fatbike in fact.
Happy trails.
Merry Christmas. Love reading you posts and riding some of your rides. Hope to meet you someday on the trail. I think I saw your van in Davis, WV a few years ago. Just keep rolling, Would love to buy you a beer and burrito at Hellbenders. Thanks for inspiration.
Thanks Steve. Yes, i was in davis last year for dirt rags funduro, i drank beer at brew pub and ate at hellbenders. Thinking about another trip around the country, fall in your mountains are jaw dropping. Maybe find other trails. Keep reading to track me to hellbenders.