Comfort and discomfort are relative and individualized. To me the 88 degree rides are hot. You chose your response depending which side of the heat index you favor.
Friday I went back for another climb up Baker Creek then down edge of the world trail Oregon Gulch. Met the shuttle downtown @ 8:30. Marc was one of the guides. Bus dropped us off @ the hwy. We pedaled up Baker creek rd which is gently climbing 2 lane all weather gravel rd to a left turn up the south fork which is single lane gravel RER. Continue climbing, the top takes less than 90 mins solid pedaling. Today’s ride was catered mid ride @ a quasi yurt camp serving brats and lemonade. The Czar rider was along again as was the Sultan rider. 3 Turners on the ride.
Same story: killed on the climbs but faster on the downhill. Upper Adams Gulch is double black diamond and downhill direction recommended. Wide handle bars help keep the front wheel pointed in the general direction. Down and down and down the trail lead us until the up hill edge of beaver ponds then it gentled rolled to the TH. Still climbed 2,000′. The climb took maybe 2 times longer than the downhill. (DUH). dropped 2586′.
The shuttle truck arrived after maybe 20 mins w/ ice cold beer in 22 oz bottles. Same brewery that supports GOATS.
Back in town for a shower @ the nice Y. I didn’t dwadle because i wanted to get to the preferred spot out on Trail Creek. Kevin beat me to it so we slept in the spot. Angela is a Cat 1 mtn bike racer racing in the national marathon race on Sat. Marathon because it is about 50 miles.
The temp dropped to 40 degrees while i slept chilly in bed under my summer blanket. It just isn’t wide enough to double over for entire bed width. If I curled near the wall I could get the most double coverage. I put off getting up. I started the heater once out of bed. Angela pedaled off warming up for her race. Kevin left shortly after to perform his support crew member role for her race. I lingered over scratch made pancakes: lip smacking and metal plate licked clean. I stopped @ the race venue expecting to see some vendors, after all it is a national championship. I found Club Ride, a local rider apparel maker. Today the company representative was Mike, the founder. he remembered me from prior visits which was better than my recall. Mountain Flyer interviewed him and wrote a story about him and his company. Angela hadn’t finished.
I drove down to Greenhorn Gulch for a ride. today my plan was to ride up the other side of Greenhorn Gulch then come down Imperial. Up Mahoney continuing up on Lodgepole to connector to Imperial. My effort goal was to keep my heart rate below the upper threshold. Grunter up. Ride was only 16.01 miles taking 2 hrs 21 mins but climbed 3172′, high point was just under 8,000′. The higher elevation is affecting my breathing. Had the trails almost all to myself. Dirt bikes are allowed that set up short shallow rollers that create porpoise like motions. Trails go thru the 2007 Castle Rock fire burn. Imperial is drier than the ride 2 days ago. Still a smiley face ride. Still in upper 80s @ the TH.
I drove down to Hailey to Chip’s shop to visit and get h2o. Fun visiting w/ Chip. I walked up town to Power House for dinner. I lingered waiting for the sun to drop behind the peaks above where I camp for shade. At the parking spot a guy was just finishing up his ride and owned the Element occupying my parking spot. It was Brian from another bike shop in town. We chatted about his wild really back country rides on the black dashed line trails. remarkable. He left. Comfort is improving as the night is chilling.
I have ridden 4 days straight. I should take tomorrow off.
Going to bed. First rinse off the sweat and grime w/ air temp h2o from my tank and a wash cloth while limiting the dripping onto the floor.