Rant: When I ride I am aware of a rider faster than me either going up or down and pull over to allow them to pass. Yesterday while climbing 2 Dog a woman rider was riding uphill faster than me. I pulled over @ the top of the hill before she got to me. I allowed her maybe 30 seconds before I started down. If she was as fast downhill as she was uphill I would not have caught up to her. I caught her right @ first turn, a nice berm. My front brake howls which announces my presence, she had to have heard me. I rode her wheel not saying anything. Two more bermed turns later she says she is a slow downhiller and she continued holding me up. She never yielded. Same thing happened last week during the Stoker rides, each time women. Where is their courtesy to allow a rider faster than them to go by? I could have stuffed her on a berm and passed which would have been a race tactic but there was no “competition”.
Enough.
2 nights ago the skies cleared after the gully washer giving way to a cloudless morning. The sun beat down on the ground converting the fallen rain into humidity. But today early was the ride to be. I saw just a few bike tracks ahead of me, they splashed thru the mud puddles. Saw only 1 other person. Trails were firm, not Hood River tacky, eliminating dust and firming up the tread. My fork has 2 3/4″ travel, not the 5″. I bottomed out several times, bummer. 13.51 miles in 1 hr 56 mins climbing 3060′ riding in the upper 5,000′ elevation. Burned only 767 cals. I drank a beer afterwards consuming almost the same calories I burned. Doesn’t seem right.
Back @ van the solar shower heated the h20 to comfortable temp. I stood outside in full sun and slight breeze. The h20 almost evaporated as fast as I wetted my body. Great to wash off salt and mud splatters.
I dallied at sleep spot then drove into town to library which is air conditioned to do computer tasks. Presently I am sending pics on the hard drive to a CD. Amazing how many minutes needed to transfer pics. I have hours ahead of me.
I walked to Powerhouse for a beer then back to grocery store for dinner groceries then drove out to Democrat gulch. Hot night. About 4:00 I awoke chilly and checked the temp: 42 degrees. I shut the door and rolled up the window and pulled the blanket over me.
Today is Chip’s Thurs shop ride. I did my wash first then drove to his shop to learn of ride plan. Out Deer Creek. Not a big ride. I decided to join them for the camaraderie.
92 degrees in Hailey.
today is the 5 year anniversary of Mountain Biking the States.
The frig temp is warming. I made an appointment for Mon to clean the jet. I also have a follow up DR appointment as the “rattle” is still present. Mon I UPS my fork to PUSH.
Going to spend the night up Deer Creek out of internet coverage. In the trees. Shade. Cooler.