Sat I helped at another volunteer trail work day. Effort today was to open Scorpion all the way to Lower Red Rock road and to fix formerly known as Witch DR now named Pyramid and tie back into same ending. Nice day but fewer volunteers. We parked down at Lower Red Rock rd and walked new Pyramid backwards to where Catwalk used to leave from then walked forward brushing. We finished around noon and were treated to pizza: no beer because it was a government program.
I was able to engage a FS person about trails here and what FS is planning. Info exchange.
I walked over to my van and geared up for a ride that would descend the new trail. First I needed to climb out which short story went like Ramshead, ridge, sketch, ridge, old post, skywalker, then Scorpion.
Scorpion was in the closure area off limits to biking meaning I hadn’t ridden it in 3 years. There are several reroutes that solved sustainability issues while keeping the bulk of the trail defined by basalt chunks maybe like Airport. Rides well. Need to keep force going over the basalt chunks. I’m getting much better at front wheel step ups. I stopped this time in the basalt. Somehow I lost my balance while standing falling to my right landing on a pile of crucifixion thorns, fortunately they were laid out in such a way that I landed on the spines all pointing away from me. Earlier during trail work I jammed a spine into my left ring finger… painful puncture wound.
Drove back down to the Bean. I hung a bit. I ate dinner at Mileys then drove out to desert. I have been staying at the tank as a trailer is still up at my preferred spot.
Yesterday Jimmy started to pull together a Sunday group ride that I was invited on. Today 5 regular locals plus me drove over to the start of Scorpion which is at the high school. Today our ride would be almost the same as mine yesterday except we started at the top. Life is complicated by jumping right onto a demanding trail w/o zeroing out and tuning in. I’m gaining confidence.
Scorpion goes downhill w/ no exposure. Sketch climbs up the drainage to the canyon overlook is narrow, exposed and nasty. Not cliffy exposed but steep enough to bounce several times before becoming lodged against a rock.
It’s a good loop ride just under 10 miles.
Back down to VOC. Took a shower then drove down to PJs to watch the Super Bowl. Standing room only as I stood at the bar for the first half then left. I had no dog in the fight which left me blah about the game. I bought dinner groceries then drove out to Beaverhead. Tank spot again. The tank is a small man made water impoundment for cattle. The cows have been in here already this winter. The devastation they wreak on the land. Glad conditions don’t suit flies.
Denver beat Carolina to win the Super Bowl. Gonzaga is in first place in their conference.
Temps are riding into the 60s this week. And above freezing at night. Drying out.
Hey Craig, FYI, I got a cheap 27.5 plus bike. No suspension. Tried it yesterday for the first time on a regular rock trail (Escure Ranch) (went up Mica Peak previously on hardpack snow). It’s pretty nice. the low pressure 14 psi and fat tires really soak up the small bumps and rocks. Enjoyed it. I think I see the future with high tech suspension bikes using plus sized tires. Enjoy the warmth down there. It’s been low to mid 40s here.