Whew, yesterday’s ride. I accepted Ian’s invitation to ride up at Western gateway. He did not share who else might be along, I was prepared for an Ian ride. Then, infamous among us, Chuck pulls in. Then Matt. Ian arrived at Ian time which was well past 11 meet time. So, Chuck lead us on a ride several years ago that put us on as I remember some freeze thaw mud interspersed with patches of snow out near old Bike Path social trail. We described the ride as being Chucked. He just knows more social trails than I do and he was sharing. The mud was the cause for the name of the ride. Riding with Chuck will mean more difficult riding. From the get go I knew I would be in over my head in terms of difficulty, endurance would be fine. Our ride was created as we pedaled on with the first challenge of new trail Bottom Out which takes off from Outer Limits then descending a wash. I walked this wash last week observing that I had no intention of riding it as whew, hard and littered with many tech problems, some I maybe could ride and several that I would walk down. Whew. We dropped in. Ian and Chuck had ridden it prior. I wear full finger gloves so I was unable to see perhaps my white knuckles. I rolled down a step that I would have walked down, So encouraging that my bike and my application of handling skills handled it. I wasn’t quite shaking but I was wired. It is a wash ride meaning that we were below grade so to speak, the only distance to fall was from the bike to the rocks at our feet versus a long tumble like Hiline, landing would still hurt. I rode most of the wash.
Last year I helped clear the corridor for this trail at the distant end where it joins Girdner. Then the dirt workers followed to make the bench cut and partial bench tread as required. Handful, dunno I would ride it again.
Once finished with the wash we picked up numerous social trails. Next up was a trail named Shithole. No pics of that. Shithole is a long wash ride much less tech that Bottom out. Numerous pavement of rocks allowed wheels to roll over. Lots of little moves to remain upright. The lowered saddle made a big improvement in my riding. Then another wash ride. My nerves were burned out. I did not boost or impair my mental stasis. all available neurons were firing for protection of body. Finally we hit Rupp at the Dry creek crossing and a steep loose rock climb up to Girdner and system trails. I made the climb very pleased at how my bike handled the loose rock and that I pedaled it. We finished on Stirrup that I descend, I thought I did not want to pedal up it. I pedaled it after being challenged. Ride was 9.61 miles climbing just 745′ pedaling for 1 hr 42 mins. The day was enjoyable except for high winds, pedal speed was not what we were after.
So, what started out being over my head I learned that I gained some height.
Mon and Tues the Zags played in the WCC championship. I watched both games at PJs perched at the bar right below a big screen TV. Monday’s game against ST Marys was won skillfully by the Zags. Tues was championship round played against BYU, a Mormon school. Gonzaga is a Jesuit persuasion making for a clash of which team has the best imaginary friend. The first half had Mormons on top beating the Zags, game looked like Zags would be banished from undefeated rank. Must have been a message from god sent to the Zag’s locker room as the game turned finally in the Zags favor. Hope and a prayer. The first half BYU made 70% of their shots while the Zags were struggling at less than 40%. I stood up the entire 2nd half like fans do when inn the Kennel. The Zags beat the Mormons. Last night I was emotionally spent after my ride that I had control over to watching a nail biter that I had no control over.
Weather forecast for next several days calls for precip events including cold temps for snow. I need to ride today before the weather hits.