Yesterday I rerode the first part of the previous ride to catch a new trail, Waddle, in the works. The first section was straight forward until hitting a haul road. I followed bike tracks riding on almost a game trail till 2 blue pin flags cutting hard back to me left. Direction seemed to be not where I should be going as from here the middle part of the trail is not complete. I was told that I could follow a catch down to another haul road that I would ride until the new trail intersected. I was using Trailforks which seemed to be showing the trail. I ended up on another haul rd per Trailforks. I pedaled like 3 miles going mostly downhill. Haul road ride thru pretty fall colors. I did end up where the new trail crossed said road, I looked the other way seeing single track. I must have missed the catch to be able to ride that other part. New trail continued, dropping some more but then turned the smile upside down with a climb out on new purpose built trail built by mtn bikers. Easier to climb.
All alone for ride of pedaling 2 hrs 18 mins for 13.1 miles climbing 1519′. Able to pedal everything. Bear scat was still there ( why would it not be?) Enjoyable ride on blue level ability.
Drove back to Hamilton for groceries and a book at local bookstore. Drove back to Lake Como spot for dinner and the night.
At the Red Barn shop I asked Chad for ride ideas in addition to Lake Como. He said Warm Springs Ridge up the Fire Creek down. Location is up river of Darby. Trailforks shows data you ask for, then make decisions from the info. Shit, this one was big steep climbing. I followed his recommendation of climbing Warm Springs ridge trail the descend Fire Creek then finish on trail along Warm Springs creek until it merged on a gravel road that became hard road down the way. Well, entry fee for downhill was collected right from get go. Single track climbed and climbed and climbed on single track that motos have worn below grade causing frequent pedal strikes, trail is narrow bench cut on steep mountainside going thru burn patches. My engine is age affected, I pedaled what i could push my body to meet the challenge, the rest I pushed the bike. Beautiful fall day with fall colors. It’s the reds of the low bushes mixed in with yellows of whatever ( drew a blank on tree ID, willows are one).
Several small downs lead me to hope that Fire creek down was right there. Ah, teasing with a climb out. On a short downhill I caught sight of a small rock cairn. I stopped for a sit down break and found myself on trailforks. Righto. Yes, will be letting gravity repay my climbing dropping down Fire Creek.
Dropped some 2,xxx’ on narrow bench cut single track. Steep hillside on outslope. Then a bunch of switchbacks with outsloped landings that I chose to walk instead of rear brake drag steer the turn. Finally hit Warm Springs Creek trail for finish of ride. Trail went across the toe of several scree slopes, bike sure scoots across the rocks. Single track ended onto gravel FS road still dropping downstream, then became pavement for nice coast back to van.
EDGE needs minimum forward direction distance to record. I used Backcountry to GPS my ride, this app is not speed sensitive. Edge reported 15 miles and climbing 879′. BCN said 16.2 miles climbing 2717′ for 2 hrs 23 mins pedaling. Out there all by myself the entire ride. Big out there feeling and reality. Big effort on my part also.
I drove back down river stopping in Darby for internet signal. The town is dead quiet. Sat afternoon.
Returning to Lake Como for the night. Tomorrow is a trail work day I will participate on right from where I anchor.
Nice fall weather. Beautiful.
Freehub said the film about me will be shown at 10 Barrel on the 15th. I have yet to view the final version.