tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17430823115242758912024-02-06T22:19:54.971-08:00Flag PedalsAccounts of bicycling in and around Flagstaff, AZ and other random places.Exegetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675882876581778436noreply@blogger.comBlogger285125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-30140107304083534742013-03-27T21:01:00.003-07:002013-03-27T21:01:25.372-07:00How to Make an Old Bike a New Bike. So, as I mentioned in my last blog post, I was questioning the utility of having two commuters, one being Henry, the other being Bi.<br />
<br />
Now, don't get me wrong, they both have their uses.<br />
<br />
Bi is a fully racked and fendered fixed gear, with an awesome horn.<br />
<br />
Henry has gears and can haul the world.<br />
<br />
What's interesting, though, is Henry only weighs like 10 pounds more than Bi.<br />
<br />
Now, I'm no weight weenie, but why should I have two bikes capable of bending light with their mass as my day to day commuters? Especially since one of them is capable of hauling trees home, and the other can only handle smaller trees?<br />
<br />
So, Henry becomes my main commuter. And what an awesome commuter he is. The basket on front is a luxury I never knew I would appreciate so much now that I have it. It is so nice to be able to just toss stuff in it as I grab it, without having to step off the bike. Mail, milk, logs, children, it handles it all nicely.<br />
<br />
But what about Bi? the oldest bike in my stable? The most reliable?<br />
<br />
First, I took the rockin' horn and put it on Henry.<br />
<br />
Then, I made Bi into a new bike. Sort of.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPcud8xO4RluM21NFqPeI5oIOPxZpoTPnp1b-AMzTDv-WcRTByvxj-23Eg_f1csQrtEvv0L5e6EnZXtzdMrzGdxIxJhhyE1d0MKI_h2j02Un16j-iLTNAboRgdJf7YUDIiO_dT8THavM/s1600/IMG_0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHPcud8xO4RluM21NFqPeI5oIOPxZpoTPnp1b-AMzTDv-WcRTByvxj-23Eg_f1csQrtEvv0L5e6EnZXtzdMrzGdxIxJhhyE1d0MKI_h2j02Un16j-iLTNAboRgdJf7YUDIiO_dT8THavM/s400/IMG_0045.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bi, as we all knew and loved... in all his racked, fendered, studly glory.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8ynJLFeNBJsL6lSnviiEwGw1v_Z3DgqrtNy-X0ym-EJGvOl_aEYV6ZwvLRjwHpeYY1RNoefCLiNYnDCL2xxGtJp_qk0UXVDU8-jAdoj6EVxu8KTjFF7pk0tVBOvaPmV3DU_4c2pmv_c/s1600/IMG_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8ynJLFeNBJsL6lSnviiEwGw1v_Z3DgqrtNy-X0ym-EJGvOl_aEYV6ZwvLRjwHpeYY1RNoefCLiNYnDCL2xxGtJp_qk0UXVDU8-jAdoj6EVxu8KTjFF7pk0tVBOvaPmV3DU_4c2pmv_c/s400/IMG_0046.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remove the racks, the fenders, the studs...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAFhjmxLLYAvy_FQHHe1WmC-u6FOJZWPeT-bU5AT_Ja3K8ijbDq9U-d4jlv6MWuBRbhti16TtTGJgwUvxNNiXET51IdeGH2xv4QSuyps-8Tzmal68CY8ABEGmf_5ZDPwDU8r7JHOKSq0/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAFhjmxLLYAvy_FQHHe1WmC-u6FOJZWPeT-bU5AT_Ja3K8ijbDq9U-d4jlv6MWuBRbhti16TtTGJgwUvxNNiXET51IdeGH2xv4QSuyps-8Tzmal68CY8ABEGmf_5ZDPwDU8r7JHOKSq0/s400/IMG_0050.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'M NAKED!"</td></tr>
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29 inches, rigid, and single. Bi is the Dirty Fixie.<br />
<br />
With that done... Sunday I went out on the<a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/1202504"> first local singletrack ride of the year</a>, on Bi. It was a blast. Fixed gear off road is challenging, but it also feels like flying. It's amazing how light and nimble Bi is without all the weight. Fun all around.<br />
<br />
I think I'll keep it.<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage: 9 ish?</blockquote>
Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-48863793793808228592013-03-18T18:38:00.004-07:002013-03-18T18:38:55.863-07:00Oh snap!I've been meaning to sit down and write a blog post for a while now. Since... the end of February, I think? But, one of three things always seemed to happen.<br />
<br />
1: I forgot. That's a legitimate excuse, right?<br />
<br />
2: Things got busy. Things are still busy, but here I am!<br />
<br />
C: Why write about riding bikes when I could go ride bikes? Enough said, I feel?<br />
<br />
Thus my dilemma. To blog, or not to blog, that is the... well, it's a question. I suppose I should start keeping the GoPro on the handlebars or on the helmet and start ranting at it, but it takes longer for me to edit the footage than to write a blog post. And like I said, excuse number C.<br />
<br />
So, with that said, just what have I been up to? Well, I'll let the pictures tell the story.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEt-yxewOXlyPSFugjm8p6DgZ2icscXt31lt03cOQlNza317nibiEKJrEzCEu1tO71E0oAhu83Q7dk2QVHo2UmslyV_RaAMFmCMvcZdmk_Hr8PCDAh6xBaEfkJLQQrO25wukRngyi4g8/s1600/IMG_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEt-yxewOXlyPSFugjm8p6DgZ2icscXt31lt03cOQlNza317nibiEKJrEzCEu1tO71E0oAhu83Q7dk2QVHo2UmslyV_RaAMFmCMvcZdmk_Hr8PCDAh6xBaEfkJLQQrO25wukRngyi4g8/s640/IMG_0001.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bulk of my time has been learning to build a rocking chair for TC. She's having a baby here real soon, so rocking chair!</td></tr>
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<blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiix88E9VXfYc5fuO3OEfh9gy34oz1RlL94mN7TRqT9UtjlQGuQhS1D1HfAlexWS413fb-ORgDHzHeP3SHf7fwZOHUFFKNJT1bXtRHU3F9CPKDSVzSH8EJwWPB2vATEfDKydddEtBSeSTc/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiix88E9VXfYc5fuO3OEfh9gy34oz1RlL94mN7TRqT9UtjlQGuQhS1D1HfAlexWS413fb-ORgDHzHeP3SHf7fwZOHUFFKNJT1bXtRHU3F9CPKDSVzSH8EJwWPB2vATEfDKydddEtBSeSTc/s400/IMG_0010.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happy recipients!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7c3eTAp_dxBdpB-10EoiKm42YfupDgNlAfnde9t28fp3inaHe97I4Csmz_mOfSljOnzg2jWGKt6ki7y8GR4lXW2IAfULKa-4g8GwLWT9AcZN95taZOugkNHlV8bK2G1H2aY3Trok8dyA/s1600/IMG_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7c3eTAp_dxBdpB-10EoiKm42YfupDgNlAfnde9t28fp3inaHe97I4Csmz_mOfSljOnzg2jWGKt6ki7y8GR4lXW2IAfULKa-4g8GwLWT9AcZN95taZOugkNHlV8bK2G1H2aY3Trok8dyA/s400/IMG_0008.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What better thing to do with scraps from the rocking chair than make blocks for the baby?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QdNEqDhL3yk7d4RzPy37kYdTewxg09FlkR_k33cm1fH_SBwrtUtm0vnqIyTlhzD1VgbEMUH2mO8lEucvj6xeqOe9ZRIsVEpP81LG-NbTAjXKGCcih1mIqdOyJO9bU5iRtsFcPMcXZbo/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QdNEqDhL3yk7d4RzPy37kYdTewxg09FlkR_k33cm1fH_SBwrtUtm0vnqIyTlhzD1VgbEMUH2mO8lEucvj6xeqOe9ZRIsVEpP81LG-NbTAjXKGCcih1mIqdOyJO9bU5iRtsFcPMcXZbo/s400/IMG_0013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got a bit of snow so Bi got to sport his snow-aero rims again.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUO9j0eXY3ZZfzRNph66M49PEXsBXMgvdRERFQjVZHgLpuDpOcgKiekKp78ECOaah0NDAtQemIDTd3diPgNaM3LYJWgUil0gucwbZ4SXKQQqeTDI-9ao14YJS_RbgxJ11YAa5ntFMXIXM/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUO9j0eXY3ZZfzRNph66M49PEXsBXMgvdRERFQjVZHgLpuDpOcgKiekKp78ECOaah0NDAtQemIDTd3diPgNaM3LYJWgUil0gucwbZ4SXKQQqeTDI-9ao14YJS_RbgxJ11YAa5ntFMXIXM/s400/IMG_0017.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From a motorcycle ride, for a change.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpm3qsJk3HP7l5iDGKp06648whfQ_KJE2SjazCQmm3FgFBgRJhnmZWuX8b5xJG3cWt6XxBf5BOfvaIwckuhtbs3uUjGxYxa3ckXYhmLw-LQxbE_XjqJoA5h23KOX0vWLkOApv5wywpsmI/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpm3qsJk3HP7l5iDGKp06648whfQ_KJE2SjazCQmm3FgFBgRJhnmZWuX8b5xJG3cWt6XxBf5BOfvaIwckuhtbs3uUjGxYxa3ckXYhmLw-LQxbE_XjqJoA5h23KOX0vWLkOApv5wywpsmI/s400/IMG_0018.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally built the 29er front wheel for Henry, after having the parts laying about for a few months.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJ6hpS-eeFStdHGffaduI8eqrq2mURazRVIUjiPRq-PdHLn_a8-HtnAuu6sKb0YIxE34bVll528wi0q3ZKFOIB8PCdJqqOQ33SiFJoSaq3f4ZgTRx9C9Zh3VlXS5sD2g0Ravfx_1Z7V0/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJ6hpS-eeFStdHGffaduI8eqrq2mURazRVIUjiPRq-PdHLn_a8-HtnAuu6sKb0YIxE34bVll528wi0q3ZKFOIB8PCdJqqOQ33SiFJoSaq3f4ZgTRx9C9Zh3VlXS5sD2g0Ravfx_1Z7V0/s400/IMG_0020.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also went nuts and put a basket on, too.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlick9KE3ko9NjvFdwHeGOH3fpQMlv3ZY3lzakKd54Mtr208y9fJf3X2K7XmVSgBylm_XH0nIC-9e1NtpJcNs94wM6kdBujPxYpiozaaxWjwHa9pssDgtqOt8WRu18ROrzHnqa0OPn_YQ/s1600/IMG_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlick9KE3ko9NjvFdwHeGOH3fpQMlv3ZY3lzakKd54Mtr208y9fJf3X2K7XmVSgBylm_XH0nIC-9e1NtpJcNs94wM6kdBujPxYpiozaaxWjwHa9pssDgtqOt8WRu18ROrzHnqa0OPn_YQ/s400/IMG_0026.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belt of Venus rising over Mcmillian Mesa.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOqeG-WlLog06IMKXqDi1-KMtmAKhqnkkbfGTPdbVa5sQockx6od4tGY45jE9UCi18WuANLvu-MI0rjTOxwmVehAMPjpFYAKT5ueMjUTDDe5jLTXWH8EdJlmbmy-doYU73n8Wauyeqmw/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOqeG-WlLog06IMKXqDi1-KMtmAKhqnkkbfGTPdbVa5sQockx6od4tGY45jE9UCi18WuANLvu-MI0rjTOxwmVehAMPjpFYAKT5ueMjUTDDe5jLTXWH8EdJlmbmy-doYU73n8Wauyeqmw/s400/IMG_0027.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had always wondered how one would go about locking one of these Y frames up. Apparently just a loop or two around the handlebars is good enough...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy723BMm1m0LjS2gNV72hPbfZRY_iIMOGjXLq-lNGk4zhdmPYOUuduwhZv2ODT640pUNatCo7vshTlqA60LgMzc00EsE0GRM_tcmvVnGV3KNxYHEUZ_32YIlFfDFBCQ5PjaUPSifK3v_k/s1600/IMG_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy723BMm1m0LjS2gNV72hPbfZRY_iIMOGjXLq-lNGk4zhdmPYOUuduwhZv2ODT640pUNatCo7vshTlqA60LgMzc00EsE0GRM_tcmvVnGV3KNxYHEUZ_32YIlFfDFBCQ5PjaUPSifK3v_k/s400/IMG_0041.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boxen building.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YXO1UevI7glC5v3VB3H7BfCDbtwbSlFEhGhzmuPFH7ZdIwHjp4IioZA9EFFIwt2IJU1Sg9LQ9zwOS788ucuNZX97oBDwiD7YaLmV7oanQ5LRDD-PZC70cu2J31qqzsiD3jgJLj_U4kU/s1600/IMG_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YXO1UevI7glC5v3VB3H7BfCDbtwbSlFEhGhzmuPFH7ZdIwHjp4IioZA9EFFIwt2IJU1Sg9LQ9zwOS788ucuNZX97oBDwiD7YaLmV7oanQ5LRDD-PZC70cu2J31qqzsiD3jgJLj_U4kU/s400/IMG_0044.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aww, Henry thinks he's motorcycles, now!</td></tr>
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</blockquote>
<br />
Observations on Henry with the bigger front wheel: I like it. Henry actually really feels like Bi, which is good and bad. Good, because I like the way Bi handles. Bad, because it really has me re-thinking Bi's utility, and even worse, thinking "Do I really need Bi?"<br />
<br />
Exegete had a great suggestion, though: Pull the racks and fenders off Bi, and go fixed gear mountain bike.<br />
<br />
Hmm.<br />
<br />
While I think that over, I've got a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1cYfPrHoJw">comet to go try to see</a>.<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage: 7</blockquote>
Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-10415068018936573142013-02-02T18:45:00.001-08:002013-02-02T18:45:20.510-08:00Mud, snow, pavement, and petroglyphs.So I've been busy, between work, and personal projects. The weather has also influenced this. But, today it was 50 degrees out, and I decided to say "You know what? I'm gonna go on a ride."<br />
<br />
So I did.<br />
<br />
I aired up STeve's tires, packed a muffin, and headed out, in shorts and a t-shirt.<br />
<br />
The plan was to see what the Campbell Mesa trails looked like, and if they were too muddy, head out Old Walnut Canyon Highway.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2uwfTWsjPIZS5S84l9bsB5oGB2SNZN0wBAVN6DqniX3mt3nvnxdnY2YHBAlDzzaCkKvSp_nyco-umuFKXYOXLxjwvdMYX7NI9OZEcPU9BaRDZwI84miTB5CdIfMpij-cqxD7nLv1OSo/s1600/IMG_0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2uwfTWsjPIZS5S84l9bsB5oGB2SNZN0wBAVN6DqniX3mt3nvnxdnY2YHBAlDzzaCkKvSp_nyco-umuFKXYOXLxjwvdMYX7NI9OZEcPU9BaRDZwI84miTB5CdIfMpij-cqxD7nLv1OSo/s400/IMG_0259.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obviously, the trails were muddy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BMJAr9ANklx9-Sc0MAOfLsu-QzbCZWLBbkMkVqsTLMAoYUyMedldhShndIBqhwvOoJXF2lEWXUrPG71MojP6BVdNpjpLmhDj9Jcvv2zLxmjGAlvBCahz6EXekug2TWSgaNgRG1lxw0s/s1600/IMG_0258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BMJAr9ANklx9-Sc0MAOfLsu-QzbCZWLBbkMkVqsTLMAoYUyMedldhShndIBqhwvOoJXF2lEWXUrPG71MojP6BVdNpjpLmhDj9Jcvv2zLxmjGAlvBCahz6EXekug2TWSgaNgRG1lxw0s/s400/IMG_0258.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very muddy. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
After having my fill of mud on Old Walnut Canyon Highway, I hopped on the Monument Road to head back to Route 66.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6wg3bzwiZFAkgOnNt3j5BjFYPdoHsrexXzilBR9Ezg8226EqTx_e0HDGnfm0oRAB6WvHdD8-O_gNgIzSaomYhYxuVU693DKOuabIfh-Jydb2IYfBXNpjz8i9xYEeRm4On_Brl6ql9cE/s1600/IMG_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6wg3bzwiZFAkgOnNt3j5BjFYPdoHsrexXzilBR9Ezg8226EqTx_e0HDGnfm0oRAB6WvHdD8-O_gNgIzSaomYhYxuVU693DKOuabIfh-Jydb2IYfBXNpjz8i9xYEeRm4On_Brl6ql9cE/s400/IMG_0260.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not as muddy here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaV9vBCPw4zji4MDXHs9PCATaPHgLrfHEf2RXrxcwZG7LIjtyaktG6nGpG_yMsyDALBmc3CsF5Z_cHheB67azZ6Fg2bnm2NINswO4LIYmEAE_twe-5shqKkHw1BjicelXSJkZJSz6Czc/s1600/IMG_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkaV9vBCPw4zji4MDXHs9PCATaPHgLrfHEf2RXrxcwZG7LIjtyaktG6nGpG_yMsyDALBmc3CsF5Z_cHheB67azZ6Fg2bnm2NINswO4LIYmEAE_twe-5shqKkHw1BjicelXSJkZJSz6Czc/s400/IMG_0261.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow on the mountains... Clouds in the sky? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
As I was heading back to town, I decided to take a bit of a detour.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85t_1tizni_2L3iX5XzocDA8wGcKtfv1FkHQZbOM-Wx_-tJ6oX_j_fUoU-p3TrBIrvtocYo0L8o7QM3r1BzaAtFnGjvHE10STG9Q-7rbwOI2oCdZzeQop8uBw1R6NeKpPYZIYCFbiq4Y/s1600/IMG_0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85t_1tizni_2L3iX5XzocDA8wGcKtfv1FkHQZbOM-Wx_-tJ6oX_j_fUoU-p3TrBIrvtocYo0L8o7QM3r1BzaAtFnGjvHE10STG9Q-7rbwOI2oCdZzeQop8uBw1R6NeKpPYZIYCFbiq4Y/s400/IMG_0262.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is new.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsFtSSD-hXgtZQM1G1WTYeAiJDm83HCtYS0bKSCW2tWKIWfDbthtUCgnwl8oAGiK8hLwGdoX1Pt_UGgqT4pW2yPhMzRI2cDFNnMeUX-pldGS4JuuEXyuWSXidtoeLw4zCBugYT2bZKFw/s1600/IMG_0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsFtSSD-hXgtZQM1G1WTYeAiJDm83HCtYS0bKSCW2tWKIWfDbthtUCgnwl8oAGiK8hLwGdoX1Pt_UGgqT4pW2yPhMzRI2cDFNnMeUX-pldGS4JuuEXyuWSXidtoeLw4zCBugYT2bZKFw/s400/IMG_0267.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flagstaff's only natural waterfall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
It had been a bit since I had been to Picture Canyon, and I figured it would be a good place to have lunch. Plus, I could resume my search for the elusive petroglyphs.<br />
<br />
So, after poking around for a bit, I picked a rock to have lunch on. Turns out this one had some scratches on it. Man-made, but obviously not a petroglyph. Someone spent a minute scratching at the rock making.... something.<br />
<br />
Meh.<br />
<br />
So, as I'm eating my muffin, and studying the graffiti, I looked up at the next rock over.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WUMGMy1oFVINo1LdlWf45ovngwYD08Sb10ufMFbTKL0gvkoQm-J_amDvWoVaS2hZri5Tu4HuSMD2gOaOqDj81S8mmF7-yma7Ir-LaKDJlZ_hOG1PaxF5Yn97a7XjdSz49d3Vr7DgHik/s1600/IMG_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WUMGMy1oFVINo1LdlWf45ovngwYD08Sb10ufMFbTKL0gvkoQm-J_amDvWoVaS2hZri5Tu4HuSMD2gOaOqDj81S8mmF7-yma7Ir-LaKDJlZ_hOG1PaxF5Yn97a7XjdSz49d3Vr7DgHik/s400/IMG_0276.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Score! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
I then spent the next 30 minutes crawling all over different rocks, looking for more.<br />
<blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOepxJ9n5gQRtdjByR77ZcCWjo3lSEmOCD69oihkEaD6cwUKPHCTie6YiN-GX6qT6U_XH_FLZ8gffxlQVnB2NxetKAfqDcBpDlVG7N3lCKEYTEjcz_GuXPGxxR7FN0oCY98PDwnM8xaCI/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOepxJ9n5gQRtdjByR77ZcCWjo3lSEmOCD69oihkEaD6cwUKPHCTie6YiN-GX6qT6U_XH_FLZ8gffxlQVnB2NxetKAfqDcBpDlVG7N3lCKEYTEjcz_GuXPGxxR7FN0oCY98PDwnM8xaCI/s400/IMG_0277.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwzw8HRVoMVzL9pHOUQO-G3R5hzTBABJFHqf_YzDarWQNOI-Q5bZ6Inr08M3NLmNsVUw2RrIPkklx9qFCBT0i-c69BYSncT1ijmwn_HKbOrdcraTmEZU6-Y_z8NlPl9DbRCEnt2_1R4M/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwzw8HRVoMVzL9pHOUQO-G3R5hzTBABJFHqf_YzDarWQNOI-Q5bZ6Inr08M3NLmNsVUw2RrIPkklx9qFCBT0i-c69BYSncT1ijmwn_HKbOrdcraTmEZU6-Y_z8NlPl9DbRCEnt2_1R4M/s400/IMG_0278.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxldivxE3Q-imKudm-c9jFSEFPRvypEyRAOprSOfW5-fT2Ed0fOqECjlogkKLZD-s7p3Q32EpH2wudzg4hYiIwtIKpu7RrhoA6dp6IzfYBcyYnpFdHUmOCYWYM02sSKHcVx0RKm-IO2I/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxldivxE3Q-imKudm-c9jFSEFPRvypEyRAOprSOfW5-fT2Ed0fOqECjlogkKLZD-s7p3Q32EpH2wudzg4hYiIwtIKpu7RrhoA6dp6IzfYBcyYnpFdHUmOCYWYM02sSKHcVx0RKm-IO2I/s400/IMG_0279.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnQSfRBe8BKJNjBWHMQ5EzOijckdkM8GwjcWfoXw-rNuM686qOBAa8jMz_sKbqL71YEiBJtF1pPH_ferk-2eCM5EA6VOQ-ebX-US2B6MRKMZyJShbLM5VwmtXHKHsacBtmHqdTGtMcXg/s1600/IMG_0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqnQSfRBe8BKJNjBWHMQ5EzOijckdkM8GwjcWfoXw-rNuM686qOBAa8jMz_sKbqL71YEiBJtF1pPH_ferk-2eCM5EA6VOQ-ebX-US2B6MRKMZyJShbLM5VwmtXHKHsacBtmHqdTGtMcXg/s400/IMG_0280.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PTNkGTsd0uT-ahJLcnz4_f9elMEc_w-Qq12ITMHSHVOcEmjRy4UIi0GZnrzuMxUbnCmYW5wdo5ewnnvWQiShVCcicz5D7HtO9gGwZ9pNy_StsvibK6xFRMD3GDZgwwtPCokkOkTtThQ/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PTNkGTsd0uT-ahJLcnz4_f9elMEc_w-Qq12ITMHSHVOcEmjRy4UIi0GZnrzuMxUbnCmYW5wdo5ewnnvWQiShVCcicz5D7HtO9gGwZ9pNy_StsvibK6xFRMD3GDZgwwtPCokkOkTtThQ/s400/IMG_0281.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
</blockquote>
Some of them show signs of vandalism from way back when. I'm glad this place is protected now, and I'm glad I got to find some of the ones that survived. I want to go back and find more now.<br />
<br />
The ride home was quick and painless. It felt good to be pushing pedals again after a couple weeks off, in nice warm weather.<br />
<br />
It wasn't long enough, though.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage: 31.6</blockquote>
Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-85645157325508252192013-01-12T11:31:00.000-08:002013-01-12T11:38:50.245-08:00Winter, and how it affects my riding habits.It is no surprise that winter changes how, where, and how much I ride. And after just how much riding I did last year, it is especially obvious to me right now.<br />
<br />
During Spring/Summer/Fall, going on an after work ride, or heading out on a weekend shred or road ride was almost reflexive. There was no "if I go on a ride," it was more of a "Where will I go on a ride?"<br />
<br />
But, once the snow flies, the wind kicks up, and the temperature drops, it takes a real conscious effort to get out and ride more than the bare minimum back and forth to work. "I could go on a ride.... or I could go straight home, spend less time freezing my butt, fighting with cars, and go to sleep, after a burning hot shower."<br />
<br />
And don't get me started on shopping, though this year hasn't been as bad as years past. That's a subject for another blog post.<br />
<br />
Every now and then, though, an urge strikes. Almost an epiphany. Like riding home, and turning right at the light instead of going straight, and tacking on a few extra miles of snow bouldered and cindered shoulder to the commute home, the first such addition for a few weeks where I ride for the heck of it, not "because I had places to go."<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVketSKpqC3AIhSwqLWCJnBBG4d6PybPlfPG0Xokny0NEFUCCNP0KWG7o6n5TkrBQht7Dh8utDEZO5lRr5Wmb4jv7ifl-lfcPh96XkhwOq_aml_Ha8mZOJyATpe7Sm_woAVUXEnzT8LqA/s1600/IMG_0222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVketSKpqC3AIhSwqLWCJnBBG4d6PybPlfPG0Xokny0NEFUCCNP0KWG7o6n5TkrBQht7Dh8utDEZO5lRr5Wmb4jv7ifl-lfcPh96XkhwOq_aml_Ha8mZOJyATpe7Sm_woAVUXEnzT8LqA/s400/IMG_0222.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That was a decent enough ride. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
Then I get a wild hair and ride the Pugsley to work, so I can see how the trails out to Fort Tuthill are.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxNjw7-2sH8TkkE_ij1_zF8rgyCAR4GLQ0bG_U-fLD2sMJ28PZiOEQOZz_pmXwOnRMXjODury1FaB3qraYolS64dVXgUNYvtSZNyfl1_12t9EZOeY5vV77YNl4riWVkUJfO0OHbGUFO0/s1600/IMG_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxNjw7-2sH8TkkE_ij1_zF8rgyCAR4GLQ0bG_U-fLD2sMJ28PZiOEQOZz_pmXwOnRMXjODury1FaB3qraYolS64dVXgUNYvtSZNyfl1_12t9EZOeY5vV77YNl4riWVkUJfO0OHbGUFO0/s400/IMG_0225.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turns out they are reasonably well packed. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
With the tires reading at 0 PSI on the pump, they fairly float right over the packed-by-hikers-snow, and iron out all the bumps. But man are they hard to pedal.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjsRjWbM2hDlOT1liEYGDTUvL6OcXijsJLyA4H5Vq2fmAlCH-CWOOG1XaWsEpvDYrLTEuEz5stP7UVguAy4kESMflG7wnXkAmYrEsZWepOZUHlj5jncNjleIcXdwNOOMNYSym8I1TdH0/s1600/IMG_0226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjsRjWbM2hDlOT1liEYGDTUvL6OcXijsJLyA4H5Vq2fmAlCH-CWOOG1XaWsEpvDYrLTEuEz5stP7UVguAy4kESMflG7wnXkAmYrEsZWepOZUHlj5jncNjleIcXdwNOOMNYSym8I1TdH0/s400/IMG_0226.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But so totally worth it. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
Riding by the Soldier's Loop junction with the FUTS, I notice that it seems to have gotten a lot of traffic, and resolve to come back the next day.<br />
<br />
The next day was windy with an approaching storm, but I didn't let that stop me.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Rhcd-5kknM-ARjh0KOjKse1Q2BsfTDWcNDRPMD5QtJSDV5cuZnCGP60PMv6OWhmJprre3UeU3DxaakW4lV_eVnt6sdD6me2f9rhIlgrxbur8B76qluXjGOeCGaIsFfkaVJ0Ya8_K7Mc/s1600/IMG_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Rhcd-5kknM-ARjh0KOjKse1Q2BsfTDWcNDRPMD5QtJSDV5cuZnCGP60PMv6OWhmJprre3UeU3DxaakW4lV_eVnt6sdD6me2f9rhIlgrxbur8B76qluXjGOeCGaIsFfkaVJ0Ya8_K7Mc/s400/IMG_0228.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not quite sunny singlretrack, but it'll do.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl45fMBQkDpyDkKUVymW-Z7vyaI9j3loYY9YkahKEw3Ae7uOvbQRG3KCFsnKIoHujzwODXX2Yv6tYu8hbabt-kvKj1ObbT276pNi8_NSVxc8koX9te8KzAXapdp8FFk_iXf_XRG5wS9eQ/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl45fMBQkDpyDkKUVymW-Z7vyaI9j3loYY9YkahKEw3Ae7uOvbQRG3KCFsnKIoHujzwODXX2Yv6tYu8hbabt-kvKj1ObbT276pNi8_NSVxc8koX9te8KzAXapdp8FFk_iXf_XRG5wS9eQ/s400/IMG_0231.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset from the back of the park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteAC1_MCqUHI7uSjsY9V6IiWmURoCCU-MnHByf_ZeapYvdotKsZk2KolvY_a1j-UqNv7sIgZL-FjnWQBWBi4SCiUGZxnqqGDTK3hTVIh_EYT9BfTspgWdMgTCREF_3F_vaPLjQJpzsUA/s1600/IMG_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgteAC1_MCqUHI7uSjsY9V6IiWmURoCCU-MnHByf_ZeapYvdotKsZk2KolvY_a1j-UqNv7sIgZL-FjnWQBWBi4SCiUGZxnqqGDTK3hTVIh_EYT9BfTspgWdMgTCREF_3F_vaPLjQJpzsUA/s400/IMG_0232.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sane person wouldn't be caught in the snow after dark with a winter storm on the way. Good thing I'm not sane. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
I did end up leaving a few me-shaped splats next to the trail, one of which was a pretty impressive near-endo coming down the Chute. No video this time, I left the GoPro at home.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I woke up to a couple inches of fresh snow on the ground. Having forgotten to swap everything back over to Bi, I hopped on Snowblind again, thinking about doing another ride after work.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bea__WkKeUY3fIwAdJKAnzI8OC2_TX4GtopDlGdmCb0Q-Oych2Mc_QT2dFUoFXNU2494-XR0uSx7DKDSMGNH-_i1Hboskfma03OrG4CAH88LA4AFPqqu5VPPmInhimjVeIp_YmC8dEg/s1600/IMG_0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bea__WkKeUY3fIwAdJKAnzI8OC2_TX4GtopDlGdmCb0Q-Oych2Mc_QT2dFUoFXNU2494-XR0uSx7DKDSMGNH-_i1Hboskfma03OrG4CAH88LA4AFPqqu5VPPmInhimjVeIp_YmC8dEg/s400/IMG_0233.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's the Arctic Snow Snake again! It looks to have grown... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
I ended up getting off work early, so I headed out and did Soldier's Loop again. Never mind the fact that it was only 30 degrees out, pedaling will keep me warm. I ended up being the first set of tracks on most of the trail since the snow fell.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSE6L5rAGXYaCUc40nzqQy9nvlEePuagIEucX7-SbgHnliIZIj880yaXiRRL-Z7W0l-kZHr1sps1JB-YBm9pVkf0vFnTAcs5algHiER67kH5n4ftkADJXP6Lo3CKw0xOf8Fw9mGeh-oak/s1600/IMG_0235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSE6L5rAGXYaCUc40nzqQy9nvlEePuagIEucX7-SbgHnliIZIj880yaXiRRL-Z7W0l-kZHr1sps1JB-YBm9pVkf0vFnTAcs5algHiER67kH5n4ftkADJXP6Lo3CKw0xOf8Fw9mGeh-oak/s400/IMG_0235.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks cool, man.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
I'll take it.<br />
<br />
On a side note... I now know what I should have named Snowblind. While rumbling down the paved road home from Fort Tuthill, I realized why the sound the tires make sounded so friendly and familiar.<br />
<br />
It sounded a lot like this:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RalmVGiMbVo?rel=0" width="420"></iframe>
<blockquote>
Mileage: None today.</blockquote>
Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-70849379570340597682012-12-30T21:38:00.002-08:002012-12-30T21:38:36.035-08:00Snow crashingSo yeah. I went out on my<a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/1071792"> first legitimate snow ride today</a>. It was fun, though for the 7-ish miles I rode, it was about as hard as a 20 mile mountain ride. It was fun and pretty. The only problem was I decided it would be a good idea to run platforms on Snowblind, so I could wear my nice warn snowboots.<br />
<br />
This was a bad idea.<br />
<br />
While my feet were warm, I had no connection to the bike. I didn't realize just how much I had learned to control the bike through my feet. Let alone I couldn't tell where my feet were on the pedals, as well as I had less power (couldn't pull up on the up stroke, I was just mashing.)<br />
<br />
Despite that, I made the most of the ride, and next time, I'll be armed with clipless again. Besides, a quick search showed a lot of SPD compatible boots for winter riding. I'll have to look into that.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDO5ekwfebI7eR-iySoD0arOn7Qzb9xOWhEqDz0ehu4WUG1sknhfT8kAMkT7YBmoFzD-pFF4awwdnjDtniGvV92Fxz0VyYTwSXBo8h8K4v1Xil5G_0MDP_z8uZwEnKGZ03QnXC-pm1O8/s1600/IMG_0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDO5ekwfebI7eR-iySoD0arOn7Qzb9xOWhEqDz0ehu4WUG1sknhfT8kAMkT7YBmoFzD-pFF4awwdnjDtniGvV92Fxz0VyYTwSXBo8h8K4v1Xil5G_0MDP_z8uZwEnKGZ03QnXC-pm1O8/s400/IMG_0218.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter kickstands are best kickstands.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvnuMzPxVkfGykZ91qmc6C7nQxaehWY8SrIO4aPPA4ZXQpgzkAGbS9QlaxYLxpdciRVgrEdvWXeuqOnlpACTrBYcWvKnSmkgwR91KwARpwYpnAYYNHWBVht0f-0EhZjpgmupoiZZW0QY/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvnuMzPxVkfGykZ91qmc6C7nQxaehWY8SrIO4aPPA4ZXQpgzkAGbS9QlaxYLxpdciRVgrEdvWXeuqOnlpACTrBYcWvKnSmkgwR91KwARpwYpnAYYNHWBVht0f-0EhZjpgmupoiZZW0QY/s400/IMG_0220.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow inside Pugsley rims does funny things when allowed to slowly melt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BApfahwEu-gRPYIYWvS0CVKliyeOh2rj2wCGda2zJ_3Ythpkzr5ielJiu3Jr1twIOheqebmomnAtEysTlz8F7ofZGtHq9FF9LxHYS2sU8brTXJjd5yrJr4DLdOVh3VQ3ZMjckEwGJec/s1600/IMG_0221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BApfahwEu-gRPYIYWvS0CVKliyeOh2rj2wCGda2zJ_3Ythpkzr5ielJiu3Jr1twIOheqebmomnAtEysTlz8F7ofZGtHq9FF9LxHYS2sU8brTXJjd5yrJr4DLdOVh3VQ3ZMjckEwGJec/s400/IMG_0221.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rear was not nearly as impressive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
I also put the GoPro on my head for this ride. Most of it is about as exciting as a trip to Pittsburgh, and apparently I look down a lot as I'm riding. I think next time I'll put it on the handlebars.<br />
<br />
But, it did catch the inevitable crashes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/9s3w9whpepU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Good times. I can't wait to do it again.<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage: 7.2</blockquote>
Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-40836719841456232922012-12-29T16:25:00.001-08:002012-12-29T22:21:26.847-08:00Photo barrage number 42Other post titles for today included:<br />
Wherein Google makes a liar out of me<br />
Please excuse my absence, I've been busy<br />
Flag Pedals: I survived another apocalypse! edition<br />
And on it goes...<br />
<br />
So. I went to make a post a few weeks ago (maybe a month ago, I don't remember.) and Blogger yelled at me saying I had filled my Picasa account with pictures. One gigabyte, filled with pictures. Apparently I take a lot of pictures, and share them on the internets for you all to see. I had a lot going on, so I decided I'd deal with it later.<br />
<br />
One gigabyte doesn't sound like much, but you should see all the pictures that don't get posted here. I have to empty the one gig card in my camera 3 or 4 times a year for all the stuff I take pictures of. Some of it is alternate shots of what does get posted, a lot of it is stuff unrelated to bikes. I think I have eight or nine gigabytes of uncategorized images in camera dumps, organized by date. I don't delete any of the pictures I take.<br />
<br />
Well, later arrived, and I suddenly had 4 more gigabytes of space on my Picasa account. I don't know where it came from, but hey, I may as well fill it up.<br />
<br />
So, starting where I left off:<br />
<br />
Exegete and I made our annual pilgrimage to Tombstone for Thanksgiving. We didn't bring bikes this time, but I got to see a couple while I was there.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRssloe5nkB_7LU61uTHsnvbSNbQAGD9eSNq5M9afDlxiKDEzaR5_SKp9mTThaoK4e-WM3-Bwje7FUPSxZUiu0eW1-h6fwfA-hUrPoYlNzgfuQNj6wozUN3yndXX8awc-Vs0lAk0ehLlo/s1600/IMG_0182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRssloe5nkB_7LU61uTHsnvbSNbQAGD9eSNq5M9afDlxiKDEzaR5_SKp9mTThaoK4e-WM3-Bwje7FUPSxZUiu0eW1-h6fwfA-hUrPoYlNzgfuQNj6wozUN3yndXX8awc-Vs0lAk0ehLlo/s400/IMG_0182.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tandem, I'd guess circa1890's. Check out the dual steering arrangement. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
I also saw a penny farthing rolling around on Allen street. Pretty cool to see one in motion.<br />
<br />
The tandem was in the old courthouse. Exe's dad and I walked through it. They had a lot of neat historical artifacts on display.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ReBf8UlJcXmmuJsnRTvfX8y8RPoYX_zW6bbZkaYvm0bnQBaqntIv1CfIKHRdLhqGjLjv48KIotcILT8ZdpDHei408VYgV8gCCoIoynISh3KRXZwP0LJ2Llw_rneuWTgqH3kOXcCNtbw/s1600/IMG_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ReBf8UlJcXmmuJsnRTvfX8y8RPoYX_zW6bbZkaYvm0bnQBaqntIv1CfIKHRdLhqGjLjv48KIotcILT8ZdpDHei408VYgV8gCCoIoynISh3KRXZwP0LJ2Llw_rneuWTgqH3kOXcCNtbw/s400/IMG_0183.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bells from various courthouses, this one included. You could ring them with provided rubber mallets. Beautiful sounds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFuP7GNDola9HyTj5Erpj5o7mixhyphenhyphenJqD6CkDyqQkfHJZ1_PsTtODk6JS265LZkP_YVeDHG3_5fDCjTfBLwsiY4W66IYXEXT_q7eSgqpLyakcH6LBUpZItAoEkSsMsDvLZXmBkutxQAs8/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFuP7GNDola9HyTj5Erpj5o7mixhyphenhyphenJqD6CkDyqQkfHJZ1_PsTtODk6JS265LZkP_YVeDHG3_5fDCjTfBLwsiY4W66IYXEXT_q7eSgqpLyakcH6LBUpZItAoEkSsMsDvLZXmBkutxQAs8/s400/IMG_0184.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steam-powered drill, used in the mines. Impressive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
Later, back home, I was riding home from work one day, and got to see a sunset that just wouldn't quit.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5_xkkxKqDrai1ejkd-_heebXeCKJwEt29l2OqUi5FBRqeu6QInK-CXMW1SZI_dqbQ3qEAPzIW2pEb8nN5DSiSO8_V9ba0rpsnCasUTzes8QuCrP4jq3SbB9zKtVhgq949yB4CBaIdgI/s1600/IMG_0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5_xkkxKqDrai1ejkd-_heebXeCKJwEt29l2OqUi5FBRqeu6QInK-CXMW1SZI_dqbQ3qEAPzIW2pEb8nN5DSiSO8_V9ba0rpsnCasUTzes8QuCrP4jq3SbB9zKtVhgq949yB4CBaIdgI/s400/IMG_0188.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken a few minutes away from work. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
I rode all the way out to Fort Tuthill, and there was still color in the sky, so I finally stopped to take more pictures, this time playing with shutter times.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQunT_J3LwYRj0Kp3jNhKkyqU0yZFFtZNo3LavmzJ25aYpD4in728V7PwQ7tCO6wqDJuEO4a6ELzw_X39fb4619-VJGjSaZrefgpZLiFDq7LGtFhJatuLxFBPmurwQEhRa9cDyjh7SDo/s1600/IMG_0191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQunT_J3LwYRj0Kp3jNhKkyqU0yZFFtZNo3LavmzJ25aYpD4in728V7PwQ7tCO6wqDJuEO4a6ELzw_X39fb4619-VJGjSaZrefgpZLiFDq7LGtFhJatuLxFBPmurwQEhRa9cDyjh7SDo/s400/IMG_0191.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Car...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbBBQ3tV3pW1dJC0CtTmfS9WFYDXSRRuzX4rUK2eep3BqZG8xiuj-LyozSEavpUUsS6ewaYcmvZujpfz1rDeNIefH3FOPurFs5FLM50sgKRnokpfzOd2Byq4LRgHCD8598rYeNCBKZwo/s1600/IMG_0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbBBQ3tV3pW1dJC0CtTmfS9WFYDXSRRuzX4rUK2eep3BqZG8xiuj-LyozSEavpUUsS6ewaYcmvZujpfz1rDeNIefH3FOPurFs5FLM50sgKRnokpfzOd2Byq4LRgHCD8598rYeNCBKZwo/s400/IMG_0193.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one came out nicely.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
It was about this time that I tried to post with all the pictures above, that Picasa wouldn't let me add them. I ended up going on a ride between then and now, right before our first actual big snowstorm of the season.<br />
<br />
I'd had a craving for the singlespeed bliss that is Tri, so I hopped on and rode along the Loop Trail to the Rocky Ridge Trailhead, along Rocky Ridge to Elden Lookout Road, and then up Red Onion to Little Bear.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcmkAN7UHCV8qNTovqL3I23zZTbrF-SXtyHStTJAvdarYCEXMA41-P-3B_HKuq1-ql_wMXhRoZRXhHiFa8O2odj6aEAv5YIY5-iuNm9XnbeYueTXptt8g93SXyVVaYTdGZLD5hxmvvGk/s1600/IMG_0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcmkAN7UHCV8qNTovqL3I23zZTbrF-SXtyHStTJAvdarYCEXMA41-P-3B_HKuq1-ql_wMXhRoZRXhHiFa8O2odj6aEAv5YIY5-iuNm9XnbeYueTXptt8g93SXyVVaYTdGZLD5hxmvvGk/s400/IMG_0205.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tri and I taking a break at the bottom of Red Onion. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
No turkeys were seen heading up Onion this time.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Im9CRM2PIDElKMy89Z8MZ-hkY2H6SSDshuvIeAZsHsnzrvM822K3BLtv8dhglsjF-Fiz0kWbnmJmDZ84AiTnzyyt__wpLbqyxsG_XFUN8hZgFIR4jo8khNuPIiakF0ts5NZnJyPePMc/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Im9CRM2PIDElKMy89Z8MZ-hkY2H6SSDshuvIeAZsHsnzrvM822K3BLtv8dhglsjF-Fiz0kWbnmJmDZ84AiTnzyyt__wpLbqyxsG_XFUN8hZgFIR4jo8khNuPIiakF0ts5NZnJyPePMc/s400/IMG_0206.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking east from near the top of Little Bear.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6qHfYwtLQ6oU63C_1v_30yUyeQE6AascbBI4AmXvwcbkeXlT0rUU8s3r1li6KdFYWhPNaS8z3V_jOOvDBnGodEnVAVJHP2A4cDZf5zUwrwrQIOHVHw1WqOgLcjUh5GlhscBp6CYXAwU/s1600/IMG_0207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6qHfYwtLQ6oU63C_1v_30yUyeQE6AascbBI4AmXvwcbkeXlT0rUU8s3r1li6KdFYWhPNaS8z3V_jOOvDBnGodEnVAVJHP2A4cDZf5zUwrwrQIOHVHw1WqOgLcjUh5GlhscBp6CYXAwU/s400/IMG_0207.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northeast. It looks warm, but it was actually quite chilly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtPNDjs7xagyfY-0mSXAGtAvHhUXEZZhlTCX0ye6EZTpzDUWG4o4LlNYw3M-zHPb2XP33JcClB77aEaKCcc4nwnFjpLiCZkYJajhU53PPZJqd0HR-d3vySjGTgdxP_mpKHkWtH8lfrgY/s1600/IMG_0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtPNDjs7xagyfY-0mSXAGtAvHhUXEZZhlTCX0ye6EZTpzDUWG4o4LlNYw3M-zHPb2XP33JcClB77aEaKCcc4nwnFjpLiCZkYJajhU53PPZJqd0HR-d3vySjGTgdxP_mpKHkWtH8lfrgY/s400/IMG_0210.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See? I ran into snow!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaN2853fGAReyqa0wxJIZtn5796G6r8EK_5o4YqHc6v0ytY-Vrbb21Ekb89cRdk7fNKR9BONC5DIg6mHrTDJ9B_6a-GtYO98Z0tIY4b6gEOE3Q2zFsKG97gfeXlUlwZ_lyA2NQOxh__M/s1600/IMG_0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaN2853fGAReyqa0wxJIZtn5796G6r8EK_5o4YqHc6v0ytY-Vrbb21Ekb89cRdk7fNKR9BONC5DIg6mHrTDJ9B_6a-GtYO98Z0tIY4b6gEOE3Q2zFsKG97gfeXlUlwZ_lyA2NQOxh__M/s400/IMG_0211.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back at Little Bear, from more Little Bear.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPTTTY-Nm9jW8xjzzJYYEmH8alDVBEeZjL5HXy6M41LBXT5X07NIM7y2Jmfbvzo5gQ5MXso6SiuaLrKL5qdHhepAYfrSrjWe6YVaUuxDC1n8MFh7rMJ1q7CT51i8FPqe-Ut7deNeWJmM/s1600/IMG_0213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPTTTY-Nm9jW8xjzzJYYEmH8alDVBEeZjL5HXy6M41LBXT5X07NIM7y2Jmfbvzo5gQ5MXso6SiuaLrKL5qdHhepAYfrSrjWe6YVaUuxDC1n8MFh7rMJ1q7CT51i8FPqe-Ut7deNeWJmM/s400/IMG_0213.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deer!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6N9szqJKdO1onY08gQ2m_y33ZcS2odsToZud_P9KtsiACTGgmRfdy6IUBXK3FEv6qAdommU9gJUEUTxDakefzSIMXKNoKhai9kj0L2ov5rmtEVXyZIMIvAYO5kcpXqS2qLFXH62WVP4/s1600/IMG_0215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6N9szqJKdO1onY08gQ2m_y33ZcS2odsToZud_P9KtsiACTGgmRfdy6IUBXK3FEv6qAdommU9gJUEUTxDakefzSIMXKNoKhai9kj0L2ov5rmtEVXyZIMIvAYO5kcpXqS2qLFXH62WVP4/s400/IMG_0215.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The further down I went, the more snow and ice I ran into in the north facing drainages. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
It started getting sketchy with all the snow and ice, as well as cold, so I put the camera away and concentrated more on riding and getting home. I got to the bottom of Little Bear, took Little Elden up to Schultz Pass, rolled down Schultz Creek (which was in great shape, no snow or mud) and even got to try the new big Schultz reroute, which pulled the trail out of the creek towards the bottom. It's not as technical, but it's fast and flowy, and plenty of stuff to keep you awake if you're moving fast enough. From there, it was the FUTS through town to home.<br />
<br />
Now... the snow has fallen, more is on the way, and I've got Snowblind all ready to go do some riding in the snow.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXgPOIX7dGu22flrHS9tCT0mga1oEk4m-ccvMgPTv2NR_kEWtN62BHGpQGjqRfJYXSZrbzh8hwAQniulv7KVVcNVT6FU5G60oATpmd00oZS0m40GFYFcB0buxV6vpLNZpAYgTggYhoRU/s1600/IMG_0216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXgPOIX7dGu22flrHS9tCT0mga1oEk4m-ccvMgPTv2NR_kEWtN62BHGpQGjqRfJYXSZrbzh8hwAQniulv7KVVcNVT6FU5G60oATpmd00oZS0m40GFYFcB0buxV6vpLNZpAYgTggYhoRU/s400/IMG_0216.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bi's looking quite... studly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
Oh yeah. Exe, TC and Tina at work teamed up and gave me a GoPro helmet camera. This ought to be good. As Tina put it, either I'll finally catch that alien abduction, or nothing awesome will ever happen again. We'll see. I may become a video blogger. A Vlogger. Or something.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage: I walked a few miles with Su...</blockquote>
Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-58843469236472440672012-11-18T16:47:00.000-08:002012-11-18T16:47:04.597-08:00I tell a lie.<br />
I ended up going on a ride today after all, and raided the cull lumber box at HomeCo. Loading down a Henry is always fun, as is explaining to the cashier that I have a really cool bike.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEj4b9LFYdU1Hn_njd9PdEQy563BS7SRpm-B3G5Ik7isw57zOQqFcwf4W_zK9BaG4DvqOBfxZy102VFxMkSQ7z_9T3AJWZTZwtR2pZCY9_xeKW36tcT4TLgU-xnWm_arGo5d8OCsGC5s/s1600/IMG_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEj4b9LFYdU1Hn_njd9PdEQy563BS7SRpm-B3G5Ik7isw57zOQqFcwf4W_zK9BaG4DvqOBfxZy102VFxMkSQ7z_9T3AJWZTZwtR2pZCY9_xeKW36tcT4TLgU-xnWm_arGo5d8OCsGC5s/s400/IMG_0181.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'm Henry!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mileage: about 8 or so.</blockquote>
Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-91284896037326953882012-11-18T11:20:00.002-08:002012-11-18T11:20:55.941-08:00What the... where've you been?! Man... has it really been since Pines to the Mines?<br />
<br />
It's even worse than I thought.<br />
<br />
So... obviously, I have not been posting much, because... well... I haven't been riding too terribly much. No insane 50+ weekend rides, nothing like that. I've been riding, but not with the vigor that has been seen from me over the past year. Folks at Pines to the Mines kept saying that that ride was a great season closer, but I didn't take them seriously. Or maybe I did subconsciously.<br />
<br />
I've been in a bit of a riding lull. A slump. A funk, or if we want to be fancy, funque.<br />
<br />
Maybe part of it was just coming off of Pines, and claiming I was "recovering" from that. After all, it was a hard ride, both physically, and mentally. But, that excuse only lasted a week.<br />
<br />
I'm sure that another part of it is the fact that we've had our cold snap, and it's harder to get motivated to get out and ride when it's 45 degrees with the wind blowing.<br />
<br />
Maybe another part of it is that I've got the project itch again, as I seem to get around this time of year, and the time I allocated to riding bikes get moved to dinking in the garage, working on bikes, working with metal, working with wood. Fabricating. Inventing.<br />
<br />
Riding the bike works the body, Working in the garage exercises the mind.<br />
<br />
Another reason for the lack of riding, the mental aspect of dealing with cars. I just don't feel like doing it. At times, it really is a fight, and with the first snow of the season having fallen, the trails have turned to mud, which I don't like riding in. Harmful to the trails, hard on the bike, and just messy.<br />
<br />
That leaves road, dirt roads, and the FUTS, which takes roads to get to. Which means cars.<br />
<br />
However....<br />
<br />
I have still been riding. Bi's been getting plenty of miles, and with the darkness after work, I've been making it a point to put the "handlebar mounted personal sun" I call a headlight to use.<br />
<br />
Interestingly... with less riding, comes a better quality of riding to me. Slowly, as I deprive myself of the bike, I find myself longing for it more. This is a good thing.<br />
<br />
But, as I said, I've been riding.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXLmW-QA2ADHzmx3tCFBjiVmf29OEjhLyqpCLmapAoO9m1QFvC5gPQnmD5wkLM4LMkAn-XtmOKi4ue2Qc60G6uS1fPFUjddCIBACq4lw61Uk8E3gyb9znV5pxfya4R-lgtRyigoRUAgw/s1600/IMG_0160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXLmW-QA2ADHzmx3tCFBjiVmf29OEjhLyqpCLmapAoO9m1QFvC5gPQnmD5wkLM4LMkAn-XtmOKi4ue2Qc60G6uS1fPFUjddCIBACq4lw61Uk8E3gyb9znV5pxfya4R-lgtRyigoRUAgw/s400/IMG_0160.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the Loop Trail, before the cold snap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2U05GxMBBliZRa64zQWwwKs1qNF1_kUCjijle52XHw7_O7vXc6Py2WfwzmQcJOVR-nmcIMcB7iF4szIrBsXStbmz0eBiEtpoyPvMjjjRCFJhM73uk1VTwEMHwEJCUzCp8SnGji1NwYU/s1600/IMG_0162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2U05GxMBBliZRa64zQWwwKs1qNF1_kUCjijle52XHw7_O7vXc6Py2WfwzmQcJOVR-nmcIMcB7iF4szIrBsXStbmz0eBiEtpoyPvMjjjRCFJhM73uk1VTwEMHwEJCUzCp8SnGji1NwYU/s400/IMG_0162.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mountains, from the Kachina Wetlands.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZZG1pOhDW7lzywOYHGQCfj4u9AL-_i8hyeS2_vGv8HtS6GI94iMhoy55QcCeJz96HET0v8GyRaGLYozfKPTKaqsEuIaHZiZGXDi7LyZnSTmeGFBs-4wcjCCmX7ICboerDI2s2TZwLoU/s1600/IMG_0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZZG1pOhDW7lzywOYHGQCfj4u9AL-_i8hyeS2_vGv8HtS6GI94iMhoy55QcCeJz96HET0v8GyRaGLYozfKPTKaqsEuIaHZiZGXDi7LyZnSTmeGFBs-4wcjCCmX7ICboerDI2s2TZwLoU/s400/IMG_0163.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quack.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YDgAmaSXEk7lMO4OoLN8blT2t7ZN2YHiYfvDSGu5GmsxvN1MDmzGrmGLzoOq9fyTw3orYe2F7uHkWbdjlfaqUWqHGUWjDTPsu6oBweSVRagaUc3uU2SyNju_LSyWR_5Js74jvZkxt0A/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YDgAmaSXEk7lMO4OoLN8blT2t7ZN2YHiYfvDSGu5GmsxvN1MDmzGrmGLzoOq9fyTw3orYe2F7uHkWbdjlfaqUWqHGUWjDTPsu6oBweSVRagaUc3uU2SyNju_LSyWR_5Js74jvZkxt0A/s400/IMG_0169.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late fall colors at Fort Tuthill.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3PHkeDAbtF9BumSfkGwSGxNYHuOvSEgmUfFEMDgKAcRafLdDeZSsWV4IUz3NKuMfXo60iTy8j4cmzaoLGM0zIj_y1x38UYzsdxcfuIDktsmLecT-gPxSKZE2lE47WNnewlH8DEcSIlA/s1600/IMG_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3PHkeDAbtF9BumSfkGwSGxNYHuOvSEgmUfFEMDgKAcRafLdDeZSsWV4IUz3NKuMfXo60iTy8j4cmzaoLGM0zIj_y1x38UYzsdxcfuIDktsmLecT-gPxSKZE2lE47WNnewlH8DEcSIlA/s400/IMG_0179.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">30 degrees, windy and wet outside? Time for the rollers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeFrg_HkHtWW4yLhWCJ8pJrEp6CEaBZcxklCT1FPrhtcC7ux8yesM_6bpaPHBWreCKabz1y-aKBq4GsDO9et-ra8IMh67KK8xWuhW7a_7SYWNtOj8JDIJpdazIFWAAv9UPzH_rkI5NEQ/s1600/IMG_0180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeFrg_HkHtWW4yLhWCJ8pJrEp6CEaBZcxklCT1FPrhtcC7ux8yesM_6bpaPHBWreCKabz1y-aKBq4GsDO9et-ra8IMh67KK8xWuhW7a_7SYWNtOj8JDIJpdazIFWAAv9UPzH_rkI5NEQ/s400/IMG_0180.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rollers give a different view while riding. (Bonus points if you can name the movie.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In other news... Friday was the annual Absolute Bikes Team party. I rode there, and got one of my higher compliments in doing so. 6'8" Nate pointed at me, saying "You're the man! You're riding everywhere!" Last year not many people knew me, and I felt like an outsider, hanging out with them. This year, I knew a few more people, and more knew me, which was a nice feeling. Food was eaten, breezes were shot, announcements were made, and I signed up again.<br />
<br />
Volunteer bonuses were also handed out, and I rode off to the bike shop the next day and spent mine. Henry gets his new front wheel soon!<br />
<br />
Will I ride today? I'm not sure. Tomorrow? Of course. And you know what? It will be glorious.<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage: 0 so far.</blockquote>
Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-78585968153062275692012-10-21T12:58:00.000-07:002012-10-21T13:34:10.464-07:00Pines to the Mines 2012This is a ride I'd heard about for a few years now, and had wanted to do for just as long. Problem was, I almost always heard about it after the fact from other folks ride reports, and I didn't think I'd stand a chance of finishing it.<br />
<br />
But then during my <a href="http://flagpedals.blogspot.com/2012/09/i-hope-youre-ready-for-some-pictures.html">ride to the Inner Basin</a>, Derek mentioned it and gave me some details. More than that, I was pretty confident that I'd be able to finish it.<br />
<br />
Pines to the Mines is much more of a big fun ride than it is a race. It starts in Flagstaff, (In years past, it started at Pay n' Take, a convenience store/bar downtown, also the host of the ride) and ends in Jerome, taking dirt roads and a bit of singletrack. It winds around the Sycamore Canyon Wilderness area, down to the Verde River at Perkinsville, then up the mountain to the Gold King Mine in Jerome. There are three aid stations along the way, and a party at the mine when you finish. It is all low key and underground, so, no signups, no registration, just a bunch of folks having fun riding their bikes. I'm in.<br />
<br />
So yesterday, the day of the ride, I woke up late and with a headache. What better way to start a ride like that?<br />
<br />
Fortunately, I had gotten most everything ready the night before, and the headache faded quickly, and I made it to the start, at the beginning of Woody Mountain road, 10 minutes before the roll out.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1aP5NfBiMldqx6QMEnZ3_V0nhDnDNRsoImS2kIH8RmqZShrBsMRb_60tBUPVNz4wXzDacyQvcX2Z-iky5M2x-e1MwxEITpXMN-k0QRD08pq9FuWjktn7OiDP7o26lNIzwEr-EN-Xcz4/s1600/IMG_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1aP5NfBiMldqx6QMEnZ3_V0nhDnDNRsoImS2kIH8RmqZShrBsMRb_60tBUPVNz4wXzDacyQvcX2Z-iky5M2x-e1MwxEITpXMN-k0QRD08pq9FuWjktn7OiDP7o26lNIzwEr-EN-Xcz4/s400/IMG_0121.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the people in front of me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASZfE4_hJ9m8nybUkMX_qUDzjtx51cPjbUIIL_4P52niHombS9I4xOLGaEHVVnXLd8mQa6tNDtwwiUui0ORNUgrsbW9JZXztytUJtqQxWzAStZS2jfDwJ_0u8E5UFGxsEkfW5ka9kayg/s1600/IMG_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASZfE4_hJ9m8nybUkMX_qUDzjtx51cPjbUIIL_4P52niHombS9I4xOLGaEHVVnXLd8mQa6tNDtwwiUui0ORNUgrsbW9JZXztytUJtqQxWzAStZS2jfDwJ_0u8E5UFGxsEkfW5ka9kayg/s400/IMG_0122.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the people behind me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
Me being me, I found people I knew, and hung out with them, shooting the breeze and waiting for the start. After a while, someone at the front shouts "What the f*** are you all still doing here?! Pedal your asses to Jerome, that's where the beer is!"<br />
<br />
And so the ride began.<br />
<br />
The roll down Woody Mountain Road was pretty quick and uneventful, save for the cow that almost took me out at Rogers Lake. To his credit, he gave me more room than most cars, and crossed the road five feet in front of me.<br />
<br />
Before long we turned off Woody Mountain Road on to some logging roads, where things got fun, fast and scenic.<br />
<blockquote>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBP_7yvmTwvZ7UI1id0H7_x_vCg6mvek8wq61lV74wSEEQBa1WqHs6NFcP1wjoQ6slrPJDGHnuORD3p7I5e2t8PoQUnibIGu19QdEH9EdAGOpqjsaSTlKSgyJdroH10zRytdoTECnSCo/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBP_7yvmTwvZ7UI1id0H7_x_vCg6mvek8wq61lV74wSEEQBa1WqHs6NFcP1wjoQ6slrPJDGHnuORD3p7I5e2t8PoQUnibIGu19QdEH9EdAGOpqjsaSTlKSgyJdroH10zRytdoTECnSCo/s400/IMG_0123.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I ended up chasing these guys for quite a while.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_qgELUFrEVeclS-a0couZ29PqvXrkbVTFxU6l7i5rqxke6F35GpviqhgUj-9rse5aGMYpe_RgPCMKPX_FGRtoFDLCK-YEKVpn_P64VtJnDAml4L1ZL6nt6aerTyIaTMHJGU-jIzFbi0/s1600/IMG_0124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_qgELUFrEVeclS-a0couZ29PqvXrkbVTFxU6l7i5rqxke6F35GpviqhgUj-9rse5aGMYpe_RgPCMKPX_FGRtoFDLCK-YEKVpn_P64VtJnDAml4L1ZL6nt6aerTyIaTMHJGU-jIzFbi0/s400/IMG_0124.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colors!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yquiVvdqanNbLVrSzvk81rJn-ety88IC3YibbFTU4WLqlEP7Bcr8ORSYxq3GNYc-lJ7lAni66Iecskvid97XNKp5GDcS7EfY8ngAeHH6YwPwwOaND4YW44AGTZsLsAOdgATVPbMViuQ/s1600/IMG_0125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yquiVvdqanNbLVrSzvk81rJn-ety88IC3YibbFTU4WLqlEP7Bcr8ORSYxq3GNYc-lJ7lAni66Iecskvid97XNKp5GDcS7EfY8ngAeHH6YwPwwOaND4YW44AGTZsLsAOdgATVPbMViuQ/s400/IMG_0125.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near the very top of Sycamore Canyon, just after we hit the singletrack.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlZmTP1MFNAO0MXxSQ0sFDrwT1PLN0z0mR6EsnwkiMkw65fJsp3IduQRTW1TVKpCoWJsJDw4resRxh6Q_Br6sO3FEV0QorSyMpbNEwC25FbFM3Efqya-6RsyjUm3lfBm3vpzFVyCB1II/s1600/IMG_0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlZmTP1MFNAO0MXxSQ0sFDrwT1PLN0z0mR6EsnwkiMkw65fJsp3IduQRTW1TVKpCoWJsJDw4resRxh6Q_Br6sO3FEV0QorSyMpbNEwC25FbFM3Efqya-6RsyjUm3lfBm3vpzFVyCB1II/s400/IMG_0126.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first of many "Woah" views.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40dkmsng2vXpLuRurLIyGH9FxriuJKhNhDECTZT7dCTUPr482X-7CIAIYDCsXiFeoHrDSutk2ze1b35j_a1qQ-q05A3GwMwUZzE7hZIfBaxxlBLaPdF-XzlTiRZAiTapJdcxi-j6FHLg/s1600/IMG_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40dkmsng2vXpLuRurLIyGH9FxriuJKhNhDECTZT7dCTUPr482X-7CIAIYDCsXiFeoHrDSutk2ze1b35j_a1qQ-q05A3GwMwUZzE7hZIfBaxxlBLaPdF-XzlTiRZAiTapJdcxi-j6FHLg/s400/IMG_0127.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woah.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-6OvL_8VM0fdFgWXix38eK44WwfCAPGLJvz3WN4FqjcaB47L-2Y7QsLz9fUKgO3KfN8cgHKxnsmP0UJcITtXvnKdd2PBiUyMvvncl7PiFDQ92zaPX50rAG06nDHMbklTItj_OzcOWrg/s1600/IMG_0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-6OvL_8VM0fdFgWXix38eK44WwfCAPGLJvz3WN4FqjcaB47L-2Y7QsLz9fUKgO3KfN8cgHKxnsmP0UJcITtXvnKdd2PBiUyMvvncl7PiFDQ92zaPX50rAG06nDHMbklTItj_OzcOWrg/s400/IMG_0128.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It got a little smoky for a bit. Fortunately the route turned away from it after I took this picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxIIxsgBMRi2Kch3I1uCTMoVXUMLAebuPMfKhP_mnFs_J5IqQX9yxAdYLdEYgX87EvRe6wk6ksKIK_HUurAb5Xgf38zUF6F-k1oKDHkbtI-kLdkOScs2VhtFtbjZRpruiZxT26qAQ4dg/s1600/IMG_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxIIxsgBMRi2Kch3I1uCTMoVXUMLAebuPMfKhP_mnFs_J5IqQX9yxAdYLdEYgX87EvRe6wk6ksKIK_HUurAb5Xgf38zUF6F-k1oKDHkbtI-kLdkOScs2VhtFtbjZRpruiZxT26qAQ4dg/s400/IMG_0129.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the rocky hiking trail that was the singletrack, this is the interstate!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrv0wsYdG692KycWjneGNG7SaQYyTu2IeZeOp2WRf1vvN5pwonq4BRYfzfZPNvGNva-nPvxt2MX_cuhu1b7eylcb2hDTwgUH14vj6ywYFf4IB5advpVx_kqsBYmGznPJ8oXNb3EsLOyM4/s1600/IMG_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrv0wsYdG692KycWjneGNG7SaQYyTu2IeZeOp2WRf1vvN5pwonq4BRYfzfZPNvGNva-nPvxt2MX_cuhu1b7eylcb2hDTwgUH14vj6ywYFf4IB5advpVx_kqsBYmGznPJ8oXNb3EsLOyM4/s400/IMG_0130.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJM0iKLmQB7Nh69xgJLED4g9qS9S1jQP_knLcOiUD3ZryEN2ZbJoYzXPohf5lRmFzPqwQpFbkXmvsO6_FdaBgqmc8kr4yPoFI7Hd29QzjaxT5mkXVvUmIEhW2TdGLAXudeJVVTZP_6GTc/s1600/IMG_0132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJM0iKLmQB7Nh69xgJLED4g9qS9S1jQP_knLcOiUD3ZryEN2ZbJoYzXPohf5lRmFzPqwQpFbkXmvsO6_FdaBgqmc8kr4yPoFI7Hd29QzjaxT5mkXVvUmIEhW2TdGLAXudeJVVTZP_6GTc/s400/IMG_0132.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
It was around this point that I was starting to feel the miles behind me, all 40 of them. Fortunately, there was a big downhill coming up.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dsPXAqx-REm9eqTikGqsx6n1_UcQPWmCWzwkGUIHJpQmENUGIYoAUPd55e4vmJx2o8kwNtrtLp9y5wqqNR0nPFc1P8Y9HdHxeNsvNwe9PBEnZz7p0k-s3W7Xwu5d2vA_js5VVaai6Ts/s1600/IMG_0133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dsPXAqx-REm9eqTikGqsx6n1_UcQPWmCWzwkGUIHJpQmENUGIYoAUPd55e4vmJx2o8kwNtrtLp9y5wqqNR0nPFc1P8Y9HdHxeNsvNwe9PBEnZz7p0k-s3W7Xwu5d2vA_js5VVaai6Ts/s400/IMG_0133.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woah.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRXhePXf1sqylKgkx8N8-tJOLqomWHmL2QqxqN-o0v8WGqRfgrTL4G29Y75xyLADocCwnEQOTvnQi8y73SyhHgNQTw_UFx2RjwAIDFn7K6wU4eKtzlpuVxO7Oc7isT6VQXsOGmao9LuA/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRXhePXf1sqylKgkx8N8-tJOLqomWHmL2QqxqN-o0v8WGqRfgrTL4G29Y75xyLADocCwnEQOTvnQi8y73SyhHgNQTw_UFx2RjwAIDFn7K6wU4eKtzlpuVxO7Oc7isT6VQXsOGmao9LuA/s400/IMG_0134.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoBLGbQFlpVBg2WDWWUZWYttS5boyz9f27dYc6HO-Is6fnwQPL8tmJTqsFVhyphenhyphenpl_tLr4DSrBA3lwiab27ek3X3_exVmteq0wXCdlY0SwEE4KEoRL9YudP0zG4OLdnCtBPoZZEKLDRvQg/s1600/IMG_0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoBLGbQFlpVBg2WDWWUZWYttS5boyz9f27dYc6HO-Is6fnwQPL8tmJTqsFVhyphenhyphenpl_tLr4DSrBA3lwiab27ek3X3_exVmteq0wXCdlY0SwEE4KEoRL9YudP0zG4OLdnCtBPoZZEKLDRvQg/s400/IMG_0135.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Verde River Valley.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
Somewhere on this descent, I learned an important lesson, and that is that I can indeed pinch flat on a full suspension bike.,<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVp8uOsB4JWLz0w3r0NodILYXLUTx_hOQ6KiLlNp-kJ5oCwRFV9Uw4PqxuasnRnZm4vOVUAVqNqR8_h33Kq8qGRohO5OBnFsAzFs2cmylVxPtUMX-DNj4gwpfNXuqXTdqSa-KDeMgNKiA/s1600/IMG_0138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVp8uOsB4JWLz0w3r0NodILYXLUTx_hOQ6KiLlNp-kJ5oCwRFV9Uw4PqxuasnRnZm4vOVUAVqNqR8_h33Kq8qGRohO5OBnFsAzFs2cmylVxPtUMX-DNj4gwpfNXuqXTdqSa-KDeMgNKiA/s400/IMG_0138.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling down the road to Perkinsville.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA55EF9mMlEjYDC1M7uBnu05ylw0OF5uaGSJgPa1NNvhG1RjKmaBYXpG4XSHGMYpZBaAB7hGbKOc1VvPoVTFy3nn0HCdmx6RB7GwDYEUPqVx6OzTCotYnZBeYsSOj5uNYbl8gB8CFcrr8/s1600/IMG_0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA55EF9mMlEjYDC1M7uBnu05ylw0OF5uaGSJgPa1NNvhG1RjKmaBYXpG4XSHGMYpZBaAB7hGbKOc1VvPoVTFy3nn0HCdmx6RB7GwDYEUPqVx6OzTCotYnZBeYsSOj5uNYbl8gB8CFcrr8/s400/IMG_0139.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The red(dish) rocks of Sedona. I'm a little ways south of them now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
At the river was the second aid station. The river is also the end of the easy riding. The river is also only about 15 miles from Jerome. The river also had hotdogs.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIPWeLDgyRdqGYSCi6wuwap8VXDZruTsGDj6HufgDaLjqpYhuUVe8acQ38dVEVxWw4ubMyyc0OW4HJ2T7mtPPwGtvwRJp4YEwjCNNpYD8ThfgnG5TFS347Rgt2I89XD-gbYOjP4bG3FI/s1600/IMG_0140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIPWeLDgyRdqGYSCi6wuwap8VXDZruTsGDj6HufgDaLjqpYhuUVe8acQ38dVEVxWw4ubMyyc0OW4HJ2T7mtPPwGtvwRJp4YEwjCNNpYD8ThfgnG5TFS347Rgt2I89XD-gbYOjP4bG3FI/s400/IMG_0140.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nom! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
That hotdog was so good, I had to have another.<br />
<br />
After some good resting, chatting, water refilling, and general procrastinating due to the fact I had 15 miles of uphill ahead of me, Pretty, my two hotdogs and myself rolled back out.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoRNLvHDjl3sB4rXod3QH4_ak5Lof4CS0pHwmCXAVsCW8wsMCeWBeG27br1ceVTw6y0UIyENAEI9ghCHFyph_r0O8nLSFV6_9eve3SmWZfCFBpEErmpm85tGtI31o759qGAD76ACoVNs/s1600/IMG_0141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoRNLvHDjl3sB4rXod3QH4_ak5Lof4CS0pHwmCXAVsCW8wsMCeWBeG27br1ceVTw6y0UIyENAEI9ghCHFyph_r0O8nLSFV6_9eve3SmWZfCFBpEErmpm85tGtI31o759qGAD76ACoVNs/s400/IMG_0141.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old bridge across the Verde. I never imagined I'd be riding to it on my bike, let alone across it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFW5G_eNrRH-fhulIXXC82VN-4lBQsSHBLD9DBs2ITozvi5lIP4bBJS6Y04hkezeNl6ZNL7TwNgMiCRRoDUOs0qxBzASoE3e9iPXOllFeQZcL2YtfYHHHIoGIHjDaN3pxtntQHdnSUDE/s1600/IMG_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFW5G_eNrRH-fhulIXXC82VN-4lBQsSHBLD9DBs2ITozvi5lIP4bBJS6Y04hkezeNl6ZNL7TwNgMiCRRoDUOs0qxBzASoE3e9iPXOllFeQZcL2YtfYHHHIoGIHjDaN3pxtntQHdnSUDE/s400/IMG_0143.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
Shortly afterwards, the road turned up, and I hit the granny gear.<br />
<blockquote>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxGe-seyLC-8d4HmTyweMJV3fY7qGAWyrANltRir9t62Y-5OhuAcBo_EwS04FnM5brmcwn4gh7AFbmrOiE6s5j9osVxcK06qtZyKsH3zGgYPekJ_iiZm2XK3aSZaCB1dHn5g3v1BSdKI/s1600/IMG_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxGe-seyLC-8d4HmTyweMJV3fY7qGAWyrANltRir9t62Y-5OhuAcBo_EwS04FnM5brmcwn4gh7AFbmrOiE6s5j9osVxcK06qtZyKsH3zGgYPekJ_iiZm2XK3aSZaCB1dHn5g3v1BSdKI/s400/IMG_0144.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steep.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
Somewhere on this climb, I learned an important lesson, and that is that banana flavored energy gels are disgusting. I ended up munching on my supply of twizzlers for a good part of the climb.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YYp-fDbn3He8lGMHy1HdbVuexwVzbvW-psOEZ6iHYgKBw4sdUcH6jFhIxDyh5ahFrYaqKa49onR6Kyc_dL8fYHqqdjjz9DuiDxHYQ3U19eUaqg9fMzMatcatAYpsuRKmJOxuRmioPuw/s1600/IMG_0145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YYp-fDbn3He8lGMHy1HdbVuexwVzbvW-psOEZ6iHYgKBw4sdUcH6jFhIxDyh5ahFrYaqKa49onR6Kyc_dL8fYHqqdjjz9DuiDxHYQ3U19eUaqg9fMzMatcatAYpsuRKmJOxuRmioPuw/s400/IMG_0145.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
The first 6 or so miles of climbing are the worst. But then the road joins up with an old railroad right of way, with a much mellower grade, that takes you all the way in to Jerome. This is known as Margarita Junction. I learned an important lesson here, too, and that is that I do not like margaritas. I also had my second flat of the day here, induced by thorns. I refilled on water, changed my tube, picked thorns out of the tire, and rolled out.<br />
<blockquote>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvlPp35IHYLBWS14R_zWkHZhpUBJvMN2iuIlDXpV9FpGfj_xCNYTstJCAnqx1sF8pwJApVl-MlldY3YE1edOla1GTAA5X_Cs6H-mPb34kCIgeVHKJdL0712-QHULMNz6V7DkVW2_byGc/s1600/IMG_0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvlPp35IHYLBWS14R_zWkHZhpUBJvMN2iuIlDXpV9FpGfj_xCNYTstJCAnqx1sF8pwJApVl-MlldY3YE1edOla1GTAA5X_Cs6H-mPb34kCIgeVHKJdL0712-QHULMNz6V7DkVW2_byGc/s400/IMG_0147.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suddenly, I realize I've ridden a long way from home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3TcNSx22hJrfr9neits-T1chX2FvXArD0YUVjAYCNYzmY_pvfmdVT315obm0Jl2RGuif0sz3Po48bgFzFep93qaoQgYC4pcM03bsHzSPsxOkIaA6BvIY-hJJfLx6b3X6pcm-ANbU3rE/s1600/IMG_0148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3TcNSx22hJrfr9neits-T1chX2FvXArD0YUVjAYCNYzmY_pvfmdVT315obm0Jl2RGuif0sz3Po48bgFzFep93qaoQgYC4pcM03bsHzSPsxOkIaA6BvIY-hJJfLx6b3X6pcm-ANbU3rE/s400/IMG_0148.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice and mellow climbing. I'll take it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
I like riding railroad beds. Especially uphill. It's just steep enough to make you feel like you're working, but not so steep that you're mashing at the gear shifter, mumbling about the fact that "There's gotta be another gear here somewhere!"<br />
<br />
Also, it's perfect air guitar practice, which helps the miles melt away.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgsqlgR_lNPl551PAxnG-0BhfmrFpcFkYghtW5uHxXSUA3Yb7XW422ufgg1g512iTDUq1Yu1BnS0r49j1JHAM_t4JFqvXlACBqpCJ2f1mjm-F4gv8kl5MLmDhV9MTkNxwg6Vb_7MpbTM/s1600/IMG_0149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgsqlgR_lNPl551PAxnG-0BhfmrFpcFkYghtW5uHxXSUA3Yb7XW422ufgg1g512iTDUq1Yu1BnS0r49j1JHAM_t4JFqvXlACBqpCJ2f1mjm-F4gv8kl5MLmDhV9MTkNxwg6Vb_7MpbTM/s400/IMG_0149.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's like a snake, winding around the mountain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1a6138amTtZNaXbpGReEQvsTYBBZJEVw-_S0_fxjVIw4L1UbURlPfd6eRef4BPGKi2pTfl-184l_7OJ5T1vs_ILu-G_-XpwMMa9f3Gy_qKcQQ6MUHMOjVNBf7yQaIkPQMkFBgOa17o7c/s1600/IMG_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1a6138amTtZNaXbpGReEQvsTYBBZJEVw-_S0_fxjVIw4L1UbURlPfd6eRef4BPGKi2pTfl-184l_7OJ5T1vs_ILu-G_-XpwMMa9f3Gy_qKcQQ6MUHMOjVNBf7yQaIkPQMkFBgOa17o7c/s400/IMG_0150.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveMuht0itp29sHqwAmJVDFSzJ8KakLzAaspYNir6JU6osOo6hlSyEdYo_hnkxqFTnr4ua5nWw0Wf20VPhgP4Ftnf4dNc9_g7em7VI6nKxW6XphNCvndEBghgMZU3vE4Me10pwJpsGh_U/s1600/IMG_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveMuht0itp29sHqwAmJVDFSzJ8KakLzAaspYNir6JU6osOo6hlSyEdYo_hnkxqFTnr4ua5nWw0Wf20VPhgP4Ftnf4dNc9_g7em7VI6nKxW6XphNCvndEBghgMZU3vE4Me10pwJpsGh_U/s400/IMG_0151.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUC1pvlIAh_3xSfXdMnU8-LqIj-r_tcoP6aG1KwOSU7RjdhgN67edts6kaoifvcnHomvu0R1LDVYpCxGX5JDLn9qQBLDC71HJKC-0XJ6F_MITpX4Miuxj-YUddvHc8i91mAFZKPFVqctw/s1600/IMG_0152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUC1pvlIAh_3xSfXdMnU8-LqIj-r_tcoP6aG1KwOSU7RjdhgN67edts6kaoifvcnHomvu0R1LDVYpCxGX5JDLn9qQBLDC71HJKC-0XJ6F_MITpX4Miuxj-YUddvHc8i91mAFZKPFVqctw/s400/IMG_0152.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jerome!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksBi7LvUTVyo9prfUYSf3c_4-6Uc6q9795VIF6KSSjeCdyii6I7if7zxjWqUL9RFJssCWKiLQPDeFAerIwuriDVUCiVgLl3b9to4z9dcJ7I5g_Y8Z33y_W93p0LacRZA3w4w9IRMBUEg/s1600/IMG_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksBi7LvUTVyo9prfUYSf3c_4-6Uc6q9795VIF6KSSjeCdyii6I7if7zxjWqUL9RFJssCWKiLQPDeFAerIwuriDVUCiVgLl3b9to4z9dcJ7I5g_Y8Z33y_W93p0LacRZA3w4w9IRMBUEg/s400/IMG_0153.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those are the Peaks, off to the left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKk0mglmsIIW1-pf9LcjDBLFlqv8vDRbKPuumFXYcl1t9jUq3eoNlY2YNyLUUhZsUn6wGK9kDJBcKVdKXclLDrNXdR-30Q0LQXEGB3pOIpq6AfegOhaWUay8lJQGLc_QfGihTasoouGT8/s1600/IMG_0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKk0mglmsIIW1-pf9LcjDBLFlqv8vDRbKPuumFXYcl1t9jUq3eoNlY2YNyLUUhZsUn6wGK9kDJBcKVdKXclLDrNXdR-30Q0LQXEGB3pOIpq6AfegOhaWUay8lJQGLc_QfGihTasoouGT8/s400/IMG_0154.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cottonwood/Clarkdale.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEF3KPeUS0kfKWtWtaVCNdyLsRbXKPtcCwnvWatVulq_hx3fFbqTMsS6-flkGDuNypKJWFenyJAOfEmi9cB9LosBibO_XsTadNdGr6Bxh5Pv1dMdzRQNwNmNiNlRsLYa1JMK10zdQioo8/s1600/IMG_0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEF3KPeUS0kfKWtWtaVCNdyLsRbXKPtcCwnvWatVulq_hx3fFbqTMsS6-flkGDuNypKJWFenyJAOfEmi9cB9LosBibO_XsTadNdGr6Bxh5Pv1dMdzRQNwNmNiNlRsLYa1JMK10zdQioo8/s400/IMG_0155.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU21qcqdbwY1mEHh5tgcyhu3yoM2uIUwfffnuR_CJEDny4MgXrHXbHGiYv3zWMxeFJQEgnHpt7k4C_yita0RC3h_9h5JWwIvHaEUiLurFv-CZhU_afV4316de7H5VHANSh2F7lvt2Q60/s1600/IMG_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU21qcqdbwY1mEHh5tgcyhu3yoM2uIUwfffnuR_CJEDny4MgXrHXbHGiYv3zWMxeFJQEgnHpt7k4C_yita0RC3h_9h5JWwIvHaEUiLurFv-CZhU_afV4316de7H5VHANSh2F7lvt2Q60/s400/IMG_0156.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice view from the party spot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
<a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/984648">I made it to the mine around 4:</a>00, about 8.25 hours after I started, sooner than my soft goal. Mainly, I just wanted to finish. At the mine, there was beer, soda, BBQ, and t-shirts. I hung out, and everyone there shared their experiences for the day. The post ride vibe was not like anything I've ever experienced. No one was competing against anyone else, it felt like. We were all tired, dirty, and worn, but we all had fun riding through one of the prettiest and hardest rides I've done. I'm glad I went, and I'll be doing it again next year.<br />
<br />
After a while, I headed out and met up with Exe in Jerome for a ride home.<br />
<br />
Now the day after? I'm feeling it, but not as much as I had expected. I'm a little sore, but other than that, I feel ok. I might have been able to ride home from Jerome today, if I had a change of shorts and enough time to mosey.<br />
<br />
Maybe next year.<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage for yesterday: 76 miles, plus 3.5 miles to the start.</blockquote>
Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-54883065201247311442012-10-19T21:50:00.002-07:002012-10-19T21:50:36.626-07:00Just felt like sharing....Some pictures form the last couple weeks of riding.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbEEdNyr2GQgZq1IOmVwu4BAqhs0b4_ROafKkcRIsgeBBDMFluTJTMtnZcJjluyMnfWRE9BFR1YKWcxS86nmI3n8FiLwQy9BrfwKM91WR3e6MuaEqvN1Q2m4mJTLvNPnzPdZ4_DTFtjg/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbEEdNyr2GQgZq1IOmVwu4BAqhs0b4_ROafKkcRIsgeBBDMFluTJTMtnZcJjluyMnfWRE9BFR1YKWcxS86nmI3n8FiLwQy9BrfwKM91WR3e6MuaEqvN1Q2m4mJTLvNPnzPdZ4_DTFtjg/s400/IMG_0102.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loop trail colors.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh518205AjaIUe5ZaYey0BWBQt5LDvclixANr2gxtRmvm1iYnrPRswPRJmlwJI3yXkCK3KXPWSCbTpLn-p333VdAqDIiRaDMPCQSq6dzh9lsl54bsDKf39oLGSfm74GyHSZkE6CK30DtPM/s1600/IMG_0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh518205AjaIUe5ZaYey0BWBQt5LDvclixANr2gxtRmvm1iYnrPRswPRJmlwJI3yXkCK3KXPWSCbTpLn-p333VdAqDIiRaDMPCQSq6dzh9lsl54bsDKf39oLGSfm74GyHSZkE6CK30DtPM/s400/IMG_0105.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same thing, different corner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoWi4_tWkWXYSfVX8ifmIEnhKcaUw6ZS6SSvAQvrnXIrcF6yelCs6ZiNnTiKyewbkNIFyzKRp6jjCcCmkm5u_22TJmod4ScpvzmlSb3SiRWUkCSf7MOmLgR8tWiczB-TScKcU8uD9ExI/s1600/IMG_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXoWi4_tWkWXYSfVX8ifmIEnhKcaUw6ZS6SSvAQvrnXIrcF6yelCs6ZiNnTiKyewbkNIFyzKRp6jjCcCmkm5u_22TJmod4ScpvzmlSb3SiRWUkCSf7MOmLgR8tWiczB-TScKcU8uD9ExI/s400/IMG_0107.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset near Fisher Point.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVSxSIpRHZdk0WbreZy0WBDD1iO9avElGADk2NhsNdvTGvc-bnK3R9Cki-YIeDfvd5zM-EtKxfZnflQK8DQtjJfMa5k7xQTztL5SLVWkm3Y2kFxM6pN9TuxEOm3GK4rIJcpxxRSvmUgI/s1600/IMG_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVSxSIpRHZdk0WbreZy0WBDD1iO9avElGADk2NhsNdvTGvc-bnK3R9Cki-YIeDfvd5zM-EtKxfZnflQK8DQtjJfMa5k7xQTztL5SLVWkm3Y2kFxM6pN9TuxEOm3GK4rIJcpxxRSvmUgI/s400/IMG_0114.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same sunset, a little further down the trail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaL8kUggWsc1XM4H_zD1OMa76NQKGU3F0WQnD4ahuDYpBqV0ipmaDgfb5Gbu4r6H9ZFPsrcBxHx68NtwiizaGG_6z0ZMgNrugOpyH0S5GF57q_NxwnDkUIYJGRjUu3b2w3borgcyKWtqs/s1600/IMG_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaL8kUggWsc1XM4H_zD1OMa76NQKGU3F0WQnD4ahuDYpBqV0ipmaDgfb5Gbu4r6H9ZFPsrcBxHx68NtwiizaGG_6z0ZMgNrugOpyH0S5GF57q_NxwnDkUIYJGRjUu3b2w3borgcyKWtqs/s400/IMG_0116.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last Saturday was the last trail day of the year, and the Peaks put on some snow for it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8-a1VScbiWusOMORr0tYhDaL0urs7zEf9CrJDH1A7Nz5QAjMmSkvgSN_54PvBkxZ9eaiOS00K6dUKnnhC4W3NvyiE4LORxQHA2mx0qr986yesN5EpLVAvU5GI_jC2aVwqACKX6WGax4/s1600/IMG_0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8-a1VScbiWusOMORr0tYhDaL0urs7zEf9CrJDH1A7Nz5QAjMmSkvgSN_54PvBkxZ9eaiOS00K6dUKnnhC4W3NvyiE4LORxQHA2mx0qr986yesN5EpLVAvU5GI_jC2aVwqACKX6WGax4/s400/IMG_0118.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bi got the chance to lay the first tracks this time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgKWdV23UznYDr4fISEH7D7K_RWtQmiH0WxS5j-c8SRxt5_S2E4zLGH7tQ8muyi8_uf6V3l6vVO8DsBK8dNVs6qFLWOSld387wo1FX4dY635KLy2hiqwGCOcNdlA4ohOvVtWUvI_n1jA/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgKWdV23UznYDr4fISEH7D7K_RWtQmiH0WxS5j-c8SRxt5_S2E4zLGH7tQ8muyi8_uf6V3l6vVO8DsBK8dNVs6qFLWOSld387wo1FX4dY635KLy2hiqwGCOcNdlA4ohOvVtWUvI_n1jA/s400/IMG_0119.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of line.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxuRg7T1zKjntBOYRfhsZBVWYhYLBifTiNzZpPgnQkrRPjiyJQnRhpbUt9-qvKGtxG2rU2-BDPStn2BE5673w3rIIQI_q-1G_rc3SjwnBfGBPBbowOC6N1N-a5hhpfv1RdkzGZpINesU/s1600/IMG_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxuRg7T1zKjntBOYRfhsZBVWYhYLBifTiNzZpPgnQkrRPjiyJQnRhpbUt9-qvKGtxG2rU2-BDPStn2BE5673w3rIIQI_q-1G_rc3SjwnBfGBPBbowOC6N1N-a5hhpfv1RdkzGZpINesU/s400/IMG_0120.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speaking of Bi, we met one of Bi's little cousins outside the bank. It's hard to tell, but that's an Outcast 26. Bi's an Outcast 29.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
There will be more tomorrow, I'm sure.<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage: Nada.</blockquote>
Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-45785990992997003392012-09-30T20:54:00.000-07:002012-09-30T20:54:37.069-07:00I hope you're ready for some pictures.Hello and welcome to this weeks edition of Flag Pedals! Tonight: I ride a bike, I wear some lycra, and I take a bunch of pictures!<br />
<br />
It sounds funnier if you imagine Jeremy Clarkson reading the above with Top Gear enthusiasm.<br />
<br />
Well, it sounded funny in my head.<br />
<br />
Mooving on... Fall colors are marching down the mountains, so, Friday, rather than ride to the mountains, I hopped on Surprise, and headed in the opposite direction, where everything seems to still be green.<br />
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<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3ioeWYadOfWK_ay42AztR7OgfBLC3sg2vO71kh_QhlcgA74p9TLEU42YN3jgPtApvFa1iRvldPJ1TiIWz4anDiIz8Qt8BTPDHbNOumvCFlAiO1TiI-AKeJcmtbmeZEoKSF6kMTipuys/s1600/IMG_0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3ioeWYadOfWK_ay42AztR7OgfBLC3sg2vO71kh_QhlcgA74p9TLEU42YN3jgPtApvFa1iRvldPJ1TiIWz4anDiIz8Qt8BTPDHbNOumvCFlAiO1TiI-AKeJcmtbmeZEoKSF6kMTipuys/s400/IMG_0050.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nope, Fall's not here yet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAvDI94QwozJG6jiiiGAg7_vq4TPWfIZjleyomyvBViJOZIfbRTzOc3_FwiIeoYeG5N8nFONLj62KfBpzniCutPo39cpIskV5eoFD76UNGwjNDhEoMuELAIolPhxRiJ2bw25whY1PwIg/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAvDI94QwozJG6jiiiGAg7_vq4TPWfIZjleyomyvBViJOZIfbRTzOc3_FwiIeoYeG5N8nFONLj62KfBpzniCutPo39cpIskV5eoFD76UNGwjNDhEoMuELAIolPhxRiJ2bw25whY1PwIg/s400/IMG_0052.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neither is it here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIcbVTkl6JFCLfY6HZsicQ_GWO90lFncft-o0U_tVJ0omRq_lLFJ9I74KGyMWxWc2iQ1dpcid7Kud_Zv7JX9PYETKExONlaIq_P41qx5smzK4GfkfTNh4MlkyiMzZaVec3XdTs1vArKI/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcIcbVTkl6JFCLfY6HZsicQ_GWO90lFncft-o0U_tVJ0omRq_lLFJ9I74KGyMWxWc2iQ1dpcid7Kud_Zv7JX9PYETKExONlaIq_P41qx5smzK4GfkfTNh4MlkyiMzZaVec3XdTs1vArKI/s400/IMG_0053.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wait, I think I see it on those distant mountains! Why did I come this way?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuS2S9gcrThBVDoBRRebFYHOcidl00j28B3r13DHdw8EBCDLUxbOQYQqvok5iblrmrNNZUu1FN0BuHTTh-mN5mCoF9MXcb-rzR9BxmuOLTSMyqAkurp2dSiDfCHArjZdXeKR-KHGQZVk/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuS2S9gcrThBVDoBRRebFYHOcidl00j28B3r13DHdw8EBCDLUxbOQYQqvok5iblrmrNNZUu1FN0BuHTTh-mN5mCoF9MXcb-rzR9BxmuOLTSMyqAkurp2dSiDfCHArjZdXeKR-KHGQZVk/s400/IMG_0054.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, yeah. Surprise gave me the bike eyes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
So, Saturday was trail day, (Which I ended up coming home from with free Krispy Kremes, score!) during which I was discussing the possibilities of being able to (legally) ride up Waterline Road to the Inner Basin. The end result of said discussion was probably not this year, though we were hoping for a quiet, surprise opening of the road, as it is pretty much done being rebuilt. (Reason for the continuing closure is hazard trees.)<br />
<br />
So, today. I set off to ride to the Inner Basin, and possibly up Upper Waterline (Which is still open and rideable, not having been affected by the Schultz Fire.) How was I going to get out there? <a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/951875">Via Schultz Pass Road, Lockett Meadow, and either the Inner Basin Trail, or the service road from Lockett Meadow to the Inner Basin.</a><br />
<br />
In other words, a crazy long ride.<br />
<br />
Though, admittedly, this route took me past waterline, juuuust in case it did open unannounced.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbQ2kQNxLldK84O9EHTWqa1x4fvm4IfsMfrs1q6y9aKas4ny79UhKw0bsDgRb6sAFErap3fuwhUUzemAnc7wM-7Z_EXkmgptul25uzmxWK5ID-_TaebM19aazidlOgldqHUqQuYnrDsE/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbQ2kQNxLldK84O9EHTWqa1x4fvm4IfsMfrs1q6y9aKas4ny79UhKw0bsDgRb6sAFErap3fuwhUUzemAnc7wM-7Z_EXkmgptul25uzmxWK5ID-_TaebM19aazidlOgldqHUqQuYnrDsE/s400/IMG_0055.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyG_8ovzBwslOePsrkhtpIN1uzSugtOpKqnSCOKnG32Lo5JRqUCB9c9HWNq3pEnwlG1Em2Q-1l-DEGACCqWzTnkZbn_8vYceVXohC8CKZjOsQ5ZkCuDmhkUBZJ240ksQepJXpNqSC-Nuc/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyG_8ovzBwslOePsrkhtpIN1uzSugtOpKqnSCOKnG32Lo5JRqUCB9c9HWNq3pEnwlG1Em2Q-1l-DEGACCqWzTnkZbn_8vYceVXohC8CKZjOsQ5ZkCuDmhkUBZJ240ksQepJXpNqSC-Nuc/s400/IMG_0057.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elden in color, from Schultz Pass Road.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvyoW-hsgJOeC8cthZa7kA9qpSQbl29iITaukfPwCtEGktyy02hQc_Zy0CvWikHn6YeGe8HuRBSRUFwclCYgIYl1tNvz3N0Gdv29mGYfhCEg8tDEI0lW9BBT0TBGFHREcULpa8In8Rmg/s1600/IMG_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvyoW-hsgJOeC8cthZa7kA9qpSQbl29iITaukfPwCtEGktyy02hQc_Zy0CvWikHn6YeGe8HuRBSRUFwclCYgIYl1tNvz3N0Gdv29mGYfhCEg8tDEI0lW9BBT0TBGFHREcULpa8In8Rmg/s400/IMG_0058.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've still gotta go around that.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UkdfPQbaxHmt5LgHzAw6UULzoew3P2ND4KYtR8pitsJjPrDH5I3Vm6Oni2nPcDzQlIrOyE6cMrO_ucukzNnw_6AlVumhGRCM0L-GlIcnuEItSolKM61s-gv5rB85FHhTKg5efihGmyU/s1600/IMG_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UkdfPQbaxHmt5LgHzAw6UULzoew3P2ND4KYtR8pitsJjPrDH5I3Vm6Oni2nPcDzQlIrOyE6cMrO_ucukzNnw_6AlVumhGRCM0L-GlIcnuEItSolKM61s-gv5rB85FHhTKg5efihGmyU/s400/IMG_0060.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view north, from part way up Lockett Meadow Road.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCumK1M5mhd9rwaEu_5nmDG74CO-tS75J5E-hwFryINwv1AvpHDbUk1WjyYauM6o3Edw4YoVi5n7gim9hQPm_8WY1S3i5gERGMlisRTtn35nDy0aTPZmnf7KzueYQJ1HMELuTUq5JGdi8/s1600/IMG_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCumK1M5mhd9rwaEu_5nmDG74CO-tS75J5E-hwFryINwv1AvpHDbUk1WjyYauM6o3Edw4YoVi5n7gim9hQPm_8WY1S3i5gERGMlisRTtn35nDy0aTPZmnf7KzueYQJ1HMELuTUq5JGdi8/s400/IMG_0061.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you look close, you can see the Painted Desert.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
Towards the top of Lockett Meadow Road, some friends from Absolute passed me. I caught back up with them at the meadow, and we ended up riding to the Inner Basin together on the old service road.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUogyvLjC7JrMKTWXFn0GGP56gignFIpbT9QJYfuezuvo0wPKSE_L20RFSP6KwaRDIa3B6jazBrNaqWj11QaRgk7lGWBpMDHAK4dU4OkEw00aVv24BjJvUqO-Y5NBH1X3gHVTjwRgEfgs/s1600/IMG_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUogyvLjC7JrMKTWXFn0GGP56gignFIpbT9QJYfuezuvo0wPKSE_L20RFSP6KwaRDIa3B6jazBrNaqWj11QaRgk7lGWBpMDHAK4dU4OkEw00aVv24BjJvUqO-Y5NBH1X3gHVTjwRgEfgs/s400/IMG_0062.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOkbJGv9P_sbIaGMAqV-ZwQuKUaU3YEIFZ2glaKSseLNJHLektpN97JNHxcg2jQnS1tuW9trxhRgLpM_uwKTQsYW5-4tIQqqJHkeqGkG_VcwzUG93e9E3oB1bNET3TjU52junr0Z6Sj0/s1600/IMG_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOkbJGv9P_sbIaGMAqV-ZwQuKUaU3YEIFZ2glaKSseLNJHLektpN97JNHxcg2jQnS1tuW9trxhRgLpM_uwKTQsYW5-4tIQqqJHkeqGkG_VcwzUG93e9E3oB1bNET3TjU52junr0Z6Sj0/s400/IMG_0063.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjdrHMAA3K3Woc2BwW5Ym7e47bDVnESMLJdmONyoyP7QXOhFQ8bltXqu-M03QsI_8IC_w-SqOxRJA84XNLm8eEG-1id4F82MegCAaNUcN60NkfclWqkKJg6TmRPuTvswz_xFFe2OBr4g/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjdrHMAA3K3Woc2BwW5Ym7e47bDVnESMLJdmONyoyP7QXOhFQ8bltXqu-M03QsI_8IC_w-SqOxRJA84XNLm8eEG-1id4F82MegCAaNUcN60NkfclWqkKJg6TmRPuTvswz_xFFe2OBr4g/s400/IMG_0064.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A golden cathedral of aspen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyI8_UNbFs_1SMc6uWQjx6NWjG-xw4Nu2DSaOmbtVmfXbscwYJ0gebdoYjHjsP4IVC6DmLnebTPnIvx4XMVqJdJTHVYbkSCuieFgcdZcJYRK5bEuU3u9XS81hK6PVV2g4p9xWwoS3cbXo/s1600/IMG_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyI8_UNbFs_1SMc6uWQjx6NWjG-xw4Nu2DSaOmbtVmfXbscwYJ0gebdoYjHjsP4IVC6DmLnebTPnIvx4XMVqJdJTHVYbkSCuieFgcdZcJYRK5bEuU3u9XS81hK6PVV2g4p9xWwoS3cbXo/s400/IMG_0066.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moonlandah! It's like a Pugsley, but bigger.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMq8RTTafFuvjrvvYCey0uWLwogVsLrJRPGfmVfyb9lGtrScI2Jg2fnnmyy4Az2gT5cJ77aSDMzpVsxw1QJudGG1djYl5NoXkOjlDzyMnDnE8jgRFqB75wJOXQBdmpJ-NKzXTxXfx7LU/s1600/IMG_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMq8RTTafFuvjrvvYCey0uWLwogVsLrJRPGfmVfyb9lGtrScI2Jg2fnnmyy4Az2gT5cJ77aSDMzpVsxw1QJudGG1djYl5NoXkOjlDzyMnDnE8jgRFqB75wJOXQBdmpJ-NKzXTxXfx7LU/s400/IMG_0067.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Jqa7keUFmzAzd5_3fdCIKMgYmeonrARX9Yu6L3skuT86kfwwm2HMeMIFWxLYwpbeLU0ENJKpOR_PuR0Zb4c1vU_J7wOzmDtFWdyRf3HkoJ2_MZAoJtItBoGQmWx_CfZ1DYSAkdaMBwc/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Jqa7keUFmzAzd5_3fdCIKMgYmeonrARX9Yu6L3skuT86kfwwm2HMeMIFWxLYwpbeLU0ENJKpOR_PuR0Zb4c1vU_J7wOzmDtFWdyRf3HkoJ2_MZAoJtItBoGQmWx_CfZ1DYSAkdaMBwc/s400/IMG_0069.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it to the cabins! Not much further now!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUH-Ca6L8CSjd3GONGL0_YdwVuIx_ttoj5oZ4m7EpeetmuPbjdEMm9ucEwsNPvEuPuyTuCArj-P_hxG_5Q6j1lo8SuuZCK-tYyEo0X9wYM5hPUnx52J89XQeWRXyL9zxoAmjv8sO-rFns/s1600/IMG_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUH-Ca6L8CSjd3GONGL0_YdwVuIx_ttoj5oZ4m7EpeetmuPbjdEMm9ucEwsNPvEuPuyTuCArj-P_hxG_5Q6j1lo8SuuZCK-tYyEo0X9wYM5hPUnx52J89XQeWRXyL9zxoAmjv8sO-rFns/s400/IMG_0071.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't see orange too often...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHmubKdYbLkFiwaAbS5GMLjmym1wX033OqZ2iihB2z9PviiEP8GMKBwhYrXUMvNVU9LaSz4qFry25kGvO-G8Vm5lin22VI28EzfvoL6VlOfx7LHUhepjdJ6ixYdYQ8sJ307wozqI28HE/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHmubKdYbLkFiwaAbS5GMLjmym1wX033OqZ2iihB2z9PviiEP8GMKBwhYrXUMvNVU9LaSz4qFry25kGvO-G8Vm5lin22VI28EzfvoL6VlOfx7LHUhepjdJ6ixYdYQ8sJ307wozqI28HE/s400/IMG_0072.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting there.... </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7nPGbXNpD4yPTX1MJwLxNnyMOaLKUAnhjxIgOdMyz3wx6An-dIifIOf_lTTHYbjqspmQ65FeyKRPtk3vzRUafxHVPhh8K8TXggVKl_aAnmV5OT2I3wEYc0Gh6VhTs1S9PwYbWGWGQiw/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7nPGbXNpD4yPTX1MJwLxNnyMOaLKUAnhjxIgOdMyz3wx6An-dIifIOf_lTTHYbjqspmQ65FeyKRPtk3vzRUafxHVPhh8K8TXggVKl_aAnmV5OT2I3wEYc0Gh6VhTs1S9PwYbWGWGQiw/s400/IMG_0073.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HWxCzGG6i7BhK7-pZmJzfl9Gxa_eneM7Sf00yXLCByp6ij04mKIMuETqCaijuimUVBArYY05SkO6vZfF1hm9T5hRHGuuMpS9TRUe9xSOZAT7-PV5YLoVwAMUAFU0jgoJAbYV22qqiZY/s1600/IMG_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HWxCzGG6i7BhK7-pZmJzfl9Gxa_eneM7Sf00yXLCByp6ij04mKIMuETqCaijuimUVBArYY05SkO6vZfF1hm9T5hRHGuuMpS9TRUe9xSOZAT7-PV5YLoVwAMUAFU0jgoJAbYV22qqiZY/s400/IMG_0074.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBDY_PKid5DGelgSqohP1CddoEYS5BAnZYyFv6oQwQhsjjcPBvVieCPccRQCNLOTHp8tXSsBHIknycf9yrMGSvlBE_Hzimhf0r6XdMpeThhXPb0R6MtXAJOsyvsofzdT12bt1EFI-15M/s1600/IMG_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBDY_PKid5DGelgSqohP1CddoEYS5BAnZYyFv6oQwQhsjjcPBvVieCPccRQCNLOTHp8tXSsBHIknycf9yrMGSvlBE_Hzimhf0r6XdMpeThhXPb0R6MtXAJOsyvsofzdT12bt1EFI-15M/s400/IMG_0075.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contrast.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpQMtMdShUlL7tHeUv-8cc7iHDMMU9bndzj-NXXuhVfZxmbjwpUXNMXnKlVoiyFwzI67Yf_igHqvHUYoj5XcRSn4xySdlAr8ibvSIxUdx4_TxFcb7_0loYYEn3PXd0iBQEKgskP_0BEM/s1600/IMG_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpQMtMdShUlL7tHeUv-8cc7iHDMMU9bndzj-NXXuhVfZxmbjwpUXNMXnKlVoiyFwzI67Yf_igHqvHUYoj5XcRSn4xySdlAr8ibvSIxUdx4_TxFcb7_0loYYEn3PXd0iBQEKgskP_0BEM/s400/IMG_0076.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice fade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR8q3cmy2BHZ_Xh5bAA3ghGPZo-KnGR3TAuXnaCfFJ7BQaLnS6B6ZCl38-UaDNmI9C8uQzmuCvLQ1BHJG4NyxlNE_ESRu_wLwS8w_JJtNYy91h5B9UugH4ELyKjfQitCvlXAuQzaVSWQ/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR8q3cmy2BHZ_Xh5bAA3ghGPZo-KnGR3TAuXnaCfFJ7BQaLnS6B6ZCl38-UaDNmI9C8uQzmuCvLQ1BHJG4NyxlNE_ESRu_wLwS8w_JJtNYy91h5B9UugH4ELyKjfQitCvlXAuQzaVSWQ/s400/IMG_0077.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wait for it...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TpR_08onw-0sX4XdSS-5fBrmAVR7wSYkFKboCTCge6xkKT0Ncrl7wjgFQPLwCubRxj70h0Unr5ipPY-TF6U4ADUqrUOWVo4EYhzeki5q0jVCDi2Pr2-4L0BDtejNHQCbK2xuAm-7aHo/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TpR_08onw-0sX4XdSS-5fBrmAVR7wSYkFKboCTCge6xkKT0Ncrl7wjgFQPLwCubRxj70h0Unr5ipPY-TF6U4ADUqrUOWVo4EYhzeki5q0jVCDi2Pr2-4L0BDtejNHQCbK2xuAm-7aHo/s400/IMG_0078.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view that makes the entire ride worth it, every time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7Pi-admt3p59KjzmIC6UZwbc2XmEwXZR4dlgNCjMrHwqpKIqCSTQATPw8eTx7s8_FaF9CR6cTG7enohHCQzMWhQHCKeGCCSYEH2-mJWEFImDY3oWiKmgrO4hqmytnQ4jeYs4A2QUw8k/s1600/IMG_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7Pi-admt3p59KjzmIC6UZwbc2XmEwXZR4dlgNCjMrHwqpKIqCSTQATPw8eTx7s8_FaF9CR6cTG7enohHCQzMWhQHCKeGCCSYEH2-mJWEFImDY3oWiKmgrO4hqmytnQ4jeYs4A2QUw8k/s400/IMG_0079.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8arFVuZyKVZ7odey9Aq-YgLzt43j-ACQs18pIlLLdfr9ag3iQLDGVIHAVluxvKv7oGlM1HSXl_OYYeWhG5U3-r4OySewF67skaoWvWxlHtUDjZPRiMMDPp6_8NoTfeRc_v0PGSOzf3MA/s1600/IMG_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8arFVuZyKVZ7odey9Aq-YgLzt43j-ACQs18pIlLLdfr9ag3iQLDGVIHAVluxvKv7oGlM1HSXl_OYYeWhG5U3-r4OySewF67skaoWvWxlHtUDjZPRiMMDPp6_8NoTfeRc_v0PGSOzf3MA/s400/IMG_0080.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice layering.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
We hung out at the Inner Basin for a bit, before heading back down to the cabins. I split off from the group, as they were heading back down, and I wanted to ride Upper Waterline. Along the way, I ran in to Anthony from Absolute and his wife. The greeting from him was "Oh, it's you again!" What, it's not my fault I keep finding him out in the middle of nowhere, in addition to the bike shop.<br />
<br />
Ok, maybe it's partly my fault.<br />
<blockquote>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxT-zFE7bXyMaoRDZ4V0on8wAsUhkQ0G7Alqb02_U9mJMIOzqVbYMS0Q6hn5wcXcryBEo_4Tr90qrmXAiyZBKvHHWEUj2lINmZNaIJOLGs7ZE_Lhxy8NI3mC4Iqr-yLgfK2-9BVzuyPAo/s1600/IMG_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxT-zFE7bXyMaoRDZ4V0on8wAsUhkQ0G7Alqb02_U9mJMIOzqVbYMS0Q6hn5wcXcryBEo_4Tr90qrmXAiyZBKvHHWEUj2lINmZNaIJOLGs7ZE_Lhxy8NI3mC4Iqr-yLgfK2-9BVzuyPAo/s400/IMG_0081.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting transitions, some yellow, some... not as yellow yet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZvvN9zPhzPBO4FX0lcvgo-DRAnmcFxM2p5W_xBwoKqY91E8DZFU_IDGt3ddAUXh8jMNMWImybO5UrB1FrvD_4P10-PCNXe2Giy06DkUXrUAiTPCaf0cbh5hyphenhyphenNBs13KN7g8CfozasWJM/s1600/IMG_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZvvN9zPhzPBO4FX0lcvgo-DRAnmcFxM2p5W_xBwoKqY91E8DZFU_IDGt3ddAUXh8jMNMWImybO5UrB1FrvD_4P10-PCNXe2Giy06DkUXrUAiTPCaf0cbh5hyphenhyphenNBs13KN7g8CfozasWJM/s400/IMG_0082.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstdzCoZODbFD7om1LmVHesnxhlzGa8BOWsdGA8p4bynkmxhr5ifXxGMKkEK_h3czwjXVzH_UUPDA9FtRXwlYkY_VlFNlLr6h6iW5MbAFp2bQAKRKARqfPNt7KhpKgfmKxhM0MDQEFrDA/s1600/IMG_0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstdzCoZODbFD7om1LmVHesnxhlzGa8BOWsdGA8p4bynkmxhr5ifXxGMKkEK_h3czwjXVzH_UUPDA9FtRXwlYkY_VlFNlLr6h6iW5MbAFp2bQAKRKARqfPNt7KhpKgfmKxhM0MDQEFrDA/s400/IMG_0083.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The opposite ridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTI2apErrq3J7__wBhftJGwoD_PzUWQO6vlIr0JT4A2uDa6lU97LCLcQROtIET_Jq7HKGlNjZSuctbRfJuR7jD2D79aWkRTq8kADpf6JtTlxMFaK0tbG43c8jm3Z3qMnO0xBIDCXvfk4/s1600/IMG_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTI2apErrq3J7__wBhftJGwoD_PzUWQO6vlIr0JT4A2uDa6lU97LCLcQROtIET_Jq7HKGlNjZSuctbRfJuR7jD2D79aWkRTq8kADpf6JtTlxMFaK0tbG43c8jm3Z3qMnO0xBIDCXvfk4/s400/IMG_0084.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*takkkatakkatakka* Enhance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieffK7LCdu1WTATGjHidudmGcO37T48rUI92c24BmCaeEJDXe_zaPCVBjf4xNV1cq0Q6rPFrmB_BcNWBg9qC1pSLc7u-Da42QYkPcEIvxjWLj9z0GX6QRTCBt_eMrI_WWPGIfOT4b9YM4/s1600/IMG_0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieffK7LCdu1WTATGjHidudmGcO37T48rUI92c24BmCaeEJDXe_zaPCVBjf4xNV1cq0Q6rPFrmB_BcNWBg9qC1pSLc7u-Da42QYkPcEIvxjWLj9z0GX6QRTCBt_eMrI_WWPGIfOT4b9YM4/s400/IMG_0085.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woah...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZAG4vgDQ2BorR6e-MoPSYOrEN1s_lWLx3xl6t39NjF9ut8QtJcgD_N3Rqg5zfXYLoFToaLTDCToVMhNr2ZWfsdisir2t2Rx6MsqFjPq1wLjFca9_KOFzEUuxBoI7EVRyT0F9e0yMx1s/s1600/IMG_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZAG4vgDQ2BorR6e-MoPSYOrEN1s_lWLx3xl6t39NjF9ut8QtJcgD_N3Rqg5zfXYLoFToaLTDCToVMhNr2ZWfsdisir2t2Rx6MsqFjPq1wLjFca9_KOFzEUuxBoI7EVRyT0F9e0yMx1s/s400/IMG_0086.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lockett Meadow from Upper Waterline.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
This was a viewpoint I've simultaneously wanted and dreaded to make it to for two years. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrGAeXR-qMG9t7EZXNhrNLVtPjnLm8J3RJCgVaFUnOYBj9ZeWrJwP5zhmITeqbfFuW0KkvUNvw1Xd2jRPd6pWOfCe7r1Cv1MlDsg42pMvweBDlFX4Z2E6lJbTKrNC4Rt-tw-63KJ3AMQs/s1600/PICT0734.JPG">It looks a little different than it did a week before the Schultz Fire</a>, though, not as bad as I had imagined. (Blog post from that ride is <a href="http://flagpedals.blogspot.com/2010/06/so-i-cheated-little.html">here.</a>)<br />
<br />
After my moment of thought and reflection, I pressed on.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2O83IoazFzYFnQxPUc-cs09ywwZECNF1KDg0ba0Nv2wNZ7hIElLxMUx0WDhFaFzhxxBAJPGyk520sSEfVsbKML0ayiEgZv6jOZVSe7pLaJN7nfPyw76KSy00mEC1c4iJy1RgyTWmPtsU/s1600/IMG_0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2O83IoazFzYFnQxPUc-cs09ywwZECNF1KDg0ba0Nv2wNZ7hIElLxMUx0WDhFaFzhxxBAJPGyk520sSEfVsbKML0ayiEgZv6jOZVSe7pLaJN7nfPyw76KSy00mEC1c4iJy1RgyTWmPtsU/s400/IMG_0087.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWpiStzPc4WdhbfYkNYuXSRVfuvm_EMxF3rPpSLd-1-KVOZRMtzwQOlkuVBaeNrjtizinsjpNwlI-S4Pm3PkURSq-HNv_CFElFQhBeJngOQsCTLtDDF4Xc7WKWR8VhDvfWn529Z4iY7Y/s1600/IMG_0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWpiStzPc4WdhbfYkNYuXSRVfuvm_EMxF3rPpSLd-1-KVOZRMtzwQOlkuVBaeNrjtizinsjpNwlI-S4Pm3PkURSq-HNv_CFElFQhBeJngOQsCTLtDDF4Xc7WKWR8VhDvfWn529Z4iY7Y/s400/IMG_0088.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love these views.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPM3MFt3H0H5qJB0ee8rni5I8oMQGDvtOteUU5vmfSG-LcQiN65_G-yTCO4fcTnRUnB9EuI5GaNagZeLHEl5IGeXFp3cfaCCK182zVKuxSfFqnpP303kivU6iNnb3c07Yy6Hgt4BYovPo/s1600/IMG_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPM3MFt3H0H5qJB0ee8rni5I8oMQGDvtOteUU5vmfSG-LcQiN65_G-yTCO4fcTnRUnB9EuI5GaNagZeLHEl5IGeXFp3cfaCCK182zVKuxSfFqnpP303kivU6iNnb3c07Yy6Hgt4BYovPo/s400/IMG_0089.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__8qDI0uzWi3UMeScmj9sfsIeBr7O3DE1kkf_KG1tmLrtMrlWu6HMiSS5GcpNkQMgOgUytlMHuJ2nAAQ9Epf2rEni3n7usDSWh_v699IytqzP6iWDfT1VCKaVs3lmpQndlaBI02guVrA/s1600/IMG_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__8qDI0uzWi3UMeScmj9sfsIeBr7O3DE1kkf_KG1tmLrtMrlWu6HMiSS5GcpNkQMgOgUytlMHuJ2nAAQ9Epf2rEni3n7usDSWh_v699IytqzP6iWDfT1VCKaVs3lmpQndlaBI02guVrA/s400/IMG_0090.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it to the top of Waterline, at Abineau Canyon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhftZXLB1yWVTzupYkthA2-6FNLK5gasfEKTWLPCUo9MdtGs5Oh6n-peSQzhzKPLStNUv0u-1k1Zq9qfBQepssvQ_Gx6T62bq-yCEVBxFnF1o1TFoZhe9CrQ0G5ruLfn0gSdjBzyGf-aI/s1600/IMG_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhftZXLB1yWVTzupYkthA2-6FNLK5gasfEKTWLPCUo9MdtGs5Oh6n-peSQzhzKPLStNUv0u-1k1Zq9qfBQepssvQ_Gx6T62bq-yCEVBxFnF1o1TFoZhe9CrQ0G5ruLfn0gSdjBzyGf-aI/s400/IMG_0091.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avalanche Zones.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bgcGAj8CahZorTNH6VLuIQHio-H-Ktn6X8N4n6L3h7e0Ro2alHfZKKq0ebItOvhGmOpjSE5ATUc7u9EH-hjgmiTnjnT2lO50G6iYfknosiw-5x_paCrTwOKgOxF1Kxx-GQBvKCi_hDs/s1600/IMG_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bgcGAj8CahZorTNH6VLuIQHio-H-Ktn6X8N4n6L3h7e0Ro2alHfZKKq0ebItOvhGmOpjSE5ATUc7u9EH-hjgmiTnjnT2lO50G6iYfknosiw-5x_paCrTwOKgOxF1Kxx-GQBvKCi_hDs/s400/IMG_0092.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRHBI8vt0JEdX0PGUQYqPKYCii1_GSb5RP2MIQgXRA1sZFXZpmqxKJ4GrrUFlUlK-occ8Rwymn5ZuIJmvBsSMfjn_QCj7TjJLTHHfps9ARKfinIBrivPyFkxkT1C6HoqaKTnVYUAxDiY/s1600/IMG_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRHBI8vt0JEdX0PGUQYqPKYCii1_GSb5RP2MIQgXRA1sZFXZpmqxKJ4GrrUFlUlK-occ8Rwymn5ZuIJmvBsSMfjn_QCj7TjJLTHHfps9ARKfinIBrivPyFkxkT1C6HoqaKTnVYUAxDiY/s400/IMG_0093.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who needs red carpet when you can ride on golden aspen leaves?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtl51c1v4wnfhljxVk70O1HxM3gwcqfTLZ9-mQsDHWlmMbgNzQ6jJoXOngPHyRU6XYqIvwdmZJnrrUC_AoOVitHr-6JHsf88IwACxXse6gBRmElcqQpBRn4ZFjoMOuUmhr7XjEcmtfwU/s1600/IMG_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtl51c1v4wnfhljxVk70O1HxM3gwcqfTLZ9-mQsDHWlmMbgNzQ6jJoXOngPHyRU6XYqIvwdmZJnrrUC_AoOVitHr-6JHsf88IwACxXse6gBRmElcqQpBRn4ZFjoMOuUmhr7XjEcmtfwU/s400/IMG_0094.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVZCCtsMvG7tZBmLrVg9v-IAqJuaHWV8rMxNzwb8LxwhFa-DzWoJX1t15DfbnJ-1JoIPaT36kmzWvdxyeL3lxGxrYJ2yMo_q-8NbZnTbky7uU-S7_Rjlfi0cXre-QxccKfR5fOVOZPtI/s1600/IMG_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVZCCtsMvG7tZBmLrVg9v-IAqJuaHWV8rMxNzwb8LxwhFa-DzWoJX1t15DfbnJ-1JoIPaT36kmzWvdxyeL3lxGxrYJ2yMo_q-8NbZnTbky7uU-S7_Rjlfi0cXre-QxccKfR5fOVOZPtI/s400/IMG_0095.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So long Locket Meadow, and thanks for all the leaves.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4quC-yYiN9uGRoLGkfKHDRAKJbQQg9tbe1tGiD2JyCnFwTMxvH982tEl2EE3sWPFUnz_BJon0OrMTKbS7u31-ufqhhYb6KXDb-imN4e4dWv9ap2g1zEB78LiVMqsmaEXikLiqylEscUA/s1600/IMG_0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4quC-yYiN9uGRoLGkfKHDRAKJbQQg9tbe1tGiD2JyCnFwTMxvH982tEl2EE3sWPFUnz_BJon0OrMTKbS7u31-ufqhhYb6KXDb-imN4e4dWv9ap2g1zEB78LiVMqsmaEXikLiqylEscUA/s400/IMG_0097.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkey!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKIl2DRLE0FHN-aPW9SBbd9tr8rZZZicxV8x9uRY9TDfrPLysjQwlA9AHz8Id99jQt49nCe_9Z3NDlrB_kB1yfRNHnr97gcEAWyQVaZaz2hcPw2q7bV34Lger-Hm6mZBrRE2CwUHtCvM/s1600/IMG_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKIl2DRLE0FHN-aPW9SBbd9tr8rZZZicxV8x9uRY9TDfrPLysjQwlA9AHz8Id99jQt49nCe_9Z3NDlrB_kB1yfRNHnr97gcEAWyQVaZaz2hcPw2q7bV34Lger-Hm6mZBrRE2CwUHtCvM/s400/IMG_0098.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gooblergobbler birdskies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
The ride home was long and slow, with 50 miles behind me, at least until I got to Schultz Creek Trail. Something about the sweet sweet flow and thrill of downhill singletrack when I had done nothing but climb on roads all day just woke me up, and I felt like I floated down the trail. After that, it was the futs to town, through town and home.<br />
<br />
I hope Waterline is open next year. That was a long ride for the leaves this year. Worth it, but a long ride. I'll probably be useless at work, and I will be relaxing, and riding a motorcycle in.<br />
<br />
But I'd totally do it again.<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage: 66.1</blockquote>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Wait, wait! What was that about lycra?! </span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> I don't wanna talk about it.</span></blockquote>
Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-41152432251734814302012-09-23T21:19:00.002-07:002012-09-23T21:19:37.196-07:00Fall riding begins... <br />
...now.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyLMNnwtwRnQFtSTSCWP2wh2ie1dY49B7_gFthjf2ChViDDIW7U-CoOfDjrKjjKgDTWQDE6pOgJM4vJ1rmyU7ZgcmdrJjjc6sKh2MWvLiFIj58GRtVhTje91KRCSW8iuWcUiNpRkQ_wo/s1600/IMG_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyLMNnwtwRnQFtSTSCWP2wh2ie1dY49B7_gFthjf2ChViDDIW7U-CoOfDjrKjjKgDTWQDE6pOgJM4vJ1rmyU7ZgcmdrJjjc6sKh2MWvLiFIj58GRtVhTje91KRCSW8iuWcUiNpRkQ_wo/s400/IMG_0024.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Signs of Fall... the little yellow flowers are out in force. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
You may recall <a href="http://flagpedals.blogspot.com/2012/08/old-fashioned-racing.html" target="_blank">my recent reversion back to a rigid fork</a> for the race last month. Well, I finally got the part ordered, and it arrived on Thursday. Manitou was kind enough to comp the new rebound assembly, despite my own stupidity. All I had to pay was shipping. That made me bringing a case of beer to Absolute when I went to pick up the part an even nicer thought.<br />
<br />
By Thursday evening, the new rebound assembly was installed, the fork was re-assembled, and Tri had his bounce back.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAr0_PA4PGqesIlNzwynK6us1XkoxrzT-OmglmQ2lGDuX5DwpE2-7CiMYQ__Rqk_9bhoKYU-3XnEWLkeJ8BUTxN07ecaANIykQsI9dsMnqjBjVmzgX3OwygtV3um8Rx4t1RCy382E3pXc/s1600/IMG_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAr0_PA4PGqesIlNzwynK6us1XkoxrzT-OmglmQ2lGDuX5DwpE2-7CiMYQ__Rqk_9bhoKYU-3XnEWLkeJ8BUTxN07ecaANIykQsI9dsMnqjBjVmzgX3OwygtV3um8Rx4t1RCy382E3pXc/s400/IMG_0025.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A note to remind me which way to turn it next time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMYMh2PeVsoWjZbemzO7pacI2VsDzZavRLH-ru4BfEAlNhwJbCLcm0-CAnfVBdbp05eGnDmk-YsIN0O2V0rkKdIzFf_2V7yhPYyyRlWGeOpjtbBF-z-rwBdE3NXXtl5EMIEClQhrkbcw/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMYMh2PeVsoWjZbemzO7pacI2VsDzZavRLH-ru4BfEAlNhwJbCLcm0-CAnfVBdbp05eGnDmk-YsIN0O2V0rkKdIzFf_2V7yhPYyyRlWGeOpjtbBF-z-rwBdE3NXXtl5EMIEClQhrkbcw/s400/IMG_0027.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's more like it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
I suddenly want to ride the race course and see how much faster I would have been with suspension.<br />
<br />
Today... I couldn't decide just where to go, so I hopped on Slide, thinking a motorcycle ride would help.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHAIHU1-lKtxRDcZU7UyiIAkqrKHFlf0V1MS3iGhQ0ujp3pkdc6MgskzIh1XVit12jhKrjUKMwvp5Caeq5tngPAy4VfPPt8Kc61tqo9T806zw1fDLD5lBeRdaOkYkJrcJDdvaB9MFfWw/s1600/IMG_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHAIHU1-lKtxRDcZU7UyiIAkqrKHFlf0V1MS3iGhQ0ujp3pkdc6MgskzIh1XVit12jhKrjUKMwvp5Caeq5tngPAy4VfPPt8Kc61tqo9T806zw1fDLD5lBeRdaOkYkJrcJDdvaB9MFfWw/s400/IMG_0033.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Peaks are turning colors!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
One lap around the peaks later... and I still didn't know. The first weekend of Fall, and I almost didn't turn pedals at all. What a shame.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/939667">Almost.</a><br />
<br />
I ended up hopping on Tri and riding up Elden, and down Sunset and Schultz. While I didn't see much in the way of colorful leaves right where I was riding, there were some in the distance.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLB97TGD2sy-bN6BGIAegJYUJEVBH-DiNFVLsGZZJlLL0fIDii1zzKss5yTfGMu1GgNoaqUwcb43ZBmjn2Pb02h7R9FMRpEg8ceVLPsWSvQPFxYEnlbeGlryDMoCiRxO9E0pkIdhm6QM/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLB97TGD2sy-bN6BGIAegJYUJEVBH-DiNFVLsGZZJlLL0fIDii1zzKss5yTfGMu1GgNoaqUwcb43ZBmjn2Pb02h7R9FMRpEg8ceVLPsWSvQPFxYEnlbeGlryDMoCiRxO9E0pkIdhm6QM/s400/IMG_0034.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colors up near the top.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxGPisHbJ8d9PQxvNGQgXz1gsroe7Vt48PYgw2X0e0N2WWSsXVtuNrAIGnF2OZ7q4fVDGHtYRQgnCtgOO1TsyQWnODpiC77uxkTC48TDKGV_IgC9LN0vyIfjt1IzYlRWbhLlkCftoyqo/s1600/IMG_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxGPisHbJ8d9PQxvNGQgXz1gsroe7Vt48PYgw2X0e0N2WWSsXVtuNrAIGnF2OZ7q4fVDGHtYRQgnCtgOO1TsyQWnODpiC77uxkTC48TDKGV_IgC9LN0vyIfjt1IzYlRWbhLlkCftoyqo/s400/IMG_0036.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, some colorful leaves near me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5C3S7lQnvyU52EsoV3H4owIpcAE6UwVB9ogdhLhVnHFjbfdHwlj0ITiQ58Kpcwl5OrKm3orJCBFjxpQfpYwkIL8JbxxUZQupi_ByYlsQzGDUfU6a09xQPpwAJzQOXOTZMjmpxUjC8NkY/s1600/IMG_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5C3S7lQnvyU52EsoV3H4owIpcAE6UwVB9ogdhLhVnHFjbfdHwlj0ITiQ58Kpcwl5OrKm3orJCBFjxpQfpYwkIL8JbxxUZQupi_ByYlsQzGDUfU6a09xQPpwAJzQOXOTZMjmpxUjC8NkY/s400/IMG_0041.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">False sunset, from the top of Sunset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDbJ4DsOCtVKjGDqd6onn9Inh1XqRtwmHsfgJE5nkaDL2BEUJwsxfv8C7FH2j8EW4iZ7hhtqC-38w6ZWbYj53-MYZ6YEyrt8P_Z7X-sFXpvwKxl7rK6mcJrLPCplqC47oqffLb9BecFc/s1600/IMG_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDbJ4DsOCtVKjGDqd6onn9Inh1XqRtwmHsfgJE5nkaDL2BEUJwsxfv8C7FH2j8EW4iZ7hhtqC-38w6ZWbYj53-MYZ6YEyrt8P_Z7X-sFXpvwKxl7rK6mcJrLPCplqC47oqffLb9BecFc/s400/IMG_0042.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Peaks. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZirKA32Pu_2BRFh8nY-BF3lPyxAB3q2JL0I61FB1wv2X369DBHYMv84PhmcfQ1H8oHfxgpAqCl8ksCOtrPzx-i2yDBtLyqI1QYGxGuTclKpSJJy_Kf1uj3XDGibb26u21wHh_DCxSEgQ/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZirKA32Pu_2BRFh8nY-BF3lPyxAB3q2JL0I61FB1wv2X369DBHYMv84PhmcfQ1H8oHfxgpAqCl8ksCOtrPzx-i2yDBtLyqI1QYGxGuTclKpSJJy_Kf1uj3XDGibb26u21wHh_DCxSEgQ/s400/IMG_0043.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Loop Trail. More flowers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
<br />
It was a great ride. Not just because Tri's fork worked perfectly with the new part, not just for the scenery, but also for the downhill. Down Sunset, down Schultz, two of my favorites. Icing on the cake was catching up to two guys on full squishybikes rolling down Schultz Creek. It felt good.<br />
<br />
Next weekend... the inner basin.<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage: 25.5</blockquote>
Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-18290986723269156702012-09-16T20:09:00.003-07:002012-09-16T20:09:37.197-07:00Seeing Stuff.I see a lot of stuff on my rides. Take this past weeks worth of riding, for example. I saw a lot of stuff.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aG3IRLjSQuJQuJUCykpoSsmnLmqfJxoxyk_M4-1Uc7k209_74x94aGXOoyHuLFDAbJNpKKWmbPkXwSnPI0xwaYiweg79PMpLNIa5BwsjAnD1bLQcpaOIFldbdMBlWiEOg9Fwn0hMvCE/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aG3IRLjSQuJQuJUCykpoSsmnLmqfJxoxyk_M4-1Uc7k209_74x94aGXOoyHuLFDAbJNpKKWmbPkXwSnPI0xwaYiweg79PMpLNIa5BwsjAnD1bLQcpaOIFldbdMBlWiEOg9Fwn0hMvCE/s400/IMG_0002.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One day, I saw a lot of elk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTKiCsv-CqsrpK3vvb2vNB-Qn9P3465Qd-NUiyqCrgzVk3EOUV4xCNLtAEUTsvRNDBUGS7yfDDgOHh1fBXTndqp58GfaRJcNdyA5_WY0Y-cQ7TrnazSlUMNHGLdoesOxFgN8c1YiT2CA/s1600/IMG_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTKiCsv-CqsrpK3vvb2vNB-Qn9P3465Qd-NUiyqCrgzVk3EOUV4xCNLtAEUTsvRNDBUGS7yfDDgOHh1fBXTndqp58GfaRJcNdyA5_WY0Y-cQ7TrnazSlUMNHGLdoesOxFgN8c1YiT2CA/s400/IMG_0006.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another day, I saw a rockin' sunset.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRJJB_Qo0QWTiHPhqfSc5ANYVo7i9S1RlXF_XX3nWZ3Hft70Yi05Vjfc6Yg97aKO3oBopPoUBtCLXO-vm8_BAyJ_v3FqPRKE8ulBAgTvXDchvpaAPtrhf_k6XzQaMWKkmy-wn6PCNZ0w/s1600/IMG_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRJJB_Qo0QWTiHPhqfSc5ANYVo7i9S1RlXF_XX3nWZ3Hft70Yi05Vjfc6Yg97aKO3oBopPoUBtCLXO-vm8_BAyJ_v3FqPRKE8ulBAgTvXDchvpaAPtrhf_k6XzQaMWKkmy-wn6PCNZ0w/s400/IMG_0009.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday, I felt like I needed to see a different set of handlebars, and a great view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
Saturday was the annual Pedals vs. Pistons vs. Hiking Boots vs. Horseshoes trail day. The motorcyclists won it again, but a lot of work was done, and fun was had by most. I even got Exegete to come along.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJO3RhmmFt-bE7rcaZn0axlAu3tjQDcs2MvwOVrjUpndZ-bIBkcynLjnJHx1Ylhp9fkJNz5Uw-JSCwC7DW5aF7LiWHWp4na9-BQ6EM3kXG744ytSAu1x_6i7HeS66myYGul585we4P2M/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJO3RhmmFt-bE7rcaZn0axlAu3tjQDcs2MvwOVrjUpndZ-bIBkcynLjnJHx1Ylhp9fkJNz5Uw-JSCwC7DW5aF7LiWHWp4na9-BQ6EM3kXG744ytSAu1x_6i7HeS66myYGul585we4P2M/s400/IMG_0010.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My one picture of the day, Anthony starting off the parade of speeches on a stump chair. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhgPj4CVIGozkj52Iw6U6lWbz2qCLFNYsxWzME4hyphenhyphenkODWxvDM-1vzxzhc1sez8Y-eU8dpnp099YE3RWNOZ64_mA8Gc35OJ_AOeUkFa4ClCTrwhGhD90cCNMo91TaALXm2BTXIvZKl3Uo/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
</blockquote>
Today, there was no rain in the forecast, and barely any clouds in the sky, so I took a chance and took <a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/925157" target="_blank">Pretty out for a ride. </a> After starting off across Observatory Mesa and heading up the trail we worked on yesterday, I hooked up with the Arizona Trail and rode on one of the last new local sections that I haven't ridden on.<br />
<br />
I got to see some nice views:<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhgPj4CVIGozkj52Iw6U6lWbz2qCLFNYsxWzME4hyphenhyphenkODWxvDM-1vzxzhc1sez8Y-eU8dpnp099YE3RWNOZ64_mA8Gc35OJ_AOeUkFa4ClCTrwhGhD90cCNMo91TaALXm2BTXIvZKl3Uo/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhgPj4CVIGozkj52Iw6U6lWbz2qCLFNYsxWzME4hyphenhyphenkODWxvDM-1vzxzhc1sez8Y-eU8dpnp099YE3RWNOZ64_mA8Gc35OJ_AOeUkFa4ClCTrwhGhD90cCNMo91TaALXm2BTXIvZKl3Uo/s400/IMG_0013.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey there, rock.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotuI0xHgj5IoM3YFdxJOQ1wn9AGgtVQm7BBobXCwjSWnC0nHVnFedVcOW6vWUmRVM1NpsJKMgLBYnV5JOFfhEsGycQpDUDtrxgc6T-enRp0HfKk7WuwuiBTcN6NSGeAQCNLtU9u3pjuA/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotuI0xHgj5IoM3YFdxJOQ1wn9AGgtVQm7BBobXCwjSWnC0nHVnFedVcOW6vWUmRVM1NpsJKMgLBYnV5JOFfhEsGycQpDUDtrxgc6T-enRp0HfKk7WuwuiBTcN6NSGeAQCNLtU9u3pjuA/s400/IMG_0015.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail to the left, trail to the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAiZIShyHdFVCn-rm-TKy7xCziGX_4mmFVBymNbSJ7xYDieMutmqv5fAV_fS2aRtnQ5Bq45dSYW8iWnv6gkhUGQmcs1mrkA8_5wi7IL-hKJf97Yu7RwnVRwU7SxAfgrW0ccfaIyaaoUs/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAiZIShyHdFVCn-rm-TKy7xCziGX_4mmFVBymNbSJ7xYDieMutmqv5fAV_fS2aRtnQ5Bq45dSYW8iWnv6gkhUGQmcs1mrkA8_5wi7IL-hKJf97Yu7RwnVRwU7SxAfgrW0ccfaIyaaoUs/s400/IMG_0016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCWeP58BGB1L-b0EmFVr_MB5ojlLPHk8KH5fjAXeMnbyB3FlkZmMctiM987Ezr-xomPfVkuBNkMiKlfFWeL97SF-2X_22ZzZ11IlvR6NCSI9uSlhEMN82l0jjXX96gTzMcY-FetRwEPw/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCWeP58BGB1L-b0EmFVr_MB5ojlLPHk8KH5fjAXeMnbyB3FlkZmMctiM987Ezr-xomPfVkuBNkMiKlfFWeL97SF-2X_22ZzZ11IlvR6NCSI9uSlhEMN82l0jjXX96gTzMcY-FetRwEPw/s400/IMG_0017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQPhiVE8N2Tt5SHmcU9ELaygBXgcOIg9f_RKhmHPtXGb_kZUKkrXCZCtiGCzNxvxo09gxycARkfUsuOGR4UPl-3Y-afXKY8o7Z53AqKDVTJ4DBeLwQH23a6WM2K_ynaqgMR4fNhhd2Y4/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
</blockquote>
The new segment goes from the Fort Valley Trail system all the way to Schultz Pass, where it ties back in to Little Elden Trail. Along the way, it branches off, with the branch heading to Schultz Creek Trail, and eventually Flagstaff.<br />
<br />
I opted to head for the pass, and made a big loop around Flagstaff.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQPhiVE8N2Tt5SHmcU9ELaygBXgcOIg9f_RKhmHPtXGb_kZUKkrXCZCtiGCzNxvxo09gxycARkfUsuOGR4UPl-3Y-afXKY8o7Z53AqKDVTJ4DBeLwQH23a6WM2K_ynaqgMR4fNhhd2Y4/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQPhiVE8N2Tt5SHmcU9ELaygBXgcOIg9f_RKhmHPtXGb_kZUKkrXCZCtiGCzNxvxo09gxycARkfUsuOGR4UPl-3Y-afXKY8o7Z53AqKDVTJ4DBeLwQH23a6WM2K_ynaqgMR4fNhhd2Y4/s400/IMG_0018.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just past Schultz Pass on Little Elden.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGvJj8sAVlGgI5EYi4aVrdLb1a2CFkzO29jUKUYBzno83IAsP7nQTR9hiIguUDEaftcZv7l1FDXhYXm_WANKMmem22iI3P7erfocfZyB8DWHpgIfEsGHSeF9AyICTigo-AoT_i4jZmis/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGvJj8sAVlGgI5EYi4aVrdLb1a2CFkzO29jUKUYBzno83IAsP7nQTR9hiIguUDEaftcZv7l1FDXhYXm_WANKMmem22iI3P7erfocfZyB8DWHpgIfEsGHSeF9AyICTigo-AoT_i4jZmis/s400/IMG_0019.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not that rocky...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsz9LrIaYdUyBwRnLuHOwaaPqsgZlrnaaxQ0FjP7KysfGZLRMUKjCTlzvKxCReaQFBLcr_TLQCtSA9BoEiXENOP-hWuSmqTRU7RaFQENoyhLTDMv4DE_svxGhDiXIg1OwpSgUZ0FYt5c/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsz9LrIaYdUyBwRnLuHOwaaPqsgZlrnaaxQ0FjP7KysfGZLRMUKjCTlzvKxCReaQFBLcr_TLQCtSA9BoEiXENOP-hWuSmqTRU7RaFQENoyhLTDMv4DE_svxGhDiXIg1OwpSgUZ0FYt5c/s400/IMG_0020.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I spy some subtle leaf changing going on on the mountain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvkZffWhAlXJDaZMHqjG9-QUGHFzbPmFqkPHDOgWfWbNClWDmLvDlcpDvbNmuWzUjmVsCLkNPPDmHIDIBlaj0axqVnChE8ik4PF-ihPN8ISy9jogomRoB1i57UCpxxN_lV-wmAgZ4feQ/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvkZffWhAlXJDaZMHqjG9-QUGHFzbPmFqkPHDOgWfWbNClWDmLvDlcpDvbNmuWzUjmVsCLkNPPDmHIDIBlaj0axqVnChE8ik4PF-ihPN8ISy9jogomRoB1i57UCpxxN_lV-wmAgZ4feQ/s400/IMG_0021.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty decided to be pretty and pick up a flower in the spokes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
And that's a lap around Flagstaff.<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage: 48.6</blockquote>
Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-61887872041815092122012-09-09T20:45:00.004-07:002012-09-09T21:01:33.266-07:00I can't think of a title.I swear, sometimes the hardest part about writing a blog post is thinking up a title. So, until I think of one, I'll just write.<br />
<br />
It's getting towards the end of summer, now. The monsoons are starting to wind down, (though I still can't take Pretty out without getting rained on.) and the sun is setting earlier and earlier. Consequently I'm strapping lights to my bikes, in case the after work rides keep me out longer than daylight allows for. This has already happened a couple times now.<br />
<br />
The added consequence is the sun rising later and later in the morning, opening my twice a year sunrise windows:<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tZ4dgfTYxEaDCnjLDObtSDm-96QMvgDK8bi1ZHIg3sG7Wph6-dHiUAMa1tYyqkq9MBKVOhQ2NtC6tWQBmJhJxolYRMhtevnW_gjTLKHQLqKp0qwHu07V9uO3xth_YLaAi6MSewPdj2M/s1600/IMG_0394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tZ4dgfTYxEaDCnjLDObtSDm-96QMvgDK8bi1ZHIg3sG7Wph6-dHiUAMa1tYyqkq9MBKVOhQ2NtC6tWQBmJhJxolYRMhtevnW_gjTLKHQLqKp0qwHu07V9uO3xth_YLaAi6MSewPdj2M/s400/IMG_0394.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let there be light!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
Soon the leaves will start changing colors, and one of the best times of year to own a mountain bike will begin. So many places to ride, so many options to go see some color, so little time. And I'll bet that I'll still get rained out if I ride Pretty.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjosIHDEVSQAtx6LEKfTFxYAgyzVnjhv2fEslZVV7_copxoMCDqXliKP5P-EMhykfEqoSEjqqZwThn1LO7SIAZLBcjcLVnjzl8dJMYvz_SVtrA64oybFOmElHPzr4N7-vGfi6xVNNirJ0/s1600/IMG_0403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjosIHDEVSQAtx6LEKfTFxYAgyzVnjhv2fEslZVV7_copxoMCDqXliKP5P-EMhykfEqoSEjqqZwThn1LO7SIAZLBcjcLVnjzl8dJMYvz_SVtrA64oybFOmElHPzr4N7-vGfi6xVNNirJ0/s400/IMG_0403.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowblind and I made it to the Kachina Wetlands in time to watch the sun hide behind a thundercloud.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote>
Today <a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/910337" target="_blank">I ended up riding out south of Kachina Village</a>, on a forest road that runs across Pumphouse Wash. I'd never been in this area, and thought I might see something cool. Turns out I was right, there was a couple nice spots.</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiaUP_TBCK19gzV0Q5QX2ePWxcIzI5WrNEoZw4iVxT0vG7G8QWZ5SGoJ8SWfrcjJgZR2PlQvLIxfYH7IYBcga5GdFtVwGdEleQEz-B4huOFxRHH27oXa8r8i_juyvWyw-qvfNIeVOn9g/s1600/IMG_0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiaUP_TBCK19gzV0Q5QX2ePWxcIzI5WrNEoZw4iVxT0vG7G8QWZ5SGoJ8SWfrcjJgZR2PlQvLIxfYH7IYBcga5GdFtVwGdEleQEz-B4huOFxRHH27oXa8r8i_juyvWyw-qvfNIeVOn9g/s400/IMG_0406.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumphouse Wash, looking southward.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sl8P41B2K2ZgbpjMhB_yXRBZMjxcPp5IkUHVYmbgADLz7jJ2li-j-rZWNw2ZoPmNqbK1i1gE6jmgU3pMlx1BNGMIU5cK1HNnyptm_UZYygCFqV7Z51oNU42fC2HwA7U4-4TPufl9IUo/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sl8P41B2K2ZgbpjMhB_yXRBZMjxcPp5IkUHVYmbgADLz7jJ2li-j-rZWNw2ZoPmNqbK1i1gE6jmgU3pMlx1BNGMIU5cK1HNnyptm_UZYygCFqV7Z51oNU42fC2HwA7U4-4TPufl9IUo/s400/IMG_0407.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And turn, and picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
It was a nice chill ride, though the mosquitoes from the standing water in the wash chased me half way home.<br />
<br />
Now, where to ride tomorrow?<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage: 26.3</blockquote>
Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-250680187588934582012-08-25T21:50:00.001-07:002012-08-25T21:50:07.607-07:00Old Fashioned Racing.It seems to be a sort of tradition for me.<br />
<br />
I plan months in advance on riding in the Taylor House Century every year. Maybe even a year in advance, since I'm planning on riding it again next year.<br />
<br />
Yup, a year in advance.<br />
<br />
The St. Mary's Food Bank Mountain Bike Race? Not so much. Not a couple months, not even a month. Heck, not even a week in advance.<br />
<br />
I signed up for it Wednesday night. Captain Procrastination, that's me.<br />
<br />
That left me Thursday and Friday to prepare, make sure the bike was in order, laundry, and all that stuff, Which meant that I put it off until Friday. Go me.<br />
<br />
And of course, rather than go straight home after work on Friday, I took a detour, because I'd never ridden next to the Rio de Flag when it was actually flowing, and we had gotten a pretty good storm right before I left work.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapagz79ACKswZPCwA7B6FsiJM3eoCGKyGtZr2Y79Nn071h7rgB2pQh_VS9dLgpUQ_AMfESKOOB6WosR2APnB0E-Byhn5ZuqlNau_U2I-sTGLA-vmCC0o4Dy4WFO4et34VruGgfCXnrk8/s1600/IMG_0386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapagz79ACKswZPCwA7B6FsiJM3eoCGKyGtZr2Y79Nn071h7rgB2pQh_VS9dLgpUQ_AMfESKOOB6WosR2APnB0E-Byhn5ZuqlNau_U2I-sTGLA-vmCC0o4Dy4WFO4et34VruGgfCXnrk8/s400/IMG_0386.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And flowing it was.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wXPPOsWj1lYm4K-54aPcR2LbP67VgxlmX7xmtlwXGLXzkM1aWlC4lmvtAGQOtqsIlOCrFZFAJv3U3Vi26SVD_vhBv4oYPUL4sKySsqLtPykc0KrJpoHQTO26Ltd-7u4eQZN3t0LfEsM/s1600/IMG_0387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1wXPPOsWj1lYm4K-54aPcR2LbP67VgxlmX7xmtlwXGLXzkM1aWlC4lmvtAGQOtqsIlOCrFZFAJv3U3Vi26SVD_vhBv4oYPUL4sKySsqLtPykc0KrJpoHQTO26Ltd-7u4eQZN3t0LfEsM/s400/IMG_0387.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much green...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Upon getting home, I started laundry, and proceeded with bike work. I signed up for the singlespeed class, which meant I'd be riding Tri. Tri's fork was getting stiff, and the chain was dry, so a fork service and chain lubing were in order.</blockquote>
<br />
How well did that go over?<br />
<br />
Well, let's Tarantino this up a bit.<br />
<br />
Here is a picture of Tri on the wall, having completed the race earlier today:<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03i6pzGTDCMNQ3lyd4pVTVCcCuvonQFIq6Fr34extH1RD_TvF0GM3yJRywVmllxTItcOE-_l8mtJX2258fK3RR1AKBAW-5CMFfRQ-9pxG3jpD5yNuHJiQ0k8wy05hM-hTo21nVhhtw8A/s1600/IMG_0388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03i6pzGTDCMNQ3lyd4pVTVCcCuvonQFIq6Fr34extH1RD_TvF0GM3yJRywVmllxTItcOE-_l8mtJX2258fK3RR1AKBAW-5CMFfRQ-9pxG3jpD5yNuHJiQ0k8wy05hM-hTo21nVhhtw8A/s400/IMG_0388.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's my bike, 29 inches, single, and rigid.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That is not a suspension fork. </blockquote>
<br />
Where is Tri's suspension fork?<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZw81fxKEg-srRXLsbymiv8yyX7c_2deVsgGZRfFkq0Uy2OqzdDT3EZKCTgZOv0Nk2GvQJirNNGj7jxjNWEDKhSu2d2cYztnvo1_aFaxdn8k9TC2CBCrK0uhCLXRuxVHeQWSgGe6blU8/s1600/IMG_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZw81fxKEg-srRXLsbymiv8yyX7c_2deVsgGZRfFkq0Uy2OqzdDT3EZKCTgZOv0Nk2GvQJirNNGj7jxjNWEDKhSu2d2cYztnvo1_aFaxdn8k9TC2CBCrK0uhCLXRuxVHeQWSgGe6blU8/s400/IMG_0389.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is part of it, the lowers in the oil drain pan on the garage floor...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_fJUyCvpsXPZp44gmkjvYec47uBXx2FbUG7pdE9TccIQapjTuv4tKWnWveK08STI3kfF2vELY0-Yy5533q1cy3Dbs1C05tMgjlWbxRb-dEuckgThNm8nfslNq4dX-U2wVhqPGImHt5Q/s1600/IMG_0390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_fJUyCvpsXPZp44gmkjvYec47uBXx2FbUG7pdE9TccIQapjTuv4tKWnWveK08STI3kfF2vELY0-Yy5533q1cy3Dbs1C05tMgjlWbxRb-dEuckgThNm8nfslNq4dX-U2wVhqPGImHt5Q/s400/IMG_0390.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...And the uppers on the workbench</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Fork carnage all over the garage! What happened?</blockquote>
Well, in order to service the fork, I need to separate the uppers from the lowers, in order to wipe the dirt from the dust seals in the lower casting, which causes the fork to stiffen up, known as "stiction." In doing this, there is a bolt on the compression side to undo, at the bottom of the lower casting, just a regular old bolt.<br />
<br />
On the damping side, however, it's a bit different. I take an allen key, of the 8mm breed, and use it to screw the damping rod INTO the lower casting, not out the bottom. This means I have to turn it the opposite direction of the bolt I just took out of the compression side. This is something I knew, as I'd done it before.<br />
<br />
Apparently my hand had other ideas, and went with business as usual, turning the damping rod to the left, effectively over-torquing it against the lower casting, while my brain was going "Wow, that's really tight." This continued until I heard a pop, which flipped a switch in my hand, which started turning it the proper way while saying "I didn't do it!"<br />
<br />
The end result of all this? I broke the threaded end of the damping rod off, essentially making the fork useless.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG202RXfVExxak-O1ir8lkwZ7RtBndww8fVpvvd6ToS7iEn5S_g7HNFBkz8bWI89Yqyk2rHL1dccKI1FvgyA8TxCPp2R3wtrWRo0Tpa33hCOradewLk5RkIzBw7fOlzbVihhMtwMHiOC4/s1600/IMG_0391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG202RXfVExxak-O1ir8lkwZ7RtBndww8fVpvvd6ToS7iEn5S_g7HNFBkz8bWI89Yqyk2rHL1dccKI1FvgyA8TxCPp2R3wtrWRo0Tpa33hCOradewLk5RkIzBw7fOlzbVihhMtwMHiOC4/s400/IMG_0391.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well, fork you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
Enter in a hasty fork swap to the Karate Monkey's original rigid fork, and a quick test ride up the street before calling it quits for the night. A 20 minute fork service ended up being a couple hour ordeal.<br />
<br />
All that on the night before the race today.<br />
<br />
Exegete was kind enough to give me a ride in and hang out during the race waiting for me to finish again. After getting my number plate and shwag, I hopped on Tri and did a quick <a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/875923" target="_blank">warm up ride up Lower Moto</a>, partly to, y'know, warm up, but also to see if I still knew how to ride technical stuff with a rigid fork.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Fortunately, my skills in riding a jackhammer have not diminished.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
The general agreement with folks I talked to at the start was "Rigid? Oof, you're gonna be feeling it." This I already knew. Let's face it, I rode Tri as full rigid for a couple years before I got the suspension fork.<br />
<br />
<br />
A fair amount of time and breeze-shooting with other folks passed, <a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/875924" target="_blank">and the race started.</a><br />
<br />
Now. How far did I make it before I started missing front suspension? Well, here is a map of the race course. I've marked the approximate spot where I admitted it to myself.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8L-rOTZ-scYwRPM-fluRR7PNe3vjj9gFjDaaaYLglqPHmaEFIt4lEiyd7bBpJu39K6stJAdXMgM0HXi7EdVsmJ40x7eSnYDYL8Mz_gE-bhrVASffZBFhShi8UpKsPT8QskiWb4efc_RI/s1600/race_map.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8L-rOTZ-scYwRPM-fluRR7PNe3vjj9gFjDaaaYLglqPHmaEFIt4lEiyd7bBpJu39K6stJAdXMgM0HXi7EdVsmJ40x7eSnYDYL8Mz_gE-bhrVASffZBFhShi8UpKsPT8QskiWb4efc_RI/s400/race_map.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There. I'll admit it, I've been spoiled.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
Overall, the race was pretty uneventful. I didn't crash, I didn't flat, I didn't even break anything. But I pushed hard. I'd never passed so many people, and I even conquered a climb on Pipeline that I've never been able to before. Ever. A lot of people that went by me later in the race had the same question for me, though: "Hey, man, how's that rigid fork treatin' ya?"<br />
<br />
By the fourth or fifth person, my answer had evolved into the simple, "Like a red-headed step-child."<br />
<br />
The best exchange of the day came on the last lap, when as I was passing a group on the side of the trail, one of the guys let out a "Singlespeeds rule!" As I rode past him, I slurred "I wish I could agree with you right now." Much laughter and a smattering of applause. (He had done this on the previous lap, too, and I responded with a hearty "Indeed they do!")<br />
<br />
All said and done, it was a great day at the races. No crashes, no flats, no broken parts (during the actual race...) and I felt good, with the exception of my arms, which had been pummeled and pulverized into overcooked spaghetti by the end of the race. The soreness has moved up into my shoulders too, and I'm sure I'll be worse tomorrow.<br />
<br />
But, I'll take solace in four things.<br />
<br />
1: I had a blast! Seriously, it was fun, and I like how Anthony summed it up for me: "Kevin's riding the Old Fashioned on an old fashioned bike!"<br />
<br />
2: I finished twelfth out of 18 singlespeeders. I was surprised at how far up from the bottom of the list I was!<br />
<br />
C: Had there been a full rigid category, I would have finished first in it!<br />
<br />
And the best quote of the day, from the owner of Absolute Bikes: "Man, just looking at that fork makes me hurt."<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage: 33.9 warmup and race, plus 7 to and from the awards ceremony.</blockquote>
Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-2359536183909688162012-08-18T21:12:00.002-07:002012-08-18T21:12:38.830-07:00Don't forget Winona...There has been riding this week. When a fair amount of that riding has been on a Pugsley with so little air in the tires that it doesn't register on the floor pump's gauge, you feel it after a while. Especially 3 days in a row. Rolling resistance on a tire that big running that low is insane.<br />
<br />
But man, the ride was smooth, and the traction, incredible.<br />
<br />
However... I think I'll run the tires up to 5 psi. High enough not to kill me, low enough to still be bouncy.<br />
<br />
But zero psi did net me some great views along the <a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/859711" target="_blank">Arizona Trail on Monday</a>.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97grJNvdInDoiaMdHC7YzRhP1DNJ6HP_Q15wNpmSfZi2qPnhJbUgNxgc8Hrg_AHP-wX4jzENGcohKfWVNIjk0Cr57q7kmCFmcYBBxd5obdX9EMAg0BZ16Z5p2Vc9jNqwfQ17BwJxCP5E/s1600/IMG_0356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97grJNvdInDoiaMdHC7YzRhP1DNJ6HP_Q15wNpmSfZi2qPnhJbUgNxgc8Hrg_AHP-wX4jzENGcohKfWVNIjk0Cr57q7kmCFmcYBBxd5obdX9EMAg0BZ16Z5p2Vc9jNqwfQ17BwJxCP5E/s400/IMG_0356.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fisher Point from the backside. Walnut Canyon looks deep and dark from here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw20RyGkxfh_hi1I5IPmAUOVuXzmVP-E9NWdVo7-WbWOea8Y_mJoRMdb4qTl5_rPKzB6kxOcjwXSnaceyr3yzm_r-7L8qpoo0A-ASJ7baFBFpUp4ypSgXFkpsobisJnvYgGKRUgN-bd7s/s1600/IMG_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw20RyGkxfh_hi1I5IPmAUOVuXzmVP-E9NWdVo7-WbWOea8Y_mJoRMdb4qTl5_rPKzB6kxOcjwXSnaceyr3yzm_r-7L8qpoo0A-ASJ7baFBFpUp4ypSgXFkpsobisJnvYgGKRUgN-bd7s/s400/IMG_0361.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fisher Point from the view everyone knows, at sunset. Makes the whole ride worth it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
It was a sort of stressful week at work, so some self-inflicted torture and punishment was in order. This really just means I wanted to ride a singlespeed. My ride of choice for the day ended up being STeve, and <a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/859716" target="_blank">we ended up riding FR128</a>, a dirt road that runs more or less from Lake Mary Road to Winona, passing south of Walnut Canyon.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjeX05BkvoCt2cu6qNfq7Cbo8xgvXqIKQN3eAUvRzzSK7Tv4yKqD8rOlvSFGuW_nH4QqVl4Y8HY34m2EEHbTe92c5Jazg2orlOIZw0mxoDa1X4XjeRJdVMB946_Z5JfWLeIwPeGlI8Dg/s1600/IMG_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjeX05BkvoCt2cu6qNfq7Cbo8xgvXqIKQN3eAUvRzzSK7Tv4yKqD8rOlvSFGuW_nH4QqVl4Y8HY34m2EEHbTe92c5Jazg2orlOIZw0mxoDa1X4XjeRJdVMB946_Z5JfWLeIwPeGlI8Dg/s400/IMG_0364.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard to believe I'm looking over a canyon and a city at the mountains, yeah?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
The ride out to Winona ended up passing quickly, despite the mud I hadn't planned on, so I tacked on a bit of historic road to my ride.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXD_GzazVU1tADtXQYZVcJ4wFwLrEvvA17OJeUqenCDEtR_3XnouaHgUwrJdqLJoJkZV9F6UDA_pHFO_qDSsjTorr_6ENZ2mfieLG6okS-jInIunoy8YBOlP1RoQbw7tCLhrZIab6v7w/s1600/IMG_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXD_GzazVU1tADtXQYZVcJ4wFwLrEvvA17OJeUqenCDEtR_3XnouaHgUwrJdqLJoJkZV9F6UDA_pHFO_qDSsjTorr_6ENZ2mfieLG6okS-jInIunoy8YBOlP1RoQbw7tCLhrZIab6v7w/s400/IMG_0365.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winslow, Arizona, and don't forget Winona!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
After a few miles of old route 66, I came to my favorite piece of the road.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqr8EfrQ3f3qw-ndSvXECOy7s97NmydcwibsJnagSI9-meRoPlk3OdmEbv6viZiX8ivn-wKg55W6H-l8kK0rHKoKi7oWUmezpbGsFZQhp5RES_22PyIws2FCdMdvt_ejBaRX8_Vq2PhQE/s1600/IMG_0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqr8EfrQ3f3qw-ndSvXECOy7s97NmydcwibsJnagSI9-meRoPlk3OdmEbv6viZiX8ivn-wKg55W6H-l8kK0rHKoKi7oWUmezpbGsFZQhp5RES_22PyIws2FCdMdvt_ejBaRX8_Vq2PhQE/s400/IMG_0366.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Padre Canyon Bridge, the original Route 66 bridge in this area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0CpEe0q5eErINi7NErFJlgLDPsZnlaa1424JcwqQy4BFeY_Z7t0k2O-gCwdEIa0GZQ2V7NmlcUqqA2loIbufvsS0BrPUq54cWK33X7JPPsw7hsKkNjfGnggZrxYxhBhbZQ9eaoG1M0c/s1600/IMG_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0CpEe0q5eErINi7NErFJlgLDPsZnlaa1424JcwqQy4BFeY_Z7t0k2O-gCwdEIa0GZQ2V7NmlcUqqA2loIbufvsS0BrPUq54cWK33X7JPPsw7hsKkNjfGnggZrxYxhBhbZQ9eaoG1M0c/s400/IMG_0371.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They don't build them like this anymore.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
I decided to try to follow the original alignment up the opposite canyon wall, but lost it at the rim, next to I-40. Darn.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Z_ebswJ5wQnAQsH3xsxpm2qR5zoatzFg_gA4FbFlWEfbEvDJF0Iph_7zgBuEzzZs0uYp6P9tjZaAcw_kPvzN57sJtktkST3eswzLYn0WBQ8yp7RtZwnMDsqKKiNgfoyURE80VMHdcBg/s1600/IMG_0373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Z_ebswJ5wQnAQsH3xsxpm2qR5zoatzFg_gA4FbFlWEfbEvDJF0Iph_7zgBuEzzZs0uYp6P9tjZaAcw_kPvzN57sJtktkST3eswzLYn0WBQ8yp7RtZwnMDsqKKiNgfoyURE80VMHdcBg/s400/IMG_0373.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmm, those clouds are building. I had probably start heading homeward.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnAm8Ey5NL9HON6Woux1mhpYQ_wPKTkGPJ46gGPr6eLKNBLlGukPw_yZ38CzTMVK_p2Lw-F9VIrV0YmAuD_gRgm0IdD7CTA6o7eRJI_vlYiYk5HVQZfjXSWmS2aPomO5UtziVrYd3uZU/s1600/IMG_0374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnAm8Ey5NL9HON6Woux1mhpYQ_wPKTkGPJ46gGPr6eLKNBLlGukPw_yZ38CzTMVK_p2Lw-F9VIrV0YmAuD_gRgm0IdD7CTA6o7eRJI_vlYiYk5HVQZfjXSWmS2aPomO5UtziVrYd3uZU/s400/IMG_0374.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, one last picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
One thing I didn't realize is that Townsend Winona Road is also a part of Route 66, as is the old metal truss bridge that runs over lower Walnut Canyon. The bridge is even on the register of historic places. All this cool stuff, and I've been past that bridge hundreds of times, and I never stopped, nor ever thought about the fact that I was on Route 66.<br />
<br />
Well, I'll take care of that.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgzy_dVCOFb5aRRCtQudUK9d1-ygiPmEHyDJLlpJWo5VEu2W0YdmKn-mvtbunTNehgkuxGB-oXpwkK6OqTBsgfqYqBHMAi1505_JJRvifBPYmjZr7M4Ypttehcbnm939HkEzl1_ByJLw/s1600/IMG_0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYgzy_dVCOFb5aRRCtQudUK9d1-ygiPmEHyDJLlpJWo5VEu2W0YdmKn-mvtbunTNehgkuxGB-oXpwkK6OqTBsgfqYqBHMAi1505_JJRvifBPYmjZr7M4Ypttehcbnm939HkEzl1_ByJLw/s400/IMG_0375.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then I rode across it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
Then I beat feet home, towards the darkening thunder clouds. I didn't get rained on, but I swore I was seeing funnel clouds at the cloud line, and the lightning show I got to watch as I rode across town was spectacular. But, safely home I made it, where, after a shower, Exe decided to take Su to a lake.<br />
<br />
I wasn't gonna miss this.<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOu5umA5iCVVHu0E_5Ifb0KTaLou-san29uJke1zhkuW1L5QXezttbztz9GQ_IP8fhehMxtKQ6Lm6qTm8Ho5mE58abdUzvIY__2wKX40xnxNJI_qvY6fjwCztqJ5isZejB2RQeapqxJs/s1600/IMG_0381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOu5umA5iCVVHu0E_5Ifb0KTaLou-san29uJke1zhkuW1L5QXezttbztz9GQ_IP8fhehMxtKQ6Lm6qTm8Ho5mE58abdUzvIY__2wKX40xnxNJI_qvY6fjwCztqJ5isZejB2RQeapqxJs/s400/IMG_0381.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Yep, a rock."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zOtkzIIN4CN3MugmOL0tttToQcJwXFWwFP0WPHGYTn36OoXR7cKz3pldFGMJ690vJkvNnLTQ6w2OQgzURs6dQaqfThuYpmHkI8LiCx9kdPpTg9fTX0Zgp3bcC5XOy4J8AWTPINPbxcY/s1600/IMG_0382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zOtkzIIN4CN3MugmOL0tttToQcJwXFWwFP0WPHGYTn36OoXR7cKz3pldFGMJ690vJkvNnLTQ6w2OQgzURs6dQaqfThuYpmHkI8LiCx9kdPpTg9fTX0Zgp3bcC5XOy4J8AWTPINPbxcY/s400/IMG_0382.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Screw you guys. To the Su Cave!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
Now, I have a choice to make. Next Saturday is the annual St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance Race, about the only race I do, because it's local, smallish and fun, and for a good cause.<br />
<br />
Also next Saturday is a loop trail day. Also fun, I learn stuff every time, and I help build something that'll be around for a while.<br />
<br />
I don't know which one I want to do more.<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage: 62.2</blockquote>
Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-83891060793409631722012-08-11T22:25:00.000-07:002012-08-11T22:25:45.061-07:00Monsoon GreeneryWe've had some good weather as of late in the Flagstaff area. Lots of rain here and there, which is good, since rain keeps the fires at bay.<br />
<br />
But I do have a problem with it.<br />
<br />
As much as I like the rain, it does dissuade me from my riding. And as much as I don't mind riding in the rain, I do try not to get caught in it. And most of the time (But not ALL the time...) if the weather looks questionable, the odds are that I'll hang up the bike and do something else, and miss out on a perfectly good day of riding.<br />
<br />
But, a lot of times, I'll ride towards the dark clouds, poke a thunderstorm to make it angry, and see if I can beat it home.<br />
<br />
That may be an exaggeration, but it's not that far off.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/843025" target="_blank">Friday was one of those days</a>, but with less thunderstorm poking. I worked a half day at work. With the prospect of an entire afternoon to myself, I decided I was going to ride STeve out to, up and over Friedlein Prairie Road, which runs between Schultz Pass and Snowbowl Road. This was also where the darkest clouds were when I rolled out of work. However, when I got there, the darkest of clouds had moved on, letting me ride without the worry of getting drenched.<br />
<br />
However... tying this back to the monsoons, I love how green everything is when it rains:<br />
<blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YSQ7oVoI3RqAPGjqOCVcv-tdkBDuxo12oG579kOWio4dTUqob1hwDkgrL2i9JdTb2bdRJR6PjiD0haAP2xuZahsdFpYY3N0-ENXpIpUKfUdZaxSgyokMboeiFH0LfbhOPT6GKxk4IT0/s1600/IMG_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YSQ7oVoI3RqAPGjqOCVcv-tdkBDuxo12oG579kOWio4dTUqob1hwDkgrL2i9JdTb2bdRJR6PjiD0haAP2xuZahsdFpYY3N0-ENXpIpUKfUdZaxSgyokMboeiFH0LfbhOPT6GKxk4IT0/s400/IMG_0352.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard to believe this is "high desert."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnpsQWWBjj-eCWQD5xzFCChH1iDicXpXMT0Uv6IRyOfptoXPTNStv4gEnwmDcU45NX776b-nR1KqTqXIgtqExA8-oXd-u-sweSHlLCbc3aNRhONbviCplroyban4oQ8Is_1t51MnQEqs/s1600/IMG_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnpsQWWBjj-eCWQD5xzFCChH1iDicXpXMT0Uv6IRyOfptoXPTNStv4gEnwmDcU45NX776b-nR1KqTqXIgtqExA8-oXd-u-sweSHlLCbc3aNRhONbviCplroyban4oQ8Is_1t51MnQEqs/s400/IMG_0353.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferns!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</blockquote>
No riding today, but tomorrow I may take Pretty out for a shred.<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage: 0</blockquote>Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-18478827040252117282012-07-29T17:07:00.000-07:002012-07-29T17:07:11.847-07:00Racing Against the Rain. I made a friend at work, let's start with that.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8fMTK904QzJkgly0wzflzdmQr9WO54F2eAAc0vCW0v-n0uujnYtS0vBafs2SvMvKZVxVKuBpWU8kMlZCWKdASKdcZsY5tEIwXEwjQqh4GAcrvTft666mqL0HmKmcDzR0kCNkzKfPwEU/s1600/IMG_0318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8fMTK904QzJkgly0wzflzdmQr9WO54F2eAAc0vCW0v-n0uujnYtS0vBafs2SvMvKZVxVKuBpWU8kMlZCWKdASKdcZsY5tEIwXEwjQqh4GAcrvTft666mqL0HmKmcDzR0kCNkzKfPwEU/s400/IMG_0318.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're naming him Li'l Stinky.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We're going to make friends with him and make him our perimeter defense guard.<br />
<br />
Friday... I didn't go to work! *jazz hands* So, I teamed up with Su...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ASo_H9O6k0dZe4R6O6wWCF-rKcbV_McSYwvPVghIB6O4duXHsbwljxHwD-2Ya1jc54eiaGWe-KxXzO2QiOGwntSOqnGkkPynuI2ie7O1NjVRmeFzJm9dezJV2QUixiMLiJ1h3VbZvuA/s1600/IMG_0321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ASo_H9O6k0dZe4R6O6wWCF-rKcbV_McSYwvPVghIB6O4duXHsbwljxHwD-2Ya1jc54eiaGWe-KxXzO2QiOGwntSOqnGkkPynuI2ie7O1NjVRmeFzJm9dezJV2QUixiMLiJ1h3VbZvuA/s320/IMG_0321.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Whatever."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
...and we played with Henry. I'd been thinking about putting a 29er wheel on the Big Dummy for quite some time, but was too lazy to try it, since just trying it would require pulling the front fender, front rack, and possibly even the front brake. But, after deciding that I wanted to build a <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Porteur+rack&hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=yVy&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=vcIVUI27AcXUqgGf9YGYBQ&ved=0CFcQsAQ&biw=1553&bih=845" target="_blank">Porteur rack</a> for Henry, those things had to come off anyways, so why not give it a shot? So I pulled everything apart, and popped Tri's front wheel on Henry's front end.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZl3mHQhr9xNedS0qaOqUzI2CYkHe-zO5YyN22w34N5EEb9GP3v3kNJIZEaPdMPIXX-vbW2jbhknvuNRJqdp59bfSG0DJvOtYGpl58bmfTrlFV90wvPZ8KLlmIgFBCFmd1K-16Fb44YFA/s1600/IMG_0326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZl3mHQhr9xNedS0qaOqUzI2CYkHe-zO5YyN22w34N5EEb9GP3v3kNJIZEaPdMPIXX-vbW2jbhknvuNRJqdp59bfSG0DJvOtYGpl58bmfTrlFV90wvPZ8KLlmIgFBCFmd1K-16Fb44YFA/s400/IMG_0326.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry's front wheel is the little one in front. What a difference!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a few spins around the neighborhood, and hopping several curbs, I can say that I like the way Henry rides with a big wheel up front. Very little handling change, no toe-verlap issues, and pops up over obstacles much easier than before. And with as much offroading as I've been doing with Henry lately, that's a good thing. The only thing I'm not sure of is how well a front fender will fit. A 29x2.25 tire clears the crown of the Big Dummy fork by a little over a quarter of an inch, which doesn't leave much room for a fender. I'll worry about that later, though.<br />
<br />
As for the porteur rack, I designed it around the 29er wheel, so it will clear just fine. I finished the framework for it, and the deck has been shaped, sanded, burned and drilled, and is only waiting to be finished. I'll take pictures of the finished product. I think it will look nice, though.<br />
<br />
Saturday was Loop Trail Day. We had a good turnout, and after giving some attention to the tread we built in May, we connected to Forest Road 301D, effectively completing the entire southern section of the Loop!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPFb6JeoJl4YDD_-eUa_tyfYFbIB8LxEL2toSVsgkMzw_AYa_4yfHBKuqegS_6z1xgPtizCNNiTvJygTBhr3shg71UxJJ_laCp_ZdvpopT85p6j0uQToWJgeI2qOffwiD2pci2i63qSM/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPFb6JeoJl4YDD_-eUa_tyfYFbIB8LxEL2toSVsgkMzw_AYa_4yfHBKuqegS_6z1xgPtizCNNiTvJygTBhr3shg71UxJJ_laCp_ZdvpopT85p6j0uQToWJgeI2qOffwiD2pci2i63qSM/s400/IMG_0330.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a cool view.</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94q3GOksmPZOBfD4QcANYRFsGFpBGSUenk5mVVtijKbiq61vxOvm36jftexA7-HchsAH_6HuLAvkx07PKk_fdGdJzjC-Uuvj8vunOKj7xRlFkUPlWJ0p3XJPV9O9Umg0AdDyyAgSC0V0/s1600/IMG_0333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94q3GOksmPZOBfD4QcANYRFsGFpBGSUenk5mVVtijKbiq61vxOvm36jftexA7-HchsAH_6HuLAvkx07PKk_fdGdJzjC-Uuvj8vunOKj7xRlFkUPlWJ0p3XJPV9O9Umg0AdDyyAgSC0V0/s400/IMG_0333.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course, Henry got to lay the first tracks, again.</td></tr>
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We then rode the Loop Trail all the way to within a mile of home. That was a great feeling, and a great ride.<br />
<br />
Today was race day.<br />
<br />
What race? <br />
<br />
<a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/814204" target="_blank">The I'm Going to Ride up Elden and Down Little Bear Trail Before it Rains Because I've Been Trying to Since the Trail Officially Opened But it Keeps Raining Classic.</a><br />
<br />
It's quite the popular race, and I met several people along the way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwoggITWGZ_awABPD_wMD57-5AAp2hdF7DpkS3Hp75NsECDA5igWjXfVzkMGSX0aSXGwEau6643AS6fzv53DqFmWqk3S_CGH5fTYLPxbCPtkgrzIFOIQIn7FVZ7A36vQC89zbPwbzmqQ/s1600/IMG_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwoggITWGZ_awABPD_wMD57-5AAp2hdF7DpkS3Hp75NsECDA5igWjXfVzkMGSX0aSXGwEau6643AS6fzv53DqFmWqk3S_CGH5fTYLPxbCPtkgrzIFOIQIn7FVZ7A36vQC89zbPwbzmqQ/s400/IMG_0334.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made it to the top before the rain...</td></tr>
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I'd never ridden The Catwalk and Hobbit Forest when the trail was damp and tacky from rain, and the skies looked decent, so I passed up Red Onion and headed up to Sunset Trail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEM1N_Cs_VcHjSfEpFyunYsEsZdlSYnVpMv-EiW5rKROir1FZ7-KJ5TwQ1eZ93__1BG_KmehORzB87raDjZDCd_SJwlXvWbhEaqKDpDsmWTJtHe5wFkpm3YoMA4uKHg-SQ1w1huhp6ro/s1600/IMG_0337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEM1N_Cs_VcHjSfEpFyunYsEsZdlSYnVpMv-EiW5rKROir1FZ7-KJ5TwQ1eZ93__1BG_KmehORzB87raDjZDCd_SJwlXvWbhEaqKDpDsmWTJtHe5wFkpm3YoMA4uKHg-SQ1w1huhp6ro/s400/IMG_0337.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is why The Catwalk is scary.</td></tr>
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I survived, and more than that, had fun, and found myself at the top of Little Bear.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDsaZm_NqvmuFzNcL5HCHblJ3UsxHhnN0OA7cj7TgSGV_HTSnAylhiygrDFA7mczLAyxdk-C4h738L1FVUHCrZuxfsJkShIpkdGqTOulbc18uW2BCXHOLhj-uDK9TKluqIKsIuuGVzsU/s1600/IMG_0338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDsaZm_NqvmuFzNcL5HCHblJ3UsxHhnN0OA7cj7TgSGV_HTSnAylhiygrDFA7mczLAyxdk-C4h738L1FVUHCrZuxfsJkShIpkdGqTOulbc18uW2BCXHOLhj-uDK9TKluqIKsIuuGVzsU/s400/IMG_0338.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Trail Closed sign is gone! IT'S OPEN!</td></tr>
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And then, for the second time ever, and the first time in three or four years, I rode Little Bear.<br />
<br />
Downhill was had.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsHL4m1fXutz5fKNPzurT5Xz0e2oMoX1xHcMcTMxcaD6RRBIrVzc-WfY5rNRKnFMzLDMZyylfnjUYgMVwdZ19gnlu8cS3rfrIyCYmDdYNouPNab1ttgchkcvdilATMkRa0vl8MAXWphs/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsHL4m1fXutz5fKNPzurT5Xz0e2oMoX1xHcMcTMxcaD6RRBIrVzc-WfY5rNRKnFMzLDMZyylfnjUYgMVwdZ19gnlu8cS3rfrIyCYmDdYNouPNab1ttgchkcvdilATMkRa0vl8MAXWphs/s400/IMG_0339.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the views have changed.</td></tr>
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Largely, the trail is still on the original alignment. Most of the fun stuff is still there, and it's just as scary and fun as I remember it being. But some things are different... The views and lack of trees in some sections, and the massive drains to control erosion and give the trail a bench to ride on in some of the drainage.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQY5bcER8TyasMpcD0oPJJfQ9MWpdtDDvOlB5wo6toDJz-CQ3TcnUuRMggHrwCSLHN8RTx4d1LX4u1YgeabSRcan9R9kiX8_eJ4cMGgQ3qtyIqxfgZFUeBp4flbFxMC8Dr-i4om3gZ-1M/s1600/IMG_0340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQY5bcER8TyasMpcD0oPJJfQ9MWpdtDDvOlB5wo6toDJz-CQ3TcnUuRMggHrwCSLHN8RTx4d1LX4u1YgeabSRcan9R9kiX8_eJ4cMGgQ3qtyIqxfgZFUeBp4flbFxMC8Dr-i4om3gZ-1M/s400/IMG_0340.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the amazing drains that had to be built to keep the trail in place.</td></tr>
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At the bottom, I turned right and headed around the eastern side of Elden, instead of climbing up and over Schultz Pass. I think it paid off, because when I rounded the side of the mountain, I saw this:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwK12Xwe1bUsCJJxPXyXBCBCHHup-Jh7utxTpUJoTFsmZZobio51HxQij4xIAxI2zpntWyyA3ZjwTFjXFdKdwYyZibU2jYtjrk8IXCzdzuFoXP41u9Xv8J1v1Rs-iQtSpS-lU9vcWVVtI/s1600/IMG_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwK12Xwe1bUsCJJxPXyXBCBCHHup-Jh7utxTpUJoTFsmZZobio51HxQij4xIAxI2zpntWyyA3ZjwTFjXFdKdwYyZibU2jYtjrk8IXCzdzuFoXP41u9Xv8J1v1Rs-iQtSpS-lU9vcWVVtI/s400/IMG_0343.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's where home is!</td></tr>
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I must be good at riding in between storms, because by the time I got downtown, it was only sprinkling, and I got wet more from the tire spray than the actual rain.<br />
<br />
But... Didn't matter. Rode Little Bear.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage: 34.6</blockquote>Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-77795753451065250612012-07-22T20:25:00.000-07:002012-07-22T20:25:19.553-07:00I've been busy... ...and busy riding, too. Obviously I haven't been blogging lately, for two main reasons... Things have taken a (tentative) upswing at work, which has made me more motivated to be there, so I've been busy with that. Secondly... I just haven't been motivated to blog. It struck me a while ago that most of my blog posts are the same "I went on a ride, here's some pics" blather. That's my view, anyways. Maybe a break will do me some good, in that sense.<br />
<br />
That's not to say I haven't been riding... In lieu of bloggery, feel free to poke at my<a href="http://ridewithgps.com/users/76750" target="_blank"> RideWithGPS</a> profile that I keep linking to, and you'll see what rides I've been on. I may start putting the pictures I take on each ride up there too, so there's less of a "photodump with some words!" on the blog. We'll see. Not that I'm abandoning the blog... just posting a little less frequently.<br />
<br />
Aaannnywhoo... None of that is the point of today's post. No, today, I shall blog about a bike ride. A long one. One I look forward to every year, this year especially, since I got to do it with gears.<br />
<br />
Yup... the Taylor House Century Ride.<br />
<br />
I managed to get Friday off from work, so I could spend the day being lazy and resting up for the ride.<br />
<br />
Yeah, that's not what happened.<br />
<br />
I ended up getting struck by inspiration, and took Henry for a ride to Home Depot for supplies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPDj98XKXWhuLdJAbbnMCGopO6eu1bVQfo74wnTlxAUgfQIig5niyXmxmlJ5wvIDoh5PFXY6ZAyWp34bqmr1JYxUsDAyU0egjuQcuiR-2YNMf9GKat5IozSFAvUeSG-_TfGL6z8BbzNE/s1600/IMG_0299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPDj98XKXWhuLdJAbbnMCGopO6eu1bVQfo74wnTlxAUgfQIig5niyXmxmlJ5wvIDoh5PFXY6ZAyWp34bqmr1JYxUsDAyU0egjuQcuiR-2YNMf9GKat5IozSFAvUeSG-_TfGL6z8BbzNE/s400/IMG_0299.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's what the end of the ride looked like.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The rest of the day was spent building the frame for my new bed, because, what better way to get ready for a 100 mile bike ride than to spend the night before in a new and unfamiliar bed?<br />
<br />
Fortunately, my new bed was comfy, and I slept great. I showed up at the ride start at the hospital ready to go. Exegete was even there, having volunteered to drive one of the SAG wagons.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83sHm5swNJ2gKjOvJf6KPGU1EDLOdmm4R1f-lz-Rhyz2y2Mgqv7HTJP6eReU86yRHNN60zTfMq7moe-YDjpJQYc8Kslya8C8eBQXTsZP28pPOSI4YNrHurStpJkbKoSCE6RaRtRozesM/s1600/IMG_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83sHm5swNJ2gKjOvJf6KPGU1EDLOdmm4R1f-lz-Rhyz2y2Mgqv7HTJP6eReU86yRHNN60zTfMq7moe-YDjpJQYc8Kslya8C8eBQXTsZP28pPOSI4YNrHurStpJkbKoSCE6RaRtRozesM/s400/IMG_0303.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some Team Absolute riders, waiting for the start.</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9av5pJhPJlGD69ja5okHQAJDjdyzdEi2mFgH6q3F6UnWbPOtN4IVmOdxLXza70vR82AqMgJ97kBkOY_3DS1hueRKPM0fU-Sp4Fjc340bYq8fkKaa-uasln_tDthgnGX-k_ZAWyJ2WfPc/s1600/IMG_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9av5pJhPJlGD69ja5okHQAJDjdyzdEi2mFgH6q3F6UnWbPOtN4IVmOdxLXza70vR82AqMgJ97kBkOY_3DS1hueRKPM0fU-Sp4Fjc340bYq8fkKaa-uasln_tDthgnGX-k_ZAWyJ2WfPc/s400/IMG_0304.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone lined up behind me.</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7V4wydvZcRhHipcxqlsPbrwjmChT5HG6J1rtPiuiK2_D_NnKAth0MCgjJCDa5eTKAD5i1yi3NimQKwH-dq2q_BXC4QBF0FKE2cnxx0seu1nMItedQeM1a2hnoUMhwesabmzRbinDimJY/s1600/IMG_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7V4wydvZcRhHipcxqlsPbrwjmChT5HG6J1rtPiuiK2_D_NnKAth0MCgjJCDa5eTKAD5i1yi3NimQKwH-dq2q_BXC4QBF0FKE2cnxx0seu1nMItedQeM1a2hnoUMhwesabmzRbinDimJY/s400/IMG_0305.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And everyone in front of me, too.</td></tr>
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We all took off for the roll down Beaver Street and through downtown, which is always a little nerve wracking for me, this year especially. People rode their brakes all the way down the hill, and it was a game of dodging other riders, loose bottles, and at one point an inner tube. But I made it down without incident, and rolled through town fairly quickly.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7o6Bq8BQmgvmvP8PfACpoCFW6EuqJ2N_MpRfoyA_gQrxC2NtzSb3tEWBDMQ8BNK8_ls37Fu0bqR-oP4N6P82yxNmJhyYGenNXkMzrgUzDRsxqT-tXk92IeTwBIFLZXIC28ZGYI7PZgc/s1600/IMG_0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7o6Bq8BQmgvmvP8PfACpoCFW6EuqJ2N_MpRfoyA_gQrxC2NtzSb3tEWBDMQ8BNK8_ls37Fu0bqR-oP4N6P82yxNmJhyYGenNXkMzrgUzDRsxqT-tXk92IeTwBIFLZXIC28ZGYI7PZgc/s400/IMG_0306.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unlike last year, we had to stop for the train this time.</td></tr>
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The roll down Townsend Winona and through Doney Park was smooth, and while a lot of people passed me on the downhills and flats, I passed a lot of people on the uphills, even pulling for a bit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitODIDagyXEJu4RUuSQ7rleOT_Znx2I8qpNLpSJC3JGcXVTWMJI384T_YpnFOHTyTWTihw_kqMknDvS6ybkQCKFks-SuXlCZa4d7JJbSIIFeXW10AZPeHp6QtwRJ_VJkcKMDv0c9IMj7c/s1600/IMG_0307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitODIDagyXEJu4RUuSQ7rleOT_Znx2I8qpNLpSJC3JGcXVTWMJI384T_YpnFOHTyTWTihw_kqMknDvS6ybkQCKFks-SuXlCZa4d7JJbSIIFeXW10AZPeHp6QtwRJ_VJkcKMDv0c9IMj7c/s400/IMG_0307.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once again, the view I grew up with. Mt. Elden on the left, Cave Hill center, and The Peaks.</td></tr>
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I made very quick work of Highway 89, and passed a lot of people on the big climb out of Timberline. It seemed like I ended up being the first one of the pack I was in to make it to the aid station at the top of the hill, which was nice for a couple reasons. No line at the outhouses, and short line for water refills and snacks. I felt good, so I didn't spend a lot of time there, and kept on trucking down 89 to the next aid station, which was a repeat.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1k8ktoEE15x1KWNAaBEmNog7VXOa9Am0PDQfo2-X01gANkC-3ytwoZbSVK674EpoawsNTfRx3WunMOuDhZA-LGhZHSY4dP588DGqpUq_PslJRwegc-z6tR8MxvT88keOhUP1wPazLvw/s1600/IMG_0308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1k8ktoEE15x1KWNAaBEmNog7VXOa9Am0PDQfo2-X01gANkC-3ytwoZbSVK674EpoawsNTfRx3WunMOuDhZA-LGhZHSY4dP588DGqpUq_PslJRwegc-z6tR8MxvT88keOhUP1wPazLvw/s400/IMG_0308.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding away from station number 3.</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfI_Q3vdn95xq0dZ3cLGu1aBu0bysAgy1aQutbv0Ux3STU2NyyIMk4h_6UCSR8-qF4E_mNYterj6V8hVwDuN6fc5ZQmA2OhP5erzG6oCObs0cba6ktH2EvDXn8n5Idiif26N78iXhQEt8/s1600/IMG_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfI_Q3vdn95xq0dZ3cLGu1aBu0bysAgy1aQutbv0Ux3STU2NyyIMk4h_6UCSR8-qF4E_mNYterj6V8hVwDuN6fc5ZQmA2OhP5erzG6oCObs0cba6ktH2EvDXn8n5Idiif26N78iXhQEt8/s400/IMG_0309.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onward, to the desert!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The stretch through Wupatki, between station 3 and 4, is beautiful, and I never seem to catch enough pictures of it. It also goes fairly quickly, as it's mostly downhill until about 2 miles before the next aid station. At this point, I was loving having the gears, as the miles were melting away, and I was staying in the big ring for the most part. I was making great time.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWwfngnNE7fdhkNkyX-cXEAWlqnRyEERq13I2kp0trggtdyX3r69tv8oVdt75DGEOX9ZSPAhgoBhTOQNYMfG3w9Sletj232qQ0Hjx9-vezAwg6avNbivdVy_RceNvxaq89shqRDZWLKI/s1600/IMG_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWwfngnNE7fdhkNkyX-cXEAWlqnRyEERq13I2kp0trggtdyX3r69tv8oVdt75DGEOX9ZSPAhgoBhTOQNYMfG3w9Sletj232qQ0Hjx9-vezAwg6avNbivdVy_RceNvxaq89shqRDZWLKI/s400/IMG_0310.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwLH-5lMQZ5OElGp-N1A3xWD0RGJzHYUi9EkykCh8NtSRxiA98WduQYflcdFZNsHVDIpIWq3TM17cZNToqROrGaQpBQyQTwplibSXj4DxF-U_qjwdeTmAU1zCin-qcFnra6SjG5LkP14/s1600/IMG_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPwLH-5lMQZ5OElGp-N1A3xWD0RGJzHYUi9EkykCh8NtSRxiA98WduQYflcdFZNsHVDIpIWq3TM17cZNToqROrGaQpBQyQTwplibSXj4DxF-U_qjwdeTmAU1zCin-qcFnra6SjG5LkP14/s400/IMG_0313.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxxOea8XjbIp6Z1qkBuWlib2hUEL_zqCrgAqu0ClAvkqHYHC18mQ6t9XXeR8H6WOvEVCc5gVnuQ4yZaH2rZjYP7TH7JeaGsaLuZ5dRVGtej34-G8QXGVZYGt8vTi6oba8GZiUSI8TzgA/s1600/IMG_0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxxOea8XjbIp6Z1qkBuWlib2hUEL_zqCrgAqu0ClAvkqHYHC18mQ6t9XXeR8H6WOvEVCc5gVnuQ4yZaH2rZjYP7TH7JeaGsaLuZ5dRVGtej34-G8QXGVZYGt8vTi6oba8GZiUSI8TzgA/s400/IMG_0314.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blurry picture of the painted desert. Shortly after this point, the road disappears from under you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And it really does drop. It's about 500 to 600 feet of elevation drop in about 2 miles. It's a 40 mile an hour drop. It is an absolute blast.<br />
<br />
After that, things start pointing uphill. I spent less time in the big ring, started moving slower, and for the most part, crawled into my pain cave, and ground away at the miles.<br />
<br />
At this point, I really couldn't tell a difference between doing this ride with gears or without. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvd-gjiphSaVcrPAwM7Q06vQUD5Ha_RrNlGoI6a6k2x2KzH1-zN9f6SjzyPQuIxM-CVoMVbOY64OOl96A1gwrA7VOCrUKIpxcxG7E83vgKZMaK3LZIa5halh3aNKE_u94aQvJjFUa1ok/s1600/IMG_0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvd-gjiphSaVcrPAwM7Q06vQUD5Ha_RrNlGoI6a6k2x2KzH1-zN9f6SjzyPQuIxM-CVoMVbOY64OOl96A1gwrA7VOCrUKIpxcxG7E83vgKZMaK3LZIa5halh3aNKE_u94aQvJjFUa1ok/s400/IMG_0315.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only difference was that the cockpit looked different this year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At this point... my camera decided the battery was dead, so no more pictures of the ride. But there were still high points to be had... like the guy at aid stop number 5 who was spraying people down with a water mister.<br />
<br />
That felt incredible.<br />
<br />
There's also a <a href="http://mshpics.zenfolio.com/p78428099/h2e4b1b09#h2e4b1b09" target="_blank">great picture</a> that the ride photographer took of me rolling in to the last aid station at the top of the climb out of Sunset Crater.<br />
<br />
But the best part was the finish. I hit rain at the bottom of Cedar Hill, which is the last obstacle of the ride, between me and the food at the finish at the hospital. The rain is my reset button, and I powered up Cedar Hill, and down the other side.<br />
<br />
Pizza, salad, and cookies were eaten, the rain stopped, Exe finished his driving rounds, and I rode home. Exe arrived shortly after, with the most delicious strawberry shake ever, to finish the ride.<br />
<br />
And after a shower, my nice comfy new bed was waiting for me.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7H_lhptP7cFqDOFTnCZIeky4d6xzXQ4YxWoVop6JfqWyaH0yK7ZdnPCl6UaJ06BiEQR4nwKnTik-jA3unPjrXMZvrDQi-bM5ymRyy5G9znmLwaCyY0IMjPcJ5H2oqUgpqrDWu-oJ5kE/s1600/IMG_0316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7H_lhptP7cFqDOFTnCZIeky4d6xzXQ4YxWoVop6JfqWyaH0yK7ZdnPCl6UaJ06BiEQR4nwKnTik-jA3unPjrXMZvrDQi-bM5ymRyy5G9znmLwaCyY0IMjPcJ5H2oqUgpqrDWu-oJ5kE/s400/IMG_0316.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It may or may not have a different hammock today than yesterday. >.></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While I can't say if gears were a good choice or not for the ride, I can definitely confirm that a hammock is the best way to relax <a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/793319" target="_blank">after a big ride.</a><br /><blockquote>
Mileage: None today, 102.something yesterday.</blockquote>Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-3613027973894274972012-07-02T20:05:00.000-07:002012-07-02T20:05:08.524-07:00Kickin' it on 66 Despite my lack of postage, there has been some riding happening. It's just that between the riding, the fact that life at work got very interesting, (In a good way so far...) and the urge to just completely zone out every time I sit down to blog... yeah.<br />
<br />
So... have some pictures of a couple of my bike rides in the past week.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRGZ8_FDao6hHMJ-RdKFP-zEPIQlP-eTazsV5E2E6cHdnEkyueRwIYspD99DQi4RKVKkB3hJFcnNzfpYz6Es0JaQxPdm1MxAVa9INCpxoGRqXPGj2ZJidwiEJ5O7-_05PGc5BJTfS6yo/s1600/IMG_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRGZ8_FDao6hHMJ-RdKFP-zEPIQlP-eTazsV5E2E6cHdnEkyueRwIYspD99DQi4RKVKkB3hJFcnNzfpYz6Es0JaQxPdm1MxAVa9INCpxoGRqXPGj2ZJidwiEJ5O7-_05PGc5BJTfS6yo/s400/IMG_0270.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming down Little Elden Springs Road, on my way around Mt. Elden after work.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6poEGytSrSbsdIFuMN5-dJr0bJCO1OYCjhK1m-N1UW9YTNxKjwyYcmQRxvN1nec_xNuHYF9oRsRmpuxqmpUujt7p5o81fpT2DYf47uNcBtxhfNE8i3utkJIvgCTX6L_28y0cfXq1xxk/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6poEGytSrSbsdIFuMN5-dJr0bJCO1OYCjhK1m-N1UW9YTNxKjwyYcmQRxvN1nec_xNuHYF9oRsRmpuxqmpUujt7p5o81fpT2DYf47uNcBtxhfNE8i3utkJIvgCTX6L_28y0cfXq1xxk/s400/IMG_0273.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I decided it would be a good idea to ride out to Bellemont after work one day... via some old Route 66 alignments.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCojWQ-WjRBjMauzR9vvbimxfefjeB_H1d0vPqQ93gXyBz8BiC2mpsgaWaWE3gNVMe5_W5HfI3eLpQL1RV-uTtZN5GqHD3YxNkrKcW2hw0lB5vW0uz3IAPjO3dKtUCNi4Gk_LnZnDd_g/s1600/IMG_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCojWQ-WjRBjMauzR9vvbimxfefjeB_H1d0vPqQ93gXyBz8BiC2mpsgaWaWE3gNVMe5_W5HfI3eLpQL1RV-uTtZN5GqHD3YxNkrKcW2hw0lB5vW0uz3IAPjO3dKtUCNi4Gk_LnZnDd_g/s400/IMG_0274.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old gas station along side old 66. I guess a scene from Easy Rider was filmed here?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudwwcR64RcnTaCeiMKj5xbVGpwdg1CUB91dnK-dcO-4P_fKmiHLkiQ4HCN7P0W4jxfNtgLS33TRypOUQ0yFkhPysReMGo_8_VQctKyInBj26XeY-7J4Du-9vmYp-aBKMLbCFmPX2nphs/s1600/IMG_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudwwcR64RcnTaCeiMKj5xbVGpwdg1CUB91dnK-dcO-4P_fKmiHLkiQ4HCN7P0W4jxfNtgLS33TRypOUQ0yFkhPysReMGo_8_VQctKyInBj26XeY-7J4Du-9vmYp-aBKMLbCFmPX2nphs/s400/IMG_0276.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking in the windows. Check out that register...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQDXiWD6uErd01urGCM4J-TfYww2RVidmaSqUC6WvGgT7L4BykXYbTS7n9WL3Kzn70SQMNuKlFsvd2owgJ5YbpbClVYpsMWURzhUgc8zxdPafLgO4oXsNeZLNYw1s6bO6oqDlnyWZqu8/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvQDXiWD6uErd01urGCM4J-TfYww2RVidmaSqUC6WvGgT7L4BykXYbTS7n9WL3Kzn70SQMNuKlFsvd2owgJ5YbpbClVYpsMWURzhUgc8zxdPafLgO4oXsNeZLNYw1s6bO6oqDlnyWZqu8/s400/IMG_0277.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old vending machines.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEx7y8vXbq2jQlPZbIMTLmfgFSuX-4PGyzLiQiC-7YJL7OdNlA4zzGB6gYVyTs2n6l2pDmSdzKoXWZJXA45LUKuhp8zUKg3rkjsN3gkNXmVGag3lE_r9a6PDOxAygOJSbB78AV7STg1E/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaEx7y8vXbq2jQlPZbIMTLmfgFSuX-4PGyzLiQiC-7YJL7OdNlA4zzGB6gYVyTs2n6l2pDmSdzKoXWZJXA45LUKuhp8zUKg3rkjsN3gkNXmVGag3lE_r9a6PDOxAygOJSbB78AV7STg1E/s400/IMG_0278.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some art where one alignment of 66 crosses another.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Route 66 is a road that for some reason captures me. I think a big part of it is that it's such a big piece of history that is tangible and very easy to access, in a physical sense. Finding historical information of it is another story, though. So of course... riding my bike on it is way too cool to me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXzpEHDhIFKZ8-zT_crbCv48CkPJe0h8UAbbmGtkXBiUmuvwbTzlHDtTpjfSqQJz99OTP2CXf5VePOJdkVT8D6WN-Jwj_dsEYWQ-PdtF67pMwkL5tOhg5_9zVrlQDowY7zBV-_yAImjU/s1600/IMG_0282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXzpEHDhIFKZ8-zT_crbCv48CkPJe0h8UAbbmGtkXBiUmuvwbTzlHDtTpjfSqQJz99OTP2CXf5VePOJdkVT8D6WN-Jwj_dsEYWQ-PdtF67pMwkL5tOhg5_9zVrlQDowY7zBV-_yAImjU/s400/IMG_0282.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today... When Safeway has a soda sale... I ride Henry. I love my bike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage:6.5</blockquote>Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-75646902612357841882012-06-19T15:50:00.001-07:002012-06-22T13:39:31.934-07:00And now for something completely ... different.Hello, again! It has been quite a while, but issues of late have given me a good reason to post.<br />
<br />
First up, new bikes! So far this year, all of my bikes have gotten makeovers, and I got a brand new bike.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Pugsley: </h4>
The Pugsley got a couple of upgrades. First off, an 11 speed Shimano Alfine hub. This was an upgrade that worked out in a trade with Polar Bear. So far, the hub is finicky, but a good upgrade. Specifically, the hub <b>needs</b> to be mounted in a very specific orientation. For example, my Pug has seat-stay cable routing which puts the hub into the wrong orientation. This caused the hub to "lose" certain gears. I was only able to surmise that the orientation has an affect on the fluid flow inside the hub, thus allowing it to work correctly in one orientation, and fail completely in another. All in all, a fantastic upgrade to put more life into my knees.<br />
<br />
I also found another frame crack in the Pug. Same spot (where the seat-stay is welded to the seat-tube), but on the non-drive side this time. Luckily, Surly is an awesome company, and warrantied the frame for me. So now I have a "Snow Blind" Pugsley with basically the same build as before, but without the rack. Don't need it with the Ogre. <br />
<br />
<h4>
Ogre:</h4>
I updated my Karate Monkey build to an Ogre frame, so that I could have a bit more of a commuter. Again, I did an Alfine hub, this time an 8 speed model to keep the price down. But this is a full-fender, mostly-slick-tire, bike with a Surly Nice Rack on the back so I can carry all my junk to work. So far so good. The 8 speed hub is less finicky, probably due to being dry inside.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Karate Monkey 2.0:</h4>
After having problems with the Pugsley, I found myself wanting a mountain bike, instead of being stuck on the commuter. At first, I was looking at just getting a Specialized as a "bog-standard" build, so that it would be easier to repair should I have problems. Unfortunately, it is hard to find the build I want on the size of frame I want due to my height. Eventually, I decided to just get a Karate Monkey in a custom build that would still be fairly standard, but that way I know the frame's fit and feel going into it. Absolute Bikes did a great job with it, and it is a blast to ride. The best feature I can recommend is the hydraulic brakes. They have amazing power without much effort, and a fair amount of feel. I'm sure more feel will develop as I get more miles in.<br />
<h4>
The bike Wall:</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrfPsoLLcjwdf_g7d0Y0ouHHdczR56x8nnYBZxBKck7QgJoxM6onk8IXb9-Dn2O5oAdEk9WEXrmrYO7WTp4fI8_Zzqv02SsivuShFbvRQnjwnl1dl13MBJpZG5d2TYcWBGyqTMkQW7u0/s1600/IMG_0347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrfPsoLLcjwdf_g7d0Y0ouHHdczR56x8nnYBZxBKck7QgJoxM6onk8IXb9-Dn2O5oAdEk9WEXrmrYO7WTp4fI8_Zzqv02SsivuShFbvRQnjwnl1dl13MBJpZG5d2TYcWBGyqTMkQW7u0/s320/IMG_0347.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Well, that's the big updates. Oh, yeah, I also crashed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAp1GgLQe4FCc06DE2mmWPd4eIiKBMV_EHksqAgwH-TFtvtsn9BmmhDnQb09TcSShHrHpGwM05ewfnxoVAiVfgEkb3Tz4LWUJxA4eL7dOIIcEYT-YjMqjVQpMIiRHtIH035nHMxMTkCfU/s1600/IMG_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAp1GgLQe4FCc06DE2mmWPd4eIiKBMV_EHksqAgwH-TFtvtsn9BmmhDnQb09TcSShHrHpGwM05ewfnxoVAiVfgEkb3Tz4LWUJxA4eL7dOIIcEYT-YjMqjVQpMIiRHtIH035nHMxMTkCfU/s320/IMG_0353.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Rocks just jump out in front of you, man.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage: Not enough. </blockquote>Exegetehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14675882876581778436noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-34705565096912640452012-06-16T14:43:00.001-07:002012-06-16T14:43:47.084-07:00And now for something completely... the same. The Absolute Team has started hosting a group road ride out Lake Mary Road on Saturdays, something that I looked at and said "Ehh... I'll give it a try, if I'm feeling up for it."<br />
<br />
Yes... a less than enthusiastic response, I know.<br />
<br />
It's not that I dislike road riding... my sufferfests up Snowbowl road point to the contrary. It's that I'd never ridden in a group with more than two or three people, let alone in a paceline with lots of folks. So I decided "Ehh. We'll see if I wake up early enough to meet up at Absolute to start the ride at nine."<br />
<br />
So, this morning, I woke up at 7:30, and started trying to come up with excuses not to go.<br />
<br />
8:35, and I was ready to roll out, having failed to rationalize my excuses.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhUTV2s2X5-xlWdl30wU3KKF9iBh_sHuQ7kxCsBtAz_AgT8ZwPVMEQtFcl3er8pDimMqf-Q8YckH_j0nZbGeSgawXbyms481v8q1DM9jQEFm04-pQ2-Lhia_LIYFKFK1Nbxb6-XbdqiI/s1600/IMG_0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhUTV2s2X5-xlWdl30wU3KKF9iBh_sHuQ7kxCsBtAz_AgT8ZwPVMEQtFcl3er8pDimMqf-Q8YckH_j0nZbGeSgawXbyms481v8q1DM9jQEFm04-pQ2-Lhia_LIYFKFK1Nbxb6-XbdqiI/s400/IMG_0264.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bikes, nearly all the way around the Mormon Lake overlook circle. I couldn't catch them all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The two other Absolute members and myself ended up hitching a ride with the Red Rock Racing team on the way out of downtown, and we set about riding. Pace lines are scary, and I had no idea how to rotate through the line at first. But after a while, I got the hang of it, though I was still unsure of it. It did start to get fun after a while, and I can appreciate the social aspect, which is a very nice change of pace from what nearly all of my riding has become... basically a solo endeavor. Though I'm not used to <a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/717552" target="_blank">covering so many miles so quickly.</a> I kind of wish we had gone farther.<br />
<br />
I'll do it again though. <br />
<br />
However nice road riding may be, there are some things that it can't do for me. Like <a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/715765" target="_blank">last Sunday's ride</a> up the Dry Lake Hills, and the scenery there.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AlORhv83yAJ4qavzO1T-NYDzGx9x564y1ZvrQDti6jNVCpIizoT0b9gD7UpEJhJ-WvOYn-jlRDFGKd1COy4HIdI6hULrLbaD-sDApR0veQRaO_zynmAf4H9XOHJGHv2CAviT7v5mJek/s1600/IMG_0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AlORhv83yAJ4qavzO1T-NYDzGx9x564y1ZvrQDti6jNVCpIizoT0b9gD7UpEJhJ-WvOYn-jlRDFGKd1COy4HIdI6hULrLbaD-sDApR0veQRaO_zynmAf4H9XOHJGHv2CAviT7v5mJek/s400/IMG_0262.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You've gotta admit... That's a nice view to have while you're eating lunch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage: 49.5</blockquote>Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-15392487591597098682012-06-03T19:02:00.000-07:002012-06-03T19:02:30.777-07:00Weekend Bike Related Eventery.Busy busy weekend, with not much riding, but much in the way of bike related happenings. That's ok, I made up for it with how much I rode last week after work, and I plan on doing the same this week.<br />
<br />
So, let's see here... *shuffles*<br />
<br />
Saturday was National Trails Day! I joined about 210 other people out near Woody Mountain Road, and we built out over 1.25 miles of Loop Trail! It was dry, dusty work, but I had a blast, and got to build some really pretty trail. This segment will join up with Soldier's Loop, and drops through Sinclair Wash, past some very scenic terrain.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnlmuh4FJowb7yN1xjwt6-aWx1Sstk444Et42eyJtXH7KPlFH7a9ePiLgCknOJ8ordNDj0U3GOAJ5GQt7e0VJ7VDuR8vw8KAnnSG-rYu7_wQt0w5rcSdLwul_RUVs03sePQ_NSUUrpO0/s1600/IMG_0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnlmuh4FJowb7yN1xjwt6-aWx1Sstk444Et42eyJtXH7KPlFH7a9ePiLgCknOJ8ordNDj0U3GOAJ5GQt7e0VJ7VDuR8vw8KAnnSG-rYu7_wQt0w5rcSdLwul_RUVs03sePQ_NSUUrpO0/s400/IMG_0205.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never expected to find a salamander on a trail day...</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHOtNIKIk4PF-9K4WInKBzFbAhS2-Xd9mobS3Mtf3ne8Kxpafx748OFkBMt1rBbjrv3CK1HfLSo9MRmrqHfkMRAZ6fVKjViQZrZY2kZNa5-J_hGh4n65k1ZIKYAegn5jIxHxgu6xw1NE/s1600/IMG_0206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHOtNIKIk4PF-9K4WInKBzFbAhS2-Xd9mobS3Mtf3ne8Kxpafx748OFkBMt1rBbjrv3CK1HfLSo9MRmrqHfkMRAZ6fVKjViQZrZY2kZNa5-J_hGh4n65k1ZIKYAegn5jIxHxgu6xw1NE/s400/IMG_0206.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under construction.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6yU3fUHvXwb01q99WMRiT6nCk58idf5rOk0hKiMyuoan1U8LHjp5uT1KHTGNBuznziGYc09jsDN-0JxpUbG06LHHUX_Zb7Q3cnvi7NnRzjKqkUrQhal3_KcY6H6TpPG_6LpiWmwu36Q/s1600/IMG_0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6yU3fUHvXwb01q99WMRiT6nCk58idf5rOk0hKiMyuoan1U8LHjp5uT1KHTGNBuznziGYc09jsDN-0JxpUbG06LHHUX_Zb7Q3cnvi7NnRzjKqkUrQhal3_KcY6H6TpPG_6LpiWmwu36Q/s400/IMG_0208.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let the dust fly.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxQSMljhdL2GYqBfJm1j1PHNEnqrhMMuao331kkScDOy52y0j9eyXgu7Mkz-ikYjeKUpNT2kk29fA1CGW5ECVIjJEKtD82DmP_r9Cbbogz36VjdTktHKz-Sm5jo7fqwsIk7KI78Z-shg/s1600/IMG_0209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxQSMljhdL2GYqBfJm1j1PHNEnqrhMMuao331kkScDOy52y0j9eyXgu7Mkz-ikYjeKUpNT2kk29fA1CGW5ECVIjJEKtD82DmP_r9Cbbogz36VjdTktHKz-Sm5jo7fqwsIk7KI78Z-shg/s400/IMG_0209.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anthony guarding the end of today's work. NONE SHALL PASS!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of course I rode the trail once all was said and done, which meant that Henry picked up most of the dust on the trail, mostly with the chain. So Henry got his annual chain scrubbing/lubepalooza, amidst testing the weight limits of the bike work stand.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SzGmaAJ6yesIuu1PGm5odhhcBJyrn128-FaOBn7Ocp-HjiMtNw75GIq1pWjIBfl72NCRm8cUd1bFZQoRYHTFokFF74NRB9yrdJvjpqRh1zX2r_P3r2msgjPau77us3dm8l2vEbg3r4E/s1600/IMG_0214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SzGmaAJ6yesIuu1PGm5odhhcBJyrn128-FaOBn7Ocp-HjiMtNw75GIq1pWjIBfl72NCRm8cUd1bFZQoRYHTFokFF74NRB9yrdJvjpqRh1zX2r_P3r2msgjPau77us3dm8l2vEbg3r4E/s400/IMG_0214.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH WHERE'S THE GROUND?!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I think that's the longest Henry's been off the ground since I built him. But soon Henry got tires back on solid ground and got to go back with the rest of the bikes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3i3iLpB0_0zlGaUp9RyUlPqEkh3Cec8hBoj0XNZFFWd_qLiTIhi9ZBk2BZ6FdOeVMHnGyauRjfbVswWrM0x6Bl-M1W32RdRrSqpKRZ01Ayjh8XvOQb9iGE5btYYiX5BQ6Lub_ZVKuQWY/s1600/IMG_0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3i3iLpB0_0zlGaUp9RyUlPqEkh3Cec8hBoj0XNZFFWd_qLiTIhi9ZBk2BZ6FdOeVMHnGyauRjfbVswWrM0x6Bl-M1W32RdRrSqpKRZ01Ayjh8XvOQb9iGE5btYYiX5BQ6Lub_ZVKuQWY/s400/IMG_0218.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is it me, or is it starting to look like a bike shop in here? (The three on the right are Jack's...)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today is the start of Flagstaff's annual <a href="http://flagstaffbiking.org/bike-to-work-week/schedule/" target="_blank">Bike to Work Week</a>, kicking off with the bike bazaar in Heritage Square, and the People Powered Parade through downtown.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqV61bOBbQvm0LvL73bu-1S8gZjNPe2ZH2-SU5ByaizVYOVjfTXukPzJjfkdqEQGwzcVD3Y-JX0m10iEs-lfg7yPZFkjdBZto4-kNyJR72tl49ExLDRdGZo4TG4SSuan-3bAFk1WJgIOM/s1600/IMG_0219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqV61bOBbQvm0LvL73bu-1S8gZjNPe2ZH2-SU5ByaizVYOVjfTXukPzJjfkdqEQGwzcVD3Y-JX0m10iEs-lfg7yPZFkjdBZto4-kNyJR72tl49ExLDRdGZo4TG4SSuan-3bAFk1WJgIOM/s400/IMG_0219.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey, it's the Bike Bar!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrPh2oEd3H53c0YfTr0WcmceVLQJpTIeBhVVQjqiZArIgfaUAWqpHGrXWShYUPBwjWwjG5OJsWcW7iv_hMX4WBg7KCBolqm5fF4dCAbCJZWNsuY2wewoQRA2fMjb_1aydSRcBS4guDEc/s1600/IMG_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrPh2oEd3H53c0YfTr0WcmceVLQJpTIeBhVVQjqiZArIgfaUAWqpHGrXWShYUPBwjWwjG5OJsWcW7iv_hMX4WBg7KCBolqm5fF4dCAbCJZWNsuY2wewoQRA2fMjb_1aydSRcBS4guDEc/s400/IMG_0223.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staging for the parade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0MytfWtYGodEckXEj0W26l2gO84E1lXC_xAdWw0wuwzZcCX5j_D8kyIqNLc0Ns1rO2KXYDwFMedsWwMPVf05Lk98FvGJ3Xr5neuzZ9KSEf0V2igDlRP-vWRS_xx_OX3vkZqjx0cBPV8/s1600/IMG_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0MytfWtYGodEckXEj0W26l2gO84E1lXC_xAdWw0wuwzZcCX5j_D8kyIqNLc0Ns1rO2KXYDwFMedsWwMPVf05Lk98FvGJ3Xr5neuzZ9KSEf0V2igDlRP-vWRS_xx_OX3vkZqjx0cBPV8/s400/IMG_0225.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we go!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmW7hB6-MW-dm8YlTRKbF0mfRRG6WO7HQGWi5WPs_WQPd2q18jVVv7s4lBHSyJsGB_Hm5zwpfQN9zlBfKbGj_ttqFjpbn7WMVf-pzCoh25C0a8kWRHMjcXdBOCkD4TKeTt-W3xVpRfCE/s1600/IMG_0226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmW7hB6-MW-dm8YlTRKbF0mfRRG6WO7HQGWi5WPs_WQPd2q18jVVv7s4lBHSyJsGB_Hm5zwpfQN9zlBfKbGj_ttqFjpbn7WMVf-pzCoh25C0a8kWRHMjcXdBOCkD4TKeTt-W3xVpRfCE/s400/IMG_0226.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't know dragons rode bikes...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9COMl36glKcMvt0M0lNVz5xIRFuta4rFY3puondgcLu39CH8HFWOynzj_JXBMI-g9miuKNk0VZly15Unazm6Hwti2Q3PaxkbRTgjXuA2_6hLYCAcB9B1TjIKXgo8LG0f6abMbFWovBg/s1600/IMG_0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9COMl36glKcMvt0M0lNVz5xIRFuta4rFY3puondgcLu39CH8HFWOynzj_JXBMI-g9miuKNk0VZly15Unazm6Hwti2Q3PaxkbRTgjXuA2_6hLYCAcB9B1TjIKXgo8LG0f6abMbFWovBg/s400/IMG_0230.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7VwUii_9p2ixXvJfyQ61tGq41BCrTjOQNLN9NVIDi7Xx2RPzQTeH8ABOHkA11tV1KOoIVvrMWM7riVrSi_ZzMO_ZDdHzNXJ806ck73cMaCNQP_FXjnwt1xU09qxX9mrmSBcy_t5sV7I/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn7VwUii_9p2ixXvJfyQ61tGq41BCrTjOQNLN9NVIDi7Xx2RPzQTeH8ABOHkA11tV1KOoIVvrMWM7riVrSi_ZzMO_ZDdHzNXJ806ck73cMaCNQP_FXjnwt1xU09qxX9mrmSBcy_t5sV7I/s400/IMG_0231.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_6C1V2qu1SMwf1pKvuqj8YuB5i1cl0T3CSCI2dwEiMCm2CpZehCIC50ryiMEEx2Z921NAp8fFBt3368Qe2sL_CJENvTzZ8ihMUuVuYPtuN-EoU6wFM0YF08KSGfuafS7P0wxG27hQsY/s1600/IMG_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_6C1V2qu1SMwf1pKvuqj8YuB5i1cl0T3CSCI2dwEiMCm2CpZehCIC50ryiMEEx2Z921NAp8fFBt3368Qe2sL_CJENvTzZ8ihMUuVuYPtuN-EoU6wFM0YF08KSGfuafS7P0wxG27hQsY/s400/IMG_0232.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Batman even showed up.</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DHuM5LcEtPHGsbjNSlG3pxKAtLYD8KlprsQpj3O5vIP_sr8rZCYjJR6ljXeIE9TlOEZsw_-MGqFJFChXnQ7_pcQZQDorE8wrRDHMSxRAss2b8XCyoyH6t2U_VDVahdDPwhsQ5O-nTYc/s1600/IMG_0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0DHuM5LcEtPHGsbjNSlG3pxKAtLYD8KlprsQpj3O5vIP_sr8rZCYjJR6ljXeIE9TlOEZsw_-MGqFJFChXnQ7_pcQZQDorE8wrRDHMSxRAss2b8XCyoyH6t2U_VDVahdDPwhsQ5O-nTYc/s400/IMG_0233.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8EO9Eu1Ff6ydt72FK73mG1M1VKO-tTZLsFvKcfAb03o66I73t9ybic2ATiznj7fowyDe8og0Tj6YcrIiDYSuoAg5MM1ByxCL3oGWCFXYVSe1fviBCCX6Br2iTb2rnwW_uq9zh2jLbNI/s1600/IMG_0234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8EO9Eu1Ff6ydt72FK73mG1M1VKO-tTZLsFvKcfAb03o66I73t9ybic2ATiznj7fowyDe8og0Tj6YcrIiDYSuoAg5MM1ByxCL3oGWCFXYVSe1fviBCCX6Br2iTb2rnwW_uq9zh2jLbNI/s400/IMG_0234.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pedallac! I see this around NAU now and then.</td></tr>
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After the parade, I took a leisurely cruise home. I was going to go out on a road ride this afternoon, but if the hour long nap I dozed off on is any indication, I probably needed the rest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCblL_51Q2fsL9XcgVrVm66rgAradvddA8gJr6sAjDhdWfzU2FYFUNVSY-VivxW1zFm1jzkJ83zo0_zJ7EKoHnZYCjZqfxWE0iYMq58-gP53GPp7b6NPJrU0KcD3eMVZbJGIzZVkw50z4/s1600/IMG_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCblL_51Q2fsL9XcgVrVm66rgAradvddA8gJr6sAjDhdWfzU2FYFUNVSY-VivxW1zFm1jzkJ83zo0_zJ7EKoHnZYCjZqfxWE0iYMq58-gP53GPp7b6NPJrU0KcD3eMVZbJGIzZVkw50z4/s400/IMG_0236.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stickerz!</td></tr>
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<br />
Another thing to come out of this weekend... I'm looking into becoming an <a href="http://www.imba.com/membership/nmbp/ambassador" target="_blank">IMBA volunteer trail ambassador</a>, as well as joining a mobile trail maintenance crew. Most of the things involved I already do informally, however there are classes and certifications and reports involved. We'll see. But after talking it over with Anthony, and reading up online a bit, it's something I'm interested in.<br />
<br />
As if I wasn't busy enough already.<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage:10.6</blockquote>Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-24964680007686394892012-05-27T21:06:00.000-07:002012-05-27T21:06:34.328-07:00Rage Riding Yeah, there's an interesting post title. Rage Riding. That is what I feel best describes <a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/666392" target="_blank">Thursday's</a> and <a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/668225" target="_blank">Friday's</a> rides this past week. This past week was a rough week, and I had some steam to blow off. What better way to do it than to hop on Tri, and push myself up hills with only one gear as fast as I can, while listening to angry music?<br />
<br />
Well, I'm sure there's better ways, but I know that riding works for me, especially mountain riding. It felt good to be back on the singlespeed hardtail, after riding Pretty for a few weeks. Full suspension is indeed nice, as is having thirty gears to sift through, I suppose. But, when I've got anger to burn off, I want something simple that I don't have to think about. Pedal if I want to move, pedal faster if I want to go faster, and only one suspension setting to poke, not three.<br />
<br />
Well, and Tri's a whole lot cheaper to repair if I decided to rail headlong into a tree, which was a very real possibility.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, I felt much better. The problems that lead to it in the first place are still there, but I'm in a better place mentally to deal with them.<br />
<br />
That said, having bounced back and forth between Tri and Pretty, they make a nice compliment to each other. Pretty helps my confidence to ride over stuff on Tri, which helps my confidence to bomb on Pretty.<br />
<br />
In other news, I saw another bike that I had to take a picture of, because of its owner's ingenuity:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ve2hyjAuFt_Hg-zVG5JpV08A9wWEHHY_ySV8AQxLDoJ-hef_YOfBXndSCu8aayc5XGZHnn1KMbwG2kziSbHPDE5pBrokaOfs8TOYHgpCSEJBuj4CtJVltFEC6os2HxJCEmBM1bxrL3w/s1600/IMG_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ve2hyjAuFt_Hg-zVG5JpV08A9wWEHHY_ySV8AQxLDoJ-hef_YOfBXndSCu8aayc5XGZHnn1KMbwG2kziSbHPDE5pBrokaOfs8TOYHgpCSEJBuj4CtJVltFEC6os2HxJCEmBM1bxrL3w/s400/IMG_0174.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm really diggin' the leopard print duck tape grips.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Believe me when I say I'm not making fun of the bike or the rider. I think it's awesome. I'd love to see it in motion, to see how the rear rack construction interacts with the rear suspension. The cat litter bucket on the bars works for quick access to items while riding, (I would use it for ammo storage for drivers on cell phones) though I'm curious why he has duck tape covered reflectors on the handle pointing backwards. The kickstand extension is clever, as is the horn placement. Only one brake, but it's on the front, which is the important one.<br />
<br />
I hope I see it around town, like some other bikes I have to admire for their riders ingenuity.<br />
<br />
Today I still had some rage to ride off, but I was calm enough to ride Pretty. The system trails were pretty busy, so I ended up <a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/672859" target="_blank">exploring some of the less commonly ridden trails</a>, including finding a trail I've been looking for for almost a year. Now that I have a GPS track of some of the non-system trails, I can add them to my paper map to keep with me.<br />
<br />
However, crowds or no, it was still a fun ride, and a beautiful day to be out riding. No wind, warm temperatures, and most people were pretty polite.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPZ3dI1KVQe4nUNd-t8qXPnXle8j3OIfEhilaToP-zy9boecO7dcXBVwsKl_tKmF7juz5Y0xDO4hVHCk6YQcYkemL-3KUUGxN4ETuZUHcZP7B7Luwzx8Q1p0BeCk0KXelXepvhA-sgL8/s1600/IMG_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPZ3dI1KVQe4nUNd-t8qXPnXle8j3OIfEhilaToP-zy9boecO7dcXBVwsKl_tKmF7juz5Y0xDO4hVHCk6YQcYkemL-3KUUGxN4ETuZUHcZP7B7Luwzx8Q1p0BeCk0KXelXepvhA-sgL8/s400/IMG_0175.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good views, too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPsgSK1V4xLhGJX2YupkBYnRL9ylbkdy_Nbyc-wGpp61CtQWcy060n2Glxoeo5HXB-xlo9oVhI8qnmcX838FkzMgbHuT5NfRgJS9qQXWMtd6ppO8lSSHUB8QaXi1OMywePAEE-6lCg9w/s1600/IMG_0180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPsgSK1V4xLhGJX2YupkBYnRL9ylbkdy_Nbyc-wGpp61CtQWcy060n2Glxoeo5HXB-xlo9oVhI8qnmcX838FkzMgbHuT5NfRgJS9qQXWMtd6ppO8lSSHUB8QaXi1OMywePAEE-6lCg9w/s400/IMG_0180.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very good views. Though, that bike needs a bath. Pretty's looking pretty dirty.</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8jiWjIrteq3hL3ZWT8Skngk6QljXKGUM6XOQjMK3nxpjm9z5kh9voSwYXj4dXCdh9MFNYq9oZC3RQjHjaJfSa2NjjTmiLdre0PsCkuqdXsTGk9Onp4fXcILihsBgNYfGVbc_gVDCvmg/s1600/IMG_0182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8jiWjIrteq3hL3ZWT8Skngk6QljXKGUM6XOQjMK3nxpjm9z5kh9voSwYXj4dXCdh9MFNYq9oZC3RQjHjaJfSa2NjjTmiLdre0PsCkuqdXsTGk9Onp4fXcILihsBgNYfGVbc_gVDCvmg/s400/IMG_0182.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tenacity... That rock's 8 feet tall.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtCNvnWOhVcpGiJioOPQnEW1FiF6a4_WSS2hOnAMgMZweB3Hnl1JljbwM4-uSMEa8kuyOUh9pAvNo9yXfqrLUwqd93y4625G93FdpLQHWiL3kP4k-5WtLlLIf__bbgcOCG1qgKK2LYto/s1600/IMG_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtCNvnWOhVcpGiJioOPQnEW1FiF6a4_WSS2hOnAMgMZweB3Hnl1JljbwM4-uSMEa8kuyOUh9pAvNo9yXfqrLUwqd93y4625G93FdpLQHWiL3kP4k-5WtLlLIf__bbgcOCG1qgKK2LYto/s400/IMG_0181.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closeup of the bloomin' cactus.</td></tr>
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The trail I had been looking for is called Easter Island, so named for the boulders along it. At one point the trail goes through a rock that split in half. I had heard other riders talk about it, and was always interested in riding it myself. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7l0onPMxHIc4kES0bfX1TInLxz8v57IScWWyq0AIUMg1muUl7ImwnADik09ER9D5cWdJvZvG_HF8V6lq7XDZ0bQCiYLzHXvopE8_uP1a7OaEGk5_3PCI2SIudb_QBkh6IPpb_jedJ5mg/s1600/IMG_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7l0onPMxHIc4kES0bfX1TInLxz8v57IScWWyq0AIUMg1muUl7ImwnADik09ER9D5cWdJvZvG_HF8V6lq7XDZ0bQCiYLzHXvopE8_uP1a7OaEGk5_3PCI2SIudb_QBkh6IPpb_jedJ5mg/s400/IMG_0183.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tight squeeze... just an inch on either bar end!</td></tr>
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I turned around and rode through the gap for real after the picture. All in all, a great day of riding today.<br />
<br />
And now I feel pretty good.<br />
<br />
Now to scribble on my map.<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage: 44.9</blockquote>Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1743082311524275891.post-36975206310253455372012-05-20T22:12:00.001-07:002012-05-20T22:12:07.391-07:00Welding helmets, eclipses, and bikes.There was an Annular Solar Eclipse today. An annular eclipse is where the moon moves in front of the sun, but is not large enough to completely cover it, creating a ring of fire. The coolest thing was that the centerline of the eclipse passed north of us, just to the south of Page. I had planned on going up there to see it, but decided not to.<br />
<br />
Instead, I strapped my welding helmet to my backpack, hopped on Surprise, and <a href="http://ridewithgps.com/trips/657576" target="_blank">rode up to Snowbowl</a> to see it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8Tvx2ki27Qfx38t_7EOn4YHW2VSU6QCNbGYB_yX4ZLcWuacmLwgmFiuGDAKWTz9sgh6EDF24R8dt4hPL6V3NKVfsL1qJqjkqzOtCKiqepqtlm1JT4S9yOr7ma4UVeawl2gpZ2_xdkRk/s1600/IMG_0158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8Tvx2ki27Qfx38t_7EOn4YHW2VSU6QCNbGYB_yX4ZLcWuacmLwgmFiuGDAKWTz9sgh6EDF24R8dt4hPL6V3NKVfsL1qJqjkqzOtCKiqepqtlm1JT4S9yOr7ma4UVeawl2gpZ2_xdkRk/s640/IMG_0158.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click for the big view!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was worth staying in town to see the closest thing to a total solar eclipse I'll probably see in my life. I really can't describe it any better than that.<br />
<br />
I took many more pictures, and I'll post them, once I'm done playing with them, as well as more rides to post about, but later. I just wanted to post a teaser before I went to bed and tried to sleep.<br />
<blockquote>
Mileage: 34.5</blockquote>Polar bearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13301168032438363418noreply@blogger.com2