Fat tires = fun

-
We get so caught up in the training and the numbers - going faster, going further -sometimes we forget what riding is all about. Mountain biking is about fun. getting out with friends, trying a few things over again, and the satisfaction of making it or the realization that it's going to take a few more tries. When you forget what matters with mountain biking is when you lose the joy of being one with the trail. Tuesday's ride was kind of ride that makes you remember why you start riding. The fun of just pedaling and being out amid sunshine and rain drops. There was no agenda with the ride, other than just have fun. It was a small but enthusiastic group that world away from Procycling, heading for red rocks and the promise of singletrack. We took advantage of the easy road pedal over to talk about basics and some techniques.

And then we hit the singletrack. Jen was the first, and only victim of the day doing some soil sampling sampling on the first switchback of Codell's. There always is that first crash on a brand-new bike and we were lucky enough to see it. As we approached the Hogsback, rain started falling - a light, gentle dusting of moisture enough to soak the skin and dampen the ground. Jen led up the Hogsback, followed closely by Lisa. I stayed behind Jeanette helping her work through a few of the smaller rock gardens on the Hogsback. She did really really well making more of the trail then she had in the past. The enthusiasm for actually making some of the technical sections was contagious and we all shared the excitement on the top of the climb. We stopped to session the large rock obstacle on the south end of the trail. I had a line on the right that Nick showed me, and Jen wanted to try it. She did awesome, launching her Camber up and over the rock. Despite the size of the rock face, she made it look easy. Craig wanted to tackle the left line, which looks easier but has greater consequences (and is actually harder) He tried it a few times and almost had it. I decided to work on both lines - having not done the left line in while I was a bit nervous! But I made it and kept the rubber side down. The quote of the day came from a couple riding with us - as she walked her bike through the rock garden, the lady smiled at us and said "My bike has muscle memory - it will remember this line when I get my courage up to ride it!" Awesome!
Craig trying the rock obstacle again - made it this time!

The group all smiles on top of the Hog's Back

We regrouped and headed north towards Inteman trail under a brilliant sun. Clouds layered to the east, but the sun drenched the rocks and city with vibrant colors. Gorgeous enough to distract us from the task at hand - the rocks of Inteman. I haven't ridden it in a while, so was more then happy to take up the rear. I didn't quiet remember what was coming, so it was like riding a new trail and seeing it with fresh eyes. Speed wasn't important, riding cleanly and smoothly was the goal. I still missed a few sections, but had the courage to try a rock section I'd never tried before. Slid off almost at the top, but gave it a solid go! Confidence to try was the key. Jen and the other women took a shorter route down - it was getting late and they needed to get going. Craig and I took a super fun trail down to the start of Roundup and then pedaled hard to catch up. I was surprised - made both rock slabs on RoundUp without blinking. A first time for that - usually I hesitate coming up on those. Too soon, the ride was over. But the smiles remained - and the feeling like little kids out playing in the rain.

(edited to add photos)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A long way on foot - Sheep Mountain Endurance Run

-
Image
Fifty miles is a long way - regardless of how you travel. As I was training and preparing for Sheep Mountain Endurance Run, I knew that it would be a long day - I knew that there would be ups and downs, that the plan would have to be fluid and goals adjusted mid-race. That is the nature of endurance sports and the people who achieve are the ones who can go with the flow and find the ability to turn things around if they do go south. Obviously, for my first 50, I was hoping for nothing but smooth sailing - with no dark spots, no demons and smiling the whole way. A girl can always hope, right? Runners assembled for the start Photo - Human Potential Running The sun was just starting to brighten the clouds as we walked to the starting line with nearly 100 other runners. The race director went through a few things, noting that there had already been some DNS's due to the elevation and to be smart. Smart... Most people would say smart would mean not doing something like a 50 mile ...
the full story...

Mortality

-
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention to arrive safely in a pretty and well preserved body; but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow! What a ride!'” - Hunter S. Thompson It seems such a trite quote, but true at the same time. Life is about the journey - the adventures along the way, the failures and successes. A life well lived is a person with stories to tell, taking the chances along the way that will provide fulfillment. You don't realize how close we are teatering to the edge until something happens that affirms our mortality.  In eleven years of practicing physical therapy in a nursing home setting, I've had my share of experiences with death. Never close though - far enough removed to be touched by the passing but not affected. Sometimes it's expected and everyone says "it's for the best. They are happier now." Other times, it's not and we are all shocked...
the full story...

Regaining my mojo

-
Image
I'll be honest. The two months between the middle of July and middle of September just about crushed me. Tired all the time, unable to muster more then a slug pace for most rides, and shuffling my way through my runs. It was the worst two month I've had - made worse by my continuing to try to push through the fatigue. So after Vapor I made sure that I would listen to my body and not pressure myself into training until I felt ready. No matter how long it would take, I would take the recovery I needed. Two weeks of minimal activity - short swims that were mostly just paddling around, very short runs where I didn't look at my watch at all and the easiest of rides imaginable. After those two weeks, I was still tired, but feeling better. Getting more like myself again, with a little more energy. That meant I needed at least another week of easy recovery! It was not the time to succumb to FOMO and start up with the big rides and hard runs again. So I behaved even more, knowing ev...
the full story...

Friends with the Monsters..

-
And the voices inside of my head.  As Saturday approaches, the voices - the demons - have begun talking to me. Sometimes a whisper, sometimes a scream. 54 miles. It's the distance from Colorado Springs to Lake Pueblo State Park. Or the top of Wilkerson Pass... A long bloody way to cover on two wheels, let along two feet! Yet that is my goal. Traverse the trails and roads west and east of Fairplay, covering more then the distance of two marathons. Theoretically, it should be nothing. After all, I've run back to back marathons many times - once getting both under 3:10. Fifty two miles, in just shy of 24 hours at a pace much faster then I'm planning. But in this ventures, I had time to recover between races and took the recovery seriously. Here, nothing but continuous forward movement. One step in front of the other, no breaks between efforts and the the clock doesn't stop ticking.  As Saturday approaches, those voices are getting louder. Ever doubting, ever questioning - ...
the full story...