schnauzers.ws

I did make one wrong turn and had to back track a bit, but it just adds
to the mileage anyway.  I’ve never really had any difficulty with this
section and today was no different.  Coming around every corner and
into a climb with speed.  It’s nice to hardly peddle the singlespeed up
the hill.  The water bars were awesome today and popping the Niner up
on them was a blast!

Into the corn fields for some more downhill with some nice jumps thrown
in.  The sun was now getting warm, but this part was still frozen and
fast.  I knew it wouldn’t last though.  Temps were expected to hit 50F
today and the mucky mess was sure to happen.  So I moved even faster to
get as much riding as I could in.  Of course, I had to stop and take
some pictures.  The sky was so clear and the sun was highlighting the
cornstalks just right.

Across the street and into White Clay things didn’t fare as well.  The
sun had already starting to bake the loam.  It’s not a long section of
field and I new the woods would still be frozen so I braved the muck.

Do I take the Lenape Loop to the right or left?  I go right towards the
church and end up crashing hard on this downhill covered in ice!

This is not a good sign.  It’s a funn downhill, but not sliding on your
ass half way down it.  I turn around and head up.  Now my ride will be
mostly uphill.  No big deal and at least the ice will not be a major
factor.  Even so, I still have to contend with some ice on the
downhills now and then.  Just take it slow, don’t make sudden turns,
and NEVER hit the brakes.

Now I come to the shortcut, but it looks very cold, so I continue heading up Lenape.

I still have to make a creek crossing but at least there are concrete
stumps to hop across on.  On the other side, the climb continues dry
and ice free.

Things flatten out a bit now and I am back with some speed.  My head is
punding from the climbs and need the break of a good downhill.  It’s a
short break that leads me to the bird sanctuary parking lot where I
meet up with some Delaware Trail Spinners getting ready to head out. 
I’m invited to join, but I’ve already been out two hours and I still
have to go shopping, so I point down the Lenape trail and take another
nasty spill on a 1/4 mile stretch of ice.

It’s not enough for studded tires but they sure would have helped.  I
cross the creek on slippery rocks and climb the church hill back to the
car.  A nice short ride, but fun none-the-less.

Elevation Profile:  http://www.schnauzers.ws/mrprofile.jpg

Satalite Image:  http://www.schnauzers.ws/mrsat.jpg

The trail was in perfect shape, as this one usually is in the
winter.  Hard packed and fast, even with the snow.  There
seem to be some foot traffic on it, something I haven’t seen here in a
while, which packed down the snow just enough to make out the
singletrack.

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As it was still below freezing, the melt from the previous afternoon
had frozen overnight.  This created an incredibly beautiful effect
throughout the whole forest.  Tiny icles shimmered like diamonds
in the sunlight.  The fresh smell of pine, the crisp cold air, and
the peaceful surroundings made it a winter wonderland.

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I was alone this morning.  No big deal having the entire place to
myself, but I wish others would have been there to see this first hand.

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At the far end of my out and back, I stop to collect my thoughts at the
pond.  The thin layer of ice that lay across it was tempting me to
through a rock, but I figure I’ll be back again this winter and want to
try riding across it.  So, I’ll let it be to freeze up.

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On the way back, I was coming around a corner very fast and didn’t
realize that I was at the boardwalk section.  I hit the first set
so fast I didn’t even realize it until I hit the brakes. 
Amazingly, I slid into a 90 degree turn on the boards and remained
upright.  I shaking and smiling at the same time.  The boards
were particularly trecherous today.

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A failure here would have meant a very cold seven miles back to the car.

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The sun had begun to melt things on the way back.  It’s amazing
how fast scenery can change.  What was once snow covered an hour
ago, is not anymore.  The icicles on the trees began to melth
creating a tropical rainforest effect in the woods.  It was a
truly beautiful day!

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We head off down the dirt road to the singletrack and so far, so
good.  Things are not quite frozen over as I would have hoped, but
the snow is keeping the sand down, somewhat.  However, I look down
at the drive train and the snow is already caked up pretty good. 
I should have brought the single speed, but my legs needed a litle rest.

We hit the singletrack and lay down fresh tracks.

Hoss bails out a little early, but we head on.  

It’s a little tougher than one might think.  The snow is wet, so
the resistance on the wheels is giving us a good workout.  

We ride the new trail to the purple trail.  The purple trail is a
good one, and it will be even better once it gets a little more
use.  Then it’s onto the Red Hat trail.  This is actually a
trail that goes up and down Mount Devious (all 40ft of it).  It’s
actually not too bad although it is still a little sandy because the
freeze has not set it.  My camera battery dies at this point
(don’t by generic batteries – stick with canon brand) and so I can’
show you the "Red Hat".  Our little way of turning this into our
own American Standard (no comparison – AS is the bomb).  Then it’s
down in between the tight pines, which is a great feature to add some
challenge to a non-technical trail.  We finish off with a long
boring rail ride back to the car.  At this point things are
melting, I am wet, and I can’t feel my toes.

another fun day!

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