schnauzers.ws

One (1) as in one gear and no suspension.

Work kept me in Southern California over the weekend, so it was time to take out the “remote office” bike.  I stare at it every I come here.  I curse it.  Why do you abuse me?  Why do you make me struggle?  Why do you make me so tired after riding you?  Why do you bruise my arms, back, and legs?

My destination was the San Juan Trail.  A steep, switchbacked, rutted, loose, and HOT trail.  I’m drawn to this place at least a few times a year, usually when I am in better shape and without all the Winter weight.

I arrived to a packed parking lot and the Ranger writing his tickets, as usual.  My adventure pass expired back in September, so I just let him know right from the start.  He pleasantly handed me the $5 ticket.  I don’t mind paying $5 for a day of fun.

I always run into people I have heard about or know.  Nothing different this time.  I over hear a conversation about a RV and a simulator.  I say, I know you!  The one and only FoldsInHalf.  I have studied this guys blogs for quite some time.  The ability to have a big old RV, my bike, and Internet to do work while traveling the Country has some appeal.  We exchange pleasantries and he heads up the hill with his friend.  I follow shortly after.  A gruelingly slow climb, but I make it to Table Top Rock.  Wasted and spent, I turn around and descend.  It’s a rough trail with suspension, it’s painful without suspension.

Back at the car, I realize the answers to my questions.

THIS!

My buddy Tim convinced me to go down to Pueblo for the day.  With muddy trails up north, the desert would provide the best environment for maximum fun.  I was hesitant at first, but that’s what days off are for.  Nothing beats an entire day of fun.

The lot was pretty empty as we arrived at Lake Pueblo State Park, but the sun was shining and we headed off.

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No, not the song by Motorhead.  Vegas!  Well, just outside of Las Vegas.  I had to do some evening work over the weekend in our data center, my bike flies free on Frontier (well, until June – that’s a rant for another time), and a little dessert desert would do me some good.

First stop was something new for me, Bear’s Best.  It seems the trail fairies had been busy since my last Vegas ridezvous, so I’d figue I’d press my luck.  Let ’em ride, so to speak.  Ok, enough bad gambling humor and onto the good stuff.

My last experience with Las Vegas Cyclery, was not that great.  I had rented a bike and well, it was a piece of crap.  That’s the main reason I brought one with me, instead.  Still, I wanted to give them another chance and I busted my CO2 inflater.  SO, I needed to get air into my tires anyway.  I purchased a new inflater, and chatted up about Bear’s Best.  Way to turn my bad experience around.  Not only did he spend time talking to be about the trail, he gave me a map and suggested I start the ride right from the shop.

A short ride later next to some really beautiful houses in Summerlin, and I was on my way.

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The are only 365 days in the year (Yes, I know leap year gives you an extra) and you don’t get to ride everyone of them.  I try and ride as many as possible.  Sometimes, I have to muddle through the procrastination of a cold and windy morning.  I’ve always ridden in Winter, even before fat bikes.  It’s just something you have to do, if you want to maximize your ride time.  This morning was no exception.

As usual, my procrastination the night before would have me start later than most would like.  With the Donkeys playing, most wanted to get home in time to watch the pre-game festivities.  I could really care less, since my team is not in the running.

Off to Buffalo Creek!  I knew conditions would be less than stellar as I hit the parking lot in the middle of a snow squall.  It ended and things evened out nicely.

It was a little challenging picking a route.  At first I was going to do Shinglemill to the CT and then down Kitty, but this would change as I started climbing Shinglemill.

SNOW GOOD!

ICE NO GOOD!

It was pretty much like that half the way up.  Ride a little, slip a little, try and walk a little.  It beat me down pretty good and thinking that Kitty faced east, I re-thought my route.  An early sun and instant freeze by late morning, did not equal fun.

I kept climbing taking in the views.

Things started to get a little better at the top.

I wasn’t convinced.  Given the amount of traffic before me on the trail (though, I only ran into two people all ride), I figured the Colorado Trail would be an icy  disaster given the warm temps yesterday and all of the shade. I hate to say it, but I think all these big tires are actually creating more ice.

I decided to shorten things up and head down Morrison Creek.  Seems like only one other had done that since the last snow, which made for some interesting crusty ruts.

Even with the rut, the trail was in beautiful shape and ended up putting a big smile on my face. Well, except for the normal icy patch on 543, which I knew would be waiting for me.  You’d think by now, I would hike up the woods and go around it.  Nope.  Pedal, pedal, BOOM.  Flat on my back and then I had to crawl with the bike to get off the ice.  Still, a good day.

Weatherman launches the usual propaganda.  “Just one to three inches”. he says.  After shoveling snow in intervals all day on Saturday, I refused to buy into the talking head’s agenda.  Surely, Sunday will be better.

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