.....
- I was mostly clean until the final downhill (right after the final climb that kicked my ass) - but I've been working on this descent for ~2 yrs, trying to clean up all the fallen trees. Today it was evident that someone else had been through it recently and cleared it completely. It still has some sketchiness (esp when wet) and small-ish logs to it, but it was clear sailing top-to-bottom! But I got soooooo muddy at speed people who saw me after were just...😒 😄
...
-F
I went for another mixed terrain heat test ride 🥵 .
I think the heat index was 102-107F (93F, humidity=infinity). I felt fine, but it really slowed me down.
...such that I was still out when the thunderstom, that I had planned to avoid, hit. I could see the lighting and clouds rolling in and I knew I was on a collision course. There were other people out riding - like families and casual riders - who did not seem aware of what was about to happen. Those folk usually avoid mud puddles and storms, but they were out there. I didn't keep tabs on them.
When I reached my final climb (the descent mentioned above), I settled in and started grinding my way up. Lightning cracked across the gap in the trees above me. A little farther and the temperature started to drop. A welcome misting drizzle began and I was somewhat re-energized.
Then the skies opened. ...like riding in a shower. It felt heavenly after 3 hours of scorching heat.
But I wasn't done yet.
The climb had grown in a bit since last time when I came down it.
It also suffered from some accelerating erosion which caused some large trees to topple over and block the trail.
So at one point, I got out my little saw to clear a path for a bike. ...did my good deed for the day in the pouring rain and hopefully scored some trail karma.
Back on the bike and 200 yds later a HUGE tree has everything blocked. I had to saw my way through that one just so I could fit my bike through. What a tangled mess!
Back on the bike again and the water is now running past me down the hill in several small streams (this is an abandoned road - wide, but not "built" as a trail, with a mess of weeds and scrub).
I have to negotiate larger and larger ruts that had washed out since my last time.
Near the top it starts to flatten out but the trail is almost completely grown in again!
I am plowing through thistles and queen anne's lace among lots of other pointy things.
I have to hold my fingers behind my brake levers to stop the foliage from squeezing them.
The rain stops but I'm still getting slapped with wet leaves and branches.
My forearms have been raked with thorns. The fine scratches make my arms look all bloody - esp mixed with all the water.
I finally emerge but I almost fall off the trail! The edge is gone! Washed away. One little rock saved my tire from slipping off.
From there it's about 1.5 miles of rural roads to the cookout I was going to.
A quick shower, a couple beers, and some pulled pork put me right!
...and my bike was clean. 😁
But that trail won't ever be the same unless someone with a BIG saw goes through it. Bummer.
-F
