Joined
·
4,431 Posts
Did another solo ride today. I really do love riding with the company of friends. But the beauty of the solo can't be topped. Except this time there was a twist.
Here is the scene.
Got word that my wife would be home a little earlier than usuall, so I instantly stated getting ready. I began fueling my body and my lights in preperation for a long day/night ride. My plan was to basically duplicate a ride that I did with BrianC, J.C, and Mike Z. in the L.W. The goal was to get as deep into the ride as day light would allow before switching to the lights. There are some trails out there that you just do not want to bw on at night. Especially alone.
The ride.
I pull into the parking at about 2:30gear up, and am rolling at about 2:40. All feels good as I hit the first section of single track. The weather is relatively warm, the trails are tacky, and there seems to be less leaves on the ground. My plan is working as I am just hammering through section after section. Moving deeper and deeper into the route. The trails are getting more and more technical, but thats fine because I am feeling so strong. I start to bask in my own glory, when all of a sudden I hit a big stick, and tear off my hanger. I just broke cardinal rule number 1. Never act or feel like you are invinsible on a MTB ride. Karma calling, can I speak to Greg?
The derrailuer is a little bent as well. I start installing a new hanger as quickly as possible. Once that is done I begin to dial in my shifting again. At this point I am right before THE most technical trail on the route, The "Beaver Trail". and it is starting to get dark. I really wanted to be well past this point before having to switch on the lights. Anyone who has ridden this trail knows how technical it is in the day light, so they can feel me . I start to weigh my options and decide to just man up and ride the route I had planned.
The night ride.
Beaver Trail at night is as cool as it gets. I say this now in the comfort of my home while sipping hot tea. In all honesty it was fun. But a little scary as well. I was deep in the woods alone. There were tons of moths out because of the warm temps. Plus it was misting a bit as well. The ride turned out to be one of my better night rides. Usually I tend to stick to easier trails for my solo night rides, it was real cool to take the stakes up about 20 notches for tonights ride. Just to up the anti further I threw in "chicken soup" for good measure.
I sit here thinking about tonights ride with a smile, but in the grand scheme of things it wasn't the smartest thing I have done. I have two little girls all tucked in their beds, and no ride can make me smile more than they can. Good thing the ride season is coming to an end?
Greg
Here is the scene.
Got word that my wife would be home a little earlier than usuall, so I instantly stated getting ready. I began fueling my body and my lights in preperation for a long day/night ride. My plan was to basically duplicate a ride that I did with BrianC, J.C, and Mike Z. in the L.W. The goal was to get as deep into the ride as day light would allow before switching to the lights. There are some trails out there that you just do not want to bw on at night. Especially alone.
The ride.
I pull into the parking at about 2:30gear up, and am rolling at about 2:40. All feels good as I hit the first section of single track. The weather is relatively warm, the trails are tacky, and there seems to be less leaves on the ground. My plan is working as I am just hammering through section after section. Moving deeper and deeper into the route. The trails are getting more and more technical, but thats fine because I am feeling so strong. I start to bask in my own glory, when all of a sudden I hit a big stick, and tear off my hanger. I just broke cardinal rule number 1. Never act or feel like you are invinsible on a MTB ride. Karma calling, can I speak to Greg?
The derrailuer is a little bent as well. I start installing a new hanger as quickly as possible. Once that is done I begin to dial in my shifting again. At this point I am right before THE most technical trail on the route, The "Beaver Trail". and it is starting to get dark. I really wanted to be well past this point before having to switch on the lights. Anyone who has ridden this trail knows how technical it is in the day light, so they can feel me . I start to weigh my options and decide to just man up and ride the route I had planned.
The night ride.
Beaver Trail at night is as cool as it gets. I say this now in the comfort of my home while sipping hot tea. In all honesty it was fun. But a little scary as well. I was deep in the woods alone. There were tons of moths out because of the warm temps. Plus it was misting a bit as well. The ride turned out to be one of my better night rides. Usually I tend to stick to easier trails for my solo night rides, it was real cool to take the stakes up about 20 notches for tonights ride. Just to up the anti further I threw in "chicken soup" for good measure.
I sit here thinking about tonights ride with a smile, but in the grand scheme of things it wasn't the smartest thing I have done. I have two little girls all tucked in their beds, and no ride can make me smile more than they can. Good thing the ride season is coming to an end?
Greg
