R
Ride-A-Lot
Guest
[Inline: http://tinyurl.com/g4gcy]
First things first, no laughing. I only did 7.14 miles today which was
a big enough disappointment for me. Now the excuses...
1. First time on this trail and no one with me.
2. No lungs. Legs were fine but the lungs couldn't take it.
3. Damn water bars on the climbs.
Now the good stuff. Having wanted to ride on Saturday, the real estate
agent kept me busy the entire day so Sunday was going to be the ride
day. I had checked the Internet for people or groups riding in the area
(I hate riding unknown trails alone), but they were all heading to
Summit county. I thought this would be a bit too much at this point, so
I opted for what I thought was an "easy" trail. Since Golden is where I
am looking for permanent residency, I thought I would ride one of the
local trails - White Ranch. It was considerably smaller than Golden
Gate State Park and by the looks of the trail map, everything looped
around. In other words, no getting lost.
I guess my first mistake was not knowing where to park. I opted for the
top of the mountain lot, but it looks like most people to the fire road
climb up Belcher. Oh well, save it for next time.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3791.jpg
the views from the parking lot instantly reminded me of why landing a
job in Colorado was so special. This ain't New Jersey!
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3792.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3793.jpg
A quick look at the trail map and I choose Rawhide to meet up with
Longhorn. So far so good as it is mostly down hill.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3794.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3795.jpg
A Doe and her baby were running along side me for a good 300 yards.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3799.jpg
Although the first thing I figured was that an "easy" trail in this area
is an intermediate trail in New Jersey. Rolling the rocks and water
bars on the way down was not a problem.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3801.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3802.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3803.jpg
At the fork of Longhorn and Shorthorn, I chose Shorthorn. Again some
down and then a rocky up which I couldn't figure out the line. Although
now looking at the photo I can see it.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3804.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3805.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3810.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3811.jpg
I continue on Shorthorn until just before Belcher and take in the
moment. The trail was empty (saw about four riders and two hikers).
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3812.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3813.jpg
Then the climb begins and never seems to end. Starting with Belcher.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3815.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3820.jpg
Then to Mustang which was a pain in the ass! What happened to using
switch backs instead of stinking water bars? I was doing great and then
all my owies (and there were a few) were do to falling trying to climb
the stupid water bars!
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3821.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3822.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3823.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3824.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3825.jpg
Now I make a mental note to myself... This would be a blast going down!
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3827.jpg
This little guy landed right at my feet after one of my water bar incidents.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3829.jpg
Then I come to the longest boardwalk trail sanitization I have ever seen.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3830.jpg
I then tie back into Belcher and then a beautiful meadow singletrack
ride on Sawmill back to the car.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3831.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3832.jpg
My legs kept saying go, go, go, but my lungs had given up. Another week
and I should be more acclimated.
Here's the GPS stuff:
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/wrjpg.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/wrpr.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/wrsat.jpg
--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws
First things first, no laughing. I only did 7.14 miles today which was
a big enough disappointment for me. Now the excuses...
1. First time on this trail and no one with me.
2. No lungs. Legs were fine but the lungs couldn't take it.
3. Damn water bars on the climbs.
Now the good stuff. Having wanted to ride on Saturday, the real estate
agent kept me busy the entire day so Sunday was going to be the ride
day. I had checked the Internet for people or groups riding in the area
(I hate riding unknown trails alone), but they were all heading to
Summit county. I thought this would be a bit too much at this point, so
I opted for what I thought was an "easy" trail. Since Golden is where I
am looking for permanent residency, I thought I would ride one of the
local trails - White Ranch. It was considerably smaller than Golden
Gate State Park and by the looks of the trail map, everything looped
around. In other words, no getting lost.
I guess my first mistake was not knowing where to park. I opted for the
top of the mountain lot, but it looks like most people to the fire road
climb up Belcher. Oh well, save it for next time.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3791.jpg
the views from the parking lot instantly reminded me of why landing a
job in Colorado was so special. This ain't New Jersey!
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3792.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3793.jpg
A quick look at the trail map and I choose Rawhide to meet up with
Longhorn. So far so good as it is mostly down hill.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3794.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3795.jpg
A Doe and her baby were running along side me for a good 300 yards.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3799.jpg
Although the first thing I figured was that an "easy" trail in this area
is an intermediate trail in New Jersey. Rolling the rocks and water
bars on the way down was not a problem.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3801.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3802.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3803.jpg
At the fork of Longhorn and Shorthorn, I chose Shorthorn. Again some
down and then a rocky up which I couldn't figure out the line. Although
now looking at the photo I can see it.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3804.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3805.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3810.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3811.jpg
I continue on Shorthorn until just before Belcher and take in the
moment. The trail was empty (saw about four riders and two hikers).
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3812.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3813.jpg
Then the climb begins and never seems to end. Starting with Belcher.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3815.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3820.jpg
Then to Mustang which was a pain in the ass! What happened to using
switch backs instead of stinking water bars? I was doing great and then
all my owies (and there were a few) were do to falling trying to climb
the stupid water bars!
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3821.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3822.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3823.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3824.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3825.jpg
Now I make a mental note to myself... This would be a blast going down!
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3827.jpg
This little guy landed right at my feet after one of my water bar incidents.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3829.jpg
Then I come to the longest boardwalk trail sanitization I have ever seen.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3830.jpg
I then tie back into Belcher and then a beautiful meadow singletrack
ride on Sawmill back to the car.
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3831.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/IMG_3832.jpg
My legs kept saying go, go, go, but my lungs had given up. Another week
and I should be more acclimated.
Here's the GPS stuff:
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/wrjpg.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/wrpr.jpg
http://www.schnauzers.ws/images/062506/wrsat.jpg
--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws