RR: New Trail, Sans Shoesies

[Anthony Sloan]

So Reimer's Ranch is gonna be opened up to mountain bikers. Some dedicated trail builders have spent
the last two months putting in a very sweet 12 mile loop. We did a sneak peek preview ride out there
this morning. There were about 7 of us. I drove out there and realized on arrival that I had left my
shoes on the porch from last night's ride. Luckily X-Ray had a set of flat pedals, so I kept my
light hikers on and hit the trail. I have been on clipless pedals for well over a decade. Lemme tell
you, in case for some reason you were doubting, there is definite benefit to clipless! I especially
noticed it on technical climbs and going off of ledges. I also had no idea how much I am used to
using my feet to move the bike around.

The trail was uber sweet. rolling through open oak scrubland, with some nice transitions, tasty
little pockets of technical chunkiness and some nice "open up the bike" sections.

I snapped a few pics, none of trail though. There is a gorgeous grotto out there. Should be perfect
for post ride swims.

http://www.anthonysloan.com/reimers1.jpg

http://www.anthonysloan.com/reimers2.jpg

http://www.anthonysloan.com/reimers3.jpg

http://www.anthonysloan.com/reimerscave.jpg

 

[Bb]

On Fri, 02 May 2003 11:56:01 -0500, Anthony Sloan wrote:
> I drove out there and realized on arrival that I had left my shoes on the porch from last night's
> ride. Luckily X-Ray had a set of flat pedals, so I kept my light hikers on and hit the trail.

I carry a set of flats now for that very reason. Doesn't help much if you're wearing
sandals, though!

> I have been on clipless pedals for well over a decade. Lemme tell you, in case for some reason
> you were doubting, there is definite benefit to clipless! I especially noticed it on technical
> climbs and going off of ledges. I also had no idea how much I am used to using my feet to move
> the bike around.

I've ridden flats on rental bikes, it drives me nuts. My feet are always coming off the pedals
during techncail stuff.

> The trail was uber sweet. rolling through open oak scrubland, with some nice transitions, tasty
> little pockets of technical chunkiness and some nice "open up the bike" sections.

Sounds like your trailbuilders did a great job!

> I snapped a few pics, none of trail though. There is a gorgeous grotto out there. Should be
> perfect for post ride swims.
>
> http://www.anthonysloan.com/reimers1.jpg http://www.anthonysloan.com/reimers2.jpg
> http://www.anthonysloan.com/reimers3.jpg http://www.anthonysloan.com/reimerscave.jpg

Really nice. I don't remember anything looking like that when I was San Antonio, but I probably
wasn't looking for much beyond margaritas.

Good stuff!

--
-BB- To reply to me, drop the attitude (from my e-mail address, at least)