Met Jim and Carla at the park at 7:30 a.m. today. I was still full from
last night's Mexican gut-busing feast they treated us out to. Then of
course I had to buy coffees and a cookie the size of a frisbee to guarantee
we met our week's calorie intake in one night.
We didnt' have a lot of time, and they wanted some fun downhill, so we
shuttled bikes to the Crestline trail head, got organized and set out. (I
wore a gorilla mask so none of my singlespeed friends could recognize me in
a shuttle rig) A beautiful morning, just like every other one all summer.
Not a cloud in the sky, about 62f, and quiet. Did I mention these guys take
their bikes *very seriously*? After adjustments, lubes, dusting for specs,
inspection for cable stretch, paint fade, rubber wear, expiration of spoke
nipples, you name it, they do it. We're finally rolling. ;~)
Dry singletrack about 3 feet wide, around a hill, up a steep pitch, and
we're pretty much on top of the first ridge in the foothills system.
Beautiful views, and we book it a good pace all the way out to the creek
crossing. Our Noe Yawkers follow me cross the dry, rocky creek bed without
any trouble. Lower the seats, and take them down Hull's Gulch. It's a fun,
narrow, occasionally technical stretch of 3.5 mi along the side of a creek
bed, and we're hoppin and poppin. Watch a dude biff right in front of me.
I'm a little worried for the guests, but they clean the ugly section with
just a few hollers. Is that dust on your bike, Carla??? <gasp>
Through the magic tunnel where vegetation has grown up so high on both sides
it's like a train tunnel, and we're hauling a$$, taking banked turns, having
too much fun. Carla's jumping everything she can, and I think Jim is, too.
Hard to keep my eyes on both of them and stay alive, too.
Yell at them to go left at the bottom, so onto another fun trail. Carla's
now in the lead, and the girl's found her groove. We're hustling. To keep
up, I bunny hop some rocks so I don't have to slam into them or ride around
them, but can just keep the rpms at red line. Yeehah!
Then I take em back a different way with still more jumps, keep pedalling
and we end up at the coffee shop. They're surprised everybody we met or
passed on the trails was grinning and looked relaxed. Hey, that's just how
it is out west, pardner.
Have another of many great visits, (really gonna miss these guys), and get
myself good-n-late for work. My boss is a lazy jerk who won't mind a bit.
His boss, Melinda, is another story, though. heheh.
Drive Jim up to get their rig still at the put-in, say adios, and bid these
folks adieu for now.
More coming. We had 2 other local rides, not counting the epic rides up
high country way. But I was hoping to have the pictures avail to post.
Should have them tomorrow. Until now, just use your imagination, boys and
girls.
paladin