The Ladies at the top of the trail. Milliken, Mike Hicks, Andy and I met up at the turn off for Camp Pearlstein up Copper Basin Road at 4:30. The girls ride isn't until 5:30, so I though I would get in some extra miles with the guys before the ladies showed up. We headed up #393 though Pearlstein which is also the same trail used for the Whiskey Off-Road held in April. Mike lives in Fountain Hills and works up here during the week. We take him out mtn biking with us during the week and show him new and exciting trails. This is Mike's first time on #393 and we thought he would have a good time on this one.
We start up and of course Milliken and Andy are setting a "blistering pace"... I just take my time knowing I will have to do this again with the girls in less than an hour. We are riding and I am staying closer than usual so I'm thinking, "this is awesome!" I made it over a section that usually I have trouble with. Today, I just rode over it like it wasn't even there and thought to myself..."what the heck... why was this so hard before."
We get to the top just before you drop down to the road. I decided I would turn back and meet up with the girls. To my surprise everyone was actually early this time. We pulled away from the parking area just 7 minutes after 5:30! We start up and I tell the newer people that have never been on this trail to find a gear to climb in. They look at me like "what ... climb, there's climbing on this trail".
Since it was my idea to do this trail, I was the leader. Which means I get to set the pace! :) We start out and the first corner is a little "techy." I make it around and stop at the top and give support to the rest that are coming. Telling them to stay left and pedal... out of the 7 we had I think 4 made it.
After each climb I would stop at the top to regroup. Once the last person had a couple of minutes I would check with them to see if they were ready and if they gave the thumbs up, we were off... which means not a lot of talking on this ride. Everyone did a great job. No one was complaining and they were all looking forward to the down hill. There's a couple of newbs that are getting stronger each ride and able to do more rocks... I better watch out, they will be my competition next year on the Whiskey!
There was a water fall section that really looks scary and intimidating, but really, it isn't that bad. I ride over it, and then wait for the rest shouting encouragement. Most would ride up to it, look over the other side and some of the brave ones would go back and ride over it again, others opted the safer approach...and walked it.
This is Mike having "a good time".At the top, we met up the guys who rode on up to the top of the Aspen Trail while I went back for the girls, which is still part of the Whiskey, and do the water bars section. They were coming back down as we were just getting to the top. This section is difficult. Going down no problem.. you just ride off the steps, but coming back up you can run out of gas real quick. (The picture of Mike above shows the water bars.)
We, the girls, regroup take a couple of photos and then we head down. It was a really good ride this week. Not a lot of talking and everyone was willing to try a new trail.
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