The Fruita/Moab Ride

Trip:  Fruita Colorado 

Riders: 4 Steve, Micki, Brooke and Andy

Trails: Mary's Loop, Horsethief Bench, Moore's Fun, Mack Ridge, Lions Loop and Steve's Handcuffs

On Wednesday evening we headed out to meet up up with Sticki in Moab.  Our area was under a high wind advisory for the next few days.  No worries, we were headed out of town to go ride in Colorado and Utah.  On our travels we had to pass though the Navajo Indian Reservation in the NE corner of Arizona.  The wind was packing a punch.  Can you say "dust storm?"  At times you couldn't see the road in front of you.  ADOT even brought out the snow plows to clear the roads form all the accumulated sand and dust.

10:30pm Wednesday night - we pull into the RV camp grounds that Sticki laid claim to.  It was great, everything was set up for us when we arrived.  Sticki claimed perfect timing on our part.  We agreed of course, but not planned.  All we had to do was hop into bed and get some shut eye.  Early Thursday morning we were all awoke by the thunderous revving of rock crawlers @6am.  Not the best way to start the day on a trip.  I came outside to see what the heck all the commotion was.  To my amazement, it was a gathering of hillbillies straight from Idaho.  Pocatello no less.  I was familiar with these kinds, heck, I grew up just 40 miles north in Idaho Falls.  They were finishing up their 5 days of rock climbing and were packing up and heading out.  The only thing missing was the breaking of beer bottles and gun shots into the air.

We broke down camp and headed into town to get a bite to eat at the Jailhouse Cafe.  The weather was partly cloudy,  a little breezy, we'll see if it holds.   We called a shuttle service to take us up to the top of LPS-Porcupine Rim. While on the phone we asked what the weather and conditions are like.  The driver said it had just snowed up top and was cold at the LPS trail head.  As we ate, the weather started to take a turn for the worst.  We paid our bill and headed to a local bike shop to kill some time to see if it would clear up.  It did not so we bailed on Moab and headed for better conditions in Fruita.

We made a pit stop at the local convenience store to use the restroom and get an energy drink.  A" Rockstar Recovery Drink" to be more specific.  While purchasing this certain beverage, the clerk offered me a rather large ROCKSTAR sticker.  Knowing that this is Steve's drink of choice, I ran up to his vehicle showing him what I just had scored like a hunter coming back from a kill.  Not to be out done....Steve opened his door and ran inside to get his Rockstar and sticker.  But, something was wrong.  The clerk wasn't sure if he had another one to hand out.  He was digging frantically looking for and extra one to give Steve.  But there was none.  Steve's brow was now sweaty with anticipation of such a prize.  Could he handle the suspense?  Was he going to walk out of there a winner? His eyes eager....his palms sweaty......his mouth watering, waiting to savor the most desired of all beverages known to "Stevekind."  Seconds then minutes passed.  And finally, the clerk finds one last sticker.  You could almost hear the breath of air being let out of Steve's lungs.  A sigh of relief if you will.  Now happily walking out of the AmPm with a certain "swagger." A Rockstar in one hand and a sticker in the other......he has come back from the "hunt" successfully.  At least that's the picture in my mind of how things went down in the AmPm.

Once in Fruita, it looked more promising.  We got to our campsite, set up and looked for an opportunity to go ride before the sun sets.   Now,  I had lived in Fort Collins Colorado for a little over 4 years , so strange weather was nothing new.  But this was ridiculous.   Every 30-40 minutes was something different.  Sunny and windy, then it would rain, then snow, then clear up again.......global warming, more like global whining.  

We decided to make a run for and hit the Kokopelli Area next to the Colorado River.  We pulled into the parking lot and it was snowing.........sideways.  Out of the Subie and gearing up, riders were coming off of the road that leads to the trail head.  Brooke asks them what its like?  They respond with " it's cold and blustery!"  You could see the horror in her eyes.  She's looking at us like we're crazy.  Well, we are........ Nothing was going to stop this ride, well, except for Brooke's fear of the word "blustery."  "Did you hear them! they said blustery.  That means it's cold"  Brooke was contemplating on going on this perilous adventure.  Alas, she decide to go.  A quick pedal up and over a bluff and the weather had changed.  It was still overcast, but the snow had stopped and was starting to warm up a little.

We took Mary's Loop to the Horsetheif Bench junction.  It's a rocky descent down to the start of Horsethief.  Steve and Micki rode it about half way.  I only made it down about 1/4 of the way.  I didn't want to be out of commission on the first day for the rest of the trip.  

Here's Brooke coming off a slab of slick rock on "the Bench."   

Steve on his rigid single speed tackling a tech section.  The loop was short and fun, about 10 miles in all.  This was just enough for today and to see what Fruita had to offer.  We headed back to camp for some snacks and something warm to drink while enjoying the warmth and celebrated his birthday.  

We gave him a Subway meatballs box and in it was a fine plethora of cards and gifts.  With a puzzled look on his face, he dove right in.  One of the cards had a picture of the helmet we bought for Steve, unfortunately it didn't arrive in time for the trip.

Looks great Steve!  We told him he could just tape it to the front of his current helmet and know one one would really notice because it's so stylin'.  But wait.......there was one stand out gift....The shirt that would top them all.   This is Steve's new moniker.  Only because rules apply to mountain bike riders, "except" for Steve, and because he's the punisher on rides.  Happy Birthday Man.

Friday, the weather  looked some what promising, but you guessed it,  it turned out to be a repeat of yesterday.  With the Fat Tire Festival going on in Fruita,  we made a quick stop at one of the local bike shops to pick up a copy of " Fruita Fat Tire Guidebook."  It was most helpful determining what trails we could do weather permitting.  We also hit the Pivot tent so Micki could find out what the scoop was with some local trails that her co-workers may have done.  It seems that the "Bookcliffs" area was on the list today, out on 18 Road.  Kevin, a co-worker decided to meet us at the trailhead at the base of the Bookcliffs.  The parking lot was jammed full, it turns out, everyone else decide to do this section too.  

With other storm fronts on the horizon, we head out on Prime Cut rather than take the road like everyone else.  We came to ride single track, not the road, sheesh.  Once on Prime Cut, the wind started to blow "fiercely."  Then right on cue, the snow was falling.  I was thinking to myself," I hope that the weather clears up, because it will suck if it stays like this."   Proof!

We rode on the trail for a little ways and we all ducked behind a fairly large Juniper tree to brush ourselves off and put on jackets and weather gear.  The snow was building up on our helmets and handlebars rather quickly.   Peddling again, we hit the junction of Chutes and Ladders and just like that,  Mother Nature turned off the snow and let the sun shine down on us.  At the upper parking lot,  other riders said that they had ridden some of these trails earlier in the week and gave us a few options.  We discussed which trail to take next as we pulled off the layers of clothes that we just put on 15 minutes earlier.  Joe's Ridge, since some other riders had started up another section called Frontside, but turned around because it was too muddy.

Joe's ridge was a nicely groomed, fast rolling single track with a little climb up a the back side of the ridge and then an exposed trail down the front side.  This was a fun trail, fast and flowy, it was over in a matter of minutes.  Joe's ridge intersected Kessel Run as it makes it's way back to 18 Road.  It was over way too quickly for us so we headed back to the upper parking lot so we could start off on Kessel Run.  This was also fast and flowy, but more mellow than Joe's ridge.   The weather started moving in again and it was decision time.  Brooke and Kevin were headed back to the cars and Sticki and I headed back up hit Joe's Ridge again and then finish it with the bottom section of Kessel Run that would take us back to the parking lot.  This is the video from halfway down of Steve on Joe's Ridge.  Nice

  After consulting the area trail book and with the help of Steve's trail scouting the day before, we were able to map out our course for the day.  It is to be an Epic ride for sure.  Moore Fun to Mack Ridge to Lion's Loop to Steve's Handcuffs to Mary's Loop.  A 20 mile ride in all, with every possible trail element you could think of.

The beginning of Moore Fun, which was a steep technical ascent with an awesome views at the top and some really great single track on the way down.  To the top we go.......... I'll let the pictures do the talking.....

Brooke rolling through the boulder field on Moore Fun

Brooke showing off on top of Mack Ridge....look how close to the edge...spooky.

This is Steve's Handcuffs, you can see it in the "view picture" above from on top of Mack Ridge.  Riding along the rims of the cliffs was really neat.  It almost felt like riding in a cave so to speak.  Looking up was sheer cliff walls and looking the other way was down into caverns of rock carved from the mighty Colorado River.  This day was most perfect weather wise, we finally got a break from Mother Nature on this end of Fruita.  While on the top of Mack Ridge looking North, The Bookcliffs were getting hammered by storm after storm.  We definitely  chose the right area to ride in today.  Not to cool and not to warm with a little breeze made it just right.  This ride truly was an Epic.  With 20 miles on the clock, it had everything.  Black diamond technical climbs and descents,  fun flowy downhills, peddling through the cliffs and mesa's with stunning views of the area.  And of course great friends to share the experience with.  

MAOB

Location: Moab, Utah

Trails: LPS, Porcupine Rim 

Riders: 6

Steve, Micki, Brooke, Andy, Mitch and Andrea (Dre)

With 3 days spent in Fruita, it was time to pack up and start to make our way back toward home.  Since our first attempt in Moab was thwarted by the weather, we decided to hit it on the way home.  We packed up camp at about 7am that morning and made our way down the highway to what some would say is the mountain biking "holy grail."  We've tried many times to plan trips to come here, but to no avail.  So that first day when we arrived and the weather was bad and we left, I was bummed.  It was almost like "deja vu."  Here we are and we can't ride.  aahhhh!!!  

After the trek into Moab, we pull into a City Market grocery store.  Sticki pulls up and says that some friends from back in the day would to join us for the Porcupine run.  Not a minute later,  Mitch and Dre walk up to Sticki and ask where we are?  Standing right next to our Subie which is right next to Sticki, Brooke and I looked at each other with confusion.  I said"right here."  With a surprised look on Mitchs' face he introduces themselves and we proceed into the market to get some lunch.  With the somewhat "shady" responses we got from the previous shuttle guy we were referred, we decided to opt for another way up to LPS. Well what do you know, Moab Cyclery just happened to be in the same parking lot.  Steve walks in aasks what time the shuttle leaves?  The reply......15minutes.  Dang, we all start to throw our gear on get our bikes ready for the journey down Porcupine.  

 Now it's sunny and about 55 degrees and feeling pretty nice.  Loaded up in the van, we start to make our way up to the top of LPS.   We roll past the famous "Lions Back".  I'm in back with Mitch and Dre, we talk about what we do and ride.  The preside in California but used to live in PHX.  We pass several riders grunting it the fire road on the way.  As we get closer, the clouds start to move in and we can see snow developing in the mountains above.

As we unload the bikes from the roof of the van.  It is apparent that I am "outshocked."  The bikes that everyone else has brought, will have at least 5 or more inches of travel front and rear.  Except for the "Exception."  He is currently boycotting rear suspension because he deems it "unnecessary."  If he could, he would roll his rigid 29er out here.  Mitch and Dre's are dual crown fork monsters with loads of travel and Micki is on her beloved Pivot Firebird.

The greater percentage of riders usually get dropped at Porcupine.  We however, are leaving from LPS which is higher up and more of a technical of a descent down to Porcupine Rim.  We roll out and hit the trail.  It was just like Fruita with the dirt trails and slick rock drops.  To tell you the truth, I was a bit worried.  I was doing fine, but was worried about Brooke.  Now she can throw down some mean mountain biking.  But this is a whole new game.  A wrong move, a wrong line, a tough landing off a drop could spell disaster. On the way down we ask if she's having fun? She reply," I'm having fun, I love this stuff." We all look at each other, because clearly, this was the exact opposite of what we were expecting to hear. With that in mind, there was no need to worry about her on this trail. Although we were far from being done, she had cleared some of the harder sections.

This was one of the steepest downhills I'd ever seen.  I didn't even ride most of it.  I think Steve, Micki and Mitch rode most of it, but the rest of us took turns walking/riding down it and handing each others bike's off .  If you were rock climbing, it would be a 5.6.  Here are some other riders opting to do the same.  

Looking across the valley floor from the first stop and regroup area on LPS.  Now that we are all back together, and Brooke is okay,  I feel more comfortable in Brooke's ability to ride this trail.   But then Mitch makes the comment,"whoa, I didn't know you brought your cross country rig out here!"  I look at him and state the fact that it may be a "cross country rig" but I don't ride it like one, that's for sure.  He looks on me in amazement and wonders to himself, how is Andy going to get down off this trail without it snapping his bike in two pieces?  Hmmm?

From L to R:  Micki - Steve - Brooke - Mitch in the Darth Vader get up.

Brooke below giving the thumbs up cause she's digging it.

About half way down Porcupine Rim we stop and take in the view.  Take some pics, have some snacks and pull some stunts.  Steve and Mitch successfully completed a 4-5' drop on that very same rock where we stand.  Most impressive.  I would have done it, but needed my bike to be in one piece for the rest of the journey.  At this point, I started to consider purchasing another bike that is more capable of such hits as these.  Hmmm, we'll see.  Everybody is making it down without incident and is stepping up their game and getting more "ballsy" shall we say.  Now there are several lines to be taken at certain obstacles.  1) take the "big hit" and go for it.  2) Take the "easier hit" or 3) You play it safe and take the nice and smooth trail......Here is some of what we were doing that day. One way is correct, the other not so much. It happens, you get the courage and at the last second, you decide to bail. Once you're committed, you're committed. The first is proper as shown by Micki...the second is Dre having second thoughts.






OUCH!!!! At first, we all shit ourselves. She really took a hit to the face and neck area. Luckily she had on the full face helmet. After she hit, she said she broke her nose and hurt her neck and jaw and was going to pass out. She really couldn't move and Micki held her head as to not inflict any more damage. We kept telling her to stay with us. It was 10 minutes of WTF is going to happen. All these thoughts running through our heads. Is she hurt badly? Internal injuries? Are we going to have to call for help? Should we just leave her there and keep riding? No!!! Not really!!

After regaining her senses, she was going to be alright. She said she had a headache and her neck was sore. But OK. We all took a deep breath and said,"thank God." Taking a little time to collect ourselves and to make sure she was able to get down the rest of the way on her own power, we finished up this otherwise perfect day. Here are some of the pictures on the way down towards the bottom.






















At the end of the trailhead, we were left to either hitch a ride or just ride our steeds to our cars on pavement. Although Mitch had flagged down a car to get a ride back, we all decided to ride, after all, that is why we are here. Back at the vehicles about 20 minutes later, we say our goodbye's and head our separate ways. Steve and Micki back to Scottsdale, Mitch and Dre back to California, and us back to Chino Valley. Another good day of riding in the books.

The 2010 Whiskey Off-Road Mtn. Bike Race

The 2010 Whiskey Off- Road     15 Proof   25 Proof  50 Proof


Brooke and I have been participating in the "Whiskey" for the past 3 years.  In 2008, I did the 15 Proof, in 2009 Brooke did the 15 Proof, and I was supposed to do the 25 Proof, but as luck would have it, certain roadblocks got in the way of fulfilling that "destiny."  Instead I cheered Brooke on from the sideline with "Sticki."  This year was different.  We both decided that we were going to do the 25 Proof..... no if's, and's or but's.

The weather for the past 4 months here in Prescott has been to say the least "challenging."  In terms of actual saddle time for training or just going out for any kind of ride at all.  This years winter has actually been well, winter.  Rain, snow or both at the same time, mother nature was going to rain down on us all her fury.  With very limited opportunities to ride, we traveled to Phoenix and to the BCT to try and get some kind of riding in.  I tried to get some road riding in, but the wind was a factor most days.  Although I did do the Prescott to Wickenberg road ride with a group of friends,  but that was a month ago.

With little time left, Brooke and I were anxious to say the least.  Steve and Micki decided to join the "Whiskey" fray.  Micki the 25 Proof SS (single speed) and Steve the 50 Proof on his newly acquired Raleigh rigid 29er SS.  Sarah of the "Sarad Clan" was to do the 25.  Who could ask for more, good ride with some good friends.  Sunday the 18th, Sticki came up to do a pre ride.  We got started about noon and to keep a long story short, the outing was feeling a bit off for everyone..........except for the Steve "the Exception" Reynolds.  He was rocking the "one cog" quite superbly.  Micki was trying out different gearing combos so she could find the right rate of spin necessary to climb the 5500ft in elevation change on the course.  With Sticking having better weather and the prime riding condition in PHX, they showed no mercy on the hills  and were forced to wait for us.  After the ride we went to Bill's Pizza and discussed possible ride times.  Brooke had stated that she felt confident and could do 3.5-4 hours.  My time was to be 3.5 hours.....I guess we'll see......

Brooke coming up part of TR#48 water bar section

The day before Brooke and I were manning the PMBA booth that Epic Rides had given us in support of jump starting community mountain biking locally.  Selling raffle tickets for a chance to win a $5500 Titus Rock Star 29er and sign people up for memberships was our primary goal for the event and we were grateful for the exposure.   We also had done trail work to get the course ready for the 1000+ riders to now take to the trails of Prescott.  The week leading up to this was a weather disaster.   Thursday night we received 3" of snow.  Oh geez.  Friday, check in/packet pick up, was to be partly cloudy and a high of 62.....that didn't happen.  It started out to be promising, but ended up being 34-42 and windy.  We were all bundled up as were other vendors and riders.  The raffle went well, $10 per ticket yielded about $3700 and with a week to go, the total should be around $4500 to be split between PMBA and The Yavapai Food Bank.

Race Day   April 24th 2010       Forecast:  Sunny high of 68 degrees


After a bad night sleep wise, I was not feeling the love.  I tossed and turned all night.    Inadvertently,  I also woke Brooke up a couple times with my jostling.  With Steve's start time for the 50 @7:15am, we did not see him off, as it would of imposed on our valuable sleep time.  The start time for the 25 is @9am.  Heading into downtown Prescott, the sky is clear and not a cloud to be seen.  The Courthouse Square is crawling with visitors for the race, and the Earth Day Event on the other side is packing them in as well.

I snapped this picture just before the start.  There is probably over 500 riders doing just the 25 Proof alone.  With the "fast" crowd up front and the "slower" crowd in the back, we are perched somewhere in the front 3rd of the pack.  IPOD ready with the jamz, firecrackers booming, excitement growing and then bang!!!  We're off!  The crowd screaming, we start pedaling in a massive wave rolling down Goodwin Street headed for Copper Basin Road toward Camp Pearlstein.  With 4 miles of pavement and lots of climbing to be done, you could see riders starting to fall back or keeping pace.  Once to Pearlstein, there was a mandatory walk section.  No, not because of our lack of fitness, it was because other riders could not make it over a simple water crossing and up the other side of the embankment.  You almost wanted to yell " come on now, it's a mountain bike ride, not a hike."  But I didn't, this gave me a chance to shed my vest that I no longer needed, so in the pack it goes.  Good thing too, it was quite warm by the time we got to that section.

Side note:  With all the trail work, rain and snow. The trail was just fast and tacky, with the 50 Proofers having the already gone through these sections, it was down right flawless.  PERFECT.

nuck, nuck, nuck, nuck.   One rider failed to make an easy uphill rise, got off and pulled his bike to the side, but it was too late.  The other rider just behind him already slowed to a stop and was unable to unclip and ended up falling over onto the rider that had just gotten out of the way.  2 down....plenty more to go.  Now TR#48 is fairly technical if you count all 34 water bars staggered up and down the trail, but it is doable.  This is where I met up with "frog man."  I call him this because, I never got his name, but he had a rubber frog strapped to helmet.  While riding, the frog was nearly ripped from his helmet by a low slung branch.  I told him, "that was a close one and nice frog by the way.  "He replied that he needed to name the frog," I said, how about Herman......?" We both got a good chuckle and kept on riding.  It turns out he's from Colorado Springs and he and his friend are riding this together.   You can spot his friend easily with a yellow rubber duck on his helmet.  I remembered them from the climb up to Pearlstein.  How could you not?

Following him, I could tell that he had the same speed and skill level as I, so it was a good match.  On your left, on your right, he and I passing riders here and there, we both were making great time.  As you make the transition form TR#48 to TR#260, there is a tricky section with some sharp switchbacks, steep drops and water bars.  I give him a heads up and tell him what is coming up ahead.  1) because I'm a nice guy, and 2) I didn't want to see my "riding buddy" eat it.

He accepted and took caution, but rode it well.  Now we were just flyin' down TR#260 or "baby head alley" as some call it.  Always steep and rocky.....but today, it was steep and awesome, there was a well defined line headed down.  A combination of mother nature and perfectly packed soil.  The 50 Proofers must have cleared most of the baby heads out of the way, it was PERFECT........just PERFECT.......all the way down to Fire Road 53, this is where you dig deep.  Starting in Prescott, you've just climbed up and over the mountains and now have to climb back up and over to finish.  With FR53 a long slow grind to where it meets the back side of Copper Basin Road (dirt).   A fellow rider asked if I have a odometer and how far we are.  I tell him," 13 miles, about half way done"......no response.  But I think he was hoping we were closer than that.  I think he pulled over shortly after, because I don't recall seeing him again.

A little ways in "frog man" and I chat it up again. It turns out he's been a middle school teacher for the  last 17 years.....WTF.  He looks to be about my age, which is 34 by the way.  I did a double take, so he must have been about 37ish.  We talked most the way until the last part of FR53......Only because....this is where "IT(FR53) beats you."  It's mostly a slight incline with some small rises here and there as you make your way up to Copper Basin.  But, the last 1/4 mile is a steep and windy section that will have your legs begging for mercy.   This is the last time I saw "frog man. "Crank it out", I tell myself...... almost in granny gear, I come upon some fellow riding buddies walking along side the road.  They give me words of encouragement to keep me going.  Almost there.....one last turn and over the cattle guard.  I let out a freakish yell, only verbally admitting what my legs wanted to say.  AAAARRRRRRRRHHHRRRRRRRRR!!!!  I made it up and over to the 1st aid station.

It couldn't have been a more happier site.  A fine bounty of potassium, salt and energy drinks.  An oasis if you will.   Many a biker lay their steeds down to feed at this trough of plenty,  myself included.  But only for a couple of minutes and then back on the bike to climb back up Copper Basin Road to Sierra Prieta Lookout.  This is a long 4 mile climb that never seems to end.  Off to the left you can look out over Skull Valley,  very tranquil, unless you're peddling your bike up a huge hill.   I passed a couple riders here, some there, some passed me, I caught back up to them because they bonked,  but a couple of ladies were cranking it out on the SS and put me to shame.  I swear, she must have been rolling a 34-10.  The rear cog was as small as a quarter.....unless,  I was seeing things.......hhhmmm.  

As I get closer to the top of  Copper Basin Road,  there is a crowd of about 25 people.  Up ahead there are about 6 riders grouped together as they make a left onto Thumb Butte to go to Sierra Prieta Lookout. The crowd start cheering and hollering them.  I'm advancing about 30 feet behind them with another rider back 10' and another 15' and so on.  But, as I pull up to the crowd and make the turn, not a word, nothing but silence.  What?  Am I not worthy of a cheer?  Are they throwing salt in my game?  I give them a look and point to them and yell out, " Can I get a HELL YEAH?"  Oddly enough, there was just enough silence to make it uncomfortable and then................... the crowd erupted in to cheer and excitement.  It was great, nothing like crowd participation.  I was laughing for the next couple of minutes from the look on their faces when I said that.  I'm glad they responded the way they did cause anything less would be awkward. Good times.

To the top of SPL, the 2nd aid station stood with more ride treats to be squandered.   I must help myself to them.  So I did.  Pat from the PMBA committee was there under the canopy, he called out my name as I came up the hill.  He was partaking in the 15 Proof, and was doing well for being a fairly new rider.  He and I talked for a couple of seconds and I said," back to the bikes" and he agreed.  To pull off the first part of this trail, you must go down off the road and then immediately climb a fairly steep incline and then a couple more.  I pull it off without a hitch, Pat, right behind me...does not.  I here a couple puffs of breathe and a " ahhh!  Dang it."  I didn't look back, but I could hear him get off his bike and start pushing it up the hill.  I came up to the back of some other riders and they were inching along....I pulled up on the rear tire of the rider in front of me, I stood up and cranked it out in a big gear.  Once we hit the crest, I felt a little" twinge" in my legs....what the.....?  "What was that?"  My mind searching for clues....."Oh no! I hope it's not leg cramps!"  No worries.....I'm on the down hill section, I can spin those cramps away.

In fact I did.  Bombing down the the Thumb Butte single track throwing caution to the wind.  I was kicking it into high gear.  The only problem........again.........mountain bike riders that can't ride any kind of obstacle......must be "roadies fakin it."  Some halted the progress I was making.  After passing them it was afterburner on.   I was getting close, one last creek crossing till the last section of climbing, also known as "cramp hill."   No problem.   Until I started pedaling.    And then it happened.  "Cramp hill" sunk it's claws into my quads and calves simultaneously.  I felt my legs go into lock-down mode,  I tore my feet out of my pedals just in time.  I stood next to my bike with leg lock in full effect.  The people I just passed were now starting to round corner.  I put my head down trying to convince my legs to get it together.  No response.  Now worried, so close to the end, how long was this going to take?  I slowly began to do a squat and eased my way down to sit on my heels, I  could feel the lactic acid finally receding from my muscles.  Rubbing my quads and calves for a bit, I was able to stand up and was at least able to walk, with the ability to bend my legs, instead of walking like Forrest Gump in leg braces.  It was a relief.  At most, it only took a couple of minutes, but it seemed longer than that.  Only about 5 riders had been able to catch up and pass me by.  I continued to walk the last section of 'Cramp Hill" to make sure that there would not be a repeat of what had just happened.  Looking back down the hill, everyone else chose to walk as well.

 Now at the top, I jumped back in the saddle and headed toward TR#392, the last part of single track down the switchbacks and through several creeks and onto Creek Side Trail.  Again,  more "technically challenged" riders.  At this point, my frustration had kicked in at the lack of riding skills I am witnessing out here, mind numbing.  Simple obstacles, little drops, they were getting off their bikes for these...?  WTF.  And to make it worse, they stayed on the trail blocking riders behind them.  Total disregard of "proper trail etiquette" in my book.  So I voice my opinion with a " you know you have riders behind you, right!"  It was loud enough to hear if you were in earshot of it.  No one responded but magically, the next couple of tech sections the trail parted like the Red Sea.  With the last couple of sections cleared I hit Thumb Butte Road which leads back to the finish line.

 Awesome, I just killed that course, with very little prep time and some leg cramps to boot.  Rolling towards downtown,  I throw it into the big ring and spin it out.  When what do you know, a couple of those "tools" that were jamming me up, start creeping up on me.  Whatever "tools."  They pass me, no biggie,  I'm still hauling.  We make the corner onto Park Ave.  There is a slight up hill on Park, not something you want to see after a grueling ride but it must be done.   I put my head down and grunt it out, when all of a sudden, the bike gods rained down some "KARMA" on their non technical asses.   I assumed that one of them had crashed and taken the other 2 out with him.   I found out later that he "cramped up" and it tossed him off the bike into his buddies.  Oh.....so sad......SUCKA!!!  I pedaled by with a grin, I did enjoy it, I'm not going to lie.  To the final turn and onto Goodwin Street.  I can see the finish line, the crowd cheering on the finishers.  It was great.  Only someone tried to take my place in the standings and tried,  I repeat "tried" to take my place, but put the hammer down and out-sprinted him to the finish by less than a foot.  Take that fool.  My time 3:32:03  61st place in Mens Open.

Now I just had to wait for Brooke to pull in on her "trusty steed",  at the 1st aid station, Tone from the Raven Cafe had asked where she was.  I said," back there somewhere." He kinda looked at me funny like I should keep tabs on her.  No worries, Brooke's a trooper.  She has guts.  For only taking up riding seriously in the last couple of years, she has come on strong.  She rocks the single speed on some rides that others need gears for.  I love it.  She can only improve and get better.  I better watch my back.  She pulls through the finish with some "moxy" as seen in the picture.   Look ma' no hands!  I walk up to her and give her a big  hug.  I got choked up and teary eyed.  Most impressive.  Great job Brooke......

She pulls up at 4:17 and is in 16th place in Womens Open.

And of course,  Sticki and Sarah are already here waiting.  Micki really kicked some butt in the Ladies Single Speed Class.  She took 2nd Place   3:23:18    narrowly beating out a fellow friend and competitor.  Great job Micki.  On the right, wassup!!!

Sarah was in Womens Open Class.  She ended up taking 4th Place  3:18:10   on the right.

Steve "the Exception" Reynolds was not so fortunate.  He never really had a chance to pre ride the 50 Proofer course and did not know what was in store for him.  That and he lacked the superfood - Little Debbie Brownies, his main source of nutrients.  That's OK though, next year he has big plans to "crush the competition."   As per the rules  "Sympathy Photo."

Results can be seen here: http://www.epicrides.com/results/worresults/wor_results_2010.html

Another awesome day riding with a great bunch of friends.  I wouldn't change a thing.  Except for the those leg cramps.....those were killer.

Trail Maintenance on TR#48

Saturday April 10th was to be a trail day consisting of making TR#48 rideable for the Whiskey Off Road that will be here on the 23rd and 24th.  This task would consist of a few hand picked volunteers to clean up the debris from fallen timber as well as trimming trees, shrubs and that pesky "Cat's Claw Vine" that will shred anything it can, including tires and flesh with ease.  Also on the list was to clear snow still left on the North faces of the trail.  While most had melted, there still are "considerable" amounts left over and this makes great  runoff in the streams and washes below.

"Glacier removal"

Brooke and I arrived a little late to this expedition, but there was plenty to do.  About 150 yards onto the trail we came upon Steve Lummer hacking his way through some snow and ice with a pitchfork and making fairly good progress, but he was alone and sweating pretty good.   The rest of the crew went to the top of TR#48 and were to work their way back down and meet in the middle.  We decided to help out Lummar with his task of clearing the frozen ice packs.  Tools at our disposal: a trenching spade shovel, 2 metal rakes and 2 pairs of clippers.

While Steve's pitchfork was impressive, it was no match for the spade slicing through the packs of snow.  We decided to simplify this task with an assembly line type of feel to it.  I would lead the trio of man power by slicing and dicing the chunks of ice and snow, Steve would then remove said chunks and Brooke would follow behind with the rake and groom the now freshly exposed trail and clip off any tree branches and cats claw hidden under the snow.  It was quite impressive and we were rolling along, taking these things down 1 by 1.  Until the "mother load" was discovered.  Trail #48 in a new section of trail made just in time for last years "Whiskey" to connect two sections of existing trail and eliminating the fire road traveled years prior.  About half way up there is a 90 degree turn with a rock bridge and opposing rock faces and a newly formed waterfall to intimidate the less traveled rider.  This is where we found "THE GLACIER"..............3-4 feet of snow and ice.

While in the midst of tackling this cluster of we had a couple of riders doing a pre rides. As they passed by, they thanked us for the hard work and for clearing and maintaining the trails' for everyone's enjoyment. With the "glacier" conquered, there were only a couple of small one's remained.  Those cleared with ease, the heavy lifting was done.  We were past the snow pack.  What lay ahead was trimming and pruning and grooming the trail as we made the turn to the South face.  A couple more bikers and runners came past and said thanks for a job well done.  A trim there, a snip here, it was now lunch time as stated by Brooke.  Just a few minutes later,  the others were coming back down the trail.  We made our way down the trail passing each section we had just cleared just moments earlier.  I didn't keep count, but there had to be about 15 of these frozen slabs of snow and ice.   With the Subie packed up and good bye said we headed into town for some grub.

We stopped by the Brown Bag Burger for some tasty burgers and fries, because thats what Brooke had specified dangit, and nothing else was to satisfy that type of hunger.   Another good day here in Prescott and a sense of accomplishment to boot.

Cheers....