Thanksgiving Morning

Pressing My Luck

Seemed like a good idea at the time.  You know - going for an early ride this morning before the weather got much worse.  There are few, very few things that will keep me off my bike, but ice is certainly the one thing, if not the only thing that I truly hate.  I love the cold - I can dress for it.  The wet, the mud, even the snow - I can deal with everything but ICE!  Don't ask me how, but I managed to get all the way to the hill at Cold Water before my bike came out from under me.  I really had to think it through, as I was committed to getting a ride in this morning, but the risk - scratch that, the danger is not worth the chance.  One of my neighbors had this very thing happen to him a few years ago and it put him in the hospital for four days - dang near killed him at that.  Last year I had my bike come out from under me after riding over Ben Lomond peak, down past Willard Basin.  There is no more gut-less feeling than when your bike goes from under you.  It is completely unpredictable, never the same and always bad.  Just stopping for this pic below I was standing on an icy bridge deck.  Bad idea..............

I've never been a big holiday fan.  However, as a kid, I used to love going hunting on Thanksgiving morning.  From my earliest memories, I remember some of the most unbearable conditions; snow, fog, ice, wind - it didn't matter I truly loved that experience.  From probably four years old 'till....well when things changed. I couldn't carry a gun until I was twelve, but I didn't care.  Truth is, most of those hunts were completely unsuccessful from the hunting perspective, but I remember so much about them all.  One year it was so cold while duck hunting, I remember thinking if I shot my gun a few times, I could warm my hands on the barrel (stupid) - not that I would ever do it.  The last year I can remember was perhaps the only successful hunt on Thanksgiving.  Chasing Chukars in a foot of snow up where I would ultimately break my ankle last March.  The irony......

Through some of those years, as I got a little older, there was this phenomenon called FM radio.  In particular, there was this early local station that would play nothing but deep tracks and extended full versions.  Virtually no commercials and absolutely no talk - none.  It was XM/Sirius thirty years earlier, but better.  I'd leave that playing all night, very low, with only the light of the tuner illuminating my bedroom.  It was magic. While at work yesterday, I was going over a project with a tech.  While going over the details of some calculations he used the phrase "FM", which I learned early on in my career, that's what techs often call engineering.  Later in the day, I had business over in the other valley.  Afterward, I took a couple of my boys over to the farm for a little target shooting.  Cold and windy, it was reminiscent of those earlier days, when on a cold autumn night, I would listen for hours to the magic of FM.  Those were great days and I miss the magic.

Some uncut magic with a touch of Chopin

Watch out for the ice and Ride HARD!

Slowing down?

Next season is in the gate......

A couple of good rides on the dirt this week.  The ride Monday was pretty cold and pretty much the way I like it.  27° by the time I got back to the house.  Tonight was a tad warmer like upper 30's when I got home - riding shorts weather.  The trail is mixed with snow, ice, some minor mud and a ton of leaves.  No other riders either night, but I did happen on to a bull moose Monday night.  A couple weeks ago I tied a bell to the bottom of my saddle for such occasions.  Still, this feller was right in the middle of the single track, not sure what was coming at him.  By the time I saw him, I was coming out of a blind turn at just under warp speed - literally no time to adjust.  Fortunately, the moose had already turned around and was for getting out of there.  I've had it go the other way when the moose has sent me packing all the way back from where I just came.  All that is what makes this absolutely great.

Had a quick meeting with the company riding club Poobah.  He's getting ready to retire, so another guy and I are going to split duties.  Thus, we are already starting to look at kits, gear, rides, and activities for next year.  This is where Huntsman and Lotoja get the primary funds for the HHH function.  I also registered for my first race - okay ride.  True Grit is March 9th near Santa Clara.  This is the race I was training for last year when I jacked-up my ankle.  I've also been getting notices for Leadville, but that is definitely a long shot at best.  I'm also looking at a different approach to fundraising for next season.  Stay tuned.....................

I've noticed the page views have started to slow, so maybe time to cool it for a while.  Still, if I can still ride in North Fork, the season can't be over yet.  Meanwhile, riding is always good when you can get it.

We're not done yet.

Ride HARD!

Should I stay or should I go?

Sacrifice

What is the cost?

Cold and dry today.  Took a short little ride out on on the oil (and a little dirt), to appreciate 33° in the face.  Schedules have been less than ideal for riding and such, but I've made a few changes that will remedy that problem.  Still, not a lot of time left on the local trails before I'll be on the other side of the mountain.  Registration for "True Grit" opened yesterday - the one I was training for when I busted my ankle last March.  I need to figure out how to get some training rides in down there before I sign-up.  13 weeks, I think I can make it.

So..........on this, the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, the thought of true sacrifice definitely comes to mind. A sacrifice is something you give up, to never get back, or reimbursed.  It is not a donation, it is absolute giving - to never be given back.  There is a lot to be said for someone that will sacrifice for another, without knowing who that other maybe.  It doesn't really matter the cause, just the fact that someone - anyone, may be willing to sacrifice for another.  That is character of the highest kind.

You locals know of the most recent in our area.  These are truly the people that make a difference.

No matter what you may believe, who or what you worship, how you vote, how you voice your opinion - somebody paid the price that you may do so.  It wasn't free.  More so, the debt is never satisfied.  As I've said so many times before; you've got to put your self in a position - prepare yourself, that you may step up when the time comes.  It's not easy.

Thanks for your service.  Thanks for the sacrifice.

Riding is so easy.

Find the Cost of Freedom - CSN&Y

Cold and Muddy

Needs/Wants - Wills/Desires

Yesterday was ideal for almost any kind of ride, so why not do yard work instead?  After spending yesterday doing yard work, and the completely overwhelming week at the office, I needed a good ride.  It just wasn't going to happen while the weather was agreeable.  This afternoon had to be it; cold wet and raining/snowing.  I really didn't want to go out, but I needed to just get away for a while - something that took a lot of convincing on my part.

With North Fork closed to all motor vehicles for the season, it was a great time to head up to the north canyon and Bicentennial Trail.  Dressed for wet and cold conditions, I wasn't too concerned about the elements, but more concerned about leaving everything else behind for a spell.  Before jumping onto the single-track, I rode up to a couple summer home gates, just to get a look around.  I ran across a pretty good "fire-scar" from a quick brush fire last August.  Lots of variation in terrain and conditions made it hard to get comfortable.  One minute on a tight hard surface, the next, grease.  Even on the service roads, it was sketchy at times not knowing if the tread would hook-up, or leave me sliding.

The start of the single-track was pretty tight.  Most of that is climbing, with good traction and manageable grades. Just around those fur trees above, the trail immediately got greasy.   This was the case most of the way up to the junction.  At times the tires would load-up, but quickly clear, often not fast enough to take sharp turns very fast.  Several places you could see where a couple of horses had a tough time keeping a solid footing along the way as well.  There are some steep grades that are hard enough dry.  Add the grease and it's pretty much hike-a-bike.

The trail was a tad better from the summit down, but still, a few areas that the tires wouldn't hook-up.  I hadn't been up this trail for a couple years, so I wasn't sure how far anything was.  I knew this sign was just a shade over a mile from the crossing at Cutler Creek.  A couple switchbacks and a simple little water crossing.  With temps in the mid 30's, it wasn't a good idea to get wet feet.  Sure enough, cold feet for the rest of the ride home.  With some daylight left, I headed up Cutler Creek Trail, as I hadn't been up there in quite a while either.

This is an old trail I used to run some thirty years ago, with my yellow lab.  Back then, there weren't many single track trails - besides the original Bicentennial Trail.  I used to ride my old hard-tail mountain bike over the service roads, but would seldom ride up this trail, as the terrain was not enjoyable on that technology.  Still, this was a pretty quiet place that I could trail run with my dog after a long day at the office.  There was never anyone else up there.  It was up at the top of this trail that I caught the picture of the "frozen mushroom" on the stump (at the top of this post).  That place sees direct sunlight about 20 minutes each year.  A stretch of marsh right down the middle of the trail always slows things down, trying to pick through it.  With the park now closed, there won't be anyone up there for a long time - not that it goes anywhere in particular, just a quiet place.

You may notice the little blue bell zip-tied to the bottom of the bike saddle.  There have been a ton of "cat" sightings (lions), including a lioness and her two cubs in this particular area.  The bell serves to let other riders know I coming on "blind" corners, but in this case, keep the lions from considering me as prey.  You'll also notice the RaceFace flat pedals.  Still no confidence in the SPD's.  I think I need to try some EggBeaters.

This afternoon was all need and will.  Literally, no want, nor desire involved.  It was cold, wet and everything else you' expect,  A darn fine ride and am glad I forced myself out there.  I really couldn't come up with a good reason not to go.  I mean, cold and wet is nothing.  Rather, I'm fortunate to be able to ride right out of my driveway and onto top grade trails.  It won't be long and I'll have to drag my bike to trails that aren't covered with a few feet of snow.  I'll lament not being able to ride with such ease, but until then I'll have to make the most of the conditions - but will I?

Blues Deluxe - Beck/Stewart, Fillmore West '68

Ride Hard!