Burning off Frustration
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| In between storms..... |
There are times that the stresses of life, dealing with clients and digging through a building workload just get to be a lot. Add to that, support network failures that just can't seem to get it right - it's time to go for a long MTB foray. A string of storms coming up from the south forecasted to provide some serious precip in the next few days, means the season is getting short. I snuck out in between storms yesterday having to dodge standing water in numerous locations, but not seeing a lot of people on the trail - especially up higher where there was no sign of other bikes at all. The absence of other bikes meant moose on the trails coming off the top - always a tentative proposition this time of year. The "Timber Bell" alerted a cow and two calves that had just wandered into a blind corner coming off a fast descent. I could see the fresh tracks just before I found them around the corner. We were able to come to an agreement that didn't require me having to climb back out and go the other way. Not long after overhead thunder and rain kind of put a sense of urgency into the last 30 minutes. Getting home, both the bike and rider covered in mud - it was temporary relief form stress.
More Trail Improvements
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| More changes in North Fork |
Long gone are the days when North Fork had few, if any improved trails. According to Trailforks, there are a total of more than 49 improved trail miles in North Fork, with more improvements being made - ongoing. Perhaps the biggest difference is the quality of the trail, with very good design and construction methods being employed. A few parts of the original Mules Ear are a reminder of what used to be the norm. Older parts of the trail are showing age and lack of design improvements, with roots and ruts requiring more skills than were previously needed. The trail up to the top is growing over, making it harder to manage a good line. Add to that the rocks and terrain, it takes a little better skill than a typical "fair weather" rider can manage. It's still a great place to ride - my true "home trail", that goes back more than fifty years for me personally. As the "sport" becomes more popular, more demand on improved trails increases. A small price to pay - in my estimation.
More Huntsman Support
Two more donations came in post race, from a couple of long time supporters.
One of the other cool sisters
Closest to my own age than the others, this sister is still nearly an entire genre ahead of me. Still, this is where I learned what genuine and proper definition of good vinyl. That group re-wrote the rules that had been broken countless times before - establishing what would be come a few good years. I know that seems cryptic at best, but it's the best I can do to describe the class of '75. Long hair, fast cars and classic albums - I was just starting junior high, as a spectator. Wow! What a ride it was. Maybe some of that cool faded when she bought a Chevette. Still....it was a "Vette", maybe not what you'd expect. She still re-wrote the book on cool.
The Work Horse - J.D.
This guy and I go back many years professionally. He and I get together and everything seems to go off the rails. Meanwhile, professionalism prevails and we get the job done - better than pretty much anyone else could do. He knows what it takes to train and pull off an endurance event. He also knows how to keep priorities straight - somehow always doing the right thing at the correct moment. Darn lucky to have a good friend such as him.
Where to go from here....
I realize that most of these posts go completely unread. Kind of makes it easy to write when I know I'm the only audience. It has been an outlet from time to time, but for my own benefit. The question is; why continue to do it - whatever it is. I know why it started all those years ago, but I'm probably the only person that would notice it was no longer happening - the writing and posting. I'm getting to the point where doing frivolous things is getting put aside for those that matter. Is there an audience out there? Not really. So what's the point? I guess I'm kidding myself - which seems to have been a common theme in my life. What I think is a truth is someone else's folly. I've been made a fool too many times in my life to count anymore. Maybe it's time to cash in and go home. One thing is certain; I've longed for truth and answers for so long I've nearly given up. Maybe it's time to move on.....
'72 - a lot of hocky and baseball. It was a good year. Deodato re-wrote those rules as well.
Ride HARD!
