A little riding..a lot of work…

Jens, tall Dane transplanted from Md to Albuquerque, whom I met at the Double Boundary Trail ride, called and asked if I wanted to go for a ride in Los Alamos today. Show him some new trails. What kind of question is that?

On another beautiful NM morning, we rolled from the house, and had a full three minute warm-up before climbing the Quemazon Trail. The boy’s skillz are most excellent. A few slips here and there, but we pushed through to the Pipeline intersection in just over 40 minutes. The biggest time sinks were the frequent tree crossings, particularly across the upper third of the trail. Last week’s big wind storm pushed over lots of dead trees, and a few that weren’t dead…

Carnage on Quemazon

Pipeline, true to Joe’s warning, wasn’t much better. But there were a few stretches that were unobstructed, and they all offered spectacular views to the north and into Los Alamos canyon, which is just seven to ten days from peak colors..

Finally, 90 minutes after leaving the trailhead we reached The Guaje Ridge trailhead.

Spirits were high, but we actually considered bailing from the ridge and riding up to the Pajarito singletrack, just to avoid the probable mess of downed trees on the ridge. But, the Ridge is such a great trail, it was hard to seriously consider not hitting it. I love that trail. Best trail in NM! so we turned to the north and started descending. and that lasted for 30 seconds. then we crossed over a few downed trees, and rode for another 90 seconds. stepped over a few trees..and 30 seconds later..

Clearing some of the sections was like playing pick-up sticks. You had to move trees just to get to more trees to move..

All said, by the time we hit the Mitchell Trail, we had probably cleared 20-30 trees, and left 20-30 trees. We’re just two skinny cyclists, we do have our limits.

After the Mitchell intersection, we had far fewer obstacles, and were able to enjoy (for the most part) the rest of the Ridge…

We took Cabra down from the end of Guaje Road, and although I had heard it was fairly impassable, it wasn’t too bad. Some erosion issues remaining from the heavy storms in July, and some thicker sand in the canyon bottom, but not very many downed trees..

Looking down at some deer from the Cabra Trail..

We finished up the ride by climbing Upper Rendija, and hitting Walnut Canyon Rim and part of Bridges. In all, I think that we rode for 4.5 hours, with easily 1.5 houyrs lost to trail clearing and tree traversing. A good day, for Jens a strong day considering that he raced on Sunday and then did a 4.5 hour ride in the East Mountains yesterday, he wasn’t looking for a long epic today..

With GITA just 3 weekends away, I need to start begging for a little help in clearing some of the trails, particularly Guaje Ridge and then Pajarito Canyon (which I hear is also pretty bad). GITA may miss the peak colors, but if today was a good indicator, it won’t miss it by much..

After the ride, I took advantage of the warm afternoon to swap a fork out for Hugh, NM stud roadie. He had a minute 2 on his superlight that he just hates, so this week he bought a Reba. Easy work, 20 – 30 minutes top…

Until..I dropped his fork and the bottom race of his old Chris King headset just exploded..bearings everywhere…

what to do… what to do..
as a temporary, but immediate fix, I yanked the bottom race from my hanging-in-the-garage Rat Ride..

and we were back in business..

Isn’t that purty…

And, since he doesn’t like the Minute 2, and it was no longer needed..it found its way on my Truth, replacing the 80 mm superflex SID.

woohoo..new(2 me) toy, maybe I’ll take it out for a spin tomorrow..

Thursdays, when I can make them, are the beer crew rides. After work rides, that always finish at a car with a cooler full of hoppy beverages..
Last week, we climbed up Canyon de Valle. an excellent 6 mile out and back that is just not a popular trail, so it doesn’t see many riders. Like earlier today, we spent a good amount of time moving and sawing trees, and left a few that were just too big for us to move. Which is saying a lot because everyone, expect for me, on the Thursday rides are unusually large for cyclists..their arms are the size of my legs…

Climbing towards the setting sun

Joe searches for more oxygen closer to the ground

Rick is a blur through the fading light

last week was an extra special day.. The rest of the group had spent the previous weekend in Salida at the Rocky Mountain High gathering, and had brought back a party favor.. half a bottle of Colorado Whiskey..

It wasn’t long before the half bottle became an empty bottle

Last Thursday was also my first night ride of the season, just getting home form the post-ride activities. I had expected to be riding near dusk, so I took my lights, halogens and came home via the Dickless trail. Which is quite exciting at night, especially after a little drinking..
We only have a few more weeks until daylight savings ends (or does it begin?) but it looks like we’re planning on continuing the rides, we’ll just have to use lights. At least until the temperatures drop… goodie.. night riding is a blast!!