May Valley Fever

A day of riding in the May Valley (more goodness from Mary and Brendan) and I’ve got the fever.

This fever can’t be cured with more cowbell..

It can only be cured by more riding in the May Valley

Saturday’s ride started from the Siren duos’ front door, wound through town and quickly started climbing. “Gotta get across that ridge” said Brendan. It only took a few minutes before I understood how much the Mountains to Desert ride took out of my legs, and how little they had left. And only a minute longer to discover that Mary had been holding out on us yesterday, and was seemingly eager to turn every climb into a sufferfest. On the final climb of the day, I was beaten into submission and forced to cry auntie, as Montgomery Scott lines etched themselves into my psyche.. “We’re losing the warp engines”…”If we keep up this speed, we’ll blow up any minute now”…and everyone’s favorite “I’m giving her all she’s got Captain, she can’t take much more!”.. With all the success that she had this year, next year the men and women on the endurance circuit are in for a rough year, destined to see the backside of her fifty five or her song.
We reached the top in time to meet a group of riders from San Diego, led by Idywild legend (and trail designer and builder), Marlin..

Three turns down the trail, and SNAP…

He was talked into continuing the ride, standing the entire time.. Eventually, his utter exhaustion convinced him to challenge Mary to a standing ride only contest. and she proceeded to beat someone else into submission. She was clearly having a good day..

Suffice it to say that we rode many trails, I remember none of the trail names, and few of the riders’ names. The trails ranged from sandy and soft, to swoopy and earthen-packed. Steep ups, steeper downs, a few logs (one log pile), and lots of rocks. Some slick rock (granite style)

Including one section that Brendan led, that had multiple ratings. If you rode through the trail through the rocks, it was rated G, but Brendan’s line meandered up and over every rock along the trail, and was clearly deserving of a XXX rating. It was a good day to wear baggies..

andwhile everyone was eating, we found a few more rocks to play on..

While I struggled to send this route, Brendan made it look easy

After climbing the rocks, we had to split from the group and find our way back to their house, but only after grabbing a few prizes.

Another awesome day of riding, courtesy of Brendan and Mary. Thanks guys for an incredible couple of days, I can’t wait to get down there for some more goodness.

ps..scrawny pale legs after a weekend of tight desert trails..

and I found another enjoyer of Stranahan’s for Dave..

go here for more pix