the Syncline, first Mountain Bike ride of the Season .......


OK, the Syncline is a good first ride for me, up the main trail to the top and down little Moab to Maui's and home.... Peter's young, he been riding all winter long, he has progressed over the last couple of years into a good rider. I can't really fault Bruce riding, he has been riding a couple of times a week since returning from Baja and in Baja He did ride a lot.

Bruce called around 10 am this morning. A "wake up" call to go for a bike ride, meet at the trail head at 11. I haven't ridden my mountain bike from nearly six weeks ago in Baja. OK I'll meet you and Peter there. Syncline is early season ride, it is the first trail to dry out here. The trail begins at Courtney road and state hi-way 14. Climbing up to around 1500 foot elevation at it's highest point with several route variations. There are two single tracks to choose from going up. The main trail, a gentle climb with several switch backs and Maui's loop. Maui's loop is a steeper more challenging climb, most riders choose to go down Maui's, your truly included. OK, the Syncline is a good first ride for me, up the main trail to the top and down little Moab to Maui's and home. Not to be.... at the intersection spitting the main trail and turning right to Maui's, Bruce turns right! I hesitate and then follow. What the hell, I have been ridding in Baja, I am feeling healthy. Can't be that tough if Bruce and Peter are game to ride it. WRONG... I bonk, I have to stop to slow down my heart, my legs are not getting the oxygen needed to spin the pedals. I can't gear down any lower, if I could I would fall over, I can't ride that slow. How the hell does Bruce do it? Peter's young, he been riding all winter long, he has progressed over the last couple of years into a good rider. I can't really fault Bruce riding, he has been riding a couple of times a week since returning from Baja and in Baja He did ride a lot. Me? I have been doing other things, no excuses made. I am just not in condition, and I paid today. Once near the top at the next intersection, Peter and Bruce are waiting for me along with Frieda and Carl who join us for the rest of the ride. They are all rested and planning the next part of the ride. There is a God, they decide not ride up any higher! We going to ride the trail to Katharine's creek trail head. I like this part of the ride, it is mostly down hill. It is also a fast single track with some technical sections thrown in. I am not the tail dragger on this part of the ride. I shine, I am on Bruce's tail all of the way down. I'll ride more, maybe at lest once a week, not the once a month I seem to averaging. I like mountain biking, I just don't like exercising.

Posted: Sun - March 20, 2005 at 04:37 PM          

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