Dead Legs And Mountain Miles

With the forecast for rain, and what I thought was some family commitments, I had completely put thoughts of a long ride on the mountain out of my head. But I woke up to blue sky and sun, and a Wifey who volunteering to fill in for me for some of said commitments. Thank you Ma Nature and thank you Wifey!

Off I went to the mountain to ride a variety of earth: forest roads, double track, single track, snowmobile trails, etc., The first non climb false flat had me thinking this trip was unwise. My legs felt heavy and dead. Soon though the road evened out and they warmed up to my normal heavy dead legs.

After about 10 miles of up and down on wide rocky double track and forest roads I was ready to roll on the Red Oak snowmobile trail. Look down to my right and OF COURSE see a freaking pair of undies. I truly believe that the amount of underwear I encounter has reached freakish proportions. I gotta say, I'm feeling a little disturbed about the whole thing.

After quick pick to document the freakishness, I was plugging along on the undulating, at times power sucking trail. Then I got to hit some rooty single track up to 31 as I headed over to the second part of the sort of figure 8 loop.

The sky often looked threatening, but I safely completed the ride without having to put on the rain jacket. Glad too, 'cause the air was warm and humid and putting on a rain jacked was not on my list of things I wanted to do on the ride. But then again, maybe it would have acted as a sauna suit to promote my ass to sweat off some pounds. Dehydration be damned!

Hit a few long climbs on the ride. Always nice to get in some steady climbing. As I made my way back down Tunnel towards Auckerman, I spied a HUGE pot hole/sink hole. Someone wisely, but humorous nonetheless, marked the hole for folks with a huge limb. There was also a big rubber boot stuffed in it. Not sure the reason for the boot.

I guess it worked though, because there was not chance I was going to endo into that hole. And I HOPE that any vehicle speeding down this back road could look being their Keystone Light can long enough to miss it. Not that all folks driving on the back roads are drinking Keystone. Just an observation based on the amount of empty cases seen along the forest roads.

Finished up with some of the Mountain Streams Trail and then zoned out in sweaty haze and climbed Camp Run at mall walker pace. To the snake I ran over going a blazingly fast 3 miles per hour, I apologize. If it's any consolation you still scared the shit out me.

Not a long ride mileage wise, coming in at just 30 miles, but the amount of dirt, mud, and climbing pushed the time to about 3:20 of saddle time. Not one of my best rides physically, but mentally it was nice to enjoy an unexpected day in the saddle.

Later.