When I lived in Colorado I missed the trees and the greenery of the Eastern Woodlands. I've been back a long time, but now find that sometimes I miss unobstructed views. They're not easy to come by here on the east coast. Lately I've gotten the itch, and today I got a chance to scratch it. I also got to ride some singletrack that I rarely visit.
Business before pleasure though. The ride opened with a 10 mile climb, mostly on jeep trail and dirt road. Hardly inspiring, but I needed the exercise.
And the payoff is worth it. Driving: 2.5 hours. Climbing: 1.25 hours. The view: priceless. Just what the doctor ordered.
Its not the altitude, but what you can see from it that counts.
I'd noticed on the way up that there was a descending section where I was flinging mud all over the place. I remember thinking that I could get a fun pic if I'd had some company. On the way back down this same section was a climb, and it was a fine line between going fast enough to clear the mud from the tires without blowing up and bogging down, or just plain bogging down without the blowing up part. I was unable to walk that line.
As usual, I was alone, so self portraits on the timer were the name of the game. Here's some classic southeastern bench cut. Dupont SF has a rep for doubletrack and lots of traffic. Not from where I stand though.
From the top of Pinnacle Mtn I bombed all the way down to Lake Julia. Didn't feel like wading so I returned the way I came down, but there is a ford across the creek down there that leads to more single track. There's also this bridge, ready to drop at the slightest touch. Its a tourist trap. "Hey Marge, a bridge! We can cross here without getting our feet wet!!!"
Heading for the barn. What's this white chit? Snow? WTF??? SNOW!!!???? I knew I should have run my studded tires today. I felt just like splat, only warmer.
And some random sort of artsy shots.
Business before pleasure though. The ride opened with a 10 mile climb, mostly on jeep trail and dirt road. Hardly inspiring, but I needed the exercise.
And the payoff is worth it. Driving: 2.5 hours. Climbing: 1.25 hours. The view: priceless. Just what the doctor ordered.
Its not the altitude, but what you can see from it that counts.
I'd noticed on the way up that there was a descending section where I was flinging mud all over the place. I remember thinking that I could get a fun pic if I'd had some company. On the way back down this same section was a climb, and it was a fine line between going fast enough to clear the mud from the tires without blowing up and bogging down, or just plain bogging down without the blowing up part. I was unable to walk that line.
As usual, I was alone, so self portraits on the timer were the name of the game. Here's some classic southeastern bench cut. Dupont SF has a rep for doubletrack and lots of traffic. Not from where I stand though.
From the top of Pinnacle Mtn I bombed all the way down to Lake Julia. Didn't feel like wading so I returned the way I came down, but there is a ford across the creek down there that leads to more single track. There's also this bridge, ready to drop at the slightest touch. Its a tourist trap. "Hey Marge, a bridge! We can cross here without getting our feet wet!!!"
Heading for the barn. What's this white chit? Snow? WTF??? SNOW!!!???? I knew I should have run my studded tires today. I felt just like splat, only warmer.
And some random sort of artsy shots.
